Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(21)

“I’ll be waiting right here,” Betsy said.

Polly pressed the button to end the conversation and immediately hit the speed dial for her sister-in-law. Lord, she wished that her cousin’s son hadn’t married into that wild bunch of Gallaghers. She felt like she was in bed with the devil every time she pumped Gladys for information.

“Why’d you take so long to call me back?” Gladys answered.

“I was tryin’ to take a nap but I couldn’t get to sleep,” Polly said. “And then I got to thinkin’ about that dustup in the church this morning. Do you think it was just the tip of the iceberg and they’re about to get serious? It’s been awhile since the feud has fired up real good.”

“You know I hear things in the store just like you hear things in the bar. I believe they’ve just been lookin’ for a reason to fan the fires. Well, I think the Brennans are fearful that the Gallaghers are going to sabotage the Christmas tree thing tonight. What do you reckon they’ll do?”

“Hell if I know, but I’m damn sure going to be there because I overheard a Gallagher sayin’ that if they set fire to their tree, then they’ll retaliate,” Polly said.

“I sure wish Verdie was here. She’ll miss all the fun. She always thought we ought to make the Brennans and Gallaghers put both their trees on the churchyard since it’s neutral territory.”

Polly laughed. “Verdie tries to be a peacemaker, and there ain’t been no peace in Burnt Boot for very long at a time.”

“You’re right. It’s been goin’ on too long now to ever expect an end. Wouldn’t surprise me if the Brennans don’t fire the first shot at this one after the way Betsy went after Finn this morning. Honey’s been sayin’ for two days that she was takin’ him home for Sunday dinner. Betsy had to know and she stepped over the line.”

That’s all Polly needed to know. The Brennans were planning to start the war in retaliation. Well, they’d started a new episode in the past for a lot less, and once she reported to Betsy, Polly still had time for a nap before the ceremonies that evening.

***

Red satin tablecloths covered two long refreshment tables right inside the General Store doors. Candles burned brightly in the centerpieces, and two women kept busy helping the folks with hot chocolate, coffee, and spiced cider from silver carafes and red punch from a crystal punch bowl. Every square inch of both tables was filled with finger foods of all descriptions.

“It is a big spread,” Callie said.

“It’s pretty, ain’t it?” Gladys said. “Try one of those decorated Christmas cookies. Leah Brennan makes them, and she don’t share her recipe.”

“This is the Brennan party, then?” Callie asked.

“Yes, they always put their tree in front of my store, and the Gallaghers set theirs up over at the bar. You’ll have to go to both, but don’t forget to have a cookie. I heard that Honey has asked her to make a couple dozen in the morning to bring over to Salt Draw,” Gladys whispered.

“They might have a bigger tree, but ours is prettier,” Finn whispered so close behind Callie that his breath warmed her neck and shot all kinds of delicious little shivers down her backbone.

With his hand on her upper arm, he led her to the window to get a better look at the tree in the parking lot. It was covered with huge Christmas bulbs and gold tinsel that the north wind kept in constant movement.

“I agree,” she said. “Where’s Martin?”

Finn nodded toward the end of the table where Martin was talking to a little girl about his age. “He’s fine.”

“I’m going to get a cup of something hot. Can I get you one?” She wiggled free of his embrace and started toward the end of the table with the hot cider.

“Coffee, please,” he said.

Honey passed her on the way. Callie caught the look in her eye and stopped in her tracks. Forget the coffee and cider; Finn might need her.

Honey looped her arm through his and pressed her body against his. She was dressed in a skintight red velvet dress that looked like it had been spray-painted onto her skin. Callie took a couple of steps in that direction and heard her say, “Finn, I’m so glad to see you again. I’ve got a surprise for you tomorrow morning.”

“And what is that?” he asked.

She kissed him on the cheek and whispered something Callie couldn’t hear, but Finn’s expression said that it was downright sinful. With those long red fingernails, the woman reminded Callie of a giant hawk with its claws out to pick up a helpless kitten.

“Finn,” Callie yelled over the noise of a store full of people.

His eyes darted around until they found her. He walked away from Honey, his eyes never leaving Callie’s. “Yes?”

“It’s getting hot in here. Let’s go on outside,” she said.

“Oh, darlin’, it will get much hotter before the week is out. That’s a promise you can take to the bank.” Honey laughed.

Finn laced his fingers with Callie’s and motioned to Martin, who nodded. They were all three about to push the door open when suddenly the two lovely ladies serving refreshments started screaming, stomping, and carrying on like they were possessed or else going into seizures. They held their arms out to the sides and shivered from head to toe.