I can’t believe it’s already December. Since it’s been such a rough year, I’ve decided to slip back into my Deadly Force world and invite you to a Christmas Eve Party. But instead of this party taking place in Savannah, this one is being hosted by Allison Pinckney and Zack Tremaine in Pinckney House in Charleston, S.C.
Zack and Allison are the hero and heroine of IN SEARCH OF TRUTH, the third book in the Amazon bestselling Deadly Force series. While Zack and Allison have a happy ending, they’re engaged and planning their wedding. (unlike the other books that have a wedding in the epilogue). And since they haven’t moved to Savannah yet, they’re still in Pinckney House, the enormous antebellum Charleston mansion owned by Allison’s family.
IN SEARCH OF TRUTH added a few more characters to the world and I love it when everyone has a chance to interact in a fun and happy way instead of the stressful, loaded-with-conflict way that happens in the books.
So I hope you enjoy this trip back into the Deadly Force world. And for my avid readers, please don’t fear–the next book in the series, a novel titled LOVE’S LAST KISS, will be out early next year (depending on things like pandemics, etc.). And that will be followed by A PROMISE AT MIDNIGHT–the story of Alex and Maddie. 🙂
Allison Pinckney ~ “I can’t believe today is Christmas Eve. So much has happened in the past few months (in IN SEARCH OF TRUTH), I’m still reeling from it all. I started out as a widow being hunted by an arms dealer and ended up engaged to Zack, the man of my dreams. But tonight I’m stepping away from all of the past conflict and future planning (like weddings, job changes, and upcoming move to Savannah) and am throwing the biggest Christmas Eve party ever.
Pinckney House, the home of my late husband’s family, is one of the oldest and largest in Charleston and has hosted more events than I can remember. But tonight’s function is only for my family, close friends, and of course Zack’s buddies–his family–who live in Savannah.
So my girlfriend Maddie Ashton, her daughter Susan, along with a crew of people I hired, have spent the last week helping me decorate the mansion for the holidays. Now that the caterer and her helpers are here, the house is brimming with people and no guests have arrived yet!
As I get dressed in my bedroom, away from the bustling noise downstairs, I have to admit that I’m nervous. While I’ll have Maddie and Zack’s godmother Vivienne by my side, I’m still getting to know Zack’s friends and their wives. I know that Zack’s friends–all ex-Green Beret buddies that now work at Iron Rack’s Gym in Savannah–aren’t happy that Zack is living with me in Charleston until we move. So it’s important to me to make them feel welcome. Yes, I admit that I just want them to like and accept me. But considering how important all these men are to Zack, it’s imperative that I get along and eventually fit in.
“Are you ready?” Maddie enters my bedroom and comes over to my closet where I’m standing in my robe. “Why aren’t you dressed?”
I study her gorgeous silver sequined dress that hugs her curves perfectly. “Because I have nothing to wear.”
Maddie laughs and pulls out the red silk dress. “We just bought this yesterday, specifically for tonight’s party.”
I stare at the ruched top and full skirt. “It’s too much.”
“Don’t be a ninny-nanny.” Maddie hands me the dress. “Get dressed and I’ll do your hair. And hurry. Zack is downstairs waiting for you. You need to be with him before Vivienne arrives.”
I sigh. Maddie is right. Vivienne is the premier hostess in town and wouldn’t hesitate to scold me in front of my own guests. While Maddie goes into the bathroom to get my brush, I drop off my robe and slip on the dress. Then I put on the fabulous high heels we bought to go with it.
Maddie appears again. “You look beautiful.”
Then I spin in front of the mirror and have to admit that the dress is stunning. “You were right. This dress is perfect.”
Maddie laughs and leads me to the dressing chair. “I’m always right.”
Fifteen minutes later, with my hair curling around my shoulders (only Maddie can make my hair behave), I go downstairs. My stomach is in knots and I’m feeling a bit nauseous. But the minute I see Zack at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me, I can breathe again. He’s wearing black wool slacks, black shirt, and a red tie. His shirt hides most of his tattoos and his long black hair is tied behind his neck and I know without a doubt that he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.
He smiles and kisses the back of my hand. “You look stunning.”
I kiss his cheek and whisper, “Did you see the all the decorations?”
“I have. And I have to admit that you’ve done an extraordinary job.”
“I promise you–it wasn’t all me. Luckily, the house’s trust fund (yes, historic homes have trust funds, thank God!) paid for the decorations since the house is also on the Charleston Historic Holiday Tour of Homes. I just did the planning and choosing. So maybe it’s five percent me.”
“I’ll take any percent of you,” he says as he slips my arm through his.
I shiver in response and let him lead me into the dining room that’s set up buffet-style. An enormous Christmas tree stands in the corner, near the fireplace, and in another corner a quartet begins to play Christmas carols. The entire room is festooned with red poinsettias and white roses. Gold damask linens cover the table already laden with food.
“I have to admit,” he says as we walk around the table, “I didn’t realize what an army of decorators could do in a week. You’ve transformed this place into a holiday wonderland.”
Zack takes a cracker and dips it into the Spinach and Oyster dip until I gently smack his hand. “I was hoping you and your friends would like it. And no eating until everyone gets here.”
He laughs and eats the cracker anyway. “Yes, ma’am,” he says with a full mouth. “This is really good.”
“It should be. Spinach and oyster dip is one of the caterer’s specialties.” When the doorbell rings, I take a shaky breath. A moment later, noise comes from the foyer followed by the deep tones of male voices.
Zack kisses me softly. “It’s going to be a great evening. Thank you for inviting my friends.”
I take his hand and head toward the foyer. “Your family is my family. And I can’t imagine a better way to spend Christmas than with those we love.”
Spinach & Oyster Dip
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 pint shucked oysters drained and cut in half
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach defrosted and squeezed dry in paper towels
- 3 green onions diced
- 3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pita chips or baguette slices for serving
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350℉. Butter an 8" baking dish and set aside.
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In a cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and cook the oysters for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
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In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. You may need to use a hand mixer to get the mixture as smooth as possible. Then mix in the spinach, green onions, cheese, garlic, Old Bay seasoning, hot pepper sauce and black pepper. Gently fold in the oysters.
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Put the dip in the buttered baking dish and bake for 25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with pita chips or baguette slices.
