Merry Cowboy Christmas (Lucky Penny Ranch #3)(15)

Jud brushed against her shoulder on his way to the living room and snappy little bursts of heat made their way through her bright green sweater and to her skin. She’d have to be stone cold dead for a cowboy like Jud Dawson not to affect her but she’d have to be a deluxe idiot to act on that attraction. She wasn’t dead for sure but she wasn’t going to be an idiot, either.

“Hey, Fiona, you can set the table while I help Mama with the gravy,” Allie said.

Lizzy brought in an armload of plates with cutlery rattling on the top plate. “Mama is already serving up the food. If Truman had prayed much longer, we’d be eating salad and bread or going to Nadine’s. The roast is well done but still edible.” She lowered her voice. “So are you going to love your neighbor?”

Fiona scooped forks, knives, and spoons up in her hands and placed them around the table. “I do love my neighbors. You and Allie live right across the fence.”

“I’m talking about the one across the landing from you,” Lizzy teased.

Fiona shot Lizzy a dirty look. “Are you going to love your neighbor, as in Truman and Dora June?”

“Of course,” Lizzy said quickly. “I love them, but I damn sure don’t like them. I’m very grateful they aren’t my neighbor in the physical sense. Deke can have that honor and I’m sure he’s even glad that their house is on the far side of their property and not right over the fence from him.”

“Dora June started meddling right after church,” Fiona said.

Katy set a bowl of potatoes and carrots on the table. “I know she’s a gossip and gets into everyone’s business but she and her three friends do work hard at the church. They’ve turned an unused Sunday school room into a nice little clothes closet and food place for anyone who’s down on their luck. Folks donate and the ladies keep everything organized. Last month a young couple with a toddler came through, down on their luck trying to make it up to Ryan, Oklahoma. Dora June made sure they had a tank of gas, food, and even gave them clothes for that baby.”

“I heard about that,” Allie said. “They had a warm coat day last week. Let any kid in the school who needed a coat pick one out. Henrietta washed the donated ones and repaired any tears or missing buttons. But, Mama, it was those four that caused you to quit the ladies’ group.”

“The Lord works in mysterious ways. If they hadn’t been so judgmental of you girls and put you out of the group, I wouldn’t have resigned as president. If I hadn’t, then I would for sure be even more exhausted these days,” Katy said.

“Silver lining?” Fiona asked.

“Something like that.” Lizzy finished setting the plates. “But if they hadn’t gotten all self-righteous with me and Allie, then one of us could have taken over your duties at the church while you were gone.”

Katy patted her on the shoulder as she passed on the way back to the kitchen. “And you would have hated being tied down to it. I did at times and I didn’t have a handsome husband waiting for me at the end of every workday. It is what it is and that’s enough buts.”

When dinner was on the table, everyone took their seats as if they’d been assigned. Toby seated Katy at the end and she motioned for Jud to sit at the other end. The only chair left for Fiona was the one to Jud’s right. He pulled it out with a flourish and seated her before taking his place.

“Deke will say grace,” Katy said.

Deke said the shortest prayers of anyone in Throckmorton County, and Fiona had no doubt that her mother called on him for that very reason. One minute after their heads were bowed, he said amen and the food started around the table. As luck would have it, every time a bowl, platter, or bread basket was passed, Jud’s fingertips brushed against Fiona’s and a whole bevy of sparks blasted every time it happened. It was definitely time for her to get back into the dating scene, which she would do as soon as she started over in a brand-new place. Until then, she could endure her hormones wanting a little something, something.

“Be sure to save your fork.” Katy smiled when they were nearly finished with dinner.

“Dessert?” Fiona forgot all about Jud.

“Warm chocolate sheet cake with vanilla bean ice cream,” Katy said.

“I love you!” Fiona squealed.

“Is that all it takes to make someone love you?” Deke asked. “I know a bunch of rough old cowboys in this area who’d gladly borrow Katy’s recipe.”

“Nobody can make it like Mama does,” Fiona countered.

“Hey, now!” Allie and Lizzy said at the same time.

Fiona slowly shook her head. “You both can make it but it ain’t like what Mama makes. She throws in mama love.”

“I can do that,” Allie said.

“And Audrey will think yours is the best in the world someday. Everyone finished with their plates? I’ll clear them away while Mama cuts the cake.”

Half an hour and two helpings of the rich chocolate cake later, several cell phones rang at the same time. Deke, Toby, and Blake fished theirs out of their pockets and were on their feet before they hung up. Katy, Allie, and Lizzy all found theirs in the pile of purses tossed on a chair in the living room.

“Come on, Jud. That was the volunteer fire department. There’s a fire somewhere down past Deke’s place. You can help,” Blake said the second he’d finished listening to the call.