by Diana Palmer
“And the hotel is a saloon and the sheriff is gathering a posse to go after some bandits?” Veronica grinned at him. “Who would’ve thought you could be so romantic?”
They reached the hotel, which was four stories high, and much bigger than it looked behind its old, faux western façade. Ted had spent his childhood running in and out of the place so he had no hesitation in taking Veronica through the kitchens.
Keeping hold of Veronica’s hand, he went up the steep backstairs and emerged two stories higher, slightly winded. The sound of laughter reached him from along the narrow corridor and he headed for the open door.
Avery Hayes stood in the middle of the room with a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other. She was talking to January Morgan who had her small son, Chase William, with her.
“I don’t want to throw flowers.” The little boy stuck out his lip. “I want to ride my pony.”
Ted paused in the doorway and kept quiet as he waited to see how the bride-to-be and her new sister-in-law handled the stubborn three-year-old.
“You know, I’d love it if you could do that.” Avery sat down beside him and sighed like she really meant it. “But as it’s winter, we’re holding the wedding inside, and not out at the ranch. I don’t think it would be fair on Muggs. He might get scared with all the noise and the people.”
“I wouldn’t let him be scared,” Chase William insisted.
“I’m sorry, honey, but horses aren’t allowed inside hotels,” January added firmly. “Mr. Hayes said so. Wouldn’t you just like to throw the flowers? I know you’d be really good at it.” She paused. “Unless you’d prefer baby Elizabeth to do it?”
“She’s too small!” Chase William protested.
“But she could do it if Daddy or I carried her, and then you could just sit in the row with Grandpa, and not have to do anything, or have anyone look at you, and think what a big, grown-up boy you are.”
“Masterful,” Veronica whispered in Ted’s ear as a hundred different expressions crossed the little boy’s face. “That’s TC Morgan’s wife?”
“Yup, January. She’s awesome.”
Chase William turned back to Avery who had been waiting patiently despite the fact that she must have a million things to organize.
“I’ll do the flowers.”
“That’s so good of you,” Avery said admiringly. “I can’t think of anyone who could do a better job.” She looked up at January who winked. “Then, that’s settled. We’ll see you here on Saturday at two.”
As she stood, she glanced back at the door and spotted Ted.
“Hey! What’s up? Tucker said you had a surprise for me.” Her gaze slid past him to Veronica.
“Ronnie?”
“I guess I’m the surprise!” Veronica rushed forward to envelop Avery in a giant hug. “It is so good to see you again.”
“Likewise.” Avery turned to Ted. “I didn’t realize you two were long-distance dating.” She grabbed Veronica’s hand. “You did come for the wedding, right? I guess that’s why Ted didn’t reply about his plus one because he wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I—” Veronica looked uncertainly up at him, and he shrugged.
“If you have room for Veronica, I’d love to bring her,” Ted said.
“Of course I do.” Avery grinned at them both. “It will make my wedding even better—if that’s possible.” She glanced back at January who was helping her son into his coat. “Is it okay if I bring Veronica out to the ranch this evening for my party?”
“Sure!” January straightened up, keeping a firm hand on the back of Chase William’s collar. “The more the merrier. Now, I have to get back to feed Elizabeth, but is there anything you need me to take with me, or any messages I can relay?”
“I think I’m good.”
“Then we’ll see you tonight.” January smiled at Ted and Veronica. “Have a great day.”
* * *
Half an hour later, they were walking back to Ted’s apartment, his new blue shirt and cowboy hat tucked securely under his arm. Veronica squeezed his sleeve.
“Are you really okay about me coming to the wedding with you?”
“I can’t think of anything I’d like better.” He unlocked the door and walked ahead of her up into the apartment.
“Because I feel a bit like you were put in an impossible position, and—oomph.”
Veronica, who’d been looking down, concentrating on the steps, walked straight into Ted’s chest as he turned around to talk to her. His arms closed around her, stopping her from falling backward, and she just stayed where she was, enjoying the heat of him and feeling far safer than she had in a long while. She knew somewhere deep in her soul that if Ted Baker gave you his trust and support, you were set for life.
But she’d have to tell him what she’d done, and the thought of him recoiling from her made her attempt to gently push him away.
“Veronica?”
He took a step back, but still reached out a hand to cup her chin so that she had to look up at him.
“What?”
“I—” His smile was crooked. “I just have this crazy idea that I want to kiss you.”
“Definitely crazy.” She tried to smile.
“You wouldn’t want that from me?”
She considered him carefully, the strong line of his jaw, his warm brown eyes and the mixture of confusion and desire behind his stare.
“What are we talking about here exactly?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead.” He sighed. “That’s me all over, right? That’s exactly why I’m stuck here pleading with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met to feel sorry enough for me to kiss me.”
“I don’t feel sorry for you.” Veronica moved past him into the apartment and took off her hat and coat. He thought she was beautiful? “I’m just trying to get my head around this whole thing.” She slowly unwrapped her scarf, took a deep breath, and turned to face him. He surprised her by speaking first.
“I was thinking, that seeing as everyone wants us to be a couple, we could oblige them during the wedding.”
