Montana Christmas Magic

by Casey Dawes

  “I sold both of them!” Julie yelled over the phone, not caring if she sounded out of control.

  “Whoa,” Logan said. “Both of what? Your paintings?”

  “Yes, the ones in Stevi. Isn’t that fantastic?”

  “It sure is.” If only he weren’t so far away. Hugging him would make her happiness complete.

  Was that what love was? A desire to share good things with someone else?

  Oh, hell. She was tired of thinking. She just wanted to see the guy.

  “When are you coming into town next? I’d like to take you out to lunch to celebrate,” she said.

  “I’m not sure.”

  Her enthusiasm dropped a notch. She missed him, but she couldn’t keep skipping days of work to drive an hour to Phillipsburg and back. If she was off, she needed to be productive and get some work done.

  “We could do something in Missoula—maybe see a movie or something. It might be nice to go somewhere with Zach and Sue Anne.”

  “Aren’t they all tied up with their wedding? It’s only in a few weeks.”

  “It’s coming together. Sue Anne’s mom doesn’t come up from Texas for another week. Sue Anne told me they just want to do fun things this week to help her from becoming bridezilla.”

  “Is there any real danger of that?” Logan chuckled.

  “Don’t think so, but you never know.”

  “Do they bowl?”

  “Bowl?”

  “Yeah, you know ... throw a heavy ball and knock over some pins.”

  “I haven’t the faintest idea. It’s never come up,” Julie said.

  “How about you? Have you ever bowled?”

  “Once or twice.”

  “I used to love to do it—it used different muscles than tennis—much more relaxed game, too. Tell you what, you arrange it with your friends, and I’ll be there to help you celebrate your first step to becoming a world-class artist.”

  “Okay.” She wasn’t sure about this bowling thing.

  But she had another surprise for him that she couldn’t wait to show him.

  Surprisingly, Sue Anne and Zach were enthusiastic bowlers, so she had no trouble convincing them to spend a night out with Logan and her.

  “I’ve been wanting to meet this guy who’s occupying so much of your time,” Zach said when he stopped in to see his fiancée. “As your almost unofficial big brother and resident cop, I need to check him out for you.”

  “He’s fine,” Julie said. “For a New Yorker, that is.”

  “Ah ... someone from the big bad city.”

  “Oh, stop.” She gave Zach a playful punch in the arm.

  They made a date for the following Friday, two days before Sue Anne’s mother flew in. Sue Anne offered Logan her apartment to crash in for the night so he didn’t have to make the long trip back to Phillipsburg. She and Zach were grabbing the last two nights to be together before family started to descend.

  They met at Westside Lanes, Julie hitching a ride with Zach and Sue Anne. Logan arrived right on time.

  It took her a moment to realize what was different about him.

  He wasn’t using a cane.

  Of course, it would be tough to bowl with one. How was he going to manage? Didn’t it require a lot of knee flexibility?

  “Hi. I’m Zach.” Zach held out his hand to Logan, his gaze on the other man’s face, as if taking his measure

  Logan smiled and shook his hand.

  Zach’s face relaxed. “Good to meet you, man. Sorry to hear about your accident and your uncle’s passing.”

  “It was a lot to take in at once,” Logan admitted, “but things seem to be righting themselves now.” He tapped his leg. “All the work on the ranch has made me stronger than I ever thought possible.”

  “Good to hear it. Tough break.”

  “I’ll manage.” Logan walked to Julie and kissed her on the cheek. “Congratulations,” he said and turned to the other couple. “Did she tell you she’s sold two paintings in Stevensville? And the gallery in P-burg is eagerly waiting for her piece.”

  “I thought all of Missoula heard her shout when she got the call.” Sue Anne smiled. “I’m proud of her.”

  “I didn’t know,” Zach said. “You go, girl!”

  Julie warmed with the appreciation of her friends. They wanted her to succeed, even if it changed how she fit in their lives.

