Trouble Under the Mistletoe by Rebecca Barrett

Author:Rebecca Barrett
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: KaliOka Press
Published: 2017-11-24T06:00:00+00:00

Teddy was very aware of Martha Bailey’s scrutiny as Billie Dean disappeared into the house. He knew she’d been disappointed in him, that his past behavior hadn’t been what it should have, but he wasn’t a hurt teenager anymore. He squared his shoulders and felt in his pocket for the reassuring presence of the small package nestled there.

“Well,” Martha said. “I guess you finally made up your mind.”

“I made up my mind a long time ago.”

She nodded. “Rather sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“No. I’m sure of Billie Dean.”

Martha was silent for a moment. “Even after all this time?”

“Especially after all this time.”

“Then you’d better get to it. I want to see her married from this house and I can’t say that’ll be an option much longer.”

“Why’s that?”

She hesitated. “Life.” Martha turned and followed her daughter’s path into the house.

Teddy frowned and went in search of the party. He found his mother in deep conversation with Martha Bailey. Mr. Highsmith leaned in to hear whatever Izzy Tizzington was confiding in hushed tones. The other Tizzington sister had Bubba’s number one salesman trapped on the sofa in the den as she earnestly expounded about something. Evan looked miserable and simply nodded his head in response to whatever Tessa was saying as his eyes tracked the activities of the room, a full bowl of compote in his hands.

Teddy veered away from that social trap and headed to the bar in the corner of the room.

Scooter grinned and slapped him on the arm. “Teddy! Welcome home. Whatcha drinkin’?” He swayed slightly.

“Maybe later, Scooter. Merry Christmas.”

“Aw, come on, Teddy.” Scooter leaned forward over the card table serving as the bar. “I got something better than this Kool Aid.” From beneath the linen table cloth he retrieved a bottle of Scotch. “My Christmas present.” He grinned. “I’m happy to share.”

Teddy grinned in return. “Thanks. I’ve got something to take care of first.”

Scooter’s expression changed from gaiety to one of caution as he looked left and right. He leaned closer to Teddy. “I’m glad you’re here. We’ve got trouble.” He stumbled and looked down. “Damn cat!”

Teddy reached out and steadied Scooter. “You might want to take it easy on the compote.”

“S’my favorite.”

“Yeah, I know.” He gave Scooter a pat on the arm and watched as Trouble sniffed at a half eaten bowl of compote sitting on the seat of a chair behind the bar. The cat turned up his nose and wandered off. Teddy didn’t blame him. He had experienced the Tizzington sisters’ concoction more than once in his lifetime and except for his early teen years when all the kids thought it was cool to pretend to get tipsy, he had studiously avoided it.

He looked around the room for Billie Dean and when he didn’t find her, went through to the foyer. He stopped in the archway when he saw the stranger in their midst. Immediately he recognized the subtle vigilance in the man, the way he sized up everyone who came and went without being obvious about it.

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