Be Mine This Christmas

by Jean Brashear

  “Little Eric sure started something special, didn’t he?” Ruby nodded. “It’s fitting to come together like this.” Christmas afternoon would never be the same. Families had already had their private celebrations, and the whole town had gathered the night before for a candlelight service. Today was for honoring what made Sweetgrass special: that everyone, big family or all alone, had a place in this town, a place to belong. “Look at Henry,” she nodded toward the young man who was stealing a kiss from Brenda.

  “You can see the lovebirds chirping and swirling above their heads,” Scarlett mused. She glanced over. “Today’s a good day, don’t you think?”

  “To tell him about the partnership?” Ruby smiled. “Absolutely. Sweetheart, are you sure you don’t mind? You could have both the diner and Ruby’s Dream if you wanted them. Everything I have will be yours.”

  Scarlett smiled as she shook her head gently. “I don’t mind a bit, Nana. Henry has earned his spot. And I have other priorities I don’t want to forget.” Her gaze went to Ian, slapping backs and cutting up across the room, Georgia in a pack on his back.

  When Georgia stood up in her pack and patted her daddy’s head, Ian glanced up at their baby girl with a smile so full of love it brought tears to Ruby’s eyes. “That’s a good man you have there, sweetheart. I don’t blame you for wanting to be able to spend time with them. Maybe if I’d worked less, my Georgia…” The ache of losing her daughter, Scarlett’s long-lost mother, could still sting.

  “Mama was foolish to give up all this. I loved her with all my heart, but she was wrong not to tell me I had family and roots.” She slipped her arm around Ruby’s shoulders and leaned her head against Ruby’s. “I’m so glad I found you, Nana.”

  Ruby smoothed Scarlett’s curls. “You’re the gift I never expected, honey. My heart is full.”

  They watched in silence as the room filled with family and friends, covered dishes being dropped off on the buffet table at the front, just outside the kitchen.

  A young boy raced over, skidding to a stop. “Guess what, Miss Ruby? My mom and Gib are getting married! He’s gonna be our dad!”

  “Well, Andre, that is big news indeed. Are you glad?”

  “Oh, yes, ma’am! Gib is the best! And we’re gonna live in a bus and travel all over, and I bet Gib will take me on the track with him and—”

  Just then, Dulcie approached, Gib close behind her, carrying Bobby in one arm and Lily clinging to his back like a monkey.

  “Andre tells us there’s big news in your house. What’s this about living on a bus?”

  Dulcie’s cheeks colored. “Gib offered to leave NASCAR, but he’s so talented, I couldn’t ask that of him. So we’re going to try homeschooling the kids over the next season and see how it goes.”

  Ruby looked at the big man covered in children. “Your bachelor days are a thing of the past, it seems.”

  He grinned. “I couldn’t be happier.”

  “Raymond and Nita will miss you. They’d like having all these little ones around.”

  “We’ll fly back often,” he noted. “And I want build us a place here. I won’t be competing forever. Life on the road won’t work for long. We want to make our home in Sweetgrass eventually. Meantime, we’ll get back as often as we can.”

  Suddenly Torie ran up and skidded to a stop. “Did you hear about my parents, Ruby?”

  Something in her tone made Ruby think Torie might know by now exactly what she’d suspected, that Gib was her biological father. When he hugged her and kissed the top of her head, Ruby was sure.

  “I had a little help from a certain elf,” Gib said, grinning down at his daughter. Her eyes shone with hero worship.

  “My mama has a pretty ring,” Lily said over Gib’s shoulder.

  “Let’s see it,” Scarlett said.

  Others gathered round with many exclamations about the ring and questions about the wedding.

  “I couldn’t be happier for you two,” Ruby said. “Looks to me like your decision to come back to Sweetgrass for Christmas turned out just right, Gib.”

  “The best Christmas of my life,” he answered, hugging Dulcie into his side.

  Soon they were drawn off for others to exclaim over the ring and pepper them with questions.

  “Our Sweetgrass family just keeps growing,” Ruby remarked.

  “Thanks to you, Nana.” Scarlett turned and held her grandmother close. “You’ve changed so many lives. Thank you for hanging on so that we could all find this place and come home.”

