Home for the Holidays: A Contemporary Romance Anthology

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Home for the Holidays: A Contemporary Romance Anthology Page 54

by Christine Bell


  However, Taylor’s relief still telegraphed through her eyes, which brightened, and her smile, appeared a tad easier than yesterday.

  Would it hurt to allow her sister to think Ashley and Ryan were starting a thing? Two weeks of time-consuming wedding and Christmas festivities, during which she’d be busy, and then she’d be out of here. She could “break up” with Ryan later. He’d never know. Even if he did find out, she figured he owed her.

  She’d let the hangover wear off and think about that idea some more. Ashley waved toward the door. “The girls are waiting on you.”

  Taylor laughed as she held up her hands. “I can take a hint.” Before closing the door completely, Taylor popped her head back inside. “Just one more thing…. Does Ryan know about the bachelorette auction Mama signed you up for today?”

  Ashley flopped back down and pulled the covers over her head with a groan. Double damn with a cherry on top.

  4

  “Family are like underpants…Some crawl up your ass. Some get a little sideways. Some are your favorite. Some are holy. Some are cheap and just plain nasty. And some actually cover your ass when you need ‘em to!” –Anonymous

  Ryan hunched into his thick jacket as wind whipped across the large open field where he worked patching fences with his brothers. Blake and Cody had been less than thrilled with the late start, but, for some odd reason, Ryan had been reluctant to pull himself out of Ashley’s bed this morning, waiting to see how she woke up.

  About how he expected—snarling and hissing like a kitten. The urge to kiss her awake and then kiss her into laughing with him had manifested as teasing. Because no way should he be thinking about kissing her. After years of waiting for her to get a clue, he’d finally walked away from those urges eighteen months ago when he’d finally washed his hands of her. And then he’d gone and given into that urge just as he’d been about to make his escape this morning.

  Her damn sexy lingerie, red lace against cream skin, had about killed him.

  “Ryan!” Cody snapped, yanking him out of his thoughts about a brunette who managed to get under his skin faster than a two-headed mosquito.

  He rubbed a gloved hand around the back of his neck. “Sorry. I didn’t sleep much.”

  Ashley had slept snuggled up to his side most of the night, and he’d been caught between a rock and hard place as his body responded to her nearness.

  Cody, having finished looping and twisting both ends of the barbed wire together, grinned as he reached for the stretcher. “Ashley Hughes that much of a wildcat in bed, huh?”

  “How did you—?” Ryan scowled as he looped and twisted the other end. “Blake?”

  Blake was working on another patch further down so couldn’t defend himself.

  “No. Word gets around when your truck stays outside her motel room all night. Small town, big ears,” Cody said.

  Damn. Should’ve known better.

  He held the line up as Cody ratcheted the section tighter, then Ryan pulled the fence pliers out of his back pocket. He cut the new section of wire fence and finished securing it through his loop.

  “Mama’s thrilled. Said something about how she knew when you were toddlers that you’d end up together—”

  “I didn’t sleep with Ashley. She was sick. I took care of her.”

  Rather than take exception to Ryan’s curt tone, Cody shrugged. “Too bad. Finally getting her out of your system could be a good thing.”

  Ryan eyed his brother. Younger by only one year, Cody tended to be the quieter of the three McAdams boys—and the more observant. Usually, though, he kept his opinions to himself. Anyway this time, he had it all wrong.

  Ryan had no intention of getting into an argument over it, so kept his mouth shut and moved on to the next section of fence awaiting repair.

  “Who are you talking about?” Blake appeared from around the side of the truck.

  “Ashley Hughes,” Cody said before Ryan could stop him.

  Blake’s grin had Ryan gritting his teeth. “Is that who you abandoned me for last night?” Blake asked.

  He turned to Cody. “Mid pool game, this guy”—He hooked a thumb at Ryan.—“just walks out. I didn’t see him again. Not even a text.”

  Damn. He’d completely forgotten. “Sorry about that,” Ryan muttered. “Ashley got sick and I took her back to her motel.”

