Dating by Design Series Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

  “I told you boys to leave your sister alone.”

  “She needs to be acclimated back to real life.” Colton grinned.

  “She’s not staying.” Dad looked at me to make sure I got the message.

  It was then I noticed what they were all wearing. “You guys already opened your Christmas presents?”

  They all looked down at their clothes with looks of guilt.

  “I guess I’ll have to head into town today and do some shopping.”

  “Don’t waste your money, Megan.”

  “Speak for yourself, Dad. I’ll give you my wish list.” Lincoln grinned at me.

  “And where’s the tree?”

  “Don’t have time or need for one.” Dad rinsed out his cup in the sink.

  “Well, we’re getting one now that I’m home, even if I have to chop it down myself and drag it home.”

  “That’d be a sight.” Colton laughed.

  “I could do it.”

  “Let’s bet.” Lincoln held out his hand to me.

  “Enough.” Dad threw on his lined hat. “If it means that much to you, I’ll bring one home tonight.”

  I approached my dad, stood on my tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “Thank you, Daddy,” the boys mocked.

  I rolled my eyes at them. We had reverted to grade school.

  My dad touched his cheek where I kissed him.

  “Do you guys want me to make you some breakfast?”

  My dad scowled. “We already ate. You’re not here to wait on us.”

  “I want to help.”

  “Why don’t you come out and break the ice with us in the ponds and water troughs then?” Lincoln asked.

  “Lincoln, knock it off.” My dad had always had the final say.

  “I’ll need to take the truck into town to get some cleaning supplies and stock up the pantry.”

  Dad shook his head. “I suppose.”

  “Can you still drive in the snow?” Colton teased.

  “Let’s go, boys, we need to get that gate fixed and protein tubs out.”

  “Have a good day.” I waved. “I’ll leave something warm for lunch in the crockpot before I head to town.”

  Dad kissed my head as he left, frowning.

  The boys had stupid grins and requested chili as they followed Dad and the dog out.

  I took a long, hot shower, trying to warm up after scouring the thing. My body wasn’t used to this weather. I wore a layer of thermal underwear under my lined jeans and sweatshirt. I wasn’t looking my finest, but who did I have to dress up for?

  I made chili and put it in the crockpot to keep it warm. I wanted to hurry and get to town so I could get home and clean, maybe even bake some cookies. Christmas was in six days and I intended to have a proper Christmas in a clean house. Mom would have agreed.

  I should have known going into town wouldn’t be a fast trip. Everybody knew everyone in Addison. And as luck would have it, I ran into Bernadette at the local grocery store. There she was with a baby on her hip, a toddler sitting in the basket, and she looked several months pregnant, and did I mention tired? I was tired just looking at her. No longer did she look like our prom queen with her barely combed hair in a ponytail and her mom jeans. She exuded a different kind of beauty now, but it looked like it came with little time for herself.

  “Bernie.” I smiled as I walked toward her with my full cart.

  Her eyes widened. “Is that you, Meg? What are you doing in town?”

  I gave her a hug and took the hand her baby boy reached out to me. “Just home for the holidays,” I half lied.

  “You look terrific. City life looks good on you.”

  “Thanks. How are you?”

  She shifted the little guy in her arms and grabbed a box of cookies out of her daughter’s hand. “Oh, you know, busy.”

  “I see that. How’s Richie?” Richie was her husband and our high school quarterback.

  “He’s still working in the mines.”

  “That’s quite a drive from here.”

  “He’s been staying there during the week and coming home on weekends.”

  “That must be difficult.”

  She shrugged. “It keeps a roof over our heads and food on the table, so we can’t complain.”

  No wonder she looked so tired. I gave her another hug. “You’re doing good things.” I smiled at her cute kids.

  “You do what you have to do out here.”

  “It was good to see you. Merry Christmas.” I walked away, knowing she was exactly why my dad sent me away and why he didn’t want me to come back.

