A Christmas Homecoming (Bar V5 Ranch)

by Melissa McClone

  “Would Buck have wanted you to date a cowboy?”

  The question stopped her cold. She looked up to find Josiah’s intent gaze on her. “I have no idea.”

  “Your brother was a cowboy.”

  “A teenaged one. Idealistic with his eyes full of shiny buckles and pretty rodeo princesses.” Ellie almost laughed at the image of her brother those words brought to mind. She missed him. “I was fourteen when Buck died. I’ve forgotten things like the sound of his voice, but I remember a piece of advice he gave me. ‘Don’t be stupid.’”

  Josiah stared off into the distance. “Sounds like Buck.”

  “It’s good advice. The times I’ve been stupid are the ones when I’ve gotten into trouble. Didn’t matter whether a cowboy was involved or not.”

  Was Ellie being stupid with Josiah? She didn’t know the answer, but what she needed was distance. Being near him short-circuited her brain and made her daydream about his kisses.

  Focus.

  “The storm’s messed up everyone’s schedule.” She wiped the table. “Nate and Ty are in Bozeman in case planes can land. Britt is at the bakery. Lyne left early before the weather worsened. Siena’s giving massages. Meg and Brooklyn are delivering mini Christmas trees to guests, except you. And Rachel is at the Graff, judging the gingerbread competition with Risa Davison and Harley Sheehan.”

  “What about the wranglers?”

  Outside the window, the snow swirled and blew sideward. “Checking on the animals.”

  “Weather can make things tough out here.”

  “Yeah, but Montanans are born tough. Whether we’re lifers or not. That includes you.”

  “I’d like to think so.” A hint of nostalgia sounded in his voice.

  She touched his arm. “Feeling the pull of your roots?”

  “A little.”

  “You’ll feel more after exploring the town.” He needed to enjoy his time here before he returned to his stressful, hectic life in California. She lowered her hand. “We haven’t taken our walk yet today.”

  “You’re busy. I can stroll the hallways.”

  “You’re not supposed to walk alone.”

  “I’m not alone with so many guests here. If I need anything, I’ll shout.”

  She imagined what could go wrong during his walk. “The dough for tonight’s bread should have risen by now, but after that—”

  “I’ll be fine.” His gaze ran the length of her, and then he smiled. “You cook, clean, and founded a nonprofit organization. Is there anything you don’t do?”

  Date guests. Probably not what he meant. “I’m terrible at math and science.”

  “Your math isn’t that bad. I read your proposal and...”

  She covered her ears. “I don’t want to appear ungrateful, but please don’t say anything about Buck’s Place. Not now. I have so much to do. If I get distracted, dinner isn’t going to happen.”

  He squinted, his gaze filled with mischief.

  She lowered her hands and then tucked her cleaning cloth into her pocket. “You’re laughing at me.”

  “With you. People call me a workaholic, but you.” He ran his hand along her hair. “I’ve never met someone so earnest and hardworking.”

  “I appreciate that.” His words boosted her confidence. His touch raised her temperature. But she couldn’t give into the desire to move two feet to the left so she’d be standing under mistletoe. “You’d better start walking.”

  “I could skip today and help you.”

  “You could, but then I’d be in trouble with Dr. Gallagher. I also heard Roger has big plans for Christmas karaoke and hot toddy shots tonight. I’m sure he’ll be knocking at your door, if he thinks you’re in there, wanting his pal Joe to join in the holiday fun. It’s probably better if you’re out and about.”

  Josiah rubbed the back of his neck. “Should have bought out the place.”

  “Lesson learned.” She picked up the dishes. “I’ll be in the kitchen. Check in after your walk please.”

  In the hallway, a crowd sang off-key. Caroling. The sound warmed her heart.

  Josiah rolled his eyes. “That’s my cue to get out of here. I’m heading far, far away from the Christmas crazies.”

  Smiling, Ellie watched him go and then made her way to the kitchen. His question echoed through her mind.

  Would Buck have wanted you to date a cowboy?

  Probably not.

  But she had a feeling her brother wouldn’t have minded her dating Josiah. Truth was, she wouldn’t mind dating him either.

