by Kadie Scott
Jennings followed a few stragglers through the ornate double doors. Inside, the well-oiled mahogany wood gleamed. A sweeping grand staircase led upstairs, while the guests stayed downstairs in the ballroom, which boasted the original intricately carved bar from the 1800s and matching fireplace on the opposite wall.
Soft lighting created by crystal chandeliers overhead established an appropriately romantic atmosphere, and a DJ played equally romantic music in the background. The entire room glowed with tiny white Christmas lights and was decorated with holly and Christmas roses. The spicy scent of evergreen filled the air.
Jennings found the table sporting mason jars filled with hot chocolate mix. The Hughes family room had been littered with these jars, assembly-line fashion, only he’d been too focused on Ashley to ask.
Attached to each jar was a name and table assignment. Both his and Ashley’s jars in hand, he wandered over to the long table where the wedding party was seated and claimed two seats for them. For now, he was alone. A glance around the room revealed his family seated around a table nearby. Not chatting with them when he was obviously at loose ends would be weird, so he stood to go over.
“Hey, Jennings.”
He paused and turned to find Eric taking his own seat at the center of the table, a few chairs from his own.
Jennings gave the guy one of those manly hug-slash-back-pat things. “Congrats!”
He meant it.
“Thanks,” Eric grinned. Then suddenly sobered. “While we have a quick moment, I wanted to apologize to you about something.”
“Ashley told me you talked her out of helping you. I know it seems like a dumb thing to ask—”
Eric waved it off. “I understood, and she basically talked herself out of it. But that’s not what I wanted to apologize for.”
“It’s not,” Jennings asked slowly. What else?
“Ashley mentioned a time in high school when she was supposed to help you with a math test.”
“Oh.” Jennings clenched his jaw against saying more, the old, familiar anger flaring.
“I confessed to her, but also wanted to tell you. I was supposed to tell you about our trip to Austin and tell you to reschedule your study session if you wanted to. Only I never told you.”
Jennings blinked as Eric’s words sank in. Ashley hadn’t heartlessly ditched him? She’d been honest about trying to make other arrangements.
“Why?” he asked.
Eric grimaced. “I was a stupid sixteen-year-old kid who was jealous of my new girlfriend’s best friend.”
Jennings glanced down at his dress boots. Well, that was honest. “I see.”
“Turns out I was right to be jealous,” Eric said.
Jennings glanced up and cocked his head. “Why do you say that?”
Eric grinned. “You only have to see the way she looks at you. She never looked at me that way, not even at the beginning.”
Only, Eric could just be seeing what he wanted to see. Jennings ignored what he wanted to hear, and the memory of her saying she wanted him, and hogtied his heart, refusing to let it leap around with any kind of hope. “Thanks for letting me know.”
He needed a damn breather, so he turned away and went over to his family. Autry had an arm wrapped around Beth as they sat together. Cash and Holly each juggled a squirming baby while Sophia sat in his mother’s lap. Rusty and Will were over talking to the Morrisons two tables away. Even Carter had come, since Christmas was only two days away and the timing had worked out for her.
His sister jumped up to give him a hug. “So, you and Ashley Hughes, huh?”
Jennings just gave a grunt. He really didn’t want to talk about it. The problem was, Carter’s ex-fiancé stood across the room with his new fiancée in tow. So he couldn’t really tease her about relationships right now.
Her blue eyes appeared dull, her smile brittle, even as she grinned and pushed his shoulder playfully. “You’re not getting out of telling me how you ended up with Ashley Hughes. Is she the reason you never had a steady girl?”
Jennings put aside his chaotic thoughts, for now, and crossed his arms. “I didn’t realize you paid much attention to my girls?” He winked to take the sting out of the words.
Carter laughed. “Of course, baby brother. I’m living vicariously through you right now, love life wise. So, give…what’s the story?”
Jennings sobered. Time to play a part. “You know we were good friends once. Now that Eric’s out of the way, we’re giving it a go.”
