Christmas Cowboy

by Claire Adams

  “Yeah, I see it’s been crazy here. The front lobby is packed. But I’ve been missing you. I wanted to come give you these, let you know I’ve been thinking about you, and ask if you want to come by tonight.”

  “I have dinner at my parents’ house tonight.” I thought I’d explained that already, but with my brain in a fog these days there was no telling.

  “Oh, that’s right. How about I take the three of you to dinner? We could go to Soto’s. I’d like to meet them, unless you think it’s too soon for that.” He was the sweetest thing, and it broke my heart.

  It also terrified me. He couldn’t meet my parents. That would happen soon enough.

  “It’s not the best time for that. My mother doesn’t even know I’m dating someone, much less in a relationship.” It wasn’t a lie, and it seemed to bother him, so I felt the need to explain. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t talked to them, but I planned on telling them tonight.” Another truth — but not exactly the whole truth. This was getting awkward.

  “It’s okay. Could you come by after?”

  “I’ll call you, but fair warning, I’m already beat.” He reached out and stroked my arm, his hand taking mine. He pulled it to his lips and kissed it.

  “You could sleep in my bed. You’ve already told me how comfortable it is, and I know you sleep well in it.” He searched my eyes, and I wanted so badly to promise I’d be there, but I left it on a maybe.

  “I’ll call you. Thanks for the flowers.” I saw his head spin around as a deep voice sounded down the hall. It was Dr. Rob coming out of the ER, and he rounded the corner so fast, he didn’t see either of us.

  “Is that him?” Aiden glared down the hall.

  “Aiden.” I gave him a warning glare, and he shrugged.

  “I only wondered what he looked like. It’s not like I’m going to break his hands or anything, I’m only keeping an eye on the competition.” He smirked and then leaned in and pressed his mouth to mine. He tasted of mint candy, and I pulled away, wondering what a mess I was.

  “He’s not competition.” I released a long breath, and he brushed his hand across my cheek.

  “I’m only kidding. Call me. I’m going to head out to the office for a bit.”

  “You’re going into the office again?” I wondered if there was more news in the case, if my parents had done something else.

  “Yeah, I’m getting back in practice. I’ll be taking over my father’s office, so I hope you don’t mind trading your doctor in for a lawyer.” I let out a sigh, and he chuckled. “I’m only kidding.”

  I gave him a nudge and then a kiss goodbye. As he walked away, I hoped it wasn’t the last one. It was always that way with him, never knowing if the other shoe would fall and things would be over before I’d see him again.

  I got off work a half hour late, but I wanted to prove to Dr. Rob that I was back on my game. I’d helped him stitch up a poor kid who’d gotten his leg caught on a fence. The gash had been awfully close to ruining the kid’s chances of ever being a father, so he’d gotten lucky, despite the twenty stitches.

  I drove to my parents’ house and wished Bre would come back. Who could blame her for not wanting to? After the little blow up, she hadn’t been back for dinner and my mother hadn’t even so much as asked about her.

  I went into the house with little welcome and found both Mom and Dad already sitting at the table despite my call that I’d be late.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting.” I lowered myself into my chair and unfolded the napkin to place it in my lap as Dad swallowed a bite of food.

  “Work must be picking up.” My mother had never grasped the concept of how busy my job was. I sometimes wondered if she even understood that it never really slowed down in an emergency room. I imaged she thought I was walking room to room taking temperatures and pumping blood pressure cuffs wearing a red and white striped dress with a little apron and hat.

  “Yeah, it was very busy today.” I wouldn’t gross her out with the details of blood and needles, especially since we were having lasagna. I scooped a hearty serving on my plate and took a slice of garlic bread and bit it. The bread was still warm, and the butter was smooth against my tongue.

  “You’ll be sure to take off Monday for court,” Mother reminded. “It’s very important, so before you try to argue, I need you to realize that.”