  I got home and unloaded the truck. It was time to crank up the old stereo, put on some Christmas tunes, and get my clean on. While I was sweeping, I kept thinking about what I would be doing at work. I wondered how full my inbox was getting. Kenadie said she would put an out of office reply and handle any client emails that came in for me. It was more than nice considering she was getting married the following weekend. A wedding I was supposed to be in. That dress alone made going back worth it.

  I wondered who the Nanettes found to be the new bridesmaids on such short notice. I loved those women, even if they did give me false hope about Zander. I wondered what he was doing. I was dumb enough to keep checking my phone to see if he would contact me. I knew it was unrealistic, but there was a microscopic hope in my heart that he would figure out what he wanted and his conclusion would be me. But that was as unrealistic as this house cleaning itself.

  Even though I was tired after a day of serious cleaning, I looked nowhere near as beat as my dad did when he came walking in with the most beautiful blue spruce. He had made a wood stand for it and everything. He set it near the roaring fireplace, but not too close.

  I hugged his cold mid-section. “It’s perfect, thank you.”

  He wrapped his arms around me. “You remind me so much of your mother.”

  “That’s a good thing, right?”

  “Yes, but she deserved better too.”

  “She was happy.”

  He kissed the top of my head. “You’re a good kid.”

  I let go of him. “Get warm by the fire. I thought we could grill steaks tonight cowboy style in the fireplace. I have potatoes baking in the oven.” It was his favorite dinner.

  “You’re still not staying,” he called out to me as I headed for the kitchen.

  I knew that.

  I was too tired to even think about decorating the tree, besides I had to let the popcorn sit out and dry for a day before I could string it. I hesitated making another popcorn and cranberry garland. The memory of Zander and me making one together lingered in my heart. But it was tradition and I wanted my time at home to be filled with what I loved about growing up.

  I was asleep before I knew it, but was awakened around 11 p.m. by the landline ringing. Out here, you still needed one, even if they went out as much as the cell service sometimes did. I wasn’t too worried about it. It was probably some neighbor who lost an animal or got stuck. Maybe even an animal that needed help birthing. My dad wasn’t a veterinarian, but he had a lot of experience and had saved several animals’ lives over the years.

  Sure enough, within a few minutes my dad was knocking on my door. “I’ve got to go pull someone out of a ditch on County Road 185.”

  I rubbed my eyes. “Okay, be careful.”

  “I’m taking Lincoln, so call Colton if you need anything.”

  What would I need this late at night? I think he sometimes forgot I lived alone and that I was a grown woman. All I needed was sleep and, thankfully, it was easy to come by. I curled back up with Dakota and drifted right back off until I heard rustling in the kitchen the next morning.

  I stretched under the covers and looked at the clock, 5:36 a.m. How my dad kept up his hours, I would never know. I hadn’t heard him come back in last night. I hoped he wasn’t just now getting home. That thought had me braving getting out of my warm bed. I ran my fingers through my hair while Dakota
and I headed toward the kitchen.

  Dakota veered away from me and headed for the couch instead of outside, where he needed to go. He started sniffing at the lump under a pile of blankets on the couch. My dad walked out with a coffee cup in hand and leaned against the entryway between the kitchen and living room.

  “Lincoln spend the night?”

  My dad stared at the pile of blankets. “Dakota go outside.” My dad’s tone was hushed, but full of authority.

  Dakota quit investigating and headed for the back door where his dog door was.

  “Why didn’t Lincoln go back to his place?”

  “That’s not Lincoln.” Dad headed back into the kitchen.

  I followed my dad, curious about who slept on the couch. I hoped it wasn’t Colton. That wouldn’t be good news.

  “Is it Colton?” I whispered.

  Dad shook his head.

  “Is it anyone I know?”

  “Claims he knows you.”

  A he? “Did we go to school together?”

  “Nope.”

  “Dad, who is it?”

  “Does Alexzander Grainger ring a bell?”

