“Scrooge is my personal Christmas hero.” --Anonymous
Showered in his best jeans and button down under a thick leather jacket to ward off the winter chill, Ryan made his way through the large crowd gathered for the festival.
Ryan’s stomach rumbled at the mouth-watering scents of barbeque and kettle corn filling the air. Thanks to a distracting brunette, he missed breakfast this morning and had rushed lunch to help Blake and Cody finish work on time. He ignored the hunger pangs and made his way through the laughing, chattering crowds only to stop when a flash of red caught his attention.
Ashley—he knew instinctively it wasn’t Taylor—stood outside Lucy’s Jewels with Eric. From this distance they appeared to be holding a serious conversation. Where was Taylor? He did a quick sweep of the area but couldn’t find her. As his gaze returned to the couple outside the shop, he watched, dumbstruck, as Eric yanked Ashley into his arms for an exuberant hug.
If he kisses her, I’m out of here. Why he’d bothered to come in the first place, he still didn’t know.
But the two didn’t kiss. Instead, they turned and headed his way. Ryan, feeling like a total idiot, ducked behind a booth as they passed. He assumed they were making their way to the same place as he. The auction would be starting soon.
At a slower pace, he followed, debating with himself the entire way. What was he doing here?
A makeshift stage sat on the courthouse lawn. Instead of the live band or other entertainment, Linda Hughes, Ashley’s mother, currently held the mic, laying out the rules for the Christmas Date Auction. An annual tradition for the past thirty years, Ryan had never bothered to participate before. Dates were one of the things he was never short on.
He caught a glimpse of Taylor and Eric now standing together off to the side of the stage. Taylor had been the Hughes twin up for grabs in previous years. Looked like, with Eric out of her life and her sister spoken for, Ashley now got that honor.
Bet she’s thrilled.
Ryan caught sight of her behind the stage and, despite his continued misgivings, grinned at her expression—resigned horror. The center of attention was not where Ashley Hughes enjoyed being.
Stare-worthy in a figure-hugging dress of red and black stripes with long sleeves, a wispy skirt, and black boots that gave her a bit of edge, his body perked up at the sight of her. The Dallas polish was showing today. Ryan suspected Blake had been right. Based on several other men’s stares, she’d have a lot of bids. He wouldn’t bid, of course. He’d come out of curiosity only.
Ashley turned her head, her gaze colliding with his, and her eyes widened, then narrowed. In answer he held up a hand in a friendly wave. Obviously caught between wanting to ignore him and not being rude, she held her own hand up in a perfunctory gesture that could’ve meant either “hello there” or “get lost.” Knowing Ashley, it probably indicated the latter.
“I guess you couldn’t keep away.”
Ryan crossed his arms as Cody appeared beside him. “What are you doing here?”
Imitating Ryan’s stance, Cody surveyed the scene. “Ashley Hughes always was your kryptonite.”
Ryan glanced at his brother, prepared to deny it, but why bother? Cody, the family member he talked to most, knew him better than just about anyone, and he wasn’t entirely wrong. Ryan’s childhood friendship with Ashley had been turning more serious in high school. He’d been gathering the courage to try to change their relationship when Eric had asked her out. “That was a long time ago.”
Cody stepped in front of him, suddenly serious. “You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t feel something. Why have you been standing on the sidelines all this time?”
Ryan lifted an eyebrow, refusing to let the questions rile him. “I haven’t. I wasn’t exactly saving myself or pining all alone all this time, you know.” He glanced over Cody’s shoulder to catch Ashley’s gaze directed his way again.
“No, but you never got serious about any of those girls, either.” Cody pulled his attention back.
He had no intention of discussing this further in the middle of the crowd. Time to shut things down. Ryan held up his arm next to Cody’s face and pretended to inspect the difference.
Cody swiped at his hand. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to see if the pot and the kettle are the same color black.”
“What does that mean?”
