Ivy turned to watch a dog wearing a pink coat walk past on a lead.
“I could have brought Miss Milly.”
He chuckled. “Thankfully she’s with Rusty in your kitchen. I don’t think Marietta is ready for Miss Milly yet. There wouldn’t be a single decoration left when she was done playing.”
“True. I’m still hopeful of putting up a tree. It is only early December. She might calm down a little.”
“I think you may be right to have a tree … by next Christmas.”
Ivy laughed and Rhett guided her around the group of children huddled around an iron fire pit toasting marshmallow on long skewers. Sparks from the flames shot into the now inky sky.
To their left a Santa-hat-wearing trumpet player played the opening notes of ‘Away in a Manger’. The clear notes added their strong sound to the mix of carols, guitars and drumming that drifted from further along Main Street.
A high school student, dressed in a green Christmas tree costume complete with flashing lights, stopped to offer them some candy. When Ivy took a single piece, the girl insisted they take a handful. Pockets full, they continued to stroll. When they neared Marietta Western Wear, Rhett changed course and led Ivy into the warm store.
As the door closed behind them, he removed his gloves and answered the unspoken question in her eyes.
“I always do my Christmas shopping the night of the Stroll. Chocoholic Kendall is easy to buy for. On our way back we’ll call into Copper Mountain Chocolates, but Peta is a different story.”
Ivy slipped her hand from his arm. A sense of loss held him still as she moved away to touch a display of men’s western shirts.
“What about your father?”
Rhett pushed his beanie out of his eyes. “Kendall’s organizing his gift.” He paused as memories flooded him. “Mom always did a combined family present.”
“I’m sure whatever Kendall will choose will be perfect. From how you have described your mother, Kendall seems a lot like her.”
“She is. Peta is also like Mom but she’s more …”
“Practical.” Ivy suggested.
“Yes. And would rather be out on the ranch than anywhere else.”
“So I guess she already has enough cowboy boots?”
Ivy picked up a red boot and ran her finger over the intricate stitching. “I came close to buying these the other day. My sister and I used to have a similar pair when we were little.”
“You should buy them. It is Christmas and they’d match your candy cane socks and red coat.”
“They would. But Trinity promised to take me shopping and when it comes to shoes she is the shoe-queen. So they still might come home with me to Rose Crown.” She carefully placed the boot on the shelf. “But not tonight. Let’s find a gift for Peta.”
After suggestions from Ivy and the helpful sales associate, Rhett settled on a pair of butter-soft leather riding gloves. Their last ride together out on the range, Peta had ripped her regular riding gloves freeing a calf from wire.
When they exited the heated store, Rhett didn’t realize he’d held his breath until Ivy’s hand curled around his jacket sleeve. He relaxed. It shouldn’t matter as much as it did that Ivy felt comfortable taking his arm and sharing the same space.
“How’s your feet?” he asked, looking at her black snow boots.
“Good. Why?”
“Fancy getting off them and having a hay wagon ride?”
“Yes. Please.”
He surveyed the street ahead. The sidewalks and road were now congested with pedestrians. The more people there were the closer Ivy would have to walk next to him. But he suddenly craved peace and quiet and the simplicity of only the stars above him and Ivy beside him.
They passed Grey’s Saloon and he guided Ivy around the corner. The less busy route past Roccos Italian Restaurant would take them to Crawford Park and the wagon ride.
As they strolled along First Street, he caught sight of a group of familiar faces. Payton strolled along with old Henry Watson, Cordell and his twin brother, Ethan. Rhett waved and the group crossed the road to meet them.
Ivy’s hand slipped from his arm but she remained close to his side. Rhett introduced Ivy to Cordell and Ethan and as he did so he caught a glint of approval in Henry’s shrewd gaze. Henry’s respect both warmed and reminded him he hadn’t always made good choices.
Henry smiled at Payton. “Do you know Ivy’s last name?”
The cowgirl shook her head and the pom pom on her red and white beanie bounced. Since going out with the broad-shouldered cowboy beside her, Payton had found a better work-life balance and the fun-loving friend he’d met in first grade had returned.
