Mistletoe In Montana: A Christmas Novella

by Belle Calhoune

  Luke met her gaze. Something flashed in his eyes that looked a lot like pain. “Were you ever happy with him? Did you love him?”

  She bit down on her lip to stop it from trembling. “I thought I did. It sounds so terrible to say it out loud, but I was blown away by his power and influence. He was so powerful and well-known. He made me believe he could give me all of my dreams wrapped up in a nice pretty bow.”

  Luke knitted his brows together. “And did he? Before things went wrong?”

  She shrugged. “Some. I did grow to love him as my husband. I took those vows very seriously. But I grew to realize that even the things I thought were my dreams were only illusions. They disappeared like puffs of smoke in the light of day. You can only fool yourself for so long about the things that truly matter.”

  “That’s no way to live,” Luke said.

  “It’s not really living. Just existing,” Brenna added.

  “Call me selfish, but Half Moon Ranch reminds me of you. Is it any wonder I’d take the chance to buy it?”

  Brenna lifted her face so that she was looking up at him. His expression seemed uncertain, as if he was contemplating his plan to buy her family’s ranch. Although he had made it sound like a done deal, she was beginning to wonder if he was having second thoughts.

  “What if I asked you not to buy it, Luke? Would you do that for me?” she whispered. Once the words slipped out of her mouth she wanted to push them back in again. She wasn’t being fair to pose that question to him.

  Luke let out a groan. “Brenna. Don’t ask me to do that. Half Moon Ranch has to be sold. Trust me, I’ve looked into the situation, hoping I could find some sort of loophole. Better me than someone who’ll turn this place upside down and tear it to shreds.”

  Brenna choked back a sob. She knew that begging Luke had been a long shot, but she was desperate to hold on to the property. What would Daphne do? And Lizette? She wouldn’t be able to stand it if someone tore up the ranch and ripped apart her family’s legacy. But, if she was being honest with herself, how would she be able to stand by and watch Luke’s future wife claim Half Moon Ranch as her own?

  “Brenna. Please don’t cry,” Luke crooned as he swiped away her tears with his fingers. “You know it guts me to see you cry.”

  Brenna turned away from him, not wanting him to see her tears. She had lost so much in the past year—she still wanted to hold on to a shred of her dignity.

  “I don’t want you to see me cry, Luke,” she whispered. He reached out and turned her back toward him, his touch full of tenderness.

  “I hate to see you hurting,” he said in a low voice. He leaned his head down and placed his lips over hers, his touch serving as a healing balm for her soul. Being kissed by Luke felt like coming home to a place where she knew she was loved. And accepted. Warts and all. She didn’t have to be perfect here. Not in Merry. Not when she was being held in Luke’s strong, comforting arms. As Luke’s lips slanted over hers, Brenna gave in to the wild pulsing of her heart. Something had shifted inside of her—a feeling of finally being exactly where she needed to be.

  Luke began raining kisses all over her forehead as they broke away from each other. She closed her eyes and allowed him to shower her with affection.

  When the kisses stopped she opened her eyes and looked up at him. “You’re the only one who makes me feel as I can do anything. Be anything. And that I’m perfect just as I am. The way God made me.”

  He cupped her face between his palms. “You are perfect, Brenna. Perfect in God’s eyes. Perfect for me.”

  Just then the sound of voices and the rumble of engines intruded on their interlude. Brenna turned toward the sound and spotted the guests being helped off wagons that had transported them from the house to the stables.

  “What in the world is going on?” Brenna asked as they made their way over toward the wagons.

  “Just a little something your father arranged,” Luke murmured, a silly grin lighting up his face.

  “What is going on, Hector?” Isabelle asked as she stepped down from the wagon.

  “We have a little surprise, courtesy of Luke,” Hector said. “He was very generous to provide this spectacular event for us.” Brenna cast a curious look at Luke, who studiously avoided her gaze.

