Invitations, page 2
“Is that why you keep showing up at her house and threatening her?”
“What? I’m not…She’s lying.”
“We have proof,” Jordan said as she laid her badge on the table. “It’s Christmas. Either find some of that spirit and stay away from her, or you might find yourself back on the inside sooner than later.”
He stared at her in disbelief.
“Are you for real? That b—”
“Give me a break,” she interrupted him. “I’ve heard it all before. You do not impress me.”
“My parole officer is cool. You have nothing on me.”
“Too bad cool guy won’t be available for you any longer. Turns out once his boss realized he was sleeping on the job, he was happy to reassign his cases. Stay away from Mrs. Brennan and her family, and we can all have a merry Christmas.”
She got up, and he did the same, but instead of acknowledging her words, he hurled the plate with the pie at her.
Sam, her partner Wes, and Ellie were by her side the next moment.
Quickly realizing he was outnumbered and outsmarted, Kirk let Sam and Wes lead him away as they explained to him what would happen next.
Jordan stood in the same spot for a few seconds, both grateful at how quickly they were able to act on the obviously volatile suspect, and at the same time, fighting the inappropriate impulse to laugh.
“Are you okay?” Ellie asked.
“Yes. I think so. Wow. I thought food on a plate flying was something I left behind in childhood.”
“You did.”
Ellie made a move to embrace her but stepped back at the last moment.
“I love you, but—”
“Yeah.” Jordan looked down at herself, shaking her head. “What a jerk.” She couldn’t help laughing. “I did not see that coming, literally. I have to work on my reflexes.”
“Your reflexes are fine, but that coat will have to go to the dry cleaners. Hold on a second.” Ellie produced a package of wet wipes from the pocket of her own coat. “The benefits of having a toddler at home…You can go and tell Gloria,” she added as she took out one of the wipes to tackle the worst of the mess. “I’ll finish up at the station.”
“Thank you.” Jordan truly appreciated the offer. It meant she had time to go home and change before anything else. Gloria would be happy to hear from her.
“You’re welcome.” Ellie leaned forward for a quick kiss, only their lips touching as she was avoiding the remnants of pie filling. “Later, we’ll go over the guest list once more?”
“Sure. Wait. How many have you been adding?”
“I’ll see you later!” Ellie walked away laughing.
* * * *
Gloria Brennan had gratefully accepted the invitations for her and her partner. After a few days of tying up the last loose ends, Jordan and Ellie were ready to entertain.
Before the guests were about to arrive, they watched Meri play in the living room. Fascinated by the Christmas tree and its decorations, she got a little too close.
“No, sweetie, that’s not for playing.”
Ignoring all warnings, Meri reached for a shiny ornament that slipped from her fingers and broke on the floor. Jordan hurried to pick her up and rock her, but tears were already following.
“Don’t cry. It’s okay,” she tried to console her as the doorbell rang.
“You get the door, and I’ll clean this up quickly?” Ellie offered.
“Thank you. Let’s see who it is, shall we?” Meri was still sniffling when they got to the door. She was starting to get distracted when they opened it to her Godparents, Kate and Derek, the latter carrying a huge box.
“Wow. I’m scared.” Meri on the other hand had stopped crying and regarded the box with curiosity.
“Just for the record, I tried to talk him out of it, to no avail, obviously,” Kate declared. “Merry Christmas. I brought wine and a few more age-appropriate presents.”
“You’ll see,” Derek said, “it’s the perfect gift.”
* * * *
More and more guests arrived, though none of the bags and boxes could beat Derek and Kate’s gift for Meri in size.
After lots of speculation and a first cocktail, he disappeared for a few minutes only to return as Santa.
Meri stared in awe at the man in the red suit handing everyone gifts.
“And what do we have here? It’s for you! Merry Christmas, Meri.”
Ellie sat down with her to help her excited daughter open the huge box, nearly falling back laughing when she saw what was inside.
“You realize she’s a little young for that? Jordan, come here.”
Jordan, too, was amused at the sight of the mini sports car. “We’ll teach her,” she said.
“No, let Ellie teach her,” Derek broke character for a moment. “I know how you drive.”
“Funny, Santa. And thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Taking in Meri’s happy face, Kate commented, “I guess it wasn’t that bad an idea. She’ll have it for a few years.”
