An Old-Fashioned Christmas Read online

  He held his finger up to Tom and Kent.

  Kent grinned as he put some more buttered toast on Joshua’s plate. Wyatt, Brax’s little boy sat in a high chair on his other side. No doubt Brax was having a bit of a talk with his wife over that pregnancy test.

  Heath was about to have a chat with his disobedient wife.

  She was currently rinsing off dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. Frankie was chatting to her, peeling potatoes. Heath moved in behind Anna. He placed his hands on the kitchen counter, trapping her between his arms as he leaned into her.

  She tensed, stilling.

  He kissed her neck. “Good morning, darlin’. Sleep well?”

  She cleared her throat. “I did, thank you.”

  “Glad I could help.”

  “Heath,” she scolded. He chuckled.

  “Morning, Heath,” Frankie said cheerfully. “We’re making you some potato salad and sandwiches before we go. Anna doesn’t think you guys are capable of feeding yourselves.”

  “That so?” he drawled. He nudged Anna’s neck, breathing in her scent. “Mind if I borrow my wife for a few minutes, Frankie?”

  His sister grinned. “Sure thing. Just have her back by ten, all right?”

  “I certainly will.”

  “Heath, I’ve got things to do,” she whispered at him as he led her out of the kitchen, her hand firmly grasped in his.

  He walked towards his study, strode in then shut and locked the door behind him. Then he pulled Anna gently over to the sofa that rested in front of the fireplace.

  He sat and drew her down next to him. She attempted to stand. “Heath, the kids—”

  “Are fine,” he told her. “Frankie, Tom and Kent are capable of taking care of a few kids.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “Seven kids.”

  “Actually, six.”

  She frowned.

  “And Batman,” he clarified with a small smile. “And Batman would argue that he takes care of everyone else.”

  “That boy definitely has your overprotective streak,” she admitted. “The other day, he caught me up on a chair trying to reach for something in the top cupboard and told me to get down before I fell and that he would fly up and get what I needed.”

  “And why did you not wait for me?”

  She stilled, realizing what she’d just admitted. She bit her lip. “I needed something right away.”

  “And what would be stored up so high you’d need urgently?”

  “The box of jars I store up there for when I make jam.”

  He sighed. “Anna, we can buy jam from the damn store. You don’t need to be making it yourself. And if you’re going to lift something heavy out of a high cupboard then you wait until I’m home to do it for you, understand? If you fell and that glass went everywhere…” He shuddered at the thought.

  “I know. I had that thought too. Luckily, Alex came in so he got them down.”

  Alex was their new ranch manager.

  “I’ll add that to your tab,” he told her.

  “There’s a tab?” Dismay filled her face.

  “Oh yeah. What time is it?”

  She looked at her watch and bit her lip. “Seven-fifty-five. But Heath, you weren’t really serious—”

  “You know damn well I was serious. So what are you doing up and working in the kitchen when I told you to stay in bed?”

  She sighed. “I have a lot to do. Plus, I didn’t think you’d be back so early.”

  He just shook his head. “If you think I won’t spank you just because we’ve got a houseful of people then you are sadly mistaken.”

  Her eyes widened. “Heath—”

  “But much as I believe in delivering a spanking as soon as it’s earned, I don’t want you to be uncomfortable while you’re doing all your girly stuff. You deserve a relaxing day off. We’ll take care of it tonight after the kids have gone to bed.”

  He pulled her into his lap and kissed her thoroughly. “I’m going to have to thank Batman for taking such good care of his mother.” He ran his finger down her nose. “Behave yourself today, all right?”

  She gave him a disgruntled look. “I think I’d rather have the spanking now and get it over and done with.”

  He smiled. “I don’t think you’ll say that when you’re trying to sit still while getting your nails done. Of course, you could ask them if you could lie down.”

  “Nope, on second thought. I’ll wait.”

  He drew her tight, kissed the top of her head. “Love you, Mrs. Jamieson.”

