Her Montana Christmas Groom

by Southwick, Teresa

  He pushed his way between the teenagers who were both skinny and shorter than he was. But a stray punch thrown was always a concern.

  “Break it up, guys,” he said. “Use words.”

  “He already did that.” The shaggy-haired blond had fire in his blue eyes. “He was talkin’ trash about my sister.”

  “No, dude—I said she was fine.” Black hair and eyes along with low-slung jeans screamed bad boy.

  The image attracted girls for some reason and Austin should know. Growing up, he’d excelled at that phase and never lacked for attention from the opposite sex. Then his luck with girls ran out. About the time he’d graduated from college, he’d thought he was grown up enough to have his own family, but the girl he’d asked had easily resisted him.

  The bell over the front door dinged, but before he could see who came in, the two combatants lunged at each other again. Austin put his hands out to keep them apart.

  “Knock it off, Evan,” he said to the blond. “Looking out for your sister is a good thing, but I guarantee she won’t thank you for punching out the dude who’s giving her a compliment.” He gave the tough guy a hard stare. “It was a compliment right, Cal?”

  Rebellion crackled in the dark eyes, then backed off a notch, signaling a truce. Full surrender would take time. And maturity.

  “Yeah,” the kid finally said. “I didn’t mean anything.”

  “Didn’t think so.” Austin dropped his hands. “Take five, guys, and grab a soda. Cool off.”

  In the back room there was a refrigerator with fruit, cold drinks and water. A pantry was full of crunchy snacks. Not only could teenage boys consume unbelievable quantities of food under normal circumstances, sometimes kids also weren’t getting enough to eat at home. There were families in financial need because of job loss in the recent recession. Austin hoped the green engineering process he was working on would create employment opportunities for some of them.

  “Is it always this exciting around here?”

  Austin knew that voice belonged to the redhead on his mind. There was a wide grin on his face when he turned.

  “Rose.”

  She lifted a mitten-covered hand. “Hi.”

  “It’s usually pretty quiet in here,” he said, glancing at the doorway where the teens disappeared. Their voices drifted in from the back room.

  “I know it’s wrong to condone fighting, but—” She smiled. “A brother protecting his sister’s honor.”

  “It’s what we do.” He’d stepped in to defend Angie when Haley had brought home a teen in trouble. Although it turned out he’d misinterpreted the situation. But Rose wasn’t talking about him. “This is a pleasant surprise.”

  Not his smoothest dialogue. Maybe he should pull out his bad boy alter ego and see if it still worked magic.

  “How are you?” she asked.

  “Good. You?”

  “Fine.” She was bundled up in a puffy jacket, navy cashmere scarf, matching hat and mittens. Black slacks and boots completed her winter look. “How’s Angie?”

  “Busy. Between college classes and work, she’s got a lot on her plate.”

  “Sounds like it.” She pulled off her jacket and mittens which meant she wasn’t in too big a hurry to leave. “I saw you with her last night.”

  “Yeah.” When Rose had walked in, he could hardly keep his eyes off her. “We stopped for a quick burger.”

  “The Hitching Post has pretty good ones.”

  “Arguably the best in town,” he agreed. “Is there something you wanted? Not that I’m pushing you out the door, but—”

  “Right, I’m not the typical demographic for ROOTS.”

  “We specialize in rebellion, group therapy for angst-related issues and anger management. It’s a lot about healthy, positive ways to channel hormones.”

  She laughed. “What a diplomatic way of saying I’m too old to be here.”

  “Not from where I’m standing.”

  They were in the middle of the room with no convenient place to hang mistletoe, but he’d never wanted some of that twig more in his life. It would give him an excuse to kiss her. And he badly wanted to which was becoming a chronic problem. Every time he saw her, the urge to take her in his arms was stronger.

  With every lamp and overhead light on in the room, he knew the pink that crept into her cheeks was a blush and not from the cold outside. That was good, right? At least it was some reaction to him.

  “I just walked over from the mayor’s office to deliver some Christmas cheer in person,” she said.

  “You walked?”

  “It’s only a couple of blocks and the night is gorgeous and clear.”

  “Not too cold?” Austin asked skeptically.

  “I bundled up.”

  He could see that. While the Eskimo look was cute, he did like her in the black lace dress that was like sex in motion when she walked. “So what’s the news?”

  “As you know, I handle public relations and communications for the mayor’s office.”

  She seemed a little nervous, and from his perspective, just happened to be the cutest communicator he could imagine.

  “The mayor hasn’t decided to revoke the ROOTS permit, has he?”

  “No,” she said quickly. “Just the opposite. Sort of. I mean I’m not here with another permit. You don’t need two. But Mayor Clifton and the town council believe this place has proved to be beneficial to the teenagers. There’s been a definite drop in nuisance-related complaints since it opened. He’s allocating funds for tutoring and more computer equipment.”

  A sudden burst of laughter from the other room told him the boys had let go of their anger as boys usually did.

  Austin grinned. “That’s great. Haley’s on her honeymoon, but I’ll let her know when she gets back. She’ll be really happy to hear about that.”

