“Are you serious?” Grams’s voice was full of shock. “I have some things to say to that woman.”
“She wants to come with me to your house for Christmas.”
“No. Seriously?” Grams paused and then found her tongue. “The nerve. The gall. The absolute audacity. She tries to destroy Quill and almost destroys Cora and she thinks she can show up for eggnog? Wow. I guess you have to admire the guts, right? Just a second, love.” She paused and talked to somebody. “Okay, here’s the deal. Drop me your location and Cora and I will be right there.”
“Okay.” He wasn’t certain what Kris had done to Cora. He hoped he wasn’t about to mediate a girl fight. Yes, Kris was a nightmare, but it was also Christmas. He wanted to be done with the drama. “Where’s Quill?”
“Ren had some trouble on his wildfire. We’ve been praying hard and just got word he’s okay, but Quill, Cedar, Aster, and Mavyn all went to him. I don’t know when they’ll be back.”
He really wished Quill was here. Not only had Chase never met him, but he felt Quill deserved an apology from this woman. He deserved to decide what to do. “Okay, see you soon.”
He ended the call and then shared his location with his phone. Turning around, he had no clue what to say to Kris until they got here.
She stood, her face lighting up. “We’re going for Christmas?” She clapped her hands together.
“Um, no. Grams and Cora are coming here.”
“What about Quill?” She stuck out her lower lip in a pout. “You understand he’s my only true love, right?”
Yep, this was going to be a huge cat fight. Quill and Cora were dating now. Oh, boy. Should he tell Grams not to bring Cora?
“Um, I need to check on some things. Excuse me, please.” He went out the front door and stood on the front porch. It was chilly out here, but much better than being stuck in the cabin with that woman one moment longer. Hadn’t he done enough service today? Could he earn the blessing of Ashley coming to him for his good deeds? He’d settle for a text or a phone call or some encouragement. If only that’s how good deeds worked.
He called Grams back, but it went to voice mail. He checked his phone to kill time, but there were only some texts from close friends and some of his staff wishing him Merry Christmas. He responded in kind.
A red sport utility pulled into the driveway. Cora, Hope, and Grams climbed out.
“Merry Christmas!” They all called cheerily to him. These women were his family, or in Cora’s case, would be soon. They were good ladies, but would they be kind to the likes of Kris? She’d done a lot of damage to their family.
Grams gave him a tight hug, then he officially met Cora and gave her and Hope quick hugs.
“Chelsea wanted to come, but we figured this was no place for Dax. Luckily, Cat and Uncle Jay’s crew are at his house doing some ice fishing for tonight’s dinner.” Hope lowered her voice. “You would not want Cat here. She’s sassy. She’d tear that pampered Kris apart.”
“What are you planning to do?” Chase asked. He knew Kris deserved a lot of angst for everything she’d admitted to him, but in her own way, she was suffering quite a bit. And besides, it was Christmas Day.
“Just a little humbling, but we’ll be nice.” Grams said. She walked around him. “As nice as we can be.”
Chase hurried forward and swung the door wide. They filed inside. Kris wasn’t in the living room or kitchen.
“Where do you think she went?” Hope asked.
They heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up. She’d obviously gone to primp. She had changed into tight jeans and a button-down shirt that didn’t have nearly enough buttons done up. Her hair and makeup were far too much for Chase’s taste. He preferred Ashley’s simple beauty.
“Hi!” she called brightly as she descended the stairs, then her lip drooped. “Where are the men?”
“This isn’t about men,” Hope said. “We’re her to support Chase and to talk about Quill and Cor—”
Kris reached the bottom step and her eyes popped wide as she turned to face Cora. “Pepper?” Her olive skin went a shade of pale gray and she backed up. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m Quill Chadwick’s fiancée,” Cora said, sweet as sugar, but her brown eyes flashed. “Isn’t fate artistic?”
“No!” Kris squeaked. “No. Quill should hate you. He still loves me.”
Grams looked to Hope. “I was planning on being kind, but she’s pushing my buttons.”
Hope smiled and turned to Kris. “Quill knows exactly how self-serving you are. You used Cora, as Pepper, just like you use people all over the place. The only miracle to me is that you haven’t been exposed yet.”
Kris regained her “moxie,” as she called it, and tossed her long hair, giving them a snarky smile. “I’m very good at covering up messes.”
“Well, you’re not going to weather this one,” Cora said. “Too many of us know that you are just as much to blame as Todd Plowman for the scandal with Quill and Pepper.”
Kris looked away and her lower lip trembled. “I really am sorry, Pepper… I mean, Cora. I didn’t mean to hurt you. You were just a means to an end.”
Hope’s eyes flashed and Grams grunted. “What end?”
“I love Quill, but he dumped me,” she admitted. “Todd convinced me that I could humble Quill and he’d get back together with me.”
Grams looked to Chase. “You know, I actually feel bad for her. She acts all perfect online, but she’s pathetic.”
“Ah!” Kris protested. She glared at Grams. “I’m not pathetic!”
Cora looked her over and took a deep breath. “Kris … I want you to know that I forgive you.”
Chase was impressed. Kris didn’t deserve forgiveness but Cora was obviously a kind woman.
“You do?” Kris drew back in surprise. “Why would you forgive me?”
“Grams is right. I feel bad for you. Everything worked out in the end. Despite you trying to destroy Quill and I, we’re together now and have never been happier.”
Kris’s lips turned down in an exaggerated pout. “I’m the one who’s supposed to be happy with Quill,” she insisted.
“I have the answer for you, and it’s not Quill,” Grams said. “Stop being selfish. Turn your heart to God and your life to helping others and you’ll be happy.”
Chase loved that. It sounded exactly like something his mom would’ve said.
Kris stared at her. “That’s your answer? You people and trusting in a higher power.” She wrinkled her nose. “Quill was always talking about junk like that too. I guess I should be glad Quill and I didn’t end up together.”
Cora’s eyebrows lifted. “I think so too.”
Kris flinched.
Chase hoped this was winding down. It would take more than inspiring words to help this woman. She needed extended therapy sessions with a very patient pastor or trained therapist.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Hope said, obviously ready to be done with this conversation too. “You have two choices. First? You allow Mavyn to write an article exposing what you’ve done.”