He shifted a wary glance from Nell to Addison. “Of course, I’ll understand if—ˮ
Addison remembered all the times Emmett had been around when she was a child—helping Nell with chores, taking the kids on hiking trips, even taking them to task when they got a little out of hand. He’d been a positive male role model for all the children at Hope Ranch. How could she say no to this man who’d been like a father or an uncle to her? The answer was easy.
She couldn’t stop the twitch at the corner of her mouth. “Nell?”
The older woman answered with a smile and a nod.
Addison stood and offered her hand to Emmett. “You’ve got yourself a deal on one condition.”
With a reluctant look, he accepted her hand. “What is the condition?”
She smiled. “That you let me design the floor plans for the tool shed.”
Emmett’s eyes twinkled, and Addison could see his delight.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The town was packed on opening day of the festival. The aroma of roasting chestnuts filled the air. At the petting zoo, Joey and Julie squealed with delight as they petted baby goats and pleaded with their mother to get them a puppy.
J.J. explained that she’d need to get permission to have a dog at their new home. “Taking care of a puppy is a big responsibility. I don’t want you to be disappointed if Miss Millie says no.”
“That’s okay,” the twins chimed. “We can always visit Boomer.”
She checked her watch. “We’d better hurry. It’s almost time for the sleigh parade to begin.”
By dusk, the decorated sleighs and prancing horses had lined up for the parade, and spectators stood waiting on both sides of Main Street. Mayor Dorothy Clark stood on the podium in front of the massive, twenty-foot, brightly lit Christmas tree. She tapped the microphone.
“Welcome, everyone, to Meadow Creek’s sixtieth annual Mistletoe Festival and, thanks to Ms. Addison James, our first annual sleigh parade. The leader of our parade, of course, is Santa and Mrs. Claus.”
She addressed the sleigh drivers. “Drivers, you will guide your sleighs once around the town square, keeping your horses to a walk, and then on to the parking lot at the elementary school.”
She added, “Judges, do you have your score sheets ready?”
A committee held their clipboards high and answered, “We’re ready, Mayor.”
“All right, then. Folks, don’t forget—as soon as the parade is over, head to the school’s auditorium for our first annual Mistletoe children’s fashion show. Winners of the sleigh contest will be announced right after the fashion show. And I promise at the Mingle and Jingle there will be plenty of delicious refreshments loaded with calories.”
She nodded to the high school band leader. “Maestro, strike up the band and let the parade begin.”
The crowd cheered and clapped and laughed. Elmira Cosgrove’s black horse pranced by wearing a pair of red flannel pajamas with his ears sticking through a red nightcap. Elmira had created her sleigh as an old-fashioned bed with her grandchildren pretending to be sound asleep.
Dickie Drummond’s theme was candy cane lane, followed by a nativity scene, and then the music changed to “God Bless America.” Emmett, dressed in his Marine uniform, saluted as he guided the horses wearing their red-white-and-blue-striped blankets with matching twinkling lights. J.J., dressed in her uniform, stood at attention and saluted the crowd. Joey and Julie stood on each side of a Christmas tree decorated to match the sled. They both waved little American flags and mimicked Emmett and their mother by saluting.
Nine more sleighs, all with unique and fun themes, circled the town square and made their way to the school parking lot.
Nell wiped tears from her eyes as Emmett winked and saluted her. “It’s been a lot of years since I saw him in his uniform. He still cuts a handsome figure of a man.”
Addison clapped and returned the twins’ wave. “It’s as clear as the nose on your face, Aunt Nell, that he’s crazy about you.”
“Do you think it’s too late for an old woman to admit she’s in love?”
“It’s never too late, but I’m not the one you should be telling.”
Nell patted Addison’s arm. She sighed and changed the subject. “I don’t envy the judges having to choose winners.”
Addison hugged her foster mother. “Every sleigh is a winner in my book. Will you be okay if I leave you to get to the school by yourself? I promised J.J. to help dress the twins for the fashion show.”
