The Christmas Triplets

by Tanya Michaels

  Her mother met her in the foyer. “The girls are putting on their pajamas. I wasn’t sure when you were coming back. I had no idea it took so long to return a baby blanket.”

  “He needed help feeding Tommy.”

  “Don’t let that man use you, Megan. He’s just like Spencer, a charmer. I’m sure he knows how to manipulate that charm to—”

  “He is nothing like Spencer. There is more thoughtfulness and kindness in Will Trent’s little finger than my ex-husband had.”

  “Oh no,” Beth Ann breathed, pressing a hand to her midsection. “This is worse than I thought. You have feelings for him.”

  “Yes. Friendly, neighborly feelings.” She went into the kitchen to fill the teakettle, hoping in vain that going into a different room would end the conversation.

  Her mother followed after her. “You’re going to get in over your head. Spencer’s affairs injured your pride, and I understand that a fling is probably a wonderful pick-me-up—”

  “Will is not a fling. No one’s getting flung, Mother.”

  “—but you have three impressionable daughters to think about. They have to come before hormones and a hot fireman.”

  Megan slammed the kettle onto the stove and whirled around. “Are you suggesting that I don’t put those girls first? That I don’t think every day about how they’re dependent on me? Because—”

  “You’re a good mother,” Beth Ann said softly. “I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise. But a man like Will Trent could turn a woman’s head. Make sure yours is clear.” With that, she went to check on the girls to make sure bedtime preparations hadn’t turned into a toothpaste free-for-all.

  Megan’s earlier good mood had evaporated like steam from the kettle. Her mother was overbearing and prone to negativity. But she wasn’t entirely wrong. Will Trent could definitely turn a woman’s head.

  Except it wasn’t her head Megan was worried about.

  Chapter Eleven

  As she scurried around her room in her bathrobe, Megan felt like an actress who was about to play two roles in the same production. Today was the wedding. Megan needed to get to the church early for setup, and she was also packing a bag and cosmetics so that she could change later. Kate had invited her to use the bridal rooms where she, Crystal and Sierra would be getting ready.

  Megan shimmied into a pair of jeans and an elegant gold sweater, making a mental checklist of everything she still needed to do. For starters, blow-dry your hair. The wet strands clinging to her face made it hard to see what accessories she was grabbing.

  But no sooner had she turned on the hair dryer than there was a knock at her bedroom door.

  Great. No doubt her mother wanted to get in one last lecture. Although she hadn’t said anything derogatory about Will in front of the girls, who adored him, she’d mumbled a few snide comments to Megan—including an innuendo-laden report of a pretty woman showing up on his doorstep. Half wondering if Amy had returned, Megan had glanced out the window, then laughed. “That’s Kate, the woman marrying his brother. Quit trying to create scandals.”

  “Megan?” her mom called through the closed door.

  She briefly considered pretending that she hadn’t heard Beth Ann over the dryer. Don’t be passive-aggressive. You’re better than that. Probably.

  “I’m a little busy,” she hollered back, “so if—”

  Her mom opened the door and poked her head inside, her expression troubled. “You have a phone call,” she said apologetically. “Spencer.”

  The last thing Megan wanted to do right now was speak to her faithless ex-husband, but this might be important. He was scheduled to arrive the day after tomorrow. She reached for the extension on her nightstand. “Thanks, Mom. I’ve got it.” She waited until her mother had closed the door and moved away. “Spencer? This is unexpected.”

  “Hi, Meggie. We need to talk about my visit next week.”

  Her grip tightened on the phone, her stomach churning. “Your daughters never get to see you. So help me, if you are canceling on them—”

  “Just the opposite,” he interrupted. “I thought about it, and I agree it’s important I spend Christmas Day with them. Like you originally invited me to do. Bonnie convinced me it would be the right thing.”

