Page 63 of A Whiskey River Princess

Dirk nodded in understanding and extended his hand to him. “If there’s anything I can do, just let me know. Please, give her my best.”

Colton nodded. “Thanks, I will.”

Then Dirk turned to the sheriff. “Will we see you and the kids?”

Daxton smiled. “Yes, Lillian is so excited for Christmas that she’s beside herself.”

Gabriella and everyone in the room laughed. “I think we all are.”

Daxton placed a hand on his shoulder as he walked him to the door, and said in a low voice, “Dirk, don’t worry about coming into town until after Christmas. You just stay home and enjoy yourself. Billy and I will take care of everything here.” He took a step back. “In fact, Billy’s doing such a good job that you should hire him full time.”

Dirk smiled appreciatively. “I just did, and I hired Kyle to help me at the ranch, too.”

The sheriff extended his hand. “I’m glad to hear that. They’re both good young men.”

Dirk shook it and said in a low voice, “Let me know if you hear anything.”

Daxton nodded. “Have a Merry Christmas and don’t worry. We’ll find them.”

“Sheriff, thank you for everything,” Gabriella interrupted, wanting to put an end to the doom and gloom. “Well, we have to go get ready for Christmas!”

Daxton smiled. “Are you cooking?”

Gabriella laughed. “As a matter of fact, I am.”

“And she’s quite good at it now, I might add,” Dirk replied, coming to her rescue as everyone laughed. “Merry Christmas, everyone! Daxton, we’ll see you and the kids tomorrow night.”

Daxton nodded, smiling. “See you then.”

Colton tipped his hat to Gabriella. “It was a pleasure to see you again, ma’am.”

Gabriella nodded. “Please give Ella my best and that I look forward to meeting her.”

Colton’s lips curled into a smile. “I will.”

As Gabriella and Dirk headed outside to the waiting sleigh, she couldn’t imagine leaving this town. Not now, not ever.

Chapter 14

Gabriella

The next day was Christmas Eve, and the excitement of the holiday began to take over.

After breakfast, they spent the day making Christmas ornaments and decorations, preparing the cabin until it was time to get ready to go to church. Gabriella placed the last decorations—a star and red ribbons—on the mantle, atop a spray of evergreen that Dirk had woven together, creating a garland. The scent of pine filled the room. She looked around the house, taking in their efforts, pleased.

“It’s time to get ready.” Gabriella didn’t want to leave Dirk, even for a moment.

Dirk nodded as he watched her. “Yes. It’ll be time to go soon.”

“I’ll only be a moment,” Gabriella replied in a low voice, heading into her bedroom.

She dressed in a white winter dress with white fur cuffs and collar. It was one of the most beautiful dresses she had worn in what seemed like a very long time. The bodice had an intricate design of swirls and flourishes, which traveled down the skirt and reached the floor. She pulled her hair up into loose curls. Gabriella found a matching white hat and pinned it into place, then slipped on white silk gloves.

A red cloak hung toward the back of the closet, so she took it out and laid it across the bed while she laced up matching white shoes. Then, Gabriella looked in the mirror and pinched her cheeks. Satisfied, she picked up the cloak and walked out to the living room.

Dirk gave a low whistle. “Wow! You look stunning!” He beamed as he crossed the room, very handsome in a black suit and white dress shirt that hinted at the bulging muscles beneath. To top it off, he wore a matching black Western tie. He held a new cowboy hat in his hand, and his black boots were shined to perfection. Dirk reached for her hand, never taking his eyes from hers, and gave it a gentle kiss. “You look lovely tonight.”

Color filled her cheeks as she smiled. “Thank you, and you look very handsome.”

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