Unfortunately, his own happiness didn’t count for crap.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done to help,” he said, placing a hand on Derek’s shoulder and squeezing. “Dad and I both do. I’ll make sure Lucy doesn’t overstep her bounds. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“I hope not, man.” Derek nodded. “I’ve got my hands full already with the store. I’m happy to help with the ranch’s accounting. Anything for Tyson. But not if it means some stranger busting my—”
“I’ll handle it,” Caden told him. He tightened his grip on the bakery bag, placing it on the floor on the truck’s back seat. Acid burned in his gut and a stale metallic taste filled his mouth. The thought of taking a bite of one of Katie’s sweet baked goods made his stomach lurch. Had he really been a fool for...? Not love. It couldn’t be love that he felt for Lucy.
He ignored the rest of the errands he’d planned and headed back to the ranch. The snow was creamy white under the gentle sun of early morning. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and concentrated on pulling air in and out of his lungs.
He didn’t want to give any credence to the insinuations Derek made toward Lucy and her mother. He wanted to go back to last night and the sweetness of holding Lucy in his arms.
She was in the mudroom, cross-legged on the floor in a pair of black yoga pants and a stretchy top, when he walked in. She grinned up at him, a mug of coffee cradled in her hands. His heart stammered at the tenderness in her eyes. “Cocoa is such a sweet mama,” she whispered, “and the puppies are already developing their own personalities.” She pointed to the darkest of the pups. “This one is the leader, but the one with the purple rickrack gives him a run for his money.”
“We need to move them back out to the barn,” he said coolly. “Garrett doesn’t allow pets in the house.”
“I bet he’d make an exception for puppies,” she murmured, then uncrossed her legs and stood. “I talked to my mom this morning. They got tickets to Hamilton, so they’re going to stay in New York for an extra couple of days.”
Caden bit back a curse as he pulled his phone from his jacket pocket. He’d missed a call from his dad while he was in town and there was a text message shining up at him from the home screen.
This old cowboy likes the big city. Changed flights to come home on December 22. Take care of Lucy.
“Garrett never takes vacations like this,” he muttered.
“I guess it’s nice they’re having so much fun together,” Lucy suggested quietly. “Mom sounded really happy on the phone.”
“I bet she did.” Caden saw Lucy’s shoulders stiffen at the insinuation in his tone. “Your mom must be pretty damn good between the...” He drew in a breath, stopping the flow of ugly words before he said something he couldn’t take back. “They’ll return soon enough.”
“What’s wrong?” Lucy placed a hand on his arm, and it felt like his skin was on fire under the fabric of his work shirt.
He shrugged off her touch. “It’s fine for my dad to take a break, but I’ve got work to do.”
What he needed was to get away from Lucy and the spell she wove around him. Even now, as frustrated as he was at not being able to figure out what the hell was going on with her, he wanted to pull her close and breathe her in. To forget everything except the way she made him feel.
But he understood the price he could pay for losing himself to a woman. Nothing was worth risking that again.
“I stopped at the bakery.” He thrust the pink bag into her hands. “I’ll make up a place for Cocoa and her puppies in the barn when I have a break later.”
Lucy frowned at him. “Caden, what’s—”
He held up a hand. “I’ve got to get going on the day.” Then he turned and walked away.
* * *
Snow flurries started coming down around lunchtime as Lucy sat in front of the computer. The house remained quiet for the next several hours as she worked on deciphering the tangled spiderweb of financial records from Garrett’s various properties and business ventures.
She didn’t bother making another call to the family friend who was supposedly handling the books for Sharpe Ranch. Derek Lawson had been outright rude to her when they’d spoken a few days earlier. Besides, the more she uncovered, the more certain she was that Derek was at the heart of many of the discrepancies she found.
It was good to have something to keep her busy so she wouldn’t spend the whole day ruminating over Caden’s bizarre behavior. Her emotions ranged from anger to shock to disappointment. Not heartbreak, of course. She couldn’t have her heart in the mix after one night together, no matter how amazing that night had been.
When Erin texted and invited her to go caroling through downtown with a group of women meeting at the Crimson Community Center that night, Lucy accepted right away. She might as well put all her useless holiday song lyric knowledge to good use. Not to mention that she couldn’t stand the thought of spending an awkward evening in the house with Caden either ignoring her or acting like a jerk.
She checked on the puppies, made sure Cocoa went out for a potty break and had fresh water, then dressed and drove into town. The snow was still coming down, and she had no idea where on the property Caden and Chad were working today. She didn’t bother to leave a note. Based on his behavior this morning, Caden would be happy to have an evening alone in the house.
Her little rental car slid on the snow-covered roads a couple of times, and by the time she parked around the corner from the community center, Lucy’s knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly.
The group was gathered in front of the historic brick building, and Erin waved as she approached.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Erin said, giving her a warm hug. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”
Katie Crawford also hugged her. “Lucy is the publicity genius behind the success of Caden’s adoption event. We’re hoping she decides to stay in Crimson so I can tap her to help with the bakery’s marketing plan for the summer season.”
