“Too bad the boss wouldn’t let females ride in those illegal competitions. That Elise would be a money machine and draw in quite the crowd.”
“I’d hate to think what Tysler would do if he laid eyes on her. She’s really sweet, almost virginal.”
Carver laughed.
“Virginal, my ass. The way she moved those hips and how comfortable she rode that electric bull, that woman knows how to please a man in bed. She’s no amateur.”
“Just because she can ride a bull, wiggles her ass, and sways her sexy hips doesn’t make her a fucking slut,” Tagart stated firmly and Carver raised his hands in surrender.
“Whatever, man. She’s a fine piece of ass either way. When are you going to see her again?”
“Probably after the holiday weekend. The first round of the contest starts next week. I’ve got to call Tysler and ask him to send some promo stuff. You know, make it look all legit.”
“Are you sure you want to do that? We haven’t even seen the competition yet or even know if there are any good riders.”
“Oh, there will be, even if we have to use your idea about taking Elise and letting her be a preshow event.”
“And how the hell would you convince her to leave her job and go to Tennessee with you?”
“I don’t ask, Carver. Never have and never will. She’ll come willingly, or I’ll just take her, if I feel like it.”
“You’ve been hanging around Cobbs too long. That crazy bastard thinks he’s God.”
Tagart chuckled.
“That crazy bastard has made the two of us quite wealthy.”
Just then one of the women who had been eyeing him from across the bar got up and approached him.
“Can I buy you fellas a drink?”
Tagart looked her over. Tight red dress, not such a bad body, but she did have brown hair. He’d fuck her and imagine it was his Dixie Chix.
“Why don’t I buy you a drink and we can have them upstairs in my room.”
She shyly looked down then nodded her head.
“Sure, baby, that will be nice,” she whispered then ran the palm of her hand up his thigh to his crotch.
He thought to himself, she’ll do and help to ease this itch that Elise started in the club tonight. Elise was one hot number he was definitely going to pursue.
* * * *
Elise was checking on the turkey and basting it. The other turkeys and hams arrived as Susanna and her men, along with Paula and her men and Juliet and her men, arrived. Sally was preparing the stuffing and Ava was finishing setting up the long makeshift banquet table. This was going to be the first Thanksgiving for most of them, and the Dixie Chix wanted to make it perfect.
As they gathered around the living room, kitchen, and hallway talking and helping, Dale and Virgo arrived along with Big Dog and G-Force.
They hugged and kissed everyone, and the celebrating began. The front door opened again, with more guests arriving and more food and desserts to be added to the banquet.
“This is fantastic,” Susanna stated as she leaned against the counter wearing a sexy green dress that reached her knees. She was holding a glass of wine after Mason handed it to her.
“It sure is,” Michael stated as the wineglasses and beer bottles were passed around the room.
“Okay, it looks like we had enough tables and chairs to pull together a gathering for twenty-five people. Phew!” Ava said, sounding relieved, and they all complimented the appearance of the table.
“Honey, can I get you a glass of wine?” Steven asked Sally.
“No thank you. Not yet. I want to help Elise finish the stuffing,” Sally stated.
Elise gave her a look.
“What’s going on with you?” she whispered to Sally just as Tommy and Vic Ollsen entered the room carrying bottles of wine and multiple foiled platters of food.
“Oh, I bet that’s their sweet vegetable pies and veggie dishes. Yum,” Sally stated as she rubbed her hands together.
Elise looked at them and immediately both men zoned in on her. She felt her chest tighten as she took in their attire while they shook hands and greeted everyone. Both men were nearly identical. They each sported large, wide shoulders, and muscles and stood at six feet three inches tall. Their black crew-cut hair and tan complexions made them appear lethal and mysterious. Throw in those large hazel eyes with the specks of green, and yeah, they were yummy.
She placed her hand over her belly as her eyes lingered longer than they should have. Vic wore a fitted dark, hunter-green button-down shirt with black pants, and Tommy wore a dark, burgundy button-down shirt with dark dress pants.
They greeted everyone, and as they came closer to her, she turned to keep an eye on the stuffing she’d just finished making. She was covering it with foil as Vic kissed Sally hello and then Sally kissed Tommy. Her entire body tightened and warmed just knowing they were mere inches behind her and looking so fine. She pulled at the bodice of her dress. It was a bit snug on her breasts and waist, but not too revealing. It was burgundy and festive. She had placed her hair up on top of her head in a fancy hairstyle then curled some stray pieces that cascaded down her neck and shoulders. The dress was an off-the-shoulder and cut low in a V in the back.
She immediately felt the large, warm hand against her skin on her back, and she turned right as Vic was leaning down greeting her hello. Their lips touched, and as she went to pull away, the hand on her back pressed deeper, allowing Vic to kiss her a few seconds too long.
She pulled away and he smiled.
“Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart.”
She touched her fingers to her lips, surprised at how they felt and how the feel of Vic’s lips still lingered.
“You look gorgeous,” Tommy told her as she turned away from Vic, only to have Tommy do the same move as Vic. He kissed her on the mouth then ran his fingertips from her shoulder down her arm to her fingers.
She took a deep breath. Then they heard the laughter as Virgo began to tell jokes about turkeys and stuffing.
* * * *
Sally stood by the doorway, feeling queasy. She had to tell Mason and Steven that she was pregnant. She couldn’t hold off much longer. Especially since she declined alcohol three times in front of them, and they seemed suspicious.
She was bursting with joy.