Carter’s teasing fell away as well, replaced by genuine happiness shadowed by concern. “Really, though. Is she the reason you never gave any other girls a chance?”
He had no intention of admitting as much, so he forced grin. “I’m going to marry that girl, if she’ll let me.” The truth to uphold the lie.
“I hope so. Because if she’s the girl you couldn’t move past, I’d say you’re worthless for any other woman.”
Ouch. Trust Carter to lay out the truth in bald terms. Exactly his concern, because if that was true, his future did not hold much happiness. “Gee, thanks.”
“Hi, Carter.” Ashley’s soft voice interrupted them.
Jennings slowly turned to find her standing behind him, glowing in her white dress. Her expression offered no clue as to how much she’d overheard.
“Hi, Ashley. It’s been a while.” Carter moved to give her a hug, which Ashley returned while sending him a quizzical glance over his sister’s shoulder.
With her arrival, the rest of his family got to their feet, all giving hugs and commenting on the beautiful ceremony. She stayed, seemingly happy to chat with them until Taylor and Eric entered the room, and they had to take their places at the head table.
“Did you mean it?” she murmured once they sat side by side.
Her question had him turning to face her. “What?”
She cocked her head, watching him closely. “‘I’m going to marry that girl, if she’ll let me.’”
Jennings clenched his jaw. “Don’t worry about it.”
Confusion filled her eyes, and another emotion he couldn’t put his finger on. She opened her mouth to speak, but Taylor and Eric chose that instant to make their entrance together.
Chapter Sixteen
While Jennings sat beside her, they didn’t have much privacy as the wedding party talked weddings in general. “Where would you want to go on your honeymoon?” she asked Jennings, wanting the easy conversation they’d shared right after the ceremony back.
He considered her question. “I’m happy to travel just about anywhere, so I guess I’d like to take my bride somewhere she’s always wanted to go.”
Before she could comment, he leaned around her to address Taylor on her other side. “Do you know where Eric is taking you for the honeymoon yet?”
“He told me to pack for warm weather and beaches. Beyond that, I have no idea.”
He glanced at Ashley. “I bet you know.”
She did, but wasn’t telling. “Maybe. Maybe not.” She winked and caught the hitch to his lips that almost constituted a smile.
He had been running hot and cold all evening. Not that she was all that surprised. Show him, Eric had said. And she was trying to have patience, because she’d known they’d have to get past this farce before she could truly show him. They still played at the boyfriend-girlfriend thing tonight, though for her, every look, every word, had been genuine.
At least he’d shown up tonight. That was something. She just wished…
Pushing aside her questions and crazy wishful thinking, Ashley stood and snagged her backpack, which she’d stashed under the table. “I’ll be right back.”
Setting up her surprise for Taylor and Eric took only a few minutes as she’d already discussed things with the reception coordinator, who’d made sure to have a projection screen and projector ready and waiting. As soon as she had things prepped, Ashley moved in front of the bridal party table and faced the rest of their gathered loved ones. When no one pai
d her much attention, she grabbed Taylor’s knife and tapped it against her glass.
“What are you doing?” Taylor half-whispered, half-laughed.
Ashley grinned. She’d been waiting to share this surprise for weeks, had worked to have it ready long before she arrived home so there’d be no chance of anyone accidentally seeing it ahead of time. “You’ll see.”
Jennings raised his eyebrows in question, and she sent him a smile. It hadn’t started this way, but the presentation she was about to give was almost as much for him as for Taylor now.
She turned back, satisfied she had everyone’s attention—the murmur of voices quieted, and all eyes turned her way. “I’ll make a formal maid of honor speech during all the speeches later, but, first, I have a surprise for my little sister.”
“Younger only by ten minutes,” Taylor groused behind her, garnering a chuckle.
“When I asked Taylor if she needed any pictures for the traditional wedding video, she said they weren’t doing one. Apparently, she and Eric have only a few photos of the two them together because their courtship was on the short side.”