  Within seconds, a beautiful array of fireworks lit up the velvety sky. The guests oohed and aahed as a rainbow of colors exploded in the heavens.

  “This is spectacular,” Brenna gushed. She couldn’t believe it! Fireworks lighting up the skies above Half Moon Ranch! She would carry this memory with her forever.

  Brenna couldn’t believe Luke had been so generous with this wonderful gift. She looked around her. Everyone was transfixed by the vivid display in the sky.

  As the fireworks came to a stunning end, Hector asked everyone to give Luke a round of applause. The sound was almost deafening to Brenna’s ears. She reached out and squeezed Luke’s hand. “That was above and beyond. It must have cost a small fortune,” she said in a low voice. Although she had enjoyed the fireworks immensely, she didn’t want Luke to spend a fortune on something so fleeting.

  He winked at her. “The realty business has been really good to me. It was my pleasure.”

  Suddenly, a loud, rumbling noise shattered the silence. It became louder and louder by the second.

  “What is that noise?” Her father asked in a thunderous voice.

  “It sounds like a helicopter,” Luke said, gazing up at the sky.

  “Look!” Daphne said, pointing toward the skyline. “It is. And it looks like it might be preparing to land.”

  All the guests were transfixed by the sight of the helicopter as it flew closer to the ground and circled around. Finally, it landed in a clear area in the pasture.

  Two words on the side of the helicopter brought the truth straight home to Brenna. STONE INDUSTRIES. What in the world was Hank doing here at Half Moon Ranch?

  With her heart in her throat, Brenna realized with a sinking feeling that her past had just come crashing into her future.

  CHAPTER 6

  “What’s wrong?” Luke asked as Brenna let out a tremendous groan.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” she muttered. She raised her hands to her mouth, resisting the urge to let out an ear-shattering scream.

  Luke looked back and forth between her and the helicopter. His face blanched. “Stone Industries,” he said, his jaw clenched tightly. “Is that your ex-husband?”

  Brenna stood still, rooted to the spot as the helicopter door swung open and Hank Stone emerged. Even from this distance she knew it was him with his bulky frame, broad shoulders and the dark hair threaded with silver.

  “I think so,” she said in a low voice. “Although for the life of me I can’t imagine what he’s doing here.”

  “Something tells me he didn’t come here to wish you a Merry Christmas,” Luke spit out, his face resembling granite.

  Hank strode from the helicopter straight over to where she was standing amongst her family, Luke and the party guests. As if he was a homing pigeon, he headed straight toward her, weaving his way through the crowd with ease.

  “Brenna! Surprise!” he shouted, throwing his arms around her in an intimate hug. The scent of strong cologne filled her nostrils. She felt a strong sensation of being smothered. After a few seconds she pushed him away, feeling very aware of the fact that they were surrounded by people. Everyone was gawking as if they couldn’t believe the scene being played out before their very eyes.

  “W-what are you doing here?” she asked in a trembling voice. Seeing Hank after all this time was a shock to her system. He had cut off all contact with her as soon as he filed the divorce papers. For over a year she hadn’t so much as had a “How are you?” from his lips. And after his despicable treatment of her, he had quite the nerve to show up unannounced at her family’s ranch.

  Typical, arrogant Hank.

  “I came to see you, sweetheart,” Hank gushed. He flashed her his million dollar sm
ile. Ugh. How could she ever have fallen for his cheap gimmicks and tacky charm?

  Sweetheart? Now she really did feel as if she had entered an alternate universe.

  “I haven’t been your sweetheart in a very long time,” she said in a low voice. More than anything, she didn’t want to ruin this special night. It would be their last holiday party at the ranch. She didn’t want the memories of this evening to be tainted by Hank’s desire to create drama. Brenna Santiago had grown up. She wasn’t going to sink down to Hank’s level.

  Hank winced in response to her comment. “I know, Brenna. And I’ve come here this evening to change all that.”

  “Get off my property!” her father bellowed as he stepped out of the crowd and wedged himself between Brenna and Hank. “You cast my daughter off and treated her dishonorably. There’s no place for you here.”