She felt the large hand against her lower back and she tensed up.
Mason wrapped his arm around her waist and she shivered.
“Hey, are you all right? You’ve been acting funny the last few days.” He kissed her cheek.
“I’m fine, just a little cold,” she told him.
“I can fix that.”
He turned her toward him and kissed her deeply as he held her in his arms. She instantly became pliant in his embrace.
“Hey, you two, take a seat. We’re starving,” BJ teased, and everyone chuckled.
“I can’t believe that there are twenty-five of us here, celebrating together. I’m not sure about the rest of you, but Alexa, Sally, and I never experienced the holidays before. This means a lot,” Susanna stated.
Sally felt the tears reach her eyes.
“It’s extra special because of all of you,” Sally said.
“Okay, let’s not turn this into a crying fest,” Virgo announced, and everyone laughed as they took seats around the table.
“Next year, we’ll have to add some more room,” Sally added.
“Add more room? Are you planning on inviting some other people?” Ava asked.
Sally smiled as she stood between Mason and Steven who were about to sit.
“Well, we’ll need room for the high chair,” she announced. Forks dropped and silence filled the room before Mason and Steven both placed a hand on her shoulders.
“Say that again, baby?” Steven asked. She smiled wide.
“We’re having a baby.”
The hoots and hollers filled the room as Steven hugged Sally and then Mason did the same. They placed their hands on her belly and cheered as loud as the others.
“This is awesome,” Ava yelled out and they all took turns congratulating Mason and Steven and hugging Sally.
“Okay, now someone hurry up and say the blessing so I can go sit in the other room,” Sally stated as she held her belly.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Steven asked as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and covered her hand with his.
“The smell of all the food is killing me.”
Everyone chuckled.
“BJ, you do it,” Susanna directed, and he raised his eyebrows at her.
“Why me?” he asked.
“Well, you’re the head lawman around here,” Susanna replied.
“You’re the head of this household, Susanna,” he replied, and she smiled.
“Yeah, Susanna, you do it,” Ava stated.
“Yeah, you’re like the mother hen anyways!” Elise yelled out and they all chuckled.
“Watch it, you.” Susanna pointed at Elise.
“Sorry, Mom,” Elise replied and the laughter continued.
Susanna shook her head.
“Okay, everyone bow their heads.”
They all did as she began to speak.
“There is so much to be thankful for. This year has brought danger to our doorsteps, doom through windows, literally…but also love and companionship for all of us. May our family continue to grow, may the baby or babies growing in Sally’s belly grow healthy and strong, and may we always be able to come together and celebrate the holidays as a family. Dixie Chix!” She stated and everyone replied in unison, “Dixie Chix.”
* * * *
Sally walked into the kitchen with Mason and Steven right behind her.
“So this is why you’ve been acting strangely?” Steven asked, and she nodded her head.
“How long have you known?” Mason asked.
“Well, I had a feeling a few weeks ago, but then I started to get nausea all the time and yesterday I took a test and it was positive.”
Mason looked her over and she nibbled her bottom lip.
“I thought we said no secrets.” He pulled her into his arms.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It sure was a surprise. You’ve made us very happy, Sally. We kind of had a surprise of our own for you,” Steven told her then pulled out a small black box.
She covered her mouth and gasped.
“We know we all talked about starting a family and being together forever, but a true relationship in marriage or partnership deserves a sign of that love we share between us,” Steven stated.
“Yeah, we weren’t sure if you would want to make it official and get married to one of us legally then share our name and know that we’re together, or just have all the benefits and symbol of a marriage,” Mason stated.
“Are you kidding me? I love you both more than anything, and I want to marry both of you. There has to be a way right?”
“Oh yeah, honey, there are plenty of marriages involving multiple partners.”
“So is the answer yes?” Steven asked her.
“Yes and yes,” she stated as she looked at each of them.
Both Mason and Steven placed the gorgeous ring on her finger. “Holy shit, everyone, Sally, Mason, and Steven just got engaged!” Ava called out, and they heard everyone cheer from the other room.
“This is stunning.” Sally stared at the ring. It had to be at least two karats and surrounded by diamonds in the center and on the band itself.
“We wanted something stunning and beautiful, just like our woman,” Mason said, and she reached up to kiss him as she laid her palm against Steven’s cheek.
* * * *
Elise was walking down the hallway toward the back room as the others were beginning to relax around the living room after cleaning up from dinner. Virgo turned on the music, and they were dancing and laughing.
Elise walked into the bedroom to find her phone. As she pulled it out, she saw she received a text message from Tagart.
He wished her a “Happy Thanksgiving” and asked if she wanted to meet him at his hotel. She laughed. Like that would happen? The man sure was presumptuous. The fact that he texted her like that, as if she were simply a booty call, pulled on her bitch strings. She was annoyed. Like she was stupid enough to fall for his slick behavior at the club last night. He hinted about going back to her place or his hotel. She also noticed the way that Carver guy stared at her body. It was as if he thought he would join them, too, if she said yes to Tagart’s offer.
“Important message?”
She turned around quickly to find Vic standing in the doorway. He stared at her as he ducked so he wouldn’t hit his head on the trim molding. He was tall and wide as he maneuvered through the average-sized doorway.
She took a deep breath, instantly feeling intimidated and off-balance being caught in a small enclosed space with him. Never mind that text message. After his and Tommy’s behavior the other night at the club, he might truly freak out.
“Not really. Just a friend.”
He closed the space between them and reached for her wrist.