Deciding to make himself useful, he took out the trash and helped return the tables and chairs to their original positions.
“Can you carry these to the car for me?” Candy asked. Without waiting for an answer, she passed Nick an unwieldy stack of presents.
“Sure.” He grabbed his jacket on the way out.
Too late, he realized he should have refused Candy’s request. Emma stood at the rear of her mother’s sedan, loading more presents into the trunk. It occurred to Nick he’d been set up.
She didn’t notice him, not right away. She was busy trying to cram a too-big box into a too-small space. The silly little paper veil she wore—they’d been distributed to all the women as part of some activity—sat crookedly on her short blond hair. The bulky cardigan she wore had slid off one shoulder, and the tails of the long belt hung at her sides. Somehow, she still managed to look cute.
“Here.” He set his stack on the ground. “Let me.”
She retreated a step, either to give him room to maneuver or to put some distance between them.
“Leonard seems nice.” She observed him closely as he filled the trunk with the remaining presents. Did she not trust him?
Dumb question. Not trusting him was the reason for her departure.
“He’s a great guy,” Nick said. “None better.”
“They haven’t known each other long.”
Quick to the point. He hadn’t expected that from her. He could get to the point, too.
“Sometimes it doesn’t take long.”
“You’re talking about us.”
“I’m talking about them.”
“We were also getting married six months after we met.”
“Don’t make this about you, Emma. It’s your mother’s wedding. Be happy for her. She and Leonard aren’t like us.”
Her eyes widened, then narrowed. “Meaning he’s been completely honest with her from the start?”
Nick supposed he deserved that. Nonetheless, he couldn’t keep the bite from his voice. “Let’s just try to get along for their sakes, okay?”
“No problem.” She swiped her hands together as if done with an unpleasant task, then tugged her sweater into place. “The good news is, we won’t have to see each other until the wedding. I’m assuming you’ll be there.”
“I’ll be there. And at the Walk of Lights tomorrow night. Also the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Leonard asked me to pick your brother up at the airport.” He sent her a pointed look. “You can’t avoid me that easily.”
Frowning, she drew back. “Why in the world would you do all that?”
Candy Sturlacky materialized beside them, her eyes aglow with happiness. Putting one arm around Emma and the other around Nick, she gushed, “Because he’s one of Leonard’s groomsmen. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Emma made a low, strangled sound.
Nick chuckled. He was half enjoying this.
CHAPTER TWO
“SORRY FOR PUTTING you on the spot yesterday. I was afraid if I told you about Nick being a groomsman, you wouldn’t be my maid of honor.”
“Of course I’d be your maid of honor.” Emma chewed on a thumbnail and studied the passing scenery through the passenger-side window.
They were on their way to the Yule Tide Ranch for lunch. Afterward, they’d tackle the ginormous list of tasks her mother carried around with her and constantly consulted. There was a lot to be done at the ranch house, readying it for the reception.
Their morning had been spent at her mother’s, packing and organizing. Emma noticed a number of things were missing. Pictures from the wall. Her mother’s favorite chair. The cedar chest from the foot of her bed. Half the clothes and shoes in her closet.
Emma suspected her mother was already staying at the ranch with Leonard and had been for some weeks. Not that it mattered to her.
“I was speaking to Karen Merrick this morning. We decided on gold-and-silver ribbons for the centerpieces rather than red plaid.” After a pause, her mother added, “You didn’t tell me you ran into her yesterday.”
“With all the excitement of the shower, I forgot.”
“She said she offered you a position.”
“Mom,” Emma warned.
“Won’t you at least think about it?”
“I’m not moving back to Mistletoe.”
“Why? It’s been six years. You’re over it. Nick’s over it.”
“I like Austin.”
“You hate Austin. And you’re looking for another job.”
“I am not.”
“Don’t lie, Emma. Karen told me she’s getting reference calls again.”
That would teach Emma to list Mrs. Merrick on her résumé. “I’m just putting out feelers.”
“You’re always putting out feelers. How many jobs have you had since you left here? Four, by my count. In two different cities.”
“I’m searching for my niche.”
“You had your niche. When you lived here and worked part-time for the Merricks.”
Her mother tapped the brakes as they left the pavement for the bumpy dirt road leading to the outskirts of town. Tall trees dotted the rolling landscape, lush in summer but barren now in winter. With no grass to graze on, cattle gathered around bales of alfalfa left out by the ranchers. Such a stark contrast to the town, with its myriad holiday decorations, quaint, crowded storefronts and country charm.
Up ahead, after the bend, they would take the left fork. Emma could navigate the way to the Yule Tide Ranch in her sleep. She must have driven there a hundred times to see Nick when they were dating.
Would he be there now? Probably. Would she do her best to avoid him? Absolutely.
“I just want you to be happy,” her mother continued, giving Emma a tender smile.
“I am.” At least, she wasn’t unhappy. That counted, didn’t it? “Tell me about Holly,” Emma said. She didn’t want to argue with her mother. Not about moving home and not days before the wedding. “What’s with her?”
Her mother sighed. “She’s not entirely in favor of Leonard and me.”
