“Stunning,” he declared after studying the delicate lace. While it wasn’t anything he would have picked for his sister, he could appreciate the craftsmanship. “Handmade. You can tell it’s special.” He leaned in. “Are those crests on the edge of the lace?”
“The family coat of arms,” Madeline murmured.
He looked at Ella. “Smart girl. A unique detail no one else will have. You’ve taken a very traditional, almost ordinary accessory and personalized in a way that not only complements your dress, but gives you a link to both the past and present in your family. Your kids are going to love hearing about your veil.”
Ella blushed. “It was just an idea. I had to order this specially. It took months.”
“You’re smart to wait for quality. Too many people are impatient.” He flashed her his best smile. “Congratulations.” He put down the veil.
“Would you mind taking a picture with me?” she asked.
“I’d love to. Will you wear the veil?”
“What? Oh, that’s a great idea.” She turned to Madeline. “Help me put it on?”
Madeline flashed him a grateful look, then helped Ella secure the veil. Jonny took several pictures with her, then signed an autograph for her fiancé. Ten minutes later Ella and her veil left the store, but not before the bride thanked Madeline for helping her get exactly what she’d always wanted.
When the door closed behind her, Madeline turned to him. “I can’t decide if you’re gifted or the devil.”
“Can I be both?”
She leaned against the table and sighed. “Thank you. Things were getting out of hand.”
When she didn’t say any more than that, Jonny realized she wouldn’t talk about a customer with him. But he’d seen enough to fill in the details. Having to eat a customer order that big would have devastated the profits for the month. Maybe the quarter. Paper Moon was successful but still a small business. He would guess the margins were small.
“I promise not to order a custom veil for Ginger,” he told her.
“There isn’t time, but either way, thank you for that, as well.” She picked up the paperwork and started for her office. “What brings you into town today?”
You.
He only thought the word rather than speaking it, but it echoed in his head all the same. As they sat across from each other in her small, plain office, he saw the way she glanced at him, then away. There was a slight stain of color on her cheeks. While Ella had been around, Madeline had been completely professional. Now that they were alone, he liked to think that she was remembering what had happened between them the previous night.
And while that was nice to dwell on, there was still her question to answer.
“The toys,” he said, mentioning the first reasonable topic that came to mind. “I want to donate them to the toy drive, but they’re not ready. They need to be painted.”
“Oh, I’d forgotten. They’re wood?”
He nodded. “I have some child-safe paints but there’s no way I can get everything done in time. Do you know someone I could hire?”
She wrinkled her nose. “That’s not how we do things around here,” she told him. “You don’t hire someone else. You have a paint party.”
“A what?”
“A paint party. I put the word out and a dozen or so people show up for a few hours to get the job done. If we need more hands than that, I simply call more people.”
“No way.”
She smiled. “Way. How many toys are you talking about?”
“Close to fifty. Want to come see them? You haven’t been to the house. You should probably look at where the wedding is going to be.”
Did he sound casual? He wanted to. He didn’t want her to know how his palms were suddenly sweaty. He swore silently, trying to remember that he’d met heads of state and dated supermodels, not to mention a princess or two. So why was he nervous about inviting Madeline to his place?
“You’re right,” she told him with a laugh. “I can’t believe I haven’t seen where the wedding is going to be. And here I thought I was doing a good job. Yes, I need to see your house and the toys. When’s a good time?”
“What about now?”
He expected her to tell him she couldn’t possibly. Instead, she stood. “I have a free afternoon. Let me tell Rosalind that I’m going to be gone a couple of hours.”
“You’ll need your coat. It’s snowing.”
* * *
Madeline sat in the passenger’s seat of Jonny’s SUV and told herself that there was no way the snow was more sparkly than usual. That it was just her imagination. Something that until she’d met him, she’d never had any problem controlling.
Now, as they drove up the mountain, she watched the magical flakes dance and twirl as they fell to the ground. Holiday music played from the speakers. She was alone with a handsome man who made her laugh and it was snowing. Did moments get more perfect than this?
“Do you have a lot of clients like Ella?” he asked.
“Not usually. Sometimes a bride doesn’t like the dress when it comes in. We try to work with her on that. There’s usually a time crunch, so it’s often faster to have the gown altered than to start over. You’d be amazed at what a great seamstress can do. A veil is different.” She looked at him. “Thanks for your help.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She laughed. “Yes, you do. You were great. I half expected you to start talking about Princess Grace or Kate Middleton.”
“I was holding those two in reserve. You never start by playing your princess card. Do you think she’ll be happy with the veil?”
“I hope so. If she changes her mind again and brings it back, I’ll have to figure out what to do.” Which was a problem for another day.
“Have you heard from Ted?” he asked.
Madeline did her best to hold in a giggle. “There was a brief thank-you note in my email this morning. He said to thank you for dinner and he wished me a happy holiday. I have a feeling you’re right. There isn’t going to be any more contact from Ted in my future.”
