Once inside, Willow joined Ruby on the end of the table where the eggnog was placed. She ladled up a mug for both herself and Ruby. “I know Mick’s cooking is a big draw today,” she said. “Everyone’s coming. But this eggnog alone would be worth the drive.”
Ruby toasted Willow’s mug. “It’s really good, if I say so myself. It sounds as if you’re going to have a full house.”
“Yep. Mick and Shorty are finishing up the turkeys and side dishes in the bunkhouse kitchen. The pies just came out of the oven in here, and everyone should start arriving in about fifteen minutes.”
“I’m so glad everyone is coming.”
Anxiety mixed with Willow’s adrenaline and excitement. “I’m glad you had this great idea.” Willow sipped her eggnog. “Things seemed to settle down as soon as the invitations were issued.”
“It makes sense, doesn’t it? I mean, how can you talk bad about someone who’s having you over for Thanksgiving dinner?”
Willow laughed. “You’re super clever.”
“Not really. I just understand people. After all, a barista in a coffee shack is really a five-minute therapist.”
Willow laughed again as Mick and Shorty walked through the back door, both men carrying a twenty-pound turkey. The aroma of sage, rosemary, and thyme with a touch of citrus wafted through the air, mingling with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves of the pumpkin pie. The fire crackled in the fireplace, and the table sparkled with her mother’s good china and silverware.
Her father came in from finishing his chores. “This table looks fit for a king, and the meal smells great! I’ll just go clean up and be out in about ten minutes.”
By the time her dad came back in clean jeans, boots, and a flannel shirt, everyone was arriving, and he opened the door for Curtis’s parents, who stood next to Bert and Patty. Willow watched as the foursome made their way to the fireplace and huddled next to the flame, looking uncomfortable and dour.
Willow pulled back. Maybe it would be best if she just let the crowd greet Curtis’s parents and aunt and uncle, but she quickly dismissed that thought. This was her home, and they were all going to live in Sunrise Creek together. Besides, everyone in town would be watching to see if she would extend herself and how Curtis’s family would treat her.
With another swig of eggnog, Willow pushed her way through the growing crowd and smiled warmly as she reached in to embrace Curtis’s mother and his aunt Patty. “I’m so glad you could make it,” she said.
Both women leaned in for an embrace, and Willow pulled them close.
“We’re glad you invited us,” Linda said, her cordial tone taking on a hint of warmth. She turned to her husband, who nodded, expressionless, but Bert continued to look glum even though Patty brightened.
“Please, come and try some of Ruby’s eggnog. It’s the best.”
Bert perked up. “That girl makes great coffee,” he said.
“Well, her eggnog is even better. Dinner should be ready any minute.”
Bert’s mouth fell open. “Is that Shorty helping Mr. Studs?”
Willow bit her tongue. She didn’t like the nickname Bert had given Mick, but it would be better if she accentuated the positive. “Yes. Shorty and Mick work well together. Mick counts him as a friend.”
“But you fired Shorty because—” Bert stopped himself. “I mean, I heard that Shorty was no longer working for you so you could make room for Mr. Studs.”
Willow laughed. “Fire Shorty? Never! I was as surprised at his resignation as you are, but we worked all of that out. You should ask him about it when you get a minute.”
“I’ll do that,” Bert mumbled. “But first, I think I’m going to load up a plate.” He moved away from Willow with Patty and Curtis’s parents in tow.
Curtis’s mother gave Willow a sad but grateful smile as she trailed behind her brother and family.
“How did that go?” Ruby asked as she sidled up to Willow, who had moved to the sink.
“Better than I’d hoped,” Willow murmured. “I’ll fill you in on the details later.”
Ruby nodded as she hurried to refill the punch bowl with eggnog.
As the afternoon wore on, Willow was happy to see friendly faces. Dr. Carson and Morgan were there, and Willow couldn’t help but wonder if they were a couple, but it became apparent they were only friends. Marilyn came but didn’t stay after a couple of attempts at flirting with Willow’s father fell flat. She loaded a plate and took it with her.
