Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys

by D'Ann Lindun

  “Someone call 911,” Adam yelled.

  Eden moaned and rocked. “No time. My water just broke.”

  Bob Levore pushed to her side and knelt by her. “I’m a doctor. You’re going to be just fine, young lady.” He looked at the groomsmen. “Let’s move her to the back of the building where we’ll have a little privacy.” R.J. and his groomsmen lifted her. “That’s it. Gently now.”

  Noelle moved to Amity’s side and grabbed her hand. “Thank God your dad is an obstetrician. He’ll know what to do.”

  “I hope so,” Amity whispered. “If something happens to this baby Adam and Eden will die, too.”

  Noelle tightened her grip. “It won’t. It’s Christmas Eve and your wedding day. Nothing can go wrong tonight.”

  R.J. and his friends returned, looking somber. He smiled at Amity. “She’s in good hands with your dad.”

  She hugged him. “I know.”

  Nick moved to Noelle’s side. “What now, party planner?”

  She bit her bottom lip. “Normally, the guest would drive to the reception while the wedding party has their pictures taken.”

  “Then, that’s what we’ll do.” He stepped up to the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I can have your attention, please?” He waited for the low buzz to subside. “Obviously, we’re all worried about Eden, but there’s nothing we can do but wait, so the bride and groom would like you to move to the reception area where beverages will be served. As soon as pictures are taken, we’ll eat.”

  Taking their cue from him, the guests began moving. The photographer ushered the wedding party back onto the steps. For the bride’s sake they all forced their best smiles as the photographer snapped her photos.

  Finally, the photographer finished. “Thank you all. I think I have them.”

  Noelle picked up the hem of Amity’s dress. “The food smells wonderful. Let’s all try to eat something.”

  As soon as the bride was seated, Noelle caught Marilyn’s eye and nodded toward the kitchen. On her way, she spoke to the cellist and asked her to continue playing.

  “Have you heard anything?” Noelle asked when the two women met there.

  “No.” Marilyn twisted her hands together. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be callous, but it’s my daughter’s wedding day—”

  Noelle took her cold hands. “Everyone understands. We’ll serve dinner, and hopefully, there’ll be some good news by the end of it.”

  Marilyn patted her arm. “What would I do without you, dear?”

  “You’re not going to have to find out. Now, let’s get this crowd fed.” Noelle turned toward the wait staff. “The bride has been seated. Please begin serving the meal.”

  Jumping into action, servers began carrying salad bowls to the guests, while others got busy stacking plates for beef wellington and roasted baby potatoes.

  Satisfied everything was under control, Noelle made her way to the head table. As she walked she checked to make sure the guests seemed reasonably content for the time being. Most seemed okay, although subdued.

  She slid into her chair next to Nick and smiled at him. “Doing all right?”

  “Yes. I can’t help worrying about Adam, Eden and the baby, though.”

  Amity squeezed his hand. “I know.”

  “Thank you for helping to keep everyone calm,” Nick said. “I know my brother and Amity appreciate it.”

  “I haven’t done anything unusual. This is my job, you know.” Noelle glanced around—the bride and groom held hands and chatted, their heads close together, guests had begun eating, the cellist played, and if she didn’t know better, she’d think this was an ordinary wedding. No one would guess that a life-or-death situation was occurring a few short feet away, behind closed doors.

  “You’re good at it,” Nick said, but he didn’t sound happy.

  “I love my job,” she said quietly.

  “I can see that.” He smiled, but the emotion didn’t reach his eyes.

  A waiter held up a pitcher, interrupting them. “Water?”

  “No, thank you.” She took a bite of her cucumber salad without tasting it. Although she hadn’t been hired as the wedding planner for this event—Starla had arranged most of it—she couldn’t sit idly by and let things fall apart for Amity. Surely Nick understood that.

  “What do we do after the meal?”

  “Cut the cake,” she answered automatically. “Do you have your toast ready?”

  “Yes.” He patted his coat pocket. “I’m all set.”