“You okay with that?”
“I couldn’t be happier.”
“He’s not the one who got away?”
She considered the question. “Maybe a year ago I would have said he was, but not anymore. I think maybe you’re right about him not letting go. I can’t figure out why, though. He wasn’t in love with me. If he was, he wouldn’t have married Marigold. But he refused to just disappear.” She glanced at Jonny. “I confess I’m not very good at staying friends with my exes. I suppose if I were a better person I would.”
“Not necessarily. Some people don’t like to let go. Others can be friends with everyone.”
He turned off the main highway onto a small road. The snow fell more heavily but the windshield wipers were able to keep up.
“I’ve never been out here,” she told him. “I’ve been to the Nicholson Ranch a few times.” She grinned. “Zane was very hot in high school.”
Jonny sighed. “I’ve heard he was voted the guy girls wanted to lose their virginity to four years in a row.”
“I’m shocked you know that.”
“I’m shocked there was a poll. Seriously? I expect better of your gender.”
“Have you seen Zane? He’s the classic silent-cowboy type. Strong and brooding. Teenage girls love a good brooder.”
Jonny glanced at her. “You know he’s happily married, right?”
“Yes, I do, and my crush is long over.”
“You’re sure?”
“Completely.”
She told herself he was teasing. Or maybe even flirting. But there was no way he was genuinely concerned. Or interested. Still, a girl could dream and she planned on having a very good night.
They drove up a long driveway. The snow was about six inches deep and still coming down.
“Do you plow this?” she asked. “You’d need a truck and a plow attachment.”
>
Jonny shook his head. “A guy comes through when we have weather. Having a service is the only way to keep the driveway open when I travel.”
He slowed down and drove carefully. Madeline noticed they didn’t swerve at all. Looked like he was good for more than action sequences on the big screen.
When they reached the main house, he parked in front. The ranch-style home sprawled out as if it had been added to over the years. There was a wide front porch and a big double door. The house wasn’t new, but it looked welcoming. Especially with the heavy dusting of snow.
“The toys are out back in one of the barns,” he told her. “Wait and I’ll come around. It’s going to be slippery out there.”
Because he wanted her to be safe. An excellent quality in a man. But if she slipped, wouldn’t he try to catch her? They could fall together in tangle of arms and legs. In real life, that would be desperately cold, but this was her fantasy. She could ignore everything except how it would feel to have him hold her close and—
“Ready?” he asked as he opened her door.
“Um, sure.”
She stepped out and immediately sank into about eight inches of snow. It was cold, but also beautiful. The trees looked like something out of a Christmas card.
“Around here,” he said, taking her hand and leading her past the house.
Once they were between the house and the garage, it was easier to walk. Then they were out in the open again and the snow drifted down steadily. She saw two big barns.
“My workshop is in there,” he said, pointing to the closer one. “The other has the open area for the wedding.”
“Let’s look at the toys first.”
He guided her to a side door. They walked into a foyer with two doors beyond. The right one led to a huge workout room. Seriously, it was the size of a professional gym. There was every kind of equipment imaginable and a few she couldn’t begin to place. No wonder he looked as good as he did.
The left door was partially closed. Jonny pushed it open and motioned for her to go first. He clicked on the lights as she stepped over the threshold.
“It used to be the ranch workshop,” he said. “It’s bigger than I need, but I like the windows.”
Despite the snowfall, light spilled into the room. There were a couple of long workbenches, two desks and lots of cabinets. Everything was obviously cared for but worn. Tools were hung neatly on a peg board. Carved toys filled open shelves.
She hadn’t known what to expect. Maybe some primitively honed bears or a shell of a car. Instead, the toys were smooth and detailed. The dinosaurs had carved scales and the cars had wheels that not only turned but had tread on their tires. One of the trucks could be loaded with blocks. She touched the side of a castle.
“These are amazing,” she breathed. “They’re so beautiful. They must take hours.”
“There’s a lot of downtime on a movie set.”
“Apparently.” She looked at him. “You’re talented.”
“I had a good teacher. He was very patient with me. These are nothing compared to what he can do. But I enjoy making them.”
He showed her the paint he’d bought, along with brushes. “I didn’t know where to start,” he admitted. “What colors to use. That’s not my thing.”
The paint was all labeled as approved by the FDA, so food-level safe. Perfect for kids.
“I can make some calls,” she told him. “There are a lot of creative people in town. If we got everyone together for an afternoon, we could get everything painted in a few hours. Are you sure you want to donate these?”
“Yes. Better for kids to play with them than for them to just sit here.”
“They’re going to be wonderful.”
They went back outside. The wind was much stronger than it had been. They went into the second barn. There were a couple of bathrooms, but otherwise it was one big open space. She took pictures with her phone.