  My father’s fork clanked against his plate. “Dear, we talked about keeping the conversation civil at the dinner table. This should be a neutral ground to share our lives and our opinions with healthy discussion. If Alexandra has something to say, the least we could do is listen if we want the same respect.”

  I wondered if he’d be so agreeable when it came to my being with Aiden Walker. He hadn’t ever been too keen on Mother’s pushing me to date, but if he knew about Aiden, his opinion would be the only one that would matter.

  “Well, the hearing is happening, no matter her opinion.” Mother’s voice was sharp as she had a death grip on her fork. “Especially now that Mr. Walker has requested the recording. I’d like to see his smug face when sees his father in that pilot’s seat. No black box is going to dispute our evidence.”

  “Video?” My parents exchanged a glance.

  “Our investigator found a video file in Shawn’s phone. Mr. Walker was bragging about his piloting experience and talked the pilot into letting him take over.” My heart thrummed wildly in my chest. All I could focus on was the fact that there was a video of my brother’s final moments. My next thought was how the proof could ruin Aiden.

  “So you’re absolutely sure it was Mr. Walker’s fault?” They were going to win this case. I sank back in my chair and let the bite of lasagna fall from my fork. I’d suddenly lost my appetite. “And, Aiden hasn’t seen this video yet?”

  My father shook his head. “No, I’m sure it will come as a shock.” He seemed almost sympathetic, but continued eating.

  “Since we’re talking calmly about all of this, I’d like to pose a question to you. Have you thought for a minute, knowing that I disagree, what it’s been like for that man? I still think this is wrong. He didn’t do anything.”

  “Again, darling, we’re not suing him. We’re suing the estate. Would it be any better if there were no heirs? If this man wasn’t around to see what his father’s irresponsibility had caused?”

  “He’d be ashamed of his father. I’m sure of it. But why should we compromise his future?” My mother’s laughter chimed across the table.

  “Oh, Alexandra. We’re merely putting a dent in his wealth. The man is worth far more than we’re asking. Besides, he has the rest of his life to make it back. His father’s estate is probably earning that much in interest alone over a five-year period.”

  I didn’t think it was as easy as all that. Aiden had gone back to work, sure, but there was more going on that had him stressing. He was worried about losing his home.

  “What if the tables were turned? What if I was left with nothing but your estate and someone came along trying to take even a small part of it? Say it was all your fault, too; how would you like that?”

  My father pushed himself back from the table and sat as if contemplating leaving, but he stayed put, glaring at my mother as if I’d posed the question to only her. I had a feeling they’d had this conversation before.

  “That’s not the situation we’re in.” My father’s voice was a surprise as I’d expected to hear from my mother instead.

  The silence drew out, and I couldn’t help but think that I was fighting a losing battle. Neither were going to budge. But I didn’t have to be around to witness it. Besides, if there was a way to get out of being at the courthouse, then Aiden wouldn’t have to see me there. He wouldn’t learn that I was a traitor as well as a liar.

  “I’m not going to be there.” I pushed my plate aside; the barely eaten food had already begun to go cold and the small portion I’d eaten threatened to vacate the premises.

  “Excuse me?” My mother’s tone was sharp enough to cut gl
ass, and a growl of frustration bubbled from my father’s throat.

  “You have to be there, Lexa. If you’re needed, it could delay the entire process. You will be there if I have to have a judge order it. So, I’d advise you to reconsider.” Dad’s hard eyes were penetrating as they held me in my seat. I couldn’t move, I was so angry.

  “If my opinion is asked, I’m going to speak it. And just so we’re clear on how things are going to go down, if you do this, if you drag that poor man to court over that accident, the accident that took his entire family, then you can consider yourself childless.”

  My mother’s hand clutched her neck, and my father’s angry stare went blank. “You don’t mean that. Your father and I are all you have now that Shawn’s gone. Think carefully of your words. If they were designed to hurt, then congratulations. You know damned well how hard it was to lose Shawn.”

