A McCree Christmas (Chasing McCree) (5 page)

Chase

“Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah. Let's have a party, we'll all dance the hora…la la la la table, and something about treats…spinning topsey turvy with yummy things to eat!”

I was woken out of a dead sleep by Grandma’s singing. She was bouncing around the hallway outside the guestroom. Briar’s family wasn’t Jewish. Grandma’s sanity was taking a vacation more than it had in the past.

My stomach was not looking forward to a sangria-marinated turkey.

“Hey, Chase, are you awake?” Briar opened the door to the guestroom and came in with a steaming cup of coffee.

“Morning. How are you?”

She sat on the edge of the bed, toying with a few wild, honey-colored furls that wouldn’t stay out of her face. “I’m looking forward to a drama-free day.”

I took the mug from her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“I know,” she said with a sigh. “I am too.”

“Grandma sounds cheery this morning.” I took a sip of the coffee and grimaced. “Did you make this?”

Briar eyed the mug. “Grandpa did…is it bad?”

“Best watered-down coffee I ever had.” I set the mug down and gathered Briar close for a hug and a kiss. “Think he’ll mind if I make a fresh pot when I go down?”

“I don’t think he remembers making it.” She laughed.

I got dressed and followed Briar down to the kitchen. Grandma was wearing a green dress and elf slippers, and Christmas music blared over a set of speakers from the living room. We had waffles for breakfast, and I was able to make some decent coffee without hurting Grandpa’s feelings. He was out by the pool reading the paper, dressed in a blue tracksuit and wearing a Santa hat.

There wasn’t much to do. Grandma started preparing dinner early, and I tried to help as best I could, but the old girl was adamant I stay out of the kitchen. Only Briar was allowed to know the secret sangria marinade for the turkey. So that left me with Grandpa, who wasn’t feeling especially social.

“So you ever been to war, Chase?” Grandpa was in his recliner now. He had World War Two documentaries on DVD, in color. The color was the really exciting part for him.

“No, can’t say I have.” I was in the recliner beside him, texting Dustin covertly. He was having Christmas Eve with his family, but was looking forward to seeing Briar and me at the New Year’s Eve party in a few days. Apparently he was bringing his little sister Maria with him. She was sixteen now, and infatuated with our friend Josh, and probably Tuck. But Josh was with Ellie. Tuck was oblivious. He still hadn’t found a girl to put up with his unique style of humor. Dustin was focusing on being wild and free.

“Takes a good man to go to war,” Grandpa muttered, sipping his Diet Coke. “My brother died in Vietnam. Good man. Better soldier.”

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just nodded, watching the TV.

“Better to be sure of what you want from life. Sometimes it means leaving a pretty young wife at home, and never coming back.” The old guy bristled with anger. I wondered if I should change the channel or call for backup. He turned away from the TV and looked me dead in the eyes. There was nothing crazy about his behavior, just a fierce love for his granddaughter. “That girl means the world to me, and I don’t remember a lot of things, but I remember her.”

“I’d never leave Briar. The ranch is my life.”

“Good man.” He turned back to the TV, and didn’t say another word.

Briar came into the room, all smiles. “Are you guys bonding over war stories?”

I nodded, sliding out of the chair and following her quietly out of the room. “How’s dinner coming?”

“Great. Grandma doesn’t need my help anymore, so we can go to your mom’s house anytime.”

We said a quick goodbye to the grandparents and I located the keys to the Mercedes. I swear, would it kill anyone to have a truck, or at least a car that looked normal?

First we swung by the salon to pick up Penny from Raphael. He met us in the lobby, and I noticed two things were different about the dog.

One, she smelled like bubble gum. Raphael had given her a bath with some fancy scented shampoo. Two, she’d had her nails painted red for the holidays.

“Oh, I’m going to miss her,” Raphael said as he handed Penny to Briar.

“You know,” I said, finding it in me to pat the guy on the back to console him, “Penny has brothers and sisters that still need homes.”

Raphael stopped dabbing his eyes with a tissue and smiled. “Really?”

“Sure.”

“I think you’d love her sister. I named her Lola,” Briar added. “Lexi is coming to Montana in a few days. I could send her back with one of the puppies.”

“Oh, thank you.” He threw his arms around me in a hug. “I’m so excited!”