“I’ve already reserved the tables and chairs,” she said as she turned to get the room from every angle. “I know there are plenty of twinkle lights. The lady at Plants for the Planet mentioned some large potted plants we could rent. It’ll take me a few days to get with everyone to figure out the best layout. But the room’s nice and big. That gives us a lot to work with.”
She walked to the far end. “We could set up the ceremony here. With only forty or fifty guests, we need...what? Five rows of chairs? Ten across with a center aisle? That won’t take much space. I wonder if Dellina can help me get some screens or something to divide the space. I’ll text her and ask.”
She took more pictures, before turning to him.
“I have what I need. Thanks for showing me all this.”
“You’re welcome.”
He opened the door and was blasted by a gust of wind and plenty of snow. Even from several feet back, she felt the cold.
They made their way toward the house. Just in the half hour or so since they’d arrived, another inch or two lay on the ground. When they reached his SUV, she saw the entire front end was buried.
Jonny shook his head. “I’m going to have to dig this out. You go inside and get warm.” He handed her his house keys, then went to the garage.
Madeline let herself into the house. She entered through a mudroom that led to the kitchen. Although the urge to explore was strong, she forced herself to stay by the mudroom. Jonny trusted her. She wouldn’t take advantage of that.
Twenty minutes later, he joined her. Snow coated his head and both sides of his coat.
“It’s coming down faster than I can dig out the car,” he told her. “I should have paid more attention to the conditions before I brought you here. I’m sorry. You’re going to have to stay until the storm passes.”
The words bounced around in her brain. At first they didn’t make any sense and then they did. Stay. Here. In his house. Alone. The two of them.
Merry Christmas to her, she thought, trying not to break into the happy dance.
Jonny took off his coat and gloves, then moved in front of her. “I didn’t plan this, Madeline.”
“I didn’t think you had.”
“I don’t want you to be nervous. I’m not putting the moves on you.”
Darn. He didn’t have to actually come out and say that, she thought. He could have let her wonder...and hope. Unless he knew about her crush. Oh, no. Did he? Was he right this minute thinking she was thrilled about being snowed in with him and dreading the time he had to spend with her?
“Of course not,” she said brightly. “Why would I think that? We’re friends. I’m helping with your sister’s wedding. Nothing more.”
She hoped she sounded totally sincere and disinterested in him in that way. Because the alternative was humiliating. Honestly, if there hadn’t been two feet of snow on the ground, she would have started walking home right that second.
Jonny motioned for her to lead the way out of the mudroom, only to put his hand on her forearm when she started to move. He turned her until she faced him again. One corner of his mouth turned up.
“Nothing will happen tonight,” he repeated.
She did her best not to wince.
“But that doesn’t mean I won’t be tempted.”
TEN
THERE WAS NOTHING like a man confessing to wild sexual desire to brighten up a girl’s day, Madeline thought as she tried to come up with something witty to say in response. “Thank you” seemed really lame and “Me, too” was just too, well, dangerous. Because while wanting him was pretty safe, she wasn’t sure what would happen if she actually had him. Even counting the Ted debacle, she’d never been one to sleep around. For her, being that intimate had meant she had crossed an emotional threshold. Maybe not to the point of being in love, but darned close.
She liked Jonny a lot, and yes, there were plenty of tingles, zips and zings. But they weren’t about anything real. They couldn’t be. Not only did he have commitment issues, he was famous. And she was little more than a shopgirl.
“How about a tour of the house? That will give you plenty to talk about.”
“I like a man with a plan.”
“That’s me.”
They went into the kitchen.
“Someone’s done some work,” she said, thinking about the age of the ranch house compared with the modern kitchen.
There was a large island with a built-in wine fridge at one end, some kind of fancy granite countertop and beautiful wood cabinets that stretched to the ceiling. A huge farm sink sat in front of a bay window. Right now all she could see was semidarkness and snow but she would bet that when the weather was nice, the view was amazing.
“I had the kitchen gutted,” Jonny admitted. “It was the original one, and while I love avocado tile as much as the next guy, I figured it was time for a change.”
“You flew in a decorator?”
He nodded. “The construction team was local, though.”
“Hendrix Construction?”
“You know them?”
“They’re one of the founding families in town, so yes.” She smiled. “They do good work.”
“I agree.”
Off the kitchen was a dining room with a rock wall and a fireplace. It was open on both sides and beyond that was the family room.
Here there hadn’t been many changes, she thought, taking in the worn stone and the beautiful beam mantel. The table and twelve chairs looked well-worn, but happy. Maybe a strange description for furniture, but Madeline was sticking with it.
“Some of the furniture came with the house,” Jonny told her. “This dining room set and a lot of the wood pieces.”
Madeline knew that old Reilly Konopka had moved to Florida to be near his kids and grandkids, but that until he’d sold, his family had owned the ranch for about fifty years.
“There are a lot of memories in this house,” she murmured.
“I know. I like that. The history. There’s a good feeling here. Ginger likes the house.”
Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold) Page 13