  Ruby hugged her granddaughter back. “Oh, sweetheart…” Words failed her. Her heart was too full for them.

  “Arnie told me he’s taking you on a trip as soon as you hand over the reins to Henry. I’m glad.”

  “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “Never.” Scarlett shook her head. “But I want you to live forever. I still have a lot of things I need to learn from you. You’re my hero, you know that?”

  Ruby’s gaze locked on her granddaughter’s. “I’m not ancient yet, no matter what the calendar says.”

  “Good,” Scarlett said, tears in her voice. “I need you, Nana. We all do.”

  They clung together as someone began to sing and the crowd joined in. I’ll be home for Christmas…

  “Merry Christmas, Nana.”

  “Merry Christmas, my girl.”

  They swayed together, arms around each other, as voices lifted in song.

  Another year in Sweetgrass would be here soon.

  Ruby couldn’t wait to see what the new year would bring.

  ~THE END~

  Thank you for letting me share my stories with you!

  The next Sweetgrass Springs story is TEXAS CHARM:

  He’s a country superstar; she’s a small town waitress. When the real world slams into their stolen dream, whose heart will be the one to break?

  Jeanette Carson has been a fixture as a waitress in Ruby’s Cafe ever since high school. Walker Roundtree is country music’s brightest star, known by all for his laid-back charm and irresistible appeal to the opposite sex. Ever since his first visit to Sweetgrass Springs, there have been verbal fireworks between him and Jeanette as she proved to be the only woman immune to his charm.

  Now their paths have crossed in the outside world, and they’re seeing each other in a new light. Fireworks of a very different sort are sparking the sky—but then Walker’s world is upended by a tragedy, and the only one who steps in to help him is the very woman who swore never to put herself at his mercy. For a few days, they have only each other to rely upon, and these two lonely hearts find refuge in each other.

  But all too soon, the real world demands its due, and their refuge is no longer private. The days of dreaming, the nights of yearning and hope face the harsh light of reality, and the only question is:

  Whose heart will be the one to break?

  Start reading TEXAS CHARM today!

  An original love song, NEVER FOREVER, was written especially for this book by Eric Dove, and you can hear him perform it here. He also sings the song in the audiobook version of TEXAS CHARM.

  If you enjoyed BE MINE THIS CHRISTMAS, I would be very grateful if you would help others find this book by recommending it to your friends in such places as GOODREADS, BOOKBUB and writing a review. If you would like to be informed when my next release is available or get news of special prices on my books, please sign up for my newsletter here. You can also follow me on BookBub here.

  I love hearing from you, so please contact me through any of the options at the end of this book.

  Thanks!

  Jean

  Please enjoy an excerpt from TEXAS CHARM:

  Jeanette glanced around the backstage area buzzing with excitement and anticipation, necks craning, attention whipping toward the door as each new person entered.

  After each disappointment that it wasn’t Walker Roundtree, the noise level rose higher.

  This was his world, and she so did not fit here.

  She was we
aring too many clothes, for one thing.

  “I told you,” Hayley’s practiced glance skipped over the assembly. “Nobody is wearing anything like your outfit.” Hers was an evil grin. “And they’re jealous because they all look alike.”

  “They’re not wearing much at all,” Jeanette reminded her. “And I look out of place. Don’t tell me that’s not true. I don’t belong here, Hayley.” Not only here backstage, but here in L.A. Here in Hayley’s world. That became more evident by the day.

  “That’s only because you’re too nice to people.”

  Jeanette goggled. No one in Sweetgrass would swallow that. “I’m not nice.”

  Hayley snorted. “Hon, you may have a sharp tongue for Sweetgrass, but you’re a babe in the woods here.” She smiled, and it was a little scary to see. “But I’ll get you trained in no time.”

  “Hayley, I don’t think—”

  A shake of platinum hair and a sharp look halted her. “Don’t let Little Miss Anorexia bother you. You have a gift, Jeanette. The outfit you’re wearing is going to be in the trades tomorrow, just you wait and see. Then the sky will be the limit. I thought I’d have to send a kidnapping squad after you to get you out of South Nowhere.”

