Merry Cowboy Christmas Read online

  Dora June touched Fiona on the shoulder. “It’s good to hear that you are back in town. I hope you are smarter than your sisters.”

  Dora June was Truman’s opposite. He had a squirrelly little face with small squinty eyes that constantly darted around and a hump in the middle of his nose. But Dora June, now, she was a different story. Not more than five feet tall, she was square built and had at least three chins hanging below a moon-shaped face.

  “I always considered Allie and Lizzy to be geniuses,” Fiona said.

  The three chins quivered when Dora June shook her head. “In business, they are but, honey, when it comes to men, well, you are the smart one. Where is that husband of yours?”

  “Living with his new wife, I would expect,” Fiona said.

  Dora June’s hand was a blur as it went from Fiona’s shoulder to the chubby woman’s cheek. “I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you, but I’m fine now.”

  “Well, you should steer clear of that Jud Dawson, honey. Show a little more sense than your sisters.”

  “Dora June, I think my sisters are the smartest women in the whole county, maybe the whole state of Texas when it comes to men because they are married to men who adore them.”

  Dora June quickly changed the subject. “Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? I got mine all done yesterday.” She lowered her voice. “Truman hates it but then he’s an old Scrooge when it comes to the holidays. Maybe he would have been different if we’d have had kids but then maybe his attitude is why God didn’t see fit to give us any. I’ll be seeing you at the store, I’m sure.” She leaned in even closer. “Listen to me. The Lucky Penny isn’t kind to the folks who own it. Your poor sisters will wind up having to leave their businesses and move away from Dry Creek. Your mama will only have you left to help her.”

  She was gone before Fiona could say a single word. When she finally made it to the door, shook hands with the preacher, and the cold north wind whipped her long red hair around to slap her in the face, her family had gone. All but Jud, who was two people behind her and the last person to shake the preacher’s hand.

  “Guess we’re the last two people on earth,” Jud said. “Good thing I brought my own truck or we’d both be walking a couple of miles.” He looked down at her shoes. “Or maybe I’d be walkin’ and carryin’ you.”

  “Don’t fool yourself. I can run as fast in these shoes as you can in those boots,” she said.

  “But aren’t you glad we don’t have to?” He escorted her out across the parking lot with his hand on the small of her back.

  Truman drove past them so slow that Fiona could have reached inside and hugged Dora June if the window had been down. Not that she would have wanted to, not as sour as they both looked.

  “The gossip will have us sleeping together by morning since you are taking me home and well, you know, your cousins and my sisters, their stories are only going to fuel the blaze of the whole thing,” Fiona groaned.

  “Might as well have the game if we’re going to have the name,” Jud drawled.

  “Not in your wildest nightmares, cowboy.” Fiona pulled free from him and let herself into the truck.

  “Now they’ll say I’m only sleeping with you. That I’m not even a gentleman who’ll open the doors for you,” Jud teased.

  “Just drive us home. Small towns!” She folded her arms across her chest and looked straight ahead at the dark clouds rolling into Dry Creek.

  “Ain’t they wonderful?” Jud started the engine, pulled out of the parking lot, and turned south to go to Audrey’s Place. “Didn’t you miss it when you were in the big city?”

  “I missed family and potlucks but not the gossip,” she answered.

  “But that’s where the fun is.” His beautiful smile, just slightly crooked on the left side, lit up the interior of the truck. “It makes folks so happy to spread secrets whether they are true or not. The preacher said we should love our neighbors, didn’t he?”

  “As in food, shelter, and necessities for life, not as in rumors. I don’t like gossip, so if I love my neighbor as myself, then I don’t have to like their gossip, either,” she argued.

  “Am I your neighbor since we are sharing food and all that other stuff?” he asked.

  “No, that makes you my roommate,” she said. “A neighbor doesn’t live in the house with you.”

  “If we considered our bedrooms as our apartments and the landing as the hallway between our apartments, then we would be neighbors. Then you would be heavenly bound to love me, right?” he teased.

  “Is that a line you use in bars to pick up women?”

