Our First Christmas (21 page)

Anya stormed off, exiting through an iron gate in the back and to the left.

Nate turned and glared at Dani. “Congratulations, Dani, you've done it again. I hope the two of you will be very happy.” He took off after Anya. Dani and Sawyer stood in the jail cell, looking at each other. Sawyer started to whistle, and then stopped when he received a glare from Dani. He lifted his head and looked out to the distance. From the side yard the donkey brayed.

“Where did you say the gallows were?” Sawyer asked.

Sawyer and Dani stood on the boardwalk. Sawyer paced as he considered her request. “I thought you would have learned your lesson by now,” he said. “You're still meddling.”

“This wouldn't be a Southern Christmas if I wasn't,” Dani said.

“What if she won't come with me? If I knew how to get women to do what I asked them to, then we wouldn't still be here.”

“You're a photographer. Tell her you want to see her Christmas present to Nate. Then show her the picture I sent you.” Dani couldn't believe she was actually letting someone else see that picture. It was taken right after Nate proposed. A close-up on her face. Horrified. She wasn't sure why the person sent her the picture. Perhaps they thought it would be good for her to see what the expression on her face looked like just in case she ever had any doubts that she had done the right thing. Too bad that didn't work or they might not be here now. “If that doesn't melt her heart, then just pick her and the present up, and carry them to Ruth's house.”

“Pick her up and carry her.”

“Yes. Sling her over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Are you a real cowboy or not?”

“Should I come galloping in with her on a white horse?”

“If you can pull that off, it would be lovely.”

“You are totally off your rocker, Bright.”

“And you are free to run screaming into the night. After you deliver Anya to the Jewel of Wilmington.”

“The Jewel of Wilmington.”

“Sorry, that's what they call Ruth's home.”

“They must be talking about the home because I've met the matriarch and the title doesn't fit.”

“It's a lovely home,” Dani said. “It was once owned by Captain Harper. A steamer captain.”

“I'm starting to think that ‘A Southern Christmas' is just another way of saying that you're all certifiably insane.”

“Now who's being bright?” Dani walked up to him, wrapped her arms around him, and pulled him in for a long kiss. “If you pull this off, you won't believe how appreciative I can be.”

“Using sex to get your way.”

“Is it working?”

“Has it ever not?”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Kiss me again.” They kissed, only parting when it became obvious that any further and they wouldn't be able to stop. Dani didn't want to make love to Sawyer until Nate and Anya were back together. “Let me practice throwing you around like a sack of potatoes,” Sawyer said.

“Try it and I'll have a go at your crown jewels,” Dani said.

 

Ruth Hathaway's jewel of a home was situated up on a hill on South Front Street. The sea-green Queen Anne Victorian was built in 1902 and had undergone extensive restorations after Ruth and her husband purchased it some fifty years ago. Nate's grandfather had long since passed away, and the eight-bedroom home was more room than she needed, but Ruth considered herself a steward of the property and couldn't bring herself to leave. Gardeners maintained the expansive grounds surrounding the home, taking special care to prune the magnolia trees, and only lightly trim the crêpe myrtles in the front yard. Too many of Ruth's neighbors went too far with their trees, Ruth thought, turning them into crêpe murders instead. Ruth Hathaway liked everything just so, and nothing exemplified this more than her annual Christmas gala. And this year it was going to double as a wedding, that is if Sawyer could deliver the bride.

Danielle wished Sawyer was with her as she stepped into the foyer. He would love the dramatic entrance. Mahogany, and cut-and-place English oak floors were in gorgeous contrast to rich dark walls, and Flemish ceilings with exposed beams. A built-in bench imitated the curve of the windows. The elegant wood door was framed by beveled glass. The middle of the foyer was currently taken up by a twelve-foot Christmas tree, with white lights, crystals, and white ribbons adorning it from head to toe. It looked like a wedding tree, but if the festivities were off, it could serve just as well for Christmas. Dani wondered how it was going with Anya, and she was dying to get to Nate and let him know that the cavalry was on the way.

