He smiled and again glanced to where Hal chatted to Peta.
“A certain Bluebell Falls cowgirl looks very beautiful, doesn’t she?” Ivy’s lips curved in a teasing grin but her eyes were solemn.
He swallowed. “She does.”
“Garrett… are you planning on telling her who you are?”
Jaw tight, he twirled Ivy for a second time before he replied. “How do you know?”
“I’ve always known. I once dealt with a company you’d bought, well Garrett Ross ranching-tycoon, not Garrett Ross, regular ranch foreman, had acquired.”
He looked across at Peta who now watched him, her expression serious. “I will tell her. I just don’t know when… or how.”
“Knowing you have money won’t change what Peta thinks of you. If you need any help telling her, let me know. Sometimes life doesn’t always cooperate when we want it to.”
“Will do and… thanks.”
He lowered his arms from around Ivy as Rhett approached with a grin to dance with his bride.
Garrett left the dance floor and caught a flash of blue beside a doorway at the far end of the barn. Peta no longer sat with Hal and must have needed some air. He shared such a feeling. At least one person in Marietta had discovered who he was. But he trusted professional Ivy to stay quiet about the business side of his life. It also was a rare experience to have someone offer friendship and help and expect nothing in return.
He hesitated. He shouldn’t follow Peta but he hadn’t yet spoken to her tonight. She wouldn’t tell him how her knee was doing but he’d know from her face when he saw her up close. He too slipped out the side door.
Peta stood just outside. The daylight was fading and the wind contained an icy intensity. Without a word, he shrugged off his suit jacket and slipped it around her bare shoulders.
She turned, her gaze skimming his face. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
He slid his hands into his trousers pockets not to warm them but to stop himself from tugging her close. A line creased her forehead and her eyes were shadowed. His shoulders tightened. Something more than her knee troubled her.
“Garrett, I asked Hal where you’d learned to waltz and he said it was for… your own wedding… I’m really sorry about your fiancée.”
His hands fisted in his pockets. Now he knew the topic of her conversation with Hal and the reason for her grave expression as she watched him dance. If he wasn’t careful things could go from being casual to personal between them very fast. “Thanks.”
“I also understand more why you don’t want any complications. I just want to let you know that’s still okay with me.”
Peta’s words should make him feel relieved and safe; instead they triggered a sense of deep loss.
“Thanks,” he said, hoping his mixed emotions didn’t rasp in his voice.
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “No worries. Wyoming woman-trouble isn’t much fun.”
She slipped off his jacket and handed it to him before he could fully make sense of her words. Jeanie had walked out on him years before he’d lived in Wyoming.
Peta headed for the door. “Now we’d better head inside. Dad will be looking for me to have our dance.”
Garrett shrugged on his jacket as he followed her into the warm and noisy barn. They’d only progressed a few yards when Peta suddenly stopped. Garrett’s hands briefly grasped her waist to stop himself from crashing into her. If Peta noticed, she didn’t react or comment. Instead her attention remained centered on a woman who chatted to a group of girls and then moved to speak to another group.
“Carol Bingley’s doing the rounds of all the single girls to make sure no one misses out when Ivy throws her wedding bouquet.” Peta’s tone firmed. “There’s no way I’m participating. I know I’m single but I’m proud of running my ranch on my own. I’m not sending the message to other single girls that being alone is something that needs to change or that all they should wish for is a husband.”
Carol turned, spied Peta, and made her way over to them with a wide smile.
She thrust her hand out towards Garrett. “You must be Peta’s temporary ranch foreman. I’m Carol; I don’t believe we’ve met.” Her keen gaze assessed his face. “Even though you do seem familiar?”
Garrett shook her hand, keeping his expression polite and his tension hidden she might recognize him. “I’m sure we would have crossed paths somewhere on Main Street?”
“Possibly.” She faced Peta. “Now, you’re the person I was looking for. Are you all right for the bouquet throw? I don’t want anyone to miss out.”
“Thanks, but I’m fine. I’m not joining in.”
