“Hey, I’m the guest here. If that’s what you normally do, then let’s go.”
They’re already pulling into the church parking lot. With only fifteen minutes to spare before the start of the service, the lot is almost full. Picturesque brown-bag lanterns light the sidewalk. Troy stays close to his sister as they enter the crowed entryway full of people waiting to shake hands with the greeters at the door to the sanctuary. Only as they move closer does Troy recognize it’s Dr. Devon, surrounded by three young boys and a very pregnant woman he assumes is his wife. They make a very nice looking family, and since they know everyone in town, the line is moving at a snail’s pace as neighbors share jovial holiday greetings.
As the line inches forward, Troy scans the foyer, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hallie. It’s not until they’re through greeting the Devon clan and headed into the sanctuary that he spots her in one of the pews near the front, sitting between her aunt and uncle. He’d forgotten how petite she is, yet as she turns to speak to her aunt, he can see her face light up into a smile.
‘Traci was right. She is doing well.’
Only as he allows the relief of seeing her looking so happy register, does he realize just how much he’d been aching to see her again. His brain knows she is not available to him. He’s too old for her for starters, and while he still doesn’t know what her history is, he’s pretty sure there’s violence in her past that will make living in a DD community very difficult for Hallie.
Regardless, when he caught himself thinking about her at frequent intervals throughout the day, he’d eventually had to acknowledge he feels a magnetic pull to the feisty young woman he’d met under the most unique circumstances. There’s something about her that’s captured his full attention, yet that’s where it needs to end. As tempting as it is to pursue getting to know Hallie better, the odds are not in their favor. Remembering the fear in her eyes after bursting into Traci’s to stop her spanking always tamps down his excitement.
‘Better to remain mere acquaintances than start something that won’t end well.’
The service is uplifting and spiritual and Troy finds himself grateful for the many blessings in his life. The music is traditional and several times, Troy gives up singing Christmas carols just to take in the profile of Hallie as she enjoys her first Christmas with family in over three years. Her eyes twinkle with excitement during the final hymn, Silent Night. The sanctuary is lit with dozens of candles held by the congregation.
When the service concludes, the crowd begins to head out, many in the direction of the Community Center. Troy and Traci are delayed as several people stop to talk with his sister. The loitering allows for Hallie and her family to approach their row as they head to the exit.
“Merry Christmas, Hallie.”
She’d been talking with her aunt, so she’s surprised when she looks up to see Troy. He’s relieved she doesn’t appear to be afraid of him. He detects a slight blush on her cheeks as her eyes widen as she recognizes Troy, and he wonders if she’d just been thinking about how they’d met. Still, he’s happy she isn’t running in the opposite direction. It’s a good sign.
“Merry Christmas, Troy. Traci told me you’d be coming to visit for a few days. I just didn’t know you’d arrive in time for tonight’s service.” She continues hesitantly. “Are you… and Traci going to the party over at the Community Center by chance?”
“I’m pretty sure we are. How about you?”
“Yes, we’re going, although Uncle Adam has already said he doesn’t want to stay too late. Something about Santa needing his rest.” She shoots her uncle a playful smirk.
The man standing next to her chuckles, holding out his hand to Troy. “Hello young man.” Adam continues to pump Troy’s hand vigorously as he continues, although he looks uncomfortable with the social interaction. “I didn’t have the opportunity to properly thank you for helping our Hallie the night she got to town. She told us about how you and Traci took care of her.”
Troy allows his eyes to drift down to Hallie’s, searching for clues on exactly what she might have told her uncle about the events on the night of her arrival. Troy detects a full-blown rosy blush as she shuffles her feet subconsciously. Troy is on his own.
“Yes, well it was certainly a shock having someone arriving at the house at that hour. I’m just glad we were up and had lights on to help her find her way.”
Hallie glances up through her long lashes. They share a private look that tells Troy that Hallie had kept the fact she’d broken in to stop Troy from spanking his sister a secret from her aunt and uncle. Troy is happy, for Traci’s sake. She lives and works here in town and he’d hate for anyone to lose confidence in her based on her foolish actions on one night of her life.
