Jingle-Bell Jam (River's End Ranch Book 32)

by Pamela M. Kelley

  “I did, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. Please thank Jack for me,” Melanie said as they walked into the restaurant Thursday night for trivia.

  “You can tell him yourself. He’ll be here as soon as his shift ends. He won’t mind, though. He likes Bryan.” Melanie knew that her sister was already over her initial irritation. She just didn’t like surprises.

  “Jaclyn and Simon are already here,” Melanie said as she spotted the older couple at a large, round table with a pitcher of root beer between them.

  “They’re always the first ones here,” Melissa said with a smile as Jaclyn saw them and waved them over.

  “Where’s Jack?” Jaclyn asked as they reached the table.

  “He’ll be here shortly.”

  She nodded. “Good. We can save him this seat.” She patted the chair next to her.

  “Perfect,” Melissa said as she sat next to the empty seat by Jaclyn and Melanie sat beside her. “Who else are we expecting?” Melissa asked.

  “I think the usual suspects are all coming. According to Lily, that is,” Jaclyn said. “I ran into her at Sadie’s Saloon this afternoon. Popped over for an ice-cream and a coffee. She does make the best coffee.”

  “She does,” Melanie agreed. “The caramel nut is my favorite flavor.”

  “I’m a hazelnut girl myself.” Jaclyn smiled and looked deep in thought for a moment. “So, I believe it’s Lily and Cody, Bernie and David and Wade and Maddie. Though Lily did say something about Maddie not feeling well this week so she wasn’t sure about them.”

  “She went home sick the other day,” Melanie said. “But she was in today and seemed much better, so I hope we’ll see them.” She had only seen Wade for a few seconds earlier in the day, when he stopped in to sign some checks. His office was in the main building, along with Bernie, his right hand assistant, and Lily, who handled events.

  Melanie had been surprised by how many events took place at the ranch. There was always something going on. She was looking forward to the week before Christmas, when there was something fun happening just about every day. Melanie loved this time of year. She always wanted the wonder and joy of the Christmas season to last longer than it did.

  “Here they come now,” Jaclyn said, as Lily and Bernie and their spouses joined them and sat by Simon.

  “You came to see me!” he teased them. The girls gave both him and Jaclyn hugs before they settled into their seats. Melanie smiled watching them. She had a soft spot for Simon. He had such a cheerful attitude that it was contagious. He was well into his seventies and had a thick head of snow-white hair and rosy cheeks. He worked part-time in the golf shop and still played now and again. Not as much as he used to, though. He was one of Melanie’s first clients at the gym. He had, as he put it, a ‘cranky’ hip and she put him on a weight training program to help strengthen his muscles and ease the stiffness so he could play more without injuring himself.

  “Is Wade coming?” Melanie asked the girls.

  “He’s on his way to get Maddie at the spa and then they’ll be over.”

  “Oh, Bryan’s here! I didn’t realize he was coming,” Jaclyn said happily as Bryan and his brother Clark walked over.

  “I invited Bryan,” Melanie said.

  “Really? How wonderful.” Jaclyn looked pleased at the news and Melanie quickly realized that she’d gotten the wrong idea. Not that she wouldn’t mind if there was something between them, but there wasn’t. Not yet, anyway.

  “I mentioned it to him the other day at the gym. He’s been coming to me for personal training sessions.”

  “That’s lovely, dear. Bryan is doing a job for me you know. He’s making some kitchen shelves and a hutch. He does wonderful work.”

  Melanie grinned. “That’s good to hear. I just hired him, too, to design and build me a house.”

  “Oh! Well, we’re both lucky girls, then, aren’t we?” Jaclyn looked delighted as Bryan and Clark reached the table. But Melanie noticed her expression change when Bryan shifted his position and Clark sat in the empty seat next to Melanie. The look on Jaclyn’s face mirrored the disappointment that Melanie felt, too. She’d been looking forward to chatting more with Bryan, though she supposed she’d still be able to do that.

  Clark smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Bryan’s brother, Clark. I think we met before but it was ages ago.”

