Mistletoe Mistake (River's End Ranch Book 35)

by Cindy Caldwell

  “Thank you—I think.”

  “No, no, I meant you look fabulous,” her son said quickly as he wrapped his arm around his wife. “And so do you, Olivia,” he said, kissing her lightly on the cheek as Olivia found her voice.

  “Gillian, you look stunning.”

  “Thank you, dear. So do you,” Gillian said as she reached for her coat.

  “I’m sure my dad will think so, too,” Olivia said as she pulled on her gloves.

  Fred cleared his throat and glanced at Olivia.

  “What? I think it would be cute if they dated. Imagine, your mom and my dad—”

  “Excuse me,” Gillian cut in. “I’m right here. And I’m not exactly looking. For anything.”

  “Oh, I know, Mom. We just want you to be happy,” Fred said as he helped his mother on with her coat.

  “I am happy, Fred. Very happy.”

  Olivia squeezed Gillian’s hand. “We just want you to be as happy as we are.”

  Gillian turned and placed her gloved hand on Olivia’s cheek.

  “Sweetheart, I had what you have. Fred’s father and I had a very good life. Mine is—different, now.”

  “Hm,” Olivia said as Fred opened the car door for them both before walking around to the driver’s seat. Before he got in, Olivia turned to Gillian and said, “Just give love a chance. You never know.”

  Gillian smiled at her before she turned to look out the window. Love? At her age? It certainly hadn’t been anything she’d spent time thinking about. She was very fulfilled between her friends, her job and her son. Was she really missing anything? She certainly hadn’t thought so—even though everyone else seemed to.

  Chapter 8

  “I don’t know if this is appropriate,” Allen said as he walked into Aaron’s room. “Is it too stupid?”

  Aaron turned toward his brother and smiled. “You look great, Allen. Love the tie.”

  Allen looked down at the only Christmas tie he owned—a green one covered with candy canes.

  “I don’t remember the last time I wore a suit. Good thing you had one I could borrow. I certainly didn’t bring one.”

  “Yes, I guess it was lucky I came straight from a cruise where they’re kind of required. Although I’d much rather be on the beach—not in a suit.”

  “Eh, I don’t know. I think you like suits more than you’d like to admit.”

  Aaron turned toward the mirror and tied his red bow-tie. He actually didn’t mind wearing suits when they were appropriate—but much preferred hanging out in places where they weren’t needed. It was something he’d learned in his travels. When he’d retired, he’d thought he might like to do that more often, but it turned out it wasn’t so. But tonight, he had no problem dressing up for a special function with his family.

  “So, tell me how your day went with Gillian.”

  Allen sat on the bed and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and Aaron watched him in the reflection of the mirror as he combed back his hair.

  “It was really nice. We laughed a lot, had Chinese food. She’s a really good organizer.”

  “Why the hang-dog look, then?” Aaron asked as he turned toward his brother and leaned against the bathroom counter.

  “I don’t know. The kids keep pushing us together and I—I haven’t thought about another woman besides Mary. Ever.”

  He sat down beside his brother and fastened his cuff-links.

  “Never?”

  “No, never. But being with Gillian, I’ve started to think about it again. We danced at the wedding, but I danced with other people besides her.”

  “Hm. Other people you liked better?”

  Allen stood and began to pace at the foot of the bed.

  “No...yes...I don’t know. I didn’t even know the other ladies. Heck, I don’t even know Gillian, really.

  “But you like her. Gillian, I mean.”

  “Yeah, but I like her like a sister.”

  “We don’t have a sister.”

  “I know that, but if we did, I’d want it to be her. It’s like—I don’t know. We have the kids in common and we both love them, and we get along great.”

  “What’s the problem, then?”

  “Nothing. There’s no problem. I think she’s great.”

  Aaron stood and pulled on his jacket. “Oh, I see,” he said, although he really didn’t. The short time he’d spent with Gillian had made him feel completely differently. She was beautiful—her honey-colored, wavy hair swept around her heart-shaped face beautifully and her eyes—

  “Are you certain?”