  I fell back against the counter. Yeah, I knew him.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  I heard a ringing in my ears. For a moment I thought it was a joke, but my dad never joked and he didn’t pull that name out of a hat. But all that kept running through my brain was who, what, when, where, and especially why.

  I leaned over so I could peek at the lump of blankets on the couch. “When did he get here?” I kept my voice down. I was surprised we hadn’t already woken him up.

  Dad sat at the now cleared kitchen table. It had taken me an hour to clear and clean it properly. “We rescued the dang fool last night.”

  “He’s the one who was stuck? Is he okay?” I joined my dad at the table.

  “He’s a little banged up, but he’ll survive. Idiot rented a sports car.”

  That sounded like him. I would have smiled, but I was too stunned and confused. “Did he say why he’s here?”

  My dad’s chin lowered. “I would think that was obvious.”

  I sat back. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Well, believe it.” He pushed back his chair and stood up. “Daylight’s burning.” He kissed my head. The sun wasn’t even up.

  “You’re going to leave me alone with him?”

  Dad halted, alarmed. “Has he hurt you?”

  “No.” Not physically.

  “Sounds like you two have some things to work out then.” He started to leave again.

  “Wait.”

  Dad turned back around.

  “Did he say anything to you?”

  “The only thing that matters is what his coming here says to you.” He didn’t give me a chance to say anything else. He threw his hat on and headed out into the bitter cold morning.

  I pulled my knees up on the chair and thought for a minute. I did not see this coming. I wasn’t sure what to do. Did I check on him? Did I send him packing? It was a toss-up. My conscience won out. I crept into the family room, nervous as I had ever been. I had never felt nervous around him before. It was one of the many aspects of our relationship, or whatever you called it, I enjoyed. I watched the mound on the couch for a minute before approaching. I tiptoed across the cold hardwood floor before kneeling in front of the couch where I assumed his head was. I detected a hint that he was still alive when his body shifted.

  I took a deep breath and peeled the first wool blanket away. Next was an old thick quilt my grandma had made. Last but not least was a down sleeping bag that I found him nestled into. In the dim light, I made out his handsome face. I loved the stubble. And he almost looked innocent while he slept. I also noticed what looked like some bruising on his forehead. As upset as I was with him, I hoped he was okay.

  I lightly brushed his hair with my hand. I loved the feel of it.

  His eyes fluttered open. He squinted and focused on me. “Darlin’.”

  I gently touched the bruise on his forehead. “Are you okay?”

  He moved and groaned. “I’m alive.”

  I lowered myself and rested on my legs. “Why are you here?”

  He rolled to his side. I could tell it caused him some pain and effort. His smile bordered on a smirk. “The Nanettes and Kenz were threatening significant bodily harm if you didn’t come back.”

  “Oh.” I stood up. “I see.” He came because he was pushed to.

  “Meg.” He tried to sit up.

  My brothers came crashing through the back door into the kitchen.

  Zander scrambled to sit upright.

  “Heard there was some city slicker in here with no brains, driving a sissy car to see our sister,” Colton yelled way too loudly.

  I cringed and looked at an embarrassed Zander running his fingers through his hair. I had never seen him express that particular emotion, but even in the low light I could see his face was a shade or two redder than it had been. I marched into the kitchen and stood in front of the entryway between the two rooms. It was obvious they had come to torture Zander, and as much as he probably deserved it, I couldn’t forget he had been stuck in a ditch. I wasn’t sure how hurt he was. I stood there with my arms folded shaking my head.

  My brother’s both wore evil smiles.

  “Trying to protect your boyfriend?” Lincoln inched toward me.

  “He’s not my boyfriend.” I knew full well Zander could hear every word we were saying.

  The boys looked between themselves. “She’s lying.” They both rushed me at the same time, but it was Colton who picked me up and moved me right out of the way. Lincoln breezed by and Colton set me down. They were both laughing hysterically. Those dang boys. They were to Zander in a second.