  “Good.” She nodded, pleased. She couldn’t count the number of best men she’d had to badger, threaten or cajole into giving their speech.

  After the meal the dishes were cleared and coffee was served.

  Dillon got up from his seat and approached R.J. and Amity. “Shiloh and I would like to sing a song or two, if that’s all right?”

  “That would be wonderful,” Amity said with a grateful smile.

  “Do you want me to introduce you?” Noelle offered.

  “No,” Dillon said. “This is just our gift to the new couple, not a performance as such.”

  The duo moved to the platform where the ceremony had been held and took a seat. With the cellist playing the words of O Holy Night poured out of them.

  The crowed sat riveted as they sang the famous words.

  When their voices swelled, raised toward Heaven, then slowly went silent, the wedding guests sat in awe.

  Before anyone could applaud, Dillon began to sing again—this time Angels Among Us. Shiloh’s voice joined his in perfect harmony. Although not a song that would normally be accompanied by a cello, it sounded perfect.

  When they finished, the wedding guests began to clap, but Dillon held up his hands. “Please, no applause. Thank you.”

  He and Shiloh left the stage and resumed their seats.

  Starla, who had gone to check on Eden, returned and said something to Nick. She handed him the cordless mic.

  With a glance Noelle’s way, Nick took the mic. He stood and said, “If I can have your attention please?” He waited until everyone focused on him before he spoke. “I have great news. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Pelletier are the proud new parents of a baby boy. He is healthy and yelling his head off. The ambulance has arrived and they are en route to the hospital.”

  The crowd erupted in wild cheers and applause.

  Noelle screamed with joy, along with the other citizens of Black Mountain. She barely knew Adam and Eden, but she was so relieved she couldn’t contain herself. Without thinking, she launched herself out of her seat and into Nick’s arms. He hugged her tight.

  “This is so wonderful,” she said

  “A Christmas miracle.” His voice was husky, and she remembered him saying Adam was one of his best friends.

  “Yes.” Impulsively, she kissed him. Just a quick brush of her lips across his, but a kiss nevertheless.

  “I better give my speech,” he said. “Before you make me forget it.”

  Her cheeks heated, and she sat in her chair. “I wouldn’t want that to happen.”

  Nick chuckled and turned on the mic. “Grab your glasses, please. I have a toast to my brother and his beautiful bride.”

  Noelle listened intently, as did the rest of the guests, as he gave a loving, sometimes funny and ultimately moving tribute to R.J. and Amity. She’d heard a lot of best men speeches at weddings, and this one ranked high on the list of favorites. He did a wonderful job.

  After the cake was cut, and the bride and groom had toasted each other, a band took the stage.

  Amity and R.J. moved to the floor for their first dance as a married couple. Anyone watching could see how deeply in love they were by the way they stared into each other’s eyes, seemingly unaware of the crowd.

  At the very end of the song, Nick took Noelle’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. She moved willingly into his strong arms and swayed to the music.

  “This is a wonderful evening,” she said. “I don’t want it to end.”
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  He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “It doesn’t have to.”

  “What do you mean? I have to go home tomorrow. Back to my life and my job.” She hated saying the words, but they both knew the time had come for her to say goodbye was imminent.

  “We have all night.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s barely past midnight.”

  “What are you saying?” she whispered.

  “Spend the night with me?”

  Although her heart screamed yes, she said the first thing that popped into her head. “What about your dad?”

  “He’s staying at R.J. and Amity’s place to take care of things while they’re on their honeymoon.”

  She couldn’t stay, couldn’t get into a relationship with him, but she could make memories to last a lifetime. “Yes, Nick. I want to stay with you.”

  His smile could have lit the room. “I’m driving the happy couple to their truck in my sleigh. After I drop them off, I’ll come pick you up.”

  “I’ll be here,” she promised.

  Amity and R.J. made their way around the room saying their thanks and goodbyes. When they reached Noelle, she held back tears as she hugged her best friend. “Love you. Call me when you get back.”