  If only...

  Chapter Nine

  Saturday morning, Josiah dragged himself out of bed. He used to get by with four hours of sleep, but now no less than ten would do. A good thing he’d stayed in his room last night, but he’d heard the laughing, singing, and what sounded like dancing. Had there been kissing under the mistletoe?

  A part of him wanted to know if Ellie was involved.

  The other part knew what she did was none of his business.

  Don’t be stupid.

  He should heed Buck’s advice. Not that Ellie had given Josiah a chance to be stupid with her, but she’d been eying the mistletoe yesterday. Anticipating another one of her kisses had made him happy.

  That was stupid.

  Whit Tech needed to be his sole focus.

  Josiah padded across the rug to the window. Snow continued to fall, carpeting the pasture in fresh, powdery white, but the snowflakes were smaller and less dense than yesterday. The Marietta Stroll might take place, as scheduled.

  That would make Ellie happy.

  Damn. She was in his head all the time.

  A hot shower cleared his mind. He dressed in a pair of sweats, a sweatshirt, and leather slippers from the armoire.

  The hallway was empty. Surprising, given the number of guests here, but he would enjoy eating breakfast alone and not being forced to interact.

  The aroma of bacon filled the air. Ty might be correct about needing bigger clothing when Josiah left. Gaining weight would mean his old clothes would fit again. He couldn’t wait to put the new cowboy garb behind him, but do it in a way that didn’t hurt Tamara’s feelings for what she’d picked out for him.

  Brooklyn was the only person in the dining room. A sparkly pink headband held back her shoulder-length, dark brown hair.

  “Hello, Josiah.” She dug her fork into French toast. “The wranglers already ate. Ellie refilled the pans after they left.”

  He walked toward the buffet filled with chafing dishes. “Looks like there’s plenty.”

  “Yes, but don’t wait too long in case the wranglers come back.” Brooklyn tilted her head. “Mommy says they have hollow legs, but I don’t see how that’s possible with all the veins, bones and muscles inside a person’s leg. Uncle Dustin had surgery on his, and he showed me pictures.”

  Josiah filled a plate with a sun-dried tomato, artichoke, and spinach egg dish. He added a few slices of bacon. “How old are you?”

  “Seven, but people say I sound older.” Brooklyn patted an empty space at her table. “You can eat here with me.”

  Josiah would rather eat alone, but the kid seemed to want company, so he sat. He’d eat fast. Then go.

  “I’m in second grade. School’s easy.” Brooklyn took a sip of milk, and then she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I suppose spelling isn’t that easy. It’s actually kind of hard. I don’t see why we have to learn to spell when computers correct the wrong words for you.”

  “You need to learn to spell so you can write letters.”

  “Not if you type a letter on a computer.”

  She had a point. “You can’t type cards. Many people appreciate receiving a handwritten letter.”

  “I wrote Santa.” Brooklyn tilted her head. “Did you?”

  “Santa?” Nate should rename this place the Copper Mountain Christmas Ranch during December. “No.”

  Her mouth gaped. “Why not? If you don’t tell him what you want, all you’ll g
et is socks and underwear. No candy either.”

  Her horrified tone made it sound like she’d be eating liver and onions for a year. “Those are practical gifts, and candy isn’t good for you.”

  Brooklyn’s face scrunched. “Presents are supposed to be fun. And candy is my favorite.”

  Josiah picked up the coffee thermal on the table and filled an empty cup. Steam rose. He couldn’t wait for a sip. The caffeine would get him going.

  “I’m asking Santa for an elephant, stuffed of course, and a board game.” Brooklyn didn’t seem to care that he wasn’t paying attention to her. “Both of those things will fit in the sleigh no problem. I’d like a pink saddle most of all, but I’m not sure there’s room for that.”

  “I didn’t realize space was an issue.”

  She nodded. “Oh, yes. Last year, I found out not everything fits in Santa’s sleigh. Saved me a lot of heartache.”

  Josiah laughed. This was more entertaining than eating alone. He ate a bite of the egg casserole.

