AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Loves it…” he swallowed a little more. “But she also loveshimso she might be a bit biased. Try it.”
I cautiously brought the glass to my mouth and sipped. The flavor was robust, tasted similar to a caramel candied apple but the liquor content was intense.
“Oh wow, that is strong.” I sipped again. “But it's good.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him you approve and don’t let it fool you, take that slow. This stuff will knock you on your ass.”
“Has it ever knocked you on your ass?”
He nodded, balancing the glass on his knee. “I was thirteen and thought I was a man. Me and my brother Garrett snuck a jar out to the stables. Drank half of it.”
My eyes went wide. “Half of the whole jar?”
“Between the two of us yeah, but that wasn’t much better. Both me and Garrett were throwing up for days. Sick as a dog and had to work it off. Pops was mad as hell and showed no sympathy. Wouldn’t let my mother baby us either. We had to keep up with our regular chores that entire week while trying not to pass out from almost having alcohol poisoning.” He shook his head, smiling like he was reliving the memory.
“Sounds terrible.”
“It was, could’ve died but we didn’t and it taught us both a very valuable lesson.”
“Which was?”
“We weren’t men. Barely even boys and didn’t have any business drinking this shit.”
He lifted the glass to his mouth and swallowed down more.
“I’m surprised you’re drinking it now after all that.”
“I understand moderation and I’ve developed a liking for the taste. Reminds me of my parents.”
“You miss them.”
“I do.” He nodded. “I was supposed to head out to Texas for Christmas. Just for a few days, but I won't be doing that now.”
Well shit. I bet that was my fault. I ruined Christmas with his parents.
“Relax, Boston. It has nothing to do with you.”
My eyes shot over to his and he was already staring with that crooked smile in place. “Then why aren’t you going? You don’t have one decoration up. No tree which means you didn’t plan on being here.”
“I don’t decorate for Christmas. That’s usually my mother’s thing. Haven’t since they left. Didn’t see a reason to with it just being me. I usually just head out to the Jubilee they have in town and the tree lighting Christmas Eve with Melvina and her husband. Plans changed because my parents decided to do a Christmas cruise. They invited me, and I considered, but it was seven days. There was no way I could stay away from the ranch that long. Not with how much business we got this year. The True Ranch Experience tours are popular and more than doubled in the past couple years. I guess that’s a good thing.”
“Yeah, I suppose so but it still means you’re alone for Christmas.”
“Was alone for Christmas, Boston. You’re here and it looks like I’ll have a tree too.” He winked and I smiled.
“You really don’t have to get me a tree.”
“You saying you don’t want one?” He narrowed his eyes on me and I couldn’t lie.
“Having a tree wouldn’t be such a terrible thing but I also understand if you don’t want to get one.”
“Putting a smile on your pretty face isn’t such a terrible thing either and seems like getting you a tree would do just that. My mind’s made up so no need to try to change it. Now, since you know why I’m alone for Christmas, why don’t you tell me what brought you here to Miller’s Pointe instead of you spending the holiday with your own family…”
I felt my expression drop but couldn’t help it. My reason for being here wasn’t easy to explain. It was attached to years of family complications that I was carrying the brunt of but hadn’t created on my own.
That would be in the hands of my parents and sister.
“If you don’t want to say, that’s fine. Just figured I’d ask.”