  “I could’ve been out of my mind with worry.” Blake batted his eyes and wrung his hands.

  “Clearly that wasn’t the case.”

  Ryan’s earlier comment about Ashley must’ve sunk in with Blake because mid-climb into the bed of the truck, he paused. “You slept with her?”

  “He says he just took care of her,” Cody offered.

  Blake barked a laugh. “Yeah, right.”

  “Nothing happened,” Ryan gritted.

  Cody cocked his head and eyed Ryan speculatively. “So, if you’re not interested, maybe I’ll make a pass at her. She and Taylor are hot. And I saw Ashley’s name on the list for the ladies participating in the Christmas Date Auction today. If we finish up early enough, I may go bid on her.”

  Ryan stopped unwinding the spool of barbed wire and winced as a barb pierced his thick leather gloves. “Shoot.” He pulled the glove off and sucked at the small wound on this thumb before glaring at his brother. “What are you on about?”

  “The Christmas Date Auction. You didn’t know she signed up?”

  Blake hooted with laughter. “I hope you’ve been saving up.”

  Ryan scowled. “I’m not interested in Ashley Hughes.” Ashley had never signed up for that before to his recollection. And, yes, he remembered, though heaven help him, he shouldn’t. Irritation with himself spiked, and he went back to wrestling with the wire.

  “I think it starts at five this afternoon,” Cody commented idly.

  The man might be his brother, but he could be an interfering dick on occasion. As only little brothers could. Of course, older brothers could, too. Time to divert the conversation away from himself.

  Ryan hooked the spool of extra wire over the top of a nearby fence post. “Why are you so interested in the auction, anyway?”

  Blake cocked his head in interest.

  Cody tried to blank his expression, but he’d never had a poker face. “I’m not.”

  “Right. You bothered to look up the names and the time.” Ryan tipped his chin. “Who’s the girl?”

  “Kristina Lane,” Blake supplied, grin stretched wide. “He’s meeting her at the festival.”

  Irritation hardened Cody’s jaw, and he pointed his pliers at the wire. “Let’s get on with it. I want to be done by four.”

  “Sure.” Ryan turned back the post. “Got somewhere to be at five?”

  “Asshole,” Cody grumbled under his breath.

  Ryan chuckled.

  5

  “If the three wise men had been women, they would have…asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts.”

  --Anonymous

  After plying herself with water and aspirin, and, yes, hash browns, Ashley felt marginally more human. A shower and clean clothes helped as well. Seeing as she was up for auction—the thought had her poor stomach churning again—she dressed up.

  Deliberately, she went with her favorite winter dress. Christmassy enough with red and black stripes. It showed off her curves and slim waist while hiding her too-wide—at least in her opinion—hips with a floaty, almost sheer skirt made decent by a built-in slip underneath. She paired the dress with tights and knee-high black boots. If she had to parade herself on stage, at least she’d bolster her confidence by looking decent.

  Now, bundled up with a knee-length pea coat, she wandered the booths at the festival with her sister and the rest of the bachelorette party. Counting down the last hours until torture.

  Like many Texas towns, the court house stood tall and proud at the center of downtown. Around it, forming a square, shops and restaurants
and other establishments enjoyed the extra business brought by the annual Christmas Festival. The police shut down the streets, rerouting traffic, and vendors set up tents, selling anything and everything.

  Not a white Christmas—those were rare in this part of Texas—the spirit of cheer and goodwill filled the air nonetheless. Christmas carolers, dressed in traditional Dickensian garb, stood on one corner, singing old hymns and carols in lovely harmony. Many of the booths sold gifts or holiday decorations as befitted the season. In May, when the town held its May Fair Festival, the wares would change to spring and summer themed.

  Taylor had stopped at a booth sporting Santa figures. She collected them, so Ashley kept track of those paid the most attention. Might make a good Christmas gift. She’d completed most of her shopping but could use a few more.