“Well, Gina and I are so happy to have her here, and we’re grateful to you and your sister. What are you two doing tomorrow for your Christmas celebration?”
“Honestly, we haven’t talked about it yet, but I assumed we would have a quiet day at her house considering we don’t have any other family to celebrate with.”
“Well that won’t do. You two should come to our place around ten. We have a tradition of opening gifts and then Gina serves a wonderful brunch. We normally invite a lot of people over, but the crowd is going to be smaller this year with a lot of folks visiting relatives out of town. We’d love it if you would join us.”
Troy glances at Hallie, trying to gauge her reception to the idea. He doesn’t want to accept her uncle’s offer if it will make her uncomfortable. The only hint he has to her feelings on the topic is the small smile playing on her gloss shimmering lips.
Turning to his sister, Troy lets her make the final decision. “We haven’t talked about tomorrow yet, Trace. What did you have planned?”
“Well, I’d like to drop in at Brent and Char’s in the afternoon and we’ve had a few other offers, but I had mostly just wanted to spend time with you.”
Adam wraps his arm around his niece’s waist, pulling her close against him. “Well it’s settled then. You two can come and spend time together at our place. I insist. Drop by after ten.”
Troy is a bit annoyed at the forcefulness of the elder man, but Aunt Gina joins the conversation to add on her own gracious invitation in her charming southern drawl. “Yes, we’d love it if you’d both join us tomorrow. Hallie doesn’t know that many people in town, so having familiar faces there will help her feel more at home.”
The look on Hallie’s face tells Troy his presence isn’t going to have the desired effect, but before he can decline, Traci answers for them. “We’d love to join you tomorrow, Gina. Thanks for the invitation. What can I bring?”
Traci and Gina take the lead as they finally exit the church, talking menus, leaving Adam to make his next bold request. “So you and your sister are going over to the community center, eh?” He doesn’t even stop to give Troy a chance to get a word in edgewise. “Hallie has her heart set on it, but Gina and I prefer to just head on home. You wouldn’t mind taking her along with you and dropping her off later, would you?”
“Uncle Adam! If you really don’t want to go, that’s fine. You don’t need to try to pawn me off on Troy and Traci.”
“I’m not pawning you off, young lady. You just haven’t had much fun since you got here and going to the party at the community center tonight with people closer to your own age would be a lot more fun than going home with your aunt and me.”
Troy snorts. “Well, thanks for the compliment, but I might be a bit older than you give me credit for.”
“Well, you’re a hell of a lot closer to her age than her aunt and I are. Just have her home before midnight. I’d hate for her to run into Santa on her way to bed.” He has a twinkle in his eye as he drops a quick kiss on his niece’s forehead before heading off in the direction of his wife.
Hallie shuffles awkwardly, watching her uncle’s fast retreat, deserting her. She’s fidgeting nervously with her plum scarf. Troy had remembered her being shorter, but then not
ices she’s once again dressed in totally inappropriate, albeit fashionable, high-heeled leather boots. She appears unstable on her feet until he then realizes she is subconsciously shuffling to distance herself from him.
“So, I guess you’re stuck hanging out with Traci and me tonight. You ready to head over?” Troy tests the waters by offering his right bent arm. He holds, watching the indecision flit through her eyes. He is patient.
Stepping forward, Hallie slowly reaches out, linking her left hand through the crook of his arm just in time for Troy to support her as she almost wobbles to the floor after teetering precariously on her too-tall heels.
“Fuck these stupid shoes!” Hallie’s outburst would be better suited at the local truck stop rather than St. Michael’s sanctuary on Christmas Eve. As least she has the decency to look guilty.
“Well, I think I’ll pass on that suggestion and I’d watch your language if I were you. You’re lucky all of the families with young kids have already left or you might find yourself over some HoH’s knee in Corbin’s Bend for language like that.”