  Melanie laughed as she shook his hand. “We did. Briefly. When I visited Melanie. That week flew by, but Riston made a great impression. I moved here soon after.”

  “Well, we’re lucky to have you. Bryan has been raving about your training. He hasn’t been to the gym this much in years.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. He’s doing great.”

  They both looked up as Wade and Maddie arrived and took the last two seats at the table.

  Clark’s phone beeped and he glanced at the text message and frowned.

  “My first surgery just got bumped to seven a.m. So, I’ll be heading in earlier than usual.”

  “Bryan said you were a doctor. What is your specialty?” Melanie asked.

  “Orthopedics. Tomorrow’s surgery is a woman in her early fifties who missed a step on her back porch and fell onto her elbow and wrist. Both are badly broken. I’ll have to rebuild her elbow. It’s really a mess.”

  “Just from falling on her porch? That’s scary.”

  Clark nodded in agreement. “She could have benefited from your personal sessions. Strength training strengthens the bones and muscles. The older we get, the more fragile our bones get.”

  “You two look so serious,” Bryan teased them.

  Clark laughed. “Sorry. I’ve been boring you with work talk. Let’s change the subject. What have you been doing for fun since you moved to Riston?”

  Melanie realized that she hadn’t done much of anything fun. Not yet, anyway.

  “Well, I think I’m boring, too. I’ve mostly just been working since I moved here. I’ve been too busy getting the new fitness center going to do much of anything else. But we’re at a good point now, and I can ease back a little on my hours. So, I’ll start exploring soon.”

  “I’ve been working her too hard,” Wade said. “We are close to hiring a few more people and once they’re on board, I think Melanie deserves a few days off.”

  “Thank you, but that’s not necessary,” Melanie said. She’d expected to work long hours when she accepted the position.

  “I think it is! Now, a more important question. What’s everyone drinking? First round is on me.”

  Everyone put their drink order in. Melissa and Melanie both ordered chardonnay and Melissa ordered a draft beer for Jack as she knew he’d be arriving any minute. Clark and Bryan both ordered beer, too. When their waitress, Barbie got to Maddie, there was a moment of silence and then Jaclyn pushed the pitcher of root beer her way and Maddie smiled. “That’s perfect, I’ll have root beer, too.” A look passed between Maddie and Wade, and then between Bernie and Lily. Melanie sensed that there was something unspoken in the air. Maddie nodded at Wade and he squeezed her hand gently.

  A moment later, Jack came rushing in and gave Jaclyn a hug before sitting next to her and Melissa. When Barbie returned with everyone’s drinks, Wade waited until they were all delivered and then he raised his glass. “I have an announcement. Maddie and I are expecting.”

  Congratulations poured in and Lily laughed. “I knew something was up when you ordered the root beer.”

  “That caught you out, too, if I remember?” Bernie said.

  “It did. I crave that root beer now.”

  “She craves all kinds of things.” Bernie laughed. “Every week, it’s something new. This week, it’s pickle cupcakes.”

  Maddie looked horrified at the thought. “Do I dare ask what that is?”

  “Exactly what it sounds like. Vanilla cupcakes with diced pickles in the batter and the whipped frosting. Sweet and savory. They’re actually not bad,” Bernie admitted.

  “When are you due?” Lily asked Ma
ddie.

  “I’m just past three months now, so sometime in May. How many months is it now for you?”

  Lily patted her stomach as she did the math. She hardly looked pregnant, but she usually wore free flowing clothes that hid her small bump.

  “I’m almost six months. She is coming in early March.”

  The baby talk stopped as Arthur, the trivia host, came around with score sheets and asked their team name. They used a different one every week.

  “Pickle Cupcakes sounds good to me,” Bernie suggested.

  “In honor of this evening’s announcement, I approve of that name. Now, please pass the root beer.” Simon topped off his and Jaclyn’s mug as Barbi came to take their dinner orders. Thursday night was buy-one get-one free pizza night, so as usual, they ordered a bunch of pizzas and were almost done eating them when the trivia got underway.

