A Hero’s Christmas Hope: Holidays in Heart Falls: Book 3

by Arend, Vivian

  Then his gut was full of laughter because, when the ballet group finished, Dustin began. With the help of his nieces, he dipped and swayed then went up on the toes of his cowboy boots the best he could.

  Dustin held his arms to the side, eyeing the audience before him. He pressed a finger to his lips, and the crowd hushed.

  Another moment of fanfare, then in one quick motion, Dustin twirled in a circle, completing a fairly decent pirouette. Then he dropped into a crouch with outstretched arms like a vaudeville performer. He turned his back on the crowd and shimmied to make the wings attached to his vest wiggle, and the place lost it.

  The rest of the performance was equally fun, including dancing cows that did a can-can line and prancing goats. And yes, Ashton was there onstage.

  He’d made himself a longer-than-usual beard and furry grey ears, and their dance seemed to involve a lot of picking up their feet and kicking wildly. When they finished in a tall tower, though, pretending to stand on each other’s backs, loud calls of approval rang out.

  Yvette was a dancing cat along with Sonora and a couple other women. Then the dogs came out, and their dance seemed to consist of racing in circles and rounding up the other dancers. Alex was there. So was Josiah’s wife, Lisa, who wore their teeny baby, Zoë, in a contraption on her chest. A small terrier followed at her heels like a mini shadow and barked every time Lisa snapped her fingers.

  Ryan’s favourite, though, were the Canada geese who did a kind of RCMP circle dance, the entire time muttering sorry, sorry, sorry, as they bumped into each other.

  When the final dance was done, Ryan’s stomach hurt from laughing.

  “But like all magical days, this one had to come to an end. The rag dolls said goodbye to their new friends in the barn and made their way back to the house.”

  The final performers left the stage, the background people changed, and Brooke led Madison and Ryan back into the house and beside the fireplace.

  “‘Goodbye’, the Rat Catcher said. ‘Merry Christmas, and thanks for coming to visit. I think the magic will be fading soon.’”

  They all hugged, then Maddy and Ryan settled back on the floor as Brooke threw her hands in the air. The lights went out.

  When the lights came back on, Brooke was gone. Only a crash rang out, and something fell in the background. Brooke’s muffled ouch was loud enough that most people heard it.

  “‘Do you think we’ll ever see her again? Or visit the magic barn?’ the rag doll girl asked. ‘I think we will,’ the rag doll boy told her. ‘Magic always comes at Christmas, but sometimes, if we really want it to, it stays all year ’round.’”

  “And this concludes our performance of the Not-So-Nutcracker.”

  Madison’s fingers were linked with his. Ryan had his other arm around her waist, and they were leaning on each other, cozy and comfortable. Perfect and right, and Ryan wanted to stay there. In spite of being dressed like a rag doll. In spite of the makeup on his face.

  He was with Madison, and that’s what made it perfect.

  15

  The entire household buzzed for days after the performance. Talia was now off from school, which meant Madison got to dive in and enjoy full days with the adorable little girl.

  Ryan insisted Maddy didn’t need to babysit. “Everything is still lined up with Laura,” he reminded her. “And you seem to have found a posse of women to make trouble with. You should spend time with them.”

  “I’ll make sure that I do,” Madison promised. “But I’m also enjoying the time with Talia.”

  The day after the performance was Ryan’s full day off, which meant jumping in on solving the problem of Talia’s birthday.

  Having dealt with her younger brothers over the years, Madison figured there might be some tears and grumbling involved as they worked their way to their final destination. With that in mind, she whipped out some giant Post-it notes in bright colours. “Okay, kiddo. You ready for this?”

  Ryan was doing the dishes, but he called over his shoulder, “Make sure you leave room for me. I have ideas, too.”

  Talia looked at the pile of pens and paper with suspicion. “This looks like homework.”

  A snicker escaped Madison. “Are you sure you haven’t been talking to my little brothers?”

  “Not since last week,” Talia insisted.