A few folks shifted in their seats uncomfortably, but Ashley didn’t worry about them. She wasn’t about to ruin the evening with drama.
“What Taylor didn’t know then is I’d already gone through most of my old pictures before I’d talked to her. Do you want to know what I found?”
She clicked the button on the remote to turn on the video and a picture of Taylor and Eric, laughing together at a pool party a few years earlier, appeared on the projector screen.
“I discovered a love story going back years. Taylor and Eric may only have realized their love for each other recently, but I think you’ll all agree when you see this… Their love is true, and wonderful, and beautiful.” She turned to face them. “This video is for you. I love you both.”
Her mother might’ve sobbed quietly as Ashley moved back to her seat, but she didn’t look. Best not to, or she’d be a goner as she had a strict no-crying-alone-in-my-presence policy. Instead, she focused on Jennings, whose expression remained inscrutable. Still, he provided a steadiness she needed at that moment, reaching across to lay his hand over hers in her lap.
The music came on and a series of photos flashed across the screen, starting with Taylor and Eric growing up separately—adorable baby pictures, silly faces, and horrible fashion choices. The video then moved into pictures of Eric and Taylor together. She hadn’t exaggerated about the love story she’d discovered. She’d found tons of pictures of Taylor and Eric together through the years—all very innocent, always laughing or talking, or hanging out in a group. While pure, their connection showed through, obvious in every single photo.
The video ended with their engagement picture.
Taylor turned to her with tears in her eyes and flung her arms around her neck. “You really are happy for us.”
Ashley squeezed her back. “Finally, you believe me! I don’t know why you ever doubted it.”
Taylor sat back and grabbed her napkin to dab at her face. “You aren’t happy in Dallas. Don’t tell me you are. I could tell every time I talked to you. I worried…”
Ashley didn’t have to look to know Jennings was listening intently, but right now was about Taylor. She put a hand over her sister’s. “My happiness or otherwise has nothing to do with you and Eric. I’m thrilled you found each other. Finally.”
“And now you’ve found Jennings.”
Ashley stiffened, but managed to smile. “You enjoy your wedding and honeymoon and stop worrying about me.”
“She’s my worry now,” Jennings’s laughter-laced voice interrupted. But Ashley stiffened. He didn’t mean it, back to putting on a show.
“Good luck,” Taylor told him.
“Hey,” Ashley protested.
A strong arm wrapped around her stomach, and he pulled her backward off her chair and onto his lap. She swung her head to protest, and warm lips brushed hers in a chaste kiss which still left her tingling.
“If I get to worry about you every day of my life, Hughes, I’d count myself a lucky man.”
Her heart constricted. Ashley wished, with all her heart, he meant those words.
“Too bad you missed out on having a double wedding today,” Taylor teased.
In a bit of a haze, body and heart pounding after his actions and words, Ashley turned away from the man whose desire was making itself known in the form of a hard bulge currently pressed against her hip.
“I think we need more time before we’re at that stage,” she managed to squeak the words out as she scooted off his lap and back into her own seat.
Taylor laughed. “Judging by the sparks you throw off, don’t wait too long.”
An ache settled in Ashley’s heart. Time would tell.
*
The chiming of the old grandfather clock out in the foyer didn’t wake Ashley, as she hadn’t been able to sleep a wink. Six chimes… Christmas morning, and her only thoughts were of Jennings. All night, at the wedding reception, they had cuddled and kissed and acted out their parts. And her heart had cracked a little more with every passing second. Long before the wedding, she’d found herself wishing their pretense were real. By the end of the night, she’d had to clamp her mouth shut around those words.
Jennings had played the perfect gentleman the rest of the night, and when all the celebrating had wrapped up, he’d driven her home. She’d stood on her parents’ porch expecting him to say something, and, at the same time, dreading the moment he turned back into a pumpkin, because tonight had been make believe.
He’d looked down at her and smiled. “Merry Christmas, Hughes.”
