by Lisa Carter
“I suppose.” She took a steadying breath. “Maybe we are.”
GeorgeAnne pushed her glasses higher on the bridge of her nose. “Excellent.”
IdaLee nodded. “I thought as much.”
ErmaJean smiled. “How wonderful.”
And round two went to the matchmakers.
* * *
Riding back to the lodge with AnnaBeth, Jonas decided he wouldn’t mind more alone time with their snow princess.
When they arrived, he came around and opened the truck door for her. Gathering the folds of her black velvet skirt, she eased out of the truck. Such a girly-girl.
Jonas didn’t know much about clothes, but he knew enough to know he liked what he saw. The tall black leather boots. The fancy green winter coat. But most of all, AnnaBeth herself.
Her sweet spirit. Her shining eyes. And her hair... He went weak-kneed every time he thought about her hair.
Last night at the bonfire before everyone converged on them, he’d plucked up the courage to satisfy his curiosity. Wrapping a tendril around his finger, her hair was as he’d supposed. Red silk.
He bit his lip. “AnnaBeth...”
She gave him a bright smile. “Yes, Jonas?”
“Uh...” He pushed the brim of his hat higher on his forehead, then scuffed his boot in the snow. “Um...”
“I know it’s hard.” She batted her lashes. “But it’s important to use your words, sweetheart.”
Smirking, he scooped up a snowball. “I prefer action to words.”
“Jonas Stone...” Her eyes enlarged. “Don’t you dare...” Then she ran.
Laughing, he chased her across the lawn.
Coming to an abrupt halt, she held up her hand. “Stop right there, cowboy.”
He hefted the snowball. “Why?”
She gave him a look. “Because it’s not polite to chase people.”
Lunging, he grabbed hold of her coat collar. Yanking her close, he held her back against his chest.
“Jonas!” Trying to prevent him from putting the snowball down her back, she wriggled. “Jonas!” she squealed.
“I’m not chasing you, flatlander,” he rasped in her ear. “I’ve caught you.”
As graceful as a ballerina, she turned in his arms. She looked at him with those tremulous green eyes of hers.
“Yes,” she whispered. “You’ve caught me.”
He dropped the snowball. It landed with a soft thud on the snow-packed ground.
And suddenly, he had the feeling it might be the other way around. That she had caught him.
She felt so good in his arms. So right. Like she’d always belonged. And nothing that had gone before mattered.
If only he’d known he had but to wait for a snowstorm—or his son’s Christmas wish—to bring AnnaBeth to him.
She turned her face to his. “Oh, Jonas.”
He cradled her face in his palms. “Would it be okay, AnnaBeth—” he reminded himself to breathe “—if I...?”
“Yes, Jonas.” Stretching on her toes, she wound her arms around his neck. “Please do.”
He brushed his lips across her mouth. And when she didn’t pull away, he deepened the kiss. She was more than he’d allowed himself to dream.
Sweet. Good. Someone, who’d never betray him.
His breath fluttered the strand of hair dangling near her earlobe. “Wow.”
“Fireworks.” She smiled at him. “Does this mean you like-like me, Jonas?”
Jonas laughed. “Yes, I think it definitely means I like-like you.”
“Good.” She grinned. “Because I like-like you, too.”
“Marvelous,” he murmured.
She lifted the hat off his head, then resettled it upon hers. “What do you think? How do I look?” She crinkled her eyes at him.
“We’ll make a cowgirl out of you yet. You look good, flatlander.” He pulled her close. “Good enough to kiss.”
And then he did.
Chapter Thirteen
Monday morning, AnnaBeth offered to take Hunter to school. “I need to pick up a few things while I’m in town.”
Jonas threaded his fingers through her hand. “Like what?”
“It’s Christmas.” She kissed his cheek. “This time of year, cowboys should know better than to ask too many questions.”
While he worked to repair the porch handrail, his mother also left for town and then returned with Aunt IdaLee.
