by Eve Gaddy
“Nothing. I like to watch you work.”
After she had taken a number of pictures, they went back to the horses. Wyatt laced his fingers together to give her a leg up. As she settled in, he un-looped her reins and brought them to her. She put out a hand, detaining him.
“Need something?”
He looked up at her, smiling, and she thought again what a great smile he had. “Come closer,” she said.
He put his hand on her leg and moved closer. Mia bent down and kissed him. “Thank you for bringing me here. You knew I’d love it, didn’t you?”
“I hoped you would.” He patted her leg and walked away.
Damn, damn, damn. Why did he have to know her so well? And why did he have to be so sweet? It was only a matter of time, and probably not a lot of time, until she slept with him again. Unless she told him the truth first. After that he’d want nothing to do with her.
After lunch, which had been another of Glory’s delicious creations, Wyatt asked, “Do you want to go ice skating?”
“Marietta has an ice rink?”
“No, Marietta has a frozen pond called Miracle Lake. They rent skates, sell hot chocolate, that kind of thing.” He looked at her quizzically. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like to ice skate?”
“I have no idea. I’ve never had ice skates on in my life.” And she wasn’t sure she wanted to try.
“Really? Well, don’t worry about it, I’ll teach you.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is this going to be like when you tried to teach me to rock climb?”
He looked chagrinned. “You like all sorts of outdoor activities. You ski and bike and hike. How was I to know you wouldn’t like rock climbing?”
“I didn’t dislike it. I detested it. And you were a jerk.”
“Oh, come on, Mia. It wasn’t that bad.”
“It was horrible. I still remember being stuck on that stupid climbing wall with you ‘helping’ to talk me down. Meaning, you yelled at me. You’re a lousy teacher, Wyatt.”
“Lousy? That’s pretty strong. I’ll admit I’m not the best teacher but I’m hardly the worst.”
Mia let her expression speak for itself.
“I didn’t realize you were so sensitive. No yelling this time. I promise.”
“Swear it. And swear that you won’t try to make me feel like a loser if I hate it and want to go home.”
“I apologized for all that,” Wyatt protested. “Many times. You really hold a grudge. I thought you’d forgiven me.”
“I did. That doesn’t mean I don’t remember the experience.”
“Okay, okay.” He held up both hands in surrender. “I won’t make you stay if you don’t like it.”
“And?”
“And I won’t make you feel like a loser.”
Mia had a lot more fun than she’d thought she would. At first she’d been really shaky and had basically clung to Wyatt while he skated around with her. But after a while she felt more comfortable and was able to skate with him holding her hand instead of propping up her entire body.
“Why are you so good at this?” she asked him.
“I played a lot of ice hockey as a kid. It’s kind of like riding a bike. It comes back to you quickly.”
“I guess it’s a big deal around here.”
“It was when I was growing up.”
“I’m finding out all sorts of things about you I didn’t know.”
“Such as?”
You’re a romantic. “You’re a cowboy,” she said instead.
“I was. Not so much anymore.”
“I bet you used to rodeo.”
“Guilty. Let’s take a break.” He led her over to a log that passed as a bench. “You knew I grew up on a ranch. It’s not unusual that I was into rodeo.”
“I suppose not. I just never thought of you as a rancher or cowboy until I saw you here. What event were you in?”
“Saddle bronc. Sean was too.”
“Did you ever break anything?”
“Just my leg,” he said like it was no big deal. “But that’s what first got me interested in orthopedics.” He glanced at the shack where they sold hot chocolate. “I’ll get us some hot chocolate.”
“Sounds good.” Her ankles hurt though she wouldn’t admit it to Wyatt.
“You love it here, don’t you?” Mia asked him when he returned.
“Yeah, I do. I’d forgotten how much I liked it until I moved back.” He handed her the chocolate and sat beside her.
“Why didn’t you move back sooner?”
He sipped his drink before answering. “I liked Denver. I liked the work. So it wasn’t dissatisfaction with the job.” He shot a glance at her. “I didn’t move because of Loretta either.”
