Read Forever Santa for Free Online

around the kitchen and slid a plate of Christmas mince pies across to his brother. “Take this into the dinning room. I’ll be right behind you with the shortbread cookies.”
    “I get why mom wants to do a Christmas dinner this year, but did she need to combine it with her tree trimming party?”
    Trent shrugged his shoulders. Jordan knew two of his Aunts and Uncles weren’t going to be in Montana on Christmas day. They were meeting at their mom’s place for an early Christmas instead. “You know mom. She loves a party and when family’s involved you can’t stop her.”
    Jordan scowled as he moved toward the kitchen door. “Does anything seem a bit weird to you?”
    “You mean, beyond how you normally are?”
    “I’m being serious. It’s the people mom’s invited. Do they seem an odd mix to you?”
    Trent thought about the family and friends standing on the other side of the door. “You think their bodies have been taken over by aliens?”
    Jordan’s blue eyes turned glacial. “Next time you’re out there, count up the number of single females. Mom’s stacked the friend side of the invitation list with women.”
    “Welcome to my world. She spent five years trying to match me up with someone before Gracie came along. Guess it’s your turn now.”
    “Tracey’s only been gone a week.”
    “Don’t moan to me. Tell mom.”
    “As if that will do any good,” Jordan muttered. He disappeared out the door with the pies. Trent almost felt sorry for him. Until he remembered how hilarious his brother had found his mom’s not so subtle prodding in the marriage department.
    Jordan was about to find out just how focused their mom could be. Especially when she was working toward a state of true happiness for one of her sons.
     
    ***
    “What’s Jordan up to?” Gracie moved closer to Trent and pulled him into the hallway. “He’s supposed to have a broken heart, but he’s been flirting with every woman in the room.”
    “Take a closer look. It’s only the single women he’s flirting with.”
    Gracie poked him in the ribs. “If I could see over the top of everyone’s head I might be able to keep an eye on him. Who’s he flirting with now?”
    “Tess.”
    “Is he nuts? Tess won’t be interested. She’s working twelve hour days at the moment. As soon as she closes the cafe she’s got the paperwork to do. She doesn’t have time for anything except work.”
    “That’s why Jordan’s flirting with her. He knows it won’t go anywhere.”
    “I don’t understand?”
    “Reverse psychology, Gracie. Jordan’s worked out a way to beat mom at her own game. I wish I’d thought of it.”
    Gracie peeked back in the living room. “I wondered why Tess and Emily were here. Not that it’s not good to see them, but I did wonder.”
    “You forgot about Becky and Sally. Mom wasn’t leaving anything to chance.”
    “Do you think they know what your mom’s up to?”
    “I don’t know.”
    Gracie hoped they didn’t. It was bad enough that she’d thought something strange was going on. If they realized what was happening they’d be embarrassed, or worse yet, flirt right on back. “I need to stop him.”
    “Gracie…”
    “I won’t be long.” She left Trent standing in the hallway with her glass of eggnog. It took longer than she thought to do a circuit of the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Everyone wanted to know how she was settling into life on the ranch, what she planned on doing for the next twelve months.
    “It’s such a lovely party, isn’t it Gracie?” Trent’s Aunt Dorothy held an unpainted dough decoration toward her. “We’re setting up the craft table. Do you want to paint one of the decorations Karen made?”
    Gracie held the candy cane shape in her hand and smiled. “I’d love to. Have you seen Jordan?”
    “He’s in the garage with the kids.”
    “Thanks. I’ll go and find him before I start on the candy cane.”
    “Take another one for Jordan.” Aunt Dorothy smiled