Westward Holiday (17 page)

              The music faded away and clapping came from behind them.  They turned around to see Joe and Lacey seated at a nearby table.

              “Rebecca, I’ve never heard that song played any finer than you just did,” Joe said.

              Lacey wiped a tear from her cheek.  “It was so beautiful.”

              “Thank you,” Rebecca said. 

              Luke and Seth’s arrival prevented her from saying any more. 

              “How do you like your surprise?” Seth asked as he came to stand near the piano.  He was a little afraid to get too close for fear of damaging it somehow. 

              “There really aren’t words,” Rebecca said.

              Luke admired the piano, but like Seth, he was afraid to touch it.  “We knew you’d love it,” Luke said.  “We can’t wait to hear you play it.”

              “You can tell he’s gettin’ used to you when he puts more than one sentence together,” Seth said.

              Luke went to hit Seth but his cousin said, “Don’t hit my arms, ok?  I still gotta play.  You can owe me one.”

              Luke said, “Ok, but I’m not gonna tell you when it’s coming.”

              “Fine,” Seth said.  “Let’s get warmed up.”

              The Watering Hole was packed for the program and Rebecca and her fiddlers performed beautifully.  Jake served no drinks until after it was over.  He wanted everyone’s full attention on the three performers.  As he watched his wife play, the joy of the season filled Jake and he offered up a prayer of thanks for the best gift of his life; the beautiful woman who was playing beautiful music.

              Christmas was a small, intimate gathering at Calvin’s house.  The older man was the happiest he’d been in a long time as he flirted with Rebecca and harassed his son.  He liked Ben, too, but told Rebecca’s twin that he’d best behave himself or he’d put his foot where the sun don’t shine.  Ben had laughed and promised Jake’s father that he would do just that. 

              Jake had bought two hams from Gus; one for their dinner and one that he gave to Pastor John to pass on to whoever needed one.  It was a delicious ham and Jake would tell Gus so when he saw him again.  They didn’t go home until late that night after Jake made sure his pa had taken his pills and would be getting ready for bed. 

              As they drove home, Rebecca asked Ben how long he would be staying.

              “I don’t know.  Why?” Ben asked.

              Rebecca shrugged.  Maybe it was the spirit of Christmas moving her, but she said, “I just thought it would be nice if you were here through New Year’s or maybe longer.  That would give us time to bury that hatchet.”

              Ben smiled as he sat in the back of the wagon.  “Yes, Rebecca, I think it would.”

              The New Year was rung in with what Jake decided to call “classy rowdiness” and the term was apt.  When midnight struck, there was a whole lot of kissing.  The cheering could be heard throughout many parts of town.  Auld Lang Syne was played as a piano duet by Rebecca and Wendell and resounded through the bar and beyond the doors. 

              When the party finally ended, Jake said to let everything be.  It could be cleaned up the next day.  Rebecca and Ben didn’t disagree with him.  They wouldn’t be opening the next day so it didn’t matter. 

              Sammi hadn’t worked as a bouncer that night.  She’d just been relaxing, but she still helped gather glasses and put them in the kitchen.  Then she found Jake in the storeroom.

              “Hey, boss.  It was a great night, huh?” she said.

              Jake smiled at her.  “It sure was.”

              “We gotta talk,” Sammi said.  Her expression was an anxious one.

              Jake was slightly alarmed at her tone.  “What’s the matter?  Is everything all right with the kids?”

              “Yeah.  They’re fine,” Sammi replied.

              “Is Mitch ok?  He seemed fine,” Jake said.

              “No, it’s not him,” she said as her eyes filled with tears.

              Jake grasped her arms and asked, “Sammi, what’s wrong for Pete’s sake?”

              “I have to quit.  I might be pregnant,” Sammi said.  “Marcus is pretty sure.  I haven’t been able to eat breakfast lately and I fainted yesterday.  He said all of the signs are there, but we’re being cautious.  I can’t take a risk of getting hurt and losing the baby if I am pregnant.  So, I can’t work for you anymore.”

              Jake grabbed her in a hug and laughed.  “Sammi!  That’s fantastic!  I’m so happy for you guys.  Of course you can’t take a risk like that,” he said as he drew back from her.  “I’m gonna miss you bouncing people out the door, but a baby is way more important than that.”

              Sammi nodded as she smiled.  “I’ll miss it, too, but you’re right.  Mitch is over the moon and so am I.”

              Jake said, “I guess Marcus really knows what he’s doing.”

              Sammi said, “I think it had more to do with Owl than Marcus.  Owl said this thing about opening up my mind and heart to a baby instead of thinkin’ negative about it.  So I took his advice.  Maybe it was both workin’ together.  I just can’t believe it.”

              “Well, I have a proposition for you. You can’t work as a bouncer, but what about helping out with Pa during the day?  You know, making sure he takes his medicine and all? I’d still pay you the same,” Jake said.

              “Really?  You’re gonna pay me for spending time with him and making sure he takes his pills?” Sammi asked with a smile.

              “Yep.  Also to make sure he eats well and a maybe do a little housework,” Jake said.  “Are you game?”

              “Hell, yeah.  Thanks, Jake,” Sammi said and hugged him again.