“Did I say that?”
“You might not have said it but you’ve thought it. Marietta’s medical community hasn’t been large enough for many specialists until recently. My brother Jack, the one who’s having the baby, has wanted Sean and me to come home to Marietta for a long time. When the hospital expanded, that meant the medical community could grow too. Both Sean and I were able to return.”
That wasn’t his only reason.
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“I believe you think that’s the reason. But I also think that even though you won’t admit it, Loretta played a big part in your decision to leave Denver.” She finished her drink and set the cup down beside her.
Wyatt set his cup down as well. “I have less than zero interest in her. Can we forget about her and concentrate on other things?”
“What other things?”
He wrapped one arm around her and pushed up her chin with his other hand. And then he kissed her.
Mia grabbed hold of his coat. She ought to push him away. But she wanted to kiss him. She was tired of fighting her feelings. Besides, how hot could it get out in the cold, in public, wearing multiple layers of clothes?
Plenty hot.
“Public,” she managed to gasp against his mouth.
Still holding her close, he looked down at her and smiled. “Mia, there are three people here besides us and one of them is working. That isn’t a lot of public.” He kissed her again, briefly this time, then got up and held his hand out to her. “Come on. The Christmas Stroll will be starting soon. I figured you’d want to get there early to see the lighting ceremony.”
Chapter Eight
Mia loved the Marietta Christmas Stroll. They arrived early enough to see Santa in his sleigh leading the lighting ceremony. The lights were strung from lamppost to lamppost, twinkling gaily in the fading light. The tree was a beautiful one from the Scott Brothers’ tree farm, twelve feet tall and decorated with sparkling colored lights. There were wagons for hayrides, as well as two horse-drawn sleighs driven by two of the Scott brothers. Mia knew Lane from having met him the day before, but she didn’t know the other driver. They took a ride with Lane and his nephew in their sleigh, driving slowly up and down Main Street, looking at the shops, watching the people and the festivities. With a light snow falling, tucked into warm blankets and with Wyatt’s arm around her, she relaxed and let the romance and holiday mood cocoon her in a happy dream. She could almost believe she and Wyatt stood a chance.
Almost. Until she thought about the secret she’d kept from him. The secret she’d have to tell him soon. But she still didn’t think it would be right to tell him now. There would be time enough later to do it. For now she’d just enjoy being with him and try to forget about the future.
There was delicious food. Honey buns, chocolates, cookies, and candies just for a start. They ate deliciously messy sausage buns from a Bavarian food truck and cotton candy from another vendor. They drank hot chocolate and hot spiced cider. Christmas carolers wandered the street singing favorite carols while Christmas music poured out of speakers that could be heard all along Main Street.
“I need to get my nieces, Gina and Carmen, a present,” Wyatt said.
“You’re Christmas shoppin
g this far in advance?” Mia asked him. “You never shop until Christmas Eve.”
“The shops are open and we’re here. I figured I might as well get something now.” He looked up and down the sidewalk. “Except I don’t have a clue what to get them.”
He had the “I’m just a helpless male” look down pat.
Her lips twitched. “Oh, I get it now. You want me to help you.”
“You are a girl,” he pointed out. “How should I know what sixteen-year-old girls like?”
“You’ve always managed to get your girlfriends presents without my help,” she said dryly.
Unperturbed, he grinned. “You can’t go wrong with jewelry.”
“You have a point.” They walked down the sidewalk. “Do you want to get the girls jewelry?”
“Maybe.”
“Are their ears pierced?”
“I have no idea.”
“They almost certainly are. But maybe you should get them a necklace to be safe.”
“What if they don’t like it?”
“Then they can return it.”
He looked unconvinced. Obviously, that idea wasn’t doing it for him. She stopped outside the window of Marietta’s Nail Salon. Judging from the sign in the window, it looked as if the salon was up on all the latest crazes. “Are your nieces girly-girls?”