I hugged him back. “You’re welcome.”

Briar hugged him too, and we wished him a merry Christmas.

I made for the car, thinking the guy wasn’t so bad, but still a little different from most people. I was sure he’d love Lola. She was a bright, blond spaniel with big brown eyes. Uncle Jerry called her a heartbreaker.

I parked on the street at my parent’s house, afraid to leave the car under the tree where I used to park my truck. The afternoon was slightly cool, in the high fifties, but I didn’t need a coat. It was just nice and calm, and I was glad to see my mom and her husband, Todd.

I was even more excited to give my little sister her Christmas present.

Penny was the squirmiest, happiest spaniel I’d met yet, and I had no doubt Amy would love her.

Briar handed me the puppy so I could present her to my sister, and rang the doorbell. The wreath swayed as the door swung inward, and Todd pulled me into a hug. He was wearing a gray vest and jeans, which was a little more dressed up than I thought he’d be. But Todd was an ex model, and even though I didn’t understand his kind, I didn’t mind it.

“Chase, it’s good to see you,” He let me go to hug Briar, and helped carry the presents into the house. “Honey, Chase and Briar are here.”

My mom came out of the kitchen, and ran across the room to wrap both of us in a hug. She didn’t say much, but it was more than clear she’d missed us terribly. And it was such a good feeling to know that she accepted us now. She and Briar were still getting to know each other, but I had a feeling that, as time went on, they’d grow close enough to be friends.

“How was your flight?” she asked, looking at Briar. “I know Chase hates flying, but I figured with you along it would be easier for him.”

“Oh, we had a great flight. Penny was even allowed on the plane with us since she’s so little.” Briar patted the little blond spaniel I had tucked under my arm.

My mom held out her arms for her and planted a kiss on her fuzzy head. “Such a sweet baby.”

Todd grinned. “Hey, Amy, come see what Chase and Briar brought you for Christmas.”

My little sister peeked shyly around the kitchen door. Her pigtails had red and green ribbons in them. She looked at all of us, but then her gaze zeroed in on the puppy, and her shyness was completely forgotten. “For me?”

My mom held Penny out. “Yes, isn’t she sweet? She loves you.”

Penny licked her face and yapped excitedly. Amy set her on the wood floors and she followed her around the house, playing chase with her around the staircase and into the living room.

“I think it’s a good match.” Todd nodded, watching them with a big smile. “I only hope Amy will be okay sharing him.”

I eyed my stepfather, and then looked at my mother’s pink cheeks.

“Chase, you’re going to be a big brother again!”

“You’re having a baby?” Briar clapped and hugged my mom. “That’s wonderful!”

“Congratulations.” I gave Todd a hug, and kissed my mom on the cheek.

“It seems we’re destined for girls,” my mom said, winking at Todd. “I found out yesterday it’s a girl, and I already know what I’m going to name her.”

This seemed to be news to Todd and he waited, cocking his head and rubbing his chin. “You’ve decided?”

My mom nodded. “Abigail, after your mother. We’ll call her Abby for short.”

“My mom’s going to like that.” He grinned. “Abby and Amy. Sounds good to me.”

We went into the kitchen to help prepare lunch, but instead of sitting at the table, we gathered in the living room to watch Amy play with Penny. It really was a good match. The family was coming together, and really connecting. It felt real and good. The only thing that would make this Christmas better, would be Briar’s parents setting aside their vain ways and embracing the love and happiness we all felt.

One day, I hoped it would happen—that we could all be together.

I knew i
t would take a miracle, though.

Briar

Being at Chase’s mother’s house was much more comfortable than being at my own. His mother was really starting to warm up to me. Last time I saw her—the Fourth of July—she was all for me packing my bags and heading home. She didn’t want me to make the same mistake she had by becoming a rancher’s wife. But I wasn’t making a mistake. I knew what Chase’s life was like, and I loved it. Unlike her. She’d been out of her element since the first day she stepped on McCree property. It had only been a matter of time before she got sick of it and left.

We had a nice lunch with his parents. I got his mother and stepfather a package to a spa my mother loved for a day of relaxation. Chase and I got tickets to Disney from them. Amy loved her new puppy.

All in all, it was a great day, and that night we had a pretty good dinner with Grandma and Grandpa. Everything was really good.

