Once Burned

by Suzie O'Connell

  “And you think this man is best for him?”

  “I would have thought the ring on my finger made that obvious.”

  Giselle, who had been standing rigidly beside her husband throughout the entire exchange, said quietly, “I warned you this would happen, Max. Didn’t I tell you to either cut ties or put forth a real effort? You can’t be a father when it’s convenient for you. You have, by your own indecision, given all your rights to Lindsay when it comes to making decisions for Noah.”

  “You’re against me now, too?”

  “No one was ever against you, Max,” Lindsay replied. “That’s what you’ve never understood. You think this whole thing is some ploy to ruin your life, but it’s not. It’s nothing more than a simple error in judgment that just so happened to land us with a son. If you want to stay in Noah’s life, that’s fine, but I’m not going to force you to be a part of it. From now on, you can tell me when you want to see him or talk to him because I’m done fighting with you. It takes too much energy, and I have too many good things going on in my life now that I plan to hang on to with both hands. Call me later if you want to reschedule this visit.”

  Henry couldn’t remember when he’d ever been as proud of someone as he was of Lindsay right now as she threaded her fingers with his, wished the Ulrichs a happy New Year, and headed down the walk to the truck. Neither she nor Henry turned to watch Max and Giselle disappear inside, and when they reached the driveway, Henry yanked her into his arms, grinning.

  “I think that went well,” he said. “All things considered.”

  “I suppose so, but I guarantee that that was rather more abrupt than he’s used to.”

  “Hey, I didn’t punch him, and I was damned tempted at the beginning.”

  “I’m sure you were. I know I don’t need to ask because your playful tone and that lazy smile are answer enough, but I want to hear you say it.”

  “Say what?”

  “That I get to keep my beautiful ring and that you still want to marry me after meeting my asshole ex and finding out exactly what dealing with him is like.”

  “Of course you get to keep your ring, gorgeous, and you bet you sweet heart I still want to marry you… even more than I did before, if that’s possible.” He kissed her. “I told you I wasn’t going to change my mind because of Max. Do you believe me now?”

  She angled her body closer to his, sliding her hands between his arms and his ribs and splaying them possessively across his upper back. “With not one single doubt left. You’ve banished them all.”

  He took her hand and spun her like he might if they were dancing, then opened her door. “Since it appears Noah no longer has to spend New Years with his father, shall we all head back to Northstar to finish out your vacation?”

  “I’d love that. Noah, what do you say?”

  “Heck yeah!”

  “All right, then,” Henry said after he slid in behind the wheel. “Let’s go home so we can get to planning our future. Starting with whether we’re going to live in Washington or Northstar.”

  “That’s an easy one, isn’t it, Noah?” Lindsay asked her son.

  “It is, is it? Okay, which one?”

  “You just answered that when you said ‘let’s go home,’ Henry,” Noah replied. “Northstar, of course.”

  “You’re sure you don’t need to think about it?”

  “What’s to think about?” Lindsay inquired. “You’ve said yourself that you were glad to be home on your ranch with your family. And it’s where I’m happiest, and where my dream of opening my own catering business might actually become a reality thanks to you and your scheming and Marvin and Mary Struthers and June and Ben Conner for giving me the opportunity. How could I want to live anywhere else?”

  “That’s all well and good,” Henry teased, “but what about Noah?”

  “Henry,” the boy said with a dramatic seriousness. “You live on a ranch. Life doesn’t get much better for a kid than that.”

  “Twist my arm a little more, why don’t you?”

  “I don’t think we need to,” Lindsay laughed. “Is this really happening?”

  “It really is,” Henry replied, leaning across the cab to kiss her as he turned the key in the ignition.

  “So,” Noah said, sitting forward. “When do I get a little brother or a little sister?”

  Henry joined Lindsay in laughter. “Let’s give your mom a chance to get that degree she’s always wanted to earn, all right, bud? Besides, I’m in no hurry because we already have you.”

  Epilogue

  HENRY SPOTTED HIS WIFE making her way through the sea of students slowly flowing out the doors of the gym where commencement had recently ended. Dressed in a black robe and matching mortarboard with golden summa cum laude cords draped around her neck. She was possibly as beautiful as she’d been almost four years ago in her wedding gown. Maybe more so. Loose-fitting as her graduation robe was, it didn’t obscure her growing belly, and memory of her joking this morning about being pregnant at her graduation for the second time in her life brought a brighter smile to his face. She’d followed the comment with an observation that this time she wasn’t a scared teenager but a confident business owner and wife looking forward to the birth of their child with nothing but excitement. He couldn’t be more proud of her.

  Steve and Debbie Miller stood with him, along with his parents and brothers and their families. Beside him, Noah bounced, trying to see over the crowd of families waiting to congratulate their graduates.

  “Do you see her yet?” he asked.

  “Yep, she’s almost here.”

  When she reached them, Henry wrapped his arms around her thighs and lifted her off the ground. Laughter spilled out of her, and she braced her forearms on his shoulders, then lowered her head to kiss him.

  “So, gorgeous, how’s it feel to be a college graduate?” he asked.

