Mistletoe Wedding

by Melissa McClone

  “I didn’t have one,” he admitted. “My girlfriend dumped me, since I couldn’t go out unless I brought Rachel along. But she eventually grew out of that phase.”

  “That must have been a relief.”

  “Yes, but more than that she was healing. I never thought she’d leave Phoenix because that’s where our parents are buried, but after she fell for Nate . . . ”

  “She moved here.”

  Ty nodded. “And now that they’re married, she won’t be going anywhere.”

  Meg heard what sounded like relief in his voice. “That makes you happy.”

  “Very,” he admitted. “Arizona was too far away. I like being closer to her.”

  She appreciated how he cared for Rachel. “Can’t get much closer than this.”

  “I know, but she doesn’t seem to mind too much. Just hope that doesn’t change once the honeymoon period ends.”

  Meg hoped so, too, for Ty’s sake. There was more to this cowboy than met the eyes. Not that she was interested, she reminded herself. “I should get back.”

  He rose. “I’ll have a talk with the boys. I won’t tell them everything, but let them know Brooklyn needs some stand-in uncles.”

  “Thanks.” Meg stood, adjusted the hem of her blouse to keep herself from reaching for Ty and giving him a big hug. “That’s kind of you.”

  “I know how hard being a single parent can be. When Rachel was a teenager, I ended up going out with a woman ten years older than me, because my sister needed a mother figure, someone to answer those puberty questions that terrified me.”

  Ty Murphy was a special guy. “Rachel’s lucky to have you.”

  “We do what we have to do.”

  For our kids.

  The words were unspoken, but implied and sent a rush of heat through Meg. She felt an unexpected connection to Ty, one that had to do as much with being a single parent, as being a single woman. She blew out a puff of air. “Thanks again.”

  “No worries.” He motioned to the door, and she headed that way. “The Bar V5 is a family. You and Brooklyn are part of that now.”

  “Appreciate that.” And, she appreciated him.

  Things were looking up at the Bar V5. She couldn’t imagine working or living anywhere else.

  Chapter Four

  Sunday afternoon, Meg walked from the lodge to the old red barn with Caitlin and her fiancé, Noah Sullivan. Exhaled breaths hung on the air and steps crunched against a hard layer of snow.

  “Looks like the place is all set for Christmas,” Caitlin said. “I love the white lights on the red barn.”

  “Me, too,” Noah agreed, making Meg feel good about her decorating efforts. “I love the barn. So much history there.”

  “And lots of cats,” Caitlin joked.

  The couple held hands, gazing into each other’s eyes, the way two happy, content people in love do. Meg knew that not everyone hit the jackpot when they said “I do,” but she hoped these two would.

  “The cats made decorating interesting.” Meg adjusted her gloves. She’d put them on in such a hurry the fingers were crooked. “I had no idea they liked trees so much.”

  Noah laughed. “Bet Onyx is in heaven.”

  “If he’s the black cat with the bushy tail, you’re right,” Meg said. “I think he’s the ring leader.”

  “He’s been at the Bar V5 a long time according to Ty,” Noah said. “Nate’s mom was into animal rescue. Cats were her favorite. Nate’s followed in her footsteps by offering feral and unadoptable cats a home in the barn. All the cats, whether friendly or timid, are loved and spoiled. Not a bad life for cats nobody wanted.”

  Nobody, but Nate and his cowboys.

  “When I arrived and went on a tour of the ranch, I saw a couple wranglers with the barn cats.” Meg couldn’t believe that had only been a couple weeks ago. She smiled. “Made me think of that commercial where the cowboys herd cats.”

  “I remember that one.” Caitlin’s smile disappeared. She looked at Meg. “Do you think it’s odd we want Mistletoe to be in our wedding?”

  Noah kissed the top of his bride-to-be’s hand. “It’s our wedding. We can do what we want, and that includes having our cat there.”

  “Noah’s right,” Meg agreed. “Having Mistletoe involved is a unique, personal touch. If she’s too nervous at the ceremony, we’ll have a nicely decorated crate for her right next to you where you exchange vows. She won’t miss a thing. But I’m hoping she’ll be able to be out. I blinged-out a white harness and leash for her to wear.”

