Page 7 of Texas Christmas

She glanced down with a self-deprecating look. “I’m not a small woman.”

I studied her, trying to figure out if she was insulting herself or just being practical. Either way, I didn’t like it.

“You’re fine just the way you are,” I said firmly. “Tell you what, how about you come meet my mama and we can figure out our plan from there?”

I didn’t want her to feel uneasy, and if there was anyone who could put someone at ease, it was my mama. The three of us headed outside, and I was shocked at how dramatically the weather had changed in the short time we’d been in the barn. The ground was already covered with snow.

I’d lived here for forty-seven years, and I could count on one hand the times we’d had anything more than a few flurries.

“Wow!” Abby looked around in amazement. “The snow is so pretty.”

I bit my lip to keep from adding, “So are you.” Based on the look my father sent me, I was pretty sure he knew what I was thinking.

When we got into the house my mother was sitting at the kitchen table doing a crossword. Mama worried incessantly about getting Alzheimer's like my grandma had, and she made it a point to do brain teasers and other mental activities every single day.

“Hey Lionel...”

She stopped as she glanced up and saw my father wasn’t alone. She eyed Abby curiously.

“Who do we have here?”

I sent her a smug smile. “This here is Abby. She dropped out of the sky.”

My mother gasped in shock. Abby sent me a strange look before stepping forward to greet her.

“Hello Mrs. Jeffers, my name is Dr. Abigail Southerland. I was here doing an investigation for Animal Services and I’m afraid that with the snow coming in so quickly, I might be stuck here.”

“You dropped from the sky? Did you parachute in?” my mother asked in confusion.

“No ma’am, I climbed a tree to get a look around your property and somehow I managed to fall. Right on top of your son. Then I accidentally kneed him in the privates.”

Abby turned back to me. “Oh no, I should have asked. Does it still hurt?”

She glanced at my crotch and my dick twitched with interest. Down boy, I told myself. I didn’t need to be acting like a fifteen year old boy with a perpetual hard-on.

“Yes, I’m fine. Everything is...perfect.”

My mother looked between us curiously. She insisted on making us all hot chocolate, and we sat around the table, sipping our drinks while my mother interrogated Abby. When she informed Abby that she would be staying in the house with her and my father, Abby sent me a look that I interpreted as a plea for help. Mama could be a lot.

“It’s quieter at my place,” I told her. “And I’ve got a spare bedroom there. It’s totally up to you though Abby, whatever makes you more comfortable.”

My mouth said the right thing while my eyes pleaded with her to pick me.

“Um, if you don’t mind Mrs. Jeffers, I think I’ll stay at Peter’s house. I can...help him with the animals since I’m a vet and all.” Her words were rushed.

To my shock, my mother didn’t bat an eye. I wondered if she was picking up the vibe between Abby and myself, or if she simply thought this would further her matchmaking goals.

“Okay dear, but you and Peter should come back for dinner. We’re decorating the Christmas tree tonight,” Mama said. “We usually do it much earlier, but we had some issues. I could really use some help.”

She sent a scolding look towards my father, who had waited too long to get a tree and then come back with one my mother deemed subpar. Why she hadn’t just gotten it herself, I had no idea. But they’d been arguing about it since yesterday. Well, Mama had been arguing, Dad had just been suffering in silence.

Abby looked at me and I just shrugged. I couldn’t tell whether she was interested in decorating the tree or not, but there was no sense resisting once Mama got an idea in her head.

My mother headed upstairs to find some clothes to loan Abby. Even though Mama was a couple inches shorter, she was a bit stout, as she liked to say, and she was sure she had some things that would fit Abby and hold her over for a few days until the storm cleared and the roads were open again. She returned with a large tote bag stuffed with clothes. I stood up and took it from her, eager to get Abby all to myself.

“Are you ready to check out my house?”

Abby