After the chaos had died down, I escaped to the kitchen in search of caffeine, leaving Doc on the floor with Addy. He was helping her assemble a portable veterinarian toy my mom had added to the “from Santa” gifts that included tiny dogs and cats for Addy to examine. Meanwhile, Layne and Natalie sat together on the couch looking through a book about legendary monsters that Doc had given him under the Santa guise.

  Aunt Zoe and my dad were already in the kitchen when I arrived, whispering heatedly by the sink. My father’s crossed arms and set jaw left little doubt about the topic of their discussion.

  “You two better be nice to Reid when he gets here,” I said, grabbing two mugs from the cupboard. “He saved my bacon last night.”

  “That’s not what we’re arguing about,” Aunt Zoe said with a sniff. “At least not in the way you think.”

  “What’s going on, then?”

  “Blake wants to go with Reid to the store in my place and I don’t believe it’s a good idea.”

  I set the mugs on the counter in front of the coffee pot that was in the midst of brewing. The scent of fresh coffee woke up my inner smartass. I grinned at her. “You think Dad will ditch the body in a snow bank on the way back?”

  Dad shot me a conspiratorial wink. “Who says I’ll let him live long enough to even make it to the store?”

  “Blake,” Aunt Zoe said. “I know you’re being a protective big brother right now, and I really appreciate it, but you need to let this go. I have Reid under control.”

  “Really?” Dad said, grabbing his sister’s hand and holding out her arm. “Then explain this.”

  I joined them, taking a closer look at the charm bracelet wrapped around her wrist. The bracelet was made of woven silver heart links. I whistled in appreciation at the charms decorating the heart bracelet, each adorned with different-colored jewels.

  “Did Reid give you this?” I asked. Was it the “special something” he’d mentioned last night?

  “Yes. He had me open it on the porch before we came inside.”

  It was breathtaking. No wonder he’d wanted to give it to her in person.

  “What do these represent?” I asked, pointing at the unique charms.

  “Each symbolizes different strong women in mythology or history.” She pointed at a skull charm with a tiny ruby in its mouth. “This gold one is Itzpapalotl, the Aztec skeletal warrior goddess. And this one with the shield and amethyst center represents Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war.”

  “I love it.” Reid knew my aunt well. “What about the rest?”

  She turned her wrist so I could see each one. “Joan of Arc with a piece of aragonite at the base of her sword. Freyja, a goddess from Norse mythology who’s associated with love, sex, beauty, fertility, war, and death is here with a sapphire. Here is Bellona, the Roman goddess of war with a ruby in her shield. This one with the jade piece represents the Maya moon goddess. And this last one with the jasper stands for one of my favorite women from history. It’s Khutulun, the thirteenth-century Mongol princess. Marco Polo wrote about her in his chronicles. She was a skilled warrior who vowed to marry only the man who could defeat her in wrestling.”

  “Did any guy ever beat her?”

  “No, but she’s said to have won thousands of horses from would-be suitors. She did eventually marry a warrior. Some have said that true love was her downfall, while others claimed she was forced into a liaison for strategic reasons.”

  I stepped back, impressed as hell. “Reid handpicked these charms for you?”

  She scowled, nodding. “He said he had it custom made for me.”

  “Damn,” I said, chuckling. “That man is smooth.”

  “Yeah,” Dad said with a huff. “Slick as they come. He always has been when it comes to schmoozing your aunt.”

  Aunt Zoe wrinkled her nose at my dad.

  Mom breezed into the kitchen, her purse in hand. “Reid is here. He’s game to drive me to the store. Are you ready?” she asked Aunt Zoe.

  “Zoe isn’t going,” Dad said. “I am.”

  “Oh, dear,” my mom replied, her forehead lining.

  When Aunt Zoe started to object, Dad held up his hand. “I promise to be on my best behavior.”

  “Blake, I don’t want—”

  “It’s high time Reid and I talked this out and got a few things straight, man to man.”

  “I still don’t think—”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll take Violet with us.”

  I did a double take. “We will?”