  Today’s client had been the worst, but she was sadly typical of the pervasive anxiety and high-strung nature of the women Hayley wanted her to dress. “Just because you don’t appreciate Sweetgrass doesn’t mean it’s not special.”

  Hayley’s head whipped up, a retort on her lips suddenly giving way to a thousand-watt smile aimed past Jeanette’s shoulder. The noise in the room died.

  Jeanette turned around to see Walker framed in the doorway—only not the Walker she was used to. This man had on no tool belt, wore no faded jeans or t-shirt.

  This was the star, in the flesh. The Love God of Country Music, as he’d been dubbed a few years ago. His shaggy brown hair with golden sun-streaks was hidden under a black cowboy hat, his broad shoulders and wickedly muscled chest and abs coated like a second skin by a tight black t-shirt, his black jeans belted with a big silver buckle, snakeskin boots on his feet.

  She couldn’t have spoken if her life had depended on it.

  Apparently Hayley could, though. “Walker…” she purred. Her too-white teeth gleamed, her hair swished as she preened for him, her tiny frame lifted by ankle-breaker stilettos.

  He smiled at Hayley, a practiced smile he’d already given to others as he crossed the room.

  His gaze slid to her. His eyes widened. “Slim?”

  She cocked one eyebrow at his incredulous tone. Finally found her voice and remembered how they were together. “Yeah?”

  “What are you doing here?” His eyes scanned her, and she felt it burn over her skin.

  “It’s not a free country?”

  Hayley restrained her with one hand on her arm. “What she means is thank you for the backstage passes.”

  Wry amusement lit his mossy green gaze. “Yeah? That what you meant to say, Slim?” His eyes scanned her insolently, a slow, grazing kiss moving like molasses down her body, then just as lazily drifting back up. “Damn, girl. I’ve hardly ever seen you out of your waitress getup. That is one hell of an outfit.” He winked, flashing that ladykiller smile she’d seen too often in photos and news footage.

  “You’d never believe she possesses so much style, living in that podunk town,” Hayley stated. “I’m getting her seen by all the right people to prove to her that she’s wasting her life back in Texas.”

  Walker cocked his head. “Are you?” His gaze quickly shifted to Hayley. “Best I can tell, Ruby’s Cafe would fall apart without her.”

  Hayley sniffed. “Anyone can be a waitress. Her talent with needle and thread is unique.”

  “Not everyone can bury an insult in a compliment that well.” He locked his gaze on hers as he spoke to Hayley. “But no question she’s right. You’ve got style, Slim.”

  She resisted the urge to cross her arms over her chest. She’d never worn half the garments she’d made for herself. There was nowhere in Sweetgrass that called for this fitted scarlet gown with its exaggerated pointed stand-up collar that rose several inches above her shoulders, its lines clinging to breast, waist and hip, then bias-cut to the knees, each step revealing a flash of leg and the red stiletto sandals that were currently killing her.

  He grinned again, but this one felt…private. “That is some dress,” he said softly.

  “Walker, it’s time,” a man in a headset said from his elbow.

  “Duty calls,” he murmured, then leaned in to brush his lips over her jaw.

  Jeanette froze. She was more comfortable with the sharp banter they usually exchanged when he was in town.

  Warm breath wafted over her ear as he murmured. “Wait for me, Slim.” Then he straightened and spoke to an assistant hovering behind him. “Make sure these two lovely ladies are cleared for the after-party, Margie.”

  A sharp frown from Margie scraped over Jeanette’s skin. “Sure thing, boss.” But in her eyes was warning.

  No doubt he did this all the time. Walker Roundtree was the hottest star in country music and had been for several years. He had hot and cold running women, no doubt, and his assistant had just neatly dumped her into that company.

  “We are so there,” Hayley said from beside her.

  Jeanette shook her head. “I don’t think—”

  “Shut it, girlfriend. You’re in my capable hands now, and I’m telling you that we’ll do some business at that party, just you wait and see.” Hayley scanned her as he had, but her look only got Jeanette’s back up. Walker’s, for some odd reason, made her breathless.

  She didn’t do breathless. “You’re too bossy, Barbie. Maybe I don’t want to go.”

