Jingle Bell Wedding: A Colorado Billionaires Christmas Story

by Regina Duke

  Faith had parked right next to the space he’d been in before, so he pulled in beside her. She was just getting out of her car. George glanced at his watch. It was only ten-fifteen, but he knew where he wanted to take her to eat.

  “Let’s go this way.” He pointed to where The Muffin Man’s sign was blinking with Christmas lights. A tow truck was moving slowly down the street, a badly damaged compact on its bed.

  Faith asked, “You want muffins for lunch?”

  George shook his head. “My aunt opened her own little place this year.” He took her hand like an excited school boy and pulled her across the street at a jog. He stopped at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant called the Itty Bitty and rapped on the glass door.

  Faith pressed her face to the panes to look inside. “This is so cute! There are only twelve tables.”

  “I know. Alice Kate loves it. She stole one of Uncle Reese’s best chefs, too. But he was okay with it.”

  As he spoke, a chubby-cheeked cheerful lady with gray and white hair hustled to the door. She unlocked it and opened it wide. “Georgie!” She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight, then stepped back to eye Faith with an expectant look.

  George’s shoulders hunched up and then down, as if he were preparing for a free throw. “Aunt Alice Kate, this is a very dear friend of mine, Faith Bernard. We were in high school together. I’m sure you remember her.”

  Alice Kate clapped her hands together and her eyes filled with delight. “Welcome! Welcome, Faith. Come in quick, before people think we’re open.” She giggled. “My waitress hasn’t arrived yet.”

  “Oh, do you want us to come back?” asked Faith.

  “Heavens, no. I’ll serve you two myself.” Her whole manner was one of gracious hospitality and good cheer. She led them to a table in the far corner. “This is the best I can do in the privacy department.” She busied herself with placing napkins and silverware on the table and pouring ice water into their glasses. “Did George tell you he basically grew up at the Cattleman’s with Reese and me? I mean, we didn’t grow up. I mean, he—we—”

  George held a chair for Faith, then leaned over to kiss his aunt on the forehead. “She means they took me in when my mother had some health issues, and…well, my mother never got better, so Aunt Alice Kate and Uncle Reese legally adopted me and raised me from a pup.”

  “Well, that explains a lot,” said Faith. “No wonder you were so certain there would be a room for me at the Cattleman’s.” She smiled in gratitude at Alice Kate. “Thank you for the gift.”

  Alice Kate’s brows rose in a question mark, but she said nothing.

  George jumped in. “We’ll have whatever you pick for us. I know it will be perfect.”

  “Hot homemade French bread and a mild cioppino. Reese’s chefs make it so hot and spicy, I can’t taste the shrimp. So we do an Alice Kate version.”

  Faith said, “It sounds wonderful.”

  Alice Kate bustled away.

  George gazed after her fondly.

  “You really love her, don’t you?”

  George met her eyes. “Yes. Pretty obvious, huh?”

  “I think it’s wonderful.”

  “Uncle Reese is super cool, too. And my other aunt—well, she’s Alice Kate’s cousin, but I call her ‘aunt’—owns the boutique across the street.”

  “Mina’s Boutique? You’re related to Mina?”

  George nodded eagerly.

  Faith flashed him a playful look. “You may have to take me shopping there sometime.”

  George grinned.

  Faith sipped at her ice water, then set her glass down. Half a second later she picked it up again. “Oops! I thought this was a coaster.” She picked up a folded card with a photo of Reese and Alice Kate McAvoy on it, dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. “This is adorable.” She opened it. “It’s blank. What’s it for?” She picked up the envelope beneath it and tucked the card in sideways so she could still see the smiling faces in the photo.

  “My aunt and uncle love playing Santa Claus. This year, they helped the Lazy B acquire reindeer so they can raise charity money by giving reindeer sleigh rides, if we get enough snow. The weather hasn’t cooperated yet. So far, they’re doing reindeer photo shoots.”

  “Great idea.” Faith paused while Alice Kate hustled about, delivering their bread and soup.

