“So how about we set the date for sooner, with just me and you instead? I’m good with that.” He was more than good with it. He’d marry her standing in a muddy field in a rainstorm. “Apply for a marriage license at the Bliss County courthouse and have it over and done?”
It was what he wanted. Simple. The fanfare held no appeal. If she wanted the big event—then of course, yes, every bride was entitled to that—but if he was given a choice...
He’d keep it low-key.
Raine put the last scoop of dip on his plate. “How offended would your family be? No movie stars, no corporate executives except you, not even them.”
That he could assuage her on. “You do realize that being Mick Branson really isn’t my agenda.”
“You know, I do. I love that about you.”
“There will be a party.” He confessed that tidbit almost reluctantly. “My mother will want to throw a reception at some point, but quite frankly, everyone in my family travels so much that getting them all together at the same time probably means planning the wedding out a year or so, and I don’t want to do that. I have zero desire to wait.”
“If you think Blythe and Harry won’t throw a shindig, you’re dreaming, cowboy. So we’re looking at two parties, and I doubt they’ll be quite the same. I’ll have to buy heels for one, and will be able to wear my favorite pair of comfortable old flats to the other. They could do that in May instead.”
“We could just not tell anyone and let them believe we’re living in sin.”
“If you think Daisy wouldn’t spill the beans, then think again, and I would tell her the truth.” She took a bite of her sandwich and after she swallowed, said, “Oh my gosh, Stephano must really like you. We might have to set the cheesecake out on the front porch to save it for breakfast.”
Raine would do that. She’d eat key lime cheesecake for breakfast without a thought.
She’d accepted his proposal in a run-down cabin in Wyoming during what he expected was now a whiteout snowstorm. The entire structure shook with the next gust of wind.
But unlike in the book he was writing, Mick mused with a private grin, he was not going to have his bedroll on the front porch this particular night.
15
HE WANTED TO marry her.
She wasn’t every man’s ideal of a perfect bride. She had a child, a past, and her unconventional approach to life was hardly traditional.
But he had no doubt he loved her and that was all that mattered.
She’d said yes.
He didn’t ask her the traditional way but while they were eating dinner. He didn’t mean to quite blurt it out like that, but his emotions got the best of him.
It was every girl’s dream.
A beautiful ring, a romantic proposal and killer artichoke dip.
Not to mention a wind velocity that measured off the charts. It was amazing that she couldn’t envision a more perfect evening. If the roof stayed on she’d be amazed at the workmanship of those long-ago craftsmen that nailed it on.
While there was the probability of a rodent drive-by, and Raine wasn’t unaware of it because they’d heard rustling all evening, the room was nice and toasty, and when Mick rolled out the sleeping bag and started to undress her, she was willing.
Extremely willing.
He shucked off his clothes just as quickly, joined her under the warm folds of the sleeping bag and kissed her softly. Not passionately, but with a gentleness that melted her heart. He said, “I’ve waited for you. I don’t think I knew what I was waiting for. Now I understand.”
She’d waited for him, too. “Right there with you. A man with good hair in a haunted cabin is a rare find. You’re so warm. Hold me closer and protect me from the possible rodent population.”
“I’m your knight on a white steed. No mouse will bother you on my watch.”
He was a very aroused knight. She wasn’t at all averse to that, either. “I’m petrified, but with you to save me from fearsome rodents...say no more.”
“No problem there. And warm? I’m alone with you, so call it what it is. I’m on fire. Can we stop talking and do something else entirely? I want to make love to you and I suspect your car will be blown away at any minute and the cabin will fall down around us and I won’t care.”
No condom. She didn’t ask for one and he didn’t use one. They’d had that conversation. He was...perfect. Insistently passionate but not less than thoughtful and understood her every response to each touch and whisper, and afterward the wind keening outside was almost as sexy as the way her leg sprawled over his thigh when it was said and done.
Raine rested her head on his damp chest. “I do love you.”
“I hope so, since we’re engaged.”
“That part doesn’t matter to me as much as that I love you. I can’t believe it.”
“Can’t believe it? I’m trying to decide if I should be insulted or not. You sound uncertain.”
“About my feelings, not about you.” She gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. “Give me some latitude. This hasn’t happened to me before.”
“Never found the right man? I, for one, am pretty glad of it. You waited for me.” His fingers sifted through her hair. “I’m going to christen you my best Christmas gift ever.”
“I intend to be.”
“Good, because you succeeded.”
“How are you going to finish the book? The last I read, our hero was sleeping on the front porch in a raging snow storm.”
“I think he moves inside. She would never leave him out there in the cold.”
“Of course not. I bet he likes it better inside.”
“They hook up.”
“I think you need to put it more eloquently than that.” She nestled closer, knowing he would take her words for the teasing they were. Mick would never be crude.
“Easier said than done, especially for a rugged, solitary cowboy like him. He likes the fact that he found her—he likes it a lot. He just isn’t too good at saying it.”