Tossing his arm over Cody’s shoulders, Ryan lowered his voice. “It means, little brother, that if you’re going to deliver home truths, you could use a few as well. There’s a certain blue-eyed blonde you never did get around to asking out? Am I right?”
Cody narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“No? Isn’t Kristina Lane taking part in the auction?” Ryan held up a flyer which listed all the ladies’ names. She wasn’t listed.
Cody grabbed the sheet out of Ryan’s hands and scanned the list before snapping his head back up with a glare. “No, she’s not.”
Ryan peeked at the paper. “Oh, she’s not? I swore I saw her name on there.”
His brother glowered, face as dark as a thundercloud, only to pause at Ryan’s twitching lips. The brothers stared each other down for a long a second before they both broke out in grins.
Cody held up his hands. “Okay, I get the point.” He turned his attention back to the stage. “So are you going to finally make a move on the woman?”
Ryan shook his head. Why was Cody so adamant about this anyway? “I thought you said you got the point?”
“Sure. But I didn’t say I’d leave it alone.” He jumped back as Ryan’s fist flashed out in a brotherly punch.
Cody laughed as he backed away. “Tell you what…I’ll ask Kristina out as soon as you get off your ass and do something about Ashley. Like you should have done any time in the last ten years.”
“Hey! She’s the one who stopped bothering with our friendship before I did. And she was taken.” Very taken. Not in a good way, like she couldn’t live without Eric. Ashley’s loyalty always seemed more about familiarity—she shared a comfort level with Eric and therefore didn’t bother asking herself if she missed out on spectacular by staying in a so-so relationship.
Cody glanced over at the stage. “She’s not taken now.”
Might as well be. Besides, he’d finally crossed Ashley off his “worth the effort” list eighteen months ago. They’d had a hell of a fight, and she’d made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him.
So why am I even here?
7
“Just remember, a first date is your opportunity to mess up a relationship forever.” --Anonymous
Ryan didn’t have to wait long, as Ashley was the first date up for grabs. Her date included dinner at Jambalayas, his favorite Cajun food place, dessert at the Ice Cream Bucket, and flowers for her from the Flower Pot.
As a promotional event for the town, various shops and restaurants volunteered their services or goods to create a date package for each lady up for bid. All dates were supposed to be taken that night, under the watchful eyes of the entire town, to avoid potentially bad situations, in case the date didn’t go so well or the guy wasn’t that altruistic in his intentions.
No awkwardness there.
Ashley stood on stage, head held high, bright smile in place hiding her nerves from everyone but him. Mrs. Hughes gave the usual spiel about the date followed by Ashley’s biography. Then she opened the bidding.
Several guys he recognized put their offers in, but when Mason Bastion shouted out a bid, Ryan scowled. So did Ashley. Her expression morphed from faked pleasantness to irritation to subtle horror as Mason continued to raise the stakes until each of the other three contenders dropped out.
Aw, hell. I’m going to have to bail her out again.
“Two-hundred dollars.” He doubled Mason’s last bid.
Several heads whipped in his direction as an audible gasp ran through the crowd. On one side of the stage, Taylor’s grin could’ve lit up New York City.
On the flip side, Eric gave Ryan a hard stare.
Meanwhile, Ashley searched him out in the crowd, her expression a comical combination of relief and exasperation. Ryan cocked his head both in challenge and question. He could walk away if she really didn’t want his help. But a vulnerability evident in how stiffly she held herself caught him like a low blow. He couldn’t let Mason have her.
Returning his focus to his bidding adversary, Ryan peered at Mason with a cocky half-smile, waiting for the bid he knew wouldn’t come. For his part Mason glared at him with narrowed eyes, spit on the ground, and walked away.
“Highest bid goes to Ryan McAdams. Come claim your prize, Ryan.”
Ryan limited himself to a triumphant wave. If her giant grin was any measure, Mrs. Hughes, at least, appeared thrilled. Mother cast daughter a look he couldn’t interpret, and Ashley shook her head.
Wonder what that’s about?
