Slipping into the roomful of jovial people, she hoped not to be noticed. She scanned the room and mapped her best exit strategy. She had rounded one group of men who were sharing beers and swapping stories, and she was nearly past the older women who were sipping wine when Davis called her name from behind. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before turning around and offering him a smile.
“There you are.” She feigned innocence as best she could.
Davis tilted his head and brushed the strands of hair covering the side of his jaw away with his hand. He looked her up and down as if he had seen right through her. “You seem a might jumpy. Is everything okay?”
Worry clouded his usually bright eyes. Ah—he didn’t know she was about to jump ship. He was probably scared she heard him arguing with his sister. What did it even matter? Tomorrow is Christmas day. I’ll sit alone by the fire, roast some marshmallows, make some s’mores and get rip-roaring drunk on red wine. Then I’ll pack my car and go home the following day. I’ll never see any of these people again, including Davis.
“I’m fine, just tired.”
Averting his eyes from hers, he looked down while taking her hand in his. “Okay, I’ll walk you home.” He glanced back at her, flashing that shy smile of his.
Scarlett considered the proposal. She could take him up on his offer, take him home and screw him until daybreak. Hell, then she could sleep through Christmas day, but she couldn’t bring herself to use him that way. He was a great guy and seemed to like her well enough but…no. “It’s just across the yard. I’ll be fine. Stay and enjoy your time with your family, please.”
“But, Scarlett,” Davis’s voice rang in her ears as she turned and headed to the door.
“You heard her. Just stop…”Melly’s irritating voice wasn’t far behind. “Our crazy family scared her away.”
Well, that wasn’t true but Scarlett stayed the course, smiling and waving goodbye to those who locked eyes with her as she waded through the sea of people. Finally, she was at the door. Hurriedly, she opened the door and got out of there, making haste toward her rented cabin.
Chapter Four
“It’s going to be a beautiful night for it.” Gram turned her head toward the door Davis was exiting.
He carried a warm quilt in his arms as he walked over to the old porch swing she was sitting on while looking at the stars. Unfolding the blanket, he laid it over her lap as she thanked him. He looked up, taking the heavens in for himself. As usual, Gram was right. The night sky was flush with twinkling starts, dazzling like quartz.
“I swear the stars are brighter up here!” she said.
“The stars are the same everywhere. There’s just less pollution hiding them from sight where we are.”
Gram smirked. “I guess your daddy’s money wasn’t wasted when he sent you to that big-city college. You’re smarter than you look.”
“Gee, thanks.”
He grimaced while she cackled and snorted. He didn’t mind, really, especially since her heart was probably breaking.
“Are you sure you won’t come with us, Gram? I don’t mind being ridden.” This was the first Christmas she wasn’t able to run with them. Spry as she seemed, Gram was a lot older than she looked. Her shifting slowed considerably a couple of years back, and gradually the process continued to cause more strain and take more time. Nine months ago with considerable difficulty, she shifted for the last time before losing the ability altogether.
Gram shook her head, stubborn as always. “No, my time to gallop down the mountain has come to an end.”
Davis frowned. “Tearing around this mountain with the cool wind whipping through our manes has been our family’s tradition since long before you were born. Knowing you are sitting at home alone while the rest of us are soaring with the stars would be a disgrace.”
She wagged her head. “Disgrace? Don’t you go sassing me, boy. This time comes for all of us old mares and worn out stallions, so you enjoy it while you can. I’ll be right here with warm blankets, waiting for you all to come back.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Davis said. There was never any use arguing with her once she took that tone.
“Now don’t look so pitiful. Humor an old lady. Sit with me on the porch and talk for a minute.”
Davis’s stomach twisted in a knot. They were already talking. If she wanted him to sit down, God only knew what was coming next. Hesitantly, he sat down next to her, turning his head to face her.
“That’s my sweet boy. You know I rocked every one of my babies and grandbabies on this swing.”
“I know.” How could he not? She had only told him about a hundred-thousand times.
“You’ve grown up to be a fine young man.” She conceded with a nod.
Instead of puffing up with pride as one might expect, Davis exhaled as if he had taken a punch to the gut. Gram never talked to him this way. Oh God! She must be dying. “Are you feeling all right, Gram?”
“Oh hush.” She cinched her lips and nudged him playfully. “I need to say my piece without your interruption.”
She paused, throwing him a look he recognized well. When he was a kid, those lifted eyebrows and lowered lids where a warning to shape up or a switching was coming. Neither Gram nor Dad had come after his backside in over a decade but he