Wade’s baritone voice spoke from behind. “Don’t worry, Addison. I’ll personally escort one of my favorite ladies.”
Addison’s stomach flipped as a shiver that had nothing to do with the weather shimmied down her spine. “We looked for you. Did you miss the parade?”
“I caught the beginning.” He kissed Nell’s cheek. “If it were up to me, I’d pick your sleigh.”
“What happened?” Addison wanted to know.
“Right after Aunt Nell’s sleigh passed I got a call from Leo, down at Smitty’s. A couple of tourists had enjoyed a little too much holiday cheer, tangled with a couple of rowdy locals, and they all decided to take it out on each other.”
“I haven’t seen a good fisticuffs in years.” Nell chuckled as Wade helped her skirt around a group of sightseers. “Did you arrest them?” Nell asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Shouldn’t you be at the jail guarding the prisoners?”
Wade scanned the crowd while he escorted Nell and Addison. “Pop happened to drift in about the time I had locked the cell doors. Though he’d never admit it, his gout is still painful. He volunteered to keep an eye on the overnight guests while I do crowd control.”
Addison said, “I hope the prisoners don’t give your father any trouble.”
Wade laughed. “When I left the jail, those four were snoring like buzz saws. The only danger Pop’s in is trying to filter out the noise.”
Before excusing herself and hustling through the crowd, Addison said, “See you at the fashion show. Save me a seat, Aunt Nell.”
She offered Wade a dimpled smile before bustling down the sidewalk.
“I’d offer to give you a ride in the squad car, Aunt Nell…” Wade observed the throng of people and sleds all making their way in the same direction. “The streets are too crowded. It’s faster to walk. There’s no rush. We’ll go slow.”
“I’m old, Wade, not decrepit. Lead the way. I’ll keep up.”
Nell chattered as she held tight to Wade’s arm. “I guess Emmett told you he’s selling Oxbow?”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s a smart move on his part. Selling to the university is an excellent decision. The ranch will benefit students for years to come, and the land will continue to thrive.” He glanced down and asked Nell if he was walking too fast. She assured him he was not.
Nell said, “I suppose he also told you that he more or less hired himself on as Hope Ranch’s handyman?”
Wade shook his head and grinned. “He didn’t exactly put it that way. It was more like an offer and a mutual agreement between the three of you.”
“Uh-huh,” she replied, with a good-natured laugh.
In less than ten minutes they strolled through the front doors of the elementary school. Refreshment tables lined the festively decorated hallway walls. High school students dressed as elves greeted them with a program of events.
Wade stopped at one of the tables and ordered three hot chocolates and at a different table for three cookies decorated like ugly sweaters. He winked as he handed Aunt Nell a cookie. “I’ll bet these aren’t nearly as good as yours.”
She harrumphed with a smile. “You sure know how to fluff an ol’ gal’s ego.”
Strolling down the hallway and wishing people “Happy Holidays,” Nell followed Wade into the auditorium, where they spotted J.J. waving to them.
An excited glow lit the young soldier’s face as she greeted Nell and Wade. “Emmett will join us as soon as he’s taken care of
the horses, and Addison is backstage helping with the children.” She thanked Wade for the hot chocolate and cookie. “I can honestly say this is the most exciting and fun day I’ve ever experienced.”
Nell settled in a chair next to Wade. “Oh, and it’s not over yet.”
She turned in her seat when a male voice said, “It’s dang cold outside.”
Emmett seated himself on Wade’s opposite side. Wade asked, “You need any help getting the sleigh home in the dark?”
“I appreciate the concern. Yesterday I brought the sleigh over on the flatbed, and then trailered the horses today. J.J. and I’ve already removed all the decorations and loaded them in the truck. I’ll get the horses home the same way I brought them. Then tomorrow I’ll drive over to get the sleigh.”
“Do you need help loading it?” Wade wanted to know.
Emmett shucked out of his jacket and laid it across his lap. “Sure. You can help steady it while I winch it up and on.”