  “The press release is going out tomorrow, so I wanted to stop by for a minute and deliver the good news.”

  “I’m glad you did.” And not just because the equipment and scholastic help were so badly needed. “Some kids don’t have a computer at home and they’re not likely to broadcast that by using the ones at the library. It’s an academic disadvantage without access at home. Plus, this place has become the cool place to hang out. Putting a subtle emphasis on study might make schoolwork a little cooler, too.”

  “I see what you mean.” She smiled. “This is the best part of my job.”

  The kids drifted back into the room and after a curious glance at the newcomer, they resumed stringing lights on the tree.

  Austin looked back at Rose. “Actually, by showing up you saved me a phone call.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, I was going to ask you out, but now I can do it in person.”

  “A date?”

  The distressed expression on her face meant this was not starting out well. “When a guy invites a woman to dinner, by definition it’s called a date.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  “Afraid? Why is it a problem? Because I’m not your ideal age?”

  “No.” She hesitated. “I mean yes, you’re not. But that’s not the only thing.”

  “What else?”

  “I’m on a dating diet.”

  That was pretty close to the lamest excuse he’d ever heard. He could see the headline now. Former bad boy crashes and burns. Reputation on life support. Irritation chipped away at him and he didn’t want to set a bad example for the kids.

  “How about some coffee?”

  “No, thanks.”

  He took her arm anyway and led her into the back room. This discussion wasn’t for curious teenagers to hear.

  Austin folded his arms over his chest and stared down at her. “Now tell me what you really want to say.”

  “I just did.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Dating diet? Really? If you don’t want to go out with me, just say so.”

  “I actually did that and you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  “Then
explain to me the dating diet.”

  “It’s actually the result of a double dare.” Her expression was completely honest, which was refreshing. She answered in her characteristically straightforward way. “My brothers told me that I need to take a break from dating.”

  “They do realize you’re in the market to get married?”

  “Yup.” She held her jacket close to her chest. “But it didn’t matter. I told them what to do with the suggestion, then Jackson bet me I couldn’t go a month without a date.”

  “So you took the bet?”

  “Not until he double dared me,” she explained. “He knew I couldn’t resist that. So now I’m stuck. If I go out with you, I have to start from scratch and add two weeks. I can’t afford to be off the market that long.”

  “I see.” That was what her brothers had been pulling rank about. He knew she was absolutely serious, but it was hard not to laugh. And she completely charmed him. “We could do something together that in no way resembles a romantic rendezvous.”

  “You’re not serious.”

  “I have never been more sincere in my life.”

  “Okay, here’s a test.” She looked skeptical. “What about stuffing Christmas card envelopes for the mayor?”

  “You’re on,” he answered, jumping at the chance.

  “How do you feel about watching the snow melt?” she asked suspiciously.

  “It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. And there are other options, including but not limited to cleaning graffiti off the public walls in town. Or I could use help decorating the house for Christmas.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Haley is married and Angie’s too busy.”

  “So you’re saying you need a woman?”

  If she only knew how badly. “It’s not a sexist thing.”

  “Really? How about washing my car? Or…” A very cute, yet evil look slid into her eyes. “I know. You could help me shop. It’s that time of the year. I have lots of Christmas presents on my list. Mention the s word and a girl can separate the men from the boys every time.”

  He hated shopping as much as the next guy, but if she was there, it would be fun. “The noble yet manly thing would be to carry the bags. Therefore, I’d be happy to help spend your money,” he offered generously.

  “As long as you’re not spending money on me and it couldn’t be in any way, shape or form defined as a date…” She tapped her lip thoughtfully. “No way I’m losing this bet.”

  “You really are competitive.”

  “Yeah,” she said with a “duh” inflection. “What was your first clue?”

  “That gleam in your eyes that says your brothers are going down. Plus…” He lifted a strand of her hair spilling out from underneath her hat. The soft, silky, sexy feel shot a flash of desire straight through him and he struggled to hide it.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Hmm?”

  “You said plus,” she reminded him.

  “I think that determination turned your hair a shade brighter. Is it an urban legend that redheads are more stubborn than the average woman?”

  The corners of her mouth turned up and her dimples winked at him. “I couldn’t say about redheads in general or the average woman in particular, but when I make up my mind about something, it’s not changing.”

  Because she’d made up her mind that the age difference between them was a deal breaker, Austin knew he had his work cut out for him.

  The bell over the front door dinged and he heard the teens call out greetings to someone they knew. He was kind of enjoying having Rose to himself and wanted that just a little longer.

  “So, this is your first visit to ROOTS. What do you think of it?”

  “I think if those boys hadn’t been here under your watchful eye, one or both would have black eyes and fat lips. Now they’re having a good time. Great place for them to come and be supervised. I’m sure their parents are pleased, too.”

  “The feedback has all been positive,” he agreed. “Kids come here to talk about whatever is bothering them. Real life happens even though they’re not grown up. It’s a safe place to get all those feelings out.”

  “I noticed the embroidered sampler on the wall in the other room. Tell me about it.”

