A Bramble House Christmas (Carrigans of the Circle C Book 6)

by CJ Carmichael

  This afternoon, when she’d confessed to Sage how much she was dreading going back to Phoenix, Sage had said, “Why don’t you move here? You’d love living in Marietta. And you already have friends.”

  It had been such a sweet thing to say, and it was certainly true that Sage and her family, as well as Eliza and Marshall, already felt like friends she’d known all her life.

  But until she paid off her loans, she couldn’t afford to move anywhere. And now that she’d refused Greg Conrad’s bequest, it was going to take twice as long to get her accounts in the black.

  Not that she regretted throwing that money back in Finn’s face. She couldn’t abide having Greg Conrad’s family thinking of her as some sort of scam artist.

  When they returned to the B&B after a scrumptious dessert offering of pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse or a modern twist on Baked Alaska, Finn was already in his room.

  “Can I knock on his door to say goodnight?” Scout asked.

  “No. He might be sleeping.”

  “But his light is on. Look.” Scout pointed at the thin gap where the door didn’t quite meet the carpeted floor.

  “He could still be in bed. Which is where we should be.”

  Later, as she tucked her tired son under his covers he yawned.

  “It was the best Christmas ever. Wasn’t it, Mom?”

  Willa gave her son a smile. Hearing him say those words made everything she’d been through worthwhile. “It sure was, son.

  He touched her face the way he often had done when he was younger. “Then why do you look sad?”

  She tried to swallow the sudden blockage at her throat. Her dear son was much too perceptive. “Because we have to leave tomorrow.”

  “Yeah. I’m sad about that, too.”

  Willa squeezed in beside him on the small bed and read aloud his new Everyday Sam book—three times, on request. Halfway through the third reading, he fell asleep. Slowly she crept out of his bed, and crawled into her own.

  After a last, reassuring glance at her sleeping son, she turned out the light.

  Why do you look sad?

  Scout’s words kept playing in her mind. And the more she thought about how miserable she felt, the more she had to face the truth. Marietta was a lovely town. But it was leaving Finn that was breaking her heart.

  Willa spread out in the large bed, remembering how difficult it had been to adjust to sleeping alone after Jeff left. Whenever Scout wasn’t in hospital, she’d encourage him to sleep with her. Partly to be there to comfort him if he woke up hurting or afraid.

  But her son’s presence had comforted her, too. She’d filled the gaping hole Jeff had left in her life, with caring for and protecting their son. It had taken meeting Finn for her to realize all she was missing.

  He’d slipped into her heart so easily, not the least because he was so awesome with her son. Being with him just felt right. Finn was steady, rock solid and kind. And yet, he was so much fun, as well. She hadn’t laughed as much in three years as she had these past three weeks.

  And what had she done after meeting this great guy?

  She’d pushed him away.

  A sob pushed up from her heart, and she pressed her face into the pillow to muffle the sound.

  Yes, Finn had deceived her. But he’d been trying to protect his family and grieving over his father. Hadn’t she deceived him, too, by withholding the truth about Scout’s cancer? And she’d done that for similar reasons. To protect Scout.

  Willa could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks, dampening the pillow. She gave into her need to cry quietly, so as not to disturb her son. It was something she had a lot of practice at.

  The next morning Willa and Scout found only Eliza waiting for them at the breakfast table. She’d put out fruit salad, muffins and boiled eggs.

  “I hope you don’t mind that we’re keeping things simple this morning.”

  “It’s perfect.” Willa went straight for the coffee. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could run on coffee and adrenaline. Given the drive ahead of her, she supposed she’d better force down a little bit of food. “Where’s your aunt?”

  “She’s exhausted after our dinner at the Circle C last night. It was pretty chaotic.”

  “I hope she isn’t ill.”

  “No, she just craved quiet, so she’s having tea and toast in the library. Marshall ate earlier so he could take the day off and go skiing. Patricia and Mike booked out an hour ago and...Finn is eating at the diner this morning.”

  Willa sighed. Then seeing the sympathy in Eliza’s eyes, quickly changed the subject. “So did your cousins like your book?”

  “They did. I haven’t yet told them about the new branch of the family tree though—” Abruptly she went quiet, as if worried she’d said something wrong.

  “It’s okay. Finn told me about the DNA test. I guess in a way it’s lucky he followed me here, or you might never have found out the truth.”

  “Willa, can I just say how sorry I am? I totally understand how hurt and upset you must feel. But, it just seems like such a shame how things ended. You and Finn were getting along so well.”

  Willa glanced at her son, thankful to see him picking out cranberries from his muffins, apparently oblivious to what they were discussing.

  “Yes, we were. Perhaps I—overreacted. I just felt so betrayed. I must have spoken about my patient, Greg Conrad, dozens of times over the three weeks, without the slightest idea I was speaking to his son.”

  Eliza nodded sadly. “Yes. That was very deceptive.”

  Determined to change the subject, Willa asked, “So do you have any new guests coming in this week?”

  “We’re actually closed for three days, opening again in time for New Year’s. Marshall and I plan to get away for some skiing at Baker Creek Cabins. It’s where we first met.”

