Texas Christmas Bride: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 6

by Jean Brashear

  “Veronica might not want it. And Jackson is eager to spend a fortune on her.”

  “I don’t think that’s what she wants, though.” Excitement seized Penny, and she wiped away the tears from her sister’s eyes, then her own. “She should have the opportunity. But no pressure. We’d better catch Jeanette quickly, though, before she does any work on a new one.”

  “I’ll call her. Then we should go see Veronica.”

  Penny hesitated. “I…I’m not sure it’s a good time.”

  “Why do you say that? Is something wrong?” Rissa read her expression. “Penny, I’m not the little girl anymore. If there’s a problem with my family, I deserve to know. I always hated it that you and Jackson shared everything and left me out.”

  She was right. They’d been so smug in their twinhood. “We were wrong to do that. It’s more that I’m not sure I’m not imagining things.”

  “What things?”

  “I really don’t know. It’s just this sense…there was a tension between them at the meeting earlier…or a sadness or…I’m not sure. You didn’t notice anything?”

  “Not really.”

  “I hope I’m wrong.”

  “You used to be infallible when it came to Jackson—and vice versa.”

  “We’ll pay closer attention, okay? Meanwhile, why don’t you hang the garment bag over the bannister while we pick out some fabrics and reseal these boxes. We’ll call Jeanette as we head to Veronica’s.”

  As they closed up the attic, Penny turned to her sister. “We have to ask Daddy before we do anything.”

  “Yeah. You’re right.” Rissa grimaced. “Is he gonna go ballistic?”

  “No idea, but we can’t do this behind his back.” She called out to him from the kitchen door. “Daddy, could you come here for a minute, please?”

  He waved to her, spoke to Mackey and headed their way.

  Penny could feel her sister’s nerves as much as her own as they waited for their father to join them.

  “What’s up? I was about to take Eric and Samantha—” He took in their serious expressions. “What’s wrong?”

  Rissa lifted the bag she was holding. “We found something, and we need to talk to you.”

  “What is it…” As his voice trailed off, they could see the quick flash of grief. “What do you have there?”

  “Mama’s wedding dress, Daddy.”

  He went very still. “Where did you find it?”

  “It was in the attic. In her hope chest.”

  He remained frozen as though something terrible might leap from the bag. “What did you want to talk about?”

  “We’d like to offer it to Veronica to wear when she marries Jackson. How would you feel about that?”

  A tremor ran through him. “I haven’t seen it since…” He looked at one, then the other. “She was saving it for you girls.”

  “She couldn’t have known back then that we’d both get so tall. It won’t fit either of us, Daddy, but it might fit Veronica.”

  His look was stricken, his eyes dark and fathomless.

  “Do you not want us to offer it?” Rissa asked.

  “I—” He turned away. Walked out of the room.

  They traded glances. What now?

  Then they heard his footsteps returning. He had something in his hand. Extended it. “She was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.” His voice was hoarse.

  Rissa took it and held the photo between them.

  “I haven’t seen this in years,” Penny whispered. “Oh, Mama…” She lifted her gaze. “She was a beautiful bride.”

  “Beautiful woman, inside and out,” he corrected gruffly.

  “She was.” Penny could barely speak for the longing that rose in her to see her mother just one more time. To hear her voice. But her father still suffered, so she tried for a distraction. “Jackson looks so much like you did back then.”

  He shrugged but didn’t speak.

  Her father had been having fun with Eric, and she’d brought this heartache roaring back. When she could trust her voice again, she met his gaze. “We don’t want to hurt you. If you’d rather we put it back, we will. Veronica will never know, or Jackson either.”

  Powerful emotions battled in his features. At last he exhaled. “No. That would be wrong. Your mama would be real pleased.” He shrugged. “’Course it’s probably too old-fashioned for a modern woman.”

  “Veronica’s an old-fashioned girl, don’t you think?” Rissa asked.

  “She’s a good one. Boy couldn’t do better, that’s for sure. She reminds me of your mama in some ways.”

  And they didn’t, Penny thought.

  “But not as much as you two.”

