Page 15 of A Tinsel Tale

“Look, Eloise, it’s a princess. And see this is her friend the unicorn.” Dee puts the princess on the back of the unicorn and pretends the unicorn is trotting along, which makes Eloise giggle and reach for them. “Oh, looky, here’s a magic wand!”

I kiss Eloise’s soft cheek then hop up. “I’m going to see if Dad needs help.”

“Can you say thank you to Aunt Evie?”

“Tank you,” she says.

“You’re welcome, little one.” I nod towards the dining room where Caleb is setting the table. “Good man.”

Dee gazes at her husband, her eyes taking on a dreamy quality. “He really is the best.”

“His mama raised him right.”

“That’s for sure.”

“Dad, what can I do?” I ask.

“Could you keep stirring the gravy for me, so it doesn’t clump?” he asks, handing me the spoon.

“On it.”

“Caleb, would you pull the bird out for me?”

“Sure thing, Coach. Where do you want it?” Dad points to the countertop with his spoon where he’s placed a huge wooden cutting board.

“Got it,” he grunts as he pulls the 20-pound bird out of the oven. The skin is a golden brown and the legs look like they’re about to fall off the bone.

“The meat thermometer is in the drawer right below. Could you do the honors?”

Caleb sticks it in the thigh and announces “One-hundred eighty degrees.”

“Perfect. All I have to do is finish whipping these potatoes, then we can eat.”

We load the dining table with food and take our seats, putting Eloise’s booster seat between the parents. The dogs sit expectantly, eyes locked on the bird. Dad bows his head saying grace then says, “Dig in, folks.”

There is a cheerful hubbub as we pass and pile food on our plates. We laugh and talk, telling stories as we stuff ourselves. After supper, we settle in the living room. Soon, Caleb and Dad are snoozing on the sectional with Eloise asleep between them, her legs slung over Dad’s lap. Dee and I decide to play a game of backgammon while I enjoy a glass of red wine. There’s a knock at the door and I frown.

I jump up, trying to catch the door before the dogs start barking and wake everyone. My breath catches in my throat. “Jamie! What are you doing here?” I self-consciously run my fingers through my hair. I probably look like a total wreck.

“Um, well, I was driving by and noticed your gate by the road was open. I wanted to make sure the horses were in the back pasture or in the barn.”

I clap my hand over my mouth. “Oh no! I haven’t brought them in yet and they were in the front pasture all day.” I’m grabbing my coat and toeing on my boots before I finish talking. I wave to Dee who jumps up to join us.

“I’ll help,” she offers.

Jamie shakes his head. “Evie and I can handle it. They might have already let themselves into the barn. Chances are they didn’t wander too far. We’ll text you if we need you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Positive.” We walk out into the cold dark night. He places his palm in the small of my back guiding me as we walk towards the barn. His touch, even through my clothing, wakes up the dormant butterflies in my belly. It’s so proprietary and protective. Not gonna lie, Mr. Take Charge does something to me.

“Hopefully they were tired of waiting on you and decided to turn in by themselves.” His voice is low and gruff, making my mind go places I wish it wouldn’t. It’s sexy and comforting andoh so familiar. I can almost believe time has stood still and we’re back in high school sneaking behind the barn. And like a bomb dropping, the truth flares like the rockets’ red glare… I am still in love with this guy and probably always will be.

9

EVIE

It’s pitch dark outside as we make our way to the barn, except for the lights coming from the house and the sconce by the barn doors… oh and did I mention a brilliant sky full of sparkling stars so close it’s as if we could reach out and touch them? It’s so cold I can see my breath. Jamie still has his hand pressed into the curve of my back and I wish it didn’t feel so natural. He lets go long enough to grab my hand and start jogging towards the barn. When we get inside, I turn on the indoor barn lights and am relieved to see Bunny and Fred munching on hay they’d helped themselves to, by pulling it down from the stacks piled high against the center aisle wall.