  “Can I bring you anything else?”

  George smiled. “This looks fantastic. Thanks for letting us in early.”

  “My pleasure. Faith? Would you like anything else?”

  Faith lifted the card. “You make a great Mrs. Claus. What are these for?”

  “Letters to Santa, of course.” Alice Kate reached into her apron pocket and pulled out two ballpoint pens. “There you go. That’s what I forgot. Enjoy your meal and just holler if you need anything.” As she left their table, a young and flustered waitress arrived via the kitchen entrance. Her name tag read “Jasmine.” Alice Kate began talking to her in a low voice and laid an arm around her shoulders as they moved into the back room.

  George tapped the pen against his chin. “I know what I’m asking Santa for.”

  “Really?” Faith picked up her pen and opened her card.

  “See?” George teased. “You did think of something.”

  Faith smiled mysteriously, then wrote quickly and tucked the card inside the envelope. “I finished first.”

  George chuckled and wrote on his own card while Faith tasted her soup.

  She said, “The cioppino is magnificent.”

  George wrote some more.

  “It’s going to get cold,” teased Faith.

  At last, he folded his card and put it in the envelope. He picked up his spoon, dipped it into his soup, and paused for a moment, inhaling the steam. Then he took a bite. “Mmmmm, good.”

  Faith dipped a bite of French bread in the soup. “What did you ask for?”

  “Can’t tell, or it won’t come true. How about you?” He gave her a playful look.

  Faith grew serious. “I have to go back to Reno Monday for a couple of days. I asked for a reason to come back to Eagle’s Toe.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  George’s face fell. “Monday? You mean, leave tomorrow? Or travel Monday?”

  “Ordinarily, I’d leave today and drive back. But—”

  George reached across the table and took her hands in his. “Please don’t. I mean, if there’s something you have to do in Reno, well, let me ask around. Uncle Reese has a lot of connections. But don’t leave today. And don’t leave tomorrow. Let me see what I can do first, transportation wise, okay? I can’t stand the thought of you making that drive alone.” Silently, he added to himself, And maybe never coming back.

  Faith’s gaze dropped to their hands. His were so strong and yet gentle. “Thank you. To tell the truth, I’m half afraid to go. The gambling thing, you know.”

  “What’s so important about getting back, anyway? I thought you said you wanted to move home to Eagle’s Toe.”

  “I do. But…well, here.” She pulled out her phone and shared the text she’d received the night before.

  George frowned at it. “NCLEX? What is that?”

  “Remember when you asked about the board exams for my nursing license?”

  George nodded.

  “A few weeks ago I requested a new exam date because I missed the first one. Since then, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. You know, about moving home. And I guess I figured I was never going to hear from them. It seemed to be taking forever. But last night, I got this text telling me to report on Tuesday for the NCLEX. That’s what they call the board exams now.” She took back her phone and stared at the screen before clicking it off. “What do you think? Should I do it? Should I take the exam?”

  George’s eyes widened. “Of course! You’re a total brain, remember? I know you’re going to pass with flying colors. You let me work on getting you there. But not today. You just got here. We just found each other again. And—” He stopped abruptly. />
  “What?” asked Faith.

  “Well, if you’re worried about that gambling problem, I was thinking—” Shyness threatened to derail him, but he pushed on. “—what if I go with you? I could be your Anti-Gambling Kevlar Protection.”

  Faith grabbed his hands and squeezed them tight. “Would you? Would you do that for me? Oh gosh, that would be so wonderful. George, I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “That’s easy,” he beamed. “Just spend every waking moment with me from here on out. How’s that?”

  Faith’s eyes glistened with emotion. Unable to speak, she nodded. They sat holding hands for a long time, until Alice Kate moved to unlock the front door for the line of customers waiting outside.

  “Have you finished your lunch?” George asked softly.

  Faith smiled.

  “Let’s go see the reindeer.”

  “I’d love to.”

