Page 7 of Mountain Man Santa

Roxy adds, “I know you’re from a hardcore law enforcement family and all, but this really doesn’t feel like that big a deal to me. He messed up. He did his time. He reestablished himself and has forged a very successful second career despite everything. I mean, everyone has a past, Stacey. His just happens to be among the more interesting ones.”

“I know. It’s just a lot to take in.”

“What did your brothers say about it?” Roxy asks.

“Not much, honestly, although I’m certain a very thorough background check will follow.”

“Good,” the lovely Wa-She-Shu woman says, nodding and making her inky black braids dance in the air. “Better to be safe than sorry. But it’s not like Jerry raped or murdered somebody. Domestic violence would be another dealbreaker. But yeah, if you like him as much as you claim to, you need to talk it out and see what happens. Besides, you and I both know what Jerry’s like as a person, and he’s a good guy. He deserves a second chance.”

“I just wish he’d told me about this before.”

“Agreed, but it’s not like you’ve been together that long. I mean, have you even gone out on a date?”

“No, we haven’t. Although I know he would like to. I’ve been the one holding him back,” I admit, staring down at the small heart with a tail on my left wrist.

We sit in silence for a moment before Roxy says, “By the way, I’m pissed at you. Three weeks? You’ve seriously waited three weeks to tell me about you and Jerry?”

My cheeks burn. “I’m sorry. I’ve been busy.”

“It sounds like it,” she says caustically.

After a long pause, I ask, “Do you think I’m rushing with Jerry? Elliott and I only broke up a month ago…”

“It should’ve been six years ago…”

“What does that mean, Roxy? That’s how long we dated.”

She smiles ruefully. “Well, that’s how long you fought, made up, broke up, and then did it all over again. No offense, but you two kind of brought out the worst in each other.”

She isn’t wrong.

“And I mean, you’ve known Jerry for two years. So, no, you’re not rushing. But what I’m trying to wrap my head around is how different Jerry and Elliott are. Elliott always wore suits, and I never heard a curse word come out of his mouth. He was well-educated and refined and worked for whatever that winemaker is in Napa-Sonoma. Jerry’s crude and rude, bossy and gruff. Now add to that an ex-con and ex-MMA fighter. Definitely not what I would consider your type… He must be an amazing kisser.”

I haven’t let myself think about this all day, but now a smile captures my mouth. “All of this scares the heck out of me because I don’t want to get my heart broken or risk my job,” I confess breathlessly. “And I don’t honestly know if my family would ever truly accept him under the circumstances.”

“Your family doesn’t have to truly accept him…only you do.”

“You have a point,” I say quietly.

Roxy shrugs. “No matter what, please promise me you’ll be careful, too. He’s got to be a good five years older than you…”

Even though we’re the only two people in her car, I still find myself whispering, “He’s actually ten years older than me.”

“Wait, he’s thirty-four? He looks really young for his age.”

I nod. “What do you expect from somebody who stays in tiptop physical shape?”

Roxy glances at her watch. Leaning forward and opening her arms, she hugs me. “Hun, all I know for sure is you deserve all the happiness in the world and a guy who treats you like the queen you are.”

Chapter

Four

JERRY

Servers bob in and out of the Silver Fork kitchen, their arms piled high with trays of appetizers. What I wouldn’t give to have this kind of help during regular business hours. But Stacey and I are working on it with our new crop of young employees.

Fortunately, for tonight’s Community Chest Christmas event, all of the local food establishments and a few of my old employees came together to assist. They include the fiery redhead, Lily, and sweet Roxy, with her round face and long black braids swinging as she bustles past. Both girls give me enthusiastic smiles as they head through the door into the dining room. Having them help out makes me miss the good old days when I had enough workers to make the restaurant business fun.

---