Carol’s penciled brows drew together. “Not joining in? I was counting on you to encourage the younger and shyer girls to participate.”
Garrett repressed a flinch. Whoever Carol was she’d just labeled Peta as the oldest single girl around. As Peta’s eyes frosted over, he stepped forward with a smooth smile. If he didn’t intervene, Carol was about to experience Peta’s inner-diva who had sent the redheaded cowboy slinking back to the bar at Grey’s.
“Carol, Peta’s not participating…” He slipped an arm around Peta’s stiff body and ignored the fierce frown she threw him. “Because she’s… not single anymore.”
Carol’s eyes gleamed. “Really?”
He tightened his hold on Peta’s waist as he sensed her about to speak. “Really. But it’s only early days so we’d appreciate you keeping this just between us.”
Carol’s smile grew and head bobbed up and down as she nodded.
As she turned and walked quickly away, Peta groaned and sagged against him. “Do you know who that was?”
“Carol… Marietta’s matronly matchmaker?”
“No, the Carol Bingley, Marietta’s most notorious gossip.”
Garrett stayed silent. Even as he watched, Carol returned to the group of single ladies she’d been talking to and, as one, they all turned to look at them.
His jaw clenched. “She agreed to keep this between us.”
“She did, but knowing Carol she had her fingers crossed behind her back.”
Carol approached another group and Peta turned away. “I can’t look. I hate being the center of attention and watching Carol’s gossip about us spread, is like watching a wildfire ignite.”
He took hold of Peta’s elbow. “It’s okay. I’ll call Carol tomorrow and pay her a personal visit if I have to, but I’ll make it clear our early days relationship is over.” His thumb brushed across Peta’s soft skin as she avoided his gaze. “It will all be fine. Go dance with your father. Before next weekend’s Christmas Stroll everyone will be talking about someone else’s lives.”
Chapter Nine
‡
Peta tugged her red beanie into place and quickened her pace toward the Christmas Stroll. The chill of the night air stung her skin. She’d moved her cattle into their winter pastures just in time, the icy weather had arrived. At least Ivy and Rhett would be warm. They were honeymooning on a tropical island far away from the brisk winds that warned of an overnight snowfall.
She slid her hands into the deep pockets of her tailored, red fine-wool coat. Last year to the Christmas Stroll she’d worn ranch clothes and hadn’t entered into the Christmas spirit. But this year she had on her power-red lipstick and her black don’t-mess-with-me boots. She didn’t want people thinking she was either heartbroken or such a lost cause she couldn’t keep a man. Garrett’s prophecy that by this weekend, their supposed relationship would be old news, hadn’t proved true.
He might have visited Carol early in the morning after Ivy and Rhett’s wedding to say their relationship was over but the rumor mill had already gone into overdrive. Even when close friends and family had explained there was nothing going on between them, Peta could still see the curiosity in the stares whenever she visited town.
Garrett had apologized for putting her into such a mess but she’d told him there was nothing to apologize for, he’d only
been trying to help. If Carol had honored his request to keep things between them, then no one would have been any the wiser. She wasn’t going to think about how, when Garrett had promised to make things right, his thumb had brushed across her skin and she’d felt a deep longing that they were a real couple.
Her steps slowed. After Hal’s revelation about Garrett’s heartbreak, it was no wonder he wasn’t looking for a relationship and had a long story that wasn’t easy to tell. He’d been hurt by a woman he’d been willing to spend his life with. She briefly closed her eyes. She couldn’t now listen to the whispers that said how much she wanted to heal his pain.
She entered First Street and caught the faint strains of a Christmas carol. She’d taken a long ride on Scout and had come to the stroll later than planned. Even though she’d missed seeing Santa leading the lighting ceremony to the courthouse in Crawford Park, having less time in town wasn’t a bad thing. After the week’s gossip frenzy, it was more important than ever to keep her physical distance from Garrett. She couldn’t be seen hanging out with him or doing anything that might fuel further rumors.