Ryan shouldered his way through the crowd and met Ashley at the stage. He held out a hand. After the slightest hesitation, she placed her fingers in his, skin cold against his, and climbed down.
“What are you doing?” She gritted the words through clenched teeth as she a forced smile for the crowd.
“Saving your ass. Again.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but he tugged her behind him. “Hold on a second, Hughes. I have to pay for our date.”
“It’s not a real date, McAdams.”
He stopped and held a finger to her lips. “Shhh. Let’s not argue on our first date.”
She glared at him, but beneath his fingers the twitch of her lips tickled as if she tried not to laugh. She’d always been too serious. When they were kids, he made it a personal goal to bring levity into her life. Granted, most of the time she got angry rather than laugh. After their friendship faltered, she only ever got angry. But sometimes, like right now, he caught a secret smile and knew he’d succeeded.
He paid at a table set off to the side while Mrs. Hughes introduced the next lady up for auction. As they dealt with the payment, Eric and Taylor appeared.
“How generous of you, Ryan,” Taylor enthused.
“Very,” Eric murmured, not as jubilant as his fiancée.
Ryan ignored him and signed the receipt. The woman at the checkout handed him a bouquet of roses, which he gave to Ashley with a flourish and a crooked grin.
She accepted, albeit reluctantly, but her face softened as she gazed on the crimson blooms. “I love roses,” she murmured, flashing a quick smile of thanks to the checkout lady.
“Shall we go?” He offered his arm.
Slowly, she slipped her hand through the crook of his elbow.
“Have fun, you two,” Taylor called.
“McAdams,” said Eric. “She’s still family. Take good care of her.”
Taylor snuggled into Eric, seeming to appreciate the comment, but Ashley’s grip on his arm tightened. Why? Was she afraid he’d be bothered by the comment? Or embarrass her? Or maybe she didn’t like Eric’s comment. Was she still in love with her ex? Either way, the gesture Eric made was a decent one, and Ryan would address it as such.
“I will,” Ryan assured the other man, offering a hand to shake.
Eric took it with a firm grip and a nod only two men could understand.
Ashley cast him a searching glance as they walked around the square to their destination. Evening had come, long shadows turning to night as dusk fell, and the festive lights adorning all the buildings around the square cast a heavenly glow over them. They skirted the carolers, who sang “Silent Night” in poignant harmony, then crossed the street to the restaurant. He held the door open for her, and she paused to pat his cheek.
“You know, McAdams, every once in a while, you shock me and actually act like a decent human being.”
Ouch. “We have to do something about all this antagonism you have toward me, Hughes.”
She choked, then laughed. “Like what?”
He shrugged. “They say there’s a thin line between love and hate. Maybe you should just sleep with me and get it out of your system.”
He’d meant it as a joke, but the mental image of Ashley in his bed was suddenly no laughing matter. The hostess chose that instant to returned to her station, and Ashley snapped her mouth closed around whatever she was going to say in return. The hostess led them to a romantic table for two in a private corner of the restaurant, lit with candles and set with fine linens.
As soon as they ordered, Ashley leveled a direct look on him. “I’m not sleeping with you, McAdams, if that’s what you’re hoping for.”
“I didn’t bid on you with sex in mind. I was teasing you.”
“Then what on earth were you thinking?”
He cocked his head. “About what?”
“Bidding for my date. What else would I be asking?”
He took a sip of water and shrugged. “You could have been asking what I was thinking about how you look in candle light. Beautiful, by the way.”
She ignored him. “Bidding on my date was a foolish thing to do.”
“I thought you’d be grateful. I’ve saved you from Mason Bastion twice now.”
She narrowed her eyes. “My mother asked me if we had safe sex last night.”
Ryan sat back in his seat and managed to keep a straight face. He didn’t think Ashley would appreciate laughter in the face of what she apparently viewed with mortification. “What did you say?”
“That we didn’t sleep together, of course.”
“Then what’s the problem? Can’t get any safer than that, right?”