  Considering it was only three more sleeps until the little girl’s birthday, she’d been amazingly calm, but when she started off the whole thing by reiterating her main point, it was clear she wasn’t budging. “I want my birthday on my birthday. Please, Daddy?”

  Ryan nodded. He dried his hands then grabbed one of the giant notes and wrote in bold letters. “Celebrate Talia’s birthday on December twenty-fifth.” He ripped the page off the pad and handed it to her. “Stick it on the wall as high as you can reach. That’s our goal. Everything underneath will be ideas or maybes.”

  Madison eased back in her chair. “Wow. I don’t even need to be here.”

  “Yes, you do,” Talia complained as she rushed back to the table and grabbed Madison’s arm.

  “Oops. Sorry, sweetie, I wasn’t talking about leaving. I was talking about your daddy knowing exactly what we’re doing with the notepads.”

  “Maddy, after all the times you made me study and brainstorm using this method, nothing will ever erase it,” Ryan said dryly.

  The end of that small interplay had Talia sitting in Madison’s lap. The little girl’s scent and the way she rubbed her hand over Madison’s arm made the box of hope inside her chest crack open even more.

  Madison was pretty sure she’d fallen in love with Ryan. But she was completely certain Talia had stolen her heart from the minute she’d walked in the house.

  Time to focus. “What things would make your birthday special?”

  For the next twenty minutes, they wrote down everything from the simple to the ridiculous. Which meant they spent a lot of time laughing, Talia rolling her eyes as her daddy wrote down things like “ride on kangaroos” and stuck them on the wall.

  But excitement slipped in along with the perfect solution when Ryan paused in the middle of a Google search. “I think I’ve got it.”

  Talia ran to his side and, with his help, read the article that said in some cultures, the birthday girl would be the one to hand out presents.

  Talia thought for a moment. “If I make things for my friends, and we go to their houses, then we won’t be interrupting their Christmas with their family. Maybe?”

  She turned wide eyes upon Ryan then glanced over at Madison.

  If she had to spend hours phoning all of Talia’s friends to figure out a schedule that would work, so be it.

  While Ryan and Talia worked on the list of people she really wanted to celebrate with, Madison brainstormed a few ideas of simple gifts that Talia could be involved in making.

  In the middle of it, her brother called. Madison slipped from the table and went and stood by the window, looking out over the snow-covered yard. “Hey, Kyle.”

  “Hey, Mad. Wanted to let you know the gift box you ordered for mom arrived. I distracted her, and Joe got it wrapped up and under the tree.”

  “Thanks, guys, that’s awesome.” She could just picture the holidays at home. The familiar decorations, her mom bringing out the fancy cookie cutters she only used at this time of year. “I’m going to miss you turkeys,” Madison admitted.

  “Miss you, too. Only, sounds as if you’re having a good time with your friend.”

  “Definitely. Today we’re planning a birthday party.” Madison glanced down to discover Talia standing in front of her with her hand out. “Yes?”

  “I want to talk to your brother. Please?” Talia pulled her hand behind her back and stood there looking devilishly cute.

  Madison laughed. A week ago Talia had caught her chatting with Joe and taken over the phone. By the end, both Joe and Kyle had been on speaker phone, telling Talia stories and making the little girl giggle.

  It had turned Madi
son’s heart inside out to hear it.

  So now, she was pretty sure what kind of a response she’d get from her brother. “Hey, Kyle. Talia would like to talk to you again. You got time?”

  “Sure. She’s a sweetheart.”

  “Here she is. Love you, bro.”

  Talia took the phone very politely and then stepped to the side and began immediately sharing all of the plans for the travelling birthday party that would be happening on Christmas Day.

  Madison returned to the table and sat beside Ryan.

  He slipped his hand over hers and squeezed. Close, connected. “You raised some good kids.”

  “You’re not doing a bad job yourself,” she said, turning to him. Face so close, body right there. It would be so easy to lean in and press their lips together. So right, yet not what she was allowed.

