The Lumberjack's Yuletide Bride

by Kimberly Krey

  A loud part of his mind picked up where he’d left off, causing a sudden storm to wreak havoc on his insides. What if Maddie had started to second-guess her feelings for him? Or decided she’d rather not date someone who’d spent time in the spotlight. What if she decided to stay in Washington, and it took years to finally track her down?

  Brenda nudged her head into Bear’s arm and sighed. “I wonder what Mom and Phillip are doing.”

  Bear grinned. The image bringing an instant calm to his heart. It was the bigger picture, one that told him this, too, would pass. Things would be right once more.

  He took a moment to thank the heavens above for giving him peace in the storm, then chuckled as he thought of Grace in a kitchen filled with goodies. “With the way Grandma likes to spoil him, I’m sure they’re having a good old time.”

  “Where are you going to have him meet you?” Claudia’s voice sounded small through the receiver, especially when compared to the overhead announcements.

  “Oh my gosh,” April squealed. “This is so exciting!”

  Maddie could picture them hovered over April’s phone as she weaved through the Jackson Hole Airport. One giant step closer to home.

  She pressed the receiver tighter against her ear. “I’m not sure yet,” she said. Having her mom and sister so invested in her relationship with Bear—she never would’ve pictured that. It felt wonderful to have them cheering her on.

  “What are some of the dates you’ve been on so far?” April asked.

  “They did the pizza thing,” Claudia said. “I heard them talking about that at dinner. That sounded cute.”

  “Or you could have him meet you on Main Street at night when it’s all lit up and dreamy,” April said.

  “Oh, I love those ideas,” Maddie said. She liked knowing that April had positive memories of Cobble Creek. It made her hopeful that one day her sister, and maybe even her mom, might consider moving back. Maddie eyed her watch; she only had an hour before Bear said he’d be back.

  She couldn’t have him seeing her like this, could she?

  “I better grab my luggage and head out. I’ll call you guys back.”

  “Okay,” April said. “Have fun!”

  “We want to hear all about it,” Claudia added.

  Maddie’s mind raced the entire drive home. Over and over, she reminded herself that the horrible things she’d heard about Bear weren’t true. That he’d told her he loved her on national TV! And according to his voicemail message, he was dying to talk with her tonight.

  Already the sun had set. By the looks of it, Cobble Creek had gained an extra few inches of snow, the white powdery mounds piled atop lampposts, mailboxes, and park benches. Most of it had been plowed off the streets; just a bit of slush remained as a light layer of puffy flakes continued to fall, magical in the headlights’ glow. The charm of this place brought an added dose of warmth and gratitude to her heart. She brought it to her lips, lifting a word of thanks to the heavens above.

  And then it came to her. The perfect place to meet. She nodded as the ideas unfolded in her mind, excitement building within her. It had been too long since she’d seen Bear, held him, kissed him, but soon Maddie would be able to do all three; she could hardly wait.

  Chapter 26

  Bear climbed into his Jeep and roared the thing to life before glancing down at Maddie’s text once more:

  I’m dying to talk to you too.

  Please meet me at the attached location at 7 pm.

  The attached location … That was the weird part. Why hadn’t she simply told him where to meet her? Bear tapped on the link she’d sent, and the navigation system on his phone kicked on, instructing him to proceed down his street until he got to Steeples Drive.

  The flakes that fell over the quiet streets reminded Bear of the way his dad used to sprinkle powdered sugar over his French toast. “It’s snowing,” he’d say as the white powder covered his breakfast before his eyes. “Look at all that snow.” It was odd, but with as close as he’d been to his mom and his sister over the last week or so, Bear felt his father’s presence too. Perhaps he wasn’t exactly missing the get-togethers after all. Simply enjoying them from a comfy spot in the clouds above.

  Oh, you would love Maddie, Pops. You really would. Wish you two could have met. Thanks for being such an awesome dad. Thanks for always being so good to Mom, and teaching me how to treat a woman. Helping Brenda through the divorce.