* * * *
After Derek had changed back into civilian clothes, Ellie put a chatty but tired Meri to bed. When she came back to the living room, she stood for a second, happy to take it all in. She felt deeply grateful that Jordan had been able to answer another question from her past, by Christmas Eve of all days.
She watched her talk to Gloria and her partner, and a younger woman who looked a lot like Gloria…Ellie smiled when she realized that Carrie had made time for a quick visit. So much for the guest list.
Jim Larson had politely declined the invitation, but he had driven Kathryn to the party.
Like Ellie, she seemed content to observe and just be here. Ellie watched as Jack Carpenter approached her, and they exchanged a few words, the atmosphere calm and peaceful. She was happy that Jordan’s birthmother had done the work to earn a place in her daughter’s life.
Ellie knew from experience not to take that peace for granted…but through all the trials and tribulations, they had made it here. Happy.
Her gaze wondered to Madeline who had struck up a conversation with Gloria.
It couldn’t have been more perfect, or more like the Christmases she remembered when her parents hosted those big parties for their families and friends, and everyone who needed a place to find joy.
They would have welcomed everyone just as well.
They would have loved Jordan so much.
The knowledge had often been bittersweet, because they weren’t in her life anymore.
Tonight, after having kissed her own daughter goodnight, celebrating with everyone she loved, Ellie felt deeply connected to them and the way they had seen the world.
She hoped she’d never lose any of it, no matter the challenges ahead.
Jordan left the small group and came over to her, embracing her tightly.
She didn’t need to ask.
“I think it’s time to bring out the food?”
“Yes. Merry Christmas,” she whispered.
“It is,” Jordan returned, and they walked into the kitchen together.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this holiday-themed foray into the Carpenter/Harding universe. If you’d like to know more about Jordan and Ellie’s love story, and the cases they solve, start at the beginning with Indiscretions. At this moment, there are fourteen books and a prequel (Introductions) for you to discover. For more Christmas cheer, try one of my Christmas romances.
You can find a complete list of my books here:
www.amazon.com/author/barbarawinkes
Never want to miss a new release? Sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dGvo_1
You can also join me on Twitter and/or Instagram: @barbarawinkes
I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy Holidays!
Barbara Winkes, Invitations
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“What? I’m not…She’s lying.”
“We have proof,” Jordan said as she laid her badge on the table. “It’s Christmas. Either find some of that spirit and stay away from her, or you might find yourself back on the inside sooner than later.”
He stared at her in disbelief.
“Are you for real? That b—”
“Give me a break,” she interrupted him. “I’ve heard it all before. You do not impress me.”
“My parole officer is cool. You have nothing on me.”
“Too bad cool guy won’t be available for you any longer. Turns out once his boss realized he was sleeping on the job, he was happy to reassign his cases. Stay away from Mrs. Brennan and her family, and we can all have a merry Christmas.”
She got up, and he did the same, but instead of acknowledging her words, he hurled the plate with the pie at her.
Sam, her partner Wes, and Ellie were by her side the next moment.
Quickly realizing he was outnumbered and outsmarted, Kirk let Sam and Wes lead him away as they explained to him what would happen next.
Jordan stood in the same spot for a few seconds, both grateful at how quickly they were able to act on the obviously volatile suspect, and at the same time, fighting the inappropriate impulse to laugh.
“Are you okay?” Ellie asked.
“Yes. I think so. Wow. I thought food on a plate flying was something I left behind in childhood.”
“You did.”
Ellie made a move to embrace her but stepped back at the last moment.
“I love you, but—”
“Yeah.” Jordan looked down at herself, shaking her head. “What a jerk.” She couldn’t help laughing. “I did not see that coming, literally. I have to work on my reflexes.”
“Your reflexes are fine, but that coat will have to go to the dry cleaners. Hold on a second.” Ellie produced a package of wet wipes from the pocket of her own coat. “The benefits of having a toddler at home…You can go and tell Gloria,” she added as she took out one of the wipes to tackle the worst of the mess. “I’ll finish up at the station.”
“Thank you.” Jordan truly appreciated the offer. It meant she had time to go home and change before anything else. Gloria would be happy to hear from her.
“You’re welcome.” Ellie leaned forward for a quick kiss, only their lips touching as she was avoiding the remnants of pie filling. “Later, we’ll go over the guest list once more?”