  “This ain’t no bar and we didn’t just have a dozen beers, Fiona.”

  “Why do you care if I love my neighbor, namely you? We can share a house without loving each other like it says in the Bible. Lots of married folks do.” She unfolded her arms and held her hands in her lap.

  His chuckle was every bit as deep as his drawl. “I like your sense of humor.”

  The chuckle developed into laughter. She tried to bite back the smile, but it didn’t work and for the first time in months, Fiona laughed until her sides ached. About nothing. About everything. And when he parked the truck beside the others in front of Audrey’s Place, she felt freer than she had in more than a year. Not even her therapist had set her soul free like laughing with Jud Dawson over something that wasn’t even funny.

  For that she owed him.

  “For something that wasn’t supposed to be funny, that was sure a hoot,” he said.

  She nodded, swung open the door, and caught a snowflake on her tongue. The warmth and the buzz of conversation welcomed her into the house. She and Jud hung their coats on the rack inside the door.

  Jud brushed against her shoulder on his way to the living room and snappy little bursts of heat made their way through her bright green sweater and to her skin. She’d have to be stone cold dead for a cowboy like Jud Dawson not to affect her but she’d have to be a deluxe idiot to act on that attraction. She wasn’t dead for sure but she wasn’t going to be an idiot, either.

  “Hey, Fiona, you can set the table while I help Mama with the gravy,” Allie said.

  Lizzy brought in an armload of plates with cutlery rattling on the top plate. “Mama is already serving up the food. If Truman had prayed much longer, we’d be eating salad and bread or going to Nadine’s. The roast is well done but still edible.” She lowered her voice. “So are you going to love your neighbor?”

  Fiona scooped forks, knives, and spoons up in her hands and placed them around the table. “I do love my neighbors. You and Allie live right across the fence.”

  “I’m talking about the one across the landing from you,” Lizzy teased.

  Fiona shot Lizzy a dirty look. “Are you going to love your neighbor, as in Truman and Dora June?”

  “Of course,” Lizzy said quickly. “I love them, but I damn sure don’t like them. I’m very grateful they aren’t my neighbor in the physical sense. Deke can have that honor and I’m sure he’s even glad that their house is on the far side of their property and not right over the fence from him.”

  “Dora June started meddling right after church,” Fiona said.

  Katy set a bowl of potatoes and carrots on the table. “I know she’s a gossip and gets into everyone’s business but she and her three friends do work hard at the church. They’ve turned an unused Sunday school room into a nice little clothes closet and food place for anyone who’s down on their luck. Folks donate and the ladies keep everything organized. Last month a young couple with a toddler came through, down on their luck trying to make it up to Ryan, Oklahoma. Dora June made sure they had a tank of gas, food, and even gave them clothes for that baby.”

  “I heard about that,” Allie said. “They had a warm coat day last week. Let any kid in the school who needed a coat pick one out. Henrietta washed the donated ones and repaired any tears or missing buttons. But, Mama, it was those four that caused you to quit the ladies’ g
roup.”

  “The Lord works in mysterious ways. If they hadn’t been so judgmental of you girls and put you out of the group, I wouldn’t have resigned as president. If I hadn’t, then I would for sure be even more exhausted these days,” Katy said.

  “Silver lining?” Fiona asked.

  “Something like that.” Lizzy finished setting the plates. “But if they hadn’t gotten all self-righteous with me and Allie, then one of us could have taken over your duties at the church while you were gone.”

  Katy patted her on the shoulder as she passed on the way back to the kitchen. “And you would have hated being tied down to it. I did at times and I didn’t have a handsome husband waiting for me at the end of every workday. It is what it is and that’s enough buts.”

  When dinner was on the table, everyone took their seats as if they’d been assigned. Toby seated Katy at the end and she motioned for Jud to sit at the other end. The only chair left for Fiona was the one to Jud’s right. He pulled it out with a flourish and seated her before taking his place.

  “Deke will say grace,” Katy said.

