Page 31 of Deck the Halls with Cowboys
“Though we appreciate the legal clarity, Diana, it isn’t necessary,” Lawson drawled, smirking at Mags. “We won’t sue for mistreatment in the workplace.”
“Be tough to sue anyone when your ashes are sinking into the soil,” Mags ticked.
“At this point, I think you just need to have a fistfight in the yard,” Valerie mumbled, lowering her mug. “Clearly, that’s the only way to solve problems around here.”
More silence followed.
I looked at my best friend, my chest aching. For years, all she’d wanted was a big, perfect Hallow Ranch Christmas, and though she’d managed to get everyone here, all they’d done was bicker over stupid things. And now we were all snowed in without power. “That’s not true, Val,” I said softly.
Denver shifted his weight behind her armchair before bracing his hands on the back, his fingers on either side of her head. He bent down, whispering something in her ear. It was too soft for me to hear, but whatever it was, it had her nodding and twisting her neck to look at him. She gave him a small but unconvincing smile.
“The twins and I can head down to the bunkhouse,” Jigs piped up, clearing his throat. He looked at his son. “You good if we take the truck?”
Beau opened his mouth to answer, but the bull rider cut him off.
“That old hunk of shit won’t make it back up the hill tomorrow morning,” Mason laughed, pulling out his keys. “Take mine.”
“Okay,” Lance said, his face lighting up.
Mason pointed at him. “Hell no.” His finger moved to Lawson. “Fuck no.” He tossed the keys to Jigs. “Only the old man can drive my truck.”
“So we’re all just snowed in here?” Abbie asked, shifting on the couch beside me. I looked over at her, seeing her uncertainty. I felt it too. The main house, though gorgeous, wasn’t big enough to hold four adult couples and two children. There was no telling how long we’d be stuck here. Between all of us, Mags and my cabin was the farthest away, nestled on the far side of the ranch, nearly halfway around the mountain. “What did Chase say?” she asked me.
The sheriff had called me just before the lights went out, warning me that the storm was stronger than anyone anticipated. The worst of it wasn’t supposed to hit until tomorrow afternoon, but over the course of the day, the wind speeds had picked up, and here we were. Apparently half the town was still out of power from the fallen pole this morning. This winter storm system had the entire eastern half of the state covered, which meant at least half of my clients had been hit. I needed to call and check on them, but I didn’t want to put my work above this.
My family was here.
I needed to be present.
“According to the National Weather Service, it accelerated,” I told everyone. “Chase told me it was going to last all night.”
“Is he all right?”
My eyes met Mags’s.
I nodded. “Yeah,” I rasped, loving that Mags cared about Chase. I knew it was all for me. Before, Mags couldn’t have given less of a shit about the sheriff, especially with everything that had gone down with Beau. “He’shunkered down at the station with Bart’s granddaughter. She was on her way out of town when she hit some black ice—”
“Oh shit, Lizzy?” Lawson asked, his brow furrowed.
“Is she okay?” his brother pressed.
I nodded, studying them. “Her car isn’t, but—wait—how do you know her name?”
Lance reached up, grabbing some pretzels and popped one into his mouth. “She started bartending on the weekends, and we talk to her when she’s working.”
“She’s great. HugeStar Warsfan, by the way.”
“So they’re holed up at the station?” Valerie asked, leaning closer, mischief sparkling in her green eyes.
I shot her a warning glare. “Don’t you dare.”
“Don’t you dare what?” Harmony parroted as she and Caleb came into the living room.
“Oh, nothing,” Abbie sighed wistfully, picking up on Valerie’s hope for romance. “Chase is just stuck in the station with Bart’s granddaughter all night long.”
Harmony’s eyes widened and she looked at me. “Before I get too excited, Diana, you’re his best friend. How likely is he to fall head over heels in love with her tonight?”
I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Highly unlikely. Chase is working out some demons.”
