A Texas Kind of Christmas by Jodi Thomas

Author:Jodi Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2019-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“Good morning and happy Christmas Eve,” Cook trilled as she wheeled a tray into the sewing room. “Here’s the breakfast you ordered, Miss Quigley.”

Birdie and Miss Quigley looked up from their tasks. Miss Quigley was changing the buttons on a guest’s formal tailcoat, while Birdie was finishing the trim on Charlotte’s gown.

“Oh, isn’t this a treat!” Miss Quigley said as Cook presented a full Irish breakfast. Birdie watched Miss Quigley lift the silver lids off plates piled high with bacon, sausage, baked beans, eggs, and some potato hash. There was also Irish soda bread, butter, marmalade, and a pot of steaming tea on the cart. “Cook, you’ve outdone yourself.”

“We’re lucky to have so much food in the place,” Cook said. “The kitchen is bursting with preparations for the Grand Ball . . . and I’ve made a dish for Birdie to take across town to the Jingle Bobs and Belles Ball.”

Birdie felt a lump of homesickness well up in her throat. Her mother always made an opulent Irish breakfast every Christmas Eve. The smell of so many familiar dishes was bittersweet. But, as Miss Quigley said herself, what a treat! Birdie would never have dreamed that she would be eating all her favorite foods on Christmas Eve morning. There was no way for Miss Quigley to know about her mother’s tradition. This had to be a coincidence!

Coincidence or not, Birdie was ready to sample everything on the tray. She put the gown well out of reach of the delicacies and gave Cook an impromptu hug.

“Happy Christmas Eve to you too, Cook,” Birdie said. “This is a wonderful way to start the holiday.”

“Eat up,” Cook said. “I suspect you’ve both been hard at work since dawn, so you must be hungry.”

Birdie had been concentrating on the trim and realized suddenly that she was very hungry. She waited for Miss Quigley to sample everything on the tray—in very delicate proportions, Birdie noticed—before heaping her own plate high.

“Careful, Missy,” Cook said. “Don’t forget you have a dance tonight. You don’t want to be busting your corset.”

Birdie blushed, but Cook laughed.

“I’m only teasing you,” Cook said. “It’s good to see you’ve put some meat on your bones since you got here.”

Birdie smiled. How could she resist an Irish breakfast? She buttered a slice of the Irish soda bread and took a big bite. While it certainly wasn’t nearly as good as her mother made at home, sinking her teeth into Christmas memories warmed her to her soul.

“Have you had a chance to look outside?” Cook asked.

Both women shook their heads, too involved in food and memories of home to answer.

“It snowed last night,” Cook said. “Looks like we’re going to have a white Christmas.”

“Do you think they’ll still have the dances?” Birdie asked.

“Oh, you haven’t been in Texas very long,” Cook said. “A little snow isn’t going to stop them.”

* * *

Detective Hilbrand warmed his hands over the stove in the saloon. It had taken him a while to get used to the

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