Capturing Christmas

by Shanna Hatfield

Kash Kressley created a fine male specimen in his cowboy gear. However, dressed in a black tuxedo he looked like he belonged on a movie screen. The simple lines of the tuxedo outlined his broad shoulders and chest while highlighting the length of his legs.

  Without a hat on his head, she took in his thick brown hair, cut short with a tousle of finger-tempting waves on top.

  His scent infiltrated her senses, scattering her thoughts in the direction of crisp mountain air, soft snowfall, and a winter fire. Such musings were absurd, considering the summer heat wave engulfing them.

  Aware of his hands still holding her arms to steady her, she regrettably took a step back.

  Kash hid his pleased smile at seeing Celia. “The groom is one of my buddies from high school days.”

  “Did you grow up in this area?” Surely, if Kash had, she would have met him before, run into him somewhere local.

  “No. We grew up in Arizona. Tim moved to Boise after college. I got in touch with him when I moved to Idaho.” Kash noticed the camera in Celia’s hand. “Are you the wedding photographer?”

  “Yep. That’s me. When I’m not shooting rodeos, I do weddings, senior portraits, and family photographs to pay the bills.” Celia glanced at the nervous groom and his many attendants near the stage. She recognized a few of them as rodeo competitors. “The bride wanted to make sure I took photos of you guys together before the wedding. Her sister is genuinely concerned the groom might bolt before the ceremony.”

  Kash laughed. “If he was smart he would, but I never once claimed Tim is the brightest guy I know.”

  Celia tried to hide a giggle but couldn’t. She leaned closer to Kash and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Have you met the bride?”

  Kash’s eyes twinkled with humor as he gazed down at her. “She’s quite a… um… she’s uh… very sure about what she wants.”

  “That she is.” Celia agreed then smiled as Jana walked into the barn with two water bottles. She took the bottle her mother held out to her and unscrewed the cap. “Mom, this is Kash Kressley of the Rockin’ K Rodeo Company. We met at a rodeo last week. Mr. Kressley, this is my mother, Jana McGraw.”

  “Ma’am, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kash said. He politely tipped his head to Jana and shook her outstretched hand. “I would have guessed you as Celia’s sister, but not her mother.”

  Jana blushed and smiled at the incredibly handsome man. The electrical current pulsing between him and her daughter made her want to dance a jig right there in the doorway of the barn. “It’s my pleasure, Mr. Kressley. Do you work for the rodeo company?”

  “My father owns it,” Kash said, walking with the two women further inside the barn where the scorching heat from the afternoon sun couldn’t beat down on them. “My grandfather started the company back in the 1950s and passed it on to him. Dad plans to retire next year. When he does, my brother or I will take over.”

  “Do you have other siblings?” Jana asked, smiling at Kash in a way that entirely loosened his tongue.

  “No, ma’am. Just Ransom.”

  “And what do you and your brother do as part of the rodeo company?” Jana continued strolling toward the groom at a leisurely pace.

  “Ransom arrives before the rodeo begins. He meets with the rodeo committee, attends any pre-rodeo functions, such as fundraisers or award banquets, visits with the local media, that sort of thing. I take care of the critters. Ransom usually leaves the day the animals roll into town to go to the next rodeo. He’d be here today, but he’s on his way to an event in Washington.”

  “So basically, your brother is the face of the company and you’re the backbone.” Jana liked that Kash seemed humble about his work. However, she suspected he did far more than “take care of the critters,” as he put it.

  “I don’t know about the backbone, but Ransom definitely is the one with the charisma. That’s why Dad put him in charge of public relations. I’m better at cozying up to the cranky bulls.”

  Jana laughed and patted Kash on the back. “I bet you’re much more involved than you let on, Mr. Kressley.”

  “He totally is, Mom.” Celia interjected, finally gathering her wits. “Huck said this guy is the first to arrive at the arena and the last to leave.”

  Not wanting to talk about his work, Kash turned the conversation back to the wedding. “So how is it you agreed to photograph this wedding?”

  “I took photos at the bride’s cousin’s wedding last summer. In fact, that wedding was here, too.”

