Christmas In Paradise (Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries Book 4) (25 page)

“You went into the fire
at Captain Brown’s to try to save him. Something fell and hit you on the head and you blacked out. Luckily, Echo pulled you outside. By the time emergency personnel arrived you were lying on the snow.”

“Echo
—” Tj tried to sit up.

“Is
fine,” Hunter assured her. “He was in super-protective mode when everyone arrived, so Josh put him onto one of the trucks.”

“And the horses?”

“Moved down the road a bit. We’ve called your dad to come get them.”

“I need to get up.
I’m sure Echo is frantic.” Tj grimaced against the pain in her head as she sat up.

Hunter waved at someone and within seconds Echo came running up. He la
y down next to Tj and she wrapped her arms around his large neck and gave him a hug. “Thank you, buddy,” she cried into his fur. She realized that if not for her dog she would most likely be dead.

“How long have I been out?” Tj asked.

“Not long. A few minutes.”

“How did everyone get here so fast?”

“A neighbor had called in the fire, so the trucks were already on the way when you went inside. I happened to call the hospital to check on the ambulance for Mr. Partridge and they told me about the emergency call. I was close, so I came over. When I got here Josh was wrestling Echo into the truck because he wouldn’t let the others near you. I figured the truck was the safest place for him, so I helped Josh get him inside and then I checked on both you and Captain Brown.”

“Captain Brown. Is he okay?” Tj looked frantically around the snow
-covered ground.

Hunter hesitated. He looked at Tj with sadness in his eyes. “I’m afraid he didn’t make it.”

Tj closed her eyes. She buried her face in Echo’s furry neck and let her sorrow for the man wash over her. Dennis was going to be devastated. He looked up to him like some sort of surrogate father.

“I tried to get him out
.” Tj sighed as tears streamed down her face.

“It was already too late. He was dead before the fire even started.”

Tj frowned. “Do they know what happened?”

“We can talk about th
at later. Right now I want to get you to the hospital.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not going to the hospital.
What do you mean, Captain Brown was dead before the fire started? It looked like he was passed out drunk.”

“He had been drinking,” Hunter confirmed
, “but he’d also hit his head. It looked like he’d stumbled around, knocking into things for a bit, before falling and hitting his head on the coffee table. If he drank that whole bottle of tequila it’s no wonder he passed out. We really should take you to the hospital to get you checked out.”

“I’m not going to the hospital.”

“Okay then, at least let’s move to one of the police cars. We can wait inside until your dad arrives with the truck.”

“Okay
.” Tj moved onto her knees and then onto her feet. She was a little dizzy and the pain in her head was explosive, but she figured she would survive. Echo sat at her side, the ever-protective watchdog just daring anyone to mess with her. It was a miracle Josh had managed to get him into the truck when she was obviously vulnerable, but Echo was well trained and he knew Josh.

Hunter helped Tj to Roy’s car while E
cho trotted along at her side. The trio climbed into the backseat where they could wait out of the way of the emergency personnel. Tj wrapped her arms around Hunter’s neck and let the tears she’d been fighting flow freely.

Christmas Eve was a magical day in the Jensen household and Tj wasn’t going to let the events of the previous evening destroy even one minute of the joy she felt being with her family and friends. As he did the day before every Christmas, Ben made a huge breakfast that every family member made a point of attending and enjoying, no matter how busy they might be. This year Jordan, Kallie, and Brady joined the Jensen’s as they shared plans for the next twenty-four hours.

“I want Papa to read
‘The Night Before Christmas’ to us like he did last year,” Gracie announced.

“I think I can do that
.” Mike smiled at her.

“And the angel book,” Ashley joined in. “Someone has to read the angel book.”

“Grandpa can do it,” Tj suggested.

“But Grandpa always reads the passage in the Bible about the first Christmas,” Ashley pointed out. “Why don’t you do it?”

“I’d be happy to, but last year you complained I didn’t do it right.”

“That’s
’cause you have to use the voices.”

“Uncle Jordan should do it,” Gracie s
aid. She turned and looked at him. “Do you want to?”

Jordan looked at Tj for guidance. She smiled at him.
“I’d love to,” he said, “but I might need your help with the voices. I don’t believe I’ve heard the story before.”

“I can help you
.” Gracie grinned. “Can we leave out cookies and carrots like we did last year?” she added, turning her attention to Tj.

“Absolutely. And a tall glass of milk as well. Do you have any special Christmas Eve traditions you’d like to share with Brady?” Tj asked Kallie.

She hesitated. “It’s your Christmas.”

“Nonsense, it’s
our
Christmas.”

“Well
. . .” She hesitated. “Brady’s father was brought up Catholic and he always liked to light the advent wreath on Christmas Eve. We’d say a prayer of thanks and then sing some carols.”

“That sound
s wonderful. Do you have a wreath?”

“No,” Kallie
said, “but I can go into town and get one.”

“Actually
, I think there’s one upstairs in your grandma’s stuff,” Ben offered. “Is it round with four candles?”

“It is
.” Kallie smiled.

Tj took a bite of the delicious muffins Ben
had made fresh that morning. She watched as her large extended family laughed and talked among themselves. There really was nothing better than being with family at Christmas.

“Can Kristi and Kari come over later?”
Ashley asked once the conversation about favorite traditions died down.

“I invited t
he whole Elston family to come over,” Tj answered. “They’re going to be here all day and then stay for dinner.”

“I insist that you let me do the cooking,” Kallie spoke up. “You
’re supposed to be taking it easy. Besides, I really want to do something nice to thank you for everything you’ve done for Brady and me.”