“She doesn’t like you?” Emma was aghast. Everyone adored her mother.
“What can I say? Leonard’s first wife died a couple years ago. Cancer. Holly thinks it’s too soon for him to date, much less marry. That no one can replace her mother.”
“You’re not trying, are you? To replace her mother?”
“Not at all. I would like to be her friend, if she’d let me.”
“She doesn’t strike me as the friendly type.” Emma thought her soon-to-be stepsister had all the personality of a crybaby.
“I asked her to be a bridesmaid.”
“I take it she refused.”
Emma’s mother shrugged one shoulder. “I’m hoping she’ll warm up to me eventually. It might be easier if she didn’t live at the ranch. So many memories of her mother.”
“Wow. She still lives at home? Isn’t she around thirty?” Holly had been a senior in high school when Emma was a freshman. Their paths had seldom crossed.
“Leonard could hardly ask her to move. Besides, she manages the ranch office. Pretty good at her job, I’m told.”
Emma didn’t envy her mother. She had her work cut out for her with Holly. “What about his other daughter? Megan, isn’t it?”
“Oh, my gosh! She’s an absolute doll. Lives in town. Married, with two of the cutest kids you ever saw. They’re going to be our ring bearer and flower girl.”
“Do you think if you and Leonard postponed the wedding, Holly would be more receptive?”
“Possibly, but we’re not waiting.” Her mother let out a bright laugh. “At our age, we need to make hay while the sun shines. Besides, we’re in love.”
In love. Right. Emma had
said those exact same words once about Nick. Felt the exact same way. She’d loved him to the point of distraction. And because of that, they’d rushed headlong to the altar after a mere six months of dating. How different things might have gone if they’d waited. Even a few months.
She turned her car onto the long drive leading to the sprawling ranch house. Like everything else in town, it hadn’t changed a bit. A small herd of horses ran along the pasture fence parallel to the car, their tails arched and heads held high. Leonard obviously still raised the finest quarter horses in the area.
Parking behind a shiny black pickup truck, they unpacked the car. Emma took charge of the portable ice chest containing their contribution to the meal: macaroni salad, homemade sugar cookies and the Sturlacky-special-recipe eggnog.
“Hi, we’re here!” Emma’s mother entered the house without knocking.
Emma thought that interesting but refrained from commenting.
“There’s my bride,” Leonard’s booming voice called to them from the kitchen. “Get in here and give your man a kiss.”
Emma’s mother sparkled like a string of shiny new Christmas lights as she hurried across the spacious living room with its leather couches and striking Western decor. Emma followed her into the large and comfortable eat-in kitchen. In the center of a table that easily accommodated eight sat a huge bowl of tortilla chips and guacamole. Emma’s weakness. Her mother must have told Leonard.
She’d barely set the cooler on the counter when her mother propelled her across room. “Emma is so excited to be here today.”
“Been a long time.” Leonard swept her up in a bear hug. “I didn’t have a chance to tell you yesterday how pretty you are.”
“Thank you for having me over, Mr. O’Donnell,” Emma said once he released her.
“Call me Leonard. And you’re welcome anytime. You’re family now.”
At that moment, the back door flew open, and Nick stepped inside, bringing a gust of cold air with him. His glance went straight to Emma. Without breaking eye contact, he removed his jacket and cowboy hat, hanging both on the back of a chair. Going to the sink, he washed his hands.
“Can I help with anything?” he asked Leonard.
“Got it under control. Hope you’re hungry.”
“Always.”
Nick’s easy conversation with his boss and familiarity with the kitchen’s layout gave Emma reason to think he frequently ate with the family. That was new. Back when they’d dated and he was just a cowhand, he’d rarely set foot inside the house.
“Hey, Nick.” Leonard’s daughter Holly appeared and sauntered past Emma to where her father stood at the counter, loading a mountain of French-dip sandwiches onto a serving platter. “Daddy.” She kissed his cheek, then inspected the sandwiches. “Yum.”
“How’s my girl?”
“Tired.” She expelled a long breath. “The office was crazy this morning, phone ringing off the hook. I was lucky to get away for lunch.” Only then did she acknowledge Emma and her mother. “Hi, Candy. Emma.” If her smile grew any tighter, it would snap in two.
“Don’t you look nice today, Holly.” Emma’s mother busied herself helping Leonard with the meal. She, too, exhibited a familiarity with the kitchen’s layout, reinforcing Emma’s belief that her mother spent a lot of time here. Emma, feeling awkward and useless, waited by the cooler, arms crossed over her chest.
Nick plunked down at the table and dug into the chips and dip. Swallowing a large bite, he glanced around the room. “Was I supposed to wait?”
“It’s all right.” Emma’s mother set the macaroni salad on the table and patted his shoulder. “You go right ahead. You’ve been working hard this morning. Too,” she added, her glance including Holly.
“How’s the roundup coming?” Leonard delivered the sandwiches to the table, along with a soup tureen of beef broth.
“Sections twelve through fourteen are clear.”
“Nick and the hands are moving cattle from the leased grazing ranges to the home pastures.” Emma’s mother began pouring eggnog into cups. “In preparation for the blizzard.”
