Hawke's Salvation (5 page)

Vin shrugged. “Lacy said he told her he had something to do in the barn first. I’m not sure he’s ready for this… Hell, I’m not sure I’m ready for this.” Vin rubbed his hand over his scalp, and fidgeted awkwardly.

Romeo clapped him on the back. “I get it man, but we can’t stop having Christmas forever just because Abe and Sera aren’t around anymore. We’ve got more family now, and Michael and Todd deserve to have a good Christmas.”

Vin nodded, and glanced toward the kitchen. “Come on Hawke, let’s get a cookie before they’re gone.”

The other two disappeared, leaving Romeo and Destiny alone in the living room. Romeo watched her thoughtfully for a moment, and she had the urge to flee again when he asked, “Will you join us in decorating the tree tonight, Destiny?”

“Probably not. I, uh, don’t want to intrude. It’s a family time, and—”

“And you’re family,” Romeo interrupted. “Don’t ever think you’re not. Come on, it will be fun. All of us help, and it gets done quickly.”

Just as she was about to accept, the front door swung open, and they both turned to watch as Sheriff Brandon Bowers entered the house, stomping snow from his boots in the foyer before he said hello.

“Wow, that’s a big tree. Let me guess, Lauren picked it out?” Bran said with a lifted eyebrow. He had the most beautiful thick, black eyebrows above silvery gray eyes that saw way too much for her comfort.

“Actually it was Hawke and Jeanette, but I’m sure Lauren gave them guidelines. We’re getting ready to start decorating it soon. We just need it to dry out a little bit more before we put lights on it. Marilyn has cookies and cocoa ready in the kitchen. Destiny and I were just about to go in there.” Romeo held his hand out to her even though they were a dozen feet apart.

She stared at his hand for a brief moment, but her eyes unwillingly went to Bran’s a moment later, and she couldn’t tear them away from him. The sheriff had been the one who found her after her captors had left her beaten and dying. He’d saved her life, yet she could barely bring herself to have a civil conversation with him. Each time he got close, she fought back feelings of desire that she had no business having after her ordeal.

“Des?” Romeo called out, “You coming?”

“No,” she whispered, realizing she was trembling as she backed up two steps up the stairs. “I don’t feel much like celebrating right now, so I think I’ll just stay in my room. I don’t want to ruin the party.”

Bran studied her face, and she flushed before turning away and racing up the stairs. She wasn’t ready for him, or what he represented. She just needed more time. Time to heal, and time to learn how to protect herself. She’d learned the hard way that she was a naïve, ignorant woman who trusted way too easily, and she would never let herself slip again.

“
L
ean
it to the right just a bit,” Lauren directed Romeo and Vin who were trying to perfect the trees position in the tree stand.

“If you lean it to the right, it won’t be centered between the window panes,” Lacy complained.

Lauren cocked her head in thought for a moment and then said, “But if we don’t, the ornaments on the left side won’t stay on. It will just have to be a bit off center.”

“If it’s off center it will drive me nuts.” Lacy pouted.

“Short trip,” Hawke mumbled.

“I heard that!”

Jeanette watched in wonder as the Crawley Creek family blended together in a joyous jumble of laughter and teasing. While opening boxes and prepping for the decorating, they’d compared various versions of childhood memories. The only thing they seemed to agree on was the belief that Abe and Sera made Christmas special.

“My first Christmas here was the best,” Romeo claimed. “Sera and Abe waited until everyone else had gone to their rooms to tell me that the courts had officially appointed them my foster parents and legal guardians. Realizing that I didn’t have to go back to my shitty ass parents was the best present I could have asked for.”

“I remember that,” Vin said with a nod. “You were a scrawny ass thing that always wanted to fight someone.”

“Do you remember his rat tail?” Drannon said with a howl of laughter. “He thought he was the shit because he had a six-inch long braid at the base of his skull.”

“Hey! That was cool back then,” Romeo protested.

“No it wasn’t,” Franki argued with a snort of laughter. “Rat tails were never cool. I sure wish there was a picture of that.”

“There is somewhere,” Vin said. “Sera took holiday photos. They were a tradition. Every Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, and Halloween. Everyone in the family for the holiday had to stand on the front porch for a photo.”

Drannon nodded. “Yep, they’re all still filed neatly away in the photo albums upstairs. We should get them out sometime soon.”

“Yes, we should!” Lacy agreed. “I need to know what my kid is going to look like as a disgruntled teenager.”

Laughter rippled through the room, and Jeanette sipped a glass of wine as she and Marilyn worked to untangle a strand of Christmas lights.

“How are those lights coming?” Lauren asked them, “We have to get the lights on before we can hang the ornaments.”

Marilyn and Jeanette exchanged a look before Marilyn responded, “You’re welcome to take a string of these and help us out.”

“Oh, um...” Lauren wrinkled her nose, “I’m not actually very good at untangling knots.”

“Drannon is,” Lacy called out, her voice muffled because she was bent over with her head in a box, searching for something.

A heavy pause filled the air as everyone turned to look at Drannon who was staring at his wife’s backside like she’d lost her mind. The double meaning was clear, and it caused the entire group to bust up into riotous laughter.

