by Red Phoenix
I love my sister for her cunning ability to take advantage of every opportunity while carefully building the foundation to my prank.
Thane has no clue he’s being played.
After that initial introduction to our ‘unique’ family tradition, Thane has no idea what to think, but he doesn’t question it. In fact, I notice the longer he’s with us, the more relaxed he seems.
It doesn’t hurt that my sisters and I keep everyone in stitches, pranking each other, egged on by his presence.
And, for all his complaints about Christmas, Thane shares a completely different side of himself on the actual day.
I knock on his door repeatedly, calling out, “Rise and shine, buddy!”
I hear him groan on the other side of the door. “It’s only five in the morning.”
“Christmas starts early in the Anderson household. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Santa snuck down our chimney last night.”
He groans again. “Be gone and let me go back to sleep.”
“You’ve got to think of the children. My poor little sister has probably been up all night, waiting to see what Santa left under the tree. You wouldn’t want Christina to suffer longer than she has to just because you want to catch a few more Z’s.”
“Of course not…” he grumbles.
Ten minutes later, Thane opens the door, fully dressed in a freaking suit.
I brush back my tussled hair and look down at my comfortable PJ’s. “You do know it’s only five in the morning.”
“Funny,” he says drolly. “This is an important occasion for your family, so I want to dress appropriately for it.”
I roll my eyes as we head down the hall together. “You’re an odd duck.”
“Says the man who cleans stalls in the nude.”
I start snort-laughing down the stairs.
My mom wants to know what’s so funny, but as soon as Thane enters the room, she stops midsentence and stares at him. I glance over at my sisters and see they are equally awestruck.
Fuck Thane and his suits.
“You can stop gawking, girls,” I tease my sisters. “Haven’t you ever seen a dude in a suit before?”
“Not here…” Megan says in awe.
“And not on Christmas morning,” Ruthie adds.
Thane seems uncomfortable with the attention and asks my father, “Should I go change?”
But my father finds it amusing. “Not at all, son. You bring a sense of class to our home.”
“You do look mighty handsome, Thane,” my mother adds. She hands him a cup of coffee, explaining, “We always drink something warm before we let the chaos begin.”
Thane glances over at the Christmas tree with the mountain of presents surrounding it. “That’s quite an impressive tree.”
Pop speaks up. “We’re a family that always lives within our means. But after such a successful year, I figured it might be fun to spoil the kids for a change.”
“There’s certainly no harm in that,” Thane agrees.
We sit down and slowly drink our coffee as my sisters fidget in their seats, waiting impatiently for Pop to give them the word.
After he takes his last sip of coffee, he finally does, and all hell breaks loose as the girls race to the tree and start tearing at the paper.
“What were Christmases like at your house?” my father asks Thane.
“Pop…” I warn, knowing Thane doesn’t want to talk about anything to do with the holiday.
“No, that’s okay,” Thane assures me. Watching the girls unwrap their gifts, he says, “It was much more subdued, compared to this. My mom always insisted we unwrap our gifts one at a time so each of us could appreciate every present.”
“This must be unsettling for you,” my mother states with concern.
“No, I actually prefer it.” He glances at my ma and smiles. “Kids don’t want to appreciate other peoples’ gifts, they just want to unwrap their own.”
My father chuckles. “Very true. Who wants to stifle a child’s joy with adult rules?”
“Exactly,” Thane agrees.
After twenty minutes of squeals, hugs, and paper flying everywhere, my sisters are finally done unwrapping their presents.
My father leaves the room for a few minutes, returning with a saddle in his arms. “For you, Brad. You’ve ridden that old saddle long enough.”
I get up and walk over to him. Awed, I run my hands over the fine leather. “This is too much, Pop. You’ve given enough helping me through college.”
“Nonsense, my boy. You have worked alongside me all these years. This gift is long overdue.”
“I bet Rebel is going to love it,” I say, turning the saddle over to admire the soft fleece underneath.
Pop raises an eyebrow. “Don’t you mean Hot Chocolate?”
I look at my father, stunned. There’s no way Sofia would ever have given up my secret. “How did you know?”
Pop glances over at my sisters.
I silently groan, remembering their intrusion that night in the barn. They must have overheard me when I was talking to Sofia, and then one of those stinkers spilled the beans.
“Which one of you snitched?” I demand.
“None of them. I’ve known for years. I thought it was funny that my brave son, the bullwhipping bull rider, called his own horse Hot Chocolate.”
I look at him sheepishly. “What can I say? The name stuck.”
My mother gets up and walks to the tree, coming back with a small gift with a big red bow. She hands it to Thane and explains, “Brad told us you often wear suits.”
I snort, pointing at the guy. “Was I right or was I right?”
She laughs softly. “We thought this seemed appropriate. Hope you like it.”
Thane gives her a genuine smile and says before opening it, “I’m certain I will, Mrs. Anderson.”
He is meticulously slow in unwrapping the gift, driving me crazy as we all wait to see what’s inside. When he finally opens it, Thane lets out an almost imperceptible gasp.
Taking out the cufflinks, he holds them up for us to see. The silver cufflinks are shaped like miniature violins.