  “I love you, too.” Amity hugged her tight. “Thank you so much. I couldn’t have made it through this without you.

  “Go on now.” Noelle gave her a gentle push. “Your new husband’s impatiently waiting.”

  R.J. gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “Take care of my brother while I’m gone.”

  Her cheeks heated. Did R.J. know what she and Nick planned? Had Nick told him? She pulled back and saw no teasing in his eyes, just love for Nick. “I will.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  After most of the guests had left, Noelle cornered Emery and told her she would be home the next afternoon.

  Emery’s eyes grew round. “You’re spending the night with that sexy cowboy?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow. We’ll be coming up here for your wedding next,” Emery teased.

  “Not going to happen,” Noelle said. “I have a life in Denver that I have to get back to. Tonight’s just—”

  “A good time?”

  Noelle nodded, but it was so much more than that. Her feelings for Nick weren’t something she wanted to talk about, or even examine too closely. If she did, it would hurt too much to admit she’d fallen for the cowboy. “I’ve got to leave tomorrow.”

  “Us, too. We’re going to open gifts, eat breakfast and then pack up and head home,” Emery said. “Call me when you get back to Denver, okay? We’ll have lunch.”

  “I will next week. I have several parties between now and New Year’s Eve.” Sadness instead of her usual excitement filled her.

  They hugged, then Noelle went to find her overnight bag. She’d packed a sweater and jeans to change into after the ceremony.

  She found Starla in the room where the bridesmaids had dressed. “Crazy night, huh?”

  “Typical of Black Mountain,” Starla said.

  Noelle laughed. “A miracle baby born at every wedding?”

  “No, but something exciting usually happens. Trevor and I got married on the spur of the moment at Shiloh and Dillon’s wedding.” Starla kicked off her heels. “Ah, that’s better.”

  “That’s great.” Noelle slipped out of her dress and into her sweater, jeans and boots. She took the pins from her up-do and let her curls cascade down her back. “Do you have everything under control?”

  “Yes.” Starla looked around and seemed satisfied she’d found everything. “Shiloh hired a crew to come in tomorrow and clean up. Are you leaving now?”

  “I am. I’ll see you again sometime.”

  “You’ll come visit Amity, won’t you? And all of us?” She sounded surprisingly down.

  “Of course.” A lump formed in Noelle’s throat. Starla had been so nice and welcoming. Everyone had. “Please tell everyone goodbye for me?”

  “I will,” Starla said. “Merry Christmas.”

  “Happy New Year.” Noelle hugged the other woman and lifted her bag. With a small wave, she pulled on her coat and went to meet Nick.

  He waited outside in the sleigh. Jingle and Bell tossed their heads, impatient to go. When he spotted her, he stepped out of the sleigh, took her bag and helped her step in. After she sat, he pulled the green and red plaid quilt over her lap. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  “Any second thoughts?”

  “None. You?”

  “Not one.” He lifted the driving lines and clicked at the horses. “Get up.”

  The sleigh started with a jerk, then glided across the frozen landscape as the harness bells rang merrily. The snow had stopped falling, glittering like scattered gems in the pale moonlight. One star shone brighter than the others and she pointed to it. “Is that the North Star?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So pretty.”

  “So are you.” Nick took her hand in his free one, tucked it under the blanket and held on tight.

  Noelle’s heart hammered in perfect rhythm with the horse’s hooves. Her tongue seemed stuck to the roof of her mouth. This wasn’t her first time with a man, but she had never been so nervous before.

  Maybe because it had never mattered so much.

  Nick stopped the horses at his front door. “Go on in and warm up. I’ll join you after I put these mares to bed.”

  He stepped out and helped her down. She brushed a kiss across his lips before turning toward his house.

  Inside, Noelle hung her coat on a peg by the door and wrapped her arms around her middle. Her nerves jumped under her skin and her stomach twisted in knots. Slowly, she took in her surroundings.