  George pulled his wallet out of his pocket. Faith reached for her purse, but he held up a hand. “Please, let me take care of it.” He leaned close and said, “My aunt gives me a huge discount.”

  Faith laughed. “Deal.”

  George helped her on with her jacket. He picked his up and slung it over one shoulder. At the cash register, Alice Kate’s eyes twinkled and her laugh lines crinkled. As she rang up their meal, she asked, “Did you put your letters to Santa in the box?”

  Faith scooted back to the table to retrieve them. “We might as well.” She dropped them through the slot. “It was so nice to meet you.”

  “Again,” said Alice Kate. “I remember you from George’s basketball games. He used to point you out to me. I think he had a big crush on you.”

  George’s cheeks flamed crimson, but he didn’t object.

  Faith looked away. “I think that crush was mutual,” she said at last. “I never missed a game. Why can’t teenagers talk to each other? It makes me so sad to think we could have been seeing each other all this time.”

  Alice Kate looked pleased. “You two go on and have some fun. But plan on dinner at Il Vaccaro tonight. Reese will be looking forward to meeting you.”

  Outside in the brisk midday air, George paused to put his jacket on.

  Faith asked, “What does Il Vaccaro mean?”

  “You can’t guess?”

  Faith thought about it, then looked down the street where the new tower of the Cattleman’s Inn rose high in the air. She snapped her fingers. “The Cattleman?”

  “Exactly.” George slipped an arm around her. “Come on. The reindeer are waiting.”

  “If one of them has a shiny red nose, I will faint dead away.” They strolled arm in arm toward George’s VW. When Faith’s phone pinged, she pulled it out, half expecting another reminder from the board of nursing. Instead, she stopped in her tracks, struggling to inhale, as her perfect day came crashing down around her ears.

  CHAPTER NINE

  George turned to her, instinctively slipping his arms around her. “What’s wrong? You look like somebody just punched you.”

  Faith tried to extract herself, but finally collapsed against him. Her voice quavered. “It’s the lousy creep who got me in trouble with gambling. I wasn’t expecting to hear from him, not in the middle of all this wonderfulness.”

  “May I?” George held a hand out.

  Faith put the phone in his hand.

  George read the slightly suggestive post. He cleared his throat. “Listen, Faith, if this guy still means something to you—”

  “God, no. If I could ever hate someone, it would be him. Just seeing his name on the text makes my stomach churn.”

  “You should change your number.”

  Faith looked pale. “I did. Twice.”

  “How’s he getting it?”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “It’s as if he wants to torture me. Every time he does this, I feel like I’m in a horror movie.”

  George pulled her close. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to turn your phone off. If he texts you again, let me take care of it, okay? Meanwhile, just leave it off.”

  Faith agreed. “Sounds good.”

  George tipped her chin up so he could look her in the eye. “I am not going to let this creep haunt you, understand? After all, we’re going steady.” He touched the ring she wore around her neck. “We’re practically engaged.”

  Faith giggled, her good spirits returning. She gazed up at him and said softly, “That sounds so wonderful, George.”

  “I could make it sound more wonderful,” he murmured. “All you have to do is say yes.”

  Faith threw her arms around his neck. “Yes! Yes, yes, yes! I know it’s crazy and fast, but yes, yes, yes.”

  George sought out her lips and kissed her deeply, right there on the street for all to see. When they ran out of air, he pulled away just far enough to whisper, “I love you, Faith, with all my heart.”

  The rest of the afternoon was a blur. Faith knew they went places and did things, but everything around them seemed to fade into the distance. Only George was crystal clear. Only his voice was audible. She wrapped herself up in the love they shared and floated on air for the rest of the day.

  Dinner at Il Vaccaro was a delight. They were guests of honor in a private alcove with Reese and Alice Kate. Faith worried that she might not make a good impression. If Reese and Alice Kate had raised George, they were his parents, and she wanted them to approve more than anything. But George seemed delighted with the whole evening, so she was reassured. They shared her reason for needing to go to Reno, and while Faith chatted with Alice Kate, she was aware of George having a quiet conversation with Reese. When dessert was served, Reese left the table with the excuse of checking on the chefs. He was only gone for a few minutes.