  Zander sat up as straight as he could.

  I tried to intervene as much as possible by placing myself between my brothers and Zander. “Colton, Lincoln, this is Zander. We work together, or at least we did.”

  Zander narrowed his eyes at me.

  The boys sidestepped me and neared their victim.

  “That was a pretty fancy car you had last night. Too bad you wrecked it.” Lincoln started in on him first.

  “Enough.” I stepped in front of the clowns again. “You guys get to work.”

  “Oh, we will. But what kind of brothers would we be if we didn’t interrogate, I mean, get to know your boyfriend?” Colton slid past me and sat right next to Zander. The other idiot brother took Zander’s other side.

  “I told you we aren’t dating.”

  “So you’re stalking her?” Lincoln glared at Zander.

  “Not my style.” Zander glared right back.

  “So what’s going on with you two?” Colton asked.

  “That’s between Meg and me.” Zander set his sights on me.

  “See, you have to get through us to get to Meg.” Colton high-fived Lincoln.

  “Seriously, guys, get out of here.”

  Lincoln grinned. He looked like the devil. “We will.” He patted Zander hard on the shoulder, making him wince. “Your boyfriend here is coming with us. There’s no lying around on a ranch.”

  “Oh no, no, no.” I locked eyes with a worried Zander.

  “You wouldn’t mind helping us out, would you, Zander?” Colton said his name like he was daring him.

  That unfortunately ignited his ridiculous male pride. “I’m game.”

  “Boys, in the kitchen, I need to speak to Zander alone. There’s cookies, so help yourself.”

  Their stomachs were bigger than their brains. They bolted up and headed for the kitchen.

  I sat down on the couch, but not too close to Zander. I kept my voice down. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”

  “That’s not true.” He reached up, the back of his hand gliding down my cheek.

  I caught my breath. “The Nanettes and Kenadie?” Was he here to prove something to them?

  He smirk
ed. “They do seem to like me less since you’ve entered the picture.”

  “Well, I’m gone now.”

  “I noticed.”

  “You don’t have to pretend like you care.”

  “Like you’re pretending we never dated.”

  “We didn’t.”

  He scooted closer. The heat level crept up. “What do you call all those nights and days together?”

  “We . . . were . . . pretending,” I stuttered.

  “Were we really?” He ran his hand through my hair. “You felt real to me.”

  “You laughed us off and ignored me.” I pushed off the couch. “Be careful today.” Maybe he deserved a little time out in the cold. I walked into the kitchen. “Make sure he’s properly dressed and don’t hurt him.”

  The boys grinned between each other, cookie crumbs on their faces.

  “Ah, he’ll be all right. We’ll only take him out to feed the herd. And Dad had me bring him down some warm clothes.” Lincoln did his best impression of an innocent person.

  I wasn’t buying it. “Play nice. I mean it.”

  Their smiles didn’t bring me much comfort.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  I anxiously paced around the house, checking out the back several times to see if there was any sign of life. Not like I could see any of the pastures from the house. The best I could do before they left was make sure he was dressed accordingly for the weather. He looked so out of place, on the ranch in plaid and work boots. One of my dad’s old coats swallowed him up. And I knew he was sore and tired, but the testosterone in the house was making fools out of all of them.

  To calm my nerves, I got Colton’s old room across from mine ready for Zander to stay in. Though I wasn’t sure how long he was staying. I knew his rental car had been towed away, per Lincoln. I guess he was pretty shaken up and half frozen when they got to him. I still couldn’t believe he was here. I didn’t even know how he knew where here was.

  Colton’s room had long been cleaned out, so all I had to do was put clean bedding on the bed, dust, and sweep. I placed Zander’s bag on Colton’s old bed and peeked in the opened zipper. He was the most meticulous packer. That shouldn’t have surprised me, but what did surprise me was how many clothes he had brought. Was he planning on staying for a while? He definitely had to get back for all the wedding festivities. And his parents were coming for Christmas this weekend.