  Stop grinding your teeth. Just because her ex was a wishy-washy adulterer who prioritized his girlfriend’s opinion over his parenting responsibilities was no reason to cause herself dental damage. “As I recall, Bonnie was why you couldn’t come on Christmas Day. Big of her to change her mind.”

  “There’s no need for the waspish tone. You’re getting exactly what you wanted.”

  No, dumb-ass. What I wanted was a husband who stuck to his vows. In a perfect world, they would have spent this and future Christmases as an intact family.

  “I do have one condition,” he continued. “I want Bonnie to come with me.”

  She made a gurgling sound, choking on her laughter. Or outrage. “You want to bring your girlfriend to spend Christmas at my house.”

  “Bonnie and I are very serious about each other. We’ll spend Christmas morning with her parents, then drive to Cupid’s Bow. If all goes well, by that afternoon, she won’t just be my girlfriend. She’ll be my fiancée.”

  Megan’s stomach plummeted. She dimly realized her hands were shaking. It wasn’t that she still had tender feelings for Spencer; her reaction stemmed from shock. For the last couple of years of their marriage, he’d shown so little respect for the institution that it had never occurred to her he might one day try it again.

  “Megan?” he asked softly. “I know this probably comes as a surprise—”

  “You think?”

  “I screwed up our marriage, and as a result I lost you and the girls. I want to be a better man, I want to get it right the next time. Bonnie is my fresh start.”

  She kept to herself the rather cynical observation that it sounded as if he wanted Bonnie more for what she represented than out of deep and abiding love. “For the record, Spencer, you didn’t lose your girls. They are here, and they deserve to have a father. I never tried to stop you from contacting them or spending time with them. In fact, I’ve encouraged it.” Adamantly.

  “I know. You’ve been great about everything. Which is why I felt comfortable asking if I could bring Bonnie. I mean, it only makes sense for them to meet their future stepmother.”

  I can’t believe he’s doing this at Christmas. Was Megan just supposed to invite the woman who was replacing her into her home and have a holly, jolly time?

  Then again, how could she be astounded by Spencer’s selfishness? It was completely true to character. “Bring her, but the two of you will have to find a hotel for the night. You won’t be staying here.”

  “Of course not, wouldn’t dream of it. I’m so glad we worked this out! It’s a blessing to know you’re not going to be difficult about my moving forward with my life. And don’t worry, Megan.” His voice oozed what was probably meant to be friendly support. “I’m sure you’ll be moving on with your own life before you know it.”

  He was so lucky that she had over a week to calm down. If he’d been in the room with her right at that moment, she would’ve congratulated him on his engagement with her knee.

  * * *

  AS SHE’D TOLD WILL, Megan had temporarily lost some of her joy in weddings. And as she stomped up the sidewalk toward the church, still irate over her phone call from Spencer, she was afraid that today might be worse than usual. But as soon as she began unpacking flowers and netting and greenery, her mood lifted. Not just because she loved her job, although she did, but because she recalled Kate’s enthusiasm as she had picked out each arrangement and bud. Kate was a wonderful woman, who deserved a lifetime of happiness, and despite Megan’s occasional cynical moments, she believed down to her bones that Cole would provide that.<
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  The men of the world could learn something from the Trent brothers, Megan decided, thinking of Jace’s kindness to her girls when he’d been their Santa Claus and all of the times Will had brightened her day. She made a vow to herself right then and there: today would be bright. Not just for the bride and groom, but for Megan. While she hadn’t appreciated Spencer’s condescending remark about her moving forward, she refused to dwell on her past. She might never be ready for a step like Kate and Cole were taking, joining their families and planning a forever future, but she wanted to be more than a divorced woman whose self-esteem had been rocked by her husband’s cheating.

  She would be spending the day with people she really liked, her date was drop-dead sexy—imagining him in his tux made her toes curl—and she had free babysitting. What more could a single mom ask for? Her mother had cautioned that Will was not the kind of man with whom she could have a future. Maybe not. But perhaps there was something to be said for slowing down and taking a little more time to enjoy the present.

