Opal grunts. “It’s clear some of us can’t hold our vino.” She wags a finger to Tilly. “A lady never propositions a man at the dinner table.” Opal leans her way. “She waits until we’re all rocking around the Christmas tree. I spied some mistletoe by the door.” She winks at Tilly.
Shep’s chest expands as he looks at the two interlopers among us.
“So, Enzo, Dom—Lola here tells me you’re looking to purchase property in Scooter Springs.”
I filled Shep in on that little tidbit we gleaned after Stephanie and Tilly told me as much.
Dom nods. “We sure are. I’ve found a nice little place called the Hideaway.”
“Aptly named,” I muse under my breath. I force a smile his way. “What, pray tell, happens at this Hideaway?”
“Dinner theater.” Dom holds a fist out to Enzo, and Enzo bumps it with his.
“Ooh,” Steph squeals like a schoolgirl. “I love me some theater. So what are we talking? A Midsummer Night’s Dream?”
I make a face. “More like a midsummer night’s scream. Why do I get the feeling the performances will be less than savory?” I give the two hoodlums among us a beady-eyed stare. “What you’re really gunning for is to ensure your male customer base has a very good time with good-time girls.”
The table grows silent for a moment before Opal waves her wrist my way.
“A good time in Scooter Springs?” She chokes on a laugh. “Well, I demand a full justice department investigation.” She cackles at the thought, and both Tilly and Stephanie join her. “Oh, come on, Bowie. Don’t be such a cold fish. Scooter Springs is the good-time capital of all of Vermont.” She winks my way, and that tinsel on her head nearly blinds me. “Shepherd, I demand you show your new girlfriend a good time. She’s raining on everyone else’s parade. It’s Christmastime, for goodness’ sake.” She gives a long blink in Dom’s direction. “I’ll be there for the cabaret. I’m a sucker for a frilly skirt—of course, I’ll be wearing one myself. And if the dinner is anything like this one, it will be a savory delight.”
“I stand by my statement,” I say as I look to Dom. “It will be a less than savory experience.”
A dark laugh brews in Enzo’s chest as he looks to his future adversary.
“Someone’s got your number, Dom. I’d fess up right now. Come on. We’ve got a cop at the table.” His lips curve as he glances to Shep, and the mocking taking place is palpable.
Dom takes a breath as he inspects Shep. “I promise you, Detective, the Hideaway will be on the up and up. First class entertainment all the way. I’m thinking cabaret, magicians, comedy lineup, and I’m even thinking about including one of those artsy circus acts.”
Tilly gasps. “I love the circus. Will you have trained poodles?”
I scoff. “Try a whole town full of trained poodles.” I say trained poodles in air quotes. “Who are we kidding?” I open my mouth to call these two gangsters out on the farce they’re propagating when my sister jumps out of her seat.
“Who are we kidding?” she chirps. “It’s time you boys take your shirts off and plop on some pointy red hats. We just so happen to be having a hot Santa contest in less than five minutes by the tree.” She leans toward Shep. “Don’t worry, Detective. I’ve got a hat for you, too, but you’ll have to earn it.”
Opal chortles. “And sometimes the vino knows just what to say.”
We move the party to the living room where Stephanie trades Sinatra for something a little more holiday-inspired, and soon Enzo and Dom treat us to a slow strip tease to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
With a little prodding, Shep takes off his flannel and the T-shirt he has on underneath—thankfully, his weapon is nowhere in sight, but that six-pack of his is front and center.
Tilly, Stephanie, Opal, and I whoop and holler while the three beefcakes in the room don their Santa hats, and just like that, my sister’s steamy vision comes true. Okay, so she was ultimately responsible for it.
That vision I had of Shep and Regina discussing how they’re going to take me down comes to mind. And unfortunately for me, I’ll be the person ultimately responsible for that one.
The seven of us deck the halls. Or more to the point, wreck them.
Tilly hops onto Dom’s back, and Stephanie climbs up onto Enzo’s shoulders like a spider monkey, and soon enough there’s a bona fide chicken fight breaking out in the middle of my living room. It’s just like old times.
Opal is drinking straight from the bottle in the corner with Pixie tucked in her arms while Shep and I string the lights around my tree and toss up a handful of ornaments.
“You know something?” I wrap my arms around him, my eyes having a hard time choosing between his bare chest and his glowing blue peepers. “I never envisioned my first Christmas in Starry Falls being so delicious.”
Shep nods. “The food was great.”
“I’m not talking about the food.” I glance down to that six-pack that I swear on all things holy just morphed into eight.
A crooked grin takes flight on his face. “My eyes are up here, Sweet Cheeks.”
“Aw, are you feeling a wee bit objectified?”
“Maybe.” He glances down at my sweater. “I’d feel a heck of a lot less objectified if you evened out the playing field.”
A husky laugh belts from me. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were wanting to get frisky with me tonight.”
Shep’s gaze softens as he takes me in. “I don’t want just tonight with you, Bowie. I’m in it for the long haul.”
“The long haul?” I bite down over my lip in an effort to control the sudden urge to bawl. Either Shepherd Wexler is a darn good actor or he’s—he really is in it for the long haul.
He nods. “That’s right.” He