  “Yes, and I can imagine Aiden Walker has had to deal with that grief times three.” I pushed back my chair, and it dragged across the tile making an unpleasant noise as I stood. “So if you keep this up, you can mourn me, too. I’d rather have no parents at all, than parents I’m ashamed of.”

  As I walked out, I turned around and gave them one last thought to chew on. “When you’re counting your money — the money you destroyed another person’s life to have — look around. Shawn will still be dead, and no amount of money is going to bring him back.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Aiden

  I sat behind my father’s desk, frozen with a mixture of emotions buzzing around in my head. Shawn had indeed captured my father bragging about his flight experience during his goofing off with my sister. The two were making silly faces at the camera, and seeing Ally on the video, laughing and sticking out her tongue, brought tears to my eyes. She was so alive, so happy with Shawn. The two probably would have gotten married, and my sister might even have been pregnant by now.

  Instead my father, who was in the background of the tape, was trying his damnedest to impress Shawn, who wasn’t even listening to him. The truth was he’d quit flying lessons long before getting more than his required time. I could tell the pilot wasn’t sure about letting dad take over, but my dad had been convincing enough. The video stopped as Dad took control. Allison’s last words had even been in jest about how she hoped Dad didn’t kill them all.

  I should have been with them, and then I could have spoken up and told the pilot what a bad idea that had been. Knowing my father, though, it wouldn’t have mattered. He always got his way. The fact that I was sitting behind his desk only solidified that further.

  I raked my hand through my hair and then scrubbed my face with my palms. What the fuck was I going to do? Layne stayed quiet as if waiting for that answer, as well.

  “I want to offer them one last settlement.” I took the pen and pad from the desk drawer and thought a moment before writing down a number. I’d be fine. I had gone over the finances, and I would be able to keep Olde House, as well as a few of the cars if I wanted. I’d decided the Rolls and Dad’s ’Vette were first up to go, and I’d even decided to sell my mother’s SUV. I’d keep the Shelby, as well as my sister’s Mustang, and my truck would be handy to have around. I just had to figure out what I would do about the office.

  “Have you thought about what I said, about the office?” I tapped my pen and waited for him to answer.

  “I’d be in a position to buy it if that’s the route you’d like to take. I’d bring in another partner, of course. You’d always have a space here if you’d like, but I understand if you want to part ways completely.”

  He knew I was about to fold and let those assholes win. The offer to stick around the office my father built was noble, but I knew I’d be working from home or maybe I’d open a smaller office, one without its own parking garage.

  “I don’t want to leave you in a bind. So, we’ll make sure the deal is solid, and I’m selling a couple of the cars and a few of our art pieces. Mother would have hated that, but she’d understand my reasoning. Better the art than the house.”

  I jotted down a number and slid it across the table. It wasn’t quite what they were asking for, to give them that was to defeat the purpose of a counter, but I’d made sure it was close enough that I didn’t think they’d refuse.

  Layne took the paper and cleared his throat as he read the number. “Are you sure? It’s almost what they wanted to begin with?”

  “I’m sure. Let’s get this done.”

  “I’ll call Blanc now.” Layne picked up the phone, and I stared across the room at the family photos. I could still hear my sister’s last words on the tape. She’d been joking, of course. I mean, how was she to know? She trusted my dad with her life, and it had cost her just that.

  Mother had been in the background, and though I couldn’t see her the recording, I’d heard her voice and her laughter one last time. The offer was a small price to hear their voices again.

  “What do you mean? It’s only twenty less than what you wanted, and there’s still time to settle. Yes, it’s his final offer.” Layne fell silent, and I couldn’t believe that Blanc was arguing. “I understand. We’ll see you Monday.” He hung up the phone. “No deal.”

  I let out a long breath. “Holding out for a mere twenty? Compared to the rest?” I shook my head. My father might have an asshole for flying with their son on board, but these people really made the arrogant SOB seem like an angel.

  “Blanc said that maybe a week ago they would have taken the deal, but they are prepared for court and are confident they’ll get the full amount. I’m sorry, Aiden.”

