Free Forever Santa by Leeanna Morgan

“He’ll be okay. You know, Alex. He’s always being thrown off bulls. It comes with the job.”
    Gracie shook her head. “Not this time. The doctors had to operate on his leg. They don’t know if he’ll be able to ride again.”
    Even with the dim light over their booth, Gracie watched Emily’s face turn white. “Are you okay, Emily?”
    “I’m fine. It’s just...” She stared across the dance floor. “I’m sure it will work out. Alex’s tough. He’ll be back on the circuit before you know it. Are you going to the hospital to see him?”
    “The flights to Las Vegas are booked solid.”
    “Have you talked to him?”
    Gracie shook her head. “Dad said to call tomorrow.”
    “You’ll feel better once you’ve heard his voice.” Emily hugged Gracie’s shoulders. “Now tell me about Trent. Have you told him yet?”
    “Hi, Gracie.” Jordan grinned at them from beside the table. “I’ve come to save you from Emily.”
    “No saving necessary,” Emily said. “I’m an alcohol free zone tonight.”
    Jordan slid into the booth and put his glass of pop in front of him. “Charlie won’t be making much money out of any of us tonight. What haven’t you told Trent?”
    Gracie tried to think fast, but her brain refused to budge.
    “Furniture,” Emily blurted out after a hurried glance at Gracie. “We saw the most gorgeous chair for the barn, but it cost a fortune.”
    Jordan looked between Gracie and Emily. “Remind me to never ask either of you to be on my poker team.” He looked closely at Emily before staring at Gracie’s hot cheeks. “It’s got to be something important otherwise you would have told Trent by now. I know…you’ve put a dent in his truck?”
    Gracie shook her head. “No dent, and it’s not all that interesting.”
    “You’re flying back to New Zealand for Christmas and leaving Trent behind?”
    “Nope. Do you want another drink?”
    “Can’t change the subject that easily, Gracie.”
    “Hi ya, handsome.” Tess stood breathlessly beside Jordan. “Want to show me how to two-step my way into trouble?”
    Jordan looked up at Tess and smiled. “Don’t mind if I do, Sugar.”
    Emily made a gagging noise in the back of her throat. “Sugar ?”
    Tess grabbed Jordan’s hand and pulled him out of the booth. “Ignore Emily. She doesn’t appreciate you.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Before Tess could yank him onto the dance floor he grinned at Gracie. “I’ll think of more questions on the way home.” He followed Tess, disappearing behind the people in front of them.
    Gracie dropped her head into her hands. “I’m doomed. Jordan won’t stop pestering me until I tell him.”
    Emily nudged her arm. “You might not have to worry.”
    “What do you…” She looked at where Emily was pointing and her heart sank. “I’ve got to warn Jordan.”
    “No you don’t. We’ll stay here and wait for him. He’ll come back when he’s ready.”
    Gracie didn’t think it would take long for Jordan to see Tracey and her new boyfriend.
    And she wasn’t wrong.
     

 
     
     
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    Gracie opened the back door of the homestead and slipped her boots off. She could hear the television, felt a wonderful warmth creep along her skin from the heat of the fire.
    The ride back to the Triple L had been almost as bad as she’d imagined it would be. Jordan had driven slowly along the highway. Between a slippery road, a broken heart, and a secret she wasn’t ready to share, it had been one of the most stressful journeys of her life.
    “Hi, Gracie. I’m in here.”
    She smiled at Trent’s voice as she unbuttoned her coat and left it on a hook on the wall. “I’ll be there soon.” She took a small parcel out of her pocket and held it in her hands.
    She needed to tell Trent she was pregnant and she needed to do it tonight. Jordan had been upset when he’d seen Tracey. He hadn’t said much on the way home, but he’d been thinking lots. Thankfully none of his thoughts involved