Bev was there with her family along with Missy and her young family, and Ruby’s parents and sisters, Emmie and Lexie, arrived. Willow studied Emmie closely. She didn’t look anything like Ruby with her long blond hair and big brown eyes. She held a natural grace, but she could ride horses with the best of them and knew her way around cows. She and Curtis would make a good pair.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Mick, who walked by carrying a plate of green beans. Willow’s gaze followed him as he put them on the table, and at one point, her eyes locked with his and the whole crowd fell away. The din of their conversations and laughter nearly disappeared, leaving her with an overwhelming desire to be near him, and she turned away for fear of grabbing him by the collar and kissing him in front of everyone.
Throughout the meal, Mick was in and out of the house as he moved from the bunkhouse kitchen to the dining room. Every time he left, Willow was aware of his absence, and upon his return, his presence pulled at her with a little more urgency, as if there was an invisible thread that wound the two of them together.
They had talked prior to this meal and decided it would be best if they didn’t interact much, but as the afternoon wore on, it became harder for Willow to remember the purpose of this meal and stick to the original plan.
She and Mick had kept all physical affection at a minimum. He was busy cooking and learning about the ranch while she looked after livestock and took care of the home. But now, in this crush of people, Willow wanted nothing more than for everyone to leave, so she could finally know what it was like to feel Mick’s mouth against hers.
Folks began to trickle away in the late afternoon. Willow happily bagged up leftovers for Missy and her family, and she was boxing up two pieces of pumpkin pie for Bert and Patty when Bert leaned close.
“You should sell this stuff,” Bert suggested. “I’ve had two pieces already.” His earlier sour expression was replaced with a look of goodwill from sharing a wonderful meal surrounded by friendly company.
Willow grinned. “Maybe we will,” she said. “Who knows what will happen next at the Double W.”
Bert’s wife, Patty, gave Willow a sly smile. “Oh, I think we all know what’s going to happen next,” she said.
Willow put away her irritation as they made their way to the front porch. Handing them their pie, she pasted on her best smile. “Thanks so much for coming.”
Waving Bert and Patty away from the front porch, Willow was about to turn back inside when she was joined by Curtis’s mother, Linda. Willow’s mouth went as dry as cotton.
Linda stood beside her, waving to Bert and Patty as they drove into the snowy afternoon. She sighed. “I do love my brother, but he can be …” She searched for the right word. “Shortsighted,” she finally said. “Not to mention a horrible gossip. He’s worse than any woman I’ve ever known.”
Willow pushed down the laugh that bubbled up in her throat.
Linda turned toward Willow. “Listen, sweetie, there’s something I just need to say to you.”
Dread replaced Willow’s earlier light-heartedness, and a knot of sorrow and anxiety formed at the base of Willow’s throat as she looked down at the porch boards.
Linda raised her chin to meet her eyes, and Willow blinked in the soft glow of Linda’s kindness.
Linda dropped her fingers from Willow’s chin. “I know there are those who would hold it against you for breaking up with our Curtis.” She jerked her head toward the retreating car of Bert and Patty before refocusing on Willow. “But Jim and I are not
among them.”
Willow stared in quiet disbelief at her friend and neighbor.
“We love you, Willow, and we love Curtis. More than words can say. But if you didn’t feel this was the marriage for you, I’d rather you figure that out now rather than later.”
She paused and looked out over the snowy blanket. The storm that had promised such fury had dissipated with nothing more than a couple of hours of sleet.
Linda continued, “Don’t get me wrong. I hurt for my son. Losing you was like losing a limb. He felt … we all felt … I don’t know, like he isn’t whole without you.”
Willow heard the painful sorrow that came from her decision, and it nearly cracked her open with grief for the family she so dearly loved. Her voice was raspy. “I-I—”
Linda turned back to Willow and held up her hand.
Willow pushed her words back down into the pit of her stomach.
Linda continued, “I told Curtis that it would be better for him to go through this now than when there are a couple of little kids involved, two ranches, and two neighboring families.”