“No. What is it? Please tell me it’s not Watson? You’ve already surprised me enough for a lifetime.”
Henry chuckled. “No, Payton. I haven’t suddenly found myself a daughter. Ivy’s last name is … Bishop. Her great-grandmother was Maude Bishop.”
Payton’s eyes widened as she looked at Ivy. “No way.”
Ivy laughed as Payton then hugged her.
“I know why I liked you as soon as I saw you,” Payton said. “Your great-grandmother was one of the women who started the tradition in our part of Paradise Valley of naming ranches after local wildflowers. My ranch is Beargrass Hills, Henry’s is Larkspur Ridge and Rhett’s family’s is Bluebell Falls.”
“And mine is Rose Crown. There must also be a Hollyhock Creek Ranch as Rhett mentioned that name the other day.”
“That’s right, plus there’s also Fire Weed Ranch.” Rhett thought of his high school friend’s rundown ranch. “Not that it is much of a ranch these days with Brent still in Australia.”
As Payton, Henry and Ivy chatted about the ranch names, Rhett turned to Cordell and Ethan. While the brothers weren’t identical twins they were still very similar with their dark hair, blue eyes and firm jaws. Despite Payton having tamed her restless cowboy, Cordell still retained an edge that let people know not to mess with him. Ethan was just as strong, but in a quieter and more measured way.
“So how are those fences coming along?” Ethan asked with a grin. “I’ve got some fine looking cattle that’ll be ready for a new home come spring.”
“The fences will be done. I’ve a bull from Brock Sheenan coming too so don’t want any trouble like Payton had with that rogue bull of hers going where he wasn’t wanted.”
“Tell me about it. That bull was called Trouble for a reason,” Cordell said, his voice deep. “If spring comes early and you need a hand finishing the fences, let me know.”
“Thanks. Will do.”
There had been a time when Cordell and Rhett hadn’t been friends. But any rivalry and clash over Payton was now all in the past.
Payton moved to Cordell and slid her arm around his waist. “We’d better keep moving, honey, if we’re to meet Eliza and Seth at Grey’s Saloon.”
Everyone made their goodbyes and when it was just Rhett and Ivy on the sidewalk, she again took his arm. They passed St. James Church and paused to admire the large outdoor nativity scene.
To their left, a woman’s husky laughter sounded. In the shadows, Levi and Selah stood close together, their arms wrapped around each other. The light from the nativity scene was just enough for Rhett to catch the love on the red-haired cowboy’s face as he gazed at his fiancée.
Rhett’s mouth dried. The look on his face would be no different when he stared at the woman beside him. He briefly closed his eyes.
He could no longer ignore or deny the emotion that had been building since the day Ivy had walked into his cabin and into his life. Her laughter and her compassion filled the empty hollows of his loneliness. Her beauty and her sweetness decorated his darkened world with color and light.
Pain slashed deep. Being Ivy’s rebound guy was the least of his worries. Even if he found a way to grant them more time to allow something real to grow between them, what then? The woman Levi loved was a local girl who’d returned from Seattle to stay. The woman Rhett
… loved … was a city girl whose corporate career would take her far away from him and small town Marietta.
Chapter Nine
‡
“You’ve gone quiet. Are you thinking again?”
Ivy raised her voice above the carol singers and examined the silent man who walked beside her. The brightness of the Christmas lights surrounding them failed to dispel the shadows that now clouded Rhett’s eyes. It was as though in a heartbeat the smiling and jovial cowboy she was having fun with had been replaced with the guarded man she’d first met. Through the thick layer of his coat sleeve she could feel the tension locking his muscles.
“Definitely no thoughts are in my head, just Christmas carols.”
His smile failed to reach his eyes.
They stopped to give way to a woman pushing a pram. Ivy squeezed his arm. “Are you … missing your mom?”
“No, but thanks for asking.” He looked toward the domed courthouse. “Perfect timing. The hay wagon is on its return run from the rodeo fairgrounds and it doesn’t look like there’s much of a queue outside the library waiting for the next ride.”