Danielle thought she was early, but several guests were already milling through the exquisite rooms. To her right, the parlor room, and beyond it, separated by parlor doors, the living room. The parlor doors were open, allowing guests to flow from one space to the other, and later, for dancing. Each room boasted a fireplace with its own hand-cut colored tiles, mantle, and decorations. The parlor room's tile was cream, the living room, a gorgeous emerald. Fires danced in each. Original oil paintings competed with detailed crown molding, chandeliers, and antique furnishings for attention. In the parlor room, two young girls dressed in gowns played Christmas carols on the violin, accompanied by a pianist at the baby grand. Dani passed the curved staircase leading to the second and third floors, and paused to look in at the dining room.

Each room had a lovely color on the walls, but the dining room was Dani's favorite. It was a sea-blue. The chandelier was from France, the size of a small tree, with crystal droplets as big as leaves. The dining table was fit for a king. Dani was thrilled to see her favorite centerpiece: a large white swan pulling a red sleigh. Dani realized, with a bit of guilt, that she had been more in love with the promise of the lifestyle Nate offered than she was with Nate. She wasn't entirely aware of it at the time, however, and she was grateful she had followed her heart. Speaking of heart, she couldn't wait to see Sawyer. And truthfully, she couldn't wait for Sawyer to see her. She was wearing a silk gunmetal-gray gown. It hugged her figure in the right places, and came down to the floor. She had a light sheer shawl and a black crystal necklace and matching earrings. Her blond hair was piled on top of her head with a few tendrils hanging down. Given the added glow of the candles flickering in nearly every corner of the home, Dani knew she looked gorgeous. She relished the thought of Sawyer thinking so, too. At Sawyer's suggestion, the framed photograph of Anya had already been delivered. It was sitting on an easel in the living room, near the fireplace. This was where the small ceremony was to be performed. A perfect choice given that it was situated between a set of double Corinthian columns. A smaller pair of Christmas trees flanked the columns, also decked out in white and blue lights and little white satin bows. Dani imagined Anya and Nate saying “I do.” It didn't hurt in the least. If she had tears in her eyes, they would be tears of joy.

She found Nate in the back gardens, pacing. “Hey,” Dani said. He stopped, looked up, nodded, then continued pacing. Dani hurried over to him. “She's coming,” she said.

Nate's head snapped up. “How do you know?”

“Because Sawyer is going to bring her here no matter what.”

“No matter what? As in he's going to throw her over his broad shoulders and carry her here?”

“If he has to.”

Nate suddenly took Dani's hands. “What if I'm making a mistake?” Dani thought of the photograph. Anya's beaming face when Nate asked her to marry him.

“Close your eyes,” Dani said.

“What?”

“Just do it.” Nate closed his eyes. “Family. Happy. Love. Children.”

He opened his eyes, stared at Dani. “Anya,” he said quietly.

“Exactly,” Dani said. “But I think there's something you're going to have to do?”

“What?”

Dani turned Nate around and pointed in the window. Ruth was standing, staring out at them. “You have to stand up for your wife. You have to let your grandmother know, in no uncertain terms, that Anya deserves her rightful place.”

“I've been a bit of a coward, haven't I?”

“It's time to stop being afraid of your grandmother and start being afraid of your wife instead.”

Nate laughed. “Thank you.” He kissed Dani on the cheek. “And I'm sorry.”

“For what?”

“For ignoring you for the past two years. All you did is make the best decision for you at the time, and I punished you for it. I really am sorry.”

Dani nodded and then glanced at the window again only to see Sawyer standing there smiling and giving her a thumbs-up. “I think it worked out for the best,” Dani said. If she hadn't thought she wanted Nate back, she never would have fallen in love with Sawyer. Love worked in mysterious ways. She took Nate's hand. “I think your bride has arrived. Let's go.”

Sawyer was holding court in the parlor room with at least six women from six to sixty surrounding him. Peals of laughter rang out. He was wearing a tuxedo. He looked absolutely gorgeous. Dani was a little stunned and forgot all about wanting him to see how good she looked. But he did anyway. He stepped out of the estrogen circle and looked her up and down appreciatively. Then, he gave her the best compliment a bad boy could. He didn't say a word. He just let out a low whistle. Dani grinned, then before she could stop to mind her Southern manners, she kissed him full on the lips. When they pulled away he kissed her neck just so he could give a low growl in her ear.