  “It would be quite something to see without all of Tiffi’s hideous froufrou hiding the barn.”

  Jana swallowed back a laugh and wrapped her hands around Kash’s arm. “I think I like you, Kash Kressley. Any man who knows better than to decorate with gold lamé is a keeper in my book.”

  Celia rolled her eyes and lifted her camera as they approached the groom. “Are you guys ready to be photogenic?”

  Five hours later, Celia plopped down in a chair next to her mother at the reception and set her camera on the table. “I don’t think this ordeal is ever going to end. The bride wants to be sure I stay to take photos of them driving away.”

  “At least she’s paying you for your time.” Jana took a sip from a cup of cold punch and forked a bite of cake.

  Celia pointed to the cake and wrinkled her nose. “I can’t believe you were brave enough to take a bite of that.”

  “The cake’s quite good if you can get past the fact Tiffi felt the need to have her likeness recreated in buttercream frosting.” Jana took another bite. “I’ve never seen a bride so besotted with herself before.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like this wedding in all my life.” Celia took a drink from her bottle of water. “This wedding,” she gestured with her hand around the room, “is a perfect example of why money can’t buy class. Tiffi makes trailer park trash look like the Rockefeller family in comparison.”

  “Amen to that.”

  Celia jumped at the sound of a deep voice near her ear. Kash’s tempting scent wafted over her, rendering her limbs languid. Slowly turning in her seat, her face was mere inches from his as he leaned down beside her.

  His gaze held a smoldering light as he looked at her. Something in those blue eyes, in the slight smile on his face, made her want to lock her lips to his.

  Vaguely recalling her mother sitting beside her, she blinked and dropped her hands to her lap. The urge to caress Kash’s handsome face made her clench her fingers together beneath the table.

  Jana pushed out a chair and motioned for Kash to take a seat. He smiled at her but held out his hand to Celia.

  “Could I convince you to dance with me? Tim said he’s about ready to wrap things up, regardless of what Tiffi says.”

  Celia placed her hand in Kash’s and braced herself for the impact of the touch. “I’d love to.” She wasn’t disappointed when a charged jolt shot up her arm and tingled through her extremities.

  Kash nodded at Jana before helping Celia to her feet and leading her out to the dance floor. The slow dance offered the perfect opportunity to hold the bewitching woman in his arms.

  As they danced, he studied Celia. Neither short nor tall, the wedge sandals on her feet gave her a few inches of height but not so much that she wobbled as she walked.

  The modest cotton summer dress she wore fit her just right, accenting a trim waist and generous curves. The deep green shade matched her eyes and made them seem luminous in the twinkling lights of the barn.

  Her mane of glorious hair was pinned on top of her head. A few wavy tendrils had escaped, nestling along her neck and around her face.

  His fingers itched to brush a strand behind her ear, to discover if it felt as silky as he imagined. Instead, he slid his hand from her shoulder to the middle of her back and gently pressed her closer as they moved to the music.

  “You dance pretty well for a stock-chasing cowboy.” Celia smiled as she glanced up at him, wondering what he’d do if she pressed a kiss to the tempting smooth skin of his cheek.
The first time she’d met him, stubble had covered it, but today, it was obvious he’d shaved. The barest hint of his shaving lotion blended with his already heady aroma, making her want to close her eyes and inhale deep breaths of him. If she could somehow bottle that scent, she’d take a daily whiff of it — maybe even a dozen.

  “You’re not so bad yourself for a girl who can’t stay out of trouble.”

  Celia leaned back and gave him a mock glare. “I’ve not been in a speck of trouble this afternoon, Mr. Kressley. I’ll thank you to take note of that.”

  “But the wedding isn’t over yet. Who knows what crazy idea Tiffi will come up with next. I heard her tell Tim she wanted photos of them in their matching bride and groom underwear.”

  Celia gaped at him. “Are you serious?”

  He nodded. “She really did mention it but Tim made it clear that wasn’t an option.” Kash leaned closer to her. “Just between you and me, I think he must have been sniffing the bleach she uses on that fake blond hair when he proposed because there isn’t anything but air and conceit in that girl’s head.”