  My father nodded. “You can make sure I keep my hands to myself and not throttle the bastard for breaking my sister’s heart.”

  “I will?” I repeated, not sure this was such a good idea. I hadn’t even had a cup of coffee yet. Taking me out in public was a potential life-threatening hazard. Rabid dogs were nicer to strangers than me sans caffeine.

  Mom looked at me and then down at my sweater and yoga pants before focusing on my hair. “Well, hurry up, Violet. I want to make a couple of quiches for breakfast and I need more eggs.”

  I smirked. Her lack of eggs must have haunted her in her sleep. “I really think Aunt Zoe should go in my place.”

  “Nope,” Dad said. He turned me around by the shoulders and nudged me toward the living room. “Get cracking. The bus leaves in five minutes.”

  “It’s a snowcat,” I corrected.

  “Go!”

  I did as told, changing in lightning speed. I was sitting on the bed pulling on my snow boots when Doc came into the bedroom.

  “I hear you’ve been recruited to play referee this morning.”

  I blew out a breath. “Gah! Like I want to be in the middle of my dad and Reid having it out about Aunt Zoe.”

  “Before you go, I have something for you.”

  “Is it a portable shark cage? I could use a good-sized tranquilizer gun.” I stood as Doc pulled a mid-sized box wrapped in silver paper with a red bow from under the bed.

  “How many presents do you have stashed under there?”

  He handed me the gift. “Merry Christmas.”

  It felt weighty. I shook it and smiled. “Is it a bunch more socks?”

  He laughed. “Open it.”

  I tore off the paper with zeal, time being short and all, and opened the box lid. I gasped. An indigo cashmere trench coat filled the box. I lifted it out and laid it on the bed, running my fingers over the soft, luxurious fabric. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Try it on,” he urged, his hands jammed in his jeans’ front pockets.

  “Doc, this is too much.” It couldn’t have been cheap, not with the name brand on the inside tag.

  “You needed another coat. Our adventures back in Slagton obliterated your red one.”

  I slipped it on, adjusting the classic collar, smoothing my hand down the double-breasted front. It fit like it was made for me. “It’s perfect.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Do you really like it? You’re not just saying that, right? Because I can return it for another style or color.”

  I nearly tackled him in a rushed hug. “I love it.” I kissed him hard and then stepped back and did a little twirl, mimicking my daughter from the previous night. “It will look amazing with my purple cowboy boots.”

  His eyes sparkled. “I know. I have a few new fantasies starring you, your boots, and that coat.”

  I returned to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing him back against the wall. “Kiss me, mon amour.”

  “Cara mia, that’s French.” He looked down at my coat. “I can’t get to your arm to kiss it.”

  “Will my lips do?” I puckered up.

  “Ay yi yi, these lips.” He cupped my face and gave me a scorching kiss that burned clear to my cold toes.

  “Violet!” My dad’s voice boomed down the hall. “Let’s go. Your mom is waiting.”

  I sighed and pulled away. “Can I wear it to the store?”

  “It’s your coat, Tish.”

  After one more quick kiss and a breathy, “Thank you, Gomez,” I raced out of the bedroom. My worries about playing referee between my dad and Reid had eased for the moment.

  Mom raised her eyebrows as I joined her in the foyer. “New coat?”

  “Doc got it for me.”

  She smiled wide. “He’s a keeper.”

  I agreed. I was seriously considering locking Doc in the basement and never letting him out around the rest of the female population again. “It will look great with the new Ferragamo pumps you bought me, too,” I said, kissing her cheek. My shoe supplier had fed my addiction with another hit, this time a pale pink, low-heeled pump.

  Susan sauntered into the foyer as Mom reached for the door. My happy balloon deflated a bit at the sight of her form-fitting silver sweater dress. She looked like a sexy strand of tinsel bordered with blood red lips on top and spiky boots on the bottom.

  I tried not to roll my eyes, but couldn’t help myself. “Jeez, Susan. This isn’t the Playboy Bunny holiday party.”

  “Jealous much?” she taunted, standing up straighter so that her perky boobs practically poked out my eyes.