Holding on to his great-aunt’s arm, his mother made sure IdaLee didn’t lose her footing coming up the walk.
IdaLee stopped to talk to him. “Ran into your runaway bride while we were in town.”
His mother smiled. “She sure looked happy. Nearly as happy as you when Dwight brought me back to the ranch yesterday.”
Jonas didn’t say anything. He had it on good authority cowboys didn’t kiss and tell.
“For the love of sweet tea, Jonas.” His aunt wagged a bony finger at him. “I hope you’re not going to do something stupid and lose that girl. Besides your son, she’s the best thing that ever happened to you.”
“Yep.” He nodded. “She’s a keeper.”
“And what’s more—” IdaLee peered at him. “What did you say?”
He cocked his head. “I agree with you. AnnaBeth is a keeper. And that’s exactly what I intend to do—keep her.”
IdaLee’s head reared back a fraction. “Well,” she harrumphed. “Glad to see you’ve finally come to your senses.”
His mother bit off a smile. “Let’s get you in the house, Aunt IdaLee, and see about some of that applesauce cake I promised.”
Jonas returned to his repairs. With the help of a buddy, Zach had delivered AnnaBeth’s car to the ranch Sunday afternoon. But after all that had happened between them, she looked in no hurry to leave the FieldStone.
They’d discussed attending the tree lighting on the town square together later that week. And the parent/student Christmas party at Hunter’s school.
He wasn’t clear on the details yet, but he felt sure somehow he could convince her to put off her departure indefinitely.
Jonas was putting the final screw in the handrail when a sleek, blue BMW rolled through the gateposts and parked in front of the lodge.
A woman in her late forties jumped out of the car. Small, rail-thin with delicate pixie features, she had big brown eyes and sleek short, brown hair. Her jewelry looked expensive.
He reckoned her brown high-heeled boots alone probably cost more than a month of groceries. An ominous feeling roiled his gut.
“Where’s my daughter?” Heels clattering on the sidewalk, she rushed over to him. “What have you done with her?”
Sudden fear assailed him. The repercussions of this woman’s arrival had the potential to shake AnnaBeth to her core. And he felt helpless to do anything to stop it from happening.
“I have the county sheriff on speed-dial.” The petite woman brandished her cell phone in his face. “I demand to see AnnaBeth immediately.”
* * *
After finishing her shopping, AnnaBeth drove back toward the ranch. She and Hunter sang Christmas carols all the way up the mountain.
He gave the sports car an admiring pat. “I wike your caw.”
She steered carefully around the winding road. “I’m thinking of trading it in for something more practical. Like an SUV.” A smile spread across her face. “Better for ranch living.”
Truth was, she’d been so giddy last night she’d barely gotten five hours of sleep. And when she did sleep, her dreams were full of a certain hunky cowboy...and a little cowboy, too.
Pulling through the gateposts at the FieldStone, she reflected she’d never imagined she could be this happy.
May your heart always find its way home.
For the first time in her life, she believed she
finally had. Her life was here on the FieldStone.
And though nothing had yet been said between them, in his eyes she saw the words he wasn’t yet able to say.
Not yet, but soon. She knew it in her heart. Soon, together they’d establish the family they’d each always dreamed of.
At the lodge, as she pulled alongside a familiar BMW, foreboding needled her chest.
Gentleman in the making, Hunter helped her tote her Christmas purchases. But reluctance dogged her steps.
Jonas met them at the door. “There’s someone here to see you, AnnaBeth.”
Sinking dread gripped her belly.
Ushering them inside, he squeezed her hand before they entered the living room. In a red cardigan twinset and wool skirt, IdaLee sat on one end of the sofa as prim as the teacher she’d once been. On the other end of the couch, Deirdre lifted a troubled face to AnnaBeth.
Her stepmother rose from AnnaBeth’s favorite chair. In less time than it took to blink, they surveyed each other.
Victoria had tucked her winter white jeans into her favorite Italian boots. The big, clunky gold necklace glistened at the neck of her oversized Aran sweater, a garment that emphasized her stepmother’s tiny frame.