  Allen shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yeah. And I know she feels the same. It’s just the kids...”

  “They’re just looking out for you. If you two aren’t a match, then it’s not meant to be.” Aaron’s stomach tightened, and he realized he’d been thinking about Gillian since they’d met. But not knowing how his brother felt had put a kibosh on that idea immediately.

  “I think you need to be sure,” Aaron said. “Dance with her tonight and see what you think.”

  Allen shook his head slowly. “It just feels like a bit of a mess.”

  Aaron clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Nothing’s ever a mess. Just be honest. You’ll know what to do, what to say if the time comes.”

  “Thanks,” Allen said. “I’m just not—I guess I’m just not ready.”

  Aaron didn’t want to lead the conversation in any way. He didn’t agree at all and thought that anybody would be lucky to spend time with Gillian. But it wasn’t his feelings that mattered here...it was Allen’s.

  “We’re going to be late if we don’t hustle,” he finally said as they reached for their coats.

  “Right,” Allen said as they headed out the door and to the gala.

  “My only advice would to be to see how it goes tonight. Just be sure before you decide you’re not ready, or she’s not the one,” Aaron said as they reached the front door of the gala.

  “Thanks, Aaron. I appreciate your advice very much. Wish you were around more to give it,” Allen said with a smile as he reached for the door, swung it open and they stepped inside.

  Chapter 9

  Everything seemed to be going swimmingly, and the room looked gorgeous. Mistletoe graced the ceiling almost everywhere you looked and Gillian smiled at Whitney’s handiwork.

  She loved this event—she got to say hello to people she didn’t get to see often. The Westons were there, and she chatted for a bit with Dani and her husband Travis. Dani seemed to have changed over the course of the year she’d been married and she looked beautiful in satin, flowey black pants with a turquoise sequined top—something Gillian was pretty sure she wouldn’t have been caught dead in before.

  With familiar faces all around, Gillian was pleased with the number of people placing bids on the silent auction items. She saw Bryan, the son of her friends, standing nonchalantly by the painting of Heron Lake and sneaking in bids every once in a while. She sat to chat for a moment with his parents, good friends of hers since her husband had passed, and they laughed every time he sneaked over.

  “I think it might be about this girl he’s with, but we’re not saying anything,” Bryan’s mother said as she smiled at her husband. “It seems he’s smitten, but heaven forbid he tell his parents.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t even know yet,” Gillian said absently as she watched him place another bid, then go sit with a beautiful girl he’d brought with him.

  As she reached for another appetizer from the waiter’s silver tray, she looked up and stopped with the canapé in mid-air. At the door were Aaron and Adam, both in black suits. They looked so similar that she blinked once or twice before she could tell them apart.

  Allen looked handsome in his black suit and green tie covered with candy canes. She smiled, as it fit his personality.

  Her gaze traveled to Aaron. She hadn’t noticed him much the first time they’d met, and she was struck by the figure he cut. His black suit draped perfectly over his chest and her br
eath hitched at his red bow-tie. She’d only known two men who wore bow-ties—her husband and son. She looked away quickly as Olivia flagged them down and waved them over.

  “Wow, you both look so handsome,” Opal said as she hugged her father and her uncle.

  “I’ll say,” Olivia chimed in as she wrapped her arm around Fred. “You clean up nicely.”

  “Funny, Olivia,” Allen said as he smiled at Gillian. “How’s the auction going?”

  “Oh, I haven’t been to check for a while. Want to go look?” she asked, and when he nodded, she grabbed his hand and they headed over to the silent auction tables. They strolled along and she calculated the current bids in her head as they went.

  “I can’t believe everyone’s so generous, donating so much money.”

  “It looks pretty promising. I don’t know what you made before, but this seems pretty substantial,” Allen said when they reached the last item.

