Christmas At Love House: Bittersweet Interlude (Bull Rider #3)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “We need to talk to you both. Velia, un momento, per favore. Can you wait?” Natale’s hands clenched, wrenching at her midriff.

  Nothing about this scenario looked good. Take a deep breath. Velia glanced at Caulder who had grabbed a beer from the fridge. “Shall we go into the great room? Get yourselves a beverage. If you’re hanging around, we’ll have champagne and appetizers later.”

  Natale grabbed two bottles of apple juice from the refrigerator and handed one to Foley. “We’re heading back tomorrow. I can’t miss more than a couple days of school right now.”

  “Exactly!” Velia’s voice was stern. “Should you miss even one? You’ll stay here with us tonight then.”

  “Velia, sì. It’ll be fine. I’m a straight A student.”

  Natale wasn’t backing down or allowing herself to be intimidated. Tenacity was something Velia admired about her cousin who didn’t take anything from anybody—giving her strength to accept the unacceptable. “Well…that’s great to hear.” But, if Natale wanted to be stubborn, so could Velia. Why, she didn’t know because they had no idea what news was coming. However, it was something worth a trip across the country. Velia took a seat on the loveseat in the great room.

  Flames burst forth after Caulder turned on the fireplace before sitting beside Velia, and he reiterated his earlier question. “What’s going on? Get it done with because it’s eating at you both.”

  “What’s going on with you?” Natale asked. “Champagne. Appetizers? Texts?”

  “We have something to tell everyone at the same time. We wanted to have a celebration, so you’ll find out later. Talk, Natale. You’re here for a reason.” Caulder sat back and slid his arm around Velia’s shoulder, waiting. Velia lowered her hands to her lap.

  “We have a reason, yeah.” Foley waited for Natale to take a seat and he dropped beside her. He clasped her hand, holding with both of his like he was her armor. No one said anything.

  Caulder moved to the edge of the sofa and rested his elbows against his knees. “Well, this is getting damn uncomfortable. One of you better say something or you wasted your time coming all this way…and missing school. What about our bulls, Foley?”

  “My guys are taking care of getting them there. I’ll fly out tomorrow, I mean we will.”

  Natale released Foley’s hands and stood. She reached into her jeans pocket and stuck a ring on her left hand ring finger, a subtle smile showing on her lips that couldn’t be hidden. She raised her hand, to show off a rather large—maybe two carat, diamond ring.

  “That’s an engagement ring?” Velia asked. “You two are getting married? You’re engaged? Already?” Get it under control. You aren’t her mother. What was so wrong with them being together, anyway? Nothing.

  Caulder straightened his posture, shoving fingers into his hair to hold it back. All he did was glance at Velia then settled his gaze on them again.

  Foley too removed a ring from his pocket and stuck a gold band on his left hand ring finger.

  Velia stood to reach for Foley’s hand, released it, paced around the room, and landed back in front of him. She took his hand again. “It’s a wedding ring? For when you get married, right? Do you have all the plans worked out? You’re determined to get married?” If someone had thrown that many questions to her at one time, she’d have fled the room. She dropped Foley’s hand and peered at Natale. “You’re eighteen, honey.”

  In a voice as smooth as velvet, yet adamant in its tone, Natale replied, “Sì, so were you when you got married. This isn’t an engagement ring, Velia. It’s…it’s a wedding ring.”

  This couldn’t be what it looked like. Time slowed down, but the quivering inside came quickly. Nausea churned in her gut. Velia was unable to decide if she was thrilled or angry. “For when you get married, right?”

  Foley wrapped his left arm around Natale. He slapped his right hand against his thigh. “Dammit, all y’all quit dancing around this. We did get married! We are married. Like it or not, it happened.”

  “Foley is my husband.” Natale curled into the crook of Foley’s arm using him like a shield to protect her.

  Caulder stood, legs planted wide and his hands went to his hips. He peered out the window seemingly processing the news. “You two got married. Without telling anyone? Sonofabitch. Why?”

  Natale huffed. “Correct. Sì, without telling anyone. Especially, Bobby.”

  Caulder’s cheeks puffed out like he tried to hold in an outburst. He peered at the floor, shook his head, and slowly lifted his eyes to them while he rolled up his sleeves. “Well, won’t he be pleased,” came out dryly.

  Natale’s strength had apparently returned. “We were hoping you’d help us break the news to him.”

  “Excuse me? What?” Velia placed her hands on her hips. “You walked into this on your own.” A quick glance to Caulder showed him about ready to lose it. Pacing to the fireplace, he put his hand on the mantle while staring into the flames. She raised her hands in front of her, palms up. “Natale…”

  Pausing before answering, Natale took Velia’s hands and spoke softly. “Don’t be mad at us. We love each other and this is the only way we can be together for now. He’s traveling. I’m in school.”

  Oh, dear God, if only this didn’t come back on them and ruin their lives, rushing into this without talking it over with anyone. In Velia’s adult mind, she could see there was so much that should’ve been worked out, and still needed to be, for their future lie ahead of them…only guided by love.