“She needs him to say it.”
She heard him take in a breath. “I’m guessing you’re talking about us. I honestly think the moment I met you I knew I was falling pretty hard.”
“I was talking about the book, Mick. I would never play you like that. You made a distinct impression as well, I might add. As far as I can tell, everyone in the entire Carson camp immediately cottoned on to how we were feeling. I don’t think we should play poker with them until we work on our technique. Now, back to the book. How does it end?”
“I’m not going to tell you, because I don’t really know yet. You’ll have to read it yourself when it’s finally done. I don’t know if my writing is on a par with your grandfather’s, but I’m really enjoying it. It’s coming more naturally than I might have guessed, probably because I’ve read pretty much all his books. He’s so descriptive. Maybe that’s why I have such a connection with this part of the country. I’d been here in my imagination often enough before my first visit.”
“Well, this cabin certainly qualifies as the real deal. I’m surprised there isn’t a musket mounted on the wall somewhere. On a night like tonight I’m surprised there are still walls.”
It was wicked out there. She was warm and cozy enough in the afterglow, but the weather wasn’t very friendly. Raine was glad Daisy was safe and sound at the ranch. If she had to call it, she suspected they might be stranded for longer than anticipated—the drift by the front door wasn’t getting any smaller. “We could have a hard time leaving in the morning.”
“Fine. I’d stay like this forever.”
That was as good as I love you.
“This is a nice sleeping bag.”
He chuckled. “I forgot pillows. I didn’t think of it. I don’t camp too often.”
“I�
��ll use you as my pillow. You’re actually quite comfortable.”
“That type of high praise is likely to win my heart.”
“I had that in the bag already, right?”
“I thought that went without saying.”
Raine rolled on top of him, which was very easy to do since they were sharing a single sleeping bag. She said simply, “I’m happy.”
“That’s what we’re supposed to do for each other.”
“I hope I’m holding up my end of the bargain.”
“You have no idea.”
She touched his lower lip, their mouths just inches apart. “Oh, I think I have some idea. Otherwise I’m guessing you wouldn’t be quite so enthusiastic about one small sleeping bag with two bodies and no pillows.”
“I thought I was your pillow.” He held her closely, lightly stroking her back, those long fingers taking some definite liberties.
“And you’re a good one. If you could market you, the stores would sell out. Women would flock in.”
“Unfortunately, I think I’m taken, correct?”
“You got that right, mister.”
* * *
Hands down, it was the most erotic night of his life.
In bed—well, technically in a sleeping bag—with a very sexy woman, and she’d fallen asleep all draped across him, not that she had much choice because there was nowhere else to go. It gave him some time to reflect on his recent life decisions.
If he sold both his other houses he could build her the house of any woman’s dreams, but he didn’t think she’d go for it. Raine would probably prefer something modest, but a dream artist’s studio was a definite must. Maybe after Daisy graduated high school Raine would be willing to move to the cabin property full-time.
His wife. He was starting to get a real charge out of the notion.
Water, electricity, internet, a decent road... He could arrange all of that.
He had an idea forming in his head about the floor plan. As long as Raine basically agreed with it, he was in a very good place. She was focused on details and he was focused on what would work. A one-time-only construction project was his goal and he thought it was hers, too.
He liked pairing the right backer with the right film, and the right artist with the right project, because he could spot solid worth. He’d probably shot himself in the foot by even proposing that Raine consider doing the pixel film. She would be busier than ever, but he was ready to slow down and take a look around. His frenetic working pace couldn’t go on forever, he’d always known that. If he cut back, he could be there a lot more of the time for Raine and Daisy—and any kids he and Raine might have together.
It seemed to him they’d started working on that tonight.
Those select casual relationships he’d had in the past amounted to nothing and he knew why now. He’d known something was missing, but just not how to define it.
Raine had settled all that.
And now he knew how the book ended.
“I did something wrong.” He knew he had. She was quiet, and maybe not distant, but certainly distracted.
“No,” she told him in a resigned voice, “you did something too right, I’m afraid.”
How was that possible? he argued in his mind, but the spitfire was good at calling his hand. “The land dispute is settled. That varmit won’t ever threaten you or this place again. What now?”
She put her hands on her hips, but at least now there was laughter in her eyes. “Varmit? Eastern boy, you need to learn a great deal about how to say a word like that. You can’t pull off cowboy just yet, but you’re pretty good, I’ll grant, at solving a real problem without just taking out a gun.”
“A man can use his brain now and then instead of force. I still don’t understand why you’re mad at me.”
“I’m not mad, just pretty sure I’m going to have a baby.”
He’d known it was possible, but he was still stunned. “What?”
“That isn’t necessarily all your fault, I was there too, but in case you haven’t noticed, we aren’t married.”