Troy had meant the comment to lighten the awkwardness of the moment, but it has the opposite effect as he feels Hallie visibly trembling, becoming increasingly wobbly on her feet.
“Hey there, kiddo. I was just making a joke. I mean you should curb the truck driver talk until we’re at least outside, but I’m pretty sure vulgar language isn’t a spanking offense, even here in Corbin’s Bend.”
“I’m not so sure. I get the impression they can make anything they want a spankable offense around here.”
“Well, maybe in private homes yes, but you don’t need to ever worry about some other HoH ever disciplining you, Hallie. That’s not how it’s done around here.”
“If you say so.” She doesn’t look convinced. “Can we just get out of here?”
“Sure.”
They catch up with Traci near the exit. The snow has continued to come down during the service and there’s a gorgeous covering of snow blanketing the picturesque town. Troy has to assist both ladies with keeping their balance on the icy pavement. Apparently, his sister has the same taste in shoes as Hallie. By the time they arrive at the SUV, they are all laughing merrily. It is shaping up to be a very Merry Christmas in Corbin’s Bend for Troy.
The drive to the Community Center is short, and in nice weather would have been faster to walk than drive and park. Hallie hasn’t known what to expect, but stepping into the community center transports them into a winter wonderland. Whoever is in charge of this party has some serious skills. Every surface of the center is covered with twinkling lights or blue and white fabric arranged to give the appearance of an icy winter scene. Tall artificial trees covered in Christmas lights are the main source of lighting along with two real-life carved ice sculptures decoratively lit by floodlights to enhance the artisanship of the ice statues.
Traci and Hallie release a quiet “wow” in unison as they take in the large banquet tables piled high with snacks and sweets. Excited children, pumped up on the lethal combination of Christmas excitement laced with too-much sugar, dash around the room chasing each other while tired parents mingle.
The newest arrivals are halfway across the room to the first banquet table when they are met by a young woman carrying a big box filled with wrapped presents.
“Hi, Traci.” Reaching into her box, the hostess pulls out one of the smaller rectangular gifts wrapped in red paper and hands it to Traci. “Here’s your welcome gift.”
“Thanks, Carrie Ann. Is it the same gift as last year? Every woman in town has been looking forward to getting stocked up. Since I probably won’t need mine, I’m thinking of starting a bidding war to make a little extra cash.” Traci’s comment has Hallie curious as to the contents of the small present.
“Yeah, well it was so popular the committee knew we had to keep the gift the same as last year.”
Carrie Ann briefly looks up at Troy before lowering her eyes shyly. Knowing where they are, Hallie suspects she is a submissive. The hostess reaches into her box of goodies, this time coming out with two gifts, one identical to that given to Traci and the other a larger, long rectangular box wrapped in deep green wrapping paper.
The shy hostess works up the nerve to address the newcomers. “So are you two in a traditional relationship?”
Hallie’s heart does double time thinking about the implications of being in a relationship with a man like Troy. She’s flustered, and can only stutter her denial. “Oh hell no. We’re not… I mean we don’t…”
Troy rescues her by cutting in, a sly smile on his face. “What Hallie is trying to say is we are just friends. She is staying with her aunt and uncle and I’m here visiting my sister.”
Carrie Ann looks confused on how to proceed so Traci jumps in to help. “It’s okay, Carrie Ann. Just give them the traditional gifts. That will be fine.”
She holds out the smaller red box for Hallie and the larger green to Troy. She looks relieved that her duty is done and is ready to shuffle off to find other new comers when like a shot, the woman’s name clicks into place and Hallie stops her retreat with a blurted question. “Are you the Carrie Ann that lives between my Aunt Gina’s and Traci’s houses?”
Carrie Ann’s blush deepens. “Oh no. Yes, I’m afraid so.”
Troy is confused. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Having a few seconds to think better of her line of questioning, Hallie decides to retreat. “It’s nothing. Let’s get going.” She begins pulling at his sleeve, trying to move them to the chocolate fondue fountain.