“It’s okay with me,” Tj
said, looking at Ben.

“Fine by me. I invited the guys to come for dinner
, so if Kallie cooks it will free me up to play some cards.”

“I’ve invited Rosalie as well,” Mike joined in.

“I guess I’d better get in the kitchen.” Kallie seemed really excited about the opportunity to contribute, but she frowned when she realized that Brady would be left on his own.

“I’ll take the kids out to burn off some steam,” Jordan offered. “I’ve been thinking that we need to add a new snowman to our family on the front lawn.”

Tj noticed the look of adoration Kallie sent in Jordan’s direction. She only hoped her feelings were returned.

After breakfast Mike went to check on the staff while Ben went upstairs to wrap a few last-minute gifts and Tj volunteered to deal with the dishes. Kallie went into town to gather a few special ingredients for the dinner she was enthusiastically planning, while Jordan took the kids outside to build the snowman he’d promised. After she’d finished wiping the counters, Tj poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table to consider her options for the remainder of the day.

“Brady wants to have some hot cocoa
.” Gracie came inside and slipped onto Tj’s lap. “He’s cold from the snowman.”

“I think that can be arranged
.”

Gracie bit her lip as she appeared to be trying to work something out in her six
-year-old mind. “Is Brady our new brother?” she asked.

Tj laughed. “No
, he’s just staying with us for a few more days and then he’s going back to his grandmother’s.”

“Why?”

Good question.

“He
’s staying with his grandma for a while so that his mom can get settled into her new house.”

Gracie seemed to consider that. “Where
’s his daddy?”

“I’m afraid he passed away.”

“Like Mom?”

“Yeah, like
Mom.”

Gracie seemed content with Tj
’s answers. She wrapped her arms around her sister’s neck and snuggled her curly head into her chest. Tj wrapped her arms around the sister she had grown to love so much over the past year and a half, offering a prayer of thanks that she was allowed to have her sisters in her life.

“I think Uncle Jordan likes Kallie,” Gracie whispered into Tj’s ear.

“You think so?” she whispered back.

“He keeps looking at her and smiling. Uncle Hunter looks at you and smiles
, and Grandpa told me it was because he likes you.”

Tj smiled. “Uncle Jordan and Kallie are just friends
, like Uncle Hunter and I are friends.”

“Ashley said you and Uncle Hunter are going to get married as soon as you come to your senses.”

Tj laughed. “Ashley said that? Where did she ever get that idea?”

Gracie shrugged. “If you do marry Uncle Hunter
, are you still going to live here with me and Ashley?”

Tj hugged Gracie. “I’m not going to marry Uncle Hunter or anyone else
any time soon, but even if I do get married someday, you and Ash are my number-one priority. I’ll always live with you until you’re old enough to move out and live on your own.”

Gracie settled her head against Tj’s chest as she looked out the window at the others. Tj wrapped her arms around her as they enjoyed the contentment that comes with having those you love most happy and together.

Later that afternoon Tj sat on the front deck with Jenna
, watching the kids play in the snow.

“How are you feeling?” Jenna asked. “Perhaps we shouldn’t have all descended on you after your ordeal.”

“I feel okay,” Tj answered. “It seems like Bonnie is doing better today. She’s been in the kitchen helping Kallie since she got here. She still looks pale and thin, but her smile seems to be back.”

Tj waved to Ashley
, who was trying to get her attention so that she would watch her sled down the hill they’d built near the side of the yard. It was a short but steep ride, and all the kids seemed to be having a blast.

“She
is
doing better,” Jenna said. “Mom talked to her for quite a while this morning, and it seems like she’s ready to put this whole thing behind her. I’m not sure she’ll be dating any time soon, but maybe that’s just as well.”

“Speaking of dating,” Tj leaned in close, “did you see the shy looks being exchanged between your mom and Bookman? I know they’ve been attracted to each other for a while
, but I get the feeling there may be more going on.”

“Mom is keeping mum about the whole thing
, but I’m fairly certain the two have shared a few dates in the past month. If I had to guess I’d say Bookman could be my new daddy.”

“And how do you feel about that?” Tj laughed.

“I love the idea. I’ve known Bookman long enough to have a deep respect for him. He’s kind and loyal, and he cares about his friends. And honestly, I think he’s one of the few men who would be able to maintain an equal hand with Mom. Most of the men she’s dated in the past were so awed by her that they treated her like she was the queen of the town. I know Bookman respects Mom, but he can hold his own with her. I’d hate to see Mom end up with someone she could walk all over.”

Tj had to agree that Helen and Bookman made a fine pair. She supposed they’d have to wait to see how everything turned out.

“How’s Dennis doing with everything that’s happened?” Tj asked.

“It’s hard to tell,” Jenna
said. “On one hand, he’s devastated by what happened to Captain Brown, but on the other, he’s glad that neither he nor Bonnie is considered a suspect. I think he’s anxious to put this all behind him. I know he’s grateful to your super dog for rescuing you from a fiery death, as am I.”

Tj wrapped her arms around her giant dog and gave him a hug. This wasn’t the first time she was glad he’d been trained in search and rescue
, and she was sure it wouldn’t be the last.

“Has Dennis heard
whether he’s going to be able to go back to work?” Tj asked.

“Yes
, thank goodness. His first day back is the twenty-sixth. I love my husband, but he’s been driving me crazy while he’s been off. I’ll be very happy to have the house to myself for a few hours a day again. Still, I know the entire crew is reeling from what happened. It’s going to be a tough adjustment.”