  Her limitations were only what she imposed on herself.

  “Let’s bowl,” Sue Anne said. “Zach and I are ready to cream you!”

  “You’re on,” Logan said. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her close. “We’ll show you a few tricks.”

  A coin toss determined the others went first. Logan settled himself behind the score sheet and waited.

  “Um,” Julie said, “I’m not sure how much help I’m going to be. I’m not very good—I haven’t done this much.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll coach you. We’re a team.”

  His smile filled her with a roil of emotions—she wanted to touch him, to kiss him like they’d done in the barn that time. But her arms were heavy with reluctance. Was what they had strong enough to last a lifetime?

  Or even a PDA?

  God, she needed to stop taking herself so seriously.

  “Crouch down when you release the ball, and keep your eyes at the other end of the alley,” Logan said when it was her turn to bowl. “A gentle swing—don’t use too much force—not yet. That should give you a good chance at avoiding the gutter. At this point, that’s your major objective.”

  Not too strong. Crouch. Look at the pins.

  He touched her arm. “You can do it. I know you can.”

  She stood at the end of the long wooden alley, staring at the pins that seemed a mile away. Oh, well, time to make a fool of herself.

  She took her steps and did a slight lunge with her forward leg, the way he’d shown her, and released the ball. It clunked on the wood.

  Guess she needed to get lower.

  But to her amazement, it kept going and managed to stay out of the gutter.

  “I got a pin!” She jumped up and down.

  “Yes, you did!” Logan hugged her. “Now do it again!”

  Her second attempt garnered her one more pin.

  It was as good as knocking them all down for her.

  Of course, Sue Anne did that immediately after her turn.

  “Show off!” she teased her friend.

  “You’ll get there,” Sue Anne encouraged.

  Julie glanced at Logan, who was intently watching Zach’s moves, and allowed herself a few minutes of fantasy. What would it be like to lie in his arms all night? To spend evenings talking about their days?

  To become pregnant with his child—with their child? How good a father would he be?

  He must have felt her stare, because he turned to her, his gaze just as focused as it had been while he was studying Zach. Something profound passed between them, an understanding that plunged the depths below any conversation they could possibly have.

  She was going to New York.

  Chapter 16

  Sue Anne’s wedding day began with the shimmering haze warning of sultry heat that was frequently Missoula’s summer weather. Fortunately, the nearest wildfire had been put out the week before, and the smoke that had tinged the air had dissipated.

  Altogether, the perfect day.

  Julie had drafted Logan to help bring favors from the shop and hand them off to the caterers when they arrived. She’d also had him help set up the gift table and run back and forth to town when the bridal party, ensconced somewhere on the upper floor, discovered something missing. But now Logan found himself at loose ends while he waited for the ceremony to begin.

  “You look like a man who could use a brandy.” A good-looking dark-haired man approached him with a bottle and two glasses in his hand.

  “Yeah. The maid of honor has been running me ragged.” He accepted one of the glasses. The man sat down in another of the somewhat uncomfortable Victorian
chairs.

  “I’m Tony, Zach’s best man.”

  “Logan.”

  “I know.”

  Of course. Small-town Montana.

  Tony appeared to take his measure.

  Thankfully, he’d pretty much been able to ditch the cane for the last month. These Montana guys were the standard for men everywhere—strong and invincible—no matter who they really were.

  “I hear you’re going out with Julie.”

  Logan nodded, unsure where the conversation was going.

  “We used to date, you know,” Tony continued.

  “So I heard.”

  “We split up before you came along. I thought we had something, but she was looking for something ... I guess more traditional. She’s a small-town girl through and through.”

  Again he nodded. Where was this going?

  “I’m part of Zach’s squad at the airport. We take care of our own. Even though I’m not seeing her anymore, she’s Sue Anne’s best friend.”

  “Ah,” he said, beginning to get the picture.

  “Yep.”

  Logan took a sip of the brandy and let it burn down his throat, unsure what to say next.

