Page 55 of Pregnant by the Texan
When they finished, Gil excused himself and left the table. He was back in minutes to sit and lean closer to talk to Stella. “We’re ready to start matching people up with their gifts. People can pick up their things all evening long until eleven-thirty. The volunteers will change shifts at regular intervals so no one has to spend the whole evening handing out presents. If you’re ready, I’ll announce you. Aaron, go onstage. You’ll be next about the Dallas TCC.”
“Sure,” she said. “Excuse me,” she said to Nathan Battle, who sat beside her.
At the front of the room, Gil called for everyone’s attention. “As I think all of you know, some people in Royal lost everything in the storm. A good number of Royal residents have been badly hit. So many of us wanted to do something about that. This was Stella’s idea and I’ll let her tell you more about it—” He handed a mike to Stella.
“As you all know,” Stella began, “we decided to do a Christmas drive to provide presents and support for the people who need it most. All the Texas Cattleman Club’s members, along with the ladies from the Christmas-drive committee volunteered to help. Those who could do so, both from Royal and other parts of Texas have contributed generously so everyone in Royal can have a wonderful holiday.
“Each family receiving gifts tonight has been assigned a number. First, go over to the table where the volunteers are seated near the west wall and pick up the envelope that matches your number. That envelope is for you and your family. Also, there are gifts that correspond to those numbers under the Christmas tree and along the back wall. Just go see a volunteer, who will help you. You get both an envelope plus the wrapped gifts that correspond to your number.
“We want to give a huge thanks to all who contributed money, time and effort to this drive to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas. Thank you.”
People applauded and Stella started to sit, but Gil appeared and motioned her to wait. He took the mike. “I have one more important announcement—some really good news for us. Aaron Nichols and Cole Richardson are members of the Dallas, Texas, Cattleman’s Club, but they are spending so much time and money in Royal trying to help us rebuild the town that the Texas Cattleman’s Club of Royal invited them to join, which they did. Aaron Nichols and Cole will tell you about the rest. Aaron,” Gil said, and handed the mike to Aaron while everyone applauded.
“Thanks. We’re glad to help. This is Cole’s hometown and I feel like it’s mine now, too, because I’ve been here so much and everyone is so friendly. We’ve talked to some of our TCC friends in Dallas. I’ll let Cole finish this.” Aaron handed the mike to Cole, who received applause.
“It’s good to be home again.” He received more applause and waved his hand for quiet as he smiled. “We have friends here tonight from the Dallas TCC. They told us today that they wanted to make a presentation tonight. I want to introduce Lars West, Sam Thompkins and Rod Jenkins. C’mon, guys,” he said as each man waved and smiled at the audience.
Tall with thick brown hair, Lars West stepped forward. “Thanks, Cole. We know the TCC suffered damage along with so much of Royal. We talked to our Dallas TCC and we want to present a check to the TCC here in Royal,” he said, turning to Gil Addison. “We’d like the Royal TCC to have a check for two million dollars to use for Royal storm aid however the TCC here sees fit.”
The last of his words were drowned out by applause as the audience came to their feet and gave him a standing ovation.
Aaron motioned to Stella to join him and he introduced her to the men from Dallas. “Thank you,” she said. “That’s an incredibly generous gift and will do so much good for Royal.”
“We hope so. We wanted to do something,” Sam said.
They talked a few more minutes and then left the stage while Cole lingered and turned to Stella.
“I was about to go home,” Cole said. “I thought Aaron could do this by himself, but he talked me into staying for the presentation. There are other Dallas TCC members here for a fun night. These three guys insist on going back to Dallas tonight, so we’re all leaving now,” Cole told them as Gil shook hands and thanked the Dallas TCC members.
“Cole, again, thanks so much for coming out,” Stella said.
“I want to thank you, too,” Aaron added.
“I hope all of this tonight brightened everybody’s Christmas,” Cole said. He left the stage to join the TCC Dallas members, moving through the crowd. He passed near Paige Richardson, speaking to her, and she smiled, speaking in return, both of them looking cordial as they passed each other.
Gil left to put the check in a safe place. Aaron took Stella’s arm to go back to the great room where a band played and people danced. People stopped to congratulate Stella, to thank her. Some thanked Aaron for the TCC Dallas contribution.
“I’m going to dance with you before we leave here,” Aaron said.
“I just hope we didn’t miss anyone tonight in terms of the presents and money we’re giving to families.”
“Everyone could sign up who felt the need and some people signed up friends who wouldn’t come in and sign up themselves. I don’t think anyone got overlooked, but there’s no way to really know,” he said. “And with that, let’s close this chapter on Royal’s recovery for tonight and concentrate on you and me.”
Startled, Stella looked up at him.
“Let’s dance,” he said, taking her into his arms. “We can’t leave early, Stella. All these people came for you and they’ll expect you to stay and have a good time. They’ll want to speak to you.”
“Aaron, in some ways,” she said as she danced with him, “all my life I’ve felt sort of like an outsider. I’ve always been plain—I grew up that way and my mother is that way. For the first time tonight, I feel really accepted by everyone.”
“You’re accepted, believe me. Stella, people are so grateful to you. I’ve talked to them, and they’re grateful for all you’ve done. And as for plain—just look in the mirror.”
“You did that for me,” she said solemnly, thinking the evening would have been so wonderful if she’d had Aaron’s love. It was a subject she had shut out of her mind over and over since their arrival at the club tonight. Tears threatened again and she no longer felt like dancing.
“Aaron, I need a moment,” she said, stepping away from him. She knew the clubhouse from being there with members for various events and she hurried off the dance floor and out of the room, heading for one of the small clubrooms that would be empty on a night like this. Tears stung her eyes and she tried to control them, wiping them off her cheeks.
A hand closed on her arm and Aaron stopped her. He saw her tears and frowned.
“C’mon,” he said, holding her arm and walking down the hall to enter a darkened meeting room. Hanging a sign, Meeting in Progress, on the outside knob and switching on a small lamp, he closed the door.