  Hector’s face was mottled with rage. Isabelle, Daphne and Lizette were at his side, all of them with outraged expressions on their faces.

  Hank bowed his head. “Hector, I’m ashamed of all that. I’m human. Isn’t forgiveness part of your faith? Part of the spirit of the season?”

  Brenna shook her head at Hank. Forgiveness? Faith? The spirit of the season? She had never once heard words like this pass through his lips. She truly believed that people possessed the ability to change—she knew that she had—but Hank’s words seemed trite. And very convenient to further his agenda.

  She turned toward her father and gently pushed him aside. “Papa, I love you for standing up for me. I need to talk to Hank one-on-one.”

  “But Brenna—” her father blustered.

  She sent him a smile. “I can handle this. I’m not the same girl who left Half Moon Ranch eight years ago.” Hector took a step backward and nodded. His expression was still grim.

  Luke stepped toward her and grabbed her lightly by the arm. “Brenna. Don’t fall for whatever he’s trying to sell you. Remember how badly he treated you.”

  Luke’s expression was filled with confusion. She knew without a single doubt that he was flashing back to the past when Hank had been able to sway her heart and mind. Hurt flashed in his eyes and she wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms. But, first, she needed to deal with Hank.

  “That’s something I can’t ever forget,” she said in a low whisper to Luke. “I need to deal with this head-on though. I’m done running.” With a smile in Luke’s direction, she began walking toward the stable, followed by Hank. The walk to the stable felt endless. She could feel the heat of dozens of pairs of eyes trained on her and Hank.

  Once they were inside, Brenna shut the door behind them. She folded her arms across her chest and began tapping her cowgirl boot on the ground.

  Hank rushed toward her. “Baby, I’ve missed you.” He took her hands and raised them to his lips. It was funny, Brenna thought, how Hank’s romantic gestures now seemed stale and artificial. She had once lived for those tender moments. Now they just felt staged.

  Brenna pulled her hands away. “Hank. Now that we have some privacy, tell me what’s going on. We haven’t spoken in quite some time. I don’t need to remind you of why our marriage ended, do I?”

  Hank let out a ragged sigh. “No, you don’t. I think about it every day. I live with regret about my actions, Brenna. Please believe me. And I know now that you are the love of my life. I want you back, sunshine.”

  Sunshine. It had always been Hank’s pet name for her. That endearment was tied up in California weather and her hopes for a life lived out in La La land. It no longer fit her. Not one little bit.

  She shook her head. “Hank. You never loved me. Not really. If you had, it’s doubtful you could have trashed our marriage the way you did. You betrayed our marriage vows. You dumped me in the cruelest of fashions. And you left me with nothing, even though I worked hard for the duration of our marriage to support your career.”

  Hank held up his hands. “I know all that is true. But baby…life isn’t the same without you. These other women who’ve flitted into my life in the past year are nothing like you. You were honest and true and caring.”

  Tears slid down her face as Hank’s words washed over her. Little did Hank know, but his words served as a healing balm. “Thank you for saying that. It validates what I always knew I gave you. I was a good wife to you, Hank. I honored our vows. And what that shows me is this…even though I’ve made some mistakes in my past, I’m a good person. I can be a good wife again…to someone else. But it won’t be you, Hank. Not you. Never again.”

  “But why?” Hank wailed. “I’m willing to get down on my knees and apologize. We had a good life together.”

  “We had a life filled with things—parties, yachts, expensive vacations, award shows—but it never satisfied my soul. It never left me feeling fulfilled. And there was never a foundation of faith in our world.” She took a steadying breath. “Being your wife taught me important things that I will never forget. It taught me what I want out of life and where I’m headed. Go home, Hank. Go back to Hollywood. There’s nothing for you here.”

  Hank’s features radiated shock. Brenna had the feeling it was the first time in his adult life that anyone had ever set him straight.