  Noah touched Caitlin’s face. “See?”

  The tight lines around her mouth relaxed into a smile. “Thanks. I’m second guessing everything.”

  He nodded and wisely didn’t say a word.

  “No worries. Happens to many brides.” Meg touched Caitlin’s shoulder to reassure her. “A wedding is a big deal. By the time the day rolls around, we’ll be up to fourth, fifth and sixth guesses. Totally normal.”

  “See, sweetheart,” Noah said. “Listen to Meg. Everything is fine.”

  Caitlin stared up at him with love and adoration. “Okay.”

  Meg’s heart panged like the triangle the serving staff clanged at dinnertime. Must be nice to be so in love with a great guy. Someone to stand by her side. Someone to reassure her with a few words would be nice. Someone to cuddle with on these cold winter days and nights.

  Someday.

  Not any time in the near future.

  Meg had survived nearly seven years on her own. She would continue to do so here. What didn’t kill a person made them stronger, and she felt immortal after what she’d been through.

  Waiting made sense. Not only for Brooklyn, but for Meg. She didn’t have room in her life or her heart for anyone new. She had her hands full with her daughter and her new job. Meg could barely keep up with her To Do list. This would be her first time back at the barn since decorating on Black Friday.

  An image of the Bar V5’s handsome foreman flashed in her mind. Something that had been happening for the past two days, even though she hadn’t seen Ty Murphy since the party on Friday night.

  She pushed thoughts of him from her mind. “We’ve been decorating the barn for the holidays. I think the place will make a great backdrop for wedding photographs.”

  Caitlin had a bounce to her step. “I haven’t been out here since the last session of family camp in late August. That seems like forever ago. I can’t wait to see what you’ve done.”

  The bride’s enthusiasm made Meg’s excitement grow. “We’re missing a few decorations, so let me know if you’d like anything added.”

  “There was a wreath on the barn door last year,” Noah said.

  Meg nodded. “That’s on the To Do list.”

  “If the weather’s halfway decent, I’d love outdoor shots taken.” Caitlin looked around. “Maybe by one of the pastures. The fencing might make for an interesting background.”

  “And the horses,” Noah added.

  Caitlin shook her head with a smile. “I’m sure you’ll want the barn cats in at least one pic, too.”

  Noah kissed her forehead. “You know me well.”

  These two were on the high end of the cuteness scale.

  “Your photographer is driving over from Livingston to scout out locations,” Meg said. “I’ll mention the pasture and fence. I also spoke with the florist from Sweetpea Flowers . . . ”

  “Risa,” Caitlin offered.

  “Yes, thanks. I’ve been meeting so many new people it’s hard to keep the names straight,” Meg admitted. “I touched base with Risa on Wednesday to see if she had any questions. As of now, she has all she needs from you. Everything you requested will be ready on the twentieth.”

  Caitlin shimmied her shoulders. “This is becoming more real by the second.”

  Noah shook his head. “I’m glad you’re excited. I feel like I haven’t a clue what’s going on.”

  “We’ve got this, honey.” Caitlin raised their linked hands. “All you have to
do is show up on time, in a tux and with the rings.”

  “Sounds easy enough.”

  “It will be,” Caitlin said. “Thanks to Meg and Charlie, everything will be perfect.”

  Meg didn’t want the pretty preschool teacher to sell herself short. “You’ve put a lot of work into the planning, too, Caitlin.”

  “Ideas, yes, but you and Charlie have been my boots on the ground these past few weeks, and I appreciate that.”

  “So do I.” Noah looked at his fiancée, his gaze softening. “A happy bride makes me happy.”

  Caitlin stared up at him. “I’m very happy.”

  The love passing between the two brought a sigh to Meg’s heart. Someday she’d have this herself. Someday . . .

  The door to the barn was open. Funny, Meg didn’t hear any Christmas carols playing on the speakers she’d installed. She motioned for Caitlin and Noah to go first. “After you.”

  The two stepped inside. Caitlin gasped. “Oh my goodness.”