Willow held Linda’s hand. “I want you to know …”
Linda patted Willow’s fingers. “I know Mick wasn’t the core reason around your decision to leave Curtis, but I also know Mick’s presence meant something. It invited you to look at things differently, and you did. There’s no crime in that, Willow. As hard as this is for Curtis, I’m just so grateful you figured it out now.”
Tears came to Willow’s eyes. “I did love Curtis,” she cried. “I do love him.”
Linda gave her a patient smile. “I know, but that was a long time ago, and people can pull apart.”
The truth of those words cut into Willow’s heart, and she closed her eyes in hopes of shielding herself from Linda’s painful words.
Linda continued, “Curtis will have his own reckoning around this. I know everyone in this town acted as if you were engaged, including me. But you weren’t. He relied too much on the opinion of others to keep the two of you bound together.” She smiled gently before shaking her head. “But all is not lost. Love, even when it isn’t what you thought it would be, is never wasted.”
Willow opened her eyes to see the nothing but love and kindness in Linda’s eyes before the older woman pulled Willow into a hug. “And we still love you. So you see, there’s no waste. But it will change for all of us.” She pulled away from Willow.
Willow noticed tears in Linda’s eyes, and she fought her own.
“But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.” Linda caressed Willow’s face and offered a sad smile.
Willow embraced Linda once again and breathed in the scent of autumn spices. This woman she would’ve one day called mother was offering her the gift of abundant understanding wrapped in love. Willow began to cry. “I’m going to miss you. I’m going to miss what might have been.”
Linda pulled away and rubbed Willow’s hands in her own. “Me too,” she said with a sigh. Then, she brightened. “But once all of this settles down, we’ll figure out something new, so you won’t have to miss me,” Linda said. “And one day, we’ll all be closer than ever. I can promise you that.”
Willow nodded as Jim came out to the porch.
“This was a great afternoon,” Jim said. “Linda and I are happy to have been invited.”
Willow smiled through her tears. “It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
Jim pulled Willow into a one-armed hug. “And we’re glad it doesn’t have to be without any of us. Aren’t we, Lin?”
Linda nodded, her eyes shining with tears as she squeezed Willow’s fingers, before turning toward her husband. “Are you ready to head home?”
Jim took a step down the porch. “I reckon. Time to feed those cows.”
Willow watched Curtis’s parents walk arm in arm into the clearing storm. Once they reached the car, they both turned and waved. Willow brushed away a tear and waved back, both freed and bound by the love they would always share.
Chapter 33
Thanksgiving leftovers were put away, but the kitchen still smelled of herbed turkey and pumpkin pie as Willow helped Mick and Shorty clean up.
As they finished, evening came over the house and the storm was gone, leaving a dry and clear but frosty night. Willow and Shorty walked to the front steps. They stood together under the porch light, gazing over the drive where the Jag stood in the open. Several visitors had wanted to look at the car, and Mick had pulled it out onto the gravel lot.
“You don’t have to go, you know?” Willow said. “You can spend the night and leave in the morning.” Shorty’s company was like wearing her favorite flannel shirt, and she hated to give him up.
“No. This isn’t my place anymore. I need to be at the Hanging J for an early breakfast, but thanks for asking just the same.”
Willow let out a sigh.
Shorty chuckled softly as he nodded toward the Jag. “It’s amazing to think that one car can cause so much trouble.”
“Yeah. None of this would’ve happened if that car would’ve conked out in Missoula or some other Montana town.” The thought of missing Mick made Willow’s heart contract. She turned to look at Shorty. “Do you believe in random coincidences?”
“No,” Shorty replied. “I never have.”
“I guess I don’t either when you think about how all of this had to fall together.” Willow grabbed Shorty’s hand. “Thank you so much for everything. This meal. Your welcoming of Mick. And probably half a dozen things I don’t even know about.”
“You’re welcome, my girl. And remember, you still owe me a meal.”