  Her head whipped up, and she noted Rissa’s matching astonishment. “I’m nothing like her,” Rissa said sadly.

  “You are so. You’ve got her guts and her determination. Her love of this land.”

  It was true, Penny realized.

  “And you, missy. You’ve got her creativity and her way with people. Even if you’re scared to let them in.”

  Her vision blurred.

  Her father wasn’t a hugger, but he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it over.

  Penny took it with a smile, then shared with her sister. “Want to come with us? We’re going to take it over right now, if you’re sure you’re okay with it.”

  “I am. My Mary wasn’t one for sticking stuff up on a shelf. She liked sharing whatever she had, and she would have been pleased as punch to welcome Veronica to the family, you know she would.”

  They both nodded. “But you don’t want to come?”

  “Nope. That’s women’s territory. But you give her my best, would you? And tell her it’s okay if she doesn’t want it. She’ll make a pretty bride, no matter what she wears.” The idea was obviously growing on him, though, and his expression was wistful.

  He might not be a hugger, and she wasn’t either, really, but—“I love you, Daddy.” Penny threw her arms around his shoulders.

  He startled at first, then returned the hug.

  And, to Rissa’s astonishment, held out his other arm to her sister. “Get on over here, girl.”

  For a long, precious moment, years after they would have given nearly anything for a chance like this, the sisters’ eyes met, and they snuggled into their father’s embrace.

  “The kids will be home from school,” Rissa pointed out as they drove. “And she’ll be busy making supper.”

  “But they have so little time to put this together. This dress might help.” They’d looked it over carefully. There were no moth holes, and Jeanette had said she’d help them get the wrinkles out and alter whatever was needed.

  “It’s a very old-school dress. Not grand at all, as I imagine Jackson’s picturing for her.”

  “Didn’t you think she looked uncomfortable that everyone else was making plans for her wedding?”

  “She did, now that you mention it,” Rissa acknowledged. “Sweetgrass can get a little overbearing.”

  “Veronica needs her sisters now.” She glanced over and grinned. “A couple of Amazons just might come in handy.”

  Rissa snorted, but she was smiling. “You can’t fight in stilettos.”

  “Oh, girl, you’ve never seen me in court. I’m lethal.”

  As they drove through town on the way to the Butler place, she saw that Jackson’s Range Rover was still on the square. “Good,” she murmured. “Don’t come home yet, big brother.”

  “Oh, you have got to be kidding.” Disgust and dismay vibrated in Rissa’s tone. “No way. No freaking way.”

  “What?” Penny’s head whipped in the direction Rissa was pointing. Her mouth dropped open. “Hayley?”

  “It better not be Mackey who called her, or that man will not be getting any for the foreseeable future.”

  “He doesn’t have a death wish, Ris.” But she was grinning. “She’s not that bad.”

  “You’re kidding, right? What do you imagine Scarlett’s s
aying right now? And just you wait—give Barbie a few days, and you tell me how happy you are when you hear those blasted slut shoes clacking and hear that cooing little voice Oh, Bridger, you’re just soooo strong. Let me see those muscles again, big boy.”

  Penny couldn’t help herself. She burst out laughing.

  Rissa cut her a death ray glare. “Oh, yeah, chuckle away, big sister. We’ll see who’s laughing in a couple of days.”

  “You could wipe the floor with her, Cousin Crankypants.”

  “And don’t think I won’t,” Rissa muttered as she drove them out of town.

  Chapter Five

  Veronica’s doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it!” Abby cried, jumping down from the kitchen bar.

  “Hold up there,” Veronica said. “What do you say?”

  Abby’s smile was all sunshine. “May I be excused, please?” So perfectly certain of the answer.

  Veronica chuckled. “You may. And thank you.” She glanced over at Beth. “I wonder who it is?”

  “Maybe it’s Santa Claus. He might be checking to see who lives here.”

  Those sweet, hopeful eyes. “Or how good the children have been?”

  Beth rolled her eyes. “I’ve been good, Mommy. We all have. Especially Boo.”

  The boxer/retriever/mutt mix thumped his tail at the mention of his name.

  Or in hopes of being slipped another cookie, more likely.