  All of a sudden a loud bang interrupted them. Luke strode into the stable with a fierce expression etched on his face. His handsome features were intense. He slammed the door behind him.

  “I don’t know how your mind operates, Hank Stone, but I do know that there’s no way I’m going to let you get the girl. Not this time.”

  Luke made his way over to Brenna and her ex-husband in a few simple strides. He wasn’t playing around anymore. He was laying a claim on the woman of his dreams. Hank Stone had blown the opportunity of a lifetime. There was no way in the world that Luke was going to let him walk away with Brenna on his arm.

  He stood face-to-face with Hank. He eyeballed him, man to man. “Eight years ago you waltzed in and stole my fiancée right up from under me. At the time it felt like there was nothing I could do about it. I was wrong. I should have followed Brenna right back to California and shown her that we were meant to be together. I should have fought for our love.” He looked over at Brenna. Tears were now streaming down her face. He reached out and swiped them away. “I should have thrown down the gauntlet and shown you that I was willing to go the distance with you.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Brenna sobbed. “I was young and confused and very foolish.”

  “I love you, Brenna. Truly, I always have.” He bent down and placed a kiss on her lips. “I know now I always will.”

  He felt the conviction in the way Brenna kissed him back. It was all right there. He felt it. She was in this up to her ears, just like him. She pushed him away from her.

  “I love you too, Luke. Madly. And I won’t blow it this time. Because life has shown me that you are the only man for me.”

  Luke pressed a kiss on Brenna’s forehead and held her close against his chest. He had waited eight long years for this moment, and he was going to savor every minute of it.

  Hank let out a loud snort. He waved his hand dismissively at them. “You two are only fooling yourselves. Eight years is a mighty long gap in your relationship.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re about to make the biggest mistake of your life if you marry him.”

  “We’re in love, Hank,” Brenna said with a giddy look on her face. “Right here, right now, that’s all that matters. Have a very Merry Christmas.”

  “And a Happy New Year,” Luke added, sending Hank his most smug smile.

  After shooting Luke and Brenna a withering look of disgust, Hank stormed away. With one final slam of the door, Hank was gone, swallowed up by his own pride and unwillingness to recognize the truths Brenna had laid out before him. Luke didn’t feel too badly for Hank. Something told him that Hank’s appearance at Half Moon Ranch had nothing to do with love and everything to do with boredom and gamesmanship.

  Joy flooded him at the sweet turn of events. He gazed down at Brenna
, then reached out to smooth the worry line on her forehead.

  A sick feeling coursed through him at the expression etched on her face. “What’s the matter, Brenna? Please don’t tell me you’re regretting your decision?”

  Hank’s parting words felt like a punch in the gut to Brenna. It was her deepest fear about her relationship with Luke. Was it real? Could she really believe in a deep and abiding love with him? After all the rushing rivers that had flowed between them…was it even possible?

  The birth of Christ. Hope for humanity. If she could believe with all her heart that Jesus’ birth had transformed the world, why couldn’t she believe that two shattered hearts could be repaired?

  Why was it so hard for her to believe in her own miracle during the most blessed time of the year?

  Eight years ago she had trashed her relationship with Luke. Now, she had a chance to make things right and bridge the gap between them. Life had shown her that time was promised to no one. If she didn’t seize this opportunity, there was a very real chance that they might never work their way back to one another. Just the thought of it made her stomach seize up painfully.

  Love was a gift after all. She still loved Luke Templeton, and she had a feeling that she would love him for the rest of her days. With love, all things were possible. She had learned that at her mother’s knee. Her parents had been through difficult times—poverty, illness, loss of family members—yet they were still hanging in there as a married couple fighting the good fight. That’s what she wanted. To be with Luke come what may. To stick together through the ups and downs. To make their love and their faith the foundation of their lives.

  “What’s wrong?” Luke repeated.

  “Absolutely nothing,” she said in a strong voice that had been borne out of past mistakes. She knew now with one hundred percent certainty that she and Luke were on the right path.