  “Love you too.”

  10

  Kent, Bryony and Cam

  “Is she all right?” Kent asked with some concern as Tom drew the pressure cuff off Bryony’s arm. He hated when she was ill. Hated feeling helpless. It was the control freak in him, he knew. He just wanted to keep everyone he loved safe. He didn’t know how Heath had coped when their parents had died. Sometimes he woke up, worrying that he was going to mess up, that he was going to miss something.

  “I’m fine, Kent.” She reached over and squeezed his hand with a reassuring smile.

  After breakfast, he’d managed to get hold of Tom and talk to him quietly about checking Bryony over. He, Tom and Bryony were in the small living room at the back of the house where there was a bit of privacy, while Cam watched the kids.

  “Blood pressure is a little low, which could account for the dizziness,” Tom said. “Everything else looks fine. You’re a little pale. Eating okay?”

  She shrugged, feeling embarrassed. “I’ve been trying to cut down. I’m still carrying a lot of baby weight.”

  She didn’t think dieting was a good idea, but she’d thought it wouldn’t hurt to eat a little less.

  Tom frowned. “You need to make sure you’re having plenty of good fats and veggies. And that you’re drinking lots. You need to take care of yourself.”

  “I’ll be more careful from now on,” she promised.

  “And we’ll take good care of her,” Kent said.

  Tom grinned and winked at her. “I’m sure you will.”

  “Think she’s all right to go out today or should she go back to bed?”

  She gave Kent an exasperated look. She really didn’t want to be stuck in bed while everyone else went out and had fun. But she knew her husband well enough to know that’s exactly what would happen if he thought it was what was best for her.

  “I think she’ll be all right. Just keep the fluids up. Rest if you need to. Don’t let Frankie drag you all over town. If you feel dizzy, sit down, head between your knees and stay there until you feel better. All right?”

  “I’ll be all right.” She looked at Kent as she spoke.

  “Course you will,” Tom said reassuringly. “I’ll tell Frankie to keep an eye on you. Don’t do anything too strenuous, but I think that a day out will be good for you.”

  “Thanks, Tom.” Kent shook his hand.

  “Always happy to help, I’ll send you my bill,” Tom said, with a laugh as he left the room.

  “See? I’m fine. You were overreacting.”

  Kent drew her up into his arms and squeezed her bottom with his hands. “I just want to keep you safe and healthy.”

  “I know and I love you for it.”

  He kissed her. “Follow Tom’s orders. And if you don’t feel well, call me and I will come and get you. Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  “Bryony, are you all right?” Anna asked.

  Bryony looked over at her sister-in-law with a smile. They were all sitting at the spa. Frankie and Holly had gone off to get a massage. Anna and Bryony were having a pedicure.

  “Yeah, I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

  “I know how that feels. Christmas can be overwhelming, huh?”

  “I never had much of a Christmas growing up.” That was an understatement.

  Anna smiled. “Yeah, this is different from the ones I had too. Christmas was always a quiet affair at our house. That is not something you could say about a Ja
mieson family Christmas.”

  No, it wasn’t. “This is so much better, though.”

  “Isn’t it?”

  “I know it must be a lot of work for you.”

  Anna laughed. “I seem to find it hard to sit still anyway, and I enjoy it when all of you come back to our place for the holidays. Heath loves having you all here. Are you sure you’re all right? You’re looking a little pale. Kent said to keep a close eye on you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Kent is way too overprotective. I just stood up too fast and got a little dizzy, that’s all. Tom said I was fine.”

  Anna nodded. “That’s good. We’re lucky to have a doctor in the family. Especially as our men can be a bit obsessed with our health and safety. But they mean well. They love us.”

  Bryony smiled. “I know.”

  “God, I’m exhausted,” Cam said with a groan as he lay sprawled on the couch in the living room. “I’ve had to stop Ryder twice from trying to jump off the banister. He keeps telling me it’s okay, Batman can fly.”