  Excitement bubbled out of Talia as she zipped back to where they sat and handed the phone to Madison. “Kyle has an idea,” she all but shouted.

  Madison went back to her brother. “What’s up?”

  “In case it helps, Talia said she needs a present to give to all her friends. You remember when we made cookies in a jar? Everybody we gave them to loved them, and Joe and I had a blast making them.”

  It was perfect. “Kyle, you’re a genius.”

  “Of course I am. Got raised by the best big sister in the world.”

  Talia danced around the room while Madison updated Ryan on the idea.

  It was Ryan who added another brilliant touch. “If you don’t think it’s too weird to have people help make their own presents, Talia could have Emma and Chrissy come here to make up the cookie jars.”

  Which is how, on Wednesday afternoon, the house was filled with Talia’s friends for a not-birthday-party but a get-ready-for-a-party event. Which probably wasn’t much different from what her actual birthday would’ve been, but Talia was happy, which made Ryan happy.

  Which made Madison want to straight up tell him that she planned on never leaving.

  They set up stations around the island in the kitchen. Ryan did the tricky part of putting flour, salt, and baking powder into the bottom of the jar. Then he passed it to Talia, who got to scoop in chocolate chips and sugar. Crissy added nuts. Emma topped it off with coconut.

  At the end of the line, Madison closed the jars with the festive piece of fabric she’d found that had balloons on it. A piece of ribbon around the neck held the directions for assembly and baking.

  When the girls raced off to play in Talia’s room, Ryan stepped in behind Madison, sliding his hands over her hips and tugging her back against his body. A full-length, backwards hug as he just stood there and rocked them quietly. His cheek against hers as they admired the collection of jars all over the table.

  “Thank you for making another special memory for my daughter.” Ryan caressed his lips over her ear.

  “Making good memories for me as well,” Madison pointed out.

  It was tempting to turn. To wrap herself up tight in his embrace and admit what she was feeling. Instead she stood there and soaked in the moment of gratitude he offered. The connection of two good friends making memories for a little girl.

  Christmas Day just continued the fun.

  While Talia had insisted it was her birthday, more than birthday presents rested on the table in the morning.

  Madison shrugged. “I brought some things with me.”

  “And I had already picked up some stuff as well,” Ryan admitted.

  Talia leaned forward, interest rising when she noticed her name on one of the boxes. “I don’t mind sharing Christmas with my birthday.”

  Ryan laughed until he cried when the far-too-small to be suspicious box with his name from Madison on it turned out to hold a note that read “under the table.” He peeked and discovered she’d stuck the sweater to the underside with some sturdy duct tape.

  The delivery of Talia’s birthday gifts took a lot longer than Madison expected. Thank goodness Ryan had stepped in and taken over making the schedule, because Madison had assumed they’d come to the door, Talia would shout happy birthday, explain what she was doing, and then they’d leave.

  Madison had forgotten to factor in that, unlike her brothers—who would have been focused on conquering the list—Talia was a social butterfly. Ryan planned the visits for when friends said they would be on a break from their own Christmas celebrations, which meant every place they stopped issued an invite to join in for a drink or treat. So much good food, and so many wonderful people.

  Hanna and Brad had a bonfire going in their backyard, so they stopped to roast a marshmallow and make s’mores. Little Drew’s eyes were wide as flames flickered in front of them.

  Out at Silver Stone ranch, Emma’s extended family was all out in the arena, riding. Emma and her big sister, Sasha, immediately took Talia off into the goat pen, where laughter rang out in loud peals over and over.

  It was nearly five o’clock by the time Ryan, Talia, and Madison got home, and Talia was still bouncing. “Suppertime now. Yes?”

  Ryan tousled her hair and grinned. “Yes. It’s time for your birthday pizza.”

  It was un-Christmassy in so many ways, yet all the touches were there that Madison needed for her own celebration. She talked to her mom and her brothers. She’d stopped in and visited with all of her new friends.