He recovered after a moment. And he could solve that problem, too. “There’s a preacher in Mustang Creek. Let me hitch up the horses. We can pay him a quiet visit and take care of that right away.”
She was going to be stubborn to the last minute, but was so beautiful every time he looked at her she took his breath away. “The last time you did that it didn’t work out so well. I seem to remember sitting in the buckboard and watching you jump out to chase the loose horses down.”
“Sweetheart, I remember. Thanks for reminding me you were laughing so hard I thought you might fall off the seat.”
“I’m not sure I should marry a greenhorn.”
He went over and kissed her. “I’m positive you should.”
Her smile was predictably saucy. “I think I will. I’ll hitch up the horses.”
Epilogue
December 24th, one year later
WAS THIS A MISTAKE?
Maybe it was—it was going to be hard to tell until it all settled out, but still Raine had fingers and toes crossed.
It was official, she was nuts for even thinking of this, but then again, Stephano and Harry had done most of the work. In a rare truce, they’d coordinated the menu and though they hadn’t necessarily cooperated with each other, they’d grudgingly come to an agreement on what to serve.
The new house was complete, if not quite ready for guests since she’d been more than a little busy, but Hadleigh, Melody and Bex had put up decorations and Grace, Luce and Kelly were on kid patrol.
Mick had mentioned he was looking forward to green chili cheeseburgers and an old Western movie.
Not this year. His entire family had agreed to come.
Was she nervous? Oh yes. Not because she was worried the party wouldn’t go smoothly, but because she wasn’t sure how her surprise was going to be received. Mick seemed to accept just fine that his family didn’t spend Christmas together, but she wanted to give him this special gift.
A really wonderful gift hopefully, with a small bonus.
She’d talked it over with Blythe and gotten full Carson approval on the idea. So he had no idea his family was coming, and everyone was forbidden to tell him.
The new house did look wonderful with all the decorations. The tree was from the north end of the property and at least twelve feet high, but a ladder and three Carson men squabbling over who was ascending it took care of the top part and Daisy and Ryder had fun decorating the rest. Ryder was getting to the age where that sort of thing was no longer his idea of fun... He’d rather be taking cute girls to the movies, and—she wasn’t a fool—maybe thinking about stealing a beer or two here or there by his age, but he obligingly hung up a snowman on a branch that Daisy wasn’t tall enough to reach, asking if it was where she wanted it. She imperiously made him move it over three inches.
He really was the nicest kid and humored Daisy without protest.
The Bransons were the first to arrive. Raine had met them on a swift trip to California that combined personal affairs with business, since she also met with the director of the pixel movie. Mick’s mother was cool and poised, but still warmer than expected. Not haughty, just assessing. His brother was very businesslike but equally likeable, and his sister-in-law was unexpectedly a kindred spirit with her keen eye for art. They’d met for dinner at some trendy restaurant so conversation hadn’t been very personal, but Raine had started exchanging emails with Mick’s mother, which he found quite amusing. She’d sent pictures of the house construction, of the sun rising over the mountains, of Mustang Creek’s fall festival, of Mick and Daisy absorbed in a game of chess, all designed to give her mother-in-law a glimpse into their lives.
To her surprise, it worked. She got back not just replie
s, but photos of vineyards, theater signs, and even a Halloween photo of Mick’s mother dressed up as Scarlet from Gone with the Wind for a fancy party. They might be many miles apart but they were finding a way to get to know each other.
Raine was convinced that while Mick shrugged it off as if his family never spending Christmas together since his father died didn’t bother him, it did. She was hardly a psychologist, but she had to wonder if it didn’t bother all of them and scattering to different locations was a way to avoid the emotional impact.
Time to start better memories, or so she hoped.
When Mick walked in the door, looking wiped out after a trip to Germany that took three days longer than planned, he was greeted by the sight of a houseful of people having cocktails and nibbling on artichoke dip. He stood for a minute in the doorway before he said calmly, “I saw the cars, so I guess I’m not surprised at the crowd. Raine, I talked to you last night. You failed to mention we were having a party.”
She kissed him. “Surprise! It was really your mother’s idea. Welcome home.”
He kissed her back, taking his time about it. “My mother wanted me to have a party? Now I have two women conspiring against me—three, if we include Daisy. I feel outnumbered.”
“Well, maybe we’ll have a boy to help tilt the odds. I’m due in July.”
“What?” He looked like he might fall over. “Can you repeat that? We’re having a baby?”
“It seems like we are. We’ve been trying, remember? Don’t look quite so incredulous.”
“I’ve certainly have been doing my best.” He scanned the room and froze. “Is that my brother pouring himself a drink? He’s here? On Christmas Eve? In Wyoming?”
“Don’t look now, but your mother is right there in the corner, talking to Blythe and Ingrid. I have no idea what they’re saying but I’m going to bet you’re the main topic of conversation.”
A Snow Country Christmas Page 14
