Page 4

He smiles but doesn't laugh. I thought that was pretty clever, but now I cringe, because I must sound like an idiot.

Hildie hasn't let go of his arm. She turns to my mother, lit up, proud as a peacock. "This is my boy."

"We'll get out of your hair." Mom touches my elbow. "Let you two visit. Mackie just flew in, so she needs to unpack, anyway."

"Merry Christmas," I say, backing toward the door.

"Merry Christmas," the nephew cowboy says back. What was his name, again?

The door closes behind us. We're barely past the Sabal Point sign before I twist sideways in my seat, seatbelt cutting across my collarbone, and give her my full attention.

"Why did you never tell me about that man?"

Lis drops the visor against the four o'clock sun and keeps her eyes on the road. "I've told you about Hildie's nephew a hundred times."

"You've said the words 'Hildie's nephew'. Sure. Technically." I hook a foot up under me. "You did not mention that part of him."

Her mouth stays flat, but she knows exactly which part I mean. She lets it hang there a second, enjoying it, the traitor.

"He's her brother's son." Same tone she uses for every sad thing. As if that in and of itself is a tragedy. "Didn't I tell you she raised him since he was eight?"

"Yes, you did, but again, you failed to mention he looks like a walking Ralph Lauren ad. Does he live here?"

"No, he moved out to Wyoming after he graduated high school and has basically taught himself how to run a ranch. He recently bought a small one. He's an impressive young man."

I watch the strip malls slide by, palm trees planted in a row like they're standing at attention.

"Wyoming's a long way to come."

"It is." She signals and changes lanes.

"Does anybody ever come with him?" I keep my eyes on the strip malls. "Wife? Girlfriend? One of those frontier women who knows how to churn butter?"

"No." Mom doesn't look over. "He isn't married or anything. His entire life is working on that ranch."

Interesting. Not to me, obviously. I turn toward her. "You should get his number."

That gets her attention. "Excuse me?"

"For yourself." I gesture vaguely toward all of her. "He could be your Christmas boy toy."

"Mackinzie Larkin."

"What? You're single. He's single. Hildie already loves you. This practically arranges itself. It could be a whole family affair."

"Your father just rolled over in his grave."

I laugh when she swats at my hand. "Dad would appreciate my initiative."

"You need to zip it up right now, young lady. I'm old enough to be that young man's mother."

She punches the gate code at the entrance to her neighborhood and shakes her head.

I settle back in my seat. Fine. She can pretend she isn't interested. I won’t.

TWO

Carson