Except for that darn turkey.

Grandma was so proud of it, she didn’t want to save it for Christmas. She was set on serving it early and having a ham instead. She had been so excited about her concoction that I couldn’t disappoint her by not choking down some of it.

Much to our surprise—and shock—the turkey didn’t turn out half bad. It was very moist, and Chase went back for seconds. Everyone loved it.

“I am so excited!” Grandma had cleared us out of the dining room to sit around the tree in the family room. It was a white tree with a string of green lights and homemade ornaments we’d crafted over the years. Some were made of yarn and Popsicle sticks, other’s out of clay we’d put in the oven and painted.

Grandma loved to make homemade decorations, but she also loved shopping.

There were several boxes under the tree. I sat next to Grandpa once they were passed out.

“You first.” Grandma handed a large box to Chase.

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.” He opened the paper and lifted the lid. The expression on his face stayed neutral. I could tell by the slight twist of his lips that he was pretending to love whatever Grandma had put in the box. “I’ve always wanted a sweater like this.”

I tried not to laugh as he pulled out a bright green sweater. It had three reindeer smiling on the front, and on the back,
Merry Christmas
was written in glittering letters over their butts.

Chase pulled it over his head, and although the fit was a little snug, he thanked Grandma again.

I loved that cowboy.

When I opened my present, I was rewarded with the same style of sweater, only mine had sparkly snowmen, with soft carrot noses that poked out of the fabric. It went on, and fit perfectly. So we sat in the living room, all wearing crazy sweaters, and having one of the best Christmases I’d had in a while.

“We got you guys something,” I said, setting a box we’d brought from Montana in Grandma’s lap.

She ripped through the packaging and squealed. “It’s a five-o’clock-somewhere margarita maker!”

Chase shook his head, grinning, and whispered in my ear, “We’re enablers.”

I kissed him. “She’s always wanted one. And it makes her happy.”

Grandpa got excited over it, too, reading the directions about how to operate the blender properly.

“Oh,” Grandma rubbed her hands together. I have one last thing.” She reached under the tree and produced a tiny black box. “It was my mothers.”

I pulled off the lid. “Oh, no. I can’t take this from you.”

“No, I want you to have it.”

I lifted out a slim gold band with one tiny diamond in the center.

“My mother got that as a gift from her sister when she had me. She wore it always, on the middle finger of her right hand.” Grandma wiped her eyes. “Your father doesn’t know I still have it.”

I slipped it on the middle finger of my right hand. “I’ll never take it off.”

She hugged me. “It’s made for a woman. It wouldn’t look good on him anyway.”

I glanced over at Grandpa, who was putting together the new blender. “Want to make a few drinks?”

He nodded excitedly. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Grandma and Grandpa were well liquored up, snoozing away as Chase and I cleaned up the wrappings and gift boxes later that night. I’d peek at him from behind the Christmas tree, and he’d steal a kiss. We were doing our best not to wake them up.

“I can’t wait to give you your present.” He slipped around the tree and touched his nose to mine. “I spent a month trying to find the right thing.”

I wound my arms around his neck, went in like I was going to kiss him, then grabbed the little box sewn into the back of his sweater and hit the switch.

The reindeer noses lit up.

He stared down at the front of his chest, and his whole body shook with laughter.

“We should wear these on Christmas Day for Millie and Jerry.” I said, flipping the switch on my sweater too. The snowmen’s noses glowed bright orange.

“I love your Grandparents, but I’m never wearing this out of the house.”

I kissed him. “It’ll be our little secret.”

Chase pinned me against the wall by the tree and had just swooped in for another kiss, when I heard something strange in the other room. He heard it too. We walked through to the living room, and found Grandpa groaning and grumbling in his chair.

“What’s wrong?” I asked him.

Grandma appeared over my shoulder and nudged me out of the way. “He’s having trouble. The dinner must have been too rich for him. I need you kids to help me get him upstairs.”

Chase helped Grandpa stand, and we got him halfway up the stairs before he started complaining about being able to walk on his own. He was a grown man, after all. But he didn’t have it in him to make it all the way.

We got him to his room and propped up in bed. Grandma flitted around him, peppering him with questions. She stopped long enough to give me one order. It was the last thing I expected to come out of her mouth.

“Call your father.”