The sound of carols merged with a cheerful trumpet rendition of “Jingle Bells” and she checked that her Christmas Stroll button remained attached to her lapel. Head high, she wove her way through the pedestrians filling the sidewalk and entered Main Street. A delicious blend of aromas from the food vendors located on the street corners greeted her. She scanned the crowd milling in front of the Bavarian truck and saw Garrett and Hal sitting on a nearby bench. She’d meet up with them, eat the sausage and sauerkraut bun Hal said Garrett had to try, and then leave.
She crossed the street. When Garrett saw her, he stood. She stopped to let a little girl, leading a fluffy white dog with tinsel on her collar, walk in front of her. The brief moment gave Peta a much-needed chance to collect herself. Her cheeks already felt too warm and her pulse beat too fast and she hadn’t even spoken to Garrett yet.
“Hey,” she said, as she approached, hoping the street noise would hide the breathlessness of her voice.
“Hey.”
Tonight Garrett wore his usual boots, Wranglers, and his cherry red shirt beneath a navy, wool western coat. His dark hair was bare and he wore no gloves.
“Sorry, I’m late.” She bent to hug Hal. “Scout and I lost track of time.”
He patted the bench beside him and she sat. “Garrett and I only just got here, too. Thanks to these”—he frowned at his crutches—“we were able to park close by, but it still was a slow walk.”
Peta slipped her arm through Hal’s. “But it will be worth it. We wait all year for our messy sausage, sauerkraut and hot mustard buns.”
Hal grinned and glanced at Garrett. “We sure do.”
Garrett nodded and headed over to the Bavarian truck to place their order.
She didn’t watch him as he strode away. She had rumors to disapprove.
“How was your ride?” Hal asked, voice low.
Hal knew she usually went for long rides when bothered.
“Good but… not quite long enough.”
Hal nodded. “Honey, forget about what people are saying about you and Garrett… live your life like you usually do.”
She gazed at the man whose compassion, wisdom, and strength had guided her over the years and sighed. “You’re right. I do need to stop worrying.”
Garrett returned with their sausage and sauerkraut buns and Peta scooted over to give him room to sit on the bench. When a pair of high schoolers went past and stared at her and Garrett siting side by side, she ignored their curiosity.
Silence settled between them as they ate. All around them were smiling faces, sparkle, and color. Stores were decorated with garlands, bows, and fairy lights that twinkled in time with the lights draped high above the street. For over a century Copper Mountain had witnessed Marietta celebrate Christmas. With its fresh topping of white snow, the granite peak almost seemed to reflect the light from the town below.
Across the road, Peta recognized a small, dark-haired boy and she waved. Finn gave her an excited grin as he strolled by holding Zane and Trinity’s hands. As she watched, Finn spoke at length to Zane. Peta’s heart melted. At last year’s stroll Finn hadn’t said a word.
As she took her last bite of her bun she glanced sideways at Garrett. Six-year-old Finn wasn’t the only one to be captivated by the stroll. Garrett’s head turned as he watched someone dressed up as a Christmas tree hand out candy to the kids. He then looked over to where a small child rode on her father’s shoulders, a Santa hat dipping over the little girl’s eyes.
“It looks like everyone’s out tonight,” Peta said, as the young mother smiled and reached up to push the Santa hat further back on her daughter’s tiny head.
Garrett nodded while Hal too finished his bun.
The old foreman sighed. “Now if only the hospital food had tasted that good.” His gaze flicked between Garrett and Peta. “Where are you two youngsters off to now? I’m not budging from this bench. I could even be tempted to have another bun before I leave.”
“I don’t know about Garrett,” she said, not looking at the man next to her. “But I’m not going anywhere special. I’ll stay and sit with you a while.”
Hal had given her good advice about not worrying about being the main topic of town conversation. But it was still asking for trouble if she and Garrett headed off together, alone. On the ranch they had chores to focus on and were surrounded by people. Strolling and making small talk wasn’t exactly on the keeping things businesslike between them list.