Ivy nodded as together they wove through the strolling crowd to join the small queue. The change in subject did little to convince her he was okay. She cast him another quick look. He caught her glance. This time his smile reached his eyes.
“I’m fine. Honestly.” He pulled his arm free from her hold, slipped it around her waist and tugged her close. “Now any preference to where you want to sit in the hay wagon?”
“No preference.” Anywhere by his side suited her just fine.
The clip clop of hard hooves sounded as two horses pulling a wagon came into sight. Just like the streetscape, the wagon was swathed in bright garlands and the horses had red bows attached to their bridles.
The people ahead of them in the small queue all watched the horses approach, with the exception of a small boy. Dark-haired and pale-faced he stared at the ground, a gloved hand hanging onto his father’s coat. From the man’s hat and boots Ivy knew his father was a cowboy. Ivy again looked at the child. Every other child here tonight skipped and laughed but not this little boy.
Rhett followed her gaze. “We’re not the only ones to be missing loved ones this Christmas. That’s Finn and his Uncle Zane. Zane owns Hollyhock Creek Ranch and it’s his wood I’m using to repair the barn. Zane’s brother and his wife were killed in a light plane crash and Zane now has custody of Finn.”
She swallowed past the emotion scratching her throat. “Poor Finn. I know just how he feels losing his family.”
Rhett tugged her closer and kissed the top of her head. “He will be all right. Zane mightn’t talk much, but he’s the man you want on your side when the going gets tough. He’ll soon get the hang of being a dad, even if he is a confirmed bachelor.”
“He’s brought Finn here tonight, so that has to be a good start.”
The small boy turned his head to watch the dog in the pink coat Ivy had seen earlier. His blank expression didn’t alter but from the way he tracked the dog until she was lost in the crowd Ivy knew Finn was a dog fan.
The wagon rolled to a stop and as the passengers disembarked Zane’s hand hovered behind the boy’s shoulder to make sure he didn’t fall behind when the queue moved forward. Rhett was right. The cowboy would take care of his nephew.
When it came their turn to go up the wagon steps and sit on the blanket-covered hay, Rhett’s hand settled into the small of her back to ensure she had no trouble climbing aboard. As he sat next to her, she scooted close to allow another passenger room on the hay bale. Rhett’s arm came around her and when the wagon lurched forward she grabbed his jean-covered leg to steady herself. Then, leaving her hand where it was, she settled back to enjoy the ride. Silence fell between them as they took in the magic of the Christmas wonderland they travelled through.
All too soon the wagon retraced its path to the library and Ivy had to pry her hand free from Rhett’s thigh. The crowd had thinned but still Rhett linked his gloved fingers with hers to ensure she wouldn’t be jostled. She had no idea such a basic thing as holding hands could make her feel so cherished.
This time they strolled along the other side of Main Street, making a sweet-smelling stop at Copper Mountain Chocolates. Rhett bought Kendall a large box of handmade Christmas chocolates and Ivy bought the same for Trinity. A block down they stopped again to enjoy a hot cocoa followed by crisp and crunchy caramel apples.
The crowds petered out as they left the town center and the lights of Community Park beckoned. Ivy’s feet dragged and not from tiredness. The night would soon be over and tomorrow there’d be no more hand-holding with Rhett. After spending the evening attached to Rhett’s strength and warmth she was loath to let him go. The need to again feel the weight of his arm around her was going to be hard to suppress.
They ambled past her car and the place on the sidewalk where she’d earlier met Rhett and his family. Ahead of them, a rainbow of color twinkled from Community Park.
When they reached the edge of the display, they stopped to admire a child-sized Snow White and a collection of her dwarfs. Beyond the figures, ornaments glowed and sparkled and ribbons of festive light glittered.
“Rhett, this is awesome. No wonder you all rallied to save the collection.”
“It does look good, doesn’t it?”
“Look, there’s the reindeer you painted with Henry.” Ivy pointed to her left and pulled Rhett along the sidewalk. “And the cowboy elf I finished with Payton.”
She climbed onto the pile of snow that lined the cleared sidewalk to get a better view. Her foot slipped and Rhett came to her side, his arm encircling her waist to steady her. She put her arm around his shoulder.