  “You know...” Brooklyn tapped her finger against her cheek. “It’s not too late.”

  “For what?” He sipped his coffee.

  “To give Santa your list.”

  Coffee sputtered from his mouth. He grabbed a napkin.

  “If you can’t spell good, you can tell him what you want,” she continued. “In person.”

  Not going to happen. Josiah wanted nothing to do with the man in red who personified Christmas. He drank more coffee.

  “Last year, I visited Santa at the Graff Hotel during the stroll,” Brooklyn continued, not missing a beat. “You wait in a long line with all these people. Then you tell Santa what you want, and an elf takes your picture. You get a candy cane. That’s the best part.”

  Forget the candy cane. Not even Ellie’s mistletoe kisses would get him to see Old St. Nick. Josiah grabbed a slice of bacon. “Appreciate the tip.”

  Brooklyn leaned forward. “So you’ll go?”

  “Go where?” Ellie walked in, her silver bell jingling. Her shirt was red and green plaid—elf attire. Christmas wreaths dangled from her ears.

  Brooklyn beamed. “To the Graff to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas. I can go, too.”

  “I’m sure that would be fun.” A smug grin on her face, Ellie checked the coffee thermal. “But you’re going to the stroll with your mom and dad.”

  He was surprised Ellie wasn’t laughing at the thought of him visiting Santa Claus.

  “We can go together.” Brooklyn looked at him wide-eye excited. “The Marietta Stroll is the most wonderful thing ever. The mayor and Santa arrive on a hay wagon. They turn on the lights all over the town, then you can go to a petting zoo, see Santa, and eat food.”

  Long buried memories rushed back. Josiah felt as if he were standing on Main Street. The smell of roasting chestnuts filled the air. Course stems poked his bottom during the hayride. The icky taste of the pink stuff he drank to soothe an upset stomach from eating junk food.

  Maybe those puzzle books were working if his memories were so sharp. “They had the stroll when I lived here.”

  “You’re from Marietta?” Brooklyn asked.

  He nodded. “That was a long time ago. Before you were born.”

  Ellie touched Brooklyn’s shoulders. “Finish your breakfast so you can play out in the snow with your dad.”

  Brooklyn looked at Josiah. “The boss man isn’t my real dad. He’s my stepfather, but last Christmas Ty said I could call him Daddy, so I do. That was the best gift ever. Well, next to Tracer, my horse. The wranglers gave him to me. Have you met my horse?”

  “Yes, I have.” Tracer had led to a kiss. That was one memory Josiah didn’t want to forget. “Nice horse.”

  “Tracer’s the best.” Brooklyn downed the rest of her chocolate milk. “I’m going to play in the snow. You can come, too.”

  “I need to finish my breakfast.”

  “I’ll be in the backyard when you finish. There’s enough snow for all of us.” Brooklyn hopped off her chair. “Remember, we’re visiting Santa at the stroll. Don’t forget to make your list.”

  With that, she ran out of the room like a hurricane, leaving a mess in her wake.

  Ellie picked up Brooklyn’s plate and cup. “She doesn’t usually eat breakfast in here, but I didn’t think anyone would be up so early. She and Dusty spent the night in the bunkhouse so Meg and Ty could entertain guests.”

  “Sounded like quite a party in the great room.”

  “That’s what I heard. I didn’t stay long.”

  “Why not?”

  “I was watching Brooklyn.” Ellie glanced out the window. “Do you want to walk inside or outside today?”

  “The snow’s looking mighty deep.”

  “It’s supposed to continue through the morning, but lighten to flurries after lunch.”

  “The stroll will go on.”

  Nodding, she walked toward his table. “Nate mentioned you weren’t going into Marietta today.”

  “No.” Besides not wanting to push himself too hard, the thought of being in the middle of a crowd didn’t appeal to Josiah.

  “I have me an idea.” Her pretty face beamed sunshine bright. She placed her hand on his shoulder. “How would you like to go to town before the stroll starts and check out the gingerbread competition display at the Graff? We can take our walk inside the hotel.”

  “Sounds great, but will they let us in early?”