Hal looked over to where Henry Watson approached, his stride now even and sure. The old rancher too had undergone hip surgery. “Well, unless you want to listen to two old men swap hospital stories, I suggest you mosey along.”
Hal glanced at Garrett who continued to sit still and silent beside Peta. “There’s no need for you to stay, either. Don’t forget Sam’s picking me up as you’re going for a drink with Cordell and Ethan after the stroll.”
Garrett nodded and stood to shake hands with old Henry. Peta too came to her feet, her attention lingering on Garrett’s face. The brightness of his eyes said how much he was enjoying the evening. Many towns had strolls and it was almost as though he’d never been to one. He’d done so much for Bluebell Falls it wouldn’t hurt to show him around a little. She’d make sure their conversation didn’t touch on anything personal.
She greeted Henry and, as the rancher sat next to Hal, she turned to Garrett. “If you’d like, I could show you the decorations in Community Park? They were donated to the town by an old toy-maker and last year we worked hard to restore them.”
“Thanks.” Garrett smiled. “I’d like that. Rhett mentioned something about them when he stayed over. Apparently he says the hat on the cowboy elf is particularly well-painted.”
She laughed. “Of course, he would say that, he painted it.”
With a parting smile at Hal, Peta fell into step beside Garrett. Soon they were amongst the revelers having fun and doing their last minute Christmas shopping. By now it wasn’t just carols or trumpets adding to the festive vibe, the sound of guitars and drumming drifted from further along Main Street.
Two children ran past, their fingers tightly wrapped around the sticks of their caramel apples. Garrett turned to look at the apple treats. “What are those called? They look good.”
“Caramel apples and, yes, they taste as good as they look. Haven’t you ever had one before?”
It was just subtle, but the light in his eyes dulled. “Can’t say I have, so tonight will be a good time to try one.”
“It will be. The stand where we can get some will be closer to Community Park.”
They stepped onto the sidewalk to avoid the group of children huddled around an iron fire pit, toasting marshmallow on long skewers. Sparks from the flames shot skyward and as Garrett watched the marshmallows roast, she had the suspicion he’d never toasted marshmallows over a campfire either.
When they reache
d Copper Mountain Chocolates, she stopped in front of the doorway. “I did most of my Christmas shopping while away with Kendall but I’d like to get some chocolates for Christmas day.”
Garrett followed her inside the warm and busy store. “I’ll get some, too. Thanks to Hal, I’ve taken a liking to Sage’s cowboy boot shaped chocolates.”
They made their selection from the array of handmade treats, which Peta could never decide between, and went back out into the cold. When Garrett offered to carry her bag she shook her head with a small smile. Things were remaining casual between them and she didn’t want anything to change. Even just the little gesture of him carrying her chocolates shifted their relationship into personal territory.
They continued along Main Street before Garrett stopped to admire a mini Christmas tree sparkling above an awning.
“If you think Main Street looks festive now,” Peta said, also stopping. “Wait until it gets closer to Christmas and the street is covered in heavy snow. Marietta looks like its straight out of a Christmas card.” As she spoke she realized they hadn’t yet discussed when he’d leave or even if he’d be here Christmas day. “Garrett, Hal’s doing well but he’ll be on crutches until at least Christmas. So… if you’re still able to stay… its open house at my place for Christmas lunch.”
Garrett glanced at her, his eyes fathomless. “Thanks. I told Hal I’d stick around until he was back on his feet so, yes, I’ll be here until he’s at least off his crutches.” He hesitated. “As for Christmas, I don’t want to impose, so I’ll get back to you about coming to lunch.”
It was just a micro-expression but bleakness raced across his face before he again stared at the small, twinkling Christmas tree. Peta hid her frown. Considering what he’d been through with his fiancée leaving him, Garrett shouldn’t spend Christmas alone.
“Hal’s already said he’s coming. When he used to go away to see family for Christmas, I’m guessing it was you he visited. But he hasn’t been away for at least three years, which means you haven’t spent Christmas together for that long.”
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