Troy stays planted until Carrie Ann eventually answers his question. “I suspect she heard one of my recent discipline sessions. My HoH believes that naughty girls should be punished so everyone knows how naughty they’ve been. I’m sorry if we disturbed you, miss.”
Hallie tries to laugh, but it comes out as a choked croak instead. “Hey, whatever floats your boat. If you’re crazy enough to allow yourself to be beaten, who am I to complain?” Even Hallie is surprised by the obnoxious tone of her voice.
Carrie Ann is too shocked by her outburst to say a word, but Traci tries to smooth things over. “Hallie, we’ve talked about this. What happens in Corbin’s Bend is consensual between loving partners. You’ve never even met Danelle. She loves Carrie Ann very much.”
Digging herself deeper, Hallie snorts with laughter. “You guys keep telling yourself that. Whatever gets you through the day, but you won’t convince me that was love. I heard you screaming.” With a start, she realizes she’s still touching Troy’s arm, and she yanks her hand free as if he were on fire, turning to move deeper into the party to try to get away from him and the awkward conversation.
Troy doesn’t let her get far. Grabbing her wrist and pulling her back into the conversation, Troy warns Hallie. “That was rude. I want you to apologize to Carrie Ann. She was just trying to be friendly.”
Eyes wide at his authoritative command, Hallie tries to yank out of his grip, but he won’t have it. “Now, Hallie.”
“Who died and left you in charge?” Hallie isn’t exactly sure why she’s trying to pick a fight in the middle of the Community Center, but pent up frustration over the crazy by-laws of Corbin’s Bend are pushing to the forefront leading Hallie into melt-down territory.
Carrie Ann looks like she might be ready to apologize again, but Troy holds up his hand to shush her. “Hallie, I’d like to speak to you in private please.” She regrets looking up to see if he’s serious. “But before we speak, I mean it. Apologize to Carrie Ann.”
Hallie really does feel sorry. She can see she had upset the woman. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”
Carrie Ann quietly replies. “It’s okay. I think I understand.”
Hallie wishes she understood. She looks up at Troy. His eyes look stormy as he reaches out to grasp her upper arm, pulling her in a different direction.
She can hear Traci calling out to them. “Troy… be careful. This isn’t your prob
lem to solve.” His sister’s comment only spurs him on faster. Hallie has to almost run to keep up with his long strides and in her new boots, that’s no easy feat.
“Troy… please. My feet are killing me, damn it. Slow down.”
“Well I don’t feel sorry for you since you’re old enough to know how to buy more sensible shoes to wear in the Colorado snow, and that’s the second curse word not far from young children in the last hour. I’m no prude so that language doesn’t bother me in private, but I’m warning you now, I don’t want to hear any more profanity in front of children.”
He pulls them down a short hallway into an empty alcove, decorated and lit by twinkle lights in large artificial ficus trees. Hallie is helpless to fight his strength as he backs her into the private cutout, pressing her back against the wall and caging her in by placing his hands, one still holding a gift, on the wall above her head. She’s grateful that while he is close enough to smell his masculine scent, he’s keeping a few inches between them.
The burst of resentment and anger she had felt just a few minutes before are dissolving, quickly replaced with a cocktail of guilt and fear of what Troy is going to do. She’s witnessed first hand what he’s capable of. They’re far enough away from the loud party music that Hallie can hear her own labored breathing as she tries to calm herself, choosing to focus on the fashionable tie knotted at the collar of his dress shirt directly in front of her. It gets harder when Troy cups her cheek with his palm, pulling her chin up so she has no choice but to look into his stormy eyes. She expected to see anger, not his calm disapproval. For some reason, seeing his disappointment takes her guilt to a new level.
“Now, why don’t you tell me what that was really all about?”
“I don’t want to talk about it with you.”
“And why not?”
“Because… you’re part of the problem. All of the men in Corbin’s Bend think they can do whatever they want and us women will just fall at your feet, begging to have our asses lit up for no good reason. Thanks, but I can pass on that.”
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