  Melanie noticed as she ate that the restaurant was very busy. Almost every table was full with lots of families, guests at the ranch as well as local residents who were regulars on Thursday nights. The bar was busy, too, as trivia drew a good crowd. There were eleven other teams playing, ranging in size from two people to a dozen or so.

  It was a fun time and a nice group of people, and Melanie was happy to be there with them. She was a little disappointed, though, that she wasn’t able to chat much with Bryan. He was deep in conversation with Wade. Clark was pleasant enough, though, and he certainly was handsome. He was taller and thinner than Bryan and had a sureness about him, a confidence, that Bryan lacked. Melanie noticed that several heads turned as different women walked in and saw Clark sitting with them. Their glances lingered a little longer on him than anyone else.

  During the half-time break, Melanie noticed a pretty blonde woman at the bar who was keeping an eye on Clark. When he looked her way she smiled and waved, and Clark stood a moment later.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I see someone from work I’m going to go say hello to.”

  Bryan turned her way after Clark left and asked, “Where did he go?”

  Melanie nodded toward the bar, where Clark was already chatting with the pretty blonde. Bryan shook his head. “I thought that was over.”

  “Who is that?”

  Bryan slid into Clark’s seat. “That’s Nancy, a nurse that he works with. I know they’ve dated some, but I didn’t think he was still seeing her.”

  “She’s pretty.”

  “She’s okay. So, are you having fun?”

  “Yes! And I’m so glad you came out, too. Both of you,” she added.

  “Me, too. I finished your preliminary design this afternoon. Do you want to come by tomorrow or Monday to go over it?”

  Melanie thought for a moment. “We have an early session in the morning. If you want to bring your plans with you, we could go to Kelsey’s Kafe and go over them at breakfast?” Bryan didn’t say anything right away, so she quickly added, “Or Monday in your office is fine. Either way.”

  “Breakfast is great. I’m sure I’ll work up an appetite. My trainer is tough,” he teased.

  “Very funny!”

  Clark returned to the table, and Bryan went to move back to his seat and Clark quickly sat down. “Stay where you are. I haven’t had a chance to catch up with Wade in a while.”

  Melanie glanced around the table and saw Jaclyn smiling happily as she looked their way. Her expression mirrored how Melanie felt. Clark was friendly and she’d enjoyed talking to him, but handsome as he was, she wasn’t at all attracted to him. It was his brother Bryan that she wanted to be close to. His hand brushed against hers as he reached for a napkin and she felt that curious tingle again. It was like he radiated a warmth that she craved and wanted to be near. When he smiled at her, she felt the strangest sense of contentment. She didn’t understand it, but she knew she wanted more of it.

  “Do you have any other siblings?” she asked.

  “Just one. A sister, Cameron. She’s the baby of the family.”

  “What does she do?”

  “She’s a pediatric nurse. She mostly works the overnight shift because she’s one of the newest on staff.”

  “Oh, that must be hard.” Melanie couldn’t imagine working those hours.

  “She says it’s not so bad. I’m with you, though. I like a good night’s sleep.”

  They shared a comfortable moment of silence before Bryan broke it by asking, “So, what do you think of Clark?”

  The question took her by surprise. “He’s very nice. Charming.” That really was the word for Clark. He had an easy confidence that she knew many would find attractive.

  “He is, isn’t he? He’s single, too,” he added.

  Melanie raised her eyes at that. “Are you sure about that? It looked like there was something with the woman at the bar. Nancy, was it?”

  “If there is, I doubt it’s serious.”

  It almost seemed as if Bryan was trying to sell her on his brother. She decided to set him straight on that.

  “I’m sure Clark’s a catch, but he’s not my type.”

  He looked surprised and something else flitted across his face that she couldn’t quite read.

  “No? What’s your type, then?” he asked.

  Melanie smiled and looked him in the eye. “That’s easy. I like nice guys, and I’m partial to dark hair, brown eyes and someone that is laid back and fun. I like hard workers and it’s a bonus if they like to eat out. I like just about everything and I don’t really cook, so….”

  Bryan laughed, but it was a nervous laugh and Melanie worried that she’d surprised him by describing someone that was exactly like him. He obviously had no clue that she was interested.

