Chapter 6 #2
“Okay, well, you get a good rest, and if you start feeling bad at all, just let me know, and I’ll run you over to the clinic.”
“Thanks.” But Frank wasn’t feeling bad, just tired.
He was glad to see the Christmas tree standing and all the broken ornaments cleaned up and the tree decorated beautifully again.
He glanced at Lacy’s room. Her clothes that had been scattered all over the room were gone, and the window had been replaced.
He was relieved she was staying at the ranch.
That night, Florence came home to the dinner that Frank had promised her before Timothy had knocked him out. “Everything smells so good.”
“Chase is eating with us and taking us to the party. Shannon will meet us all there,” Frank said, dressed in a red sweater, making him look nice and Christmassy, “even though Shannon told him that his being there could crimp her style.”
Florence laughed.
Chase came inside to eat with them after doing a perimeter check. “No sign of anyone coming around the house. I would have smelled Timothy or seen footprints or paw prints in the snow. Dinner smells great.”
“I’m glad you can enjoy it with us,” Frank said, and served up the food while Florence got everyone water.
They all took their seats, enjoyed dinner, and then Florence dressed in a red dress, boots, and a white faux fur coat, Frank helping her into it before he put on his coat. “You look stunning,” he told Florence.
“I love your red sweater, just perfect for the tea party,” she said.
Then he took her hand and led her out to Chase’s patrol car.
Chase drove them to the community center, where the whole place was decorated with a Christmas tree, silver garland, red bows, and red-and-white candy canes.
Treats of all kinds were sitting on a table, from cinnamon rolls to chocolate fudge.
Even though Frank wasn’t really a guest since it was a women’s tea party, Florence made him a Christmas plate of treats that he loved—chocolate fudge, maple fudge, and Pfeffernüsse cookies.
Now she knew what he really liked to have and she would make some for Christmas.
Lacy did the same thing for Rory, and he kissed her before he sat down on one side of the room with Chase and Frank.
Shannon hurried over with peppermint ice cream for Chase. He gave her a big hug and kiss. “You weren’t supposed to be here, but I’m glad that you are,” she told him. “But I’m still going to have fun.”
“I want you to. Just ignore me.”
Then all the women there whooped and hollered, and Florence said, “Got to go.”
“Enjoy yourself,” Frank said.
She would. Sexy Santa was Wyatt, one of Hal’s ranch hands.
He smiled at Lacy, but Florence was sure she was already taken.
Despite having had a bad relationship with Timothy, Lacy appeared to have fallen in love with Rory at first sight, and he seemed to feel the same way about her. Florence was so glad for both of them.
Mistletoe hanging over his head, Wyatt sat down on the red velvet Santa throne wearing a Santa suit, no fake white beard, just wearing his own trimmed brown beard.
Christmas music was playing overhead, “Jingle Bells” right this moment, and he patted his lap, inviting the ladies to sit there and have their photos taken.
Florence took hold of Lacy’s hand and headed over to Wyatt, who was sitting on his throne, waiting for the ladies to get the courage to pose with him for pictures.
They stood on either side of him, then took hold of his Santa jacket and opened it up even further to show off his abs, while clutching at the white fur trim.
Then they leaned over to kiss each of his cheeks, while they posed with one leg up like they were a couple of chorus girls, excited about kissing Santa.
Laughter filled the room. Florence was glad that she and Lacy went first to show the other ladies they didn’t have to just sit on Santa’s lap for photos.
Then she and Lacy picked up some treats and went to sit by Frank and Rory. Normally, the guys wouldn’t have been here, but they wanted to sit with them while they watched the other women sit on Santa’s lap, or kiss his cheek as they had done.
Frank kissed Florence. “I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as much as I have tonight. You ladies were adorable.”
Florence chuckled. “It’s a fun party, and we all give money to a special cause. Often, it’s to add books to the library.”
Rory pulled Lacy onto his lap and hugged her tight, as if he was afraid Wyatt might change her mind about who she wanted to be with. But she kissed his mouth, not his cheek, showing he was the one she had chosen for her own.
“I thought the same as you, Frank. The ladies were sweet. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Especially of Wyatt,” Rory said.
They all laughed.
Then Shannon finally sat on Wyatt’s lap, crossed her legs at the ankle, straightened her legs out, leaned back, and laughed for her picture. Then she joined Chase.
“That was cute, Shannon,” Chase said, kissing her.
She smiled and hugged him. “I didn’t want to be too risqué as a married woman with twin girls.”
Chase laughed. “Only Rory has to worry about Wyatt with Lacy, since none of them are mated.”
“Nah,” Lacy said. “Rory doesn’t have to worry about that. It was all done in charitable fun.”
“I have to admit that Wyatt can be charming when he wants to. And with a single cougar in our midst, he would certainly be interested in getting to know Lacy better.” Rory took another bite of his cheesecake, covered in red and green M the one with the longest straw was the winner. But I hadn’t participated.”
“Why not?” Lacy asked.
“I thought all the women attending would be mated. I could see getting a black eye from an angry husband.”
Everyone laughed.
“We haven’t ever had a mate become angry over his wife sitting on Sexy Santa’s lap,” Shannon said, smiling.
They finished their treats and began cleaning up the community center.
The guys all helped, which was a welcome addition to the party this year.
Once they were done, Chase would go home with Shannon.
Travis MacKay, a CSF special agent, like Leyton, arrived to watch over Florence and Frank at their home next, while Rory would take Lacy back to the ranch.
Hal’s wife, Tracey, and Ted’s wife, Stella, went with Lacy and Rory.
Everyone said goodnight and would be at the dance tomorrow night.
When Florence and Frank arrived home, Florence made cocoa for everyone, and they picked out a Christmas movie, Jingle All the Way, to watch.
Florence and Frank hadn’t watched the movie in several years and were cuddling with each other and laughing at the Christmas comedy. Travis said, “My mate, Bridget, and our twin boys watched it last Christmas, one of our favorites.”
“That was cute,” Florence said as the movie ended. “I hadn’t remembered how much fun it was.” She began making up the bed on the couch for Travis while Frank put their cocoa mugs in the dishwasher.
They said goodnight to Travis, thanking him for watching over them, and then headed up the stairs.
“Do you want to join me in the master bedroom?” Florence asked Frank.
Frank smiled. “Are you sure?”
“Yep. In the holiday spirit and beyond, I am.”
“Hell, yeah.”
She figured that at their age, they didn’t need to delay enjoying their golden years.
“I’ll join you in just a minute.” He headed for his guest room.
Even though Florence wanted this, she was afraid it would backfire. That she wouldn’t like being with someone in bed after having not shared a bed in so long with her mate, that they might not be compatible, but they wouldn’t know that for sure unless they tried it.