by Vivi Holt
Jen sat up straight and smiled as she took the bowl from Hazel and set it on the coffee table. “Mmmm … delicious.”
Chapter 13
“We miss you, hon,” Jen’s mom drawled over the phone line. “You think you’ll be home for Christmas? You didn’t make it for Thanksgiving and it sure was quiet around this place. I thought you’d be here, given you’re our only daughter, but …”
Jen lay back on her bed with a sigh. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that, Mom. I’ll drive out there on Christmas Day – I’d like to spend the morning here at the Cotton Tree, but after that I’m all yours.”
“So you’re back at the ranch, then?”
“Yeah, I moved back in yesterday. I missed it, and now that the power’s back on and the bathroom’s functioning it made sense.”
“Well, I’m glad things are working out for you, hon.”
“How are you doing, Mom?”
“Oh, just fine. You know us, we’re working ourselves to the bone.”
Jen frowned. “You should take some time off over Christmas, Mom. Have a vacation. You deserve a break.” It was always the same thing: excuses upon excuses as to why they couldn’t take time away from the family business. She knew the truth – they loved it. It made them feel needed and they didn’t want a break, even as it exhausted them. But she’d had this argument with them a thousand times and she knew it wasn’t one she could win.
“Oh, maybe we will. You know your father, though – he doesn’t think anyone else can take care of things the way he does. I guess he’s right about that.”
“When I get home, we’ll do some fun things together, Mom. Maybe shop the after-Christmas sales, get some coffee, have our nails done – how does that sound?”
“Sounds just perfect, baby girl. I can’t wait to see you.”
When she hung up, Jen felt a hard ball of homesickness in her gut. She enjoyed being out on her own, making her own way, but she missed home at the same time. Her relationship with Birmingham and with her folks was complicated – she adored both the city and her parents, but at the same time needed space from both so she could be her own person.
She walked to the bathroom, tugging a clean towel from the linen closet on her way. She was looking forward to her first shower in the newly-renovated bathroom. It seemed larger than before, with a much bigger shower, modern tub and dual vanity. She locked the door behind her, undressed and climbed into the running shower. Hot water cascaded over her head and down her back and she ran her fingers through her hair.
When she climbed out, she noted with dismay that she’d forgotten to turn the exhaust fan on. It was one of Hazel’s pet peeves, something she knew well after years as Hazel’s roommate. She flicked it on with a grimace.
A scream echoed through the house, followed by shouts and yelling.
Jen threw the towel around herself, tucked it in tight, unlocked the door and ran the length of the hall, dripping water as she went. “What’s wrong? What happened?” she yelled when she discovered her friends in the den.
Then she noticed they were jumping around and hugging each other. “Hazel’s results are all clear,” explained Dalton as Susan threw her arms around him.
Jen raced over and embraced Hazel with tears in her eyes. “I knew it! I knew it would be fine. That’s such great news!”
Tears streamed down Hazel’s cheeks. She couldn’t speak, just buried her face in Jen’s shoulder. Dalton grabbed Hazel from behind and pulled her into another embrace, leaving Jen standing with her arms wrapped around herself, watching with a watery smile.
She felt Parker’s arms sneak around her waist before she saw him. She spun around and embraced him, his eyes glistening. “Isn’t it great?”
He nodded, his hands linked behind her back. “So great.” Then he raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Nice dress. I think you’re leaving a watermark.”
She gasped as she remembered the towel. “Oh yeah, this old thing – I just wear it around the house, you know …” Her heart jitterbugged in her chest, and her cheeks burned.
Parker laughed. “Well, it suits you.” He leaned forward and kissed her, catching her completely off guard. His lips were soft and warm and they lit a flame deep inside, as her eyes drifted closed.
Through a haze, she heard laughter and whistling, and suddenly felt very underdressed. She pushed away from Parker, glanced around and saw everyone watching them. “Uh … sorry. I was taking a shower …” She spun on her heel and ran to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her, then leaning against it with a groan. She knew one thing – they would never let her live that down.
Needless to say, Jen took longer to get ready for work than usual. She spent extra time on her outfit, and decided to make an effort and put on some makeup – anything to postpone seeing her friends so soon after that embarrassment. It mostly worked – by the time she made her way to the kitchen for breakfast, Hazel had gone to college, Dalton and Eamon were out in the barn and Parker was running errands in town.
All this was according to Susan, who was the only other person left. She was bustling around the kitchen cleaning up the breakfast mess left behind by everyone else.
“What would you like to eat?” she asked Jen over her shoulder as she scrubbed a pan caked with scrambled egg remnants.
“Just a piece of toast, I think. I’m running late for work.”
“Well, you look lovely today,” replied Susan with a wink.
Jen’s cheeks burned. “Thank you.”
Susan put a slice of bread into the toaster. “Do you have a lot of work to do today?”
“Just a few house calls, then I should be home late afternoon.”
“Well, I packed some lunch for you.” Susan handed her brown paper bag. “Here you go. I hope you like tuna salad.”
Jen’s brow furrowed. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had packed lunch for her. “Thanks so much. That’s very thoughtful of you.”