  Kent shook his head as he flopped into a chair. “I don’t know how Anna does it.”

  Tom stumbled in and just lay on the floor with a groan. Heath grinned as he followed him. He nudged him with a toe. “Okay, there, Doc?”

  “Uh-huh, I’m just going to spend the night here.”

  Brax walked into the room. “Wyatt and Joshua are finally asleep. Jesus, I’m worn out. It feels like the girls have been gone for a week.”

  Heath snorted. “And soon we’re going to add another one to the mix.”

  They all looked to Brax who sat in another armchair. He shook his head. “It’s not us. Holly hasn’t gone off the birth control.”

  “But I thought you said—” Kent leaned over and punched Cam, stopping him from saying anything more.

  He glared at his brother. What the hell? Kent nodded at Brax meaningfully. Cam studied the tight way Brax held himself. The look of concern and pain on his face.

  “She lied,” Brax said quietly.

  Uh-oh.

  Brax looked around and sighed. “Turns out, she’s not ready to have another baby. But she didn’t know how to tell me that. She thought she’d disappoint me.”

  “These women of ours have some strange ideas. Don’t they know that they can tell us everything?” Heath moved over to Brax and clasped hold of his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Brax.”

  Brax nodded. “Yeah, it’s not entirely her fault. I should have figured out something was going on. She’s been quiet lately. Worried. But I was busy at work and didn’t see it.”

  “Happens to us all,” Cam told him. Kent nodded.

  “Who wants a Scotch?” Heath asked. “I know I could use one. Let’s head into my study and wait for our wives to get home. No doubt they’ll need help carrying all their shopping in.”

  Cam stood up with a groan and shuffled his way into the study. Even though they were all exhausted, the men had all loved looking after the kids today. He just hoped Bryony hadn’t overdone it. He hadn’t liked how pale she’d looked last night.

  11

  Brax and Holly

  Holly felt strung out with nerves. She couldn’t believe she’d lied to Brax. That she’d kept something big from him. She was in so much trouble. She wasn’t sure what he’d do to her when they were staying in a house filled with people, but he’d think of something, she was sure.

  And she deserved it.

  At least once she was punished, the guilt would ease. She’d grown so stressed over not telling him the truth that she’d been unable to sleep or eat lately. This was a huge weight off her shoulders.

  She just wished she hadn’t hurt him the way she had.

  “Hey, you okay?” Frankie asked her. They’d just had facials and were now headed back to where Anna and Bryony were waiting. “You look like you’re a million miles away.”

  “Sorry.” Holly smiled over at her. “Just thinking about stuff.”

  “You’re not worried about Wyatt, are you? The guys will have everything under control.” She grinned. “Besides, Charlotte is the one who’ll be causing trouble.”

  “Charlotte is adorable.”

  “You’re not having problems with Brax, are you?” Frankie asked. “Because I know all of their secrets. I can give you lots of dirt to use against him.”

  Holly threw her head back and laughed as they walked into the pedicure room.

  “What’s so funny?” Anna asked.

  “Frankie just offered to give me dirt to use on Brax.”

  “Hey, if you need it, I’m your girl. We got to stick together against these alpha men of ours.” Frankie shook her head as she sat in a seat. “I don’t know what is up with Tom. I think he wants another child. But I’m just not sure that’s what I want. But this morning he went on and on about how another child would be a blessing.”

  “Maybe he thinks you’re already pregnant,” Holly suggested, remembering what Brax had told her this morning.

  Frankie’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? Shit. I didn’t think of that. What would give him a fool idea like that?” She shook her head. “Men. Who knows what goes on in their minds? Doesn’t matter. I’ve got more important things to worry about right now.” She looked around at them all with a smile. “Who’s up for some shopping?”

  Holly slowly walked into the bedroom, stifling a yawn.

  “You look tired, baby.” Brax closed the door behind them.