  “Absolutely amazing,” she replied. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Sure you would have.” He set her down and toyed with her honors cords. “These are all you, love. You worked your butt off these last four years, and I am so proud of you.”

  “Maybe I did the work, but your support made it possible for me to do it, so just hush up and accept your due praise.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Debbie embraced her daughter. “I am so happy of you’ve finally had a chance to go after your dreams and so proud that you’ve done it with such drive. Summa cum laude!”

  Henry stepped to her side so the rest of their families could congratulate Lindsay. She might not have had the same wonder-filled experience he, her parents, or her friends had had in college, but she’d taken the knowledge and life experience and come out with higher honors than any of them.

  Unable to help himself, he smoothed his hand over her belly. How incredible it was to feel that and the nudges? With sixteen weeks left to go, those movements were still small, but Henry was thrilled nonetheless. He couldn’t wait to meet his son. “How’s the munchkin?”

  He liked the way her smile turned shy as she laid her hand over his. “Busy.”

  “Obviously.” He turned to his mother. “Sorry the Hammond Curse struck again, Mom.”

  Tracie shrugged and pulled Jessie close. “I already have a granddaughter and three beautiful, wonderful daughters-in-law. Besides, with three boys of my own, I’m better equipped for grandsons.”

  “I know I’m definitely better equipped for boys,” Lindsay remarked, pulling Noah close. “And I know my first will have a blast teaching his little brother why football is such a great game. Won’t ya, bud?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “All right, folks. We should probably get headed out to lunch if we want to beat the crowds,” Henry announced. “Besides, I have a surprise for Lindsay, and I want to give it to her before Max and Giselle join us.”

  Debbie leaned close to him and remarked for his ears only, “You mean, you don’t want to rub it in his face that you’re a better man
than he ever dreamed of being?”

  “I have no need,” Henry replied. “And anyhow, he’s come around a lot in the last four years.”

  “So he has.”

  Henry didn’t know if it was jealousy that Noah preferred him to Max, competitiveness, Henry’s advice to appreciate what a treasure Noah was, or a realization that he might completely lose his son that had spurred Max to willingly take a more active role in Noah’s life, and it didn’t matter. Henry was glad it had happened. They still weren’t fond of each other, but he and Max were civil, and that was good for both Noah and Lindsay. Of course, he wasn’t thrilled that Max had decided he needed a visit with his son this particular weekend, but he’d long ago promised he encourage father and son to spend time together, even if that meant that his “encouragement” was sometimes nothing more than keeping his mouth shut.

  They drove across town to Papa T’s and managed to arrive before the restaurant filled up with other graduates. As soon as everyone had gathered around the long table, Henry pulled a plain white envelope with the logo of Lindsay’s company—Blue Diamond Catering after her engagement ring—out of his back pocked and unfolded it before handing it to his wife.

  “What is this?” she asked, frowning.

  “Just open it.”

  She did and stared at the small receipt with a frown. “What is this?”

  “It’s a deposit receipt for twenty thousand dollars made to the account of Blue Diamond Catering.”

  “I know that, but what is it? Where did it come from?”

  “It’s the ten grand Mel paid me back plus interest and a little extra from—” He gestured around the table at the adults gathered, both the Millers and the Hammonds. “—your family. It should be more than enough to cover the rest of the equipment and signage you need for the new kitchen.”

  Lindsay pressed her fingertips to her mouth and met his gaze with watery eyes. “Thank you. Thank you all.”

  Henry leaned back in his chair with his ankles crossed and his hands knitted behind his head and listened as the others discussed Lindsay’s plans for expanding her catering business now that she was finished with school and could focus her full attention on it. June’s party planning business had taken off, and Lindsay had barely been able to keep up while she had classes and homework eating up so much of her time, but she’d already crafted a plan to not only meet the Ramshorn’s need but expand into Devyn by hiring a few of her classmates to help her accomplish it. With her drive and talent and a new, fully equipped industrial kitchen, Henry had no doubt that she’d succeed spectacularly.

  As for him… he had everything in life he wanted. His temporary move back to the Lazy H Ranch had become permanent, and like his brothers before him, his need for adventure was now fully satisfied by his wife and her charming son. He might mot be making as much money as he had in Denver, but he enjoyed the work more than enough to compensate. And best of all, he had a wife he adored, a stepson he loved, and in a few short months, he’d be a father. For real this time.

  Spontaneously, Henry jumped to his feet and offered his hand to Lindsay. When she took it, he settled his other hand on her waist and led her in a silly dance that soon had everyone at their table laughing.

  “Looks like we salvaged more than just a night when you invited yourself to have a drink with me, Mrs. Hammond,” he murmured.

  “Indeed we did,” she replied, pressing her lips to his. “We salvaged our hearts.”

  * * * * *

  Turn the page for a sneak peek of the next Northstar Romances releases…

  Mistletoe Kisses

  Northstar Holidays, Book One

  (Northstar Romances #5.5)

  Coming November 2015

  Two years ago, Ty Evans stole a kiss under the mistletoe from his friend, Shannon O’Neil while she was in Northstar visiting her brother. Since then, she has become a starlet of the Seattle theatre scene, and it looks like that kiss will be the only Ty ever gets. Then, after Shannon’s first brush with the hassles of fame costs her her relationship with her boyfriend, she decides to take another trip to Northstar. It looks like Ty might have another chance to convince her to stay in Northstar… with him.