  Laughter rolled out of Celia before she could reel it back.

  Kash relished the sound. For some bizarre reason, it put him in mind of melodic holiday bells.

  Celia glanced over to where the groom tried to get the drunken bride to sit down. “I feel sorry for your friend. He’ll wake up one morning and wonder what he’s gotten himself into.”

  “Probably a lot sooner than you think. He’s already upset with her. This should be a day full of love and happiness for each other. I thought he might throttle her when he saw the cake come out.”

  “Have you ever seen anything so…” Celia searched for a better word than vulgar.

  “Ridiculous?” Kash supplied.

  She grinned. “That’s a good way to put it.”

  He smirked. “I don’t know… the bridesmaid dresses are right up there. Those poor girls look like they’ve been swallowed by turquoise marshmallows with all those layers of fluff.”

  Celia laughed again. She’d felt sorry for the bridesmaids in the over-done dresses featuring puffed sleeves, bell skirts and layer upon layer of ornamentation. “Organza. The fluffy stuff is organza.”

  “Those shoes they all are wearing belong in some solid gold dance competition.”

  She nodded in agreement then looked Kash over from head to toe. “How did you guys manage to escape Tiffi’s tacky plans? You all look really nice, except for those gold lamé flowers on your lapel.”

  Kash glanced down and scowled. “It was either these fake flowers or a shiny gold tie. Not hard to guess which Tim chose.”

  The song ended and Kash escorted her back to the table. He asked Jana to dance. Much to her daughter’s surprise, she accepted.

  Celia winked at her mom as Kash led her out on the dance floor. It gave her the perfect opportunity to ogle him without arousing any suspicion. Of course, the one person who would be suspicious was two-stepping with him.

  Kash appeared light on his feet for having such a strong body. Although he wasn’t as brawny as her brother, he was nearly as tall and solidly built. The rock-hard bicep she felt through his jacket sleeve as they danced made her even more curious about his sculpted physique.

  Remembering her vow to remain single and unfettered, she renewed her determination to keep any man from turning her head, particularly one as gorgeous and genuine as Kash Kressley.

  Throughout the reception, she’d watched him dance with old ladies, little girls, and a few wallflowers.

  Despite the obvious interest from the younger women in attendance, Kash had avoided them until he asked her to dance. The contemptuous stares cast her way didn’t go unnoticed. Surprised he danced with her, and now her mother, it endeared him to her even more.

  Although he wasn’t charismatic or outgoing, Kash seemed like a truly nice guy.

  Perhaps, just for the remainder of the wedding, she’d allow herself to indulge in dreaming about the man. It couldn’t hurt anything when she knew the next morning she’d be back to her lone and sometimes lonely existence.

  When the song ended, Kash returned Jana to the table and excused himself when the groom waved his direction. He soon returned with an exasperated look on his face.

  “Tim is ready to go, if he can get the bride out the door. He wanted to let you know she is insisting on photos of them leaving.” Kash took a seat next to Celia.

  Before she could reply, Jana’s cell phone rang. She answered it and gave Celia a concerned frown. “No, Trevor, I’ll be right there.”

  She disconnected the call and got to her feet. “That was your father. The cattle somehow knocked down the fence and are in the sugar beets. I told him I’d hurry home and help chase them out.” Jana looked at Kash and smiled. “If I asked nicely, would you give my girl a ride home? If it’s a problem, I’ll come back and get her.”

  “It’s no problem, ma’am. I’d be happy to see her home.” Kash reached out and shook Jana’s hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. McGraw.”

  Jana patted his cheek with her free hand. “You call me Jana. I’m so pleased to have met you, Kash. Thank you for taking care of Celia.”

  With a parting wave, Jana hurried out the door. Celia turned to Kash. “I’m so sorry about that. Please don’t feel obligated to take me home. I can call a friend to pick me up. I’m worried Mom and Dad might need some help with the cows, but knowing Dad, he’ll have them back on the right side of the fence before Mom gets home.”

  “Where do your folks live?” Kash asked as he and Celia walked to the door of the barn to wait for the bride and groom to depart. Tim had started that way, half-dragging Tiffi along with him.