“I…” She honestly hadn’t known what to say. A ridiculous smidge of hope had had her wanting to blurt out her love for him, but Eric’s suggestion that showing him was better than any words could be had lodged the words in her mouth like cement.
“Merry Christmas,” she’d murmured instead.
Jennings had kissed her forehead and walked away—shoulders strong, head held high. And she’d let him go.
She’d thought of nothing but him all day today…yesterday—Christmas Eve. She hadn’t wanted to intrude on time with his family, waiting to start her real assault on his heart after Christmas when he’d be sure that her actions were about them, and them only. No family obligations to complicate matters.
So she’d checked her phone a thousand times while helping her mother cook the Christmas Eve meal. Considered sending her own message. Even looked for him at the candlelight church service, but didn’t see him. The disappointment had been acute, her chest constricting.
Now, lying here in her bed alone, she pictured herself married to Jennings. The image crowding her mind loomed crystal clear—living in his house, sharing meals, working side by side on the ranch or the books, playing with their children. An aching need consumed her.
Christmas was supposed to be a season of hope and belief.
High time she believed—in herself and in love.
Ashley had no idea when she’d truly fallen in love with Jennings Hill. It had come on slowly perhaps, over the years, or all in a rush when they’d made love, or perhaps a little of both as she came to recognize the fun-loving, kind, strong, dependable man she’d been friends with as a child, and whom she’d been too blind to see as an adult. Until now.
And she couldn’t wait a moment longer. Forget waiting for the holiday to be over.
Full of intent, she flipped her comforter back, shivering in the chilly early morning air, and hopped up. As fast as she could, she showered and dressed in her favorite red sweater paired with black slacks. She took the time to do her hair and makeup, wanting to look good. Then she grabbed her purse and the wrapped gift she’d left on her dresser days before and rushed out of her room.
“Mom?” she called. Because she had no doubt her mother was already up.
“In the kitchen,” came the muffled response.
She hurried to the back of the
house and found her mother already whipping eggs for breakfast.
“Merry Christmas.” Linda Hughes smiled over her mixing bowl.
“Merry Christmas. Mom…I have to go out.”
Though she didn’t appear too surprised, her mother raised her eyebrows. “Jennings?”
Ashley nodded. “It’s important.”
“Should I be concerned?”
At this point, the answer to that question was a toss-up. Fifty-fifty she’d come home thrilled or heartbroken. Maybe more like thirty-seventy with the odds more on the side of heartbroken. “Don’t wait for me.”
Linda put down the bowl and gathered Ashley up in a hug. “Whatever you need to do, I hope it’ll work out.”
“Me too,” Ashley whispered.
“I suspect Jennings will be happy to see you.”
God, she hoped so. She gave her mother another squeeze, then headed out through the garage to her car, parked in the driveway.
The trip over to Jennings’s house took forever. She rehearsed what she planned to say all the way there and still wasn’t entirely sure of the words. Her hand shook as she raised it to ring the doorbell.
Was she about to make a total fool of herself?
She didn’t give a hoot or a holler. At least she’d know for sure. At least she could tell herself she’d tried, because having Jennings in her life was worth every risk, every blush, every moment of embarrassment.
*
Jennings frowned mid-swipe of the razor over his jaw. Did someone ring his doorbell? He cocked his head, listening. Silence. With a shrug, he went back to shaving. He’d been up before the dawn, getting his work done before coming in to eat and shower. As he made one last swipe, the doorbell chimed again. This time he was sure he heard it.
He grabbed a towel to wipe off any residual shaving cream and made his way through the house. Who’d come to visit on Christmas morning?
He opened the door, and his heart stuttered to a stop as he got an answer to his question. “Ashley?”
He’d been so tempted to take her back to his place after the wedding. He wanted to ask her if she meant it—her happiness for Eric and her sister. Because on their date, he would’ve sworn to a judge in court that she wasn’t over her ex-love. The longing in her face when she watched Taylor and Eric cuddle each other had been like a knife to his heart.