  “Rachel’s bakery is a sponsor of the stroll, and she’s a gingerbread competition judge. She gets special passes. I was planning to go early to take pictures of the kids’ display.”

  “I’d like to see the Graff. I heard Troy Sheehan’s renovation turned out spectacular.”

  “It did. This is going to be fun.” Enthusiasm filled Ellie’s voice. “You had an outdoor walk in the sunshine and an indoor one during the snowstorm. Today can be your fancy walk.”

  “A fancy walk? That’s a new term.”

  “I’ve heard San Francisco has luxurious, old hotels, and the Graff Hotel is the height of elegance by Marietta standards. Troy Sheehan did an amazing job. The place is a landmark.”

  “Sounds like a good plan.” Keeping himself busy for a couple hours wouldn’t hurt Whit Tech. And spending time with Ellie would be fun. That had nothing to do with kissing or Buck’s Place or her brother.

  Just her.

  Walking to the Graff Hotel with Josiah, Ellie watched the snow flurries falling from the sky. The fluffy flakes pirouetted in a dance choreographed by Jack Frost. Today was a perfect winter day to kick off the holidays in Marietta.

  Snow dotted Josiah’s hair and landed on his tan jacket. She must look the same in her red coat.

  Snow polka-dotted.

  Christmassy.

  Ellie hoped being back in his hometown would remind Josiah of fond Christmas memories. Ones that would help him appreciate this special time of year. Otherwise, she would have to plan how to make him like Christmas again. She didn’t remember him hating the holiday when he was a teenager.

  A uniformed bellhop welcomed her and Josiah. She stepped inside the hotel, the air at least forty degrees hotter than outside. Rich, wood paneling covered the walls, a contrast to the marble floors. Both, however, contributed to the elegance of the hotel. Floor to ceiling columns added dimension and buffered the conversations of guests.

  Josiah looked around. “Luxurious by any standard.”

  So was he. He looked handsome in his casual brown parka, stripped button-down and khakis. His posture and face were relaxed. He must be used to places like this. “You fit right in.”

  Unlike her.

  Whenever she came to the Graff, which wasn’t often, she felt dazzled. Today was no exception.

  A giant Christmas tree with twinkling white lights drew her attention. The decorations matched the hotel’s mix of Old World charm and Nouveau Elegance décor.

  “I love how they do Christmas here,” she said.

  “Your kind of place.”
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  “Not really.”

  “I thought you liked the Graff.”

  “Yes, but I feel like I’m the first cousin once removed that they allow in out of politeness.” She glanced at the Marietta Stroll pass hanging from a red and green striped lanyard around her neck. She wore jeans and her old red coat. “At least the stroll is a casual, family-friendly event so this place doesn’t feel as exclusive today.”

  “I’ll let you in on a secret.” He leaned close, his breath hot against her skin.

  A pleasurable shiver danced from the nape of her neck to her toes, bringing the best kind of chills.

  “Most fancy places want you to feel like you’re privileged to be inside,” he whispered. “It’s all about perception, and that’s how they can charge the big bucks.”

  He brushed off snow from her hair, and Ellie leaned into his hand. Only for a second. Maybe two. Then she forced herself to straighten.

  “There’s no need to feel uncomfortable,” he added. “You’re a country girl at heart, and that’s all you need to be.”

  The air rushed from her lungs. Tingles exploded across her skin. She’d dreamed about someone seeing her.

  Josiah did.

  He saw her.

  Ellie wanted to say something, thank him, but the words were stuck in her throat. If she didn’t do something soon, she might cry. She walked farther into the lobby.

  He followed. “You’re not jingling.”

  “I left my bell at home.”

  He caught up to her, touched her shoulder. “You take the words aiming to please to heart.”

  Ellie fought the urge to move closer. If she did, she might kiss him. “We all do at the Bar V5.”

  Two easels held large signs directing stroll visitors. One read Santa with an arrow aiming to the right. The other said Gingerbread Competition with an arrow to the left.

  Josiah bowed, and then he extended his arm like an English gentleman. He raised his chin so he was staring down his nose and tilted his head to the right. “May I escort the lady to the gingerbread display?”