  “I hear you’re from New York City.” Tony said it like the place could be on Mars.

  “Born and bred.”

  “You think you’re going to get Julie back there?”

  “I’m not sure we’ve progressed that far.” He was getting tired of this conversation. In the city, people weren’t nearly this nosy. Or, if they were, they didn’t take the direct approach.

  “If we ever do, though,” he added, “the decision will be up to her.”

  “Just treat her right.”

  “I will.”

  Tony stared at him, his eyes hard and measuring. Eventually, he nodded.

  “Welcome to Montana,” he said, holding out his hand. “We hope for Julie’s sake that you both decide to stay. You’ve got a home here permanently if you want it.”

  “Thanks.” He shook.

  Julie stepped into the living room where the men were sitting. “You’re still here?” Panic caused her voice to go up a few notches. “The ceremony’s going to start in a half hour. Tony, go collect Zach and get him here. Aren’t you supposed to be with him?”

  “He wanted some peace and quiet before all the brouhaha started. Don’t worry, he’s driving himself.”

  “What about the rest of the groomsmen?”

  Footsteps tromping on the front porch sounded loud.

  “That’d be them,” Tony said.

  The door cautiously opened, and Pat, another airport team member, stuck his head in. “We took a van. Parking’s tight around here.”

  “You’re not supposed to be in here!” She pointed to the grounds. “Out there. Get people seated. And the two of you. Put down those glasses and do something useful ... out there.”

  “And so it begins,” Tony said as they rose to join the others in the garden.

  Logan had to admit the setting was pristine, and while there were people moving around, there appeared to be no sense of panic he’d seen at other weddings, particularly those he was obligated to attend of friends from the prep academy.

  “When are you going to settle down and give me grandchildren?” had been his mother’s frequent refrain once the ceremony was over. “There will be lots of girls at the reception who are perfect for you. Make sure you talk to them.”

  In fact, he’d met Deborah at a wedding reception.

  An older couple walked up to him. “Hi,” the woman said, and the man stuck out his hand. “John and Betty Crippon, Zach’s folks,” he said.

  “Logan Collins. I’m a friend of one of the bridesmaids.”

  “Oh, you’re her ... what is it they call it these days?” the woman asked. “A one plus or something?”

  “Plus one,” Logan supplied.

  “We used to call it a date,” she added. “Sounded nicer. Plus one makes you sound like an appendage.”

  He chuckled, warming up to the couple immediately. He’d heard Zach was originally from the Midwest somewhere, and these people had the flat accents of that region.

  “Beautiful place,” John said. “It’s our first time west, but we’re going to make a trip of it. After the wedding, we’re renting a car and heading to Glacier National Park.”

  “Yes,” she added eagerly. “We’re going to take one of those red buses. I’m so excited to see those mountains and some of the animals. But not a bear,” she said. “No, not a bear.”

  “Don’t worry.” Her husband patted her hand. “I’ll keep you safe.” He kissed his wife on the cheek.

  A mix of envy and happiness touched Logan’s heart. Unlike his parents, who lived under a set of made-up rules, these two were free to display their affection, with the ease a long-term couple has. His relationship with Deborah had been more along the lines of his parents’.

  What would it be like with Julie?

  He ached to find out.

  A string quartet began to play on the side patio.

  “Such a lovely setting,” Betty said. “They tell me Sue Anne’s going to make her entrance from the pergola. It looks so pretty covered with those honeysuckle vines.” She gestured toward a long arbor.

  Good thing. He had no idea what a pergola was.

  “We’d better get seated, dear.” John took his wife’s elbow. “You know we’ll just be in the way otherwise.”

  “I know. Why couldn’t we have had at least one daughter? I’ve missed being the mother of the bride.”

  John’s answer faded in the air as the couple walked away, leaving Logan with a smile on his face.

  “They’re trying to get everyone seated,” Tony said. “Want to help by rounding people up?”