That had to be quite a task. If Emma’s memory served, the Yule Tide ran about twenty thousand head.
Deciding to pick her seat while there were plenty of empty ones to choose from, she sat kitty-corner from Nick. Not too close and not in his direct line of vision. Holly also sat. Right next to him. Interesting. Perhaps they were friends. They did work together.
The smallest flicker of displeasure crossed Nick’s face before vanishing. If Emma wasn’t so familiar with his expressions, she might not have noticed. Even more interesting.
The meal progressed quickly, if not always comfortably. Leonard doted on her mother, touching her hand or arm with affection and singing her praises. Her mother reciprocated.
It was sweet, really, and Emma was glad for her mother. She’d been single since Emma was ten. The divorce had been amicable, and Emma enjoyed a close relationship with her father, who’d moved to Dallas fourteen years ago and married a nice lady. It was past time her mother found someone.
Leonard did seem to care for her. Emma, however, couldn’t dispel her doubts. Her mother and Leonard hadn’t known each other long. It was always wonderful in the beginning. But that phase didn’t last, as Emma knew firsthand. Reality, when it came crashing down, was a bitch.
Leonard smiled at Emma’s mother. “So what are you girls up to this afternoon?”
“Back to the office,” Holly said. “I have a ton of papers to push.”
“What about you and Emma?”
“We’re working on getting the house ready for the reception.” Emma’s mother displayed not the tiniest reaction to Holly answering a question intended for her, though she must have noticed. “The Elks Club is delivering the rental chairs and tables.”
Part of Emma’s prewedding duties, and the reason she arrived early, was to help prepare the ranch house for the event.
“Give me a shout if you need a hand,” Leonard offered.
“We’ll be fine. You go ahead and ride out with Nick.”
“If you’re sure.”
She patted his cheek. “You know you want to.”
He chuckled and covered her hand with his big, burly one.
“What time are we meeting for the Walk of Lights tonight?” Nick had polished off an impressive two sandwiches and two heaping servings of macaroni salad.
“Seven.” Emma’s mother rose and retrieved a covered tray from the cooler. “Dessert, anyone?”
Holly selected a cookie decorated to resemble a wreath. “It must be weird for you two, being in the wedding together.” She stared pointedly at Emma as she broke the cookie in half. “How long ago was it you left our Nick at the altar?”
Emma tensed.
“Six years,” Nick said, answering for them both. “And we’re over it.”
“Really?” Holly arched her brows. “Because I think having your bride walk out on you an hour before your wedding is something you never get over.”
Emma didn’t know why, but Holly was purposely goading them. She was convinced of it.
“Then again,” Holly continued, “Emma had her reasons. That pregnant woman did show up at the church claiming you were her baby’s father.”
Emma’s mother inhaled sharply.
“That’s enough, Holly.” The reprimand, gently issued, came from her father.
She huffed, as if put upon. “I just figured we should stop ignoring the elephant in the room.”
“There’s no elephant.” Emma turned to Leonard. “Let me wash the dishes. It’s only fair since you cooked.”
This conversation, she thought as she cleared the table, and people like Holly, were the reasons Emma refused to move back to Mistletoe.
* * *
NICK MET THE wedding party at the gazebo for the Walk of Lights rather than drive from the ranch with Leonard and the rest of the family. Lunch had been difficult enough. Nick wasn’t in the mood for a round two. Also, this way, he could leave at any time with a legitimate excuse—a very early morning. The cattle wouldn’t move themselves to the home pastures.
Emma had handled herself well at lunch. Kudos for that. Holly’s obvious attempts to get a rise out of her had mostly failed. They’d succeeded, however, with Nick, but he’d held his temper rather than make things worse by losing it.
“There you are.” Leonard hailed Nick over. “I was just about to send out a search party.”
“Sorry I’m late.” After a long afternoon in the saddle, Nick had thought it best to shower and change into clean clothes.
He bent and kissed Candy on the cheek. From the corner of his eye, he saw Emma shy away. Fine. Be that way.
More hellos, hugs and handshakes were exchanged as Nick greeted the rest of the group. Besides Leonard’s entire family, including his two grandkids, there was his best friend and best man, Carl. Carl’s family. Gladys Givens and her large brood. Several of Candy’s coworkers and an abundance of friends. They weren’t just a group, they bordered on being a mob.
Wasn’t that what weddings were about? A gathering of family and friends? Nick automatically sought out Emma. They’d had a similar prewedding get-together at the Fall Hoedown.
“How ’bout we get started?” Leonard took Candy’s arm and led the way.
The group fell naturally into place, forming a long line of two and sometimes three abreast. Nick eventually found himself strolling alongside Emma. Okay, maybe he’d planned it that way. Not from the start. Only after she attempted to avoid him.
“People are staring at us,” she said under her breath.
“Let them.”
She rolled her eyes.
Every few minutes, the group paused to take in a particularly extravagant or unusual window display. The café had outdone itself with strings of multicolored lights that blinked on and off in synchronization with recorded music. The feed store had put out a life-size plastic horse pulling a sleigh filled with presents. The clothing boutique sold sweatshirts with mistletoe printed on the front.
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