Chapter 18
~ Sammie ~
Braden is a big grouch, through and through. I know he has to act like he didn’t get his jollies off, but does he have to be so broody?
Anyway, he’s not going to ruin my perfect Christmas, and he’d better pay up, because I’m charming Poppy to the gills. He’s such a dear old man, and after we’re finished with Christmas, I promised to read his screenplay and brainstorm plots and ideas with him.
I run upstairs to find my brand-new winter coat, fancy leather gloves, fluffy scarf, and fur-trimmed hat. The snow has started to fall, but it’s in light flurries, drifting down lazily, and the air is crisp and fresh.
Looking out the window, I can see the sleighs—two of them, already outfitted with bells and carriage lights. The ranch hands have hitched the horses up, and they’re stamping on the snow, blowing steam out of their noses and flicking their tails—all ready to trot.
They’re not flying reindeer, but then, we’re not real elves, just pretend.
Humming the tune to “Jingle Bells,” I prance down the stairs and meet Will on the landing.
“I even brought a fur muff to keep my hands warm.” I show him the creamy white faux-fur tube to tuck my hands in.
“You won’t need it.” He takes it and tosses it in a spiral up the stairs. Taking my hand, he tugs me close. “I’m the only hand warmer you need.”
Ahhh… He’s so romantic for a fifteen-year-old.
I giggle and twirl from side to side to make my scarf swing and show him my new coat. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”
We practically skip out the door, stopping only in the mudroom to pull on our boots. The rest of the Brant sisters, Damon, Nash, Lindsay, and Abbie are already lined up, laughing and sipping hot apple cider from thermos bottles.
Abbie jounces over to us wearing a forest-green peacoat and a plaid scarf and hat. “Sammie, can I ride with you? I need practice with the Rubik’s cube.”
“No, dork,” Will says. “Sammie doesn’t believe your lies about the other girls, so buzz off.”
Actually, I don’t particularly care about his lies, but he can’t be so mean to his sister. If I were a real sixteen-year-old, I would be giggling and saying something snide to Abbie.
But sometimes, you have to stand on principle.
I pull my hand from Will’s grasp. “Actually, I’d love see how fast Abbie can work the cube.”
Will’s brows lower in a glower, but a warning glare from his mother shuts him up. He stomps over to Nash and gives him a bro-hug. “Think Poppy will give me extra points for singing backup?”
Points? What’s he talking about?
I accept the hand of one of the ranch hands to get into the first sleigh. Abbie’s right behind me, and I expect Lindsay to join us, but she hangs back, sticking to Nash’s side.
Oh, I get it. She’s still putting the moves on Nash, despite Will saying they’re only friends. When will she give up or at least glam herself up a bit more?
Instead, Macy and Riley, the giggly twins, hop into the back seat with two of the town’s policemen. I think one of them is Seth and the other is Tim. The twins might flirt a lot, but they’re not dimwits.
Macy does the accounting and contracts for the ranch, while Riley does the hiring and firing. I hear she’s a tough taskmaster, and she doesn’t tolerate slacking off.
Meanwhile, I can’t get a bead on Susanna. She’s the quiet and watchful type, so I’d better be careful. I suspect nothing gets past her.
She climbs into the seat beside Abbie and gives me a thumbs-up. “Good job sticking up for Abbie. It’s important not to condone bullying.”
Oops. I’m acting too mature, so I shrug and pout. “I’m mad at him anyway.”
“Really?” She raises her eyebrows. “In what way?”
I shrug and turn away. No need to explain. Teens are erratic with their emotions.
The coachman or whatever they call the guy driving the sleigh gets on and laughs. “Ho, ho, ho. I’m Jason, your sleigh driver. They might have Nash in their sleigh, but we’re going to sing louder and prouder. Let’s hit it with ‘Jingle Bells.’ Ready? Go.”
