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“The house is gorgeous, hon,” Crystal said, coming up from behind with a mini quiche in one hand and a glass of wassail in the other.
“So are you.” The darkly pretty nurse had chosen a body-skimming dress in Christmas red, a color that suited her perfectly.
“Joe can’t keep his hands off me.” Crystal giggled and waved at her husband, a quiet guy as blond as Crystal was dark.
“Who can blame him?”
“Same with your man. Look at him over there by the canapés, watching your every move. I think he could gobble you up in one bite.”
Jenna blushed, tingling with anticipation at what was to come before this night was over. Dax had gone cross-eyed when she’d slid into the barely silver one-shouldered dress and strappy stilettos. “I think I just might let him, too.”
Crystal’s eyes widened and she laughed. A pair of snowflake earrings danced against her dark skin. “You two are perfect together. I’m thrilled for both of you.”
Jenna’s heart beat a happy rhythm. “Me, too. The day I crashed my car into Dax’s fence, I never dreamed how wonderfully my life would work out.”
“You seemed so lost and scared that day, but gritty and determined, too. I knew you were gonna make it. But I have to admit things turned out better than I thought.” She sipped her steaming wassail and then whispered, “But the Gucci purse should have given me a clue.”
“I’m sorry for keeping that from you.”
Jenna had shared the truth about her wealthy family with Crystal, but she was still determined to live a normal life and put the trust fund money to use for others less blessed.
“Trust me, girl. I totally understand.” She hunched her shoulders and grinned. “Well, sort of. The emotional part anyway, but money and Crystal are soon parted. Oops, I see that hunky husband of mine coming my way. Bet he wants to find a dark corner and make out.” She popped the remaining quiche into her cherry-colored lips and waved two fingers. “Ta-ta.”
Heart glad, Jenna waved and continued her journey through the partygoers, stopping to chat with first one and then another. Gavin’s teacher was there, looking cute and young in a Santa hat. Her little girl was twirling in circles to The Nutcracker music playing softly through the sound system.
Talk of the weather and Christmas, politics and children, and lots of laughter mingled with the clink of glasses and the smells of pine and cinnamon. It was a good party. People seemed to be enjoying themselves.
But the best was yet to come.
Gradually, she made her way to Dax’s side. He was deep in conversation with another rancher about an upcoming stock show in Fort Worth. As soon as he saw her, Dax said to the other man, “’Scuse me, Jake. There’s a beautiful woman wanting my attention.”
Jake clapped him on the shoulder. “Talk to you later, then. Great party, ma’am.”
Jenna smiled her thanks as he moved away.
Dax slid an arm around her waist and nuzzled her ear. “You smell good. Look good, too.”
“Ready for our surprise?”
“Can’t wait.” He stroked the sensitive flesh on the back of her neck. “I’m sorry your parents chose not to come.”
With Dax at her side, she’d talked again with her mother and hammered out a fragile truce. Though Elaine would never fully understand, Jenna hoped to build a workable relationship with her family. She loved them. She just couldn’t live with them anymore. When they’d been invited to the wedding, however, they’d refused, certain Jenna was making another mistake. She’d been disappointed, though she’d expected the response.
“Someday, they’ll realize. But until they do, I refuse to let them ruin tonight.”
“I love you.” He kissed her cheek.
“I love you, too.”
“Come on, then. Let’s find our boy.” They glanced around the crowded room and located Gavin easily. Reindeer antlers poked up from his dark head. He’d insisted on wearing a brown suit and antlers in honor of Rudolph who, he was convinced, would be stopping at the house later tonight.
“You painted his nose.” Dax said, eyes twinkling.
“He asked.”
“I wasn’t complaining. I was remembering. You. Me. A lot of sugary frosting.” He nuzzled her ear again and whispered. “Very soon, I’m going to paint you all over, just so I can clean up the mess.”
She gave him a sultry look and twitched one eyebrow. “Ready when you are, cowboy.”
His pupils dilated until the green irises were but a rim around the edges. “How about now?”
She laughed, feeling beautiful and sexy and desirable. Dax had done that for her, given her the confidence to be a woman. “How about you get the real party started and we’ll save the good stuff for later.”
