Love Again (Cowboys & Angels 4)

A warmth filled my chest. “It’s obvious.”

Wanda scrunched her nose up. “I’m glad.” She clapped her hands as if giving the signal it was time to change the subject. “So, Waylynn, Amelia tells me you own your own dance studio and that you used to be a professional dancer.”

I took Waylynn’s hand and smiled. I was so proud and happy for her.

“I’ve danced since I was about two years old. Went off to college in New York and ended up with the New York City Ballet. It was an amazing experience. I knew deep down I wanted to open my own studio some day, and when I moved back to Oak Springs it seemed like the perfect time.”

“And how is it going?” Mick asked.

“We had an open house a couple weeks back and had about seventy students sign up, which is amazing for a small town like Oak Springs. I’ll teach ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop along with three other teachers I’ve hired. I’m trying to talk a friend I went to college with in New York to move to small town Texas and teach acro-gymnastics floor work for me.”

“How exciting!” Wanda said.

Waylynn nodded. “It is.”

“What does the Parker family do on Christmas Eve?” Mick asked.

Amelia and Waylynn glanced at each other and grinned.

“Christmas in our house is sort of a huge affair. On Christmas Eve we open one gift from our parents and then have the big traditional meal. Christmas day is all about the breakfast.”

Wade laughed. “What is it with you southern folks and your breakfast?”

Glancing at me and laughing, Waylynn asked, “What does your family do?”

“Not breakfast!” I laughed. “It’s usually wake up and do presents and then a big lunch and football games after that.”

Mick and Wade held up their hands for me to slap. “Yes!” Wade added.

“What about y’all, Wanda?”

“Christmas Eve is when we do the big family dinner. The kids get involved and each one has a job to do. After dinner, we clean up and watch movies. Mick and I pick one and the kids get to pick two.”

Waylynn snuggled in next to me. “I love that tradition. What movie do you normally pick?”

“It changes each year. This year, it’s Miracle on 34th Street.”

“I love that movie!” Amelia squealed.

“I’ve never seen it,” I said.

All eyes were on me.

“Jonathon Turner, you’ve never seen Miracle on 34th Street?” Waylynn asked in horror.

“No,” I replied with a chuckle.

“Tomorrow night we’re watching it at my folks’ place. Mom and Dad will love that idea.”

Kissing her on the forehead, I replied, “Sounds like the perfect Christmas Eve.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Waylynn

Christmas Eve was blissful at my parents’ house, and the evening ended with everyone watching Miracle on 34th Street. Christmas morning was even better. Waking up to the man I loved gently kissing me all over my body was like a present in itself.

When he slowly made love to me I declared it the best Christmas morning of my life.

“You about ready, Waylynn?” Jonathon called from the living room. I took one last look at myself in the mirror and grinned. The lace bodice I wore was white with delicate-looking snowflakes hanging from the body. The red, flared, satin skirt hugged my waist and fell to the floor. The small amount of stomach that peeked through would have Jonathon going crazy all day and the thought made me giddy with happiness.

“I’m almost ready! Just need earrings!”

Slipping on my white flats, I grabbed a pair of snowflake earrings and put them on as I walked down the hall. Jonathon was standing on the back porch, looking out over the hill country and talking on the phone.

I walked up to the partially open sliding glass door.

“I’m not sure why you’re calling me, especially on Christmas morning.”

Stopping short of the door, I paused.

Jonathon let out a frustrated sigh. “Listen, Bethany, I’ve already told you I’m not interested. I’m dating Waylynn, and I’m very much in love with her so no matter what you have to say, I’m not interested.”

Ugh. I cannot believe that bitch is calling my boyfriend, and on Christmas day, too!

Tapping on the glass door, I waited for Jonathon to turn around. The moment he saw me, a wide grin appeared.

“I’ve got to go.”

He pulled his phone from his ear and hit End. Slipping it into his pocket, his eyes traveled across my body. Oh, yeah, Bethany was not a threat at all.

“Holy Christmas hotness.”

“You like? Mom likes it when we dress up, and I saw this in the new little boutique on Main. You know, the one that Mallory Monroe owns.”

Jonathon lifted a brow and shook his head as he made his way over to me. Bending over, he kissed me on the forehead. “Don’t tell me you went into that poor girl’s store to spy on her.”

I gasped like I was shocked. “What ever do you mean?”