  Blinking lights on a Christmas tree lit a small, square room with windows that faced an open field. A stone fireplace had two stockings hanging from the mantle—emblazoned Dad and Nick. A miniature nativity set held the spot of honor on top of the T.V. A quilt with a blocky tree pattern lay haphazardly across the sofa, as if someone had been resting there earlier. Christmas songs played on a radio somewhere.

  The kitchen was neat and tidy with the faint scent of cinnamon in the air.

  Two bedrooms sat on opposite sides of a small hallway, a bathroom at the end. The doors stood slightly cracked, but she only peeked inside without turning on the lights.

  She walked back to the living room and held her hands over the coals in the fireplace. Why she wasn’t sure—the fire had burned out.

  The front door opened, and her heart jumped. She looked over her shoulder as Nick came inside.

  “Hi.” His voice was husky.

  “Hi.” Her voice slipped out, equally as raspy. “Did you get your horses stabled?”

  “Yep, they’re all warm and snug.” He removed his hat and coat and hung them by the door, next to hers. He walked to the fire, picked up a log and put it on the ashes in the fireplace. “The temperature’s dropping out there.”

  Even if she’d been inside an igloo, Noelle wouldn’t have noticed. Her blood pumped hot and fast. “I’m sure it is.”

  “Do you want anything? Coffee? Cider? Hot chocolate? I snagged a bottle of champagne…”

  She shook her head. “No, thanks.”

  He sat on the couch and patted the seat next to him. “Come sit by me?”

  She settled next to him, her thigh bumping his, and leaned her head on his shoulder. “What a wild wedding.”

  His arm slipped around her shoulders. “Yeah, crazy. But you were amazing the way you kept everything under control.”

  “Thanks.” She sighed. “This week has flown by so fast.”

  “I know.” His grip tightened. “Too quick.” He bent toward the end table on his side and picked up something. “I have a gift for you.”

  She took the small, brightly wrapped package. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I wanted to. Open it.”

  Carefully untying the ribbon and removing the paper, she opened a box. Inside,
laid the antique ornament she’d admired downtown. “Oh, Nick. It’s beautiful. Thank you.” She shifted so that she could look into his face. “I want you to know that everything has been wonderful. You’ve been so great to me…”

  “I don’t want your gratitude,” he said. “If that’s what this is about—”

  She set the gift on the end table and gripped his chin with both hands. “Shut up and kiss me, cowboy.”

  He removed his glasses and laid them gently on the side table before dipping his head to claim her mouth. If he were in a rush, she wouldn’t have known it as his lips moved over hers. There was no urgency, just a slow, sexy touch that made her knees shake. His tongue ran the seam of her lips, asking to be allowed inside. Her mouth acquiesced, opened. As his tongue stroked hers, she gripped the front of his shirt like a woman about to be buried by an avalanche.

  He pulled his lips from hers to nuzzle her neck. “There’s more room on the floor.”

  “Okay.”

  Standing, he held out his hand and she took it. A tremor ran through him when his palm made contact with hers. Without speaking, he pulled her to her feet and moved toward the tree. Releasing her, he walked toward his bedroom.

  While he was gone, Noelle bent to unzip her boots and stepped out of them. She kicked them out of the way and stripped to her underwear. She held her palms over the fire although she wasn’t cold.

  In a moment, Nick slipped back into the living room carrying an armload of blankets and a couple of pillows. When he spotted her state of undress, he froze, his gaze roaming her with undisguised hunger.

  Finally, he spread the covers on the floor and knelt in the middle of them. “Care to join me?”

  Noelle nodded, her mouth dry. She sank to her knees on the makeshift bed. Firelight lit Nick’s face, following the planes and angles. With her fingertips, she trailed them to his lips. With the lightest of touches, she traced them. He stood still as a statue, the rising and lowering of his shirt the only movement.

  Slowly, she moved her hand to his chest and placed it over his racing heart. “So strong.”

  He put his hand over hers. “I—”