Chapter 24
JORDAN
I’ve been restless all morning, and nothing I’ve occupied myself with has been able to quell that feeling. So here I am, arriving early at my parents’ house, which is a first.
“What are you doing here?” my mom asks when I walk into the kitchen.
“Merry Christmas to you too.” I hug her, and she kisses my cheek.
“Merry Christmas, son.” She smiles at me. “I’m glad you’re here. I just didn’t expect you so early.”
“I wasn’t doing anything at home, so I figured I’d head over.”
“Can I put you to work?” She raises her eyebrows, looking hopeful.
“Sure. What do you need?” I roll up the sleeves on my new flannel shirt. The sales lady mentioned the dark green color complemented my brown eyes, so of course, I purchased it in the hopes that Ginger would agree.
“Can you drain the potatoes and mash them for me?”
“Yep.” I grab the large pan from the stove and dump the potatoes into the strainer in the sink.
“How’s everything going?” Mom asks.
I shake out the excess water and return them to the pan. “Good. Business has been really good. Everyone needs extra help chilling with all the family functions.”
She snickers. “Aren’t you lucky you don’t have that problem?”
I smirk. “I’ve got two edibles in my pocket as we speak.”
“What?” She moves over next to me, studying my face.
I flick a glance at her. “I’m serious.”
“But we’re a close-knit family and get along well.”
“Yeah, we are, but that doesn't mean spending multiple hours with everyone doesn’t wear on me.” I repeatedly press the masher into the potatoes.
“I didn’t realize you had to resort to drug use to be around your family,” she says, sounding insulted.
I bark out a laugh. “You’ll drink wine, and I’ll take an edible. Tomato—tomahto.”
“Why’d you bring two?”
“One’s for Reed to get him to chill out.”
She pats my back. “Good thinking.”
“I’m more than just a pretty face, Mom. You should know that.” I tap the masher on the side of the pan and then set it on the counter.
She laughs. “I do. You’re the only son I don’t worry about. You’ve always been great about making your own way and finding solutions whenever one of life’s challenges pops up.”
“Thank you, but I don’t know any other way to be. Honestly, I’m surprised to hear you worry about the others.”
“Don’t share that with them. I’ve never wanted to burden the four of you with my concerns. I worry less about Travis now, but he was so closed off before he met Nina. Reed…” She sighs, shaking her head. “He’s the one who’s giving me gray hair.”
“But why? His business is thriving, and he’s a respected member of the community. Is he a pain in the ass? Yes. But he’s a good guy. Don’t tell him I said that.”
“I know he’s doing well financially, but I worry he’s going to be a perpetual bachelor.”
“You don’t worry about that with me?”
“Nope.” She shakes her head. “I think you’ll eventually meet a girl and she’ll knock your socks off.”
I’ve already met her, and she knocked more than my socks off.
“Why don’t you think the same will happen with Reed?”
“He’s used to thinking of himself first, and he’s all about having fun.”
“What’s wrong with that if it makes him happy? Not everyone wants to be married and have kids.”
“You’re right. But I know how amazing being a parent is, and I want that for you all.”
“You just want a passel of grandkids,” I point out.
She grins. “Guilty.”
“We’re all here on our own journey, Mom. Not yours and not Dad’s.”
“I know. One of the most difficult aspects of being a parent is allowing your children to walk their own path, rather than the one you think they should follow. I mean, look at you opening a dispensary. That was not something I imagined.”
I clutch my heart. “Oh, the shame.”
“I didn’t say that. But it was unexpected.”
“We’ve covered everyone but Drew,” I say. “He’s the one I worry about.”
“Why?”
“He’s still finding a direction.”
“Yeah, but he’s only thirty-two, practically a baby. You don’t realize how young that is because you’re not far removed from it yourself. But when you’re my age, you’ll see. He doesn’t need to have his life mapped out. He pays his bills and supports himself. How he does it is up to him.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“I worry about his kind heart. That boy has been a gentle soul since birth. I don’t want him to be hurt by life lessons or a relationship gone wrong. It won’t take much for him to fall in love, and when he does, I hope she’s worthy.”
I think about the mystery woman mentioned last night, and wonder if my mom’s right. It’s been months since they met, and she’s still on his mind.
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He’ll be fine,” I reassure her. “What else do you need me to do?”
“I’ve got the rest.”
“Are you sure? I’m happy to help.”
She makes a shooing motion with her hands. “Go visit with Dad and Gramps.”
“Give me a yell if you need anything.”
She nods. “I will.”
I walk out to the living room where my Dad and Gramps are watching A Christmas Story. They both stand, and I share a hug with each of them, wishing them a merry Christmas.
I drop onto the couch and kick my sock-covered feet up on the coffee table.
“What’s new, son?” Dad asks.