  “If that’s what they want, we’ll stick to our guns as well and hope for the best.” I turned my chair to the window behind me and gazed into the tree top that blocked the view of the street.

  We’d planted that tree when I was a kid, and now it was just tall enough to remind me of how long ago that had been and how happy I’d been that day. Our parents had taken Allison and me to the nursery where we each got to pick out a tree. Mine was on the other side, but Allison had wanted hers to be right outside Dad’s window.

  After a quiet moment, Layne took the file with the video and put it with the other evidence in the case file. Then he left me alone with my thoughts.

  I needed to talk to Lexa, but she was at work. I considered asking her if she’d want to move in with me. Maybe that would make the whole transition to the home office that much easier. It would be nice having someone else around, and if things worked out, maybe we’d get married.

  I remembered a time when Allison and mother were having a discussion about my sister’s dream wedding and how she would have the ceremony right in the front room of the estate, just below the stairs so she could make a grand entrance. Maybe Lexa could walk down that path. . . someday. It wasn’t like I was going to run out and buy a ring, but at least I still had hopes for a bright future.

  I decided to go by and see Glen. I hadn’t seen the guy as often as I was used to, and I hoped he’d have some friendly advice. Besides, it would give me something to do until Lexa got off. I decided I’d meet up with her after work and maybe by then, we could grab some dinner.

  I left the office and went straight to see Glen. I’d only been stopping in every few days lately, and my usual spot was growing cold between visits for once in the past year. I walked in, and my friend’s eyes lit up.

  “Well, it if isn’t Aiden Walker himself. Speak of the devil and all that.” Glen came over to stand on my end of the bar and wasted no time getting my drink.

  “How’s it going, man? It’s been a few days; surely, there’s been some excitement.” I hadn’t missed much except maybe a few of Smitty’s filthy jokes, which I had heard at least five times if not a few.

  “It’s the same old around here. How’s that girl of yours?” He gave me a wink, and I lifted my shoulders.

  “Wish I knew. I haven’t talked to her much. I’m going to corner her to see if she’ll let me feed her. That job of hers is brutal
, and she’s had a few tough weeks. It will even out, I’m sure. I’m hoping she can take a little time, maybe a short vacation so we can get away for a few days when this trial is over. I’ll need it.” I took a long pull from my beer, and it tasted so good. I realized I’d really missed my friend.

  “You’re still dealing with that?” His eyes lit up with disbelief, and he leaned against the bar, as if wanting to hear more.

  “Yeah, and it’s not looking good. I go to court Monday, so I’ll probably see you right after.”

  “Stress is getting to you, huh?” He rubbed his scruffy face.

  “Yeah, I saw my sister on video today and heard my mother’s voice. Talk about haunting. I tell ya, as good as this beer is, what I really need is my girl.”

  “Well, since you’ve had a rough one, I’ll let you keep your man card after admitting that. Want me to keep them coming?”

  “Thanks, brother, but I think after this one, I’m going to go to the hospital.”

  “Let me hide the knives.” I glanced to his finger, which didn’t have a bandage anymore.

  “You’re the one who had to get stitched up, so you should hide them from yourself.” We shared a laugh, and then I sat watching the TV with Smitty as I finished my beer.

  I headed to the hospital, and even though I knew Lexa had told me that there was nothing going on with the doctor, I couldn’t help but look for him every time I entered the place. I’d probably lose my fucking mind if I caught him hitting on her, but luckily, the man was probably busy stitching up some poor bastard’s gut.

  I walked to the front desk and glanced around for her, but she wasn’t at the front station. I knew enough about the place that I could walk around to the side and avoid anyone stopping me from going into the hall where the small break area was just past the curtained rooms and the small private rooms. I grinned as I passed the one where Lexa and I had fucked, and I got an itch in my balls that needed her scratch.

  I found her in the break room talking to one of the nurses, who suddenly had to run when I walked up and said hi.