  “Thank you for all your help, Allen. I couldn’t have done it without you,” Gillian said. They’d reached the end of the items and they turned the corner into the foyer.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked as she looked about the room, admiring the decorations.

  “Oh, thank you. I have some champagne back at the table.

  Allen cleared his throat and looked around. Gillian followed his gaze to the table where the kids were—and clearly saw Fred pointing up to the ceiling. They both looked at each other before they looked up, and Gillian could swear they both gulped. She lowered her head and saw Jaclyn over Allen’s shoulder, smiling and watching. But when Allen reached out and placed this hands on her shoulders, all she could see was what was right in front of her.

  She hadn’t been in a position like this for years, and she wasn’t quite sure what to do.

  The kids had spent a lot of time trying to make this happen. “Come on, Mom, get back out in the world,” they’d said. So here she was, under the mistletoe with a really nice man.

  She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She felt him lean forward, then move to her cheek, his warm lips brushing her skin lightly.

  She opened her eyes, and Allen was smiling down at her. Their eyes met for a moment, then they both burst into laughter, taking a step back.

  “Well, nobody can say we didn’t give it a try.”

  “Allen, I’ve very much enjoyed—”

  He placed his finger on her lips. “Don’t even worry about it. We’ve each got our own things going on. Better to know now and squash the rumors,” he said as he peeked around the corner to see where all the kids were.

  “It’s better this way. Now we know we can just be friends and enjoy every moment of it,” Gillian said, slipping her hand into his as they walked back into the gala.

  “Yeah, I’ve always wanted a sister just like you.”

  Her hand flew to her chest in mock horror. “A sister?”

  He squeezed her hand. “You know what I mean. It’s the highest compliment, you know.”

  “I know,” she said as she squeezed his hand on return. He kissed her on the cheek and held out her chair for her, scooted it in for her and nodded at the kids before he walked over to Carol Ann and asked her to dance.

  “Well, that was something,” Olivia said finally after a moment of silence.

  “Yes, it was. Your father is a lovely man, and we’re friends.”

  “Oh,” Opal said with a bit of a pout. “Well, okay.”

  “Don’t be sad, Opal. We’ve each made a new friend,” Gillian said as she took a sip of champagne, a little embarrassed that the event had been there for all to see.

  She looked across the table and noticed that Aaron was staring at her as he leaned back in his chair, his armed draped over the chair next to him. She noticed his bow tie again and cleared her throat as she looked away toward the dance floor.

  Allen laughed as he spun Carol Ann and she turned to Gillian and shrugged. Gillian smiled at her and lifted her glass of champagne before she realized that Aaron was standing beside her. He reached out his hand and said, “Care to dance?”

  She looked up and smiled before she stood, placing her hand in his. He led her onto the floor and her hand seemed to fit in his like a glove as he spun her around. She periodically caught glimpses of Fred, Olivia and Opal staring at her, their mouths sometimes agape, but she didn’t care and they danced until the band took a break.

  She caught her breath and smiled up at Aaron. “That was lovely. I haven’t danced like that in years.”

  “Nor have I,” he said as he held out his arm to escort her back to their table. As they passed Bryan’s parents, they flagged her down.

  “Is this Olivia’s father?” Mrs. Baker asked.

  “Oh, no. Forgive me. This is Aaron Hamilton, Olivia’s uncle. He’s just returned from Florida—well, a cruise, anyway,” Gillian said as she they invited her to sit. Aaron pulled out her chair and sat beside her, chatting easily with her friends. They talked about cruises and Europe and traveling, and Gillian listened with her eyes wide. Aaron had actually been on the trip that she’d donated to the auction, and she asked how he’d liked it.

  “It was one of the best I’ve ever taken. The castles are extraordinary, and just walking inside them made me wish I’d lived in the times they were built.”

  She mentioned that she’d donated her trip and was hoping for a large bid for it to benefit the Riston charities. He cocked his head as he looked at her.

  “You didn’t want to go?”

