Free Honky Tonk Christmas by Carolyn Brown Page A

kids. I loved having them around. Want a glass of iced tea? It’s made,” she asked.
    “Love one but I’m way too dirty to sit on your furniture. Can you bring it outside?”
    She nodded. “Wait for me under the shade tree.”
    She popped ice from two trays and filled two quart jars, poured tea over it, and carried it out to the yard where Holt was sprawled out in a fold-out lawn chair. He took the jar from her and nodded toward the construction site.
    “Don’t look like much but it’ll go fast from this point,” he said. “How’d your writing go today? Did the kids interrupt too much?”
    “They were fine, really. I’m ahead of schedule and believe it or not, Judd and Waylon are wonderful role models for a couple of the kids in my story. It’s hard to visualize the whole thing all finished.” She waved toward the lines of concrete that would hold the foundation blocks. “It doesn’t look so big right now.”
    “Never does. When we put up a house, that’s the first thing the owners mention. That it looks so much smaller than their plans,” Holt said.
    “Guess it’s like a book. First few pages look pretty small compared to the finished product.”
    “That’s right. All things start small, even humans, and grow into something bigger,” he said. “This tea sure hits the spot. Hey, kids, get your messes cleaned up. We’ve still got unpacking to do at home.”
    “Maybe we’ll find my Barbie dolls,” Judd said. She and Waylon started picking up their toys and putting them inside a big blue tote bag.
    Holt handed the empty jar to Sharlene and stood up with a groan.
    “You’re not that old.” She smiled.
    “No, but I’m that sore,” he said. “Thanks for the tea. We’ll be back tomorrow and you’ll see more progress.”
    “I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
    ***
    Merle was the first customer in the joint that night when Luther opened the doors. She grabbed a stool at the end of the bar and set her cue stick case beside her leg. “The parking lot is full and they’re chomping at the bit out there. Lord, you’d think it was Saturday night instead of Tuesday the way they’re all lined up.”
    “Coors?” Sharlene asked.
    “No, I’m not drinking until I win a game then someone else can buy. I heard you got a couple of permanent trailers out there with the guys who are helping Holt put on the addition. Are they any good at pool?”
    “Didn’t ask them,” Sharlene said. “How’d you find out about Chad and Kent so fast?”
    “Honey, like I told Larissa last year, you can’t fart in Mingus without everyone in town knowin’ what you had for dinner. Talk don’t cost a thin dime and it travels fast. I heard that the Stigler brothers were part of Holt’s crew. Them and Bennie Adams. You flat out got the best carpenters in the state workin’ for you. Just be damn careful. Three of ’em ain’t married and you know what they say about this place. Seems like we change owners more often than a hooker changes her underpants and I’m getting tired of it. I hated change when I was a young person. Now I’m old and cantankerous and hate it even worse. So promise me you won’t let any of them three sweet-talk you into leaving,” Merle said.
    “I promise,” Sharlene said.
    “That was too fast and you didn’t even think about it for a minute. Something ain’t right,” Merle said.
    Sharlene bristled. “I just met those men and everyone is trying to hook me up with one of them. I’m not interested in a cowboy, a preppie, a damn biker, or even a millionaire. I’m not ever getting married. You’ve lived without a man all these years so why are you pushing me at Holt Jackson?”
    Merle cracked up. “I ain’t pushin’ you at anyone, kid. I just wanted my sassy Sharlene back and I’ve got her now. Talking too damn much. Making promises she probably won’t keep but she’s home and I’m fine for tonight. I’m going to go shoot some eight ball. I was worried you’d gone down