Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(20)

It was the right thing to let the boy meet other kids, but Finn’s heart took a nosedive. He really would have rather stayed home with Callie than mix and mingle with people who didn’t even like each other.

A couple of hours later, Finn stood back and looked at their tree. It looked kind of pitiful with one strand of lights and a couple of paper decorations that Martin made at the last minute.

“Oh, I forgot something. I’ll be right back.”

He was only gone a few minutes before he returned with a small boot in his hand. He handed it to Callie. “You can put it on the tree.”

Her eyes widened at the sight of the small ornament. “You kept that thing all this time?”

“Of course. It was our only real ornament, remember? The last ornament the base store had to offer on Christmas Eve.” His arm went around her shoulders. “You said it would have to be something like a damned old cowboy would buy.”

He could tell by the instant sparkle in her eyes that she really did remember.

“Y’all had a Christmas tree together before this one?” Martin asked.

“Yes, we did.” Callie nodded.

While she circled the tree four or five times, she told him about going to the base store and the boot being the only ornament left. She cocked her head this way and that way and finally came back to the front and gave the boot the most visible place on the tree—front and center.

“The crowning glory,” she said. “Now it’s time to eat supper and get bundled up to go see this Christmas tree thing they were talking about in church this morning.”

“Gladys whispered to me that there was lots of refreshments, so we need to save room for them,” Martin said.

“I’ve already had my dessert, out there under the pecan tree,” Finn whispered for Callie’s ears only.





Chapter 6


Gladys was watching an old Western movie on television when her phone rang. She grabbed it on the fourth ring and said, “Hello, Honey.”

“Have you heard anything about the Christmas tree lighting?”

“After that catfight you and Betsy had in church this morning, I’ve been hearing plenty. There could be a problem at the lighting, but you’d best make sure nothing happens in my store.”

“Betsy isn’t getting away with putting me down in front of Finn like that. Even if I didn’t want him, I’ll have him now that she does. We’re lighting our tree first. If they do something, they’ll be damn sorry. Call Polly and see what she knows. And nothing will happen inside the store. They might try something like burning our tree, but they wouldn’t dare do anything in the store,” Honey said.

“You know I don’t like spying,” Gladys said.

“Yes, you do. It keeps you young.” Honey laughed. “And besides, you know that we all consider you family.”

“All the butterin’ up in the world won’t make me sell you Fiddle Creek,” Gladys said.

“I’ve given up hope for that to ever happen, but I would like to know ahead of time if those hussies who’ll back up Betsy are planning something evil. Please find out for me. I’ll owe you big time,” Honey pleaded.

“Yes, you will,” Gladys said.

She didn’t even put the phone back on the end table when Honey hung up but promptly hit the speed dial button for Polly. She heard all kinds of things in the bar, and she’d know if there was trouble brewing in the Gallagher court.

When Polly didn’t answer, she left a message after the beep and went back to watching television. It was still several hours until tree lighting time, so she didn’t have to rush right back to Honey. It would do her good to learn a little patience after the way she’d acted in church. For two cents, Gladys would stop being her spy, but then blood was thicker than water, and Honey’s mama was Gladys’s cousin’s kid.

***

Polly had just laid down for a nap when her phone rang, sounding like a marching band coming right down the middle of her bed. She grabbed for it and came close to falling off the bed before she got her balance.

“This better damn sure be good,” she growled.

“Miz Polly, darlin’,” Betsy said sweetly. “Are we going to have trouble at the Christmas tree lighting tonight?”

“Don’t you go sweet-talkin’ me with the same mouth you used in church this mornin’, Betsy Gallagher. I don’t care if I do have a family member in your clan. I was about to take a Sunday afternoon nap, and I don’t give a shit if the Brennans set fire to your Christmas tree.”

“Oh, they are?” Betsy gasped.

“I said I didn’t give a shit. I didn’t say that I know if they are or aren’t,” Polly said. She shouldn’t have answered the phone. She hadn’t picked it up when Gladys called, and she was her best friend.

“But they’re gettin’ ready for war, aren’t they?” Betsy asked.

“I damn sure would be. Y’all better load your guns, check your ammo supply, and count your cows.”

“Would you call Gladys and find out what they’re really doing? People talk in the store, and she hears things.”

Polly sighed. “Okay, but only since I’m already awake, and I’ll call you after we talk a spell. Don’t be callin’ me. I hate it when I’m trying to talk and those beeps cut off the words.”