  He turned his attention back to the trivia game as a new question was announced and before she knew it, they were on the final question. Three teams were tied for first place so they bet all of their points to have the best chance at winning. The category was Food, so both Melanie and Bryan felt pretty good about it. Until the final question was announced.

  “Following her husband’s death, Irma Rombauer penned this culinary classic in 1931.”

  Melanie glanced around the table and saw nothing but blank looks. Even Jaclyn looked stumped. Bryan shrugged. “I haven’t a clue,” he admitted.

  “I really don’t know either.”

  “The only thing I can think of is maybe the Fanny Farmer Cookbook. That’s easier to spell and remember,” Jaclyn said.

  “That sounds good to me,” Simon agreed. “Unless someone has a better option?”

  No one said anything, so Simon jotted down the answer and handed it to Arthur, who was coming around to collect them. He usually gave them several minutes to answer all questions except the final one.

  “What do you think? Is it Fanny Farmer? That sounds good to me,” Bryan asked her.

  “I hope so. We might win if no one else gets it right.”

  “Or we will lose spectacularly,” Jaclyn chimed in.

  “Think positive,” Simon chided her.

  “I always do.” Jaclyn patted his arm as Arthur prepared to announce the final answer.

  “Irma Rombauer wrote….” He paused dramatically. “The Joy of Cooking! Congratulations to the Three Musketeers, our winners tonight.”

  “Well, that’s that, then. We’ll see you all next week,” Jaclyn said as she and Simon stood. They’d all settled the bill before the final question and Melanie remembered from the last time that everyone left as soon as trivia ended. It wasn’t late, just a little before nine, but she found herself yawning and looking forward to climbing into bed.

  She laughed when she saw Bryan yawning two seconds after she did. They both stood as well and she said, “Sorry, it’s contagious.”

  “It’s been a long day for me, too. But I’m glad I came.”

  Clark leaned over and gave her a quick hug. “Great to see you again, Melanie.”

  “Thanks. You, too.”

  She glanced at Bryan and after a second, he pulled her in for a hug, too. It was far too brief
for Melanie’s liking. She loved the way Bryan’s arms felt around her. He was tall, too, but a little shorter than his brother and it seemed to her that they fit perfectly together. She wondered if Bryan liked to dance. She could imagine herself in his arms swaying to music.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked softly. “You look miles away.”

  She smiled somewhat shyly. “Oh, nothing. Just tired I guess. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, bright and early?”

  “You will, and I’ll bring the plans with me.”

  Chapter 6

  Melanie took more care than usual with her hair and makeup the next morning before heading to the gym. She wore her favorite black Lululemon workout pants that were flattering without being too snug, and a baby blue, long-sleeved t-shirt with the River’s End Ranch logo on it. They dressed casually at the fitness center but she still wanted to look good, especially as Bryan was coming in for her first session of the day.

  Natalie was already at the front desk when she arrived and greeted her warmly.

  “Morning, Melanie. Did you hear the forecast? They are saying snow flurries today.” Natalie was a gem. She was a first-time grandmother, in her early fifties and worked full-time mostly for something to do. She liked the social aspect of greeting everyone as they came in and the members loved her, too. She remembered all of their names and asked about their families.

  “No, I hadn’t heard. I don’t mind a little snow, as long as it doesn’t collect too much.” Fortunately, living at the ranch, she didn’t have to drive often. But, she did need to step up her search for a new car and go shopping soon. Her BMW was terrible in bad weather.

  “Oh, I added someone to your schedule. A potential new member is coming for a tour later this afternoon. Alison Reynolds.”

  “Thanks, Natalie.” Showing people around the facilities was part of Melanie’s job, too, answering questions and getting them excited to join. She didn’t have to do much, as the fitness center sold itself. The equipment was mostly brand new and cutting edge, and the locker rooms were lovely and had both sauna and steam rooms. One of the biggest benefits was that it was never too crowded. Unlike some of the bigger gyms, members never had to wait to use equipment or be shut out of a class because it was full. And the views couldn’t be beat. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out on the property and the mountains in the distance. It was a serene and inspiring view.