  His eyes watered as the next words came to mind. And maybe, maybe help Mom find someone to keep her company for the rest of her years. She’ll probably never be open to it, but I know you’d want that for her.

  He wiped at the corners of his eyes while taking one last turn. The navigation system said he’d arrive at his destination in a few hundred feet. Bear brought the Jeep to a slow, his gaze narrowing in on a cardboard box beside a streetlamp. A picture of a teddy bear had been sketched onto the front with a marker.

  “Cute,” Bear mumbled, and climbed out of the Jeep. He walked over to the box, stood beneath the illuminated flakes at the streetlamp, and reached to get the item inside: a football. An envelope, slightly damp from the snow, rested in the box as well.

  Bear tore open the flap and read the few short words written there.

  Follow the footprints to go back in time. Let’s see … how far back are we going? I’ll let you figure that out.

  It might be dark out there, and it may have been a while since he’d stepped foot onto the old stadium, but Bear knew exactly where the footsteps would lead him.

  Up the short hill he went, behind the visitor’s section, and through the snow-covered field. A pom-pom lay on the ground up ahead, putting him right back in time, as she’d said. He reached down to retrieve it, the white and red strands hissing as he walked on. The trail curved around to go behind the bleachers, but already Bear could see where she waited.

  Through the slats in the snow-covered bleachers, candlelight flickered and glowed. Bear’s pulse picked up as he pictured meeting Maddie there. The anticipation stronger than it’d been those many years ago. On the night Bear had planned to meet Maddie there after the game, he’d been held back with guilt over betraying his buddy. Tonight, there would be nothing holding him back.

  At last he rounded the side of the bleachers to where he could enter beneath. The slant of the seats above grew taller toward the back. Candles rested on a worn-out crate, creating the glow he’d seen from the field. And there stood Maddie, smiling from the center of all that warmth and light. Perfect.

  “Hi,” she said through a timid smile.

  “Hey.” There were a million things Bear needed to say, but none of them felt right in that moment. If they had really gone back in time, there was something that needed to be done before all else.

  He stopped just a few inches away from her, taking in the details of her pretty face. That light splash of freckles on her cheeks. Those ever-blue eyes, gazing at him beneath her dark lashes.

  “Is this yours?” He held up the pom-pom, just as he’d done that very night—their ploy for meeting the way they had.

  She nodded, took it from him, and let it fall to the snow.

  Bear let the football drop before bringing a hand to her cheek.

  She licked her lips, her gaze drifting to his mouth. Fire roared in his belly as Bear lowered his head. No second-guessing or doubting. No further delay. Maddie Collins belonged to him.

  Still, he kissed her softly, as if this was their very first kiss beneath the bleachers so long ago. So good. So much better than it could have been clear back then. Because now, he knew the woman he kissed. Really knew her. And heaven help him, Bear Schaefer was in love with her too.

  Maddie released a slight moan as he deepened the kiss, her hand gripping at the back of his hair. He could do this all night. Taste the lips of the woman he loved. Hold her delicate form in his arms. Soon they’d talk about what had sent her away, address what had almost come between them. But for now, for tonight, they’d enjoy a m
oment they’d missed years ago.

  Chapter 27

  “Did you try that spinach dip?”

  “Oh my gosh, yes. So amazing.”

  “I know. I’m totally getting the recipe from Kate.”

  Maddie grinned as she overheard the conversation between Brenda and April. A few feet off, Claudia sat with Phillip on her lap, the two buried in a large board book of The Night Before Christmas. The little guy had it memorized by now, which made reciting it as Claudia read a joy for them both. Maddie could hardly believe the change that had taken place in her mother. It seemed as if she’d finally shed that bitter bone after all this time, empowering April as she attempted to do the same.

  Beside the pile of white elephant gifts, a number of guests stood. Kate and Cam were at the center, retelling one of their first-date horrors. A round of laughter broke out, and William shot a smile in Maddie’s direction before bumping Ethan with his elbow. “I have a few rough ones to tell too,” she heard him say.