“Then I’d like to talk to her about the new campaign for the community center.” A delicately beautiful woman with dark hair and pale hazel eyes stepped forward. “I can always use a fresh set of eyes. I’m Olivia Travers. Nice to meet you, Lucy.”
Lucy shook Olivia’s hand. “I don’t really have an official background in marketing.”
“But you’re so good at it,” Katie countered.
There were two other women in the group. Millie Travers, Olivia’s sister, happened to be married to the brother of Olivia’s husband. She also met Julia Crenshaw, who was the sister of Katie’s husband. They were clearly a tight-knit group, and Lucy suddenly felt like the outsider she was in this town.
“Okay, Olivia,” Julia said after introductions were made. “Caroling was your idea.” She leaned in closer to Lucy. “My plan was to hit the Mexican restaurant for enchiladas and margaritas.”
“We can do that anytime,” Olivia answered. “Christmas is special and the chamber of commerce has asked certain businesses to coordinate these little caroling outings to add a bit more spirit to downtown during the holiday season.”
Julia rolled her eyes. “I know. Jase told me all about it. He’s very proud of what a do-gooder I’ve become.”
Lucy tried to cover her snort, but Julia turned with a grin. “My husband heads up the chamber along with Olivia. They’re the official Crimson cheerleading squad. I come along kicking and screaming.”
“Or singing,” Millie added, nudging her sister. “Even though Olivia can’t carry a tune to save her life.”
Olivia sniffed. “Jasper thinks I have a beautiful voice.”
Millie laughed. “He’s two,” she explained to Lucy. “Can you sing?”
“Actually, yes,” Lucy answered, surprised to find herself admitting the tale
nt to these women. “I used to sing all the time when I was younger. It sounds silly now, but my mom nicknamed me Songbird.” She gave a small laugh. “For a while she was convinced I could become America’s next pop princess.”
“No pressure,” Julia said quietly.
“Exactly,” Lucy agreed, recognizing sarcasm. “I didn’t do well under pressure. She entered me in a few competitions at malls but it turned out that while I had the voice of an angel at home, I also suffered from horrible stage fright.” She made a face. “The end of my short-lived career was the day I puked up my nervous stomach all over a panel of judges.”
“Alright, then,” Olivia said, linking her arm with Lucy’s. “There will be no puking this evening. How about I stand in front and lip-synch and you can hide in the back and belt out the songs?”
Lucy felt warmth infuse her veins at the ease with which these women made her part of the group without judgment. No forcing her to play a part or be someone different than who she was. Being Lucy seemed to be enough for them.
They made their way to the center of downtown Crimson. Most of the shops were still open, and they stopped on the corner across from the ice-skating rink. Olivia turned to the group, pulling small booklets out of her tote bag.
Julia groaned. “We have songbooks? This is so official.”
“Jase’s idea,” Olivia answered with a grin. “He said you have a habit of making up your own lyrics and they’re not always appropriate.”
Julia stuck out her tongue. “But they’re fun.”
“What song do we start with?” Erin asked, paging through the sheets.
“‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,’” Millie suggested. “Everyone knows that one.”
“What do you think, Lucy?” Julia asked.
“I worked retail for so many holiday seasons that I know all of them.”
“Brilliant,” Olivia said with a bright smile. “You’re going to make us sound amazing.”
“Tall order,” Julia muttered, and Lucy smiled.
“Why am I suddenly so nervous?” Erin asked. “We should have stopped at Elevation first for some liquid courage.”
“Not too late,” Millie offered.
Olivia narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Are we ready?”
The women nodded, each focused on her own small songbook. After a moment it was obvious no one wanted to start, so Lucy cleared her throat and began singing, “You’d better watch out...”
Erin, Millie and Julia added their voices to the mix while Olivia stepped forward and motioned to the people standing nearby to join them. By the time they got to the chorus, Lucy forgot to be nervous.
Instead she remembered how much she loved to sing. She sang the words, not even embarrassed when Julia turned and flashed a grin, her eyes wide with surprise. A few of the people on the street began singing and by the last verse, a crowd had gathered around their small group like they were buskers in some Victorian Christmas pageant.
Applause erupted as they finished and one of the men watching shouted, “‘Joy to the World’ next.”
Olivia turned to Lucy with a questioning glance, and Lucy nodded. “You’re so good,” Erin whispered, squeezing her fingers.
“Thanks.” Unfamiliar pride bubbled up in Lucy. It had been a long time since she’d been recognized for having talent at anything except being a pretty face. She did her best to believe in herself but sometimes it was hard to remember why she should.
She launched into a cheery rendition of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” then transitioned to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and led the women in “Silent Night” and “Deck the Halls.”
The crowd continued to sing with them, and by the time they’d finished close to a dozen carols, Lucy realized the group had slowly pushed her to the front.
She felt her palms grow sweaty as the final song came to an end and all eyes remained on her.