  “My mother made that.” He wasn’t sure when remembering Nell Anderson changed from pain to a soft warmth. She’d been there for him until he was about the age of the kids in the other room and he would always miss her. He quoted the words he knew by heart. “There are but two lasting bequests we can give our children—roots and wings.”

  “That’s really lovely.” Rose smiled. “And so true. Very wise.”

  “It’s why Haley dedicated the Nell Anderson ROOTS Teen Center to our mother. She was taken from us too soon, but her spirit goes on in this place.”

  “What happened to your mom?”

  “Car accident,” he answered. “I was sixteen.”

  “Oh, Austin…”

  He was stating a fact, not looking for sympathy, but didn’t turn down the comforting hand she settled on his arm. “It was a long time ago.”

  “How did you get through it?”

  “Not gracefully. Tried to grow up too fast.” Maturity couldn’t always be calculated in years put in and he should get extra credit for a lot of emotional miles. “There was some rebellion.”

  “The tattoo?”

  “Yeah. Wanna see?”

  “There are minors in the other room,” she scolded, even as the corners of her mouth curved up.

  “Another time.”

  And there would be, he vowed. She wasn’t the only one who could get her stubborn on when her mind was made up.

  As they stared at each other, the sweet haunting sounds of a guitar drifted to them from the teen center’s main room. Rose tilted her head, listening, then went to the doorway. He moved behind her, close enough to feel the warmth of her body through his cotton shirt. He swore there were sparks.

  “That’s Zane Gunther, the country singer.” Her voice had the awestruck excitement of a fan.

  The country star was sitting on the old couch in the center of the room with the teens clustered around him. Austin was used to seeing the guy and that feeling of awe had worn off.

  “Yeah, he comes in a lot and hangs out with the kids. I think he’s trying to redeem himself for what happened.”

  Rose looked up at him. “You mean the teenage girl who got caught in a crush of people asking for his autograph and died.”

  It wasn’t a question. Anyone who didn’t know the story of Ashley Tuller’s death was probably living under a rock. A star of Gunther’s caliber couldn’t dodge the publicity from something like that no matter how hard he tried. And he’d tried pretty hard. It’s why he’d become a loner and eventually turned up in Thunder Canyon. He’d met a local single mom who had pulled him out of a deep hole and put the sparkle back in his eyes.

  They watched the singer hand the guitar to Cal and show him where to put his fingers on the strings to play a chord. The bad boy tried to act cool, but excitement chased away the sullen indifference he usually wore like armor. A blonde girl, Emma, asked to try and giggled when Zane demonstrated how to strum the instrument.

  Rose looked up. “He’s really good with them.”

  “Yeah.” Redemption at work.

  Emma handed back the instrument. “You play something, Mr. Gunther.”

  “It’s Zane,” he said.

  Austin couldn’t see his face but knew there was regret in the green eyes as the former country star hesitated. He’d worn a scruff of beard when he’d first started coming by, but was clean-shaven now. He never went without a black cowboy hat and always wore a snap-front Western shirt tucked into worn jeans. Boots finished off the look that played down his star power.

  Finally Zane nodded and took the guitar from the girl. He started strumming and the melody was upbeat with strains of emotion running through it. The lyrics were a story of love lighting a torch in the dark
. When he was finished, the teenagers enthusiastically applauded. Rose clapped as she walked into the room and around the couch.

  “That was a beautiful song, Mr. Gunther.” She held out her hand. “Rose Traub. I work in the mayor’s office.”

  “Nice to meet you.” He shook her hand, then looked past her. “Hey, Austin.”

  “How are you, Zane?”

  “Okay,” he said, nodding as if that still surprised him a little.

  “I’m a fan of your work. I know all your music,” she said. “But I don’t recognize that tune. Is it new?”

  “Yeah, I’m still fiddling with it.”

  “So you’re writing music again?” she asked.

  “Yes.” He held the neck of the guitar in his left hand and let the other wrist dangle on the curved edge of the body.

  “It’s been a while since you’ve had a song out,” she said gently.

  “Things on my mind sorta shut me down.”

  Rose nodded. “What happened to that teenager was horrible, but it wasn’t your fault.”

  “Still hard to let it go. Helps when a good woman believes you’re a good man.”

  “Jeannette?” Rose shrugged at his surprise. “She works part-time with me in the mayor’s office. Women talk.”

  “That’s a fact.” Zane smiled for the first time. “And I love that woman. Between that and settling the lawsuit, it feels like a weight has lifted. Sort of opened up the creativity.”

  “That’s great to hear.” She looked around at the kids who were hanging on every word.

  “It’s the last song for my new CD,” he explained.

  “Your fans will be glad to hear that,” she said. “I know I am.”

  “Us, too.” Emma looked around at the other kids who were all nodding. “It’s really awesome. He wrote a song about ROOTS.”

  “Really?” Rose looked impressed.

  “Yeah.” The guilt in his eyes was unmistakable. “I’ve got a platform most people don’t. A way to make a difference for these guys in some way.”

  This was news to Austin. “Haley will be very excited to hear about that.”