Page 122 of Holiday Hire

"Did the boys see me wasted?"

"No. All the kids stayed at the main house with my parents. It's a tradition."

Relief fills me. "Thank God!"

He chuckles again. "Get some rest, Pheebs."

He goes to the door, and I stare at his hard ass as too many questions run through my mind.

What happened in the shower?

Images of Alexander putting my pajamas on me, and me tossing my arms around him and slurring, "Bring out the stallion," assault me.

More embarrassment floods me. I put my hands over my face again, my heart racing and head banging.

I stay in the kitchen, trying to remember more, but nothing else comes to me. I finally force myself to get up and go back to bed. I set an alarm for two hours and then quickly fall asleep.

When the buzzer blares, I shut it off and slowly open my eyes. I wait for the headache, but it doesn't appear, seeming to be gone.

I slide off the bed and freeze.

A white box sits on my dresser. An orange and brown ribbon is wrapped around it, and an orange envelope is tucked under the extravagant bow.

My heart beats harder. I reach for the envelope and take the card out.

The front has a picture of a turkey and the words Gobble, gobble on it.

I smile and open the card. It says "Happy Thanksgiving." The left side has a handwritten note.

Pheebs,

Our secret.

Don't tell Willow.

Alexander

My butterflies go nuts. I lift the lid and pull out a pair of identical boots to those Willow gave me. I check the label, and they're half a size bigger.

My pulse pounds harder, but my heart also hurts a bit. It's such a sweet gift. For the millionth time this week, I wish things weren't so complicated, and I could be with Alexander.

I put the boots on my bed, then package the ones Willow gave me in the box. I tuck it in the back of my closet, then go shower, brush my teeth, and do my hair and makeup.

I get dressed and put on my new boots. They fit perfectly. Happiness fills me. Even though the boots Willow gave me were too small, I wore them daily. I love them. Plus, we're on the ranch. There's dirt everywhere. It'd be stupid to wear anything but boots.

I put on the winter coat, gloves, and a hat I bought earlier this week, then trudge through the thick blanket of snow to the mainhouse. When I step into the warm parlor, I stomp my feet and take off my coat, hat, and gloves.

It still feels strange not taking my boots off, but Ruby told me she gave up years ago worrying about her floors. She said she finally realized farmhouses have wood floors for a reason.

I hang my coat up. I can hear all the women chatting in the kitchen, so I step inside.

It's chaos. The entire kitchen is full, and multiple conversations are going on at the same time.

Georgia turns, and her face lights up when she sees me. "How are you feeling, Phoebe?"

Everyone stops and turns toward me.

I answer, "A little better now. Alexander gave me some headache tablets."

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