by J. S. Scott
When he was in Delta Force, he had been sitting in the mountains of Afghanistan and had daydreamed a lot. But it had never been as good as reality. Annie challenged him, made him a better person, showed up at every single one of his games, and even cheered louder than his sister Paige—which was saying a lot!
"Hey buddy. How are you doing today?" Annie cooed to Justin, their large, hairy bearded collie who sat in the backseat. "I see daddy picked you up from the groomers," she said more to Cade than to Justin as she noted the red bow with snowmen on it.
"At least it's not pink anymore," Cade responded as he closed his door. "Come on, let's get going. We’ve got a ton of country ham biscuits to make for the party tomorrow."
"Have you heard from Cy at all? I still can't believe Cade’s brother didn't make it home for Thanksgiving. Do you think he'll make it for Christmas?" Annie asked about the black sheep of the Davies family. He rarely made appearance back home. When he did, it was usually for a very short period of time or with a broken bone. There were numerous bets at the Blossom Café on what Cy did for a living. He claimed he was a farmer. Farming what and where, nobody seemed to know. The odds-on-favorite bet was underground mixed martial arts fighter.
"No one has heard from him. It's like he dropped off the face of the earth. I really wish he'd confide in us what he's doing and just let us know he's safe," Cade worried. "We don't know if he's finding himself by backpacking through Europe, climbing some mountain somewhere, or Lord knows what."
Cy was his younger brother and they had been very close. But after 9/11 when he, Marshall, and Miles joined the Rangers, the two grew apart. Cy hadn't been old enough to join and was forced to stay at home, but by the time Cade had gotten back home, Cy was gone.
"I'm sure he's okay. You all have given him the love and support he needs to go out and do whatever it is he's doing. Hopefully he'll come back home soon." Annie squeezed his hand.
He decided it was time to tell her the big news. "So, the school gave me six weeks of paternity leave so I can help you with the baby!"
"That's wonderful!" She leaned across the seat and gave him a kiss. "I love you. I couldn't imagine doing this without you."
"I love you too, my beautiful, strong wife."
Chapter Six
Lily Rae Rose tipped up another fifth of bourbon and poured it into the ten-gallon storage container that already held around seven gallons of apple cider. "Do you think this is enough?" she asked her sisters, Daisy Mae and Violet Fae. The Rose sisters, as they were collectively known, were getting ready for Christmas. Every year, they spiked the punch and ran the numbers in their betting books. They’d been doing it for more decades than Lily Rae cared to remember.
"Mmm. That's good. Just add some more cinnamon and then it'll be perfect," Daisy told her.
"What's the final count Violet?" Lily asked as she stirred in the cinnamon.
"It looks like all the combined bets placed that year at the Blossom Café made us fifteen thousand, six hundred and ninety-three dollars." Her sister set down the last pile of bills in a line on the old worn kitchen table Lily had in her bed and breakfast.
"That's more than last year! Looks like we're finally getting Keeneston hopping! What's the biggest outstanding bet?" Daisy rubbed her thin hands, now covered with age spots, together in anticipation. If it wasn’t for her sisters standing across from her with their white hair, she’d forget she was a senior now instead of twenty-one. But age was just a number and she and her sisters believed age was internal, not external. It probably explained why they were tipping up the fifth of bourbon instead of knitting.
"The due date of Dani and Mo's royal baby with a side bet if she's going to be pregnant this year or not. Looking like not though. I sure hope everything is okay. Cheryl's second cousin's husband works on the farm and said Mo had a helicopter drop him off at the house a couple months ago," Violet answered.
"So? He's always flying here or there." Daisy pointed out.
"Not when he's supposed to be at the EU," Violet explained.
"Bless her heart, we'll pray for her and Mo. Now, what are we going to do with the money?" Lily handed a small glass of punch to each of her sisters.