  Meg followed. Her heart dropped to the ground. Splat like the glass ornaments that the cats had knocked off the tree. The bells had been replaced with . . .

  She squinted. Were horseshoes hanging on the tree? The rest of her decorations had been removed, except the lights. She struggled to breathe.

  Caitlin’s smile was as wide as the Yellowstone River. “Oh, Meg, the decorations are absolutely perfect.”

  Noah nodded. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

  Meg’s throat clogged. She’d worked so hard, looked at Caitlin’s pins on Pinterest and magazine pages she’d marked. But Meg had been wrong what the couple would like. Ty . . . he’d known. And done this. Her chest squeezed tight, as if a strand of Christmas lights had been coiled around her.

  “Everything is perfect,” he continued.

  “I love the garland made of bandanas,” Caitlin added. “And the lights around the doors and rafters are so pretty.”

  Meg had done that, but she swallowed her pride. This wasn’t about her. “I’m happy you like the decorations. I hope the photographs will capture the magic of Christmas and make your wedding even more special.”

  Caitlin spun. Picturing her leading a class of preschoolers in fun and songs was easy. “I love every single thing.”

  Ty approached. Dusty was on one side and the black cat on the other. “If it isn’t the soon-to-be-wedded happy couple.”

  He shook Noah’s hand and hugged Caitlin.

  Meg wouldn’t mind a hug like that. What was she thinking? The last person she wanted a hug from was Ty. He’d completely undermined her decorating efforts. She’d pulled an all-nighter in the cold for what? Nothing.

  Caitlin and Noah might have liked Meg’s decorations if they’d had the opportunity to see them in place. She blew out a frustrated breath.

  “The barn looks amazing.” Caitlin walked to the tree and touched one of the horseshoes. “Montana Christmas at its finest.”

  Meg had no idea how a Montana Christmas was different from an Illinois one. She kept a smile plastered on her face and felt Ty’s gaze on her. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her upset. She might want to stomp her feet, right on the tips of his cowboy boots, but she would remain professional.

  Noah scratched under the black cat’s neck. “Can’t wait to hear what the photographer thinks.”

  “Great job, Meg,” Caitlin said, staring around in wonder.

  “Oh, this wasn’t just me,” Meg admitted. “Lots of hands were involved.”

  Not a much of hers, either. She knew the main ones. Onyx might be the ringleader of the barn cats, but she knew who led the wranglers—Ty. She hoped the decorating mess wouldn’t affect her job. She was on a thirty-day probation period. If she got fired . . .

  “The cowboys had a hand in this?” Caitlin asked.

  “Group effort.” Ty’s far from apologetic response made Meg want to forget decorum and stick her tongue out at him. “That’s the best way to get things done around the Bar V5.”

  Talk about a slam. She’d worked all night to save others time. No one had explained who normally put up decorations, or how that was accomplished. She’d been told to decorate, and she had. But she would never air her grievances in front of others.

  “All the animals doing well?” Noah asked Ty.

  “They are fine. No need to make a house call on your day off, Doc. Concentrate on your pretty fiancée and wedding plans.”

  “You’re asking the impossible,” Caitlin said. “That’s why I’m wearing a Hello Kitty wedding gown, so I’ll be more appealing to my beloved vet.”

  Noah’s eyes widened, as if in horror. “You are not.”

  “Okay, I’m not,” Caitlin relented. “Charlie convinced me that would be a bad idea.”

  “Good for Charlie,” Ty said.

  Meg nodded. “That’s why a bride has a Maid of Honor.”

  Noah blew out a puff of air. “Thank goodness for the cowgirl.”

  “I’ll say.” Ty’s gaze met Meg’s. “If not for Charlie, the Bar V5 would have never hired you for guest services and event planning.”

  Meg didn’t know what he meant by that. Whatever his problem was, she didn’t care. She didn’t appreciate his redecorating, nor did she like him much. The feeling seemed to be mutual.

  Outside the main house, Ty stood next to Meg, who waved at Caitlin sitting in the passenger seat of Noah’s truck. The couple was headed back to Marietta for a date night. Ty wished he could join them. Being the third wheel sounded more fun, than staying here. He’d screwed up big time, and he owed Meg an apology.

