Page 33 of Christmas with the Cowboy
“So Christmas with friends?”
“Yes,” she said, deciding that ambiguity was her enemy. “Dawn is putting on a holiday fete a week before Christmas that I’ll attend, so I’ll get some time with them before they head south again. It’s to benefit the library.”
It sounded as if she wouldn’t have attended otherwise, and because that was true, she didn’t amend her statement.
“What are your Christmas plans?” she asked to shift the direction of the conversation.
“As of now, all of the kids are coming home. Em is going to fly down from Alaska.”
“Oh. What’s she doing up there?”
“Heaven knows,” Audrey said with an eye roll. “She works for an environmental organization, but she’s always doing something that I’d rather not know about.”
Like Reed had done.
“And we’re going to have a video Christmas with Candice and Gregg so that they can unwrap their presents with Lex. If the internet allows, that is.”
“Here’s hoping,” Trenna said. She put a hand on her lower back and stretched. “I should get going. I have a couple errands to run before tonight.”
The truth was that she wanted to leave before Audrey gave her a mercy invite to the big Christmas dinner the Kellers held every year. She wasn’t up for that or, truth be told, a group blind date.
But the date was a done deal, and she was going to enjoy it, come hell or high water.
It’s good to meet new people.
It’d be even better to meet someone who could help take her mind off Reed.
Chapter Seven
“I’m keeping reallybusy.” Lex rearranged herself in the old recliner so she could prop the tablet against her legs while she talked to her mom via video chat. “Grandma Audrey has me helping her with the ranch history project, and Grandpa is going to teach me to drive the tractor.” There was a brief silence, followed by, “Yes. Dad knows. All the safety protocols are being observed, Mom.”
Reed gave a snort as he hung the frying pan he’d just dried on the hook next to the stove. Had he had any idea what a protocol was when he was Lex’s age?
Did he fully understand now?
He returned to the dish rack, towel in hand, his head coming up as he heard Trenna’s name.
“She’s helping Grandma Audrey.” Lex was quiet for a moment, then said, “I think she’s the one who’s telling Grandma how to do it. What to save, what to keep, and the special ways to store stuff. I have to wear white gloves.” She laughed. “Yes, I do feel fancy.”
Reed started to relax as he reached for the last dish to be dried. He didn’t want Candice wondering if he was about to embark on some torrid affair with an ex when he was supposed to be providing stability for his daughter during a difficult time.
“I am learning things about archiving, and we talk about regular stuff, too. Like Grandma Audrey getting ready for a bake sale, and Trenna having a date tonight.”
Reed ground out the spark of jealousy as soon as it ignited, glancing into the living room in time to see Lex twist her mouth in a mock innocent expression. “I won’t be too nosy. Promise.”
He stepped out of sight of his daughter, telling himself he was glad Trenna was going on a date. Really glad.
Really,reallyglad.
He propped his hands on the counter and let out a breath. He’d never imagined that seeing Trenna again would have this effect on him. It was a classic case of wanting what he couldn’t have, coupled with a lot of jumbled up emotions still lingering from the breakup that he’d told himself he’d recovered from. Emotions he wasn’t going to try to put names to because why?
“Mom wants to talk,” Lex called from the other room.
“Be right there.”
“Tell Gregg I miss him and that I’m thinking about him and that I’m sending more jokes.” She waved Reed over as she got out of the chair. When he took the tablet, she headed into the kitchen to give him some privacy. He also figured that she’d be listening.
“How are you guys doing?” Reed asked as he settled in the chair that Lex vacated. Candice looked tired, as one would expect. Her hair was pulled into a messy knot on top of her head, and she wasn’t wearing makeup. As near as he could tell, she was in a hotel room.