  Chapter One

  “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?”

  Shannon had to step back to see the tabloid Chris thrust in her face. When he shoved it toward her again, she snatched it and pushed past him through the front door of his house. She walked into the kitchen and dropped the paper on the counter. He followed her and leaned back against the island with his arms folded tightly across his chest and dark scowl pinching the features of his usually handsome face. She had really hoped he would see the article for what it was. Outright lies. Obviously, if the fury snapping in his rich brown eyes was any indication, her hope had been misplaced.

  She lowered her gaze to the cover of the tabloid. There it was, her first brush with the darker side of fame. Nearly a year and a half she’d been acting and singing on stage without a single hint of scandal, and now, less than forty-eight hours after being offered a role in a movie—albeit a local, low-budget Indie film—and she had been targeted by the media. The title proclaimed, Quid pro quo? Theatre insider claims actress/singer Shannon O’Neil offered part in film after affair with producer Kevin McNamara.

  Shannon slowly and methodically shrugged out of her jacket, hung it on the peg by the pantry, and walked over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

  “Are you going to answer me?” Chris asked.

  “Not when you’re acting like this.”

  “How should I act, Shannon?”

  “You actually believe this?” She jabbed the bottle toward the tabloid.

  “You know, I used to think you were this sweet, innocent girl, but… now I know you’re just a lying, cheating whore.”

  “Can we talk about this when you’ve had time to calm down and think and realize it’s a fabrication?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it all day, Shannon. And you know what? A lot of things are starting to make sense. Like how an entirely unknown fourth grade teacher was miraculously offered a starring role in a musical.”

  “The director was a friend of my drama professor. You know that, Chris.”

  He continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “No, not one starring role… role after starring role. There are a lot of things I’ve been willing to overlook, Shannon, but I can’t forgive this.”

  “Forgive what, Chris? It’s not true! They took the picture and wrote a lie about it. And what ‘things’ are you willing to over look? There is nothing.”

  “How about your obsession with that Montana college football team? I always wondered if there was something more to it than what you kept telling me. You’ve got a thing for the quarterback, don’t you? The blond kid, your brother’s friend. Then there was that kiss with what’s-his-name from Northstar—the cowboy—when we visited your brother for Christmas that year. Makes me wonder what you do on your solo trips out to Montana.”

  “Oh, for crying out loud, Chris! Luke is a friend of my family’s and that kiss with Ty under the mistletoe was two years ago. It meant nothing. I apologized for it, and Ty apologized for it.”

  “Nothing? I know what I saw, Shannon. And your face and your eyes right now betray you.”

  Her hand twitched with the uncharacteristic urge to slap that smug, vicious sneer off his face. Tears burned her eyes, but flaring anger held them back. “It was an accident. He didn’t mean to—”

  “Bullshit, Shannon.”

  “Three things,” she said. Her voice cracked. “Three misconceptions. That’s all you can come up with and you call me a slut?”

  “That’s more than I need to come up with. More than I should be able to come up with. You slept with another man. A married man at that.” He let go of her gaze for a moment to stare into the distance. The muscle in his jaw twitched as he clenched and unclenched his teeth. Finally, he returned his eyes to her and said very softly, “Get out of my house.”

&nbs
p; “Chris, please don’t do this.”

  “I said… get out of my house. I’m done with you.”

  “Can we please talk about this?”

  “There’s nothing more to talk about.”

  “Yes, there is. You’re being a jealous idiot and there’s no reason at all for you to be jealous.”

  “I’m not. I am well over being jealous. Now, please leave.”

  The quiet, firm resolve with which he spoke those final words cut more deeply than any amount of fury.

  “I hope you feel like crap when you realize how wrong you are.”

  With her tears spilling over, Shannon yanked her coat off the rack and ran to the front door without looking back. She slammed the door behind her as she stepped back out into the black November night. Rain pelted her as she dashed to her car, but she didn’t care. It was fitting, really, as if the sky was crying with her.

  She and Chris were supposed to have had a quiet, romantic dinner after her meeting with her agent. Instead, when she’d walked into Marcie’s sleek apartment overlooking the Seattle waterfront after spending her day off with her mother doing a little early Christmas shopping, the tabloid had been waiting for her. How she had missed it after spending all day in the mall with her mom, she had no idea, but she had and seeing her smiling face on the cover had taken the wind out of her. She recalled falling into the cushy chair across the desk from Marcie, unable to take her eyes off the image or the headline. Marcie didn’t believe it and said she’d already begun the damage control process, but Shannon had barely heard her agent’s voice.

  Her first thought had been of Chris, and of what he would think. With the naïveté she still somehow managed to cling to, she had believed he loved her enough to trust her and to know it was all a hideous fallacy, but there had been a voice in the back of her mind that remembered how he’d reacted to the way Ty Evans had kissed her in Northstar. The memory of that kiss was, two years later, still as sharp as if it had happened yesterday.