Susan waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, I love it. I miss having my boys at home, and it makes me happy to take care of people. Can I let you in on a little secret?”
Jen nodded, wondering just how many secrets she’d have to keep for this family and how on Earth she’d manage it. “Sure.”
Susan leaned close, her gloved hands dripping and blue eyes sparkling. “I’m moving to Tifton.”
Jen’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Susan returned to the sink and continued scrubbing the pan. “Yeah. I can’t bear being up there in Chattanooga all by my lonesome while my boys set up their lives down here. It’s time for me to sell out and move south.” She glanced at Jen. “What do you think? Bad idea?”
Jen smiled. “No, not at all. I think it’s wonderful.”
* * *
“Thanks for staying, Mom,” said Parker, wrapping his arms around her.
“It was good to see you, hon, you and your brothers.”
“Yeah, sorry they couldn’t be here to see you off, but they had to collect a mare from Louisiana and it’s quite a drive.”
“I understand.” His mom stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, then whispered in his ear, “That Jen’s a lovely girl. Don’t let her get away – she makes you happy. And it warms my heart to see you smiling again, my darling boy.”
Parker raised an eyebrow as his mother hurried down the porch steps and got into the driver’s seat of her VW. His mother had never encouraged him to pursue a woman before, and his cheeks warmed at her concern. She was a good judge of character – and if she liked Jen, it was a good sign. He stood on the porch and waved as Mom pulled away. She rolled her window down and waved back, then was gone.
He rested a foot on the porch rail and sighed. It was good to have her stay, but it’d be nice for things to get back to normal after the craziness of the past few weeks. Hazel had been officially classified as “in remission,” so she could move on with her life. The roof, bedrooms and bathroom were fully renovated and repaired, and the power was back on. Mom was heading home to Chat
tanooga. And he, Dalton and Eamon could get on with to what they loved doing most – running the ranch.
The only thing still nagging at his mind was Jen. She’d said she was leaving Christmas morning for Birmingham, but whether she’d be visiting or leaving for good was unclear. It wasn’t too far away, but he knew they wouldn’t see each other much. He’d learned firsthand that friendships generally dwindled over such a distance. Of course, he wanted more than friendship and he’d made that pretty clear to her.
Or had he? From her response so far, he wasn’t sure how she felt about him, but he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about their kiss the other night – she in nothing but a towel, water falling from her hair like raindrops and leaving a puddle around their feet …
Parker sighed. Mom was right – he shouldn’t let her get away. But how could he stop her from leaving?
* * *
Parker poured some ice-cold Coke into a Solo cup and headed out the back door, balancing a tray of pork ribs in his other hand. He set the tray down by the grill and opened up the lid to light it. Once it was heating up, he took his cell phone from his back pocket, hit shuffle on a country music playlist on Spotify and set it on a stump nearby. He smiled and took a sip of Coke. This is what he loved about life on the ranch – a quiet night, time with family and friends and the scent of barbecue in the air.
The kitchen door swung open and Jen appeared, a tray in her hands. She approached the grill and smiled. “Bratwursts.”
“Set them here, please,” he said, making room beside the ribs.
“It’s nice out,” she responded. But then shivered despite her coat and hugged herself tight.
He glanced up at the black sky filled with glowing stars. “I love it out here in the winter. You can feel the chill in the air, but it ain’t bad. And the sky’s so clear.”
“There aren’t this many stars in the Atlanta sky, that’s for sure.” She sighed and studied the expanse.
He watched her with a sly grin. He hadn’t been able to get Jen off his mind all day. Mom’s words had finally cemented his resolve – she was the woman for him. He’d known it for a while, but hadn’t admitted it fully to himself with everything else going on. He’d always known she’d be moving on, but now something inside him had changed. If she felt about him the way he did about her, maybe she didn’t have to leave after all.
But there was no way he’d find out unless he said something, and talking to women had never been his strong suit – especially about things like feelings. He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat, still studying her profile. “Um … Jen?”
“Yes?” She turned to him, the stars still gleaming in her eyes. Tendrils of blonde hair drifted around her face, and her cheeks were flushed with pink. She looked stunning and it took his breath away.
“You’ve been a good friend these last weeks.”
She nodded and half-smiled. “Thanks. You too.”
“But you’ve probably noticed my feelings for you have changed. Grown.” Her eyes widened as he stepped toward her. He set the grilling tongs down beside the platter of ribs, took her hands in his and looked her in the eye. “I know you’re the one for me.”
She gasped, her eyes widening.
“I’ve known it for a while, but with everything that’s been happening, I haven’t said anything. But that kiss …” He grinned and lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her fingertips. “And all our talks. You’ve brought me back to life and gave me a reason to laugh again. I don’t want you to leave – I want us to be together. I don’t know how you feel about me, but I hope you’ll give us a chance.” He stopped and waited for her response.
Her chest heaved and her hands trembled. Would she pull away? Had he said too much? The silence between them grew and his heart beat a staccato rhythm against his ribcage as her eyes searched his.
Harley pushed between them, the dog’s tail thumping against the base of the grill. Parker glanced down at the dog and tried to nudge him out from between them with his boot. The adorable mutt really had the worst possible timing.