“I guess. Last time I saw them they had their fingernails painted in different colors and with some kind of doodads on them. A different color and doodad on every nail. It’s hard to miss, plus they wanted me to choose which one was the best.”
“Did you?”
“Do I look stupid? Of course not.”
“Get them a gift certificate for a mani/pedi. They’ll love it.”
Mia looked around while Wyatt bought the certificates. She loved nail polish but she rarely wore it on her fingernails because her hands were either covered in paint or she’d just scrubbed the paint off to go to her waitress job. So there wasn’t much point. She painted her toenails occasionally, but she had a hard time not doing anything for long enough to let the polish to dry. She was going to a fancy ball, though. Maybe she could paint her nails for that. Or better yet, make an appointment for herself here.
As soon as Wyatt finished she booked an appointment on the day of the ball. “You’re smart to book it early,” the owner told her. “We get really busy on event days. Especially for something like the Christmas Ball.”
Mia wondered what Wyatt looked like in a tux. He’d said the ball was a black tie affair. She’d never seen him wear one. He wouldn’t be tall, dark and handsome. He’d be tall, blond and to-die-for.
“Let’s go to the Graff hotel,” Wyatt said. “There’ll be a ton of people because that’s where they’re taking pictures with Santa, but the gingerbread house competition is at the hotel too. I haven’t seen it yet. It’s new since the last time I was in Marietta for Christmas. From what I hear, some of the creations are amazing.”
Both Santa and the gingerbread competition were held in the Graff’s lobby. Mia suspected the hotel was a beautiful place whatever the time of year, but decorated for Christmas it was stunning. It was both elegant and luxurious, but the atmosphere was friendly and festive. Red and white poinsettias were everywhere. The Christmas tree was huge, large and imposing and decorated with glittering glass ornaments, twinkling white lights and wide, dark red velvet ribbon. Garlands both plain and decorated were draped over the fireplace mantel and the windows, and beautiful wreaths hung in the center of each window. Mistletoe awaited in doorways. The huge gleaming chandelier that hung from the high ceiling’s dark rafters threw light over an enchanting holiday scene.
Wyatt led her over to the display of gingerbread houses and other Christmas themed creations. Castles and cottages were decorated with icing, gumdrops and glitter, and peppermint candy canes lined walkways. There was a Santa’s workshop with his elves, a couple of sleighs piled high with toys tumbling from them, and several trains, all made of gingerbread.
“I love this,” Mia said. “They are so cool!” She oohed and aahed over the entries, not even minding Wyatt laughing at her fascination.
On their way out they ran into Wyatt’s brother Jack and his wife. Wyatt introduced her to Maya and Jack. Maya managed to look gorgeous even though her baby was due at any moment. Jack, who had what she thought of as the Gallagher good looks, resembled Dylan more than he did Wyatt. He had dark hair instead of blond, but he had the same engaging smile as Wyatt did.
“I see a spot over in the far corner, and there are even empty chairs,” Maya said. “Let’s go over there where we might be able to hear each other without shouting. And I can sit down,” she added.
“Congratulations on your baby,” Mia said. “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
“A boy,” Maya said as they sat. “We thought about making it a surprise but none of us could stand not knowing.” She rubbed her stomach in the way pregnant women often did. “I am so ready for him to be here.”
“You really exemplify the saying that pregnant women glow.” She wasn’t just saying that, she really meant it.
“That’s very sweet of you to say, but I suspect the glow you see is sweat.”
They all laughed but Maya’s husband leaned down and kissed her. “Truer words were never spoken. The glowing, not the sweating.”
Maya laughed again but she looked pleased. Who wouldn’t be with a husband who obviously thought she hung the moon?
“Wyatt tells us you’re an artist,” Maya said. “What medium do you work in?”
“I’ve experimented with many different ones. Primarily oil and watercolor. I’ve dabbled in acrylics. I sketch with pencil, pen and ink and pastels. Since I flew, I brought watercolors and pencils with me. Flying with oil paint is difficult nowadays.”
