Forsaking All Others. Linda Hudson-Smith

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СКАЧАТЬ of our kids, how was the snowmobiling outing for you and Jen?”

      “Lots of fun. The guys were acting a little crazy while driving the snowmobiles, making sharp twists and turns all over the place, but they pretty much stuck to most of the safety rules. I liked it enough to want to do it again. I think I’d like to drive one the next time. It might take a minute or two to get the hang of it. Jen and I were whooping and hollering it up out there. The guys had a tremendous time, too.”

      Sahara pressed her lips together, choosing her next words carefully. “Having a good time with Wes?”

      Jessica looked down the length of her nose at her mother. “Why don’t you go right ahead and ask me what you really want to know? Your curiosity about us is written all over your face and you’re dying to get up in our business.”

      “Just asked a simple question. Why are you trying to make a federal case out of it? My goodness, you’re really sensitive on the subject.”

      “The only thing I’m sensitive about is you and Daddy trying to choose a husband for me. It’s not like that with Wes and me. But to answer your question, I’m having a grand time. On January third the vacation will be over with and so will Wes and I. All we’re doing is having some fun and trying to make the best of this situation our parents have thrown us into. Mom, it’s not going to happen for us. Please share that with Dad and the Chamberlains so you all don’t continue speculating.”

      “I think you are making way too much out of us wanting to share our holiday time with the Chamberlains. However, I’m glad you’re having a good time.”

      “Whatever, Mom. Okay for me to eat before the food gets cold?”

      Sahara knew that Jessica meant she wanted to be left in peace. “If you need anything, I’ll be in the bedroom.” Sahara got up from the chair, her head hung low.

      Jessica could tell by the look on her mother’s face that she had hurt her feelings. That hadn’t been her intent, but she needed everyone just to get off her and Weston’s backs. No one could choose a mate for another person, even though she knew there were many cultures in the world that still arranged marriages.

      “Sorry, Mom,” Jessica yelled out before Sahara could disappear. “I’ll try to be a little less sensitive, but please just let Wes and me be ourselves.”

      Jessica knew Sahara was a bit upset with her when she didn’t accept her apology or even bother to respond to her plea. Sahara wasn’t the type who stayed upset long, nor did she hold grudges, so Jessica wasn’t worried that their little tiff would ruin the rest of their stay in Aspen. Both she and her mother would soon forget this had ever happened.

      Keeping a covert eye on Weston was difficult to do, especially when Jessica kept catching herself staring at him outright. He looked so darn sexy, though he was only dressed in a neatly pressed burgundy shirt and heather-gray wool slacks, all of which appeared to be of excellent quality. It was how his athletic physique filled out the attire that turned Jessica on; it looked as if it all fit him to a T. His broad shoulders were more accentuated when they weren’t buried beneath a bulky sweater.

      Like the rest of the men, Weston was intent on seeing that the full Douglas fir Christmas tree was put up correctly. No one wanted to see it topple over at some point during the planned festivities. Jacque had suggested that the group purchase an artificial tree just before they had gone out to shop for a fresh one. His not-so-brilliant idea had met with clucking disapproval from the four women.

      Looking down at her own attire, comparing it to what the other females wore, Jessica was still pleased with the outfit she had chosen for herself. Tucked neatly into the waistband of slim, black wool crepe pants was a long-sleeved black-and-white striped Ralph Lauren shirt. Over the designer shirt she wore a stylish black quilted vest.

      Jessica’s long, light-brown layered hair had been blow-dried straight but curled slightly at the ends of each layer to allow her shiny tresses to flow softly about her shoulders. Just the right amount of makeup to her pretty face and hazel eyes gave a gently dramatic flair to her normally wholesome appearance.

      Weston thought Jessica looked cover-model perfect, though she hardly measured up in height. Her five-foot-even frame fell way short when compared to many statuesque, leggy models. But he liked how she carried herself. She was every bit as graceful and stylish as any top model in the country today. Jessica was a far cry from the preteen he’d once known, and he was still amazed by her unbelievable transformation. He loved how she was gently curvaceous in all the right spots, the ones his hands craved to tenderly caress. Though she had a small bustline, the twin mounds appeared to stand proud. The vest she wore over her shirt didn’t allow him nearly the exciting view of cleavage he had seen the first day.

      Christmas music, the popping and crackling of the fire burning brightly in the fireplace and the sounds of joyous laughter created a wonderful holiday setting. A wondrous winter scene of mountains, snow and large evergreen trees through the large picture window delighted the senses. The draperies had been pulled completely back, making it look as if the scene had been painted onto the glass pane.

      Gaily colored rolls of foil wrapping paper, with every kind of decoration on them, from reindeer to Santa Clauses, were laid out on the table, along with bunches of ribbons in bright colors of green, red, gold, silver and white. There were also bows made up of more than one hue. White gift boxes waiting to be filled with presents and then wrapped in the paper were stacked high in one corner of the dining room.

      Weston quickly snapped out of his reverie when he heard the others howling. He couldn’t help but join in the laughter even though a sudden rush of empathy for Jessica had just hit him. It looked to him as if she had gotten herself all tangled up in the tinsel she was working with. The bewildered look on her face was comical but so endearing.

      Jessica didn’t like the glittery stuff, anyway, so it didn’t bother her that it might be ruined. The tinsel had been Sandra’s bright idea. The Harringtons had never used it on one of their family Christmas trees, although its use was traditional in many a household. Now that the tinsel could no longer be used, Jessica grabbed up the tray of delicate gold-and silver-edged angel and snowflake ornaments to hang on the tree’s sweeping branches.

      The delicious aromas of food, hot apple cider and freshly popped popcorn filled the air, mixing with the heady pine scent of the Douglas fir. Jennifer and Samuel had just finished popping the corn and warming the cider and putting out all the reheated foods Sahara and Roman had prepared earlier. The smell of the baked hot wings and grilled chicken tenders eventually ruled over the other scents. Swedish meatballs and beef cocktail wieners simmered in a light but very flavorful teriyaki sauce. Three kinds of pasta had also been made: spaghetti, penne and an angel-hair/vegetable salad.

      The group hadn’t finished trimming the tree, but they decided to stop long enough to enjoy the evening meal together. The ladies quickly began to hustle around the room to tackle several chores. Jessica laid out the plates while Sandra took care of the silverware. Sahara busied herself filling the drinking glasses with snowball-shaped ice cubes. She had seen the cute trays on one of the aisles inside a convenience store in town and she hadn’t been able to resist purchasing a few of the cleverly designed items.

      Roman requested that Weston ask for the blessing on the food and all the hands that had prepared it. Jacque and Sandra had prepared the sinful desserts. Apple cobbler was their son’s favorite and the triple-layer devil’s food cake was the one dessert Jacque loved most. Sandra and Jacque had also baked sweet-potato pies, an absolute favorite of all the Harringtons, including Jennifer and Samuel. Once the simultaneous “amens” rang out, the group wasted no time at all digging right in.

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