A McCree Christmas (Chasing McCree) by J.C. Isabella Read Free Book Online Page A

Tuck was oblivious. He still hadn’t found a girl to put up with his unique style of humor. Dustin was focusing on being wild and free.
    “Takes a good man to go to war,” Grandpa muttered, sipping his Diet Coke. “My brother died in Vietnam. Good man. Better soldier.”
    I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just nodded, watching the TV.
    “Better to be sure of what you want from life. Sometimes it means leaving a pretty young wife at home, and never coming back.” The old guy bristled with anger. I wondered if I should change the channel or call for backup. He turned away from the TV and looked me dead in the eyes. There was nothing crazy about his behavior, just a fierce love for his granddaughter. “That girl means the world to me, and I don’t remember a lot of things, but I remember her.”
    “I’d never leave Briar. The ranch is my life.”
    “Good man.” He turned back to the TV, and didn’t say another word.
    Briar came into the room, all smiles. “Are you guys bonding over war stories?”
    I nodded, sliding out of the chair and following her quietly out of the room. “How’s dinner coming?”
    “Great. Grandma doesn’t need my help anymore, so we can go to your mom’s house anytime.”
    We said a quick goodbye to the grandparents and I located the keys to the Mercedes. I swear, would it kill anyone to have a truck, or at least a car that looked normal?
    First we swung by the salon to pick up Penny from Raphael. He met us in the lobby, and I noticed two things were different about the dog.
    One, she smelled like bubble gum. Raphael had given her a bath with some fancy scented shampoo. Two, she’d had her nails painted red for the holidays.
    “Oh, I’m going to miss her,” Raphael said as he handed Penny to Briar.
    “You know,” I said, finding it in me to pat the guy on the back to console him, “Penny has brothers and sisters that still need homes.”
    Raphael stopped dabbing his eyes with a tissue and smiled. “Really?”
    “Sure.”
    “I think you’d love her sister. I named her Lola,” Briar added. “Lexi is coming to Montana in a few days. I could send her back with one of the puppies.”
    “Oh, thank you.” He threw his arms around me in a hug. “I’m so excited!”
    I hugged him back. “You’re welcome.”
    Briar hugged him too, and we wished him a merry Christmas.
    I made for the car, thinking the guy wasn’t so bad, but still a little different from most people. I was sure he’d love Lola. She was a bright, blond spaniel with big brown eyes. Uncle Jerry called her a heartbreaker.
    I parked on the street at my parent’s house, afraid to leave the car under the tree where I used to park my truck. The afternoon was slightly cool, in the high fifties, but I didn’t need a coat. It was just nice and calm, and I was glad to see my mom and her husband, Todd.
    I was even more excited to give my little sister her Christmas present.
    Penny was the squirmiest, happiest spaniel I’d met yet, and I had no doubt Amy would love her.
    Briar handed me the puppy so I could present her to my sister, and rang the doorbell. The wreath swayed as the door swung inward, and Todd pulled me into a hug. He was wearing a gray vest and jeans, which was a little more dressed up than I thought he’d be. But Todd was an ex model, and even though I didn’t understand his kind, I didn’t mind it.
    “Chase, it’s good to see you,” He let me go to hug Briar, and helped carry the presents into the house. “Honey, Chase and Briar are here.”
    My mom came out of the kitchen, and ran across the room to wrap both of us in a hug. She didn’t say much, but it was more than clear she’d missed us terribly. And it was such a good feeling to know that she accepted us now. She and Briar were still getting to know each other, but I had a feeling that, as time went on, they’d grow close enough to be friends.
    “How was your flight?” she asked, looking at Briar. “I know Chase hates flying, but I