“Sure. Wait. How many have you been adding?”
“I’ll see you later!” Ellie walked away laughing.
* * * *
Gloria Brennan had gratefully accepted the invitations for her and her partner. After a few days of tying up the last loose ends, Jordan and Ellie were ready to entertain.
Before the guests were about to arrive, they watched Meri play in the living room. Fascinated by the Christmas tree and its decorations, she got a little too close.
“No, sweetie, that’s not for playing.”
Ignoring all warnings, Meri reached for a shiny ornament that slipped from her fingers and broke on the floor. Jordan hurried to pick her up and rock her, but tears were already following.
“Don’t cry. It’s okay,” she tried to console her as the doorbell rang.
“You get the door, and I’ll clean this up quickly?” Ellie offered.
“Thank you. Let’s see who it is, shall we?” Meri was still sniffling when they got to the door. She was starting to get distracted when they opened it to her Godparents, Kate and Derek, the latter carrying a huge box.
“Wow. I’m scared.” Meri on the other hand had stopped crying and regarded the box with curiosity.
“Just for the record, I tried to talk him out of it, to no avail, obviously,” Kate declared. “Merry Christmas. I brought wine and a few more age-appropriate presents.”
“You’ll see,” Derek said, “it’s the perfect gift.”
* * * *
More and more guests arrived, though none of the bags and boxes could beat Derek and Kate’s gift for Meri in size.
After lots of speculation and a first cocktail, he disappeared for a few minutes only to return as Santa.
Meri stared in awe at the man in the red suit handing everyone gifts.
“And what do we have here? It’s for you! Merry Christmas, Meri.”
Ellie sat down with her to help her excited daughter open the huge box, nearly falling back laughing when she saw what was inside.
“You realize she’s a little young for that? Jordan, come here.”
Jordan, too, was amused at the sight of the mini sports car. “We’ll teach her,” she said.
“No, let Ellie teach her,” Derek broke character for a moment. “I know how you drive.”
“Funny, Santa. And thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Taking in Meri’s happy face, Kate commented, “I guess it wasn’t that bad an idea. She’ll have it for a few years.”
* * * *
After Derek had changed back into civilian clothes, Ellie put a chatty but tired Meri to bed. When she came back to the living room, she stood for a second, happy to take it all in. She felt deeply grateful that Jordan had been able to answer another question from her past, by Christmas Eve of all days.
She watched her talk to Gloria and her partner, and a younger woman who looked a lot like Gloria…Ellie smiled when she realized that Carrie had made time for a quick visit. So much for the guest list.
Jim Larson had politely declined the invitation, but he had driven Kathryn to the party.
Like Ellie, she seemed content to observe and just be here. Ellie watched as Jack Carpenter approached her, and they exchanged a few words, the atmosphere calm and peaceful. She was happy that Jordan’s birthmother had done the work to earn a place in her daughter’s life.
Ellie knew from experience not to take that peace for granted…but through all the trials and tribulations, they had made it here. Happy.
Her gaze wondered to Madeline who had struck up a conversation with Gloria.
It couldn’t have been more perfect, or more like the Christmases she remembered when her parents hosted those big parties for their families and friends, and everyone who needed a place to find joy.
They would have welcomed everyone just as well.
They would have loved Jordan so much.
The knowledge had often been bittersweet, because they weren’t in her life anymore.
Tonight, after having kissed her own daughter goodnight, celebrating with everyone she loved, Ellie felt deeply connected to them and the way they had seen the world.
She hoped she’d never lose any of it, no matter the challenges ahead.
Jordan left the small group and came over to her, embracing her tightly.
She didn’t need to ask.
“I think it’s time to bring out the food?”
“Yes. Merry Christmas,” she whispered.
“It is,” Jordan returned, and they walked into the kitchen together.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this holiday-themed foray into the Carpenter/Harding universe. If you’d like to know more about Jordan and Ellie’s love story, and the cases they solve, start at the beginning with Indiscretions. At this moment, there are fourteen books and a prequel (Introductions) for you to discover. For more Christmas cheer, try one of my Christmas romances.
You can find a complete list of my books here:
www.amazon.com/author/barbarawinkes
Never want to miss a new release? Sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dGvo_1
You can also join me on Twitter and/or Instagram: @barbarawinkes
I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy Holidays!
Barbara Winkes, Invitations
