Four For Christmas (Ménage and More 2)

“I think she’s daydreaming again,” Lori Ann spoke from the doorway. “That dough hasn’t got a chance.”

Connie’s laughter had her wanting to bury her face in the flour and hide. “She’s eccentric. Most writers are. She’s either been daydreaming or baking the last few days. Unless she’s daydreaming while eating what she’s baked. She saves me pieces, so I don’t complain.”

“Sorry, guys.” Watching the happy threesome make baby plans wasn’t doing much to lift her spirits. She loved her friend, and she was truly happy for her. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the look of disappointment in Chris’s eyes. Their sadness when they read the letter from their brother.

Peppermint Schnapps.

“You should talk to Charli.” Connie squeezed her from behind, kissing her shoulder affectionately. “If you’re wondering how one woman can have a happy ever after kind of relationship with three men, she knows better than anyone.”

Georgia shook her head. “It’s an entirely different situation. They were all best friends from childhood. They knew each other. Trusted each other. Had matching sets of familiar looking luggage. We just had a few days. One night. Plus they’re brothers.”

“Foster brothers, honey, that’s a really important distinction.” Lori Ann smirked, leaning on the counter beside her. “You think that friendship makes it easier? In Charli’s mind, it only made things harder. Taking a chance on ruining something vital for something that might not work out.”

Connie nodded. “Exactly. And I’m sure I’ve told you this, but she didn’t even realize that they had feelings for her until we pointed it out. You’re welcome, Charli. And yes, she still owes us one. I’m thinking babysitting. Lots of babysitting.” She tugged one of Georgia’s curls and smiled. “Or you could always look at us. I know, it’s weird for some people, but we are blissfully happy together. And we didn’t grow up together like Charli and Company. The point is, if you find something or someone that makes you happy, how can it be wrong?”

Jimmy had said something

almost exactly like that about them. Come to think of it, it reminded her of something Grandpa Bale would say. Had said. It’s how he’d always explained marrying her grandmother, even though interracial relationships had been frowned upon back then. Because he’d known, the instant he saw her. And that kind of feeling—even the chance at that kind of a feeling—was worth changing your life for.

Only a coward would run before at least giving it a chance.

She wouldn’t be surprised if a frying pan appeared out of thin air and whomped her on the top of her head. “I have to go.”

“What?” Lori Ann and Connie spoke in unison.

“Last minute shopping. I’m sorry about the kitchen. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Oh, is it okay if Roux stays here?”

She was already on her way out the door before Connie could answer. “Yes, of course but…oh hell.”

Chapter Eight

“Recalculating…Recalculating…”

“You have got to be kidding me, lady.” She was driving down a recently cleared road that seemed precarious at best, her face and hands still covered in flour, and the GPS decided, yet again, that it wanted to send her off on a wild goose chase. Or off a cliff.

And she’d been relieved when Lee and Simon had brought back her rental car.

Maybe she should turn around. The weather report said clear skies, but it would be dark soon. She hadn’t even brought her gloves. She had no idea what she was going to do when she got there anyway.

“Don’t be a coward, Georgia. You were brave enough to call Connie and tell her what you were planning. You couldn’t tell her to her face of course, but still, you did it. Now you just have to not crash and die on a hillside before your next Christmas.”

She missed her dog. Roux not only made her feel safe, but she was the perfect excuse when people accused her of talking to herself.

Connie had been wonderful. She’d cried a little bit, taken over by the romance of the moment. In the end she believed Georgia was making the right decision. At the very least, she owed them an apology. A conversation. Georgia didn’t want to be another person who just left them behind with no explanation. They deserved better.

There was a sharp curve, then the road split off in two directions. The GPS was still recalculating, and Georgia wanted to cry. She pulled over instead. Maybe the thirty miles between here and their cabin was the Bermuda Triangle of Colorado. Maybe an alien mother ship, bored while waiting for the battle on Earth, was screwing with her for laughs.

Maybe the GPS lady was a sign of the coming apocalypse.

She took a deep breath and reminded herself that imagination had a time and place. This was neither. “Let’s just give the evil piece of technology a few more minutes, then I’ll make Connie put Lee on the phone. He’s good with directions.”

Here she was again. On the side of the road, with snow all around her and no car in sight. Had it only been six days? One week away from home and it seemed like everything had changed.

Jimmy, Chris and Flynn had changed her. Had reminded her about family, when she had literally written the book on it. Southern Tales had been more than a retelling of Grandpa Bale’s best stories; it had been what she’d learned growing up with him. It had been about the kind of person she wanted to be, and how she knew she could do it, because she would never be alone. He would always be there.

And then he wasn’t, and Georgia felt betrayed. It had taken her years to figure it out…it had taken three men, three days to show her.

She saw movement in the distance. Something or someone walking toward her from the road that veered off to the left. It was coming closer. And it was big.