He fixed his gaze on her and he looked so hopeful that she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Or not, if you think that’s a stupid idea,” he added hastily. “I know you’ve only just got here. It’s just that I’m having such a great time hanging out with you, that—”
Veronica held up one finger. She might sound confident, but after a year of crappy dates she wasn’t sure of the right approach to take anymore. And as this might be her last Christmas of freedom, maybe she’d better go all out and enjoy it.
“I don’t have any major objections to that idea.”
“You don’t?” Ted let out his breath. “That’s . . . awesome.”
“But I do have a few questions.” Veronica went into the kitchen and started making coffee purely to have something to do with her hands as her thoughts skidded around like a car on ice.
“Sure.” Ted followed her and leaned up against the countertop, arms folded over his chest. “You get to set the rules.”
“I do?” After having a man running her life for ten years, Veronica couldn’t even tell Ted how much that idea appealed to her.
“Yeah, like what’s okay, and what’s not okay for us to do together.”
A few ideas sprang to life in her head involving him maybe being naked, and Veronica’s cheeks heated. She hurried to get out two mugs and the creamer.
“Maybe we should play that bit by ear?”
“Fine by me.” He nodded. “We could go with the idea that we’ve been dating online for a while, and that one of the reasons you came back for Christmas was to size me up in person.”
“Sounds reasonable.”
Ted’s phone buzzed and he took it out of his pocket and made a face. “I’ve got to relieve Mano at the gas pumps for a couple of hours. Can I take my coffee to go?” He opened one of the cupboards and produced a metal flask. “You can stick mine in there.”<
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“Don’t you need some lunch?” Veronica called after him as he went down the hallway to his bedroom to change into his work clothes.
“Still full from breakfast!” he shouted back at her. “I’ll need to go grocery shopping at some point if we’re not going to eat pizza every day.”
As Veronica had been in the refrigerator, she knew he had a point. She poured the coffee, added sugar to hers, and waited for him to return to the kitchen, which he did in very short time.
He was wearing a dark blue coverall with the word Baker’s embroidered on the pocket and thick work boots. She instinctively went over, stood on tiptoe, and flattened down his mussed-up hair. He caught her around the waist and held her still until she looked shyly up at him.
“May I kiss you?”
“Yes, please.”
He slowly lowered his head, giving her all the time in the world to say no, and set his mouth over hers. As he angled his head, the subtle scrape of his stubble against her skin made her knees go weak and the polite kiss turned wild. Within seconds, she had her hands in his hair and was demanding more.
He only stepped back when his cell phone buzzed again, his lips slightly parted, which made her want to drag him right back and keep him there until they were naked and horizontal. Who’d have guessed that Ted Baker would be a phenomenal kisser?
“Gotta go.” He cleared his throat and swallowed hard. “Spare key’s by the door if you want to go out and explore.”
“Okay.” She turned to hand him his coffee. “See you in a couple of hours.”
After he’d left, she remained in the kitchen, her gaze fixed on the door, her senses still reeling from the kiss they’d shared—a kiss that had felt both natural and incredibly hot. He tasted right, and his body fitted against hers in all the correct places.
She smiled. Maybe she had been a fool not to notice he was attracted to her in school. She could’ve stayed in Morgantown, built a happy life with him, and never had to deal with the awfulness of Jason. But maybe the experience of a Jason made a woman appreciate the finer things in life such as coming back to her hometown and finding Ted Baker all grown up.
A loud piglet snort from the bathroom reminded her not to get carried away until she’d sorted out the current mess her life was in. She set down her coffee and went to find Bacon, who was extremely pleased to see her. She sat on the floor and let him climb into her lap. His happy little pig snuffles and wet nose made her want to hug him tight and never let go.
At least she hadn’t crossed any state lines and was still in California. Was it actually illegal to transport a single, lovable pet pig into another state? Did Bacon need papers? Did she need a lawyer?
Veronica patted Bacon, set him back on the floor, and got up. There was no point staying inside worrying about everything. She’d wait until Uncle Victor returned, and share all her troubles with the man who’d brought her up after her parents had died in a car accident. If he couldn’t help her, no one could. Until then, she’d keep an eye on the news, enjoy her time with Ted, and make sure he at least had something to eat for dinner before she went out with Avery.
* * *
Ted returned the credit card receipt to his customer and waited until he signed it.
“Thanks. Drive safely now.”
He discreetly made sure the guy hadn’t taken his pen, and checked that the credit card machine was set back in place. He couldn’t wait for the day when everything became paperless. There were still several people in Morgan Valley who insisted on writing him a check, but he never rushed them. They’d known his beloved grandpa and his father and were as much a part of the valley as he was. One day, when he could afford it, he’d upgrade the remaining pumps to take credit card payments right there on the forecourt.
“Hey.”
He looked up to find Tucker grinning at him.
“Hey, yourself. What’s up?” As customers were scarce because of the weather it was nice to see a friendly face. “Aren’t you supposed to be running a hotel or something?”