When AnnaBeth found the courage to lift her gaze to Victoria’s face, what she beheld there took her breath. She saw regret and a pain so deep AnnaBeth had to look away.
Hand outstretched, Victoria took a step toward her. “Bethy...”
AnnaBeth scowled. “How did you find me?”
“MaryDru.” Dropping her hand, she pinched her lips together. “Please, don’t be angry with her. I begged her to tell me.”
Then AnnaBeth recalled letting the name of the ranch slip during one of her conversations with MaryDru.
Jonas rested his hand on the small of her back. Comforting. Protective.
The gesture did not go unnoticed by her stepmother.
Deirdre cleared her throat. “Aunt IdaLee has been telling Mrs. Cummings about the Double Name Club.”
The silence grew uncomfortable between the adults, but, aware of none of it, Hunter sidestepped his father and AnnaBeth.
Arms laden with shopping bags, he peered from under the brim of his hat at Victoria. “Is dis your mommy, AnnaBef?”
“Victoria is my stepmother.” Using him not unlike a human shield, she placed her hands on his shoulders. “Not my mother.”
Her stepmother flinched.
Deirdre got off the couch. “AnnaBeth, don’t.”
“Hunter?” IdaLee inched her way upright. “Why don’t you put the shopping bags in AnnaBeth’s room?”
Sharp, blue eyes missing nothing, the old woman looked from Victoria to AnnaBeth. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but Hunter and I are ready for lunch.”
By mutual agreement, they tabled anything other than polite conversation for later.
Hunter and Jonas disappeared upstairs, and the unlikely quartet of women headed into the kitchen to make lunch.
For the last nine days, AnnaBeth had been given the run of the kitchen. She and Deirdre had become a well-oiled team at putting food on the table.
When she took out a paring knife to slice a tomato, Victoria rushed to her side. “Let me help you with that, Bethy.” She gave AnnaBeth a wobbly smile. “Like old times.”
“No, thanks. Deirdre and I have everything under control.”
“Oh.” Victoria’s eyes darted between them. “Of course. I see. I’ll just sit down over there out of your way, then.”
Lips tightening, Deirdre threw AnnaBeth a hard look.
IdaLee cleared her throat. “My parents were the first to open the ranch to guests. They offered meals to the young men working on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway during Roosevelt’s New Deal.”
“Hospitality and heritage are important.” Biting her lip, Victoria looked through the bay window to the snow-covered ridge. “This is a special place. I’m so happy Bethy found her way here.”
Not trusting herself to speak, AnnaBeth concentrated on not slicing off a finger.
Lunch wasn’t as awkward as she’d feared. Victoria was a master at the niceties of polite conversation and putting others at ease. From time to time, Jonas touched AnnaBeth’s hand under the table. Yet, surprisingly, Hunter took to her stepmother right away.
After lunch, he insisted on taking Victoria onto the terrace to show her the correct way to rope a steer. She appeared genuinely delighted to spend time with the little cowboy. Like AnnaBeth, Victoria had always been good with children.
Finally, though, AnnaBeth could put off the hard conversation with her stepmother no longer.
She wanted Victoria to leave. She wanted only to be surrounded by people who loved her. Here at the FieldStone, where she felt herself on the brink of becoming the AnnaBeth that God always intended for her to be.
“You should probably go soon, Victoria. It’s best to get off the mountain before dark.”
Her stepmother fingered her keys. “Would you walk me to the car?”
AnnaBeth nodded.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Deirdre.” Victoria’s dark eyes gleamed. “And for listening.”
Deirdre hugged her. “You’re always welcome at the FieldStone, Victoria.”
IdaLee patted Victoria’s arm. “You did well, dear heart. AnnaBeth does you credit. She’s such a jewel.”
AnnaBeth kept her thoughts on that one to herself.
Victoria hugged Hunter. She extended her hand to Jonas. “Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter.”