  Ethan, Bear’s right-hand man, had been eyeing April from across the room, and Maddie couldn’t squelch the matchmaker blooming inside her. If her sister had a thing for guys like Bear, Ethan would probably be a good match. The guy was built like him, and he seemed to have a great respect for family, having asked if he could bring his father to the party. Ethan hadn’t wanted the man, who’d been divorced for two years now, to be alone on Christmas Eve. Bear was quick to agree, telling Maddie in private that he’d wondered if his mother and Ethan’s dad might hit it off one day. Seemed Bear had a bit of matchmaker in him too.

  A tiny tap came to the side of Maddie’s leg. Kate’s little guy, Matt, stood there, his eyes wide and questioning. “Can I go hear the story too?”

  “Oh,” Maddie said, glancing to her mom and Phillip on the couch. “I bet they’d love it if you joined them. Come here.” She leaned down, picked him up, and hoisted him onto her hip. “Are you excited about getting a little sister?” she asked as they made their way through the small group.

  “Yep,” he said with a nod. “I’m not even sad that it’s a sister instead of a brother.”

  She grinned. “You’re not?”

  Matt shook his head. “Nope. Sisters can be fun too. I read a whole book about it.”

  Maddie chuckled. “That’s awesome!”

  Claudia welcomed Matt with a wide smile. She looked beautiful today. Radiant. And Maddie couldn’t help but wonder if she’d be open to dating again. With her views on men softening, she could definitely come around one day. Either way, Maddie was glad to see her mother and sister enjoying life again. It had been a long time. And with their plans to move back to Cobble Creek sometime before spring, it seemed Maddie would get to witness that joy a lot more often.

  “There you are,” Bear mumbled from behind. He brought his mouth to her ear, the heat from his breath teasing her skin. “Hi.”

  Maddie spun around, snuggled into Bear, and inhaled the woodsy scent of his aftershave. “Hi. Should we pull out the rest of the food? I can round everyone up.”

  “No, I’ll do it.” He gave her waist a squeeze. “Sit tight.” Bear cleared his throat and stepped toward the dining room, the table centering the large, open space between the kitchen, front room, and living area.

  Grace, who stood in the kitchen, clanked a spoon against her wineglass.

  “Can I get everyone’s attention?” Bear asked. “Thank you all for being here tonight. In a moment we’ll sit down to eat, but for now, Ms. Maddie Collins, please come this way.”

  Maddie’s heart skipped a beat or two.

  A hush fell over the group, save a few whispers scattered throughout. She swept her hair from her face, and closed the distance between them in a few short steps.

  Bear tilted his head to see her better, encouraging Maddie to stop looking at her feet and meet his gaze. She forced herself to do just that, her heart thumping in double rhythm as she looked into his deep brown eyes. Took in that incredible dimple in his cheek.

  He took both her hands in his, and then lowered himself onto one knee.

  April gasped from her spot on the love seat. Brenda, who looked less surprised, looked on with the phone in her hand, aimed toward the action. Maddie looked back to Bear as a whirl of emotion swept in.

  “Maddie, I have known you since we were chasing one another on the playground during grade school. Who would have known that I would step back into that school years later, only to fall madly in love with you, the first-grade teacher at Cobble Creek Elementary?”

  Maddie laughed out loud and wiped a tear all at once.

  “This year you and I picked our very first Christmas tree together for your home. And then, we went back and got a second one for my house. Next year, and every year after that, I’d like to pick out a tree together for our home. So …” He held up a small wooden box, a heart carved into the top.

  He cracked it open, revealing an elegant diamond ring. “Madelyn Dee Collins, every time I consider the years ahead of me, you are the center of those thoughts. When I make a decision, whether it’s about business or home or even my Jeep, I ask myself if it would be right for us—not me. I don’t want to be just a me anymore, when the most important person in my life is you. Will you do me the honor of making us, an us—officially?”