  She’d watched Talia’s eyes dance with happiness as she presented canning jars full of cookie mix to all of the special people in her life, including her ballet teacher and, “Ms. Sonora, who takes care of all the puppies.”

  And when Talia went to bed, Ryan caught Madison by the hand and pulled her into his bedroom where he locked the door and proceeded to give her another very wonderful, very appreciated gift.

  He undid the buttons of the red sparkly sweater and carefully placed it on the chair. “Wouldn’t want anything to happen to that. I’m pretty sure you’ll be wearing it at least once more this month.”

  Madison smiled as he moved in and pressed their lips together, connection and pleasure sliding in. He stripped away her clothes and his and brought her onto the mattress. Working his way down her body then teasing her until she shook with need.

  Then he rolled her on top of him, handed her a condom, and put her in charge. Which was just fine. Perfect in fact.

  She took her own turn exploring his body. Kissing and licking and appreciating every one of his muscular contours. Easing the condom on slow enough, his thigh muscles all but quivered by the time she rose over him and rocked her sex on his hard length.

  One inch. Another. Slowly she joined them together. Hands pressed to his chest, his fingers digging into her butt cheeks as he shook with need.

  “Feels so good.” The words slid from him, deep and rasping.

  “Going to feel better,” she promised. Rising slowly, following down. Filling and emptying over and over. Speeding up as the need rose and his hands took control. Helping keep her in position as he thrust up into her.

  Ryan slid one hand forward, between her legs. Stroking where he entered her body, intimate and so very good. His fingers wet, he dragged moisture over her clit. Rubbing hard enough that there was no stopping, no slowing down.

  Pleasure wrapped around both of them and exploded. Bright lights flared like fireworks at the edges of her vision.

  She wasn’t falling. She’d landed.

  Madison was in love with her best friend, and the only way to make it better?

  Make it last forever.

  16

  Because they’d used Friday for Talia’s special day, Saturday meant a trip to Black Diamond for a holiday meal with his parents. Plus, Talia was lined up for an extended visit for a few more days.

  His daughter hauled Ryan into her room for a private talk as she packed her bag for the trip. Turning her serious little-girl eyes on him, she folded her arms over her chest. A mirror image of him. “I want to stay with Nâinai and Yéyé, but I want to stay here with Madison, too.”

  “I know. Onl
y, your grandparents have been looking forward to time with you.”

  Talia’s lower lip quivered, and she sighed mightily. “I’m happy about staying with them, but I feel like crying.”

  “Oh, little one.” Ryan pulled her into his arms and held on tight. Teenage Talia was just around the corner. He’d need divine intervention to survive the coming storm, and yet he couldn’t wait.

  Learning who this tenderhearted yet bold child would grow into thrilled him to bits.

  By the time he and Madison were getting ready to leave Black Diamond, his daughter was once again smiling. He noticed she gave both he and Madison equally long, possessive hugs before they left.

  He had to agree. Letting Madison go when it came time would be hell on both Talia and him.

  Ryan and Madison returned to Heart Falls and dove into a very long and enthusiastic Saturday night crowd at Rough Cut.

  Since he didn’t have to go pick up Talia, Sunday became a catch-up day. Madison vanished for a few hours with her new girlfriends. When she returned, her cheeks were glowing from the cold.

  She also had a snowball hidden in her hand that she shoved down the back of his shirt seconds after sliding back into the house.

  He retaliated by stripping her down right there and taking her on the living room floor. Their laughter shifted into moans and cries of pleasure that echoed off the walls of his home.

  Ryan had her in his bed, and his arms, every chance he got since they didn’t need to worry about Talia walking in on them.

  The sex was amazing, but interestingly, Ryan found himself simply holding Madison for long moments at a time. Walking up behind her in the kitchen. Interrupting her as she pulled on her coat. Spooning around her in bed, legs impossibly tangled together. As if storing up the connection between them would somehow help him survive once she was gone.

  A dozen times he’d opened his mouth to ask if she would consider changing her plans. Stick around and stay close instead of moving to the other end of the country.