Merry Cowboy Christmas (Lucky Penny Ranch #3)(78)

Two pretty blond bartenders were in their place to make whatever drinks anyone ordered. A month ago, Jud would have already had two phone numbers and would have been trying to make up his mind which one to call first. But tonight he wasn’t interested in either of their sly glances his way. He was waiting on his girlfriend.

Allie was the first Logan sister to appear at the top of the staircase. Blake sucked air so hard that Jud turned to make sure he wasn’t choking to death.

“She’s wearing the red velvet dress that she wore when we married,” Blake said hoarsely. “She took my breath away in it on Valentine’s Day and even more so tonight. I’ve got the prettiest wife in the whole damn state.”

They made quite the pair, with Allie wearing red velvet and Audrey all dolled up in a Christmas plaid taffeta dress. Jud wanted what Blake had at that moment even more than he wanted the Lucky Penny to have oil down beneath the surface. His cousin’s eyes never left his wife and daughter. It was as if no one else in the world existed but them and when they reached the foyer, he took Audrey from her, cradled the baby in one arm and slung the other around Allie’s shoulders.

“You are stunning,” Blake said.

“You look pretty damn good yourself. Shall we go on in to the party? It sounds like we’ve got some guests already and we’ll need to greet each and every one,” she said.

Lizzy made her way down the steps, but Toby didn’t wait for her to get to the bottom. He bounded up to meet her, kissed her passionately right there in front of the bartenders and Lucy and Herman as they came through the front door, and then hooked her arm into his.

“You are beautiful tonight, Miz Lizzy,” Jud said when they were beside him.

“Lucy, darlin’, I’m so glad you and Herman are here.” Lizzy hugged both Lucy and Herman. “Y’all come on into the party room with us. It sounds like folks are already arriving.”

“That green satin looks beautiful on you, Lizzy. You should wear that color more often,” Lucy said.

“And you look stunning,” Lizzy said. “How’d you ever get Herman out of his overalls and into a suit?”

“I threatened to sit on Truman’s lap and tell him what I want for Christmas,” Lucy whispered.

“Women!” Herman grumbled as he clamped a hand on Jud’s shoulder. “If you don’t want to be bossed around, take my advice and run when a woman even looks at the rings in a store window.”

“Is that what got you in trouble?”

Herman sighed. “Damn straight and now fifty years later I got to wear this uncomfortable suit to come to your party.”

“Looks real good on you,” Jud said.

“Ain’t wore it since my son got married years ago but it still fits so that’s a good thing, I guess. I knew y’all boys would make a go of that ranch. Truman was against you from the beginning but he’s comin’ around. I can’t believe he’s goin’ to be Santa Claus. All the dirt in Texas wouldn’t make me put on that suit,” Herman said.

“Herman Hudson, quit hangin’ out at the bar and come on in here.” Lucy crooked a finger toward him.

“The boss speaks.” He grinned.

“Sounds like it,” Jud chuckled.

“Does that one belong to you?” one of the bartenders asked, and pointed up the wide staircase.

If Jud would have had to utter a word or die before a firing squad, he would have reached for the blindfold and put it on himself. Fiona wore a black cocktail dress that hugged her body like a glove. A choker of bloodred rubies was wrapped around her long, slender neck and her curly red hair was swept to one side, leaving the other bare for his kisses. Between the short skirt and the high heels, her legs looked a mile long.

“Well?” the bartender asked again.

“Yes, she does,” he said when he’d found his voice.

“Well, now, don’t you clean up well,” Fiona said from the second step.

“This old cowboy suit? Why, I’ve worn it for years.” He picked up her arm and tucked it safely into his. “I should have worn my revolver on my hip. As gorgeous as you are, it’s going to be a chore just knocking the cowboys away from you. Please, let me tell everyone we are dating. I can live in a trailer for a week until Dora June and Truman leave.”

“Shhh.” She put a finger on his lips. “This is all about the ranch tonight. Not about us. We can wait one more week. Smile when we walk through the door. Lizzy is going to snap our picture to send straight to Mama.”

He closed his free hand around her finger and kissed it. “You rendered me speechless when I looked up and saw you.”

“That may be the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me. Now, let’s go make everyone welcome and show them that the Lucky Penny is a ranch to reckon with.”





Chapter Twenty-Two



Within seconds of entering the party, Jud was pulled into a group of high-powered ranchers from around Olney. Two were women, an older one with gray hair and a tall blonde wearing a lovely little dark green lace sheath dress that hugged her slim body, leaving little to the imagination.

Instant jealousy washed over Fiona when the younger woman moved so close to Jud that her breasts, sporting a mile of cleavage, brushed against his arm. He took a step to the side and motioned for Fiona to join them. That helped the green-eyed monster subside but only slightly.