Christmas in Colorado (Colorado Crazy Book 7)

by Milan Watson

  “Yeah, little by little. I’ve still got my clothes to go and a few small things, but we’ll move that after the wedding.”

  Scarlet chuckled, reaching for her friend’s hand. “In a few days you’ll be Mrs. Walker. It suits you.”

  Alice smiled brightly. “I can’t believe it. It’s just coming together perfectly. With Burke here, everything you’ve done….” Alice’s eyes widened suddenly. “Guess what?”

  “What?” Scarlet asked, laughing. Alice could be like a toddler when she became excited.

  “Burke stayed up all night just for you.”

  Scarlet felt her cheeks turning pink before she realized Alice wasn’t referring to their nocturnal activities. “He did?” she asked, trying to sound confused. She didn’t know what time he left, perhaps this was the excuse he gave his sister when he arrived in the early morning hours.

  “Yeah. This morning when I got up he was just finishing your website. It looks fabulous. You’re going to love it.”

  Scarlet smiled, although she couldn’t understand the rush. They’d only spoken about the website and now it was finished already? “Wow, that’s very… productive of him.”

  Scarlet couldn’t stop the heat that flooded her body at the thought. He might have left her bed, but he spent the rest of the night doing something for her.

  Alice sighed. “Sounds like he’s heading back in a few days so I think he wants to get it done before then.”

  She was careful not to let her emotions show on her face as she frowned. “Really? I thought he’d stay longer.”

  “No, he told me this morning he’s gotta get back. People to see, things to do. It sucks!”

  Scarlet nodded. She had thought for some reason that last night something had changed – and now it felt as if nothing had changed – only his belt got another notch in it. She couldn’t help but feel used, as if he had given her sweet words to get her into bed before he rushed back to his fancy life in Florida.

  Anger made her clench her teeth as Alice began talking about the wedding again. When she heard footsteps on the landing she turned and met his gaze. Her heart skipped a beat when a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. For a moment it was so easy to think of him as hers, but it wasn’t that way at all she realized as her smile faded.

  He was leaving and she’d be left heartbroken and alone in White Horse Creek. Scarlet grabbed her purse and quickly pecked her friend on the cheek. “I’ve gotta go, I’ll talk to you later.”

  Scarlet glanced at Burke one last time before she rushed out the door. She could still feel his hands on her skin, feel his weight move over her as he pushed her further and further, and he was already planning on leaving. Her heart was torn to shreds after it had been more than whole only a short while ago.

  She should’ve known this was going to happen, but she let him into her heart anyway.

  Gunning the engine she swerved out of the driveway with tires squealing. She had trusted him with her heart and he crushed it before her sheets even cooled.

  Chapter 22

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  As soon as the door shut behind Scarlet, Alice whipped around with a narrowed look. “What the hell just happened?”

  Burke shrugged, asking the question himself. After finishing the website he had grabbed a couple of hours of sleep. He’d woken up even more confused about what had transpired between him and Scarlet, only to hear her voice floating up the stairs. With a smile on his face he had pushed the fears of becoming his father aside, to see her face and remember how much last night had meant to him.

  Instead she had smiled for a brief second before her eyes had darkened and she all but high-tailed out of their house. “I’m not entirely sure,” Burke said dragging a hand through his hair, still watching the door.

  “Did you and Scarlet have a fight?” Rowena asked from the Christmas tree.

  Both Alice and Burke shook their heads. “No.”

  “Well that doesn’t seem like Scarlet at all,” Rowena said with a frown before picking up the box at her feet. “I’m going to take these over to the Henderson’s. I know they were looking for some more decorations for the tree in the games-room.”

  Burke and Alice had a stare down until the door closed behind Rowena. Alice sighed and shook her head. “We didn’t have a fight, Burke, so what happened? She was fine until you came downstairs.”

  Burke shrugged. This wasn’t really a conversation he wanted to have with his little sister.

  “Burke!” Alice said with a high pitched voice. “What have you ruined now?”

  Burke clenched his teeth and narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t ruin anything, everything was fine when I left her this morning. It must have been something you said.”

  Alice frowned. “We talked about wedding stuff and you leaving on the twenty-seventh.” Her eyes widened as she processed his words even as Burke let out a gruff sigh. Alice opened her mouth to dive into the fact that Burke had spent the night with Scarlet but Burke spoke first.

  “You told her when I was leaving?” Burke asked, exasperated. He wasn’t even sure he was leaving for certain yet and now his sister had gone and confirmed the date of his departure to the woman he wanted to stay for.

  “You slept with my best friend?” Alice shouted back.

  Burke cringed, knowing he let that slip. “Alice… I can explain.”

  “Do you love her, or at least care about her?” Alice demanded.

  Burke could’ve lied, it would have been easier, but not about Scarlet. He sat down on a stool and shook his head before meeting Alice’s gaze. “More than I’ve ever cared about anyone.”

  “Then why is she furious with you?” Alice asked, still not understanding.

  “Because you told her I was leaving. I haven’t even told her myself, or decided for sure for that matter.”

  “But this morning you said…” Alice shook her head .