  Maybe if he started talking now, things would go smoother. “Caitlin and Noah are excited about the wedding.”

  Meg’s smile remained firmly in place, the same expression she’d worn for the last forty-five minutes. Super glue or extreme willpower? He guessed the latter. She nodded, the same thing she’d been doing since entering the barn, unless asked a direct question.

  His fault.

  He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to dislodge the second spine worth of knots. They’d been tying him up since seeing the shock on Meg’s face when she stepped into the barn and saw her decorations had been replaced. She’d looked as if someone had punched her. That someone had been him.

  Stupid.

  He felt like an ass. Only mules weren’t as stupid as he’d been for letting her find out about the redecorating in front of their wedding couple. He should have been upfront and told her ahead of time, not sneaked behind her back, assuming she’d never find out.

  As soon as Noah’s truck’s taillights disappeared, Ty had a feeling Meg would let loose on him. He didn’t blame her for being upset and hurt.

  Noah’s and Caitlin’s compliments about the redecorating efforts had made Meg flinch and wince, mere flashes, but he’d noticed. Each one made him feel worse, like the lowest life form on this planet.

  The truck’s red lights grew smaller.

  Meg cleared her throat.

  Here goes. Ty readied himself.

  Her gaze, steady and unwavering, met his. “You must be proud of yourself.”

  She turned and walked away.

  Ty stared at her retreating figure, stunned. He’d expected her to raise her voice. Curse him out. Try to deck him. Well, maybe not the latter.

  He caught up to her. “That’s all you have to say?”

  Anger flared. Gold flames flashed in her brown eyes. Meg’s bottom lip quivered, slightly, like a paper rustled by a breeze. “Nothing else I want to say would be productive. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get Brooklyn. She’s at the bunkhouse with Siena.”

  Meg increased her pace. Ty had a feeling she was trying to get away from him as much as reach her daughter.

  He couldn’t let her go without apologizing. “I’m sorry. I should have mentioned we’d switched up some of the decorations.”

  His words earned him a glare, then she drew her lips into a narrow line.

  “At least Caitlin and Noah liked them,” Ty ad
ded.

  “What if they hadn’t?” Meg asked. “Did you ever consider I decorated the barn based on my discussions with Caitlin about what she wanted for her wedding?”

  Crap. If he were a bug, Meg had just squashed him with her foot. “I hadn’t. That never entered my mind.”

  Of course not. He’d wanted the kind of decorations he liked without kowtowing to anyone.

  “You heard what she said about a Montana Christmas,” he countered. “That’s what we gave them. Not some big city glitzy and flashy holiday.”

  “Christmas is Christmas no matter where you are. Lights, decorations, it’s the same.”

  “Not the same at all,” he countered. “You’ll have to let me show you what a real Montana Christmas looks like.”

  She shot him an over-my-dead-body glare.

  He would try again. “I am sorry about this.”

  “You don’t have to apologize to me.” She averted her gaze, looking everywhere but at him. “It’s your ranch.”

  And that was when he realized why she hadn’t said anything. She wasn’t speaking up out of fear for her job. That bugged Ty. Charlie Randall had never thought twice telling him he was full of cow crap. None of the other wranglers, either, including Eli, the newest member of the crew.

  But unlike other staff members, Meg had Brooklyn to consider. Ty had been there himself with Rachel years ago. He knew exactly how Meg must be feeling—wanting to tell him off, but afraid of the consequences if she did. That wasn’t the work environment he and Nate wanted at the Bar V5. Far from it.

  “Don’t be afraid to say how you feel. You won’t be punished or fired for speaking your mind.”

  Relief flashed on her face, followed by a myriad of angry expressions that made the Grumpy Cat look satisfied and happy.

  Ty didn’t know if Meg would tell him to go to hell or that he was full of BS, either would work and make them both feel better. Nor could he deny how sexy she looked, her lips pursed and oh-so-kissable—and how inappropriate his thought was under the circumstances.

  What the hell was wrong with him? She worked here. And she was a mom.

  “Go on,” he encouraged. “Let me have it.”

  She eyed him warily. “Really?”