Merry Cowboy Christmas (Lucky Penny Ranch #3)(34)

Fiona wiggled her hips to the song, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” When she stopped and went back to work, Jud nudged her with his shoulder.

“Great moves there. Want to go out Friday night and do some dancin’?” he asked.

“Are you asking me for a date?” she whispered.

“I guess I am. We could go to Wichita Falls or maybe to a place called Frankie’s.” He drawled so low that only she could hear him.

“Frankie’s? How do you even know about that place?” Her big green eyes widened and she cocked her head to one side.

“Deke offered to take me. He took Lizzy, you know.”

“No!” Fiona gasped. “Does Mama know?”

“Have no idea. You’ll have to ask her,” Jud said.

“What are y’all whispering about?” Dora June asked.

“I was asking her to teach me to do that dance. I can two-step or swing dance, but I can’t do the shuffle and she’s really good at it,” Jud answered.

“It looks like a pagan mating dance to me,” Dora June huffed. “Y’all get on with the lights so I can help put the ornaments on. Audrey gets to put the star on the top when we get done. I promised her she could do it if she wouldn’t go to sleep. That way she’ll stay awake and then sleep good tonight for her mama.”

“But”—Allie glanced over toward the rocking chair—“she’s not even two months old, Dora June. How is she going to put the star on the tree?”

“We’ll really put it on the tree.” Dora June smiled.

“Blake will hold her up there beside it like she did it,” Irene said. “Y’all can take a picture of her up there beside it. The rule in our house says the youngest kid gets to put the star on the tree. Who knows? It could be the only year she’ll get to put the star on the tree. She might have a little brother or a cousin next year at this time.”

“Bite your tongue,” Allie gasped.

“One never knows what another year will bring. I sure wouldn’t mind giving Audrey a little cousin next year,” Lizzy said.

Dora June’s eyes shifted to Fiona.

She popped up both palms, fingers splayed out in defense. “Don’t look at me. I’m not in the market for a baby, not even to put the star on the tree.”

“Best be careful. God has a way of throwing monkey wrenches into the best plans,” Dora June giggled.

“So no babies before next year but we could go dancing. Last time I checked that didn’t produce a baby,” Jud flirted.

“Can you guarantee that?” she asked.

“For sure,” he said.

“What are you two talking about?” Lizzy asked.

“We are going dancing on Friday night,” Fiona said. “But it’s not a date. It’s just two people going out for a good time.” She tucked the final light in exactly the right place. “Now it’s time for Dora June and the rest of y’all to put the ornaments on. Jud and I have done our job.”

“Oh, really? Was I fast or patient?” Jud’s eyebrows went up.

“You finished well,” she said.

“I always do,” he whispered.

She started to say something else but noticed that Irene’s eyes had begun to dart around the room.

Katy went right to her side and held her hand. “Are you okay, Mama?”

“Where am I? I don’t know this place. Did we get new nurses?” Irene frowned.

“We hired help to decorate the lobby. Are you ready to go to your room?” Katy asked.

Irene nodded. “I am very tired.” She glanced out the window. “Maybe tomorrow we can build a snowman if it snows enough.”

Deke had been helping Lizzy set snow globes on the higher places but he turned and headed toward the kitchen. “Let’s take Miz Irene home in my truck. I’ll feel better if I go with y’all and if the roads get slick, then my truck is heavier.”

“Thank you,” Katy said.

“No problem. See all y’all tomorrow, folks.”

Fiona started across the room to hug her grandmother but Katy shook her head. Allie looped her arm through Fiona’s and Lizzy laid a hand on her shoulder.

“She thinks we are hired help and those folks would not hug her,” Allie said softly.

“We’ve learned how to handle it,” Lizzy said.

“This is so hard.” Fiona swiped at a tear clinging to her long lashes.

“Yes, but we’ll be thankful that we had her for a couple of hours. That’s a miracle,” Allie said.

“Just one minute, Katy,” Blake said.

Even though all the ornaments weren’t on the tree, he fixed the star to the top and held Audrey up for everyone to take pictures. “I don’t want you to miss seeing the real thing.” He grinned.

Jud plugged the end of the cord into the outlet and the multicolored lights lit up beautifully.

“Thanks.” Katy smiled as she helped Irene into her coat and hat. “Look at Audrey’s eyes. I’m so glad you did that for me, Blake. That’s a precious memory I will cherish forever.”

Fiona inhaled deeply. Lizzy was right. They’d had Granny for a little while and that was a miracle. Audrey’s little eyes had lit up so bright when the lights came on that Fiona couldn’t even find words to describe the joy in her heart. She made a vow right then that she’d always come home the weekend after Thanksgiving and enjoy this tradition. It didn’t matter where she lived; she would never miss making memories like this again.