  Mom sighed. “You two knock it off. We have guests.”

  The silver strumpet looked toward the living room, her grin edging on feral. “We haven’t had this much testosterone here for Christmas since that all-boy choir stopped by to sing carols when Violet and I were in high school.”

  I grimaced. “Those were little boys.”

  “And these are all big handsome men.” She purred.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Mind your own business,” she snapped back.

  “Girls!” Dad said, breaking things up before we degenerated to our usual claws and hair-pulling routine.

  “Sweetie,” Mom said to Susan. “We’ll be back soon. Would you be a dear and help your Aunt Zoe cut up some fruit for breakfast while I’m gone?”

  “Yes, Mother.” She looked back at me. “That’s a pretty fancy coat, big sis. We need to talk.”

  “Talking never goes well for us. I think avoidance is a better plan for today.” Without giving her a chance to nip at me in return, I followed my parents out the door to where Reid and his snowcat sat idling.

  My father’s shoulders tightened at the sight of Aunt Zoe’s ex. He laced his fingers and cracked his knuckles.

  “Dad,” I warned. “You promised Aunt Zoe.”

  “I’ll be good. But first, I’m going to explain a thing or two to Mr. Fireman about starting fires he can’t put out.”

  My father had plenty of muscle to back up that statement, but Reid spent his working hours pumping iron and lugging big hoses around. The last place I wanted to be this morning was ringside while two hard-headed men traded blows.

  “That’s just splendid,” I mumbled as I headed toward the snowcat’s back doors. “Merry freaking Christmas, everyone.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Susan is up to something,” I told my mom as we settled on opposite bench seats in the back of the snowcat. “I can feel it in my gut.”

  She sighed with all the drama of a soap opera star and zipped her white winter coat up to her striped scarf. “Violet Lynn, why do you insist on starting fights with your sister? Just once, could we have a nice holiday without all of the yelling?”

  Reid and Dad climbed inside, fastening their seat belts. The silence up front weighed heavy. I could practically feel the tension in the cab.

  I leaned forward, lowering my voice. “I’d love to have a happy family Christmas, Mother, but why does Susan want to talk to me?”

  “Maybe she wants your big-sister advice on a job or a man, have you thought of that?”

  I cackled a little too loudly. Reid shot me a worried frown in the rearview mirror. “That would be advice on how to steal my man and make me lose my latest job.”

  “Violet,” Dad reprimanded without turning in his seat. This Susan song-and-dance between my mom and me was an old routine of ours, dating back decades. He’d witnessed it too many times to count.

  I blew out a breath. “Sorry, Mom. Surely, though, you must understand my being apprehensive when it comes to Susan’s motives.”

  She nodded. “However, I don’t think this constant negativity is good for your psyche. You need to find a way to expel your toxic emotions in a more constructive way.”

  “Constructive how?” I could crochet a noose. Better yet, macramé was the way to go. Knotted twine would hold Susan’s weight without breaking.

  “Yoga is great for relaxation.” Mom rested her elbows on her knees. She shot a glance toward the front, leaning closer to me. “It’s excellent for your sex life, too.”

  I flinched like I’d been stung. “Oh, Mom. Did you have to go there?”

  “These are things you need to learn as you age. I can move in ways now that I couldn’t ten years ago. Believe me, your father really appreciates my flexibility. And as a bonus, several positions are good for more than just stretching, if you know what I mean.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

  “For the love of everything holy, don’t do that eyebrow thing when you’re talking about carnal relations with my father.”

  “I can’t help it. He’s a stud.”

  “That’s enough. We’re done here.” I sat back and made an X with my fingers, warding her off.

  She shrugged, sitting back. “Just remember that tip. Doc will appreciate it.” Without missing a beat, she smiled toward the front. “Reid, I can’t thank you enough for taking me to the store. It’s very kind of you to help out like this.”

  Reid half-turned and hit her with one of his charming, heart-steaming smiles. “My pleasure. It’s the least I could do for allowing me to join your family for the holiday.”

  Dad cleared his throat. “Reel in your hose, hotshot. That spitfire is mine.”