  How could that be wrong?

  “What about school? How can you be married and stay in high school? You’re going to college when you graduate.”

  “Yes, of course. School won’t know. I’m not going to tell them. In the fall I’ll go to Oklahoma State University and live on the ranch with Foley.”

  She thinks it’s a damn fairytale. Velia looked to the ceiling a moment to take in a calming breath as her stomach settled down. Sure, it was true—she had married the first time at eighteen. It would have worked out to this day if Justin… She couldn’t go into that nightmare right now. Natale wasn’t Velia and Foley wasn’t Justin.

  Natale had been crazy about him since she was fourteen. Who knew a seed would’ve been planted? Maybe they were meant for each other. Velia couldn’t argue with that. What was done, was done. Caulder still stared into the flames and she feared any moment he’d turn and deck Foley.

  “Well, then…congratulations.” She moved to the center of the room, to remain between the two of them and Caulder. Any minute, flames might shoot from his nose.

  “Did you have to get married?” Caulder asked in a daunting tone, still facing the hearth. “You’ve been seeing each other for four months—plenty of time to get pregnant.”

  Natale turned toward him, but Foley took hold of her arm. “You don’t have to answer that asinine question.” He went to stand beside Caulder. “No, we didn’t have to get married. For crying out loud, Caulder. Y’all know me better than that. I love her. Is that so damn wrong?”

  Ignoring Foley, Caulder went to Natale, and surprisingly hugged her. “Congratulations, sweetie.” Releasing her, he turned to Foley, shook his hand with a strong grip, then drew him into a guy hug. “Take care of her, you…you, you husband.”

  “Not a problem. But…you already know I will.”

  With a nod, Caulder patted him on the back. “You’re right. When did you get married? Hell, you haven’t been gone from here more than a few weeks.”

  “Last weekend,” replied Natale.

  Velia gave Foley a hug. “Really, I guess I’m not surprised, yet I am at the same time.” She hugged Natale next. “Good luck to both of you. I’ll try to soften the blow after Bobby finds out. Does your brother and sister know?”

  Natale released a held breath that came out in a long, audible sigh. “Torre went with us to the courthouse and Alba stood up with me. One of Foley’s friends came with us, too.”

  Velia sighed. That’d make Bobby even madder that
they all went behind his back. They hadn’t trusted her enough to tell before they did the deed. This caused a heavy heart. She would have tried to talk them out of it and they knew. Natale had spunk. Now she was a wife. “I wish you all would’ve said something so we could’ve planned a wedding for you.”

  “We do want to have a ceremony with all of our families there. Please try to understand why we did this. I couldn’t stay away from Foley. Y’all don’t know how close we had become, and we fell in love.” The two of them exchanged sweet and loving smiles.

  Natale is saying y’all now? Velia laughed to herself. As she had suspected before, love glowed in their eyes. “We’ll all help you plan it when you’re ready. Of course it will make your Aunt Lidia and Uncle Ric happy…the ceremony that is. I already broke them in on the running off to get married part when I did it. Maybe they won’t be too shocked. Anyway, we’ll have a big ceremony—”

  “At the winery. Well, as soon as Bobby stops being mad at me. The winery will be perfect for a wedding.” Natale embraced Foley and rested against him. “You both agree?” She stared back and forth at Velia and Caulder. But then the phone rang.

  “Sì, sweetie, we agree. Don’t we, Caulder?” She nudged him in the ribs as she went for her phone. “Don’t we, Caulder?”

  “Yes, of course. Bobby will want to walk you down the aisle.”

  “Speaking of Bobby…” Velia held up her phone. “Hi, Bobby. What a surprise to hear from you. Did you get the message about the conference call?”

  “Yeah, great, but that isn’t why I’m calling. Is Natale there…with her husband?”

  She looked up from the phone, one eyebrow cocked. “Ah, yes, and how did you know they were here?” Velia put the phone on speaker.

  “Because her brother and sister blabbed! Let me talk to him.”

  Velia bet it was Alba who told. Enough innocence remained where if Bobby had asked where Natale was, she wouldn’t have been able to lie. She handed the phone to Foley.

  He turned his back and paced, but in a confident voice, cowboy’d up. “Hey, Bobby.”

  “What the hell were you thinking? Be warned. If you hurt that girl you’ll never live to give it a second thought.”

  Velia’s eyes widened to hear her brother’s threat. She glanced to Caulder out of the corner of her eye. It wasn’t only an empty threat.

  “Bobby!” roared Foley. “I love Natale.”

  Velia took Caulder’s hand and made the motion to leave the room, but Natale grasped her sweater sleeve and shook her head.

  “Stay please.” Natale reached for the phone. “Let me talk to him, Foley.”

  Foley held his palm up, knowing he didn’t have a choice but to talk to Bobby. “Don’t be pissed at us. We had to do it…I mean…we didn’t have…have t-to do for t-that reason. We’re…we’re in love.” His eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head.