  * * *

  THE WEDDING WAS PERFECT. Megan sat in the pew with a lump in her throat from the moment Alyssa and Mandy walked down the aisle, identical flower girls beaming with happiness that their father was about to marry Kate. Although Kate’s teenage son was far past the traditional age of a ring bearer, Luke had also been included in the ceremony. He and Deputy Thomas were both acting as ushers and had seated special guests prior to the ceremony

  Next came Sierra Bailey, bridesmaid, and Crystal Walsh, matron of honor, but even though Megan should be watching them, her gaze kept straying to the front of the sanctuary where Will stood with his brothers. All three were handsome men, but in her opinion, Will’s appeal was unmatchable.

  He looked every bit as delectable in his tuxedo as she had predicted, and judging by his dazed reaction when they’d run into each other outside the sanctuary earlier, he liked how she looked, too. The tailoring of her green dress was very flattering and, after so many days of jeans and sneakers, the low back that left her shoulder blades exposed felt glamorously daring. Before the ceremony, Sierra had helped her curl her thick, dark hair and pin it to one side. Sierra had also let her borrow jeweled chandelier earrings that were far more dazzling than the pair Megan had planned to wear.

  The service was brief, eloquent in its simplicity. This was the second marriage for both Kate and Cole, and they knew what was at stake, understood what being married meant. They exchanged vows that they had written, and nobody sneezed or stumbled. Megan was glad. Moments of perfection were rare in life, and they’d earned this one. As Will looked on, so visibly happy for his brother, she knew that in spite of any previous joking around, he wanted this to be flawless for them, too.

  After Cole kissed the bride, he spun toward the guests with a mischievous smile. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to celebrate!”

  Applause filled the room, and the organist began playing the recessional.

  The reception was being held at the Cupid’s Bow Country Club; Megan had coordinated centerpieces and other decorations with the staff there. In the crush of people exiting the sanctuary, Will grabbed her hand.

  “Do you want to ride over with me?” he asked, lacing his fingers through hers as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

  “Absolutely.” She wanted to say something clever or flirty, but she was so full of emotion that casual conversation wouldn’t quite come.

  The short drive across town was quiet, but not awkward. She and Will kept exchanging smiles, stealing glances. She’d gaze sidelong in his direction and catch him doing the same. She knew she was grinning like an idiot. “You’re staring.”

  “Busted. Just so you know, it’s extremely difficult to keep my eyes on the road when I’m sitting next to such a beautiful woman.”

  She smoothed her hands over her skirt, loving the satiny feel against her skin. “It’s the dress.” Jasmine was a genius with fashion, and the boutique splurge had been worth it.

  Will pulled his car into the country-club parking lot. “It’s the woman. Trust me.” He took the key out of the ignition but didn’t reach for his car door. Instead, he reached for her. He stroked one hand over her shoulder, and ripples of pleasure went through her body. “I know we have to go inside, but once we do, we’re subject to everybody else’s opinions and scrutiny. When I kissed you at the Christmas tree farm, I wasn’t thinking about witnesses or local gossip. I was only thinking about your mouth.”

  Liquid heat melted through her. In response to his words, her gaze locked on his lips. To heck with the reception. There was no place she’d rather be than in this car, in Will’s arms.

  “I don’t want to do anything in there that will make you the object of public speculation, but, Megan, I’ve needed to kiss you since the minute I saw you today.”

  She cupped his face in her hands, sliding a finger over his strong cheekbone, admiring his hard jaw, and leaned into him. This was not a sweet Mistletoe Moment fit for onlookers. This was repressed desire finally free to express itself.

  How many times had she thought about kissing Will again? The reality of it was hotter and deeper than her imaginings. When his tongue teased over her lips and swept into her mouth, she moaned her encouragement for more. Heat pooled between her thighs, in her breasts, the tips hardened, aching for his touch. The sheer wantonness of her response shocked her. On some level, she recognized that even though it was dark outside, she and Will were still visible beneath the parking lot lights. But that didn’t seem like enough motivation to quit kissing him.