  As the evening drew to a close, and Reese and Alice Kate prepared to retire, Reese held up a finger, his blue eyes sparkling and his gap-toothed smile making him look very jolly indeed. “By the way,” he said. “Uly and Belle Garrison have arranged for their private plane to pick you up Monday at ten and fly you to Reno. You tell the pilot when you want to return and he will be waiting for you at the airport. But remember, I want you back in Eagle’s Toe by Thursday evening. We have a lot of parties and festivities planned.”

  George stood up and hugged his aunt and uncle. “Thank you, Uncle Reese. Don’t worry. We’ll be back in time. We don’t want to miss Christmas in Eagle’s Toe.”

  “Oh, one more thing.” Reese held out his hand, and Alice Kate pulled a small package out of her purse. Reese took it and held it aloft. It was delightfully wrapped with curly ribbon cascading down on all sides. “A little gift for the two of you. You can open it on the plane, but not before.”

  “I promise,” said George. He hugged them again.

  Alice Kate checked the time. “Oh my. I’d better go help Tony and Jasmine close up for the night!”

  Reese pecked her on the cheek. “Take one of the busboys with you. I know you’re short-handed. In fact, take one to work at the Itty Bitty until New Year’s. I’ll pay his salary.”

  “Reese, darling, how much do I love you?” Alice Kate threw her arms around her husband and hugged him tight. Then she motioned to a young man who was clearing a nearby table and off they went.

  George escorted Faith to the door of her room. When she turned to say good night, her eyes were misty. “Thank you, George. I’ve never been so happy. Shall I turn my phone on again? I don’t want to miss your texts.”

  “Good idea. Let me.” He took her phone and turned it on, then waited to see if there were any more texts from her stalker. Sure enough, he’d texted again, sounding nastier than ever. “Don’t look. I don’t want you to read this. Do you mind if I handle this?”

  Faith shook her head. “Please do.”

  George tapped the phone until it began to ring on the other end. A smarmy male voice crooned, “Hey, Faith Baby. I knew you couldn’t resist.”

  George growled into the phone, “This is Faith’s husband. If you ever call her or text her again
, I will come after you. Lose this number.” He hung up.

  Faith looked up at him admiringly. “That was very strong.”

  “Too much?”

  “Oh heck no. I loved it.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him so passionately that George had to force himself to pry her gently away.

  “I’m not your husband yet,” he panted. “But I have an idea of what we can do to celebrate after you take your exams.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Thursday, December 24, 2:00 p.m.

  Eagle’s Toe

  George and Faith sat holding hands in his VW in the parking lot of the Cattleman’s Inn. Faith was still walking on air from the luxury of traveling in a private plane. And the package they’d opened on the way to Reno had left them both dumbstruck.

  Inside the delightful little gift box they found a diamond ring for Faith, a diamond stickpin for George, and two matching wedding bands. The note inside read, “These may come in handy in Reno. Some day, when you’ve made your fortunes, you can pick out your own. For now, we wanted you to have your grandparents’ jewelry. Love, Reese and Alice Kate.”

  Faith leaned against her husband and clung to his arm while admiring the large diamond on her finger. “George, I’m so happy I could burst.”

  George chuckled. “Me, too. We’d better not burst yet, though, because it’s Christmas Eve, and we’re expected to go to the big Cattleman’s party. And I want to ride in the reindeer sleigh.”

  “Me, too!”

  “Let’s go tell Uncle Reese we’re home.”

  “Is Alice Kate working at the Itty Bitty today?”

  “No. She wanted to give her people a couple days off for Christmas, so they can go to the party, too. She told me she was going to put a sign in the window sending everyone over to the Cattleman’s.”

  They got out of the car and were immediately drawn to one another again. Arm in arm, they walked through the thickening snowflakes, oblivious to the impending weather. “Say, who left me the jammies and toiletries my first night here?”