Olivia threw her arms around Lucy. “That was so much fun.” With Lucy hugged tight to her side, she faced the crowd. “Can we get another round of applause for the most amazing Lucy Renner?”
Lucy shook her head, but cheering and whistles from the people gathered in front of them drowned out any protest she might have offered.
“I think we have time for one more song,” Olivia said, glancing at Lucy. “Is that okay with you?”
“Sure,” Lucy said. The truth was she could have spent the entire evening singing.
“How about ‘O Holy Night’?” a deep voice called, and Lucy’s entire body went still.
She looked wildly around the faces in front of her until her gaze landed on Caden, who stood near the back of the crowd near the edge of the ice-skating rink, David and Noah flanking him.
“Good choice,” Olivia called.
“It’s not in the book,” Erin said from behind Lucy. “I only know the ‘fall on your knees’ part.”
“Me, too,” Millie agreed.
“I’m not sure I know that much,” Julia added.
Olivia frowned. “Maybe another—”
“I can do it,” Lucy told her and took a step forward. “‘O Holy Night’ is one of my favorites. Anyone who knows it is welcome to join in.”
She closed her eyes when nerves tingled down her skin, and took a deep breath to calm herself. She wasn’t a scared ten-year-old girl in front of a row of jaded judges. She was helping people get into the Christmas spirit, and for once, she appreciated how magical coming together as a community during the holiday season could be.
She sang the words softly at first, feeling joy rush through her as a few people sang with her. It was one of her favorite songs, and she wondered how Caden knew to request it.
By the time she sang about hearing angel voices, Lucy could feel tears pricking the back of her eyes. Yes, she knew the words to so many holiday songs, but on this December night, surrounded by new friends and strangers, the meaning of Christmas felt real for the first time.
As the song’s final note ended, a hush fell over the people gathered around their little caroling group.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” Olivia called after a moment. “Enjoy your time here in Crimson.”
There was more enthusiastic clapping and then the crowd began to disperse. Millie, Julia, Erin, Katie and Olivia surrounded Lucy in one big group hug.
“Best Christmas activity ever,” Millie shouted.
Julia wiped at her cheeks. “You made even a grinch like me cry, girl. Where did you learn to sing like that?”
Lucy bit down on her lip and shrugged. “I just like to sing.”
Katie grinned. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer—”
“No quoting Elf,” Julia interrupted, winding a hand around Katie’s neck and clapping a hand over her mouth. “Katie and my brother love Will Ferrell. It’s a problem.”
“Will Ferrell is never a problem.” Noah untangled his wife from Julia and kissed the top of Katie’s head. “Lucy, you’ve got some pipes.”
“Major pipes,” David agreed, coming to join them. Erin pressed herself to his side. “Are you ladies in need of a thirst quencher after all that singing?”
“Absolutely,” Millie told him, glancing at her phone, then to her sister. “Logan and Jake are going to meet us there. Claire is coming to the house to babysit Jasper and Brooke.”
Lucy’s heart fluttered as the women—her new friends—paired up with their respective men, and she tried not to look for Caden. It all seemed so easy and effortless, although she imagined each of the couples had their own story to tell.
She’d never had an expectation of getting her own happily-ever-after, so envying the people in love around her had never been an issue. But since she’d come to Crimson, so much had changed...and a lot of it had to do with her feelings for Caden.
The flutter morph
ed into a full-fledged racing gallop, and she didn’t have to glance up to know who stood in front of her.
“How did you know that’s my favorite Christmas song?” she asked, clasping her hands tight in front of her to keep from reaching for him.
They’d had one amazing night together, but that didn’t mean she had any claim on him. Based on his behavior today, it didn’t mean anything at all.
His mouth curved into a smile. “I didn’t know, but it was the one I wanted to hear you sing. Your voice is...” He reached out and traced a finger along her cheek. “You have the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard.”
“I can carry a tune,” she said, loving the feel of his calloused fingertip on her skin. “It’s not a big deal.”
“You love to sing.”
“I used to,” she agreed.
“But...”
“But I don’t love to perform.”
“You could have fooled me. You held the entire town captive with your talent tonight.”
She laughed. “I don’t know about the entire town.”
“Admit it. You wowed the crowd.”
She tried to play it off, to stay cool and unmoved, but it was a losing battle. She felt a goofy smile split her face and did a little victory dance like a wide receiver who’d just caught a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.
“I really did,” she whispered. “Who knew all those years of listening to canned Christmas music would have prepared me for this?”
“You took my breath away,” he told her, his eyes once again shining with tenderness.
“What happened this morning, Caden? I don’t understand why, but it felt like we were right back where we started with you hating me.”
“I never hated you.”
“It certainly felt that way.”
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “About how we began and how I acted this morning. Last night was amazing.” He ran a hand across his jaw. “It’s difficult for me to trust amazing.”
“Are you two going to join us?” Erin called from across the street. “First round’s on my hottie fiancé.”
“We’ll catch up,” Lucy answered, waving the group on without them.
Sleigh Bells in Crimson Page 13