“Not much. Work’s been busy and taking up a lot of my time.” A gorgeous blonde has been occupying the rest, but I’m not sharing that part yet. I’ll wait until everyone is here so they can witness the shock firsthand.
“That’s a good thing, right?” Dad asks.
“Absolutely. I’m not gonna complain about the business boost the holidays bring.”
“I was thinking, I’d like to try some of those edibles,” Gramps says.
I grin. “You would, huh?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Dad quickly says.
Gramps glares his way. “I’m ninety-one. What’s the worst that could happen? I drop dead?”
“It wouldn’t be a bad way to go,” I point out.
Dad sends a disapproving look my way. “Don’t encourage him, Jordan.”
“Sounds like you should try some too,” Gramps tells him, making me chuckle.
Before he can answer, we hear a commotion coming from the kitchen. Sounds like the rest of my family has arrived. One voice rises above the rest—Reed’s.
Grinning at my Dad, I reach into my pocket and pull out the packet of edibles, taking one. “Are you sure you don’t want one?”
He shakes his head.
“I do,” Gramps says, holding out his hand.
I laugh. “I can’t be responsible for your bad decisions.”
“You offered one to your father,” he says.
“Yeah, but I knew he wouldn’t accept. I know you will, therefore I’m not offering you one.”
Gramps shakes his head, his disappointment obvious.
The doorbell rings. I resist the urge to get up and scramble over to answer. I’m kicking myself when my delay allows Reed to hurry from the kitchen and open the door.
I’m on my feet before they’re inside, waiting for my first glimpse of my girl. I can’t hold back my smile as she steps into the entryway, unwinding her red scarf. Her cheeks are pink from the cold, and her green eyes are bright as they meet mine.
I step forward at the same time she does, and we embrace each other. She smells like fresh air and vanilla. I want to take her to my house and see if she tastes the same. I tamp down on the urge and release my hold on her. Turning, I shake Pops’ hand.
“Look at you, old man. Looking sharp.”
He runs his palm down his tie. “Thank you. Can’t let you young whippersnappers outdo me.” He shoves his coat into my hands and then goes over to say hi to my dad and Gramps.
“I’ll take yours too,” I say to Ginger, then hang them in the closet.
“Ginger made a pie for me,” Reed boasts, hugging it to his chest.
She snorts. “It’s for everyone.”
“I could’ve sworn you said it was for me.”
She shakes her head. “You’ll have to share.”
He ambles off toward the kitchen, sing-songing, “I can’t hear you.”
“He’s probably got a fork in hand already,” I tell her.
“I have another in the car just in case,” she says, winking.
I tap my head. “Smart and beautiful.”
“I’m more than my awesome baking skills.”
I nod in agreement. “I don’t need a reminder, G.”
“Let’s go say hi to everyone,” she suggests, wandering toward the kitchen.
It takes way too long to greet my brothers and Nina. My mother is always happy to see Ginger, and her face lights up with a genuine smile when she sees her. I’m sure she’s had enough of the testosterone overload that being the only female in our family guarantees.
“Reed tried to tell me the pie was for him, but I knew better,” Mom tells Ginger.
“I knew you’d handle it,” Ginger says. “You’re used to keeping these four in line.”
Mom nods. “I am, but I thought it would have gotten easier by now.”
“Aww, poor Mom.” Reed pats her on the back. “You have it so hard.” He reaches into his front pocket and then holds out his hand. “Here’s a tiny violin for you to play.”
She laughs, whacking his chest with a potholder. “Make yourself useful and carry some of this stuff to the table.”
Ginger immediately grabs a couple of bowls filled with vegetables while I carry the mashed potatoes and a basket of rolls. Nina and Travis jump right in to offer a hand, and after a couple of trips, everything is in place.
Mom announces, “Dinner’s ready.”
We never respond as promptly as we do when it’s meal time. In seconds, we’re all seated around the table. Ginger is on one side of me, and Drew is on the other.
I catch Reed’s attention across the table. “I’ve got something for you, bro.” I pull the edible packet out of my pocket and toss it over to him.
Reed beams. “Dude, thanks. Merry Christmas to me.”
“Really, Jordan?” Mom chides.
I make a point of glancing at the glass of wine Dad is pouring for her before looking her way and raising an eyebrow. “You might not realize it, but I just did everyone a favor.”
“He did.” Reed nods.“Two work even better, though.”
“Nice try, bro, but that’s all I brought,” I say.
We fall into the inevitable dance of passing all the bowls around the table in an endless flow until everyone’s plate is heaping with food.
“Mom, this is delicious,” Drew says between forkfuls of roast and mashed potatoes.
“Thank you, sweetie,” she replies, smiling.
“It really is great,” I agree.
“Thank you, Jordan.”