Addison rushed to where her friends were seated. Her excitement at the sight of Wade was tinged with a bit of disappointment that Emmett and Nell sat next to him. She met their happy faces. “I can’t wait for you to see Joey and Julie! Of course, all the children look so sweet in their outfits.”
J.J. squeezed Addison’s hand. “It’s a proud-mama moment. It’s been an extra special day.”
The conversation was interrupted when the mayor walked to the front of the stage with a microphone in her hand. Once again she introduced herself.
“We meet again, ladies and gentlemen. If you thought the sleigh parade was spectacular, you are in for another treat.” She pointed toward the spectators. “Addison, please stand and take a bow.” She went on to praise Addison for organizing the children’s fashion show and the department stores for helping to sponsor the event by lending the outfits. “When you came in, you should have received a program. If you’ll look inside, there are discount coupons from each sponsoring store for the outfits you’ll see tonight and for other items, too.”
With an exaggerated flourish of her hand, Mayor Clark continued, “Tomorrow night is our first annual Mistletoe Bid on a Bachelor event. All you single ladies out there, bring your checkbooks. And the evening isn’t just for single ladies. No-no-no! There is the Mingle and Jingle dance afterwards for everyone to enjoy, and more refreshments. And remember, once the fashion show is over, don’t leave, because we’ll announce the winners of the sleigh contest. Now…on with the festivities.”
The crowd oohed and aahed as children dressed in flannel pajamas to summer play togs to fancy dresses and suits showed off their outfits. Proud parents and grandparents clapped and cheered. Then there was hilarious laughter as one five-year-old stood in the middle of the stage, crossed her legs, and announced very loudly, “I need to go potty.”
One of the backstage mothers rushed across the floor to grab the little girl’s hand and hurry her through the exit curtains. Mayor Clark used the incident to say, “Out of the mouths of babes.”
She then announced, “For our last models, we have adorable twin brother and sister Joey and Julie Wallace, wearing outfits perfect for Easter Sunday—which is closer than you think.”
The twins held hands as they walked across the stage to the X taped on the floor. As practiced, they stopped and turned to reward the audience with bright smiles. They waved and said, “Hi, Mommy.”
J.J. pressed her hands to her chest. “I wish Gram were here to see our babies.” She turned sad eyes toward Addison. “Due to my selfishness, I’ve lost so much time…no…thrown away…precious moments that I’ll never get back.”
Addison leaned close and whispered, “Don’t beat yourself up. We all make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them. Besides, you and the children have a lifetime together. Your grandmother would be proud.”
Mayor Clark blared through the microphone, “Let’s bring all the children back on stage and give them a great big round of applause.”
After she’d settled the crowd down, she reminded everyone again about the bachelor bidding and the Mingle and Jingle dance. “Okay, are you ready to hear the winners of our first—and I hope not our last—sleigh parade?”
A hush fell over the auditorium. Mayor Clark delivered each category winner’s name with a flourish and presented each with a blue ribbon. “And the award for the most creative sleigh goes to Hope Ranch for their patriotic theme.”
She pointed toward J.J. “We would also like to thank Private J.J. Wallace for serving our country. And to all our military men and women, whether retired or on active duty, we thank you, too, for your service. God Bless, and Merry Christmas!”
She bade the audience a goodnight and safe travels home.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“If you don’t mind, I’d prefer spending the evening with my children. I’m sure the bidding on a bachelor and the dance will be fun.” J.J. shrugged. “Neither interests me. Besides, the day after Christmas I need to head back to Fort Riley. It’ll take a week to get there by bus.”
Addison searched through the closet for an outfit appropriate for tonight’s events. “As my Christmas gift to you, let me pay your airfare.”
J.J. sighed. “It’s a generous offer, and I’m tempted to take it. Please don’t be mad that I’m declining. Here’s the thing, Addison—it’s my desire to begin this new phase of my life paying the way for my children and me. Does that make sense?”
Addison held up two outfits—a green pants suit and a long red dress. “Which one?”
J.J. pointed to the green. “Save the red for the night you go out to dinner with the bachelor you bid on.”