  “I’m on to you, buddy. You know you shouldn’t eat people food, right?” She bent to the old hound and cooed. “Who’s the best dog, huh?”

  More thumps of the tail.

  Beth giggled. “I wish Boo could talk, Mommy.”

  “He does, in his own way, don’t you, boy?” She scratched him behind the ears and Boo heaved a doggy moan.

  “Mommy, it’s Rissa and her sister! Prince Daddy’s sister’s other sister!”

  Veronica looked up. They were bearing a garment bag.

  “Sounds like wicked stepsister to me,” Rissa remarked.

  “Bite me,” Penny said. “Hi, Veronica. Sorry to just drop in. Do you have a minute?”

  “Want a cookie, Aunt Penny? You’re going to be my Aunt Penny, right? As soon as we marry Prince Daddy and we get to be Gallaghers?”

  Penny’s smile widened. “Wow. You didn’t take a single breath in all that, did you?”

  “I can talk for a long time,” Abby maintained.

  “I see that. We’re gonna get along just fine, girlfriend.” Penny held out a hand for high five.

  Abby jumped and slapped her palm against Penny’s.

  “Okay, wait. I have to ask this first: do you love shoes? And you?” She glanced at Beth. “This is important. Think carefully before you answer.” But she was grinning.

  “I love shoes!” Abby shouted.

  Penny approached Beth. “I’ll still love you if you don’t have a shoe thing. It’s okay.”

  Slowly Beth extended her foot. Where Abby’s sneakers were screaming yellow with lights, Beth had woven little flowers into the shoelaces of her less lurid pink ones.

  “Wow. I’m impressed. You did that?” Penny pointed to the flowers.

  Beth nodded, eyes huge.

  “That calls for a Gallagher hip-bump.” Penny gently swiveled her hip to touch Beth’s up on the bar stool.

  Beth giggled.

  “But mine are yellow, Aunt Penny! Like sunshine!”

  “And beautifully yellow, I might add.” Penny high-fived her again. “So…we’re eating cookies and nobody told me?” She jammed one fist on her hip. “Rule number one, right, Ris? Gallagher girls never hoard their chocolate from other Gallagher girls. Oatmeal cookies…no loss. Peanut butter…I can live with that. But chocolate? Oh no. Nonononono,” She waggled a finger. “Big, big mistake.”

  “Do you have any chocolate to share?” Beth asked, cookie extended.

  Penny leaned in and took a bite. “Not on me, so thank you. I was going to die if I had to wait five more minutes for some. My hero.” She leaned toward Abby. “Just between us Gallagher girls—”

  “We’re not Gallaghers yet,” Abby noted. “Not until we marry Prince Daddy and he adopts us.”

  “Which he will. Because he’s not crazy.”

  Veronica couldn’t help stiffening.

  Penny’s eyes caught hers, and Veronica shook her head faintly, then glanced at Rissa, who frowned.

  Penny quickly distracted the girls. “I might or might not have a stash of chocolate at my house. And you might or might not need to come see us so you could check. To practice being Gallaghers, of course.”

  “Might!” Abby shrieked.

  “I would like to come see you,” Beth said politely while her sister jumped around, insanely over-excited.

  Veronica cleared her throat. “Abby, you need to finish your snack and get started on homework. Beth, are you done?”

  “Yes, Mommy.” Beth slid down, grabbed her plate and brought it around to the sink. She returned to retrieve her glass and did the same.

  Rissa’s eyebrows rose, as did Penny’s.

  “Nice manners, Beth.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I have good manners, too,” Abby insisted, with a cookie crammed in her mouth and one shoelace untied.

  Veronica held her breath as Abby juggled both plate and glass in her small hands.

  “Do we—” Abby coughed around her cookie.

  “Finish your cookie, young lady, before you speak.”

  Abby all but inhaled the remainder. Then swallowed. “Done! But Mommy, what’s in the bag?”

  Veronica met their gazes.

  Both Penny and Rissa hesitated.

  “I think it’s an adult conversation first, girls. Then maybe I can tell you later. Now go upstairs and get to work. Chop chop.”