“It’s a madhouse right now what with Marley telling everyone what to do and Dad countermanding her orders while Mom and I rush around frantically getting in each other’s way.” Tucker let out an aggrieved breath. “If they’d all sit down and stop arguing, we’d be in much better shape.”
“You guys could organize a wedding in your sleep,” Ted reminded him. “You’ve done hundreds of them.”
“But not like this one. Marley’s taken it as a personal challenge to show that the Hayes family can outdo Morgan Ranch, which is stupid when there is plenty of room for both venues. Avery made the right choice to organize the Morgan Ranch end of things and keep out of the way.” Tucker checked his phone and groaned. “And they keep texting me like I have all the answers.”
Ted chuckled. “You usually do. What time do you want us there on Saturday?”
“Two? There’s a big crowd coming and we’ll need to manage them.”
“I’ve herded a few cattle in my time.” Ted shrugged. “I can wrangle a few rowdy cowboys.”
“Once the wedding is over and we’ve had the champagne toast, everything’s moving up to Morgan Ranch for the main reception and dance. We just don’t have the capacity, and seeing as Avery and Ry know every damn family in the valley, and most of the professional rodeo community between them, it’s going to be wild.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Ted confessed. “I can’t think of any couple I’d rather see make it than those two.”
“I wonder why?” Tucker winked at him. “You suddenly hoping these old schoolyard romances always work out well?”
Ted gave him a withering look. “If you’re talking about me and Veronica, we never went out in school.”
“But you always had a thing for her.”
“Yeah, but she always saw me as a friend.” Ted rearranged some of the gum at the front of the counter to avoid looking at Tucker. “And that’s primarily what we still are—friends.”
“Yeah, right.” Tucker wasn’t having any of it. “You’ve been happier than I’ve seen you in years since she arrived.”
“She’s only been here a day, and she’s a very positive person to be with,” Ted said.
“She sure is.” Tucker hesitated. “Is she coming back to live here?”
Knowing he was the worst liar in town, and was currently facing the man who knew him best in the world, Ted desperately tried to think of a reply.
“I’m not sure. I think it depends on a lot of different factors.”
“Like you?”
“No, way more important things than that,” Ted said hastily. “I think Victor would be thrilled if she decided to stay. He definitely could do with some help with the business, and some company.”
“That’s true.” Tucker looked over his shoulder as another customer came into the store and sighed. “I’d better get back before Marley and Dad come to blows. Avery will pick Veronica up around six, okay?”
“I’ll let her know.” Ted smiled at the woman approaching the counter. “Afternoon, ma’am, how can I help you?”
Even as he attended to business, his thoughts were racing. Veronica did make him feel more optimistic about everything, but he still knew very little about her. The fact that she’d turned up in Morgantown without alerting her beloved uncle was definitely suspect, and why had she brought a pig with her? His smile died as the woman left the shop. He wanted Veronica to tell him the truth. He wanted her to trust him, and that meant he was already in way over his head.
Chapter Four
“Did you have a good night?” Ted came into the kitchen to find Veronica sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal. She looked far too awake and chirpy for him.
“It was awesome. Avery hasn’t changed a bit, and everyone was so kind and welcoming. They’re all really pleased you’ve found yourself a girlfriend, by the way.”
“Funny, I never realized how interested the whole town was in my love life until you turned up.”
He helped himself to coffee and opened the refrigerator to view the now-filled shelves. “Thanks again for getting all this stuff. I really appreciate it. Let me know how much I owe you.”
“It’s on me.” She waved her spoon in his general direction. “You’re saving me a packet on hotel costs, so it’s the least I could do.”
Ted grabbed a bowl, filled it with the granola stuff, which looked way too healthy, added milk, and took the seat opposite his guest. Her hair was coiled in two braids on either side of her head and her sweater was red and fluffy.
He pointed at her head. “Princess Leia, right?”
“Kind of.” She gave him an approving smile. “With a touch of manga realness.”
Ted nodded like he knew what that was, and dove into his cereal.
“Can I ask you something, Ted?”
“Sure.” He wiped milk from his chin and gave her his attention.
“Is there a reason why you haven’t put up any holiday decorations or got a tree?”
He looked blankly around the bare apartment and then back at her. “I guess I just haven’t gotten around to it. Dad usually does that kind of stuff.”
“Would you mind if I did it?” She must have seen something on his face that made her rush onward. “I’ve always loved the holidays, and this one feels kind of special to me. But I can totally understand if you don’t want to do anything. It’s your place.”
Ted set his spoon down. “The thing is—it doesn’t feel like my place. I built it for Dad, and I still feel like I’m a guest here. I bought land to build my own house just behind the shop and I’ve done nothing with it.” He tried to smile. “I bet you think that’s lame.”
“Not at all.” She shook her head. “Because that’s exactly how I felt living with Jason. He wouldn’t let me make any decisions about the furnishings, or décor, or anything. I always felt like he didn’t trust me, you know?” She looked away. “When I got my own place, I spent a year staring at the bare walls, too terrified to change anything in case I did it wrong. Then I realized that even if I got it wrong, it didn’t matter because there was no one to see it but me. I went out and bought all my holiday decorations, and finally made it feel like home—my home.”