"Well, little Trey Everett needs about thirty-five hundred to pay for his spring semester at college. Tammy Fields is studying to be a paralegal, but isn't telling anyone. She's embarrassed about the fact she didn't go to college and doesn't really have the funds to do more than one class at a time. I think if we could pay another four thousand that should help get her into another class or two." Daisy flipped her order pad from the cafe closed. She heard everything from orders to gossip to bets when she was working at the café she and Violet owned and wrote it all down.
"That's a great start. I also heard the playground equipment at the park needs to be replaced. I think that's another five thousand or so," Lily put in.
"And I want to donate the remainder to that great animal rescue group that helped out after Katelyn and Marshall broke up the dog fights."
"Great idea, Violet. Are we all in agreement then?" Lily asked her sisters.
They all nodded and lifted their glasses to mark the final decision. They had been helping out members of the community or the community as a whole for years. And it was always done anonymously. They paid for the "Say No to Drugs in Our Schools" campaign, part of the college tuition for at least eight teenagers from Keeneston, and they practically built a whole wing on the town's library over the course of three years from their cut of the bets they ran out of the Café.
No one thought much about tossing in $20 to bet on a wedding date or any of the local town gossip. It didn't occur to them to ask where the money was going and how it was being divided. The Rose sisters kept 25% of all the wagers and the rest went to the winners of the bets. Then at Christmas every year the three sisters got together and decided who to help with the money. It was their favorite time of year. They'd laugh and giggle as people were dumbfounded to find things were paid for or when the playground would just magically have all new equipment one morning.
Lily had a feeling it was going to be a very interesting year. These past two had been great with the addition of Kenna, Dani, Cole, Annie and Katelyn to the town, but they still had some work ahead of them. Half of the Davies family was married, but they still had three more to walk down that aisle. And their biggest project hadn't even started yet. Ahmed may scare many people, but he didn't scare them and he needed a wife. Yes, this next year was going to be a very busy one.
"To the fairy godmothers!" they cheered in unison as they took another sip of their drinks.
Chapter Seven
Dani snuggled closer to Mo as Ahmed drove them through the snow to Southern Charms for the Keeneston Christmas Party. Mo wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. She laid her hand on his abs and absently ran her fingers up and down over his warm strong body.
"I could put up the partition if you want. I'd be more than happy to." His warm breath tickled her ear as he whispered into it, sliding his other hand up her leg. She watched as it disappeared under her skirt and he hit the partition button closing Ahmed out of their private moment.
"How are you doing? You've been so quiet since yesterday. I think my father is even worried. You scared him when all you did was nod while you looked at the floor when he started ranting about needing a male grandchild. Normally you argue back or tell him to go adopt some more sons if it's so important."
"I know. I just can't muster up the energy to fight," she said, talking into his chest. "I feel like it's all my fault. I had a glass of wine that night. Did it cause me to miscarry? Did I do something wrong? Or is there just something wrong with me?"
"There's nothing wrong with you and it certainly wasn't your fault. We've both been tested and know there is no physical reason why we can't have children. We will, someday. I want nothing more than to have a child with you, boy or girl. But I will be just as happy if it's just the two of us for the rest of our li
ves."
He ran his finger over her smooth cheek and brushed away the stray tear as it ran down from her eye. It was true. He loved his country of Rahmi, but he loved Dani more. It was killing him to see the pressure his parents were putting on her. He had begged them not to tell her his middle brother was sterile. They had found out just a couple days after the miscarriage and he wanted any children to be a blessing, not a duty. But so much rested on them having a boy. It was enough to weigh him down, too. Yet he remained focused on protecting Danielle from any hurt rather than stopping to think how he felt.
He never wanted to feel as helpless as he did when he received that phone call from Ahmed telling him he was at the hospital with Dani. He wasn't leaving her again until she had had a baby and that baby was safe and sound in her arms. When, rather if, the time came and they didn't have a boy, Rahmi would revert control over to his cousin who would surely become a money-hungry dictator. There would be no choice, no freedom in Rahmi if he took over.