  “That sounds lovely. Thank you so much for everything, Eliza. Scout and I have really enjoyed staying here.”

  “I hope you’ll come back sometime.”

  “Maybe.” But Willa knew, without Finn, that would never happen.

  Finn still hadn’t made an appearance by the time Willa had their suitcases packed and waiting at the door. It really was time to leave. She just had one last thing to do.

  “Wait here, Scout.”

  Her son glanced at the plate of leftover Christmas cookies. “Is it okay if I have one more cookie?”

  “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

  She knocked on the library door, and when she heard a reluctant, “Yes?” walked in.

  Mable Bramble was sitting in her favorite chair, properly dressed and reading one of the books she’d no doubt received as a gift that Christmas.

  “Willa. What is it?”

  “Sorry to interrupt Miss Bramble. We’re just about to leave and I had to give you something.”

  “Your Christmas gift yesterday was quite sufficient. I hope you and your son have a safe journey.”

  “Since finding out that this ring is a Bramble heirloom, I don’t feel right wearing it.” She passed the sapphire ring to the elderly woman.

  Mable peered at her sternly. “Are you sure? It’s quite valuable. It seems that you and your son could use the money.”

  “I could never sell it. And I simply can’t keep it, either. Not now that I know where it really belongs.”

  “Well. That’s very generous of you, my dear.”

  “It’s the right thing.”

  Back in the foyer she found Scout reaching for a second cookie. As soon as he saw her, he withdrew his hand.

  She gave him a sharp look. “How about you take an apple for the road in case you get the munchies.”

  “I guess Christmas really is over,” he said despondently.

  Willa took one last look at the sitting room, her gaze falling on the empty chair by the fire, Finn’s favorite. “Yes. I’m afraid it is.”

  Finn drank so many cups of coffee in the diner, his head began to buzz. Finally, when he was certain Willa and Scout
would be on the road to Bozeman, he walked back to the B&B to pack for his own flight, later that afternoon. He’d no sooner opened the door than he heard Mable Bramble calling his name.

  The door to the library was open. She frowned at him, then waved him inside.

  “What’s kept you young man? I’ve been waiting forever.”

  “Did we have an appointment?”

  “Of course not you silly oaf.” She picked something up from the table and handed it to him.

  It was Willa’s ring. He looked up in surprise. “Where did you get this?”

  “She gave it to me. Some nonsense about it belonging in the Bramble family.”

  That sounded like Willa. “What do you want me to do? Her car is gone, she’s already enroute to the airport.”

  Mable shook her head at him. “My dear boy. Do you think chances for love and happiness come along all the time? Most people are lucky if it happens once. And if they are foolish enough to let the chance slip through their fingers, then they have only themselves to blame if they end up alone and bitter.”

  “You’re preaching to the choir, Aunt Mable. I know I’ll never meet anyone else like Willa.”

  “Then what on earth are you doing standing here?”

  “But the ring...?”

  “Do I have to explain everything? Clearly that ring is meant for one person, and only one person. And it certainly isn’t me.”

  Fortunately the weather conditions were much better for Willa’s return trip to Bozeman than they’d been for her arrival, because the way her eyes kept tearing up, she never would have been able to see the roads in a snow storm.

  At the airport she returned the rental car, then got a cart and loaded up their luggage. Scout seemed in a cheerful mood, but as they were waiting for their boarding passes to print, he gave a long sigh.

  “I wish we didn’t have to go, Mom.”

  “You liked Marietta?”

  “Yeah.”

  Me, too.

  “Can we go back next Christmas?”

  “Maybe next year we’ll visit Aunt Thea in Boston. They get lots of snow in Boston.”

  “I guess. But I’ll miss Savannah. She’s pretty cool. And Finn.”

  “Finn,” Willa repeated slowly, wondering if she was seeing things.

  Because a man looking just like him had just walked into the airport. He had dark, thick hair like Finn’s, hair that always sat perfectly in place even when it was snowing and the wind was howling.

  And he had the same smile, the one that was sweet and sexy all at the same time.

  Finally, and most importantly, he was looking at her as if he knew her.

  No. Not as if he knew her.

  As if he loved her.

  Willa grabbed hard onto the handle of her luggage cart. The security line was backed-up. If she and Scout didn’t hurry, they could miss their flight.

  But as Finn drew closer, she didn’t turn away. Finally Scout noticed, too, and only then was she certain the man wasn’t a figment of her over-stressed and exhausted mind.

  “Finn! It’s me, Scout!” Her son barreled right at him, wrapping his arms around Finn in a big hug.

  Finn crouched to his level. “I was hoping to talk to your mom before you got on your plane.”

  Scout took his hand. “She’s right here.”

  Willa inhaled deeply, so, so glad she had the luggage cart to hold on to. Finn stopped a mere foot away from her.

  “I don’t know what I can say to convince you how sorry I am. All I can say in my defense is that I am not a man prone to either lying or deception. In fact, generally, I’m a pretty upstanding guy.”

  “I believe you,” she said softly.

