Page 49 of Promise Me This Christmas
Larkin pulled back.“Are you trying to tell me what to write in my article?”
“More like hoping you’ll leave certain things out.Like the dead mouse.And the pot brownies.”
Larkin’s face reflected disbelief.And not the good kind.“I’m sorry I lectured you on the evils of physical violence last night.Because right now I feel like smacking you on the side of your head.”
They’d been joking around, or so Carson had thought.But Larkin was deadly serious now and he worried he’d gone too far.
“Hey, I was just joshing you.”
“What you’re doing is pissing me off.Now get out of my way, Carson.I mean it.”She put her hand on his chest and pushed.He could have resisted, but he let her move him away from the door.Seconds after she slipped into the Montana Sapphire room, he heard the snick of her dead bolt shutting into place.
Well, hell.That had not gone well.He may have done more harm than good to his sister’s cause.Plus, he’d given Larkin one more reason to be angry with him.
Across the landing came the sound of another door handle turning.Gibson Adlington stepped out from the Copper room, adjusting the cuffs on his maroon-colored shirt.
“Ah.Carson Wilcox,” he said.“What are you doing in this part of the house?I thought you had the suite over the garage?”
“Good morning,” he said, opting to ignore the questions.How did Gibson know which room was his?It was none of his damned business anyway.
*
Despite her determinationto remain cheerful and relaxed that morning, Amy was gritting her teeth by the time Jo served her classic breakfast of poached eggs on a bed of hash brown potatoes, with crispy bacon on the side.She, Chet, and Jo had worked so hard to serve up a perfect breakfast, with perfect made-to-order coffees, in a picture-perfect setting, and yet the mood around the table was ornery.
It started with Gibson sending back his plate.“I asked for soft poached eggs, not medium.”
Theyweresoft and runny, but Amy took them back anyway.When she returned with a fresh plate, he asked if there was anycrispybacon.Did he mean burnt?Amy wondered, holding back the sarcastic question.
On the other side of the table, Carson and Larkin were obviously not speaking to one another, and even Ethel seemed a little grouchy.
“My back is so sore.I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed again.”
Amy, who had often been complimented on the comfort of the beds at Bramble House, tried not to take this as an insult.
Even the normally cheery Kettles were testy.
“If you don’t want to go shopping, and you’re not interested in taking a tour through Paradise Valley, whatdoyou want to do?”Peter asked as he spread Jo’s homemade marmalade on his toast.
“Now’s a fine time to ask me that question,” Marjorie said quietly.
“Pardon me?”
“Never mind.Pass the marmalade when you’re done, please.I guess we might as well go shopping.I’d like to buy some boxes of chocolates to send to the kids.”
Amy topped up water for those who wanted it and escaped back to the kitchen.“I’ve had it,” she announced to Chet and Jo.“There is no pleasing some people.”
“My eggs and bacon were perfect,” Jo agreed.“I think some people just enjoy being difficult.”
“Whatever the reason, there are some grumpy people out there.Kris was the only one who smiled and said thank you to me.”
Chet put his arms around her waist.“You need a break.”
“Your husband is right,” Jo agreed.“I get to go home every day at two.You have to live with these people.”
“Even I get a break when I go into the rodeo school,” Chet said.“So what would you like to do today?Go get your nails done?Do some Christmas shopping?Meet a friend for coffee?”
All the options sounded wonderful, but Amy thought what she needed most was fresh air and exercise.Before she’d injured her leg, she’d been a runner, and she still missed the high she would get after a good five-mile run.
“How about we put on our snowshoes, bundle Robin into his carrier, and hit some trails?”she asked Chet.“Or do you need to go into your office today?”