“It looks almost the same as when Mom would take us to see the collection at Jethro’s house in Bramble Lane,” he said, turning to her, his grin content.
With her standing on the bank of snow, their eyes were at the same level. She nodded, not wanting to speak and stop the happy memories from flickering over his face like a slideshow. Whatever had caused Rhett concern before the wagon ride, had appeared to have disappeared.
“And now another generation can enjoy Jethro’s gift to the children of Marietta,” he said, looking back at the lights.
“They sure can. Thanks to you and all the other volunteers.”
After the closeness of the evening, it seemed only natural to lean forward and brush Rhett’s cheek in a kiss of celebration. But before she could do so, he turned his head. Their gazes locked and held. His eyes darkened and his grip on her waist tightened before his mouth claimed hers in a kiss that was in no way platonic. She aligned herself against him and lost herself in a world of heat, hunger and need.
“That’s so gross,” a childish voice said somewhere to her right. “Why do gown-ups do that?”
“I have no idea,” another child answered. “If they don’t stop soon they’ll miss all the lights changing in that Christmas tree over there.”
Breathing ragged, she pulled away and stared at the cowboy before her. The only lights she wanted to see were the ones in his eyes. And she wasn’t disappointed. Blue fire burned in his gaze.
“We need to go somewhere private,” she said.
She couldn’t believe she’d vocalized the words her hormones shouted, or that the breathless voice was hers.
“You’ve read my mind,” Rhett said, his own voice hoarse and chest heaving.
He lifted her off the snow bank and secured her by his side. Arms around each other, they walked quickly toward her car. The muffled ring of his phone sounded from his jacket pocket.
Rhett slowed their pace and dug out his cell. “Hey, Kendall.”
As he listened to his twin’s reply his mouth found the sweet spot below Ivy’s ear. She shivered at the warmth of his lips on her sensitive skin. Then he stilled, before slowly straightening.
“No, it’s fine. I think it’s a great idea. You haven’t been out for ages. Yes, go to Grey’s with I
zzy. I’ll come and sit with Dad.” He paused. “Yes, I’m sure Ivy won’t mind dropping me off.” His shoulders moved in a silent sigh. “Now.”
She nodded knowing how much he worried about Kendall. Going somewhere private could wait.
“Ivy says that’s no problem. And no, don’t rush back. Stay as late as you want. I can bunk in the spare room if I have too. Rusty is already over at Ivy’s.”
He ended the call and returned his phone to his pocket. Regret sobered his gaze.
“I’m sorry.” He pulled her close.
“It’s okay.” She smiled, kissed her fingers and pressed the kiss to his lips. “Tonight. Tomorrow. Whenever you get home. I’ll be waiting.”
*
Rhett awoke to an empty bed and the glimmer of blue sky through the window of the Bramble Lane spare room. Kendall had been late home. He rubbed a hand over his whiskered chin, then reached for his phone from off the bedside table. While his testosterone had cursed all night that he wasn’t with Ivy, the clear light of a new day brought with it concern and caution.
What had he been thinking grabbing Ivy and kissing her like a man starved? He was supposed to be keeping his hands off her. He hadn’t been thinking, that was the problem. When she’d gone to give him a friendly kiss born of a moment of happiness, he’d wanted more. Heat fired in his blood. And man, he’d gotten more. She tasted as sweet as caramel apples and kissed like she was pure dynamite.
But sleeping with Ivy wasn’t going to heal her, ease his rebound concerns or guarantee she’d stay past Christmas. It also wouldn’t solve the issue of where her career could take her. When her emotional fog cleared any decision she made now could simply prove that in her grief she hadn’t been thinking straight. No matter how much his hormones staged a revolt, he had to slow down things. And he’d start by giving her a legitimate reason to see Montana as part of her future.
He texted her as he’d been doing until midnight. She appeared interested in learning about the land of her forebears so before the cold front arrived this afternoon he had a small window in which to show her around. Perhaps the more connected she felt to the ranch her family had settled perhaps the stronger the pull to stay?
Her Mistletoe Cowboy Page 9