He dipped his head. “It’s been our pleasure, Mrs. Cummings.”
Walking out of the lodge, AnnaBeth and her stepmother were silent. The snow crunched under their feet. They stopped beside the BMW.
“You’re not ever coming home, are you?” Victoria rasped.
AnnaBeth shook her head.
Victoria hugged her arms around her sweater. “I think MaryDru and Scott are going to work things out between them.”
“All I ever wanted was for MaryDru to have her chance for happiness.”
Victoria swallowed. “I know you won’t believe me, but that’s all I ever wanted for both my girls.”
AnnaBeth clamped her lips together to keep them from trembling.
“I never would’ve pushed you and Scott to marry if I’d known you truly didn’t love him.” Victoria’s thin shoulders rose and fell. A helpless, hopeless gesture. “I knew he would treat you the way you deserved. He’s a good guy.”
“Scott is a wonderful guy.”
Had Victoria always looked so fragile? Or was AnnaBeth only now noticing?
“But more importantly, Bethy, I knew Scott would love you for who you are.”
“Only as a friend, though.” AnnaBeth sniffed. “And that kind of love isn’t enough, Victoria.”
“No.” She turned away, her gaze roaming over the snowy landscape. “You’re right. It isn’t.”
An uncomfortable suspicion gripped AnnaBeth. Had Victoria been trying just as desperately to “earn” Hayes Cummings’s love as his daughter?
Perhaps she and Victoria had more in common than she’d known.
AnnaBeth crossed her arms. “Why did you come here, Victoria?”
“Just like before. The first time.” Her stepmother bit her lip. “I had to make sure my Bethy was all right.”
“I’m not your...” AnnaBeth took a breath. “I’ve left messages on Daddy’s phone, but I haven’t heard from him. Do you think he’ll ever forgive me? Is he still so very, very angry with me?”
“Your father—” Lips parting, she appeared about to say something, and then changed her mind. “I met your father only a month after his divorce.”
Wait. After the divorce? She’d always assumed—
“I’m making some changes in my life, AnnaBeth. Necessary
changes, a long time coming. But I want you to know that no matter what happens, wherever I am, my home will always be your home.”
“What do you mean ‘wherever you are’?” AnnaBeth’s voice rose. “Where are you going?”
Resignation clouded Victoria’s flawless features. AnnaBeth realized that her eyes were almost the exact shade of brown as Jonas’s eyes.
“I’m sorry for pushing you so hard. For failing you. For never being enough.” Victoria winced. “For not being the mother you wanted.”
What was going on here? It sounded as if Victoria was saying goodbye. Forever.
She touched AnnaBeth’s face. Not the first time she’d tried to do that. But the first time that AnnaBeth let her.
“MaryDru might’ve grown under my heart.” Her palm cradled AnnaBeth’s cheek. “But from the moment I laid eyes on you, Bethy, you grew in it.”
Before she could think of how to respond, Victoria got into the car. Annabeth stood there until the red taillights of her stepmother’s vehicle disappeared over the incline in the drive.
Jonas, Hunter and IdaLee came out of the house.
“Hunt and I are taking Aunt IdaLee home.” His forehead creased. “Are you okay?”
She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m fine.”
He gave her a meaningful look. “You sure?”
She managed a weak smile. “No, really. I mean it. I’m fine.” With her finger, she smoothed the line on his forehead. “No need to scowl, cowboy. Just hurry back, okay?”
He adjusted the angle of his hat. “Will do.”
Seeing Victoria had left her feeling oddly unsettled. And difficult conversations appeared to be on the menu today.
Inside the house, feet flat on the floor, Deirdre’s fingers tapped the armrest of the couch. She didn’t look happy. “Victoria told me about your father. And his drinking problem.”
Sinking into the armchair, AnnaBeth made a face. “She shouldn’t have told you about him. That’s never mattered to me.”
“Running away will never solve your problems, honeybun. Unless you face the broken relationships in your past, how can you hope to create a new life for yourself?”