  She waved her hand. “Your sister is the energizer bunny. I honestly don’t know how she does it. And she has twins! How does she not collapse into bed each night?”

  Brax grinned and sat on the bed to remove his boots. “Had a busy day?”

  “Manicures, pedicures, massages and shopping.” They’d gotten home about an hour ago. The kids had been fed and were already in bed and the men had been in Heath’s study, sipping Scotch.

  While the others brought in all the shopping, she’d helped Anna clean up the small mess in the kitchen before Brax had made their excuses and brought them up to bed. This was it. Time to pay the piper. Nerves danced in her stomach.

  “Don’t look so nervous, sweetheart.”

  She smiled back. “Sorry, can’t help it. What I did was so bad, I deserve everything you have planned for me.”

  He stood and moved to her. He was so gorgeous with his dark hair and those stormy gray eyes. Sometimes she still wondered how she was lucky enough to have his love.

  He cupped her face between his hands. “You’re so tired. Let’s leave this until tomorrow night.”

  “Tomorrow night is Christmas Eve,” she pointed out. “And part of the reason I’m so tired is due to all the worrying I’ve done. I still feel so guilty, Brax. Please. I can’t wait.”

  He studied her or a long moment then nodded. “Go do what you need to do to get ready for the night and then I want you naked and standing at the edge of the bed. You have ten minutes.”

  She raced into the attached bathroom, her exhaustion forgotten as dread and anticipation filled her. She quickly used the toilet, brushed her teeth and removed her make-up before stripping and making her way back into the bedroom.

  Brax looked at his watch. “Someone is eager.”

  Yeah, to get this over and done with.

  He had some things lined up on the bed.

  “I didn’t bring a lot of stuff with me since we’re stopping home before we go stay with Derrick and Jacey, so I’ve just got the essentials.”

  She swallowed heavily and stared down at what was laid out. A butt plug. Lube. Ball gag. And her wooden hairbrush.

  Shit.

  “A ball gag and butt plug are essentials?”

  “I didn’t have punishment in mind when I packed them. And the ball gag is definitely essential when we’re staying in a house filled with people.”

  She supposed that was true.

  “I didn’t bring a paddle but your hairbrush will work just as well.”

  It was a heavy, wooden hairbrush that he’d bought for her
himself. He’d only used it on her once and then it was just a couple of swipes. It had hurt. A lot.

  Brax grabbed two pillows, stacking them at the edge of the mattress. “Bend over the bed. Tummy on the pillows, and keep your arms out in front of you.”

  She moved into position, resting her arms on the mattress.

  “Is your leg all right?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good. I expect you to tell me if your leg starts cramping or anything hurts other than your butt, understand?”

  “Yes, Sir.” She’d hurt her leg in a car accident years ago. It was much less likely to cramp up nowadays, although she still wore a brace most days to support it.

  Brax ran his hand over her bottom. “This is one fine ass. Bet it’s been tingling all day thinking about your punishment to come, hasn’t it?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He smacked his hand down on one cheek then the other. “If you need the ball gag, tell me. No doubt you’ll need it later when I get to the hairbrush, but if you need it now you can have it.”

  “Thank you, Sir, I’m all right.”

  His smacks didn’t start off hard. He was warming her up. But by the time she’d lost count, which was somewhere around thirty, they were coming hard and fast. The sting morphed into a burn and her breath shuddered in and out of her lungs as he roasted her bottom. He spanked her for far longer than she was used to. But then she hadn’t earned any real punishments lately. Just a few small infractions.

  Tears slipped down her cheeks and she started to sob. She had to work hard to keep quiet. Maybe that gag wouldn’t be a bad idea. Just when she thought she was going to have to stop and ask for it, he stopped.

  “Now, that is a nice red ass.” He ran his hand over her ass and she shuddered. “Why are you being punished tonight, Holly?”

  She wished she could wipe her face but he’d told her to keep her arms on the bed. So she stayed still. She didn’t need to add to her punishment.