  “This morning I was afraid I’ll turn into Pa if I stay. I was confused and frightened of how much I like her. I came down here wanting to see her, wanting to decide if I could try and stay, but it’s clear I’m not her favorite person right now.”

  Alice shook her head on a chuckle. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

  Burke glanced at his sister. “I’m afraid of being love with her. This morning when I woke up at her place. It felt right, Alice…”

  “Then stay!” Alice said as if it made perfect sense.

  “I’ve got a life in Florida,” Burke argued.

  “You’ve got family in White Horse Creek, and judging by Scarlet’s reaction you’ve got her as well. Seems to me the scale’s weighing pretty light when it comes to your life in Florida right about now.”

  “What if I turn into him, Alice? What if I stay and do the whole white picket fence thing and in a few years it’s not enough?” Burke’s voice was soft, his admission honest.

  Alice frowned and shook her head before reaching for his hand. “Burke, you’ll never be him. Something was broken inside him and he expected everyone to fix it. He never tried fixing it himself. He blamed everyone else for his mistakes, you’ve never done that. You’ve always owned up, Burke, you’re not him, you’ll never be him.”

  Burke glanced at the ceiling. “I can’t forget, Alice; I can’t forget who he became.”

  “I knew, Burke. I knew most of it but I knew you didn’t want me to know. You’ll never become who he was. You’re stronger than he ever was, and Scarlet is stronger than ma was. Ma told me after he died, everything. That night… the fire poker… I was so angry I was glad he was dead.”

  Burke’s eyes widened. “I tried to protect you from it.”

  “That wasn’t your job. Your job was to be my brother and he ruined that for me. He won’t ruin this, Burke. You can’t let him.”

  Burke nodded. He wasn’t ready to make any promises but at least he was ready to be a brother again. “I’ll stay until after Christmas, then I’ll make a decision.”

  Alic
e shook her head sadly. “She’s one of a kind you know. She had a crush on you in high school.”

  Burke’s brow rose. “She did? She never told me that.”

  “She doesn’t know I knew, but it was obvious. You were like this unreachable hot guy she always wanted and could never have. I don’t think you realize how much last night would have meant to her.” Alice sighed. “Me and my big mouth. I probably ruined it now.”

  “You ruined nothing, it was complicated before. I just need to decide what I want to do.”

  “Burke,” Alice asked meeting his gaze. “This time don’t run. Make a decision by weighing up the options. I’d like you to stick around to be an uncle.”

  “You’re…” Burke asked, surprised, glancing at his sister’s belly.

  Alice giggled. “Not yet, but I’m planning on it soon. I can’t wait to be a mom. Tom’s gonna be a great dad.”

  Burke laughed. “You’re somethin’ you little munchkin.” He messed up her hair before heading back upstairs to try and decide what he was going to do.

  Chapter 23

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  The morning of the wedding Scarlet still didn’t feel better. She had locked herself in the day before after learning that Burke was leaving. Why it shocked her she didn’t know, she had known he was leaving hadn’t she? But she had hoped he would stay.

  She ignored his calls and refused to open the door when he came knocking yesterday. She couldn’t face him, not after what they’d shared. He had stolen her heart and now he was taking it to Florida with him. If it had just been sex she would have managed, but it wasn’t, it was so much more.

  Not only had he left her sleeping but he had left and gone home to tell his sister he was leaving. Was she that bad? Was she not measuring up to the women in Florida?

  Doubt and questions fogged her mind of everything wedding related, until Alice dialed her the night before her wedding. Come hell or high water she wouldn’t let Alice down, she thought as she answered her phone. “Hi Alice?”

  “Scarlet? Are you alright? It’s not like you to hold radio silence.”

  Scarlet nodded before she spoke. “Just a cold I think, I’ll be fine tomorrow, don’t worry. I’ve hunkered down with vitamin C and loads of aspirin and water.”

  The line was quiet for a moment before Alice spoke again. “I know about… you and Burke. He told me.”

  Scarlet cringed. She and Alice had always been open about their love lives but not when it involved Alice’s brother.

  “Is that why you’re avoiding me?” Alice prompted.

  “No, I’m just not feeling well. I want to rest in time for the big event tomorrow night. Did you need me for something?” Scarlet asked, hoping Alice would drop the subject.

  “No, I just wanted to make sure you’re alright. He’s just as miserable and I doubt it’s a cold. Scarlet, just… give him time, he’s got a lot on his plate at the moment. Don’t lose hope just yet.”

  Scarlet felt tears burn the back of her eyes but quickly blinked them away. “Like I said, it’s a cold.”

  “Well, I’m holding thumbs the cold won’t leave after Christmas,” Alice said before hanging up, making Scarlet smile.

  No one knew her as well as her best friend. She didn’t want her heart to be tangled up in Burke’s decision, but it was. There was a connection between them. A connection stronger than any connection she’d experienced before. This wasn’t a crush, it wasn’t an infatuation, it was the real thing.

  It was love.

  The only problem was it didn’t matter how she felt, because ultimately the decision was up to Burke. For now she could do nothing but nurse her heartache and pretend it was a cold.