“Do you prefer to paint landscapes or people or something else?”
“I love landscapes, wildlife and other animals, but I don’t paint portraits anymore.”
Wyatt, who’d been standing beside them talking to Jack heard that and said, “Mia got burned out on portraits.”
“I’m sure I’ll paint them again at some time, but when I first started trying to support myself with my art, I did a lot of commissioned portraits.” Remembering, she shivered a little. “They weren’t always what I would have chosen to paint.”
“Understatement. I used to hear her cursing from two apartments away.”
Jack and Maya both laughed.
“Wyatt’s exaggerating.” Not by much, though.
“Ha! Remember when you threw that canvas at me?”
“Really? A canvas? Did you hit him?” Jack asked her.
“Damn straight she did,” Wyatt said before Mia could answer. “Caught me with the corner. I’m lucky I didn’t lose an eye.”
“A small canvas,” she scoffed. “It came nowhere near his eye. It hit him in the nose and he deserved it. He said the painting made him want to barf.”
“Did you really?” Maya asked him.
“You betcha. I could have said worse.”
Mia shrugged. “I’ll admit it wasn’t my best, but in my defense, the subject wasn’t very appealing either.”
Maya started to say something but instead she grimaced and put her arm over her stomach.
“Are you all right?” Jack asked her, instantly concerned.
“I’m fine. It was just a twinge.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. But I am tired. Let’s go home.” With her husband’s help, she got out of the chair. “It was so nice to meet you, Mia.”
Mia stood up too. “I’m sure we’ll see more of each other. Congratulations again on your baby.”
“Thank you.” A funny look crossed her face. “Oops.”
“Oops? Oops?” Jack repeated, his voice rising. “What’s wrong?”
“My water just broke.”
“Here? Now?” He looked down at the puddle spreading at Maya’s feet. “Oh, shit! You’re in labor!”
“
Yes, Jack.” She patted his arm. “Don’t look so alarmed. I’m sure we have plenty of time to get to the—” She broke off and doubled over.
“Oh, yeah, plenty of time. Damn it, my car is nowhere near here.”
“Mine is,” Wyatt said. “We parked a few blocks away. I’ll go get it.”
“You won’t be able to get any closer,” Jack said.
“Trust me, I’ll manage.”
Mia didn’t doubt that he would.
“If you want to go to the ranch, I can run you home and come back,” Wyatt said to Mia after dropping Jack and Maya off at the hospital entrance.
“Do you want me here?”
Hell, yes, he did. He wasn’t about to freak out or anything, but he admitted that his brother and sister-in-law having a new baby had brought back memories and feelings he’d yet to fully deal with. If he told Mia he was fine and took her home, she’d know he was lying. “Yes.” He took her hand. “But you look tired.”
“This is one of the reasons I’m here, Wyatt. You don’t need to worry about me.”
He wanted to ask her if the baby and the wedding were the only reasons she’d come, but that wasn’t a conversation they needed to have here and now. For now it was enough that Mia was with him and she hadn’t totally shut him down about sleeping together again.
Mia had only been in town a couple of days, but they’d been two eye-opening days for Wyatt. Sure, he wanted to have sex with her again. It had been good between them before. How much better would it be now that he recognized how he felt about Mia? He’d fallen for her long ago, but it wasn’t until they slept together that he realized how hard he’d fallen. Color him amazingly dense.
Wyatt, Mia, Dylan, Sean and Honey, and his nieces had been in the labor and delivery waiting room for a couple of hours now. Maya’s parents and sister had arrived not long after Jack’s side of the family.
Wyatt and Sean had been alternating going back and forth to L&D, giving the rest of the family word as they heard it. Usually, one of the nurses would call the waiting room with an update for the family, but since Sean and Wyatt were both on staff at the hospital, it was easier for them to be the go-betweens. So far, everything was going well, but Wyatt knew Jack had been a little concerned since Maya was classified as an older mother. Wyatt didn’t consider late thirties old but in OB/GYN anything over thirty-five was considered older.