Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy

by Diana Palmer

  Ted glanced out of the window as he heard the faint chiming of bells. He grabbed Veronica’s hand.

  “Let’s go see what Tucker’s talking about.”

  They hurried through the groups of guests to the front door. It had snowed again, and the sun had come out, bathing the whole town in a bright, white glow. Around the corner came a sleigh drawn by two horses in full Christmas regalia. Three more sleighs arrived, stretching the length of Main Street. Just to complete the picture, all the drivers were dressed as Santa Claus.

  “I can see why we need to wrap up warm.” Ted chuckled. “You want to ride in a sleigh with me?”

  “Oh, yes,” Veronica said fervently. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”

  He guided her back inside where Tucker was directing guests who preferred the speed and convenience of four-wheel drive to the delights of an open sleigh around to the parking lot where they could either pick up their own vehicle or take the Morgan Ranch shuttle.

  Ted joined the line for the sleigh ride while Veronica finished getting ready, enduring the good-natured teasing from the locals about his wonderful girlfriend. He wasn’t going to argue about that. He and Veronica might have started their relationship in an unconventional way, but he sure as hell intended to make it a long-term commitment.

  If she stayed—and if she finally told him everything that was going on in her life . . . He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. Just for once, he was going to allow himself to appreciate the day without self-sabotaging. Veronica was here, she was happy to be with him, and he was darn well going to enjoy it.

  Avery and Ry were escorted into the first sleigh, along with their best man, maid of honor, and Chase William who obviously wasn’t prepared to wait any longer to get home. There was just enough room for Ted and Veronica in the fourth sleigh. Tucker promised the rest of the line that if they didn’t mind a wait, the sleighs would be returning.

  Ted lifted Veronica onto the seat and squeezed in next to her, wrapping one arm around her shoulder to keep her steady as the sleigh jolted to a start. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been out on the snow like this. These days he preferred the safety and convenience of his big tow truck.

  Beside him, Veronica shivered, and Ted drew her closer against his side before wrapping her scarf securely around her neck. She wore her knitted hat with the big pompom and he squished it down hard until it reached her nose.

  “Better?”

  “Yes, apart from the fact that I can’t see or speak anymore.” Veronica’s reply was muffled until she pulled the scarf away from her chin. “I’ve forgotten how cold it gets here.”

  “You’ll get used to it,” Ted reminded her, bracing his arm against the side of the sled as it turned out of Main, and onto the county road. The sound of the chiming bells and the feathers nodding in the horse’s brow pieces made him feel like he was in some kind of movie.

  “Or I’ll buy a thicker coat.”

  He smiled down at her. “You thinking about staying then?”

  “I’d have to talk to my uncle first.”

  “You do that,” he said softly, his gaze lingering on her face. “I’m sure he’d welcome you home with open arms.”

  Chapter Seven

  Veronica allowed Ted to lift her out of the sled onto the well-packed snow, and took in the amazing scene around her. The circular drive between the ranch house, the old barn, and the new guest center had been transformed into a winter wonderland of decorated pine trees, multicolored fairy lights, and enough tinsel to fill a gift shop.

  The sleigh behind her moved off, following the others back to town. Veronica took Ted’s proffered hand and walked over to the all-weather red carpet leading to the reception area and bar. Arches of lit branches entwined over their heads and soft bells chimed in the breeze perfumed by pine, Christmas spices, and apple cider.

  “Hey, look up!” Ted stopped at the entrance.

  “Why?”

  Veronica’s next words were lost in the wonder of Ted’s kiss. When he finally released her, he pointed over her head. “Mistletoe.”

  “Oh, now I get it.” Veronica grinned at him and he winked.

  “Couldn’t pass that opportunity up.”

  In the main lobby they were directed toward a cloakroom to drop off their outer garments and change their shoes. Ted waited for her to join him back in the hall.

  “I’ve got to help out in the receiving line. Will you be okay?”

  She gave him a mock frown. “As I said already, I’m a big girl. Go off and do what you need to do.”

  In fact, she was quite happy to see him occupied with his wedding duties so that she could finally fulfill her promise to call Leon and Sharon. One of them must know something, and she really wanted to set her mind at rest. She had a sense Ted wanted to talk to her about staying permanently in Morgan Valley. She wanted to stay, but she couldn’t make the commitment until she knew everything was all right in L.A.

  Ignoring the reception in the big room off the lobby, she turned instead toward a long hallway of what looked like offices, and wandered down there, her phone in her hand as she typed her messages. There was no immediate response from either of her friends, so she pocketed her cell, and walked back toward the receiving line.

  She was welcomed by a grinning Ted, hugged, squealed over, and passed along the line like a Christmas parcel until she ended up in Avery’s arms. Her friend wore a red velvet cloak with a hood over her wedding dress and looked like a fairy-tale princess.

  “I’m so glad you could come,” Avery whispered. “And I really hope you marry Ted and stick around.”

  “You’re getting a bit ahead of yourself, now.” Veronica laughed and hugged her back. “You just want everyone to be as happy as you are.”