Addison hung the dress back inside the closet. “No offense taken, J.J. In fact, I admire you for wanting to stand on your own two feet. Tell you what—I’ll use the money to start a college fund for the twins.”
The springs creaked as J. J. rose from the edge of the bed. “You’re a generous person, Addison.”
Addison slipped out of her robe. “I see a lot of myself in you, although it’s taken me years to learn the difference between true generosity and generosity with strings attached.” She made a shooing motion. “I need to hurry. I promised to help Aunt Nell with her hair and makeup.”
An hour later, Addison gave herself a critical look in the mirror. She had fashioned her hair into a neat chignon. Using a curling iron, she had coaxed tendrils of curls gracefully around her face. She dabbed perfume behind her ears and down her cleavage, and finished by applying an iced mauve lip gloss that enhanced her fair complexion and blue eyes.
Satisfied with her appearance, she bustled downstairs to Nell’s bedroom. She had forewarned the older woman that she’d better not walk in and find her dressed in a flannel shirt, jeans, and boots.
Nell whistled as Addison walked in. “You look beautiful. I’ll bet my last bottom dollar that Wade will be disappointed if someone besides you wins him.”
Seeming to ignore the older woman’s comment, Addison arched her eyebrows at the array of clothing piled on the bed. “You haven’t decided on an outfit.”
Nell fussed, “It’s been years since I dressed up. I’ve got all these clothes and don’t know what to wear. Some of them are probably outdated.”
Addison sorted through the pile and held up a black chiffon pants suit. The blouse was beaded in a Native American design. She held it toward Nell. “This one is perfect.”
She applied a pop of strong color on Nell’s lips, with a rosy blush on her cheeks that looked gorgeous against her graying French braid.
Boomer raised a fuss before the knock sounded on the front door. “I can tell by the way he’s whining that it’s Emmett.” Nell turned to Addison. “I’m as nervous as a June bug on the tip of a toad’s tongue.” She peered closer to the mirror. “I hardly recognize myself.”
In a minute they heard J.J. greet Emmett and invite him into the living room.
“I’ll die of embarrassment if that ol’ coot makes one snide remark.”
Addison was surprised at her foster mother’s nervousness. “You’re the one that’s beautiful. I truly think Emmett will be at a loss for words when he sees you, and in a good way.”
Nell blew out a long sigh. “We’ll see in a minute. C’mon, let’s get this over with.”
Addison followed the woman down the hall and into the living room. Emmett stood facing the fireplace. J.J. said, “Wow!”
Emmett turned. The expression that lit his eyes when he looked at Nell needed no words. He stared for a moment. “Nell, you…you look pretty as a picture.” As if he’d remembered that he and Nell weren’t alone in the room, he didn’t take his eyes off her while he said, “You, too, Addison.”
Addison and J.J. exchanged winks. The twins said, “Gosh, you don’t look like Aunt Nell.”
Everyone laughed. Nell said, “Who do I look like?”
The twins giggled. “You and Addison look like movie stars.”
Nell kissed each one of the twins on the head. “That’s the best compliment I’ve ever had.”
With that, Emmett helped the women with their winter wraps and led the way out the front door and to his truck.
****
Except for the glitter ball and loops of colored tinsel hanging from the ceiling, the elementary school’s cafeteria looked the same as it had the night before. Women of all ages and sizes filled chairs closest to the stage. Couples seated themselves farther back. Small groups stood and chatted.
A decorated table sat between the doors. Two festively dressed women greeted Addison and her friends with a warm smile. “If you ladies are bidding, you’ll need your bidding paddles.”
Addison and Nell each claimed a numbered paddle.
Emmett worried the knot on his tie. “Dang thing feels like it’s chokin’ me.” He glinted at Addison. “I wouldn’t do this for just anybody.”
Nell pushed his hand away and adjusted the tie. “Stop your grousing. It’s for a good cause.” She brushed at a piece of lint on his sleeve. Her voice softened. “I’d forgotten how handsome you are.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
Christmas at Hope Ranch Page 17
