Page 29 of Her Candy Cane Cowboy
There’s a fire crackling in the fireplace and flannel blankets thrown across the sofas and chairs.
“It’s so beautiful and festive,” I remark.
Elizabeth brings me a new pair of fuzzy pink and white bedroom slippers. “Here, in case your feet are cold.”
“They are.” I accept the slippers gratefully.
“And mine are where?” Dallas asks, pulling his mom to his side for a hug.
“Just wear your socks,” she tells him dismissively.
Ned laughs and claps Dallas on the back. “You might as well give up, son. After years of having only boys around, your mom is ready for another woman’s company in the house. I’ll go find you a pair.”
I put on the fuzzy slippers and wiggle my toes in relief.
“Come here, Dallas. I want to get a picture of you and Ginger,” Elizabeth says.
I try to protest that after the flight and the trip I look a mess, but she won’t hear it. “You’re the type of person who’s always beautiful, sugar, now come here. Stand in front of the fireplace.”
She takes a few pictures with her phone, then Dallas insists she use his too.
When we’re done, Elizabeth says, “There’s freshly made homemade hot cocoa in the kitchen. I’ll make you a cup. Do you want marshmallows?”
I can only nod because suddenly I’m feeling choked up missing my mom and the Christmases I won’t get to have with her. And missing her feels even worse because my dad won’t be here for this one.
“Are you alright?” Dallas massages my shoulders.
I don’t want to drag down the mood, so I assure him I’m fine. “This is a beautiful home, and your parents are wonderful.”
“I’m the better half,” Ned says as he returns and hands Dallas a pair of slippers.
“Of course you are, honey,” Elizabeth says, catching my eye. She hands me a mug of cocoa filled to the brim with miniature marshmallows.
Ned glances at his wife, then his watch. “Where are the rest of the boys? I told them Dallas would be back.”
“Radley’s probably at the barn. Royal’s probably with Radley. Ridge went to get Dallas’s dog, and I saw Rocky unloading the tractor he brought back from Butterfly Buck’s house.”
Ned sighs. “Did he get a hold of it again?”
“Butterfly Buck is kind of a staple around Lucky River,” Dallas says.
“Just like Claudia Morris.” Elizabeth adds. “Buck is an elderly man who’s famous for painting butterflies on things he shouldn’t. Like the mayor’s car. Claudia runs the annual Lasso a Cowboy event. It’s all in good fun.”
I find their conversation fascinating because of how often they’ve smiled at each other while speaking. Their connection is sweet.
Elizabeth snaps her fingers. “In all the excitement of meeting Ginger, I forgot I made barbecue chicken earlier. Are you hungry? Because I can?—”
Whatever else Elizabeth said is drowned out by the loud, prolonged blare of a horn. She and Dallas exchange a glance, then she looks at me. “Ginger, honey, could you go outside and see what’s going on?”
“Uh…sure.” Puzzled, I glance at Dallas who shrugs. Maybe this is his mom’s way of including me.
As soon as I step out onto the porch, the horn falls silent. The passenger door of a big red pickup truck swings open.
“Dad!” I’m stunned and rendered immobile. I blink thinking I’m seeing things.
But my father bounds up the walkway and onto the porch, crushing me to him in a big bear hug. He smells like woodsmoke and the aftershave he’s used since I was a kid.
I can hardly believe this is happening. “You’re here!” I cling tightly to him.
