Page 24 of Outlaw Xmas
“I can ask Mitch, but he’s so down on the holidays, I don’t think he’ll want to.”
“Who doesn’t love the holidays?” Addie said.
“My husband just isn’t into them. I absolutely love this time of year, and I wanted to go all out, but he wouldn’t have it. I had to fight to get a tree up.”
“That may be a good thing, considering what’s happening with that wacko who’s breaking into people’s homes,” Lindi said.
“What does the paper call him?” Joseph asked.
“The Crazed Grinch,” Cara and Evan said in unison.
Joseph’s brow knitted together. “I can’t believe we have someone like that in our town.”
“We have a lot of nasty stuff going on in our town,” Kylie said. “Jerry insisted we totally deck out our house this year. I think the macho in him wants the guy to come after our house so he can catch him.” She giggled.
“I never thought about the crazy person who’s roaming the streets looking for houses to hit. I guess I shouldn’t be too upset with Mitch.” Torey leaned back in the chair.
“A lot of people hate all the commercialism that’s defined the holiday. I read in theDenver Postthat there’s a backlash against commercialism this year,” Cara said.
“Simpler is better,” Evan said, the others nodding in agreement.
“But the kids love all the lights and decorations. If I had it my way, it’d be a small tree. It’s so much work to put everything up, especially when I’m doing it alone,” Lindi remarked.
“I just wanted a little bit more pizzazz since I’m hosting the Christmas party for the volunteers this year. Remember, the party’s on the 22nd,” Torey said as she rose from her chair.
Lindi, Evan, and Joseph also stood up.
“Ladies, if you want to stay and chat, the conference room is yours for the next hour, and then we have a financial meeting,” Evan said before leaving the room.
The women said their goodbyes to the staff, then went back to the table for a second round of goodies. As Clotille walked around, refreshing everyone’s coffee, she said, “I’ve been offered a job in Human Resources with Brighter Lives. I applied for it never thinking I’d get it. Now I don’t know what to do. I want the job, but I know Rock will flip out. He thinks a mother should be home with the kids. I think it stems back from when he was a child and his mother had to work all the time because his dad blew all his earnings on drink and women. Rock hated seeing his mother so overworked, and he missed her in the home.”
“Just because he has those ideas from his childhood doesn’t mean they’re yours,” Addie replied.
“That’s true. I have to admit that I’d love to see what it’s like to work. I never really earned my own money, and I feel like I need something more than just taking care of the house and the kids. James is in preschool now, Andrew’s in high school, and Rock’s busy with the club. I need something too.”
“I’ll tell you, if you can afford to stay home, do it just until Andrew’s out of high school. I think teenagers need their mom around if it’s possible. All my problems with Emily started in high school, and I was too damn busy trying to earn a living to be around when she needed guidance and a firm hand. I didn’t have a choice, but if I had, I would’ve stayed home until she graduated. Now with Ethan approaching high school, I’m glad I can be around for him.”
Clotille rubbed the back of her neck. “Wearehaving some problems with Andrew. It just started this school year when he went into his sophomore year. The school has called a couple of times saying he’s skipped classes, and Rock’s also caught him sneaking out the window at night.”
“That’s tough,” Cara said as she threw her paper plate into the trash can. “I see a lot of teenagers getting into trouble. It’s not always because the mother works, but sometimes having less free time or someone around to make sure the teen is home helps. Of course, teens can do things behind their parents’ back too.”
“I sure did, and my parents didn’t have a clue,” Addie said.
“I feel very torn on this. I guess I just have to think about it and talk with Rock. Are any of you free to come on Friday night for jambalaya and cornbread? I’m going to call Cherri, Baylee, and Kimber and see if they can come too.”
“Count us in,” Addie said.
“I’m sure we can, but let me check with Hawk.” Cara took out her lipstick and reapplied it. Glancing at the time, she gathered her coat and scarf. “I have to get going. I’ll call you,” she said to Clotille as she slipped on her coat and then walked out of the room.
Cara had cut her law practice down to part time when Braxton was born. She’d thought she’d go back to full time once he went to full-day school, but then Isa came, and Hawk was planning on at least three more. She chuckled as she remembered how happy he was when she’d told him she was pregnant again. She’d be good with one, maybe two more, but three?I don’t think so.
Spotting a parking space in front of the office building, she sped over to secure it, ignoring the honking horns. Before going in, she took out her phone and called her mom to make sure Isa was doing all right. Her mom would pick Braxton up at school later, and then Cara would swing by her parents’ and take both kids home.
When she opened the door to her office, she saw a medium-sized man folded in one of the leather chairs. Straggly hair fell over his face, and light brown eyes stared at her through the strands. She went over to Asher and asked him in a low voice, “Do I have an appointment I forgot about?”
“No,” he whispered back. “This dude came in about a half hour ago insisting on seeing you. He said his name was Garret. I told him you don’t take walk-ins, but he was adamant that he had to talk to you. And he’s been sitting there the whole time watching me. It’s pretty creepy. Do you want me to throw him out?”
Shaking her head, she whirled around and went over to the man. She extended her hand and he clutched it, his palms cold and wet. As inconspicuously as she could muster, she pulled away from him, wishing she could find a discreet way to wipe her hand off. “What can I do for you?”