The antiquated system needed to be changed. There was no reason why his oldest niece shouldn't be Queen. She was eight years old now and already showed strength of character that made Mo very proud. She would be perfect to lead Rahmi into the future.
The car slowed as they entered town. He leaned down to kiss his beautiful wife before they got to the party. His hand came around her neck and brought her closer to him as his lips closed over hers. She shifted so her breasts were against his chest and he couldn’t stop himself from pulling her onto his lap.
"Dammit," he hissed as the car came to a stop. "I can tell him to drive around town fifteen more times if you'd like."
Dani laughed and gave him one more quick kiss before sliding off him. She loved knowing she could excite him so much. Before she had a chance to consider it, Ahmed opened her door. The sounds of a party in full swing greeted them.
Noodle stood straight and proud. The most beautiful and intelligent woman in the world was here with him. This was the best Christmas ever! He grinned as he watched Dr. Emma Francis joke with Henry Rooney.
"I think you need help, Henry!" Emma joked. "Those pickup lines are dead on arrival."
"For you maybe, but ever since I was listed on the Keeneston Most Eligible List I've been swimming in dates with the Belles. There was even a catfight between two of them over whom I'd take to the University of Kentucky basketball game last week. Now with Marshall married and what happened to . . . well, you know,” Henry shook his head unable to name the traitor who had been in their midst, “Instead of being fifth on the list, I'm really third. I'm climbing the charts and holding out for the number one spot so I can have my pick of the ladies." Henry rocked back on his heels and smiled at his grand plan.
"I would think you'd want to wait for the best woman for you. One who would love you whether you were on that list or not." Emma took a sip of her drink and watched Henry process what she just said.
Henry shrugged, "It's all about opportunity. I'll have more of a chance to find the perfect woman with more women to choose from. See, I'm smart. I'm a lawyer, after all."
Noodle watched as Emma’s brown curls bounced as she laughed. No doubt about it, this was the best Christmas ever. Of course, if Santa happened to place a catfish noodling trip to Oklahoma under the Christmas tree, well, he wouldn't complain.
Dinky felt strange in his suit and kept pulling at the red tie. He was used to the sheriff’s deputy uniform or jeans. But a couple times a year he'd put on a suit and tie. After thirty years he still just felt silly wearing one.
"Deputy, I must say it took me a couple minutes to recognize you," a cheery voice said from behind him.
He turned and looked into the beautiful face of Chrystal Sharp. He'd only seen Annie's cousin a handful of times since he'd met her last year after the Keeneston High School football team won the state championship. He'd been struck with her beauty then and it had only grown over the past year. She had dark red hair with loose curls hanging past her shoulders. Her green eyes held a quiet confidence behind them that made him feel inadequate.
She was a family therapist now with her own practice and he was just a deputy. She was tall, gorgeous, and smart. He was average in everything. He was five nine, had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and had graduated in the middle of his law enforcement class at Eastern Kentucky University. There was no way a man like him had a shot with a woman like her.
"Hello Miss Sharp. You look beautiful tonight," he mumbled.
"Thank you. You look very handsome yourself, but then again, you always look handsome." Dinky felt his eyes go round, but he couldn't help it. She thought he was handsome? Should he take a chance and finally ask her out?
He raised his head and saw a most becoming blush on her cheeks, but she wasn't looking away in embarrassment. She was looking right at him and smiling. He cleared his throat and straightened his tie as he tried to remember to breathe.
"I heard there's a great new Italian restaurant opening in Lexington. Would you like to go out to dinner with me next week?" Dinky tried to swallow, but forgot how. He also forgot to breathe, but it didn't seem important right now.
"I'd love to. How's next Friday?"
"It's okay. I understand I'm not really your type," Dinky sighed.
"You can pick me up at my place at seven."
"I'll see you around." Dinky turned to leave and then stopped and turned back to Chrystal. "I missed something, didn't I?"