  Her cell phone vibrated in her purse, and she pulled it out. Nerves fluttered in her stomach at the name on the tiny screen. Eric Landon.

  What could he want?

  His text gave her no clue. A simple —Hey, Ashley.—

  —Hey. Need something? —

  —Are you already at the festival? —

  Ah. He must be back from Austin and probably wanted to surprise Taylor.

  —Yes. We’re over by the booths close to the bounce houses.—

  —Any way you could ditch Taylor and meet me? I could use your help.—

  Okay. The word drew out in her head. What was he up to? Maybe a wedding or Christmas gift for Taylor?

  —Picking out a gift for Taylor, or something? —

  —How’d you guess? —

  Ashley chuckled. He never was good at picking out gifts. Give the man a chore to do or an errand to run, something to feel useful, and he was all over it. Ask him for a present, and he panicked.

  “Who’re you texting?” Taylor popped up at her side and Ashley tucked her phone away.

  To her surprise, Taylor snatched her phone out of her hand. “Must be Ryan, if you’re hiding things from me.”

  Taylor peeked at the screen, then blushed. “Whoops. It’s Eric.” Slowly she handed the phone back. Trying to be casual, but failing, she picked up a Santa. “So. What does he want?”

  “You didn’t see?” Ashley asked.

  “No.”

  “It’s a surprise. I’m not going to spoil it.”

  With a shrug, Taylor picked up a different Santa. “He’s going to buy me a present, isn’t he?”

  No use quibbling. “Yup.”

  “I’ll be sure to make myself suitably scarce.” They shared a grin of total understanding. “Get going.”

  “Any requests?” Ashley asked as she typed her text to Eric.

  —I can ditch her now. Where do you want to meet?—

  “Diamonds would be nice.” She put the Santa down.

  Ashley snorted a laugh. “Good luck with that.”

  “I know.” But Taylor didn’t look too worried about it. In fact, she glowed.

  —Meet me at Lucy’s.—

  A jewelry store. Perhaps Taylor was in luck.

  Lucy’s was situated on the other side of the square, so she cut across the street and through the courthouse lawn, rather than walk the perimeter. The bell above the door to the shop gave a little chime as she walked inside.

  “Phew,” Ashley muttered she reached the warmth of the jewelry shop. She pulled off her gloves and rubbed at her cold fingers. Bing Crosby softly crooned about white Christmases over the store speakers.

  Eric poked his head around a corner, checking behind her.

  “I’m alone,” she assured him.

  He smiled and her heart hitched a little. She’d always loved his smile. But this one lacked a spark that used to be there.

  “Thanks for coming.” He gave her an awkward hug with lots of space between them.

  They hadn’t seen each other since January when she broke things off. She searched his familiar face waiting for…what? Love? Heartache? Jealousy? What was she supposed to be feeling right now?

  No answer came to her. “What can I help with?”

  “According to the guys at my bachelor party, I’m supposed to get her a wedding gift?”

  She pursed her lips against a grin. Yup. He was definitely in a panic. “That is a tradition, yes.”

  “Well….” He waved at the glass cases.

  “Diamond earrings would be lovely with her dress.”

  “Damn. I hoped you wouldn’t go with diamonds.” Eric groaned as she dragged him over to the glass cases filled with sparkling jewels.

  “Diamonds,” she insisted. After all, knowing Eric, Taylor wouldn’t get a ton of those jewels in her lifetime. “And don’t even think of bringing up price. This is your wedding gift to your bride, and I happen to know how much you have saved.”

  He gave a reluctant chuckle. “No fair. You’re my accountant. You’re not supposed to use that information against me.”

  “All’s fair in love and war.” She found the display of diamonds.

  While they bent their heads over the selection, he cleared his throat. “I heard something today about you and Ryan McAdams.”

  “Seriously?” Shock had her voice raising, and, at his shushing motion, she lowered it. “That was just last night.”

  He glanced at the other shoppers. “Word like that travels fast in a small town. I thought you couldn’t stand Ryan?”