  “Ookay,” Abby sighed heavily, then stopped in front of Rissa. “You won’t leave before we’re done, will you?”

  Rissa glanced at Veronica. “Um…”

  “They’ll wait for you to say goodbye if they need to leave before you’re done. Now shoo.”

  With a martyr’s sagging shoulders, Abby left the room. Behind her, Beth stopped between Jackson’s sisters. “If I’m a Gallagher, do I get to be tall like you?”

  “Excellent question, kiddo,” Rissa said. “Scarlett’s a Gallagher, you know. So is Aunt Ruby.”

  “But they’re short. Really short.”

  “They are. But we still like them, right?”

  Beth nodded solemnly.

  “We’ll probably like each other fine, even if some of us wind up tall or short.”

  Seemingly satisfied, Beth smiled and left the room.

  “They’re awesome,” Rissa said.

  Veronica couldn’t disagree. “Thank you. So what’s up?”

  Penny cleared her throat. “Well, this is just an idea, and you are absolutely welcome to say no, but…we might have a dress for you—only if you want it. You don’t have to, but it’s closer to your size and—”

  “Where did you get it?”

  Rissa held up the bag. “We just found it. I’ve never gone through what’s in the attic before. It’s still wrinkled and you might not—”

  Veronica’s breath caught. Her eyes filled. “Is it your mother’s?” she whispered.

  “Yes.”

  She had adored Jackson’s mother. Mary Gallagher had been so much more a mother to her than her own had ever been. “I loved your mother.” She caught Penny’s eye. “But don’t you want to wear it?”

  “I would give a lot to be able to, but as I’m sure you recall, Mama was much closer to your size than mine.” Penny bit her lip. “I don’t want you to feel pressured, but I think Mama would be very pleased if you did decide you like it. But honestly, it’s okay if you don’t.”

  “What about Jeanette?”

  “We already called her as soon as we found this. She’s fine with it. She said she could help alter it—but seriously, you don’t have to if you’d rather have what Jackson could buy you or�
��”

  Veronica’s heart was beating double-time. She was afraid to want this, but somehow wearing Mary’s dress would be so much more like the wedding she would have wished for, all those years ago.

  “Let’s go in my room, in case the girls come down. I’d rather not have anyone know yet. I’d want Jackson to have his say, though, before any decision is made. He might not be comfortable with this.”

  “I’m pretty sure my brother wants you to be happy, whatever that means. But yes, absolutely, he should weigh in. Lead the way,” Penny said.

  Rissa pushed the bedroom door closed, and Veronica clasped her hands together. “I’m terrified.”

  “Let’s do it,” Rissa said, and began unzipping the bag. When she drew out the dress, Veronica gasped.

  Mary’s dress was…perfect. Fitted lace top with cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. A chiffon skirt, several layers of it that softly fell to a scalloped lace hem. A flat satin bow at the waist.

  Simple. Feminine. Stunning.

  Her vision blurred as she looked at the sisters. “It’s so beautiful. It’s exactly what I wanted without ever realizing…are you sure? She would want you—”

  Rissa never cried, and Penny was reputed to be a shark.

  Yet in this moment, all of them had tears in their eyes, and the moment felt almost…holy.

  Veronica clasped her hands in front of her mouth until she could find her voice. “I’m scared to death to try it on, I want it so badly. I know Jackson is willing to buy me the world, but I don’t want Paris or New York.” She tore her gaze from the gorgeous dress. “David and I eloped and got married by a JP in San Antonio and it was okay because we weren’t marrying for love. It was all I could do not to fall on the floor and weep because I wanted to be marrying Jackson, not David. I don’t know how David dealt with me. I wept through our wedding night and for months afterward, I was a zombie…” She bit her lip. “But he stuck with me, and he loved me until I could love him. He gave me two beautiful girls, and he took Ben as his own.” She lifted her gaze to the two women. “I am such a mess over this. I didn’t expect to feel this guilty. I thought I was past the grieving and mostly I am, but—” She wrestled her voice under control. “Jackson deserves so much better. How can I be this messed up when I’m finally getting to be with the love of my life? I’m sorry—I’m sorry. He’s your brother and—”