Alexis’s cool eyes scanned the crowd, and then came back to rest on Chance. She opened her mouth, but his dad jumped in before she could speak.
“What d’ya say we ditch this party and find a quieter place to enjoy a drink?” His eyes swept from Chance to Alexis and then settled on his wife. “Maybe take a stroll down to Max’s?”
Chance caught his groan before it became audible. The happy glint in his mom’s eyes made him realize it was the first time the three of them had ever been out for a drink together. And, if it meant an hour or so of discomfort with his dad trying to cram Alexis down his throat, so be it. The time together as a family would be worth it.
“That sounds good to me,” he agreed, and was rewarded with a smile from his mom that warmed him to his toes.
“Me, too.” Alexis put down the Scotch she had been sipping. “I much prefer a quieter setting.”
They helped the ladies don their coats and stepped back out into the cold night air for the short walk to the bistro. A few flurries had started to fall, swirling in a festive dance under the lights of the parking lot as they made their way across.
“The weatherman said we may have a white Christmas.”
Chance smiled at the childlike tone in his mom’s voice. He gave her a hug as they walked.
“Oh, hell!” His dad stopped abruptly as they stepped onto Kentucky Avenue.
“What’s wrong, Bill?” Emily Brennan’s face tightened in concern.
His dad let out an exasperated breath. “I told Dick Hodges we’d talk to him about that lot in Florida before we left. Let’s go get that over with.” He grabbed his wife’s hand and waved to Chance and Alexis. “Y’all go on. We’ll meet you there when we’re done.”
Blindsided by my own dad! Chance gritted his teeth as he watched his parents hustle back across the parking lot.
“Wow! He’s good.” Alexis gave a chuckle that said she too understood what had just happened.
Chance shook his head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. He means well.”
“I have one just like him at home if that’s any consolation.”
They laughed together and Chance noticed the tip of Alexis’s nose growing red in the wintry air. “Max’s is just down the street.” He pointed the way.
“You sure?” She gave him a wary look.
“I’m sure.” He looked at his watch. “They’ll show up in an hour or so.”
“Well, okay. As long as your arm’s not hurting too much.” Alexis darted across the street.
“My arm?” Chance asked as he caught up with her long stride.
She snorted. “The one that’s twisted behind your back.”
“Nothing good Scotch can’t help.”
Alexis agreed and related a short story of her own dad’s matchmaking, keeping Chance entertained the rest of the way to the restaurant.
* * *
“OH, I ALMOST FORGOT.” Kyndal reached into her bag and handed Rick a copy of Kentucky Wonders Magazine, gently folded and tied with a wide red ribbon. “This is both Merry Christmas and congratulations to the new—” she paused, raising her glass of club soda, and they all followed her lead by raising their wine glasses and repeating the long title together “—Deputy Director for the Western Kentucky Division of the Federal Department of Wildlife.”
Rick blushed again, as he had every time they’d recited the title, making them all laugh again at his modesty.
He pulled the ribbon and the magazine flattened, exposing Kyndal’s cover shot. Rick’s low whistle of approval was music to her ears, and it was her turn to feel her face grow hot.
“Thanks so much, Kyndal. This is really special.” Rick patted her arm affectionately.
Denise snuggled against his other side, and took a long look at the cover. “Is that the cave you and Chance were lost in?”
Rick winked at Denise. “I thought the same thing about you, sweetheart. You appeared quite innocuous, but…” His shudder, which mimicked hers perfectly, brought on another laugh.
Kyndal was having more fun than she had in a long time, and she was so glad she’d accepted the invitation to join Rick and Denise and Jaci and Bart for Rick’s big announcement dinner at Max’s. Even if she did feel a bit like a fifth wheel.
After all the drama that had unfolded in her life the past two months, it felt good to be dressed to the nines and laughing with people she cared about. Best of all, it felt good to