  Chapter 24

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  The morning of the wedding Burke still hadn’t stopped thinking about Scarlet. It was Christmas Eve and the day of his baby sister’s wedding, and all he could think about was her best friend. He headed into town to grab a few things for his mother, and took his time driving back.

  White Horse Creek didn’t feel like the same cage it had been before he left. It felt different with the new people and the new business, and without his father’s fist haunting him. Instead of driving home he took a detour past Scarlet’s house. He knew she would be at the saloon making sure everything was ready for tonight, but he stopped in front of her house nonetheless.

  When he had left White Horse Creek in the middle of night he thought he’d never love again like he loved Lisa, but what he felt for Scarlet was nothing in comparison. Scarlet was the sun melting the frost around his heart. Scarlet was the person he could see himself walking through good times and bad with. She was the spring he had avoided for seven years, the warmth he was afraid of feeling again. When he had touched her it hadn’t been for pleasure, although there had been pleasure too, it had been to cherish.

  He saw a snow owl fly low before perching itself on her gate, and a smile spread on his mouth. Snow owls were rarely seen in this part of the country and yet it was sitting on the gate watching him. It wasn’t in its environment and yet it seemed perfectly at home.

  Wasn’t that him, in truth? White Horse Creek hadn’t been his home in a long time and yet coming back made it feel that way. He could try and deny it all he wanted, but it had always been his home. His family was here, his pup came from here, and more importantly Scarlet was here.

  Wasn’t it time he stopped running? It wasn’t like he had anything holding him in Florida. He could work from anywhere and lease the house in Tampa, unless he wanted to use it as a holiday home. His mind began to spin with the logistics of moving back. He sat in front of Scarlet’s house until the owl took flight again.

  A slow smile spread across his face as he pulled away from the curb. Maybe it was time he took flight, but this time to come home. This thing with Scarlet wasn’t just a fling, of that he was certain; it was so much more. He remembered taking the pup out in the middle of the night and how cozy and homey it had felt. He wanted that. He wanted the dull routine, the small town; and a pretty brunette with cat-green eyes.

  He wanted all that.

  For the first time in two days he asked himself a question he hadn’t ever asked himself.

  Why should he leave?

  Chapter 25

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  Scarlet helped Alice with the dress while Lisa fiddled with hair and makeup. She hadn’t seen Burke since arriving a few hours before and hoped she wouldn’t see him ever again.

  Her self-proclaimed cold wasn’t any better than the day before, but she wouldn’t let Alice see the heartache in her eyes. Her smile was bright, her red dress clung to her body like a second skin, and her hair was up in an intricate up-do.

  When Alice had told her the maid of honor would be wearing red Scarlet had laughed it off, but Alice insisted because it was Christmas, her name was Scarlet, and mostly because it suited her and she never bought anything red for herself.

  She had to admit the dress looked good; if only she felt good.

  “We need more champagne!” Lisa said, standing back to assess the bride.

  Scarlet laughed. “I’ll go get it.”

  Rowena entered the room just as she stepped out. They had an hour before they had to be at church, an hour to drink champagne and calm Alice’s nerves, although Scarlet felt more nervous than her friend.

  She rushed to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of champagne out of the fridge. Just as she was about to race back upstairs she walked into Burke. He looked more handsome than ever. The tux fit him perfectly, the slight grin on his face making her heart skip a beat. “Burke?” she said, feeling the stabbing pains in her heart again at the thought of him leaving.

  He reached for the bottle of champagne and set it on the counter. “Scarlet.”

  “What are you doing? Your sister is looking for that,” Scarlet asked as her heart began to race. He was looking at her with the same indigo gaze he had when he moved
over her. “Burke don’t, please. It’s over, you’re leaving. Your sister’s getting married… I can’t…” she babbled, her hands itching to touch him one last time.

  Burke shrugged as a cocky grin formed on his mouth. “You’re talking too much.” He brushed a finger over her lips, smiling at her. “I’m not leaving, Scarlet…”

  Four words.

  Four words made her entire world tilt upside down. “What?”

  “I said I’m not leaving. I had a lot of things to work through after the other night. It’s never been that intense before. It scared me, you scare me.” He chuckled softly as he traced her lips with his thumb. “But I’m staying. There’s nothing for me in Florida… you’re not there, my family isn’t there and Pal’s quite fond of my ma.”

  Scarlet felt a smile start to curve her mouth. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying I’m staying, Scarlet. I want to date you, I want to make love to you, I want to spend the night with you and wake up next to you in the morning. It might be a little early but I have pretty good feeling I wanna marry you.”

  If he had told her the sky was green she wouldn’t have been more surprised. A gasp escaped her but Burke took the chance to swallow it with a kiss. She melted against him when he pulled back.

  “Better get that champagne upstairs.” He slapped her butt playfully before stepping away.

  Scarlet walked upstairs in a daze.

  Burke was staying.

  Burke wanted to marry her.

  This might just be the best Christmas Eve ever.

  Chapter 26

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  The ceremony had been short and sweet just like the bride and the groom requested. The saloon was filled with familiar faces as Christmas carols played between the latest country hits. It was magical; it was the perfect Christmas wedding.