  Maddie nodded while wiping at tears. “Of course I will.”

  The guests broke into a round of cheers while Bear slipped the ring onto Maddie’s finger. He wrapped his arms around her then, lifted her off the ground, and spun her in place. “I love you,” he mumbled in her ear.

  “I love you too,” she said. “So much!” Joy swelled so great and wide in her heart Maddie felt she could float.

  April and Brenda rushed in with high-pitched squeals. Claudia and Grace weren’t far behind them, though they each had a toddler on their hip. It was hard to believe the moment was real.

  “That’s the box Bear’s father carved out and used to propose to me,” Grace said as she gave Maddie a hug.

  “I wondered about that.” Maddie was glad to hear that Bear had been able to bring a part of his dad into the special moment.

  Throughout dinner the group exchanged laughter. Gifts were exchanged next while carols played softly in the background. All the while Bear stayed close by, holding Maddie’s hand, kissing her cheek, and reminding her—with the sweetest husky whisper—that someday soon they’d be husband and wife. Maddie couldn’t think of anything better.

  Epilogue

  Bear peeked out the window, surprised by how full the Country Quilt Inn’s parking lot had become. Especially with as hard as the rain came down. He was glad to know it hadn’t deterred their guests.

  Excitement stirred within him. “Man, I’ve been waiting for this day my entire life.” Spending the rest of his years with Maddie Collins—soon to be Maddie Schaefer—for Bear there was no greater definition of heaven on earth.

  Ethan patted his back. “Happy for you, man. You deserve this.”

  “Thanks.” Bear shot him a grin. “You know, I don’t get what Maddie’s talking about when she says we look like brothers. I mean, besides the build.”

  Ethan tapped at the lapels of his tux and straightened his shoulders. “Clearly I’d be the better-looking brother.”

  Bear chuckled. “I’ll give you that, but only because you can’t afford a jab to your ego.”

  Ethan stepped over to the mirror and smoothed the sides of his hair. “Hey, I forgot to ask you,” he said, spinning back around. “Did Jed stop by with the papers?”

  “He sure did,” Bear said, straightening his shoulders now.

  Ethan let out a cheer. “No way! So you now own exactly fifty-one percent of Big Daddy Mills.”

  “That’s right!” Bear thought back on the distraught call he’d received from James Grandy on the second of January. Due to his wife’s concern over James’s rising blood pressure, he’d delegated more than what he should have, according to James, anyway. The man had given Bear a heartfelt apology for not being mor
e aware of the demands Kristen had put on him. Before their conversation was through, James Grandy revealed that he was now ready to sell Bear two percent of the company, putting him as chief owner. “Your dad would have wanted it this way,” James said.

  Lucky for Bear, he knew how to delegate too. And he’d do what it took to spend time among the timber.

  Fortunately, Kristen had announced her departure a few months back. And while he wasn’t sorry to see her leave, Bear wished her and her fiancé—a guy from the cast of Tough Zone—the best in life. The good news was, Brenda had been able to take her place; she was doing an incredible job already. And the best part was, it made Big Daddy Mills feel like a family-run business once again.

  His thoughts were disrupted when the door burst open and Grace rushed in. “Okay, okay,” she breathed, resting a shallow box of flowers onto a vanity in the room. “The boutonnieres finally came. The photographer is going to want a few pictures of Maddie with her bouquet after the ceremony, but once we’ve got these pinned onto everyone, we’re going to start.” She pinned Ethan’s onto him first; then Grace made her way to Bear.

  Her face scrunched in concentration as she pushed the pin through the stem in just the right spot. She took a step back, eyes focused on the flower until the tightness fell from her face. She smiled, taking him in from top to bottom. “You are a handsome devil, Bear,” she said, patting his cheeks. “And you should see Maddie. You two make one good-looking bride and groom.”

  Bear’s insides stirred. “I can’t wait to see her.”