“It’s perfect,” Thane says. “Thank you, everyone.”
“Nicely played, you guys,” I compliment my parents, liking the cleverness of my own pun.
Thane takes off the ones he’s wearing and replaces them with the new ones, telling her, “On days like this, it’s good to remember my father.”
“He’s always with you, son,” my father assures him.
Thane stands up abruptly. “I have gifts for all of you in my room.”
My sisters start chattering excitedly when he leaves to get them.
I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised. I know Thane despises this holiday, and I’ve already warned my sisters that they weren’t getting anything from him.
A few minutes later, Thane returns with presents in hand and walks over to the table to set them down. “We’ll start with the girls first.”
Thane hands each of them a similarly sized box. They waste no time ripping off the bows and paper to get to the good stuff.
“So pretty,” Christina coos, lifting up a delicate necklace with a gemstone. Ruthie and Megan hold theirs up, too, each one a different color.
“I asked your mother what month you were born so I could get the correct birthstone for each of you,” Thane tells them.
“Ma, put it on, put it on!” Christina cries, giving it to her and lifting her hair up.
While my mother puts on the necklace, Megan walks over to Thane. “Would you mind putting it on for me, please?”
Thane can’t refuse her request, but looks uncomfortable as he fastens it behind her neck. Megan glances over at me and winks.
When he’s done, she turns around to face him and asks sweetly, “What do you think, Thane?”
He answers stiffly, “It looks fine.”
She plays flirtatiously with the gem around her neck, telling him, “It’s a beautiful gift.
Thank you.”
“Of course.”
He glances over at Ruthie and removes himself from the uncomfortable situation by asking her, “Would you like me to help you with that?”
“Yes, please.”
I snicker to myself. Every little action and reaction with Megan is going to take on a whole new meaning soon.
I’m so funny, I slay myself.
Thane hands my mother a gift. “It’s a simple thing.”
The minute my mother opens her present, her face lights up. “These are extraordinary, Thane.” Ma holds up an intricately decorated set of measuring spoons with painted butterflies on them.
She shows them to me, “Aren’t they exquisite?”
“They are, Ma.”
“I’ll be sure not to ruin them,” she tells Thane.
“Oh no, they are meant to be used, Mrs. Anderson,” he assures her. “I asked before I bought them. I thought, since you cook every day, it might be nice to have something pretty to work with.”
I’ve got to hand it to the guy. He really hit it home with this gift. My mom can’t stop gushing.
Thane hands my Pop his gift. It turns out to be a canteen with our family name engraved on it. “This is mighty nice, son.”
“I did my research, and this one has the highest rating. It’s lightweight but will keep your water cold on those hot days when you’re out taking care of the cattle.”
Pop turns the canteen around in his hands, admiring it. “A very thoughtful gift. Thank you.”
“Use it in good health,” Thane tells him, obviously pleased my father likes the gift.
Thane then turns to me. “That just leaves you.”
“It does, but let me get your gift from under the tree first.” I wade through all the paper and empty boxes and am relieved to see she remains untouched. I proudly carry her back to Thane and present her to him, saying, “There is nothing more satisfying or soothing than nurturing a beauty like this baby.”
Thane stares at it in disbelief. “What am I going to do with a plant?”
“You’re going to water her and talk to her daily.”
“I don’t do plants.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve given you one of the easiest to care for.”
Thane frowns as he looks down at the potted plant.
“Look, buddy. You need something to nurture and love. Clementine, here, fits the bill.”
He gives me an exasperated look. “You named the plant?”
“Of course. It helps with the bonding.”
“I’m not bonding with a plant, Anderson.”
“You say that now, but just you wait. In a couple of weeks, you and Clementine will be inseparable.”
Thane sighs. He puts it on the table and begrudgingly thanks me for it.
“I got you something, too, but you’re not required to care for it or talk to it.”
I quickly rip the paper away to find a wooden box. “Fancy box…I wonder what’s inside.” I let out a long whistle when I see the chef’s knife inside. “You really shouldn’t have, buddy.”
“I remembered what you said about your interest in cooking, and I’ve heard a quality knife is an essential tool for a chef.”
“It is…it certainly is,” I agree, admiring the knife. I hand it to my mom, who is equally impressed by the exceptional quality of it.
I glance at Thane’s plant and joke, “Had I known you were going all out, I would have gotten you two.”
Thane chuckles, picking up the plant. “Trust me. One plant is all I can tolerate.”
While my sisters play with their presents, Thane and I sip on hot chocolate spiked with a touch of my granddad’s whiskey and watch the sun slowly rise.
“I can’t believe it snowed overnight,” Thane says.
I smile as the brilliant colors in the sky compliment the white snow covering the ground. “What a perfect way to ring in Christmas morning.”
“Agreed,” he says with awe, as he stares at the winter landscape nature created.
I turn to him and have to chuckle. “You know, for a guy who hates Christmas, you sure did a bang-up job with the gifts.
Thane takes a long sip before answering. “I appreciated your family taking in a stranger with a past like mine. This was simply my way of expressing how much it meant to me.”