              “You’re welcome.  Now get out of here and go home to your family,” Jake said.

              “Yes, boss,” Sammi said. 

              As Sammi left, Jake wondered who he was going to get to replace Sammi.  She was one of a kind and he didn’t know of anyone who could do the kind of job she did.  He’d never had to worry about keeping order with her around.

              He reiterated his concern a little while later when he told Rebecca the news about Sammi.  Rebecca was thrilled for the Taylors.

              “You’ll find someone, Jake,” she said.

              “Yeah, but they won’t be Sammi,” Jake said.

              Ben sat in a nearby chair while Jake and Rebecca sat on the sofa.  He looked at Jake and said, “I’ll do it.”

              Rebecca laughed.  “What do you know about being a bouncer?”

              Ben gave her a level look and said, “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, sister dear.”

              Jake said, “Do you have any experience at that sort of thing?  And besides, I wouldn’t hire you anyway because you’re just here visiting.  When you leave I’d just have to hire someone else anyway.”

              “Well, I’ve been thinking and I really don’t have anything holding me in Atlanta.  I’d like to get to know my sister better and you, too, Jake,” Ben said.  “So I’m thinking a permanent change of address is in order.  I’ll need a job and you have an opening.”

              Jake was skeptical.  Ben was in good shape, but he wasn’t any bigger than himself.  Of course, neither was Sammi.  “It goes back to the experience thing.”

              Ben rose from his chair and stretched.  “I’ll tell you what; how about I give you a demonstration?”

              “Right now?” Jake said.

              “Yes.  You need someone pronto and I’m available.  We’ll think of it as an interview,” Ben said.  “So c’mon and get up.”

              Jake did so and said, “Now what?”

              “We’re gonna pretend that you are an out of control drunk.  Come at me and don’t hold back,” Ben said.

              “I’m not gonna do that,” Jake said.

              “Yes, you will,” Ben said.  He moved extremely fast as he came at Jake and punched him on the arm.

              “Hey!” Jake said.  “I wasn’t ready.”

              Ben laughed.  “You have to get them when they least expect it.  Now come at me, unless you’re scared.”

              Jake threw a punch and the next thing he knew, he was on the floor with his face pressed against the rug and his arm twisted up behind his back.  Ben was applying some kind of strange pressure and Jake’s shoulder felt like it was going to pop out of the socket.

              Rebecca uttered a cry of surprise.

              Ben chuckled and asked, “How am I doing?”

              “What the hell did you do?” Jake asked.  His words were muffled by the rug.

              “Oh, just one of the many tricks I know.  That’s why I was interested in Sammi.  I recognized a kindred spirit.  I can’t tell you how disappointed I was that she’s married.  So do I have the job?” Ben said.

              “Yeah.  It’s yours,” Jake said. 

              Ben released Jake and helped him up.  Jake rubbed his sore shoulder.  “Damn that hurt.”

              “Sorry about that.  That was gentle compared to what I normally do,” Ben said.

              Jake eyed his brother-in-law and said, “Thanks for taking it easy on me.”

              “Don’t mention it, boss,” Ben said with a big smile.

Joe had invited them out to their place for dinner.  They picked up Calvin and had an entertaining day of it.  Emily instantly attached herself to Calvin who said to Jake and Rebecca, “Get busy and make me one of these to bounce on my lap, ok?”

              “We’ll do our best, Pa,” Jake told him as he gave Rebecca a suggestive smile.

              That night as he and Rebecca lay in each other’s arms, they talked about their hopes for the future and all that had occurred over the holidays.  Their love was stronger for having survived tribulation and they were looking forward to many years of happiness together. 

              Rebecca said, “You really did listen to me about the improvements I mentioned.”

              Jake kissed her neck and said, “Yes, I did.”

              “There’s only one thing you didn’t do,” she said as Jake ran his hand up her side.

              “What’s that?” he asked and bit her earlobe.

              “Extend the back wall of the barroom, remember?  It needs to be bigger so there’s more seating,” Rebecca said as she shivered.

              Jake gave her a searing kiss and then said, “Already having the blueprints drawn up.  You know what I think we should do?”

              “What’s that?” Rebecca asked breathlessly as her hands kneaded his shoulders.

              “I think we need to expand our family,” Jake said.

              “I whole heartedly agree.  Oh, Jake, I want a baby so much,” Rebecca said.

              “Keep talking and you’re gonna get one.”

The End

 
CLICK HERE to read book 9 in this series (Westward Sunrise)

Westward Sunrise Synopsis:

Abby Porter is energetic and vivacious.  She dreams of finding the perfect man, but knows she won’t find him in Wabasha, Minnesota.  Upon answering an ad for a mail order bride, she starts corresponding with a man she deems perfect for her.

Elliot Bradbury owns the general store in Dawson, Montana, and it captivated by Abby’s unique letters.  He finds her charming, amusing, and impulsive.  She’s just what he’s been looking for to help ease his loneliness.

When they meet they instantly form a strong connection full of passion and romance.  Things are perfect until another man enters the picture and a major conflict within Dawson threatens to drive them apart.  Can their perfect romance endure outside influence or will it be shattered and their love lost?

Thank you for reading and supporting my book and I hope you enjoyed it.

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