Jen leaned forward, tripped over Harley’s back and landed against Parker’s chest with a huff, her lips ramming into his.
“Ouch!” he mumbled, his eyebrows arched in surprise.
“Sorry!” She giggled into his mouth, and he chuckled in reply. Then they kissed for real, and he lifted her over Harley and set her down to stand on top of his boots. He pulled her closer, feeling the warmth of her body on his. She trembled in his arms, as he felt a glow of love fill him up from the tips of his toes to his crown.
Chapter 14
Jen reached up to hang an ornament on the tree, one with a gold outline of the White House on a dark blue background. It glowed in the soft light of the fireplace in the den. “Where’d you get this one?”
Hazel glanced at the ornament. “My aunt gave it to me. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? The White House has an official ornament each year – this one was from a few years back. I keep thinking I should get them every year, since they really are stunning, but I never remember to do it.”
Jen picked another ornament from the box at her feet as Hazel took a sip of eggnog, then set her glass back on the coffee table. She scooted closer to the tree and crossed her legs as she searched through the box for the next ornament to add to the tree. The strains of Harry Connick Jr.’s Christmas album filled the air, along with the scent of apple and cinnamon from the wassail brewing on the stove top in the kitchen. “So you’re headed back to Alabama tomorrow?” asked Hazel.
Jen had a swallow of eggnog before replying. “Yeah, I’m going to Birmingham tomorrow. But I’ll be back before long.”
Hazel’s eyebrows flew skyward. “You will?”
Jen’s cheeks blazed. “Yes. I’ve decided to stay here. Well, in town – I’m getting an apartment in Eamon and Emily’s complex. A unit just opened up and I already signed a lease.”
Hazel leaped to her feet and threw her arms around Jen’s shoulders. “That’s fantastic –you’re not leaving after all! I was trying to be brave for your sake, but I really didn’t want you to go. It’s been so wonderful having you here, but I felt like it would be selfish to ask you to stay. So what made your mind up?” She released Jen and watched for her reaction with a sparkle in her eyes.
Jen still hadn’t spoken to her friend about what’d happened with Parker. She’d felt like keeping their relationship to herself for a while so she could ponder what she wanted to do without everyone else having a say in it. It was a big decision to make – was Parker the one? Should she change her life for him? Her parents were so excited about her visiting Birmingham, hoping she’d remain there. If she stayed in Georgia, it’d have to be for the right reason. She knew Hazel would be delighted, but she needed to think without any pressure from her or anyone else.
The past few days had given her the clarity she needed. Parker was everything she’d always hoped for. Already her relationship with him was more fulfilling and exciting than any she’d ever had. She couldn’t imagine living without him – and that meant staying where she was, since he couldn’t very well move to Birmingham and leave the ranch behind. She only hoped her parents would understand. “Well, actually Parker and I …”
Hazel interrupted her with another hug and a shout. “I hoped that was the reason! He’s such a great man and I knew from the first moment I met him that you two would make a perfect match.”
Jen frowned. “Why didn’t you say so?”
Hazel chuckled. “You know you don’t listen to a word I say.”
Jen set her hands on her hips. “That’s not true.”
“Oh, yes it is. I didn’t like Chris, but you just went on ahead and dated him.”
“Well …”
“So with Parker, I thought I’d wait and let you figure it out for yourself. And I’m so glad you did.” Hazel embraced her friend again.
Jen’s brow furrowed. “Just as well I did …”
Hazel sighed. “Oh, come on – you know you
can’t hold a grudge against me, so you might as well let it go now.”
Jen’s face relaxed. “You’re right, I can’t. And I’m glad you approve.”
The front door opened and Emily blew in with the frigid breeze. “Phew! It’s getting cold out there.” She stamped her feet and unwound her scarf from around her neck.
“Yeah, it’s supposed to drop into the thirties tonight,” said Hazel, hurrying to greet her.
“Welcome to the tree-decorating party,” added Jen as she hung another ornament on the tree. “We’re almost done, but you can help with the final touches.”
“I can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve,” said Emily, settling down beside the box of ornaments with a smile.
“I can’t believe I’m only getting the tree up on Christmas Eve,” added Hazel with a grimace. “But better late than never, I suppose.”
“Would you like some eggnog?” asked Jen.
Emily nodded. “That would be amazing. I’ve been on my feet all day in surgery and I’m exhausted and starving.”
“Are you done for the year?” asked Hazel.
“Nope. I’ve got five days off, but then it’s back to the grind.” She grinned. “I love it.”
Jen went into the kitchen, poured Emily a large glass of eggnog, set some chocolate-covered almonds on a plate, grabbed a bowl of pretzels, carried it all back into the den and set it on the coffee table.
Emily’s eyes shone. “Oh, perfect!”
“Dinner will be ready in about an hour,” Hazel informed her. “We’re expecting the men home from Pensacola any moment – the auction finished yesterday, but they needed this morning to load up. Dalton called a few minutes ago to say they weren’t far off.”
Emily nodded as she munched on pretzels. “Sounds good. I can’t wait to see Eamon – it’s the first time we’ve been apart overnight since the wedding.” Her cheeks flushed.