  “Of course I do!” Avery winked at her. “Now, go and get something to drink, and we’ll send Ted to find you before you know it.”

  Veronica went over to the bar and was offered a champagne cocktail, which she happily accepted. She wandered across the crowded room to the large picture window that looked over the snow-covered pastures and toward the towering black heights of the Sierra Nevadas. Even as she sipped her cocktail, she considered what it might be like waking up to such a familiar view every morning—maybe with Ted sleeping by her side.

  Her cell buzzed, and she took it out of her pocket to see a message from Leon.

  No scandal mentioning your deadbeat ex’s name around to my knowledge. What did you do to him? LOL.

  Veronica winced as she typed a reply.

  I just wondered if he’d come by the practice, or was looking for me? If he comes near me again, he knows he’d get an earful and a restraining order slapped on his ass.

  Do you want me to find out anything I can?

  That would be really good of you.

  Veronica took a hasty sip of her cocktail.

  I’ll be super discreet. X.

  Veronica knew that was almost impossible for her boss. He was a talker, and he loved nothing more than a good bit of gossip. Would he march right up to Jason’s front door and demand to know what was going on? He’d probably consider that discreet as opposed to hopping over the back fence and spying through the windows.

  Veronica groaned and downed the rest of her drink. She wished she hadn’t sent the text now.

  “Everything okay?”

  She spluttered as Ted spoke over her shoulder and hastily ditched her glass before she dropped it.

  “Yes! I’m great! You?”

  He eyed her like a man attempting to defuse a bomb.

  “You sure about that?”

  She summoned her best smile. “I’m just . . . working on that problem I told you about back in L.A. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  For some reason, the concern in his eyes only deepened. “I wish you’d just tell me what’s going on.”

  She reached for his hand. “I will! I mean, I will as soon as I’ve sorted it out, which will be very soon, because I’
ve got people on it.”

  “People?”

  She nodded as she squeezed his fingers. “People. I just need a couple of answers to the . . . problem, and then I’ll be fine. I promise.”

  His brow creased. “Look, if all this is moving too fast for you—I mean the stuff between us—and you want to step back, it’s okay. I won’t be offended. Maybe I’ve been pushing you too hard, and—”

  “Ted, please listen to me.” She met his gaze. “The reason I’m being so careful is that I don’t want to mess this up, and by this, I mean you, and us, and staying here, and all that stuff that I can’t talk about until I’ve tied up some loose ends.”

  “So you keep saying.” He gently released his hand from hers. “The thing is, Veronica, I can’t help feeling that if you really trusted me you’d tell me everything anyway.”

  She bit her lip at the hurt in his voice. Before she could reply, someone called his name. He looked back over his shoulder and grimaced.

  “Sorry, I’ve got to be in some pictures. We can talk about this later, okay?”

  There was nothing she could do but nod and let him go. She turned back to the view and struggled to compose herself. Was she being stupid not telling him? But what could she say when she wasn’t even sure what had happened since she’d left? She already knew Ted was wary about relationships; would her refusal to give him a direct answer make him back off completely? It sure was looking that way, and she couldn’t quite blame him.

  Her cell buzzed, and she took it out of her pocket to see a message from Sharon.

  Hey, neighbor! What’s up?

  Veronica sank down onto one of the cushioned benches that framed the window and replied to the message.

  Any news from next door? Is Perry still around?

  She waited impatiently for the small bubbles in the corner of the text to appear, indicating that Sharon was responding to her.

  I haven’t seen her or her piglet since you left. I did wonder if you’d taken them both with you J but couldn’t figure out how you’d get them in your car. LOL

  Is Jason still there?

  Yeah, and whatshername, Marissa, who is kind of sweet tbh, and always says hi, and asks after the kids.

  Veronica gripped the phone tighter as she typed.

  But Jason’s okay?

  Yeah, why wouldn’t he be? Did you hire an assassin or something?

  Ha ha. Is there any way you could ask Marissa what happened to Perry, like asap?

  There was a longer pause before Sharon replied.

  Sure, her car’s on the drive, so I’m fairly sure she’s home and the dickhead is out. I’ll get back to you when I can, okay?

  Thanks so much. I owe you one! Veronica typed even faster. Feel free to give her my cell number if she wants to talk to me directly. She did say she wanted us all to get along.

  Like Veronica had believed that for a second, but maybe she had misjudged her ex-husband’s new girlfriend. . . .

  * * *

  Even though his mind was not on the wedding, Ted smiled like a champ in all the pictures. He sighed in relief when they were finally released back into the dining room for the beginning of the reception, only to find that he was at the top table, and Veronica was way over in the opposite corner.

  He tried to get her attention as he sat down beside Marley, but Veronica was looking down at her phone as if it held the secrets of the universe, which he supposed it did. But who was she waiting to hear from, and why did she look so worried? Had he spoken out too strongly? But what else was he supposed to do when his tentative dreams of future happiness might blow up in his face?

  Marley elbowed him in the side.