  Logan nodded, glad to be useful. He headed toward the parking lot and urged the few stragglers toward the chairs set up outside the gazebo. Soon the seats were almost all filled, and he realized he’d better find his own place or he’d be left standing.

  The quartet switched to Pachelbel’s “Canon,” and everyone stood.

  The bridesmaids emerged one by one from the pergola, with Julie coming in right before the bride. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  He’d always thought she was pretty, but with her lithe figure shimmering in some kind of pink, framed against the deep green poplar trees, she became the most beautiful girl in the world.

  Zach, Tony, and the redheaded boy he’d met at the candy store stood to the right of the minister. Zach never stopped looking at the entrance.

  Would he be like that when he got married?

  For the first time since Deborah’s death, he knew he was ready to move on, to put marriage back on his list—preferably with the woman who’d helped him heal. How right he’d been to jump on the plane to Montana when he’d left New York. And Willy had helped, too, even from beyond the grave.

  He sent up a prayer of thanks to his uncle.

  A few readings, a few words from the minister, the exchange of vows and rings, and it was over. Zach and Sue Anne walked down the aisle to the tent set up on the main patio, followed by the redheaded boy and the bridesmaids.

  Logan tried not to be jealous of Tony’s hands on Julie and almost succeeded.

  The hundred or so people attending made it through the receiving line, found their tables, grabbed a drink, and began to chat with each other. He found himself at a table with the woman Tony was currently dating, the other bridesmaids’ dates, and a few of Zach’s fellow officers.

  “I missed you,” Julie said.

  “Me, too.” He risked a hug, enjoying her warmth against his body. Although he wanted more, he limited himself to a forehead kiss.

  “I’ll expect more than that later,” she whispered.

  “Oh?”

  “But not too much more.”

  “Oh.”

  Sue Anne signaled for the wedding party to seat themselves, and the traditions played out.

  Logan waited patiently through the
first dance, the toasts, and the meal, making idle chitchat with his tablemates. That’s one thing his years at weddings and on the circuit had taught him to do—talk with people he’d never seen before and likely would never run into again.

  And in Montana, people tended to talk to people. Hell, even the grocery store clerk wanted an accurate answer to “How are you doing today?”

  After the dishes had been cleared, the DJ began to spin tunes. Did Julie dance?

  Of course she did. All girls danced. Some even did it well.

  “May I have this dance?” he said with all the formality he could muster, hiding his grin at her startled look.

  “Well, sir, I’m not sure that’s possible. Have I made your acquaintance?”

  “I am a dear friend of your uncle’s,” he replied. “Surely you remember meeting me. I will also let you know that I have Lord Tony’s permission to dance with you.”

  Her eyes widened, and she dropped the pretense. “That’s what you and Tony were talking about?”

  “You have very protective friends,” he said as he led her out to the dance floor. “But since my intentions are honorable, I’m not afraid.”

  Thank goodness she didn’t ask him what he meant by that, because he had no idea how he’d reply.

  They gyrated through a few fast dances and the Electric Slide before the DJ put on a slow tune. Logan gathered her close. She fit perfectly. He forgot about what dance lessons had taught him and slid into the slow shuffle of all the guests around him.

  He was rewarded by a contented sigh and her head against his shoulders.

  It felt so damn right.

  When the dance was done, it was natural to take her hand and lead her back to his table where a few chairs were vacated as people shifted around visiting.

  “Almost over,” Julie said.

  “Are you relieved?”

  “In some ways, yes. It was hectic. But it’s been a beautiful day, don’t you think?”

  “Yes.” He rubbed his thumb over her hand. They were perfect together. All they had to do was figure out a way to compromise on where to live.

  “It’s like a major shift has occurred,” she said. “There was before Sue Anne was married, and now there will be after. She’s embarking on a new stage of her life, and I’m still floundering around.”

  “Oh, I don’t think I’d say that. You’ve made definite strides with your painting.”