  Deke said the shortest prayers of anyone in Throckmorton County, and Fiona had no doubt that her mother called on him for that very reason. One minute after their heads were bowed, he said amen and the food started around the table. As luck would have it, every time a bowl, platter, or bread basket was passed, Jud’s fingertips brushed against Fiona’s and a whole bevy of sparks blasted every time it happened. It was definitely time for her to get back into the dating scene, which she would do as soon as she started over in a brand-new place. Until then, she could endure her hormones wanting a little something, something.

  “Be sure to save your fork.” Katy smiled when they were nearly finished with dinner.

  “Dessert?” Fiona forgot all about Jud.

  “Warm chocolate sheet cake with vanilla bean ice cream,” Katy said.

  “I love you!” Fiona squealed.

  “Is that all it takes to make someone love you?” Deke asked. “I know a bunch of rough old cowboys in this area who’d gladly borrow Katy’s recipe.”

  “Nobody can make it like Mama does,” Fiona countered.

  “Hey, now!” Allie and Lizzy said at the same time.

  Fiona slowly shook her head. “You both can make it but it ain’t like what Mama makes. She throws in mama love.”

  “I can do that,” Allie said.

  “And Audrey will think yours is the best in the world someday. Everyone finished with their plates? I’ll clear them away while Mama cuts the cake.”

  Half an hour and two helpings of the rich chocolate cake later, several cell phones rang at the same time. Deke, Toby, and Blake fished theirs out of their pockets and were on their feet before they hung up. Katy, Allie, and Lizzy all found theirs in the pile of purses tossed on a chair in the living room.

  “Come on, Jud. That was the volunteer fire department. There’s a fire somewhere down past Deke’s place. You can help,” Blake said the second he’d finished listening to the call.

  “Down past Deke’s place on which end?” Fiona asked.

  “It’s Truman and Dora June’s house,” Katy called out from the living room. “Get your coats on, girls, and bundle Audrey up, Allie. You can stay in the truck with her but Dora June might need us.”

  Chapter Six

  Smoke, darker than the clouds rolling in from the southwest, billowed upward until the wind caught it and spread it out over the whole county. The blaze had engulfed the whole house, and even though the firemen sprayed every drop of water they had on it, the house and all its contents were devoured.

  Truman and Dora June stood beside their pickup truck, shock written on their faces as they watched fifty years of their married life go up in flames. Katy wasted no time in marching right up to Dora June and wrapping her arms around her.

  “It’s all gone.” Dora June broke down in sobs against Katy’s shoulder.

  “Don’t cry, Dora June,” Truman said. “I hate it when you cry, but if you hadn’t left them Christmas tree lights on…”

  Dora June pushed away from Katy, put both hands on Truman’s chest, and shoved him backward against the cold truck fender. “Don’t you go blamin’ me. It was probably that extension cord you wrapped duct tape around because you were too cheap to buy a new one.”

  “You don’t need to talk to me like that…”

  Dora June’s forefinger shot up. “Truman O’Dell, you are a scrooge.”

  Katy stepped between them. “Why or how this happened is not as important as where you go from here, as in right now, so both of you settle down. Do y’all have a place to go tonight?”

  Dora June shook her head. “Martha’s granddaughter is getting a divorce and staying with her until she gets on her feet. Henrietta’s got a grandson and his family over at her place until after Christmas. He’s got a month’s leave in between duty stations in the service. And Ruby has company coming next week. I guess we’ll have to go to Throckmorton or Wichita Falls to a hotel.”

  Fiona moved to stand beside Katy. “Mama, you aren’t going to…,” she whispered.

  “Love thy neighbor,” Katy whispered back, and then turned to Dora June. “Don’t be silly. Audrey’s Place has lots of room. You can stay there until you make a decision about this place.”

  Fiona sucked air right along with her sisters. Had her mother really just offered to take Truman and Dora June home after the way they’d behaved the past year? Lord have mercy! It might be the Christmas season when love abounded and the preacher might have preached on loving your neighbor, but Truman and Dora June? Fiona’s nose twitched and her eyes dried out before she remembered to blink.