  Ashely lifted a shoulder. “He helped me out last night. That’s all.”

  “So you didn’t sleep with him?”

  Now it was her turn to shush him. A glance revealed carefully averted faces, which meant nothing. “That’s not your business anymore.”

  Eric held up a hand. “I know. But I still care about you, Ashley. I remember how you and Ryan were friends until we started dating. After that, all I ever saw you do was fight, if you bothered to acknowledge each other at all.”

  “Yeah, well. I could do with a few less friends like him.”

  “But he helped you last night?” Now Eric looked confused.

  “Can I get anything out for a closer look?” One of the jewelers approached.

  Ashley latched on to the opportunity to break the conversation off. “We’d like to see these four.” She indicated the ones she thought Taylor might like best.

  Then she left him with the jeweler and wandered the store. She had zero intention of buying anything, but her gaze landed on a unique display of ornaments. Intrigued, she took at closer look. As she inspected the trinkets, she shot Eric a few covert glances. He appeared happy. Elated even.

  Tall and handsome, with dark blond hair and bright blue eyes, she’d always been proud to be his girl. Now that she wasn’t his girl, she felt…empty. The problem was, she wasn’t entirely sure that emptiness had to do with Eric or with simply being single over the holidays for the first time in ten years. Single in Dallas hadn’t been so bad. After the first few months, she hadn’t missed Eric. In fact, she’d thought more about a certain kiss, but she refused to acknowledge that fact. Single in her hometown, over Christmas, and standing up at the wedding of her ex to her sister. Yeah. That sucked.

  Eric made his selection and paid for it, then escorted her outside.

  “Do you like Ryan?” he asked bluntly, returning to their conversation.

  Damn. She’d forgotten how he could be like a dog with a bone. She wished he’d bury this one already.

  Ashley opened her mouth to give a truthful answer but stopped when she caught Eric’s hopeful look. Oh, God. Was he like Taylor? Did thinking Ashley had a love interest make him feel better about the situation in some strange way?

  “I don’t know how I feel,” she found herself saying. The truth. Granted, for her the truth concerned Eric as much as Ryan.

  He gave a slow nod. “He told me once, just before college, that I wasn’t right for you.”

  Anger surged. “He had no right—” she spluttered.

  Eric’s hand on her arm stopped her. “He was right. I adore Taylor.” Delight lit his eyes. “I still love yo
u, Ash,” he hastened to add. “I always will. But what I feel for you is more like…”

  A hole settled inside her where her heart used to be. Blank. Numb. “How a brother loves a sister?”

  “Exactly!”

  “Me too.” At least, that was how she let herself feel about him now. Though, the pain she semi-expected didn’t come. That had to be a good thing. Right?

  They shared a smile filled with both understanding and a certain amount of relief.

  “Promise me one thing?” Eric asked.

  “What?”

  “Don’t settle. Like you did with me.”

  “I didn’t settle. You’re great.”

  He took both her hands in his. “You were comfortable with me, but not madly in love. You deserve someone who adores you like I do Taylor. Just as important, you should find someone you adore in return. Now I’ve found it, I want the same for you.” He checked her expression. “Do you get what I’m saying?”

  “I think I do,” she said slowly.

  “And if Ryan’s that man—”

  “He’s not,” she hastened to assure him. Sure, this morning, when Taylor had been so excited, she’d been thinking crazy thoughts about faking interest in Ryan. But that was a hangover and desperation. No way could she pull it off.

  Disbelief tinged Eric’s grin. “Whatever you say, Ash. Friends?”

  “How about brother and sister-in-law?”

  He yanked her into him for a bear hug. “That’s even better.”

  She hugged him back. Part of her waited for a familiar tug of the love she used to feel or a swirl of desire at his touch. But neither came. Just a bittersweet sensation. Nine years together was longer than many marriages these days. Hard to walk away from so much history. Especially when all her future held was a job away from her family.

  6

 

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