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Placing my hand on the side of her cheek, I leaned in and softly kissed her. “She’ll never bother you or Chloe again. I swear to God.”
She smiled while placing her hand over mine. “I know. Thank you for reassuring me though.”
With a wink, I replied, “Come on. Let’s get you some food.”
Something was going on. I caught on to it the other day when Amelia had me trying on beautiful gowns from her friend in New York.
It wasn’t a total loss on me that they were all white. Every. Single. One. Different shades of white. My mother would have been in her glory.
Or the fact that they were all my size. I chuckled thinking back to Amelia commenting with, “It’s crazy she sent them all in your size!”
Amelia and I were close to the same size, but my breasts were a bit larger than hers.
Chloe came running into the library. “Paxton! It’s Christmas Eve and Grammy just called to tell Daddy that Cord was on his way with Aunt Waylynn! She’s here again!”
I drew Chloe into my arms and kissed her on the forehead. “That is so amazing! I’m so glad she is home again!”
“Yep, and Grammy said we’re all going and getting our hair done!”
My smile faltered. Huh?
“Our hair done?”
She nodded. “Yep. And I know a secret. A big secret. B. I. G. I can spell, ya know.”
I grinned. “Yes, I happen to know your teacher.”
Looking at me with a confused expression, she busted out laughing. “You’re so funny! But…my secret is huge.” Chloe held her arms out as far as she could spread them.
Narrowing one eye at her, I asked, “Is that so? Who is the secret about?”
With a giggle, she covered her mouth. “You!”
My stomach dropped. Everything was starting to make sense.
The dresses. The way Steed was so nervous this morning. The private phone call he took where I overheard him saying he would pay twice the amount if they could make it happen on Christmas Eve. Now the hair.
“Grammy said you had to get your nails done, so we all had to get them done. As a way to…” She looked up in thought. “Right…as a way to throw you off she said!”
Oh, how I loved my little non-secret keeper.
“Chloe, is your Daddy planning on something big happening today?”
She shook her head. “Oh no, it’s tonight! And after tonight, I get to call you Mommy.” Jumping off my lap, she ran out of the room before she stopped and looked back at me. “See how good of a secret keeper I am! I didn’t even tell you that you that the big secret was you and Daddy gettin’ married today!”
And like that, she spun around and rushed out the door. I jumped up.
Married?
Today?
My heart started racing, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
I grabbed my phone and sent a text off to two different people.
Me: How is Chicago?
It didn’t take Corina long to reply.
Corina: Chicago?
Grinning, I typed out my reply.
Me: Yes…Chicago. You did fly home yesterday right?
She didn’t answer. Corina couldn’t lie. It wasn’t in her DNA to lie. Not even a white lie. A fib. Nothing. She was literally incapable of lying.
Next text.
Me: Merry Christmas Eve! Hey…do you and Dad want to go look at lights tonight?
My mother’s reply was almost instant.
Mom: What?! Lights?
I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. Oh. This is fun.
Me: What? It would be fun. We haven’t done it in years, and I bet Chloe would love it!
Mom: Maybe we could go tomorrow or the next night. Tonight’s not good for us.
Lifting my brow, I hit her number. Let’s up the pressure some.
Her voicemail started after two rings. Oh my gosh, my mother sent me to voicemail.
Me: You sent me to voicemail, Mom!
Mom: I’m in a meeting. Can’t talk.
Me: What kind of meeting?
Mom: About the new town square.
I frowned. Shit. That made sense. My mother was on the committee to improve downtown Oak Springs, to get it growing even more than it was. Our little town had always been a bit of a tourist town with the Frio River and quaint stores.
Cord’s popular bar proved that more could be done with the town square, and the committee wanted it to grow even more. New plans were now being laid to bring in new businesses and make it more of a tourist town. We already had people coming in for the Frio River; we just needed ways to keep them around, make them spend their money.
Me: Okay. Well, maybe I’ll take one of the horses out. Steed’s gone, and it’s just me and Chloe. We can pack a picnic or something.
Mom: NO! Her Grammy has plans to take y’all to get your hair done. Didn’t you hear? Waylynn is in town, and you know how that girl likes to primp.