“Is Anya here?” Nate asked the minute they parted.

“She's upstairs,” Sawyer said. “She said she wanted to change.”

“Is she—still marrying me?”

“Well. That's probably going to be up to you,” Sawyer said.

“What do you mean?” Nate said.

“There's good news and there's bad news,” Sawyer said.

“Please. Spit it out,” Dani said.

“She's hammered,” Sawyer said.

“She had one and a half glasses of wine?” Dani asked.

“Look. She wanted to talk. So we went to the Duck and Dive again—and I might have mentioned how you had three Dark and Stormys—”

“Oh no,” Dani said.

“And so she had to have four.”

“Four?” Dani said. “Four?” She couldn't believe Anya was still walking and talking. They were twice the punch of a glass of wine.

“What's a Dark and Stormy?” Nate said.

“Nate,” Dani said. “Find the priest. Reschedule the wedding.”

“Not until I talk to Anya,” Nate said.

“Whiskey, dark rum, and who knows what else,” Dani said. “They're lethal.”

“Is she sick?” Nate said.

“Actually she's just—rather—bubbly so far,” Sawyer said.

“TOODALOO!” It sounded like a battle cry, and it rang out from the direction of the foyer. Dani, Sawyer, and Nate all rushed in. There, at the top of the stairs, was Anya posing in a bright yellow gown with tons of crinoline. She was carrying a yellow parasol. She looked like a cross between Big Bird and Little Bo Peep. Nate's mouth dropped slightly open, too, as Anya made a show of coming down the stairs. Behind her, her sister, Victoria, tripped after her, trying to hold up the train. Partygoers, sensing an entrance, began to gather and stare at the phenomena. When Anya reached the bottom, she held her hand out for Nate to kiss. He seemed frozen in place.

“You look . . . you look . . .” he said.

“Southern?” she said.

“I guess so,” he said. He finally took her hand and kissed it.

“Y'all are so kind,” Anya said to the crowd in a fake Southern accent.

“My word,” Ruth said stepping into the foyer. “What is this?”

“I made Christmas grits!” Victoria said. She thrust up a container.

“What in the world is Christmas grits?” Ruth asked.

“Grits with red and green M&M's,” Victoria said.

“Please, everyone, do spread out and mingle,” Ruth said, trying to herd her guests back into the parlor room.

“Is there dancing?” Anya asked, grabbing Nate's hand and pulling him into the living room.

“I think I need a drink,” Dani said.

“Way ahead of you,” Sawyer said. He handed her a flask. She stopped short of telling him she loved him and took a swig.

“Ruth,” Dani said. “Any chance there's a pot of coffee on?”

“Coffee,” Ruth said. “If we want to sober that girl up, we're going to need charcoal.” The music picked up in tempo. Anya was leading a dance. Despite Ruth's horror, the guests loved her. Soon they were gathered around her and Nate as they danced, clapping in rhythm. Ruth stood on the outside of the circle, fuming. Dani stepped up. It was now or never.

“Ruth?” she said.

Ruth turned, her mouth in a grimace. “It's not too late,” she said. “My wedding dress is upstairs. Put it on, and I'll grab Father Mike. You and Nate can get married and—”

Dani grabbed Ruth's hand and pulled her over to the photograph on the easel. She reached in her little clutch and pulled out her phone. She brought up the picture of her after Nate proposed, the one with the look of horror, and showed it to Ruth. “That's my face after Nate proposed,” Dani said. Ruth studied it, then searched Dani's face. “And this is Anya's face after Nate proposed.” Dani discreetly lifted the covering on the photograph, slowly exposing Anya's beaming face. “I want you to look at each photograph, and think carefully, Ruth. Honestly. Which face do you think has the best chance of bringing you great-grandchildren?”

Ruth clasped her hands under her chin and pursed her lips. She looked to the ceiling. Then looked at the photos again. “Do you think they'll have a British accent?”

“I'm sure Nate's Southern drawl will give them a run for their money.”

“She does seem to be a hit with the guests.” Just then Anya's laughter boomed through the room. Ruth paled.

“Keep Calm and Carry On,” Dani said. “Keep calm and carry on.”