  Grinning, Reid faced forward again, focusing on the road. “Where to, Blake?”

  “Take a right at the stop sign.”

  We cruised along making small talk for a few minutes about the heavy flakes that were still falling, how much snow the hills were hit with overnight, and how fortunate we were to have a store so close that was open on Christmas morning.

  We’d almost made it to the store when my dad frowned at Reid. “Zoe needs a reliable man. Someone who is interested in more than just her bed.”

  Of all the flying reindeer! Couldn’t Dad have waited until Mom and I were in the store? I started to open my mouth and request a stay of execution, but Mom kicked me in the shin. When I gave her a what-the-hell look while rubbing my shin, she mimed zipping her lips.

  “But I just want to—”

  She kicked me again.

  I wrinkled my upper lip at her and scooted toward the back of the snowcat, out of reach of her hard-toed boots.

  “I asked her to marry me,” Reid announced.

  Dad and I both did a double-take.

  “You did?” I blurted out.

  “When?” Dad asked.

  “A couple of weeks ago.” He looked in the rearview mirror at me. “After the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce holiday party.”

  “Ah ha!” I pointed at him. “That was the night she lost her hair comb in your pickup, wasn’t it?”

  He focused back out the windshield. “Uh, yeah. We were … umm … clearing the air on a few things in the privacy of my pickup.”

  More like steaming up the air, I’d bet. Aunt Zoe had thick hair. Those combs didn’t fall out without some help.

  “That’s when I popped the question,” Reid continued.

  “What did she say?” Mom asked.

  “Nothing at first. Then she sucker-punched me in the breadbasket and told me to take her home.”

  I cringed on his behalf. Dang, Aunt Zoe hadn’t said a word to me about his proposal.

  Dad chuckled. “That’s my sister for you.”

  “Isn’t that the night Doc took you to the hospital for a hand x-ray after you’d clocked Dominick Masterson?”

  Reid nodded. “It wasn’t one of my finer hours.”

  “Masterson is that friendly guy who showed up at the family dinner?” Dad asked, turning to me for the answer.

  “Too friendly when it comes to Zo,” Reid said.

  “He’s trouble,” I told my dad.

  “He seemed nice enough.”

  “You looked at him through the back door window, Dad. You have no idea what he’s capable of when it comes to Aunt Zoe. Trust me, he’s bad juju for our family.”

  Dad’s eyes narrowed, questioning. Something in my expression must have given him the answer he was looking for, because he nodded and looked back to Reid.

  “So, Zoe rejected you and yet you still came down here to see her?”

  “I wanted to give her something.”

  “Are you referring to the bracelet she’s wearing this morning or something else?” Dad pressed.

  Poor Reid. My father wasn’t going to remove his teeth from Reid’s hide without dragging him through the dirt a bit first.

  “Mainly the bracelet.” He smiled at Dad. “She’s wearing the bracelet today, huh?”

  “Yeah. You could have sent it to her in the mail.”

  Reid shook his head. “It wasn’t the gift so much as the need to see her face when she opened it.”

  “What exactly were you looking for?” Dad asked.

  “I wanted to see if I had a chance at striking oil, or if I was just digging a deeper grave.”

  I scooted closer to the front again. “Which is it? Could you tell?”

  “Well, Zo has one hell of a poker face, so it’s hard to know for sure.”

  “Damn.” I’d long ago put my money on Reid. He’d won me over back in August when he’d picked on Cooper while my beloved old Bronco burned into a smoking mess.

  Reid winked at me in the mirror. “But her thank-you last night had plenty of spark.”

  I cheered.

  Dad shot me a small scowl.

  “Come on, Dad. Reid wants to marry her. Surely that’s enough to convince you that he’s not going to love ‘er and leave ‘er again.”

  “Officially, I didn’t leave Zo,” Reid defended. “She kicked me out.”

  A grunt came from my dad. “Because you were a chicken shit when it came to commitment.”

  “You’re right, but I had just come off a vicious divorce and I’d run out of faith in the notion of marriage.”