“She didn’t believe me.”
Ryan picked up his napkin and laid it in his lap. “Would you like me to talk to her?”
“No!” As several heads turned to stare, she cleared her throat and lowered her voice. “No, thank you. I can handle my mother. However, your bidding on me doesn’t help the rumors apparently stampeding through this town. Are you trying to mess with me? Is that it? I’m already having a crappy holiday, so you shouldn’t bother.”
All thoughts of laughter fled. Ryan sat forward and covered her hand with his. “What if I bid on you because I wanted to?”
She raised her gaze from his touch with wide eyes.
“Do you ever think about that kiss at New Year’s Eve?” He tossed the question down between them like a gauntlet and waited for her response. If he were honest, he’d thought of that kiss often. Had she?
She searched his face, and Ryan waited for her answer. Wariness tightened her mouth and she pulled her hand out from beneath his. He wanted to pull her back, even as she slipped from his grasp.
“I don’t think you’re funny,” she hissed in a low voice.
He sat back. “No, I guess not. I used to make you laugh. You lose your sense of humor?”
Narrowed eyes stared back at him. Suddenly, a smile broadened those lush lips.
One he didn’t trust. “What?”
“I’ll make you a deal.”
A thousand childhood memories flooded him. She used to say that all the time, but the deals somehow always worked more in her favor. “What kind of deal?”
“I’ll help you with your accounting issue…”
“If?”
That Cheshire smile again. “If you stop making comments like that one. And you pretend to be my boyfriend until I go back to Dallas after Christmas.”
8
“She’s so confused, she doesn’t know if she should scratch her watch or wind her butt.”
--Southern Expression
Ashley sat in front of the TV, still clad in her favorite red plaid flannel PJs despite the fact that breakfast had long since passed. In fact, a dribble of syrup from the pancakes her mother served remained on her flannel top. Oh, well.
Dad, Eric, and Taylor were all out working on the ranch, so Ashley felt no rush to dress. Instead, she lounged around, half-watching an old Rudolf Christmas movie she always loved as a kid, while absentmindedly assembling wedding favors. Taylor selected Christmas
as her wedding theme—go figure. The favors were mason jars filled with ingredients for peppermint hot chocolate, and Ashley had a terrific assembly line going. One requiring zero concentration, which gave her plenty of time to think about Ryan McAdams and the deal she’d made with him last night.
What the hell had possessed her? Maybe he’d say no. She’d told him to think about it and get back to her.
Lately, he’d popped up everywhere, and she’d been beating him back down, like a game of whack-a-mole. The man could make a preacher cuss—bidding on her date and then bringing up that kiss.
He wasn’t talking about the kiss in the bar parking lot the other night, either. Ryan’s reference involved a previous kiss last year. She had tried so hard to forget, too. Didn’t he realize she wouldn’t want to discuss it?
She’d graduated in December two years ago. After college, she and Eric came home to work on her family’s ranch, Eric’s parents having always lived in town. She claimed the role of financial manager, taking over from her father and giving him more time outside, which he preferred. Eric worked beside him along with Taylor, who had earned a degree in Ranch Management.
But, after only six months home, things felt off. Something she couldn’t put her finger on. A nagging feeling that wouldn’t leave her alone. She assumed at the time her angst had to do with Eric not proposing. Given how long they were together, she’d expected a ring for graduation. When that hadn’t happened, she hoped at her birthday the following June, but the day came and went without one. About that time, she’d had a horrible fight with Ryan too. Six months later, no ring at Christmas either. Then she, Eric, and Taylor attended the New Year’s party the community put on every year.
Ashley had been talking to a group of old high school friends she hadn’t seen in a while, not paying much attention to how long she took or Eric’s whereabouts, when their favorite song came on. She went in search of him, only to discover he and Taylor were already on the dance floor. They weren’t doing anything crazy, simply smiling and chatting as they danced.
Home for the Holidays: A Contemporary Romance Anthology Page 55