  “On a farm about five miles from here, just outside of Star.” Celia lifted her camera and snapped a few photos while they waited.

  “What do they raise on the farm? Did I hear your mom mention beets?”

  “Yep. They raise cattle, sugar beets, high-quality alfalfa hay, and a few head of horses.” Celia almost giggled at the spectacle the bride made. Her tiara and big blonde hair had shifted to the right, lipstick smeared across her chin and black streaks of mascara marred her cheeks. Whether it was from tears or sweat was anyone’s guess. Tiffi had alternated between crying hysterically and screeching with glee the last hour.

  The air in the barn reached stifling temperatures before the wedding ever started. Normally, it wouldn’t have been too bad, but a mid-afternoon wedding during a heat wave did not make for a pleasant atmosphere, even without the gaudy gold lamé decorations.

  “Is that where you grew up?” Kash asked. He gave Tim’s shoulder an encouraging pat as he walked by then followed Celia as she snapped photos of the departing couple.

  “Mostly. My folks used to have a place near Kennewick, Washington. We moved when I was four and Cort was thirteen. He thought the world had ended when we moved away from the Morgan family, but I didn’t mind as much. I suppose I was young enough it didn’t really matter. It seems funny that Cort ended up on a ranch just a few miles from where we used to live.”

  “I heard he got married. Do you like his wife?” Kash stepped to the side. Celia hurried to take photos of the couple as they waved from the back of a vintage convertible.

  Celia clicked a few more photos. “I love Kaley. In fact, if Cort ever does something stupid and messes up their marriage, I’m keeping her.” She turned and moved back inside the barn to collect her equipment. “She’s a real sweetheart and her little boy is just amazing. Her first husband died in a car accident. She was trying to run the ranch by herself and needed a hired hand. Tate talked Cort into working for her. I think he fell in love the first time they met.”

  “I’m glad to hear he’s doing well. The way his career ended so suddenly and unexpectedly was tragic.” Kash watched Celia fold down a light stand and pack it into a carrying case.

  “It was hard on him for a while, but he’s done great since he met Kaley.”

  “Did I hear Tate has
a boy, too?” he asked as he helped pack her equipment.

  “He does. Gideon is the most adorable baby. I guess he’s technically a toddler now that he’s two. Last time I saw him, he was starting to really talk. He’s all boy, and reminds me a lot of his daddy. Poor Kenzie has got her hands full, for sure.”

  Kash held the camera bag as Celia nestled one of her cameras inside. “What about you?” he asked. “Do you have plans to wed someday? I mean, who wouldn’t be inspired by all this?”

  His teasing grin turned Celia’s insides into a molten mess.

  “Who indeed?” Celia stored her other camera and lifted both bags while Kash picked up her light stands and tripod. “It’s every girl’s nightmare, um… I mean dream, to have a hideous wedding and turn into a bride from… well, you know what I mean.”

  “I do.” Kash led the way out of the barn and over to his pickup. After stowing the equipment in his backseat, he opened the passenger door for Celia then took the camera bags from her, setting them next to the equipment. He gave her a hand and helped her climb in then shut the door and hurried around to the other side.

  Quickly starting the truck, he left his door open a moment to let the hot air escape while the air conditioner pumped out welcome relief. While the cab cooled, he removed his tie and jacket, unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt and rolled up the sleeves.

  Celia turned a vent so it blew on her face and tipped her head back. “That feels so good. Was it just me, or was the barn incredibly warm?”

  “Hot. Very hot,” Kash muttered as he watched her run a handkerchief along the long column of her neck and across her chest, wicking away moisture. He’d never met a woman who carried a real handkerchief. Something about the action made him want to lean over and kiss her in the worst way.

  Rather than surrender to the urge, he closed the door and put the truck in gear. “How do we get to your folks’ place?”

  “Are you heading through Boise?” Celia asked instead of answering his question as he drove away from the barn.

  “Yeah. Our ranch is south of Twin Falls. I’m driving there to pick up a load of stock before heading out to our next event.”