Cowboy Christmas (A Henley Christmas Novella) (Down Under Cowboy series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to leave and never come back.  Now, I find you harassing Eden in the toilets at a family function – and so close to Christmas as well.  Do you have no moral compass, Dannika?” 
    Wow.
    “I...uh…”
    “No, I don’t think you do,” Sara answers her own question.  Her tone is contemplative.  Like she’s having a normal, calm discussion with someone.  Not like she’s holding a pistol and without directly saying the words, she’s threatened to shoot someone with it.  “You’re a disgrace to the sisterhood, Dannika , and I plan on putting a stop to your evilness.”
    Oh shit.
    Just as I’m sure Sara will do something she’ll live to regret, the bathroom door bursts open and in walks Dory and Rhonda.  They’re chatting amongst themselves but their mouths soon snap shut when they take in the scene before them.
    “Oh, dear,” Rhonda says quietly.
    “For God sake,” Dory surprises me by snapping.  Her hands go to her hips and she looks between Sara and Dannika.  “Sara, you don’t want to do anything that will end up with you being in jail for this piece of shit,” she jerks her finger towards Dannika.  “And Dannika, what makes you think you’re welcome in this town?  You’ve caused more hurt than you’re worth.  I don’t know what made you think it was a good idea for you to come back here, but I’m telling you now, it was a stupid thought.”
    Dannika’s eyes glance to me and Dory’s mouth drops open.  “You thought Jackson would want you back?”
    You can see it on her face.  That’s exactly why she came back.
    Dory begins to laugh…actually, no, it’s an evil cackle.  I stand there, frozen and wide eyed watching the craziness before me.
    Dannika, clearly offended by Dory’s outburst, puts her hands on her hips and glares daggers at her.  “Why wouldn’t he want me?  Jackson knows I’m a catch. He had me before and then he wanted to play with Eden,” her lip curls when she says my name.  “Now, he’s had some fun with her, he’ll want me back.  Haven’t you ever heard the saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder?”
    Dory scoffs.  “Ain’t you ever heard the saying, no-one wants someone who’s got a first class ticket for the crazy train?”
    A burst of laughter escapes my throat before I can swallow it down.  Rhonda’s got a glimmer of a grin on her lips and even Sara chuckles.
    Dannika eyes glow with rage.
    “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she snaps at Dory.
    “Oh, I don’t,” Dory feigns shock.  “Because it looks to me like Jackson doesn’t want you.  He’s building a beautiful family with Edie.  Tell me, Dannika, why would Jackson want trash like you, when he’s got a treasure like Edie?”
    “Anyways,” Sara cuts in, drawing out the word.  She looks to Dannika.  “I warned you what would happen if you came back to town.” 
    My mouth falls open when she raises the pistol and points it at Dannika.
    “S-sara, you don’t want to do this,” my shaking voice betrays my nervousness.  “She’s not worth it.  If you shoot her, you’ll spend the next twenty-five years in jail.”
    “I don’t care.  It’ll be worth it to know she’s off this fucking Earth.”
    “Okay, but then she wins.  She’s dead, yes, but you have to pay for it,” I say softly.
    “At least she won’t be able to tear anymore families apart,” she seethes.
    Crap.  I need to think of something quick.   I don’t know the woman from a bar of soap, so I don’t know what will get through to her. Think, Edie, think…
    “Do you have kids, Sara?”
    “No.”
    “What about your family?  What about your mum and dad?  Think about what this would do to them, how much it would hurt them.”
    At the mention of her family, her shield comes down and her eyes are full of the hurt.  They shine with the betrayal and humiliation she’s been burying since she found out about her husband’s sordid affair.  Her hand shakes, causing the gun to