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&Ms and sprinkles baked inside.
That was one of the Christmas treats Florence had donated to the tea party.Also the chocolate fudge and maple fudge decorated with icing snowmen and Christmas trees that Ava had created.
Everything was great, the music, the treats, the camaraderie, and the Christmas Santa, who was cute as he played his role perfectly for the part.