  “I’ll live in my old store building on Main Street before I live in a whorehouse,” Truman snapped.

  “You might but I’m not,” Dora June smarted back at him. “Katy, I appreciate the offer but I can’t climb steps with these old knees.”

  “You and Truman can have my bedroom. It’s downstairs. It even has its own private bath,” Katy said.

  Dammit! Why didn’t her mother simply smile and nod? Everyone could appreciate the lovely Christian gesture without having to endure the pain of the reality if they took her up on the offer.

  “I will not sleep in a room where a whorehouse madam did and you are not going to either, Dora June.” Truman crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Then you go sleep in that drafty old rat-infested building that doesn’t even have a shower. Last time we checked, the potty wouldn’t flush and the sink wouldn’t drain. You can take your meals at Nadine’s. I’m going home with Katy since she’s been so sweet.” Dora June turned around and marched over to Katy’s car.

  “You are welcome to change your mind,” Katy said.

  Fiona clamped her jaws shut tightly to keep from saying anything. If Truman and Dora June moved into Audrey’s Place, then Fiona would spend her evenings over at the Lucky Penny with her sisters. Hell, she might even move in with them or else take up residence in the travel trailer if Jud didn’t.

  Truman stomped over to Katy’s car and opened the passenger door. “I’ll go, but I don’t like it one bit.”

  Dora June crawled out of the car. “Well, you ain’t goin’ to like this a bit better. We’re going to the church to get some clothing to last for a few days until we can shop.”

  Truman groaned and rolled his eyes. “I hate charity.”

  “Pride is a dangerous thing,” Fiona told him, repeating the words her mother had said to her.

  “Listen to her.” Dora June crawled into the truck. “Be glad we weren’t at home takin’ our usual Sunday afternoon nap or we be dead. And be thankful that we still have a truck to drive and that your livestock wasn’t burned up. God’s been good to you, Truman.”

  “If he’d been good to me, I’d be sleeping in my house right now and not watching it finish burning to the ground. Come on, woman. I’ll take us to the church and then to that horrible house,” Truman snorted.

&nbs
p; “We will see you in an hour, and thank you, Katy,” Dora June said.

  “Mama, what in the hell have you done?” Lizzy whispered.

  “I’ve loved my neighbor. And you will, too. It will teach us all some patience.”

  “It might get me thrown in jail.”

  In a few long strides, Jud joined them.

  “For what?” he asked.

  “Mama just invited Truman and Dora June to live with us,” Fiona said.

  “That’s sweet of you, but I’m surprised Truman agreed,” Jud said.

  “It’s amazing what an old coot will agree to do when it’s freezing outside, his house is gone, and the toilet won’t work in his shack of a building on Main Street.” Fiona sighed. “And we were going to have a family evening one day this week and put up the Christmas decorations.”

  “We still can,” Jud said. “Christmas is my favorite holiday and not even Truman is going to ruin it.”

  Blake joined them but he was not smiling. “Katy, are you sure about this? Allie and Lizzy are not happy.”

  “We can’t do any good here,” Katy said. “So we’re going back to the house and y’all are going to help me clear out my bedroom and move my things to one of the rooms upstairs.”

  “Yes, ma’am, but—” Fiona said.

  Katy held up a palm. “No more buts, remember?”

  It was really happening. Katy gave orders and everyone, including Jud and Deke, obeyed. Clothing was carried up to another room. Drawers were emptied and the dresser cleaned off—everything gotten ready for guests. Lizzy and Allie had put clean sheets on the bed and fresh towels out in the bathroom.

  “Now we’ve got about five minutes before Dora June and Truman get here.” Katy led the way into the living room. “Lizzy, tell me what it says about heaping coals in the good book.”

  “It says something about being kind to your enemies and it will be like heaping coals of fire upon his head. Poor old Truman’s brain is most likely burning like hell about now,” Lizzy said seriously.

  “He probably won’t even come out of his room when we come over here for a visit,” Blake said.