  He was the one who finally found the self-control to end the kiss. She clutched the front of his jacket in protest, but he was already tracing his lips over the sensitive curve of her neck, and she trembled in renewed pleasure.

  When he reached between them to palm her breast, she almost cried out. Too much. She started to swat his hand away but then raised it to her mouth and kissed his fingertips instead. Were the windows starting to fog?

  “We’ve got to stop, or we’ll miss the reception.”

  He nipped at her earlobe. “I’ll pay for their honeymoon.”

  Her laugh was ragged. “We have to go inside. You have to give a toast.”

  “Fine, but it’s your fault if the toast is incoherent. I don’t have enough blood left in my brain to string sentences together.”

  “It will be better once we get out of the car,” she said, trying to convince herself as much as him. “Then you’ll be able to think clearly.”

  He gave her a final, searing kiss. “Just for the record, I haven’t been able to think clearly since I realized you were standing under mistletoe. I doubt I’ll start now.”

  * * *

  IT WAS LATE, but nobody seemed to want to leave. Megan could empathize. When was the last time she’d had so much fun? Champagne had been flowing freely, Jace had been cracking her up with childhood stories about Will and she’d danced for two hours. Her shoes were under a chair somewhere, and she’d borrowed an elastic band from Anita Drake to loop her hair into a ponytail once she started to perspire. Megan was hot and sticky and deliriously happy.

  Even though Kate and Cole weren’t leaving for their honeymoon until the day after Christmas, Megan was sure the newlyweds must be eager to be alone. So she wasn’t surprised when the DJ made the announcement that it was time for the bride to throw her bouquet. “Will all of the unmarried women take the floor?”

  Ladies ranging from their twenties to their sixties—including Dagmar—headed for the center of the room. Standing to the side, Megan grinned.

  Kate tugged at her arm. “What are you waiting for, unmarried woman?”

  Megan blinked in surprise. “I’m not part of this, I made the bouquet.”

  “Come on, it’s my wedding day. Don’t be a spoilsport.”

  Megan humored her by joining
the throng, but stayed toward the back edge. She had no intention of embarrassing herself by diving for those flowers. Even though the whole tradition was a silly superstition, she hoped Sierra caught the arrangement. She was clearly smitten with Jarrett Ross, and more engagements meant more weddings, which was good for business.

  Town librarian Hadley Lanier was also hovering at the outskirts. The pretty young woman winked at Megan. “It’s safer back here. You do not want to get between Becca Johnston and those flowers.”

  “Is she that eager to remarry?” Megan knew that, like her, the town councilwoman had gotten a divorce sometime during the last few years.

  “She’s just very goal-oriented. I don’t think it matters whether the goal is getting the council to vote in her favor or catching flowers.”

  “Ah.”

  The DJ played a prerecorded drumroll, and Kate launched the bouquet.

  From the crowd, Jace whistled. “With an arm like that, why isn’t she on the church softball team?”

  Megan had turned automatically toward the sound of his voice and didn’t realize the flowers were sailing at her head until it was practically too late. She held up her hands to protect her face, and the crowd cheered.

  “Congratulations,” Hadley said.

  “Thanks.” But I don’t want these. They were a symbol of the future, and she wasn’t ready to think about that right now. Was it so wrong to savor the moment?

  Then again, the moment was ending. She knew it was almost time to leave. After the crowd of well-wishers had seen Kate and Cole to their car, she returned inside to find her shoes. It was like Cinderella in reverse. Slipping her foot into her glass slippers—okay, fine, beaded three-inch pumps—signaled the arrival of an unwanted midnight.

  As they walked to the car, Will settled his tuxedo jacket over her shoulders and she cast him a grateful smile. “I had a wonderful time tonight,” she said softly. “I’m glad that you asked me, and that you didn’t give up when I tried to turn you down.”