Free Texas Christmas Bride: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 6 by Jean Brashear Page A

“We were wrong to do that. It’s more that I’m not sure I’m not imagining things.”
    “What things?”
    “I really don’t know. It’s just this sense…there was a tension between them at the meeting earlier…or a sadness or…I’m not sure. You didn’t notice anything?”
    “Not really.”
    “I hope I’m wrong.”
    “You used to be infallible when it came to Jackson—and vice versa.”
    “We’ll pay closer attention, okay? Meanwhile, why don’t you hang the garment bag over the bannister while we pick out some fabrics and reseal these boxes. We’ll call Jeanette as we head to Veronica’s.”

    As they closed up the attic, Penny turned to her sister. “We have to ask Daddy before we do anything.”
    “Yeah. You’re right.” Rissa grimaced. “Is he gonna go ballistic?”
    “No idea, but we can’t do this behind his back.” She called out to him from the kitchen door. “Daddy, could you come here for a minute, please?”
    He waved to her, spoke to Mackey and headed their way.
    Penny could feel her sister’s nerves as much as her own as they waited for their father to join them.
    “What’s up? I was about to take Eric and Samantha—” He took in their serious expressions. “What’s wrong?”
    Rissa lifted the bag she was holding. “We found something, and we need to talk to you.”
    “What is it…” As his voice trailed off, they could see the quick flash of grief. “What do you have there?”
    “Mama’s wedding dress, Daddy.”
    He went very still. “Where did you find it?”
    “It was in the attic. In her hope chest.”
    He remained frozen as though something terrible might leap from the bag. “What did you want to talk about?”
    “We’d like to offer it to Veronica to wear when she marries Jackson. How would you feel about that?”
    A tremor ran through him. “I haven’t seen it since…” He looked at one, then the other. “She was saving it for you girls.”
    “She couldn’t have known back then that we’d both get so tall. It won’t fit either of us, Daddy, but it might fit Veronica.”
    His look was stricken, his eyes dark and fathomless.
    “Do you not want us to offer it?” Rissa asked.
    “I—” He turned away. Walked out of the room.
    They traded glances. What now?
    Then they heard his footsteps returning. He had something in his hand. Extended it. “She was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.” His voice was hoarse.
    Rissa took it and held the photo between them.
    “I haven’t seen this in years,” Penny whispered. “Oh, Mama…” She lifted her gaze. “She was a beautiful bride.”
    “Beautiful woman, inside and out,” he corrected gruffly.
    “She was.” Penny could barely speak for the longing that rose in her to see her mother just one more time. To hear her voice. But her father still suffered, so she tried for a distraction. “Jackson looks so much like you did back then.”
    He shrugged but didn’t speak.
    Her father had been having fun with Eric, and she’d brought this heartache roaring back. When she could trust her voice again, she met his gaze. “We don’t want to hurt you. If you’d rather we put it back, we will. Veronica will never know, or Jackson either.”
    Powerful emotions battled in his features. At last he exhaled. “No. That would be wrong. Your mama would be real pleased.” He shrugged. “’Course it’s probably too old-fashioned for a modern woman.”
    “Veronica’s an old-fashioned girl, don’t you think?” Rissa asked.
    “She’s a good one. Boy couldn’t do better, that’s for sure. She reminds me of your mama in some ways.”
    And they didn’t, Penny thought.
    “But not as much as you two.”
    Her head whipped up, and she noted Rissa’s matching astonishment. “I’m nothing like her,” Rissa said sadly.
    “You are so. You’ve got her guts and her determination. Her love of this land.”
    It was true, Penny realized.
    “And you, missy. You’ve got her creativity and her way with people.