A choked laugh slips from Reed. “No ‘sweetie’ for you.”
I grin. “Right? But I’m not Mom’s baby like this guy is.” I rub my hand over the top of Drew’s head.
Drew laughs, pushing his hair back from his face. “Green is a good color on you, and I don’t mean your shirt.”
Mom shakes her head in mock exasperation. “You boys always make holiday dinners interesting.”
Dad lifts his wine. “That’s one word for it.”
“Yeah,” Reed says, stuffing a forkful of pie into his mouth, even though we’re in the middle of dinner. “You know you both love it.”
Nina gasps. “Reed Thorne, you already touched the pie?”
He freezes, fork halfway to his mouth. “Uh… no.”
Ginger raises a brow. “Reed.”
He shoves the bite in anyway. “I have no regrets.”
Everyone laughs, filling the room with a warm feeling—the kind the holidays are notorious for inspiring.
Reed is still defending his pre-dessert pie theft when Dad sets his wine glass down and says, “Before Reed clears the table by himself, I want to thank you all for joining us today. It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without each and every one of you.
I’d like to make a toast. May this be our best Christmas yet. ”
Everyone holds up their glasses and then takes a sip.
I slide my hand onto Ginger’s leg under the table. Her breath catches a little, just enough for me to notice. I lean over and whisper, “I’m glad you’re here.”
She smiles at me. “Me too.”
I squeeze her thigh and clear my throat. “I guess this is as good a time as any to share some news I have.”
The whole table goes quiet. Even Reed freezes mid fork stab.
“Ginger and I have been seeing each other for the past month, and now…” I pause, glancing around at everyone.
Nina’s nodding her head encouragingly, as if she’s saying “go on, you’ve got this.
” I take Ginger’s hand and lift it onto the table, fingers threaded through mine.
“And now, she’s officially my girlfriend. ”
Mom gasps, then her lips part into a wide grin. Dad tips his head toward me in a “good job” gesture. Drew thumps my back a few times.
Pops slaps both hands on the table. “I knew it!”
Gramps points at him. “I called it back in October.”
“The hell you did,” Pops fires back. “I’m the one who started all this.”
“Started what?” I cut in.
Gramps nods confidently. “The plan.”
Ginger looks between them with a confused expression. “The plan? What are you talking about?”
Pops leans in like he’s about to share top secret information. “Did you really think I wanted all those lights hung outside?”
Ginger nods. “Yes, I did think that.”
Pops shrugs. “Love is worth a little deceit.”
Gramps nudges Pops. “And the tree farm?” He pokes his chest. “My idea.”
Ginger’s eyes narrow at Pops. “So that’s why you insisted we have a real tree this year.”
He puffs his chest up and nods. “Yep, and it worked.”
Mom laughs. “You two are unbelievable.”
“Unbelievably effective,” Pops says, preening.
“Real-life matchmakers.” Nina shakes her head slowly.
“Oh, please,” Reed chimes in. “If anyone deserves credit, it’s me. I’ve been hinting at this for months.”
“You didn’t hint,” I say. “You taunted.”
“Same difference.” He shrugs.
Dad raises his glass. “Well, however it started, we’re happy for you both.”
Mom nods, eyes a little watery. “Very happy.”
Under the table, Ginger squeezes my leg. “I guess this relationship was destined to happen.”
I lean forward and press a brief kiss to her lips. “I’d say so.”
Gramps raises his glass. “Let’s drink to successful plans.”
Pops clinks his glass against Gramps’. “And to finding a new direction in life at ninety-one. What do you think we should call our matchmaking business?”
Gramps scratches his chin. “I don’t know. It needs to be catchy but hip like us.” He winks. “See? I’m up on the younger generation’s lingo.”
“Yeah, that one’s used all the time,” Reed drolls. “But if you need help with a name, I’m your guy. I’ve got some ideas.”
“Let’s hear them,” Gramps says.
“That sounds like a challenge. I like it.” He rubs his hands together. “Off the top of my head I’ve got a few: Ninety-Nine Problems But a Relationship Ain’t One.”
Nina snort-laughs.
“Heart of Hearing Matchmaking.”
“That one’s appropriate,” Mom says.
Reed holds up his finger. “And the last one is… Two Old Farts With a Love Plan.”
Everyone laughs, and Drew and I clap.
Reed bows his head. “You’re welcome.”
Ginger briefly rests her cheek against my arm. “I guess we do owe them.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “But don’t tell them.”
Pops perks up in his seat. “Too late. I heard that. When you decide to get married, let us know.” He hooks his thumb toward Gramps. “We’ve got ideas.”
My mom groans. “God help us all.”
The whole table breaks into laughter. I wrap my arm around Ginger and pull her close. This Christmas looks so much different from my previous ones. Having her by my side makes this day one I’ll never forget.