Willow laughed. “I hope you’ll be here for many meals.” Willow was determined to make sure the miles between them wouldn’t automatically be followed by distance. She and Shorty had the privilege of determining their relationship. It would take effort, but Shorty was worth that.
“Oh, you can count on that,” Shorty said. “I love eating other people’s cooking.”
Willow turned to Shorty. “That always surprises me.”
“Oh, there’s lots of things about me that would surprise you, my dear,” Shorty said as he ambled off the porch.
“Come next Sunday,” she said. “And Mick can fix us brunch.”
Shorty pointed to his head. “It’s on my calendar,” he said with a final wave as he got into his truck and started the engine to head toward the Hanging J. Willow watched until Shorty’s taillights disappeared, and then she walked into the front door.
Except for the crackling fire, the house was silent. Her father was reading the paper in the living room, and Mick was mopping the last corner of the kitchen floor. Cleaning out the mop, he looked at Willow. “I think it was a success.”
“A huge success,” Willow agreed. “It couldn’t have gone any better.”
Mick grinned as he turned out the kitchen light. “Come outside with me for a minute, will you? We can shut up the shop.”
Willow’s breath caught in her throat at the invitation, and she threw on her coat as she followed Mick out to the front of the house. Once they reached the shop, she shut off the light and they stood near the trunk of the car, looking over the snow that glistened in the light of the stars and a crescent moon.
“Have you ever seen anything like it?” Mick asked.
Willow shivered, but it wasn’t from the cold. Something was changing between her and Mick. “I see this all the time,” she said. “But it never gets old.”
“Are you thinking of your mom?” Mick asked.
“Yeah,” Willow replied. “She loved these brilliant stars, and I always feel close to her when I can see them.”
“The thing about stars is that they’re always there, even when you can’t see them.”
Willow leaned against Mick, his warmth flowing through her coat and into her bones.
“Your mother left you a legacy of love, Willow,” Mick said softly. “Your dad loves you. Shorty adores you. And I know this town loves you. I can see why the
y were suspicious of me. They really want what’s best for you.”
Willow turned and faced Mick, placing her arms around his neck; the warmth of his skin penetrated the palms of her hands. “It’s very generous of you to say that.”
Mick placed his hands around her waist and lifted Willow up on the trunk of the Jag before climbing up to sit beside her.
Willow placed her arm through Mick’s and cuddled against his shoulder as they both silently gazed over the frozen night sky, alive with stars that were created by ancient fires.
“I know we’re not officially a couple,” Mick said, his voice husky with emotion. “But I hope we can maybe consider that in the future. The very near future.”
Fresh hope left new tracks in Willow’s heart. “I hope so, too. Having you here feels right.”
“I never even imagined I could find a place where I belong,” Mick murmured before stepping down from the trunk and facing Willow.
Willow could make out Mick’s bright eyes in the starlight, the curve of his jaw and deep brown hair. She breathed in the scent of him as he leaned toward her. The air between them was charged with suspended emotion as his breath tickled her ear.
“Come here,” he whispered in her hair as he pulled her near.
Warmth fluttered in Willow’s belly and flooded down into her legs, and she was grateful to be sitting. Mick was close, standing between her knees, and he gathered her to him, his lips brushing against hers in one tender motion.
Willow melted against Mick as he gently tipped her head with his hand and fully enveloped her in his embrace and as his lips pressed hers. Instinctively, Willow reached her hands around Mick’s neck, taking in the scents of rosemary, thyme, and Mick’s clean skin.
Passion flared in Willow as the knot in her belly came undone, and she received Mick’s warm and gentle kiss as his lips moved with hers in a perfect rhythm. In response, she tightened her arms around Mick’s neck, her hands reaching up into his soft hair. Drawing him close, her heart rushed against her ribs like a bird’s wings that had finally found the opening to its cage. Yes, this was wild and unrestrained, and it was love, a different love than she shared with Curtis. One that had the power to burn both hot and eternal, like the stars above her.
Diamonds And Denim (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots) Page 20