“Big D, I didn’t know you had such talents,” Vin said, slapping his brother on the back. “Maybe you should give us a demonstration.”

“Shut up. What my wife meant is that I have a lot of practice untying knots in rope.” His eyes widened, and he shook his head. “I mean, roping cattle takes a lot of rope tying, and knots, lots of knots. Fucking hell.”

“Watch your language,” Lacy scolded. She rose up from where she’d been sorting decorations and kissed him. “We have babies in the house now, and for the record, that’s exactly what I was referring to. What other kind of knots could I have meant?”

Jeanette noted the false innocence on Lacy’s face, but no one commented on it. Instead, they all went back to what they’d been doing, still chuckling at their brother’s expense. She loved how open and accepting this group was of their diversity. She couldn’t imagine any of the other brothers wanting to dabble in bondage, but Drannon had an air of dominance about him that made it feel right. It made sense that he’d be the one into ropes. Romeo on the other hand, was the type of man who would bring laughter into the bedroom, but also a deep sense of passion and devotion. The way he looked at Franki made Jeanette’s heart ache with longing sometimes. They might have had a rocky road together, but it sure seemed they’d come out stronger for all their hardships.

“While I have you all here, I wanted to make an announcement,” Marilyn said, drawing everyone’s attention away from the discomfited Drannon. “I’m getting old.” Hawke snorted, and Lauren shushed him. “Well, older anyway. As much as I don’t like admitting it, things are getting harder for me to handle around here with new people coming to the ranch. I’ve asked Lauren to step in for me as the ranch cook in order to take some of the pressure off me.”

Lauren was smiling, but the guys all looked shaken. Drannon was the first to speak. “Are you okay, Marilyn? I mean, really okay? We can get more help in here if you need it.”

“I can’t believe we haven’t already thought of it,” Vin said, running his nails over his buzzed hair in frustration. “I can ask Amelia and Carly if they know of anyone looking for some part-time work. Maybe someone to help with the housework?”

“No, no. I’m fine. I just needed a pair of extra hands is all,” Marilyn said, waving them away.

“And I needed a purpose,” Lauren said softly. There was a moment of hesitation, but then everyone seemed to absorb the dual purpose of the new appointment and accept it.

“Then it seems like you’ve found the perfect solution,” Vin said, kissing his girlfriend’s head. “And a fantastic chef to take over the reins in the kitchen.”

Marilyn winked at Lauren. “I may sneak in every now and then to make some french toast, but from now on, the kitchen will be Lauren’s domain.”

Without another word, it was accepted and everyone went on about their business as if her words had no further impact on their lives. The sound of a baby crying echoed through the monitor sitting atop the piano, and everyone turned to look toward it. Vin was closest, and he held a hand up. “I’ve got it this time. You keep doing what you’re doing.”

Jeanette’s attention went to Lacy and Drannon who were technically Michael’s parents at the moment, but they both just nodded their appreciation and went back to what they were doing. The phrase
‘it takes a village’
ran through her mind as she realized that, in this family, there were no truer words.

“He’s good with babies, huh?” Jeanette murmured to Marilyn who nodded.

“They all are. There were babies in and out of here all the time. Some for days, some for weeks, and some”—she gestured with her head in the direction Vin had gone—“for a lifetime. Each became a part of the family no matter how long they were here.”

“I admire that,” Jeanette said wistfully. “Not everyone accepts change so easily.”

“Oh it wasn’t all rainbows, trust me. There were plenty of disturbances, but Sera always believed that a child who was acting out was a child who needed to be loved even harder, and she set out to do her best.”

“Were there ever any she wasn’t able to help?” Jeanette asked, wondering at the strength of the woman this family held in such high esteem.

“Plenty of them, but that didn’t stop her from trying.” Marilyn tugged on a wire and grinned when it pulled free. “Finally. I thought I’d never get that one. Here Lauren, get your dang lights up. Jeanette just about has the second string ready, too.”

“Yay!” Lauren cheered, taking the lights and passing them to Hawke who had just reentered the room with a stepladder. “Make sure you leave room for the angel.”

Hawke rolled his eyes. “This ain’t my first rodeo, Lola-brat,” he teased, and she stuck her tongue out at him.

Jeanette couldn’t take her eyes off of the muscular cowboy as he climbed the ladder and began wrapping the tree with Christmas lights. His t-shirt stretched over his wide shoulders like a second skin, and every time he moved, his muscles undulated in a way that made her belly flutter. His snug blue jeans cupped his backside, and she could clearly see the imprint of his wallet in his back pocket. There was no doubt the man had one fine ass, and she promptly envisioned taking a bite out of it before she mentally chided herself. Damn hormones were all out of whack.

“So, how about for Christmas this year we all put our names in a hat and we each pick one. That way we’re each only buying one gift,” Romeo suggested.

Franki narrowed her eyes at him. “One gift? Does this mean you’re not giving me a present, cowboy?”

He winked and shrugged. “Eh, I figure you have me, and that’s the best gift anyone could have, so…Ouch! Crap on a cracker, woman! That stings.”