“Well, you did good, buddy.”
Thane takes another drink as he stares at the sunrise.
He has a far-off look in his eyes, and I’m struck again by the heavy burdens he carries in silence.
On Bended Knee
Thane points out the airplane window at the ocean and says in a mocking voice, “Would you look at that? Seriously, is there anything more beautiful?”
I elbow him in the ribs. “Nothing compares to the Rockies, buddy.”
“Actually, nothing beats the sound of the waves.”
I snort. “Like you ever even go near the ocean, much less, in it.”
Thane chuckles. “True.” He stares out the window and mutters, “But, someday, I’ll have a place on the beach, and I’ll be listening to those waves every day.”
“I like that you think big,” I tease.
He turns to look at me. “I’m serious.”
I like the drive Thane has. It’s unrelenting. Even though he’s full of lofty ideas, I don’t doubt he’ll have a house on the beach someday.
As for myself, I envision a house in the Rockies with an entire room dedicated to BDSM play and a lone pole in the yard to practice my whipping skills. Who knows? Maybe glee will be there with me.
As we wait to get our luggage at the baggage carousel, I confess to him, “I’m anxious to get back to glee more than anything else.”
“What? Are things getting serious on your end?”
I smile to myself. “There’s certainly potential there.”
“You know, I find it amusing that your parents are so pushy about you finding the right girl.”
“They believe in love. What can I say?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Your father, in particular, kept insisting I’d already met the right girl, and that I just hadn’t opened myself up to seeing it yet.”
“My pop is relentless that way,” I agree, chuckling a little too loudly. I seriously can’t believe my luck. I had no idea my father had been giving Thane relationship advice during our stay.
Pop doesn’t know it, but he’s given me the perfect ammunition for my prank. There are times in life when everything aligns as if it is meant to be.
This is one of those times.
I look at Thane, struggling not to laugh, wondering how he will react when the anvil falls.
With a poke to my ribs, Thane asks, “What?” His raises his eyebrows, suggesting he knows something is up.
“Nothing…”
“Out with it.” This time his poke actually hurt.
I slap his back. “Let’s just say I’m glad we’re here. Even though I miss my family, this is where I belong.”
“The one thing I won’t miss is cleaning the barn in the nude.” He shakes his head. “That has got to be the weirdest thing I’ve ever done.”
I can’t suppress my snicker and, once it starts, there’s no holding back. I burst out with a deep belly laugh. It’s so contagious, the people around us start laughing, too, even though they have no idea what I’m laughing about.
The only person who is not amused is Thane. He folds his arms and demands, “What’s so damn funny, Anderson?”
I counter his annoyance with a compliment, knowing I’ve almost let the cat out of the bag by exposing Pop’s prank. Chuckling as I grab my bag from the carousal, I tell him, “Truth is, I never imagined I’d be mucking out a stall with you by my side. But I’ve got to hand it to you, buddy. The way you pitched in was truly inspiring.”
Thane gives me a sideways glance as he grabs his suitcase.
That was close.
Even though Pop’s prank was a good one, it’s nothing compared to mine…
; After getting our bags, we head outside where Durov is waiting with his chauffeur to drive us back to our dorm. I’ve often wondered how affluent his family is back in Russia. For a rich kid, Durov is unusually humble. He doesn’t flaunt his wealth, but he also isn’t ashamed of it.
I aspire to be like that someday.
“So, comrade, was cow town everything you’d hoped it would be?” he asks Thane as we climb into the vehicle.
Thane glances at me. “Let’s just say it was…interesting.”
I nod in agreement, grinning from ear to ear. “It certainly was.”
Looking out the car window, Thane adds, “It was beneficial, getting away. Being back here, I can already feel the walls closing in.”
When we arrive at the dorm, I’m stunned. There’s not a single reporter in sight.
“He did it…” Thane says in amazement, getting out of the car.
“I figured after getting me off the hook with the dean, the guy knew what he was doing.”
Thane shakes his head. “Still…after everything I’ve suffered, I didn’t think he could actually pull it off.”
“You’ve got yourself a winner in that lawyer of yours,” Durov states.
I laugh. “And, the guy works for peanuts.”
“I have no idea how I’m going to repay him for this.”
“You could always invite him to my beach house for a private party. Introduce the man to the BDSM lifestyle,” Durov suggests with a wicked grin.
“I can just imagine Thompson all tied up, being whipped by a Domme, crying out, ‘I acquit, I acquit!’” I joke.
Thane rolls his eyes. Picking up his suitcase, he heads inside the building. When we reach our room, I find an envelope addressed to me taped to the door. Pulling it off, I take it inside the room to read it.
I quickly scan the contents and smile.
“What does it say?” Thane asks.
“It’s personal.” I fold the letter up and stick it in my pocket.
“Who is it from?” Durov demands.
“If you must know, it’s from glee.”
“Good news or bad?”
“Good,” I answer. “Apparently, I’ve been missed.”
“She’s not the only one who has missed you,” Durov informs me. “You’ll find several young ladies at the dungeon have also missed the cattle man and his bullwhip.”