Page 57 of The Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
There were a couple of times Wyatt had tried to talk to her, but she’d tucked tail and run. Her heart still had shrapnel lodged in it, and she’d needed a minute to find all the pieces.
She’d spent her time making plans for her future, spending time looking into loans so she could purchase the paper. Now that Wyatt hated her, he’d probably go back to the rodeo instead of pursuing the orchard. Not that she could blame him. She wouldn’t want to spend time in a place that reminded her of someone who hurt her.
Stephanie tapped her on the arm. “Hey, this is for you.”
Gabby startled, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and took the small present from her sister. She put it up to her ear and shook it. Whatever it was, it was light and didn’t make much noise. She looked at it again and found that her name was the only name on the tag. “Who is this from?”
Everyone looked around at each other. Her mom finally spoke up. “I have no idea. I picked it because it was the smallest gift.”
Another part of their Christmas Eve tradition was that they couldn’t pick their own “smallest” gift. That had started roughly twenty years ago when Josiah tried to cheat and open one of his bigger gifts.
“Okay, confess. Who is this from?” Gabby asked as her gaze roamed from face to face.
Hunter chuckled. “Just open it.”
Gabby grumbled under her breath. “Fine,” she said and peeled the paper off to reveal a small white box. She lifted the lid and sighed as she pulled a sprig of mistletoe out. Her heart ached for a split-second, thinking it might be from Wyatt. “Funny.”
“It’s from me.” Stephanie snatched the sprig from her, jumped out of her chair, and ran to the entryway of the kitchen. “Okay, you guys be careful. There’s mistletoe now.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Gabby and then Bandit.
Hanging her head, Gabby groaned. Just what she needed. “Stephanie. Get that down.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Please.”
“No way. This will be fun.” She winked.
Translation: Her sister had turned up the fun knob to eleven. She probably wouldn’t have if Gabby had told her what happened, but so far, she’d lacked the courage to tell anyone. She’d barely even spoken to Carrie Anne.
Stephanie returned to her seat and grinned. “You’ll love it.”
“I already hate it.”
Hunter laughed. “I don’t know. Could be fun for someone.”
After everyone had finished opening their one gift, they talked a little longer before Josiah and Mr. West suggested a card game.
“Nope, I’m having some hot tea and working on this puzzle I just got,” Mrs. West said. “How about you?” She looked at Gabby’s mom. “Want to join me? I bet we can put the puzzle together before they’re done with the game.”
Laughing, Gabby’s mom nodded. “I could go for some hot tea and a puzzle as well. Who else wants to join us?”
Card game or puzzles? Gabby finished off her cinnamon roll and stood.
Stephanie touched her arm. “Where are you going?”
Gabby smiled. “I’m putting my dishes up and going to bed.”
“It’s only nine,” Wyatt said.
Without looking his direction, she said, “I’m tired.”
“Wait!” Wyatt called out. “I need to make an announcement.”
Gabby paused, and everyone stopped what they were doing to look at him.
“There’s a small rodeo coming to Amarillo the day after Christmas. I wasn’t going to participate at first, but they allowed me to register late. I’ll be riding. I wanted to see if everyone wanted to go.”
Mrs. West’s mouth dropped open. “Have you lost your mind? That’s right before Carrie Anne’s wedding.”
His eyes widened as if he wasn’t expecting her to object. “Mom, I cleared it with her first.”
“And I said I didn’t like it.” Carrie Anne waggled her finger at him.
