Dixie Lynn Dwyer Read Online Free PDF Page A

mouth then ran his fingertips from her shoulder down her arm to her fingers.
    She took a deep breath. Then they heard the laughter as Virgo began to tell jokes about turkeys and stuffing.
     
    * * * *
     
    Sally stood by the doorway, feeling queasy. She had to tell Mason and Steven that she was pregnant. She couldn’t hold off much longer. Especially since she declined alcohol three times in front of them, and they seemed suspicious.
    She was bursting with joy.
    She felt the large hand against her lower back and she tensed up.
    Mason wrapped his arm around her waist and she shivered.
    “Hey, are you all right? You’ve been acting funny the last few days.” He kissed her cheek.
    “I’m fine, just a little cold,” she told him.
    “I can fix that.”
    He turned her toward him and kissed her deeply as he held her in his arms. She instantly became pliant in his embrace.
    “Hey, you two, take a seat. We’re starving,” BJ teased, and everyone chuckled.
    “I can’t believe that there are twenty-five of us here, celebrating together. I’m not sure about the rest of you, but Alexa, Sally, and I never experienced the holidays before. This means a lot,” Susanna stated.
    Sally felt the tears reach her eyes.
    “It’s extra special because of all of you,” Sally said.
    “Okay, let’s not turn this into a crying fest,” Virgo announced, and everyone laughed as they took seats around the table.
    “Next year, we’ll have to add some more room,” Sally added.
    “Add more room? Are you planning on inviting some other people?” Ava asked.
    Sally smiled as she stood between Mason and Steven who were about to sit.
    “Well, we’ll need room for the high chair,” she announced. Forks dropped and silence filled the room before Mason and Steven both placed a hand on her shoulders.
    “Say that again, baby?” Steven asked. She smiled wide.
    “We’re having a baby.”
    The hoots and hollers filled the room as Steven hugged Sally and then Mason did the same. They placed their hands on her belly and cheered as loud as the others.
    “This is awesome,” Ava yelled out and they all took turns congratulating Mason and Steven and hugging Sally.
    “Okay, now someone hurry up and say the blessing so I can go sit in the other room,” Sally stated as she held her belly.
    “What’s wrong, honey?” Steven asked as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and covered her hand with his.
    “The smell of all the food is killing me.”
    Everyone chuckled.
    “BJ, you do it,” Susanna directed, and he raised his eyebrows at her.
    “Why me?” he asked.
    “Well, you’re the head lawman around here,” Susanna replied.
    “You’re the head of this household, Susanna,” he replied, and she smiled.
    “Yeah, Susanna, you do it,” Ava stated.
    “Yeah, you’re like the mother hen anyways!” Elise yelled out and they all chuckled.
    “Watch it, you.” Susanna pointed at Elise.
    “Sorry, Mom,” Elise replied and the laughter continued.
    Susanna shook her head.
    “Okay, everyone bow their heads.”
    They all did as she began to speak.
    “There is so much to be thankful for. This year has brought danger to our doorsteps, doom through windows, literally…but also love and companionship for all of us. May our family continue to grow, may the baby or babies growing in Sally’s belly grow healthy and strong, and may we always be able to come together and celebrate the holidays as a family. Dixie Chix!” She stated and everyone replied in unison, “Dixie Chix.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Sally walked into the kitchen with Mason and Steven right behind her.
    “So this is why you’ve been acting strangely?” Steven asked, and she nodded her head.
    “How long have you known?” Mason asked.
    “Well, I had a feeling a few weeks ago, but then I started to get nausea all the time and yesterday I took a test and it was positive.”
    Mason looked her over and she nibbled her bottom lip.
    “I thought we said no secrets.” He pulled her