Page 22 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

“It is,” Fern agreed, hooking a hand around Jinx’s arm. “Come with me.”

A hand slipped around Sasha’s waist, and she found herself being guided to the loveseat in the living room by Edison Whorlen, the very flamboyant nurse from the health clinic who was engaged to Kevin Robb, psychiatrist at High Water ranch. Sasha had gotten to know both of them over the past year when she’d visited with Jinx. “Hey, Edison. Smells good.”

“That smell is from a dozen different high-calorie, delicious snacks we’re going to inhale later and pretend they’re dinner.”

“Okay by me,” Jinx said, sitting on the loveseat beside Sasha as ordered by Fern.

A moment later, Sasha and Jinx were surrounded by a sea of ladies. Jinx slipped her fingers around Sasha’s and squeezed for a moment, as if telling her to take charge.

So she did.

“What’s up?” Sasha asked.

Charity stepped forward. “After a lot of debate about who got to explain what was going on, I’d like to say I wrestled them all into submission for the privilege, but really, I drew the lowest card for the honour.”

“You cheated. Card sharp,” Kelli called.

Charity dipped in a curtsy then smiled at Sasha and Jinx. “While neither of you is officially eighteen yet, with graduation looming, you are closing in on a huge milestone in your life. Turns out, all of us were talking in different groups about how it was time to initiate you both into a womanly rite of passage. We decided to do one big bash where we could pass on words of wisdom so your future selves can learn from our mistakes and triumphs.”

“Some of us have a lot of years of wisdom,” Sophie Fields joked.

Someone handed Sasha a glass, and Jinx another, then all the ladies quieted and copied Charity as she raised her glass high in the air.

“To Sasha and Jinx, and their first official Girls’ Night Out.”

Oh God, it was hysterical.

“Hell, yeah.” Sasha raised her glass then took a swig, then turned to click glasses with Jinx.

Jinx’s eyes were wide, but she was smiling. Still, Sasha leaned close. “You okay with this?”

Her friend nodded. “I’m okay. But I’m also happy to be sitting beside you for now,” she said quietly.

Sasha laid a hand briefly on Jinx’s leg before turning to face the woman on her left. Surprise, but also happiness, struck. “Mom.”

Tamara held her hands up and shrugged. “I’m a girl too.”

They laughed, then her mother pulled out two small books with pretty floral designs on them. “These you get later. So don’t feel you need to take notes—we already did it for you.”

Jinx frowned. “Okay?”

“It means we’re going to share our truths with everyone, but we already wrote them down.” Sonora Stewart stood. “As the oldest in the room, I get to start. Something I’ve learned is that good friends stick. Once you know someone will stick, it makes life a lot easier.” She smiled at the room. “You can fight, and disagree, and even go to sleep mad at each other, but you know it’s a blip and tomorrow you’ll both do better.”

She sat back down as the room murmured with agreement.

Edison popped to his feet. “My advice is to always dress to please yourself. Even when you’re kicking butt in thrift-store finds for a Throwdown—if you feel beautiful, you’ll be beautiful.”

Laughter rippled as he twirled on the spot to showcase his outfit in shades of pink.

One after another, the ladies rose and spoke. Sometimes with a story, sometimes a short and sweet truth. Some were life advice and some specific to girls’ night out.

“Plan a GNO. Don’t just hope it happens.” Rose Fields made a face. “I would be sitting there feeling lonely and wanting friends to talk things through with. Worried that I was being too needy if I called them. I’d say one word, and that one would start calling people, and boom, GNO.” She gestured to Tansy, who blew her a kiss.

Advice about enjoying a quiet moment every day. Someone else said the person you’re with is more important than the person sending you a message. That sleeping in is a nice thing, but sometimes an early night without any agenda but candles and a hot bath with a book is even more refreshing.

“Snacks.” Tansy’s advice had everyone leaning forward to listen closer. “Snacks are vital to a great GNO.” She held up a set of recipe cards. “Copy them if you want. I’m not saying screw the diet, but even if you have to honour food restrictions, don’t serve cardboard. Smart fats and the right amount of salt mean it’ll taste delicious.”

The sharing went on for a long time, but it felt like only a minute to Sasha as she watched women with caring hearts be listened to intently by the others and offered nods, or smiles, or laughter as appropriate.