Merry Cowboy Christmas (Lucky Penny Ranch #3)(58)

“Come on, Truman, all that complainin’ ain’t foolin’ us one bit. You really like Christmas but you just like to bitch about it.” Toby finished the last string of lights around the porch railing.

“I like Thanksgiving. Make a turkey and dressin’, watch a parade on the television, and then it’s over. This blame holiday lasts a month and costs a fortune. And women are the ones who do the bitchin’. Men just state the way things are,” he protested.

“Well, you are really going to hate what I’m about to tell you, then,” Jud said. “We’ve decided to have a Christmas ranch party and you’re going to be Santa Claus and give out presents to all the kids. You reckon Katy would mind if we borrowed her pillows to make you a little fatter?”

Truman shook a bony, veined finger at Jud. “What kind of funny weed have you been smokin’, boy? I ain’t doin’ no such thing! I wouldn’t even be out here now, but Dora June said if I didn’t help y’all she was going to burn the ham for breakfast tomorrow mornin’. But I will not be Santa Claus, skinny or fat.”

Blake handed the last light up to Jud and crawled off the ladder. “Then we’ll go to plan B. Herman said he’d be glad to wear the red suit if you wear your normal stubborn jackass self.”

Jud came down the ladder and carried it around to the side of the house. “He even said he’d ask the preacher to borrow the suit from the church.”

“Where are you going to have this thing? Your biggest barn is full of hay,” Truman said.

“Katy said we could have it here at the house since the weather is supposed to be cold all month,” Blake answered. “Dora June has promised to help cook for it, but we understand if you choose to stay in your bedroom and not even come out. Herman don’t like you so much anyway, and you can be sure he and Lucy will be here.”

Truman shoved his hands into his pockets. “How long would I have to stay in that monkey suit?”

Toby hiked a hip on the porch railing. “Depends on how many kids show up. We’re making it an open house, so folks can show up anytime during the evening and stay as long as they like. Children normally are in bed by about nine, so we figured that Santa Claus would show up about seven, give out some presents. Probably thirty minutes at the most.”

“But don’t worry about it,” Blake said. “The preacher said that Herman could use the suit.”

Truman crossed his arms over his thin chest and glared at Blake. “I give that church more money than Herman does, so if I want to wear that suit, I’ll damn sure wear it. Herman ain’t got no more right to it than I do. Let’s get in out of this cold. Ain’t showin’ that we got a lick of sense standin’ out here when there’s a blaze goin’ in the fireplace and our job is done out here.”

“You going to come down the chimney at the party?” Blake opened the door for Truman.

“Hell, no! I’m goin’ to get ready in one of them empty bedrooms upstairs and come down the steps. I might even slide down the banister just to show Herman that I ain’t old as dirt like he is,” Truman said. “Is Dora June going to be Mrs. Claus?”

“She said she’d be glad to dress up and serve cookies and punch to the guests.” Jud followed him into the house.

“I’ll show Herman that he can’t run things. I’ll even help her.” Truman’s bony chin shot up three notches. “That is, after I hand out the presents. And a ranch party ain’t a sissy party. You need a corner to set up for drinks. Ranchers like beer and whiskey.”

“You going to be the bartender, too?”

“I am not. I might cuss and take a nip when I’m sickly, but I ain’t goin’ to be fixin’ nobody drinks. One of y’all can do that. It’s your party, not mine. I’m just Santa damn Claus.”

Dora June and the three Logan sisters were at the table with notebooks spread out when Jud reached the dining room. Audrey had begun to fuss about being left alone in her swing too long, so he took her out and carried her to the nearest rocking chair.

Blake stood behind Allie’s chair and kissed her on the top of her light brown hair. She looked up at him adoringly with the darkest brown eyes Jud had ever seen. That’s what he wanted to see in a woman’s eyes when she looked at him. Pure adoration and love with nothing held back.

Toby pulled up a chair close to Lizzy’s and looked at the figures she was writing down. He frowned but she patted him on the shoulder.

“Do you really think we need that much liquor?” Toby’s eyebrows shot up.

“It’s a ranch party, not a church social. Ranchers expect something more than watered-down punch. If the Lucky Penny is going to get its name in the pot with the big ranchers in this area, you’d best give the folks who come to this party good booze,” Lizzy answered.

“And good food,” Allie said. “We’ll make the desserts, the Christmas cookies, and the candies, but we’re getting barbecue from a really good caterer in Throckmorton. We’ll set up a table with punch and cookies in the foyer. If we move the furniture out of the living room, we can set up small tables for four.”

“Y’all really got busy with this,” Jud said.

“We did our part.” Fiona winked.

“So did you call Herman?” Dora June asked.