Chrystal laughed and Dinky felt his heart flutter. "Yes, I'll go out with you. Pick me up at seven. Now, how about you get me some of the Roses' apple cider and we'll plan what to do after our date."
Dinky was sure someone was playing a trick on him, but he nodded anyway and walked over to the refreshments. If this was actually happening, then this was the best Christmas present ever.
Lily, Daisy and Violet watched as Dinky picked up two glasses of apple cider and walked back to Chrystal. They placed their hands under the refreshment table and low-fived each other. Tiny white Christmas lights twinkled from the ceiling. Red and green ribbons hung elegantly over each of the doorways.
"I love Christmas, it's so romantic," Violet sighed.
"Romantic, hah! It’s busy is what it is," Daisy grunted.
"That's one down. Now, who's next?" Lily asked as she surveyed the room. Lily heard the bell over the front door tinkle as she and her sisters turned to see who the latecomers were. She cocked her head to one side and tried to figure out why a big, fat Santa Claus had just walked in. They hadn't hired a Santa for the party.
"What the dickens?" Daisy muttered.
"Who is that?" Violet whispered as Santa wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
"I don't know, but we're about to find out," Lily whispered as Santa approached them.
"Merry Christmas to the finest Roses I've ever seen!" Santa patted his big belly as it bounced up and down with his laughter.
Daisy eyed him carefully, but his thick white beard covered the majority of his face and huge bushy eyebrows concealed his eyes for the most part. His cheeks were painted with two red circles. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out who it was.
"Who are you?" Daisy asked, getting right to the point.
"Daisy! That's not polite. Welcome, we were wondering, who's hiding under that getup?" Violet asked as with generations of good Southern breeding behind her sweet voice.
"Why, don't you recognize me? I'm Santa Claus!" he boomed.
With a bushy wink of his eyebrow, he reached down into his large red velvet bag and handed a gift to the Rose sisters. Lily felt the heavy weight in her hands and knew it was a book of some kind.
"Well, go on, open it up!" He laughed again.
The sisters looked at each other and with a shrug, Violet tore open the green wrapping paper. The three of them stared at the pink leather bound betting ledger. Who was Santa Claus?
Chapter Eight
Annie was fuming. Her hair was on end and steam was nearly shooting out from her ears. Cade was next to her l
aughing as Santa Claus rubbed her very large round belly waiting to feel the baby kick. It wouldn't have been so bad if, one – she knew who this person was, and two – he hadn't been the tenth person in a row to come over and start rubbing on her belly as if she was an old dog lying in the sun. Now she was about ready to chop off Santa's hand.
Santa bent down on his knees and started talking to her belly. Okay! That was it! She was so upset her stomach literally hurt and her back was killing her as she tried to keep her temper between the unsolicited belly rubs, endless advice on how to raise her baby, and the fact that every single person here had to tell her their whole birthing story.
"Cade," she growled between clenched teeth. "Get Santa Claus away from me or there will be no Christmas this year."
Cade chuckled and came to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her and resting them on their child. She instantly calmed down when she felt his arms around her. His calmness and patience soothed her as his large hands sprawled across her belly. This caused Santa Claus to stop talking to it.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa just loves babies!" Santa said in his deep voice. "Now," he reached into his big bag, "something for Daddy, Mommy, and Baby." Santa handed Cade a rectangular box, Annie a small bag, and then held onto a square box. "That one first," he said, pointing to the bag.
Annie pulled out the tissue paper and white onesie that read, "My Mom Shoots People, But I Kill Them With Cuteness".
"I don't know who you are, but this is the best onesie I've gotten," Annie told him.
"You're welcome. Go ahead Cade. It's for the birth," Santa told him.
Cade ripped open the gift and laughed. He pulled out a fifth of the most expensive bourbon Cade had ever seen. His mouth watered at the thought of the amber liquid sliding down his throat. He lifted it up and showed it to Annie. He had ever only heard of this brand, he didn't even know where you could buy it.