  Hayley rolled her eyes. “Don’t even think about arguing with me.”

  “Maybe Scarlett isn’t so wrong to dislike you.”

  “Boo hoo. I’m all torn up.”

  Then the roaring of the crowd at Walker’s entrance made conversation impossible.

  …Excerpt from TEXAS CHARM by Jean Brashear © 2017.

  Start reading TEXAS CHARM today!

  THE SWEETGRASS SPRINGS STORIES in order:

  TEXAS ROOTS (Ian and Scarlett)

  TEXAS WILD (Mackey and Rissa)

  TEXAS DREAMS (a reunion of all the Texas Heroes families)

  TEXAS REBEL (Jackson and Veronica)

  TEXAS BLAZE (Bridger and Penelope)

  TEXAS CHRISTMAS BRIDE (a Texas Heroes reunion)

  THE BOOK BABES

  TEXAS HOPE (Michael and Laken)

  TEXAS STRONG (Tank and Chrissy)

  TEXAS SWEET (Brenda and Henry)

  BE MINE THIS CHRISTMAS (Gib and Dulcie)

  TEXAS CHARM (Jeanette and Walker)

  TEXAS MAGIC (Dominic and Lexie)

  BE MY MIDNIGHT KISS (Steph and Gavin)

  Click on the covers below for more on each book

  THE TEXAS HEROES series:

  THE GALLAGHERS OF MORNING STAR

  Secrets will be revealed and the lives of four people will be shattered as they learn that who they are and where they come from is not at all what they always believed.

  Texas Secrets: Former SEAL Boone Gallagher returns to the only home he’s ever known only to find that the ranch has been willed to a stranger who doesn’t want it—and he must keep her there for thirty days, or it will be lost to them both.

  Texas Lonely: A loner who’s lost faith in love is the only hope for a mother and child on the run

  Texas Bad Boy: Disgraced bad boy has his chance for revenge against the beautiful society girl who chose money over his love

  The Gallaghers Of Morning Star Boxed Set

  THE MARSHALLS

  Texas Refuge: Haunted former detective is the only sanctuary for an actress being stalked by a madman

  Texas Star: Sexiest Man Alive becomes a white knight for a woman who keeps trying to escape him

  Texas Danger: Down on his luck rancher is the only hope for a socialite
on the run from the mob

  The Marshalls Boxed Set

  THE WORLD OF SWEETGRASS SPRINGS

  Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, tiny Sweetgrass Springs was founded by four veterans of the Texas Revolution, and for over a century the town and their ranches grew and prospered. Nowadays, however, too many of the town’s children leave for the big city as soon as they can escape, and Sweetgrass is barely hanging on. The heart and soul of Sweetgrass is Ruby Gallagher. Her daughter vanished from Sweetgrass right after high school, but Ruby, owner of community gathering place Ruby’s Café, remains, keeping vigil, hoping for her daughter’s return. She is fighting to save her ancestors’ legacy, but the town is dying, and it’s breaking Ruby’s heart.

  Then the granddaughter she never knew existed arrives and sets in motion a new life for this eccentric, lovable spot in the road…where hope never fades and love never dies. Readers call it “a special place for hearts that need healing.”

  Texas Roots: A Paris-trained chef on the run finds Texas family she never knew existed and a sexy cowboy she doesn’t dare love

  Texas Wild: Sexy SEAL turned Hollywood stuntman returns home to find his buddy’s little sister all grown up

  Texas Dreams: Take two reluctant brides and two frustrated grooms, mix with both clans of Gallaghers and season with a SEAL or three, a movie star, a Hollywood Barbie and a country music giant—and get not one but two surprise weddings

  Texas Rebel: A former rebellious teen turned billionaire’s reunion with his teenage sweetheart and a secret baby he never knew about

  Texas Blaze: What happens when a shark lawyer in stilettos has a fling with a hot firefighter determined to find Suzy Homemaker?

  Texas Christmas Bride: All he wants is the girl he thought he’d lost forever.

  The Book Babes: Five women began as a reading group and became family…but now change is rippling through the group. (A surprise Sweetgrass Springs connection!)