Don't Let It Snow in Deadwood by Ann Charles

Author:Ann Charles [Charles, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781940364582
Google: nq7euwEACAAJ
Amazon: B07K1PSYP4
Publisher: Ann Charles
Published: 2018-10-15T14:28:59.400000+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Christmas … Just After Midnight

“Violet, quit pacing and come to bed.” Doc patted the spot next to him on the queen-sized bed in my old bedroom.

I huffed once more, and then stepped out of the flannel pajama pants I’d thrown on earlier after we’d settled Cooper, Reid, Harvey, and Cornelius over at the Morgan house next door. Natalie had decided to sleep on the couch in my parents’ living room. I had a feeling it was to put even more distance between her and a certain law dog, but she told me and my kids that she wanted to keep an eye out for Santa. Layne had given me a knowing look before scampering back to his top bunk bed. He’d recently informed me that he knew all about “Santa,” but had promised not to ruin the fun for Addy.

After the kids had fallen asleep, Doc and I slipped the presents under the tree. Natalie, my parents, and Aunt Zoe watched, drinking hot buttered rum and sharing stories of Christmas past.

Thankfully, Susan hadn’t come up from the basement to share a drink with everyone.

Since moving back home, she was staying in the same room I’d used while living off and on with my parents before relocating up to Deadwood with Aunt Zoe. My dad’s man cave was down there, too, with a big-screen television and stereo to keep her entertained.

Susan also hadn’t hit on Doc earlier in the kids’ room.

She hadn’t eaten him up with her eyes.

She hadn’t slithered in close and tried to touch him.

She hadn’t even flapped her long eyelashes at him.

All she’d done was smile and say, “It’s nice to see you really do exist. I was beginning to wonder after all of Violet’s silly games.” Then she’d told me, “I need to talk to you in the morning, big sis,” and left without another word.

Something was up. I could feel it in my gut, but I let it go. It was Christmas, and I wasn’t going to cause a stir.

After finishing their drinks, my parents and Aunt Zoe had called it a night. Doc and I followed in their wake a short time later, leaving Natalie to settle in on the couch. Doc had wasted no time brushing his teeth and stretching out under the comforter on my bed.

I, on the other hand, couldn’t sit still once we were alone. What was going on with my sister? I wasn’t buying my mom’s explanation that Susan was on her best behavior because of the holiday. Christmas had never derailed the destructive brat from her relentless mission to screw with my happiness before. No matter what my mom thought, a tiger couldn’t change its stripes, a leopard couldn’t shake its spots, and a snake was a snake, period.

I pulled off my sweater and tossed it on the end of the bed. “I’m telling you, Susan is up to no good.” I slid in next to Doc beneath the flannel sheets. “Did she say anything to you when I went next door with Natalie to help get the guys settled in over there?”

“No.

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