  “I know you’ve got a girlfriend and that you’re besotted, Ted, but do you think you could give me your attention for two minutes, and tell me whether the Hayes Hotel decorations were better than these?”

  Ted turned to face her. “I’m sorry, Marley. From now on, I promise I’ll be the most attentive wedding partner you’ve ever had. Now, what were you asking me?”

  It wasn’t hard to lose himself in two of his oldest friends’ happiness. One look at Ry’s face was enough to remind him that love did exist, and that some people, unlike his mom, were capable of staying together through the storms of life. But even as he contemplated their happiness, it only hardened his resolve to have it out with Veronica. If she wasn’t one hundred percent all in, then he wasn’t going to pretend that was okay with him.

  The food was amazing, the company perfect, and the speeches almost made him choke up. By the time he was free to circulate, he was optimistic about his chances to clear the air with Veronica and make things right. He was in love with her—there was no point in pretending otherwise—and he needed her to know that.

  He approached her table. She looked up and smiled, and he knew in his heart that everything was going to be all right.

  “Hey,” she said softly, and patted the seat next to her. “Want to share some of this amazing dessert?”

  He took the vacant chair. “It’s not like you to share the sweet things.”

  “I’ve had six different kinds. Even I’m getting full.” She handed over her fork. “Be my guest.”

  He ate the creamy cheesecake in three bites while Veronica looked on.

  “It’s good. I didn’t get to try everything because I was too busy trying to find tactful ways of assuring Marley that her decorations were just as good as the Morgans’.” Ted wiped his mouth with her napkin.

  “Then let me get you some more.” Veronica stood up. “Would you like coffee? I’m going to get myself a cup.”

  He touched her arm. “You don’t need to get me food.”

  “Since I’m already getting the coffee, it’s hardly a problem, is it?”

  He let her go, and she made her way through the tables, stopping to speak to various people, her smile lighting her way.

  Something buzzed, and Ted looked down at the table to see Veronica’s cell phone lit up with a text. He wasn’t even aware that he had starting reading it until it was too late.

  Hey, babe, drove by but nothing to report, except when are you coming back? The kids and I are missing you!! Xxx

  “Here you go.” Veronica set the two coffees on the table along with the plate of desserts. “I hope they’ve got more in the kitchen because with all these hardworking, outdoor-living cowboys, the food’s going down fast.” She glanced over at Ted who was staring at her, his expression unreadable. “What?”

  He pointed at her phone. “You got a text.”

  She leaned in to read it and turned back to Ted with a grin. “Leon is such an idiot.”

  “Is he?”

  He definitely wasn’t laughing.

  “Did you read it?” Veronica asked. “Because—”

  “I didn’t mean to. It just caught my eye.” He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “Anything you need to say to me right now?”

  Veronica bristled at his tone.

  “I would’ve thought you’d be the one apologizing for reading my private messages.”

  “As I said, it was an accident, and I can’t say I’m sorry I read it, because who the hell is texting you, and what’s that about you having kids? Is this the ‘little problem’ you have to deal with back in L.A.?”

  Veronica reached over, picked up her phone, and slid it into her pocket, her whole body trembling. “Excuse me.”

  She rose to her feet and he stood too, towering over her, one hand reaching for her elbow.

  “Veronica . . .”

  She flinched away. “Don’t touch me, okay?”

  She slammed her chair in, stepped away from him, and headed for the exit. It took her only a minute to reach the cloakroom and start searching for her belongings. She only looked up when the door clicked shut, and she found Ted leaning up against the inside of it. He held up one hand.

  “Look, I know what I did was wrong.”

  She didn’t reply as she finally found her boots and outerwear.<
br />
  “I shouldn’t have read your text.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have.” She clutched her coat to her chest and glared at him. “I spent ten years with a man who monitored all my calls, texts, and e-mails and I hated it!”

  “Shit.” He grimaced. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about it that way.”

  “I don’t want to be with a man who constantly doubts me, okay? It would destroy me.”

  “I get that.” He nodded slowly, his whole attention fixed on her face. “But are you really going to lay all of this on me?”

  “Maybe.” Veronica stared right back at him.

  “Rather than have an honest conversation?” He shrugged. “I’m usually the one running away from those hard truths, but I’m trying here.”

  “Trying to accuse me of something I haven’t done, from one text?” Veronica wasn’t quite ready to be reasonable yet.

  “You said you’d explain things when you could.” He paused. “Wouldn’t you say this was maybe a good time to do that?”

  Veronica slowly released her death grip on her coat. Okay, maybe he had a point. He wasn’t Jason, and she couldn’t blame him for everything that had happened in her previous life.

  “Leon’s text doesn’t have anything to do with the other matter I’m concerned about.”

  “Okay.” He didn’t look any more relaxed. “Are you saying you’re still not ready to talk to me about what’s going on?”

  “I will be by the end of the day,” Veronica offered.

  “Got it.” He nodded and opened the door. “If you want someone to take you back to Morgantown early, speak to Tucker. He’ll get you down there.”