  “I came to Marietta for all the wrong reasons, but meeting you has changed all my preconceptions. You’re the kind of woman who brings joy to the people around you. I’m so grateful you were there to nurse my father in his final days. Thank you for that, Willa.”

  She was moved by the sorrow she saw in his eyes. “His final passing was easy, Finn. He just...slipped away.”

  Relief and tears mingled in Finn’s eyes. “Th-that’s a relief to hear. My dad was a good guy. Which is why you have to accept the money he left for you. I never cared about it, anyway. I was just hurt that you were the one with him at the end—and not me.”

  Suddenly she had the strength to let go of the cart and reach for his hand. She squeezed hard. “You didn’t let him down, you know.”

  He held tight to her hand, locking his gaze with hers. “I hope not. But what about you?”

  “You didn’t let me down, either. I was hurt and shocked when I learned the truth about you. But I do understand your motivations. And I’m sorry I wasn’t open about Scout’s illness. That was something I should have shared with you as—as we got closer.”

  Finn pulled something from his pocket. The next moment he was sliding the Bramble ring onto her finger. “My father gave this to you for a reason. Please honor his memory and wear it.”

  “Oh, Finn...”

  “Even Aunt Mable believes this ring was meant for you. I’m hoping the same can be said for me. That my mistake won’t stand in the way of what could be an amazing future.”

  “What mistake?” Scout wanted to know.

  Relief and joy comingled in Willa, as she turned to her son. “We’re trying to have a grown-up conversation, honey.”

  “I hate those.”

  “I know.” She glanced around, and spotted a little shop. “Come with me. Why don’t you pick out some gum and a snack for the plane ride. Finn and I will be right here, in full sight, waiting for you.”

  “Does it have to be sugar-free?”

  Willa rolled her eyes. “Yes.”

  Once Scout was out of earshot, Finn took her hand again.

  “Willa, I love you. I’m thirty-two years old and I’ve never felt like this about a woman. Come to Boulder with me for New Year’s.”

  Everything was happening so fast she could hardly breathe. “Do you mean right now?”

  “Yes. Now. Today.”

  “But—” She couldn’t think of one objection. Their suitcases were packed with winter appropriate clothing, which she would be able to wash at his place.

  More importantly, she wanted to be with him.

  “What happens if I say yes?”

  Hope grew in his eyes. He took her other hand and pulled her closer. “We’ll have a fabulous time. We’ll ski and I’ll cook for you. I have a fabulous outdoor hot tub. You wouldn’t believe all the stars you can see at night.”

  “And then, when the holiday is over?”

  “I’ll ask you to marry me. And if you say yes, I’ll be like a second dad to Scout. Only this dad would never leave him. Or you. I promise.”

  She stared into his eyes, feeling the power of his love. It lifted her, filling her with happiness and hope.

  And then he kissed her and the final traces of hurt and fear were gone, like helium balloons released into the sky.

  “I love you,” he said again.

  She thought of all the good things that had happened during the past three weeks in Marietta. So much of it was due to Finn. He’d helped her and Scout learn to have fun again. And he’d offered them a strong shoulder when they needed it, too.

  “I do love you, Finn.”

  “So you’ll come?”

  “I think I have to. I’m pretty sure we’ve missed our flight.”

  Green lights danced in his eyes. “That was my strategy. I’m glad it worked.”

  Suddenly the chorus of Willa’s favorite carol popped into her head. She thought she was hearing things, until she realized music was coming from the speakers in the gift shop...

  Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

  Comfort and joy

  Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!

  The End

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  The Carrigans of Circle C

  Hawksley Carrigan, owner of the
Circle C Ranch south of Marietta, Montana, always wanted a son to carry on the family name. Unfortunately for him, he ended up with four daughters.

  Book 1: Promise Me, Cowboy

  Sage Carrigan’s story

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  Book 2: Good Together

  Mattie Carrigan’s story

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  Book 3: Close to Her Heart

  Dani Carrigan’s story

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  Book 4: Snowbound in Montana

  Eliza Bramble’s story

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  Book 5: A Cowgirl’s Christmas

  Callan Carrigan’s story

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  Book 6: A Bramble House Christmas

  Willa Fairchild’s story

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  An Exclusive Excerpt from Promise Me, Cowboy

  C.J. Carmichael

  Copyright © 2013

  Start the Carrigans of the Circle C series from the very beginning...

  Turn the page to start reading Book 1, Promise Me, Cowboy, for free!

  A lot of people believe you can’t keep a secret in a small town, but that simply wasn’t true. Sage Carrigan was only twenty-nine years old and already she had two that would blow the minds of her sisters and her father and the girlfriends who thought they knew every little thing about her.

  And one of those secrets was just now stepping into her chocolate shop.

  Sage stepped behind the counter, needing something solid to lean on. It was really him, Dawson O’Dell, her biggest secret, her biggest mistake... her biggest weakness.

  Right now O’Dell was one of the top ranked cowboys in professional rodeo. She’d met him back in her barrel-racing days, but five years hadn’t changed him much. He still dressed like the bronc-rider he was, in Wrangler jeans and dusty boots, western shirt unbuttoned to the white T shirt beneath. His dark blonde hair was a little too long, and his green eyes a little too astute.