He rubbed at his arm where his girlfriend had just tugged a few arm hairs free and laughed as she did it.

“I happen to like that idea,” Lacy agreed. “With everything that’s happened around here, I haven’t had much time to tackle my shopping list. It would be great to whittle it down.”

“All in favor?” Romeo asked the bunch. When everyone agreed, he grinned. “Awesome. I’ll grab a notepad.”

It didn’t take him long to write out everyone’s names and put the tags in a bowl. He passed the bowl to Nolan first. Nolan was kicked back in a chair with Todd sleeping on his chest. “Why am I drawing first?”

“Because you’re the only one with empty hands at the moment,” Romeo answered. “Pick one but don’t read it out loud.”

Jeanette watched as Nolan took a slip of paper, read it, and then quickly slid it into his shirt pocket without reacting. She didn’t particularly like surprises, so not knowing who had her name was going to drive her nuts. When the bowl reached her, she pulled out a tag and nearly groaned out loud at the name written on it. She had to physically stop herself from looking in Marilyn’s direction and giving the secret away. She had no idea what to get the older woman.

Hawke let out a whoop when he opened his slip, but he kept his eyes down. Jeanette crossed her fingers that her name wasn’t on his list. She had no idea how she’d react to a gift from him. By the time they’d all selected names, Jeanette was finished with her strand of lights and she quietly passed it to Hawke.

Vin had come back with a drowsy Michael, who was currently smiling up at him adoringly. Jeanette felt a strange kick of desire for Vin with a baby, and she wondered why any man holding an infant seemed to attract her lately. Babies were the absolute last thing she had planned for her life.

“Do you remember the year we all chipped in and bought Sera her chair?” Drannon asked the group

Lauren responded to Drannon with a smile. “She was so excited she even told all the ladies at the PTA meeting the next week about it. I remember hearing her from the church kitchen.”

“Why were you in the church kitchen during a PTA meeting?” Jeanette asked innocently. The temperature in the room changed, and she cringed. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

Lauren sighed. “No, its okay. Everyone else knows for the most part. My mom was an angry drunk, and when she went on a bender she’d forget to stock the house with food. Pastor Gillian and his wife Mary always welcomed me to the food in the church pantry if I needed it. Other times I’d stay at Crawley Creek so that I had something to eat, and someone…”

Her words drifted off, and it was clear that talking about her childhood impacted her deeply. Jeanette knew that each of the group had their own reasons for finding their way to Crawley Creek, but she hadn’t realized how deeply even the non-immediate family had been affected.

“Gillian? As in Luke and Mark Gillian?” Jeanette asked, changing the subject.

Hawke jerked his head around, and his eyes narrowed when they met hers. She heard Marilyn responding, explaining the connection between the Gillian brothers and Pastor Gillian and his wife, but she barely absorbed it. She was too caught up in the jealous fire burning in Hawke’s green eyes.

“I didn’t know Abe and Sera were godparents,” Franki interrupted, “Are Luke and Mark their only godsons?”

“Yes. Mary and Sera were very close, almost like sisters. I think if Sera would have adopted any of the boys here, Mary and David would have stepped up to be their godparents, too,” Marilyn explained. “It’s not done as often nowadays, but back then, everyone had godparents.”

Drannon cleared his throat. “Speaking of that, Vin, I’d like to ask you and Lauren to be our baby’s godparents.”

“Vin?” Romeo interjected, just as Lauren and Vin responded with a simultaneous, “Yes!”

Franki rose and went to Romeo’s side, putting her hand on his shoulder as if to quiet him, but he was clearly put out. “Why would you ask Vin and not me?”

“Uh,” Drannon’s eyes darted to Lacy in search of help, but Lacy looked just as stunned by his request.

“Drannon, can I talk to you in the other room for a moment?” she hissed.

“I’ve known Vin the longest. It just makes more sense,” Drannon said with a shrug ignoring his wife’s tug on his arm as he addressed his angry brother.

“Vin’s older than me, he’ll die first. That means I’m the better choice,” Romeo protested.

“Hey! I’m not dying, damn it!” Vin shouted, startling Michael from his playful grins. The baby began to cry, and Lacy gave an exasperated huff.

“Drannon Russo, kitchen, now.” She spun away and stomped into the kitchen leaving Drannon to follow. Once they’d left the room, Franki took Michael from Vin and shushed him while everyone else went back to decorating. The feeling of fun was gone, and Jeanette felt like and intruder in the personal family matter.

By the time Drannon and Lacy came back, the tension had eased a bit, but Romeo was still shooting dirty glances at Vin when he thought no one was looking.

“Vin, I’m sorry. I didn’t talk to Lacy about the whole godparent thing before I opened my mouth.” Drannon said, “She asked me to take more time to think about my decision because the pregnancy is so new.”

Romeo looked triumphant, but Vin and Lauren both looked devastated. Lauren’s eyes filled with tears, and she turned to Lacy, “You don’t want me to be the godmother?”

“I didn’t say that—”

“No, you just told D to rethink because you completely agree with his choice.” Lauren asserted, hurt rolling off her in waves.