  “Well, I—um, I must have, or I wouldn’t have booked it. It just seemed like donating it was a better thing at the time. I didn’t want to go all on my...”

  Bryan’s parents got up to dance, but before they left, his mother said, “You could always come with us, Gillian. We’re a big group and we’d love to have you.”

  “Thank you,” she said quietly, thinking that she might actually like to do that sometime.

  “Should we get back to our group?” Aaron asked as he stood and held his hand out for hers. She looked up at him and realized that she hadn’t felt so happy in a very long time. Lightweight and free. She didn’t even know this man, so it couldn’t have anything to do with him. She was just enjoying the evening.

  Chapter 10

  Aaron nodded to the bartender and picked up the glasses of champagne he’d gotten for Gillian and himself. He paused for a moment as he passed the silent auction tables and eyed the bid for the cruise Gillian had donated. It had a good bid on it and he looked back over his shoulder toward the table.

  It had been one of the best trips he’d taken in the past few years—the first on his bucket list when he sold his business and moved on. He still didn’t know much about her, but he could tell already that she’d enjoy it immensely.

  He started back toward the table but stopped when he felt a hand on his forearm. He turned to see an older lady with white hair swept up and wearing a purple, sparkly dress glaring at him.

  “Hello,” he said, giving her his best smile. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve the glare, but a smile was probably his best option to ward it off.

  “Hello,” she said as she continued to look him over.

  He waited for a moment before he held out one of the glasses he was holding.

  “Champagne?”

  The woman waved her hand in the air. “No, no. You don’t remember me, do you? I’m Jaclyn. We met at the cafe.”

  “Oh, of course,” he said as he set down the champagne on the silent auction table and shook her hand. “Lovely to see you again.”

  Jaclyn craned her neck to see out on the dance floor.

  Aaron followed her gaze and she frowned as she spotted Allen dancing with Carol Ann.

  “I just haven’t been able to figure this one out. It’s not incredibly clear. But I think it has something to do with you,” she said, folding her arms across her chest and arching an eyebrow. “You two look an awful lot alike.”

  Aaron sighed. He’d met his fair share of odd p
eople in his line of work and he’d always tried to work with them. With this one, though, he was flat-out confused.

  “Yes. It has to do with you,” she said as she stared straight at him.

  “Me?” he asked as he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Whatever do you mean?”

  “I personally am not quite sure, but the fairies are.”

  “Oh,” he said, suddenly aware that there were some people who just couldn’t be understood. He decided to just humor her and get back to the table as soon as he could.

  “I realize I don’t know you, but Gillian is a very special lady. I’ve known her for many, many years. And her husband was a treasure.”

  Aaron smiled as he looked back toward Gillian, who was laughing and chatting with Opal. Their eyes met and he frowned as Gillian’s eyebrows rose when she looked from Aaron to Jaclyn. She interrupted her conversation with Opal and strode over to where they were standing.

  “Jaclyn, how lovely to see you,” Gillian said as she joined the conversation.

  “You, too, dear. It’s a lovely gala. The decorations are incredible, especially the flowers that Whitney brought.

  “Yes, you’re right, Jaclyn,” she said as she looped her arm through Aaron’s and he felt her tug him in the direction of the table.

  “In fact, there’s an awful lot of mistletoe, don’t you think? It’s all over the place. Why, there’s some right above you at this very moment,” Jaclyn said as she pointed to a big bunch of mistletoe right above their head.

  Aaron took a step back as Gillian did the same, both looking up at the same time and then out into the room.

  “Yes, Jaclyn. Thank you. Nice to see you,” Gillian said and they made their excuses, heading away from Jaclyn...and the mistletoe.

  “What was that all about?” Aaron asked as they walked toward their table.

  “Oh, nothing. Jaclyn’s a bit of a character around here. Thinks she talks to fairies. Or they talk to her, rather. I don’t know. She’s very nice and I love her dearly. I’ve just never had any cause to...um, what did she say?” she said, suddenly stopping and turning toward him.