“You already did. They’re talking about you joining the carnival.” She continued to speak in a low tone. “Can I take your hat?”

“Depends on what you intend to do with it.” He removed his black felt dress hat and finger-combed his dark hair.

“I’ll turn it upside down right there on the coffee table, and I promise I won’t stomp it or sit on it,” she said.

He handed it to her. “I’m putting a lot of trust in you, darlin’. I’ve seen what you can do to a man’s good hat.”

“What have you seen?” Blaze asked from the doorway into the living room.

Raylen nodded to acknowledge Blaze. “I have seen with my own eyes that Liz has quite a temper. She threw my hat on the ground and then stomped it.”

“Then you’re doing good,” Blaze said. “She will have her say or die, so if you are weak-hearted, you need to run right now.”

“That’s the Latina in her,” Tressa called from the kitchen.

“Raylen brought watermelon wine,” Liz said to divert the conversation away from herself.

“I had to beg for that bottle. Austin wanted to send a bottle of Granny Lanier’s because she’s sure it’s a good vintage. But I made her give me a bottle of her first year’s crop to celebrate tonight,” Raylen said.

“That’s so romantic.” Tressa came into the living room and took the bottle from Liz. “I’ve only had this kind a couple of times, but I really liked the flavor. It will go well with tonight’s supper.”

Raylen slipped his arm around Liz. “Thank you. Colleen said she’ll be along in a little bit. She wasn’t through primping, and I have an idea she wants to bring her own vehicle tonight.”

Liz turned away from Raylen and looked at Blaze. He had changed from his work clothes and was now dressed in Wranglers, boots, and a black shirt with two buttons open at the neck. His dark brown hair was feathered back, with a few drops of water still clinging to it.

“You two are certainly a couple of handsome fellers tonight,” Liz said as she turned back to Raylen. “I suppose you’ve noticed that there’s mistletoe over every doorway, and I don’t know about Colleen, but I do not intend to waste any of it.”

Blaze grinned, and his cat-like eyes glistened. “Thank you very much, Lizelle. And I forgot to tell you that the house is beautiful. It ought to be on one of those house tour things that they talk about in Amarillo.”

“What I like most is that arrangement on the mantel,” Tressa said. “Mother would have liked having a nativity in the house. She liked the spiritual side of the holiday and Poppa has always loved the silly side.”

Raylen slipped an arm around Liz’s shoulders. “What about you, darlin’? What do you like?”

“All of it. Nativity, Santa Claus, and every single bit of it. There’s not a theme I don’t like, and did I tell you that we’re doing the cafe in a country Christmas theme? I can’t wait to dive into that, too. Are you going to help me?”