“That’s stunning!” Misty walked over to get a closer look. Brightly wrapped packages and colorful sacks were tucked around the tree’s base.
“Glad you like my creation. I’m right proud. First year for it. We’re doing weddings and birthdays in the peacock theme, so why not a Christmas tree?”
“Gorgeous.” And best of all, it didn’t remind her of traditional Christmas decorations, so Misty could enjoy it.
“Not everybody agrees. Some folks like classic red and green. And angels.” Ruby chuckled as she waved a hand toward the mantel, where a green garland draped down the length with colorful peacocks tucked here and there.
“Did you decorate all this yourself?”
“When I’ve got big, brawny cowboy firefighters to come in here and help? Not likely!”
“Looks neatly done.”
Ruby laughed. “Not that it didn’t require a little repositioning after I shooed them out the door, but they did the hard part.”
“I have to admit I’m having a little trouble imagining Trey and Kent hanging Christmas tree ornaments.”
“Big tree to get in here and get set up. I needed the muscle.” Ruby adjusted a peacock ornament. “And don’t let anybody kid you. Those guys can be gentle with their hands when the occasion calls for it.”
“Hmmm.” Misty’s mind wandered as she imagined gentle hands in all the right places.
“You’ll see. They’re good guys. You should see them handle horses.” Ruby winked at her. “Now, let’s get you upstairs and into your room.”
Misty followed Ruby up the steps to the expansive kitchen with light wood cabinets, white laminate countertops, and a vintage dining table and matching chairs that fit perfectly with the Mid-Century Modern architecture. She hurried to catch up as Ruby ascended a short flight of stairs to the top level.
“I put you in the Sun Suite.” Ruby opened a door and threw it wide. “Hope you like it.”
Misty stepped into a room with peach walls and white trim. Sunlight streamed in through two windows to cast a warm glow over everything. A bright orange spread covered the queen bed, with purple and green throw pillows added for more color. Minimalist furniture with straight lines in cherrywood made up the headboard, dresser, desk, chair, and settee. A blond-haired angel dressed in a long, white satin gown with a harp in her hands was positioned prominently on top of the desk.
Ruby walked over and punched a button on the base of the Christmas angel. The angel’s arms moved up and down as if strumming the harp to a tinny rendition of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
Misty felt dizzy, as if all the air in the room had suddenly been sucked out. She set down her luggage, laptop, and handbag. She quickly walked over to the settee and sat down, feeling as if she might cry. She put her hand to her mouth to stop the tears, the memories. She hadn’t been this overcome in a long time. She absolutely could not let a Christmas song thrust her back in time to the moment when her life had been turned upside down. She overrode the song in her mind with her safe words, “Be here now. Safe and sound. Be here now.”
Ruby smiled fondly at the Christmas angel. “That song was written in 1739, if you can believe it. Now that’s the power and endurance of Christmas.” Ruby turned away from the angel. “Honey, what’s the matter?” She hurried over to Misty and put a hand on her shoulder.
“Tired. I just need a shower—to rest.”
“No wonder. And here I am prattling on to beat the band.” Ruby backed up. “Your closet’s behind that door. Bathroom’s behind the other. Key’s on the desk. You need anything, just holler.”
“Thanks.” Misty glanced up in time to see Ruby shut the door behind her.
As the song came to a blessed end, she let out a sigh of relief. There was simply too much Christmas at Twin Oaks, but she didn’t have to put up with it in her own room.
She hurried into the bathroom and picked up a large white towel. She stalked over to the angel, grabbed the square base, and hauled the offending object to the closet. She shoved the angel into a back corner of the top shelf and carefully covered it with the towel, not leaving a bit to be seen.
She closed the closet door with a snap and glanced around the room. No more Christmas in sight. Perfect.
What a crazy day. She’d unpack, get a bath, and maybe take a nap. But first, she’d check in with Cindi Lou. She needed a heavy dose of the reality of her real day-to-day life in Dallas.
Cindi Lou picked up on the first ring. “Darlin’, tell me you’re safe in Wildcat Bluff.”
“I’m here in my room at Twin Oaks. It’s a beautiful place.”
“Good. Took you longer to get there than I expected. Is everything fine?”
“Yes. But—” Misty dropped onto the comfortable settee. “Are you sitting down? Have you got a Dr Pepper in hand?”
“Always. Now, give.”
“I put out a fire.”
“You what?” Cindi Lou’s shock rang out loud and clear. “Are you really okay?”
“I faced my fear and used my towels to help this cowboy firefighter put out a grass fire on my way into town.” Misty felt proud to tell her friend how strong she’d been earlier.