  Bobby’s sigh could be heard through the phone. “You’re in love,” Bobby mocked. “Put Natale on the phone.”

  Natale took the phone from Foley but pushed the button to take it off speaker. “I’m here. Bobby. Before you give me hell, I’ll remind you that you’re my cousin, not my dad, so don’t be angry. I love this man and nothing you say will change the fact that we’re married.”

  Velia and Caulder took a seat. Nothing they could do now but sit and wait while Bobby probably gave her the hell she had expected, but then Natale smiled and put the phone back on speaker.

  “We do plan on having a ceremony. I just talked to Velia about it.”

  “You’re like my daughter now, Natale. Call it whatever it is, I adopted you three because I wanted to give you a happy life. I love all of you,” said Bobby, his voice now calm and collected. “Don’t you think I’d want to walk you down the aisle? Eh? Answer me.”

  A smile crept over her lips and she peered at Foley while she continued. “I know you would, and thank you for understanding. We’re all appreciative to be in this country—to have been adopted by you. Don’t be mad at Foley. It was either this or I’d leave school to be with him.”

  “You’re talking like the teenager you still are—but more of an adult than I want to believe. We’ll continue this conversation when you come home. You are coming home together?”

  Natale moved to the other side of the room. “Sì. I’ll be home tomorrow. I am finishing school, Bobby. Foley has to get to the show. His bulls are already on the way for the opening of the season!”

  “Well…well, tell him I want some damn good seats next time I come to a show. Capisco?”

  “You got them,” Foley yelled from across the room.

  Velia and Caulder peered at each other, shook their heads, but smiled. Caulder mumbled, “He could have great seats anytime he wanted. All he had to do was ask.”

  Velia nodded in agreement.

  Natale came back to sit on the sofa. “I love you, Bobby. I wouldn’t have the life I have without you. Give my big mouth brother and sister a hug for me. Here’s Velia.”

  Velia reiterated the conference call time and rolled her eyes when Bobby said he wasn’t sure he could handle any more surprises today. “Talk to you later, Bobby. Ti amo.” She went to make her appetizers after hanging up. “Come help me, Natale. It’s time you learn more family secrets, so you can feed that man of yours. Cowboys eat a lot, darlin’.”

  Caulder grinned and got up to follow her to the kitchen.

  She peeked over her shoulder to wink at Foley. “You’re not the only one with a surprise. Wait until you hear ours.” She wrapped her arm around Caulder who beamed a smile bright enough to compete with the sunrise. “Right, papa?”

  “Correct. I’m taking Foley over to check out the stats on a new bull Dad’s taking to the PBR. Come on,” he said to Foley. “See what our bulls are up against this year.” He glanced at his watch. “In fact, they should be loaded up by now if not already on the road.”

  “I reckon you’re kind of hanging yourself, Caulder.” Foley teased. “Y’all own part of his business and mine.”

  “Exactly. How can I lose? Dad might have three or four in a show. You’ll have a couple. I win either way. Apparently now, it’s all in the family anyhow.” He guffawed, grabbed his coat from a peg in the mudroom, and grinned at Velia, “I’ll be back in around thirty minutes. I might as well get our son while I’m there.”

  “Please don’t tell your parents.”

  “Not to worry. I know how to keep my mouth shut. Because you know what, love? I’m looking forward to a private celebration later tonight, so I can’t have you mad at me. I hope you didn’t forget our own little jamboree.” He smirked at her before heading out the door.

  Any other time her cheeks would flush in embarrassment, but not this time. She pulled the door open, calling him back. “Don’t worry, I didn’t forget. Hey?”

  Before he left the porch, he turned, “Yeah, baby?”

  She gave him a secret little smile to share the special bond they had between them, and acknowledging the secret only the two of them knew about…for another hour at least. “All of us love you.”

  He glanced at Natale over Velia’s shoulder then Foley. A sexy glint in his eyes met her gaze. “I know you do. See you all soon…um, I mean, see all of you, soon.”

  Velia blinked the sting of tears away. Silly pregnant hormones. Doubled! How much had she loved that man? The amount couldn’t be counted. She glanced back at Natale and her new husband. Their new beginning made her heart skip beats with joy. Her cousins’ happiness was all she could’ve wished for, and it had happened. She went out the door, and Foley gave Natale another hug inside. On the porch, she caught Caulder’s arm. “Come here.” She clasped her hands behind his neck when he stood close in front of her.

  “Honey, it’s cold out here. Don’t get a chill.”

  “I’ll only be a minute. Kiss me.”

  A wiggle to his eyebrows led to him placing his palms against her cheeks. He slanted her head, and pressed his lips against hers in a tender-loving kiss. />
  Nonetheless, Velia opened her mouth to deepen the kiss, to accept his warm tongue, teasing, tantalizing her right outside in the cold. She let that kiss take her away to the place of love and ecstasy—the place that promised a lifetime together…a forever love, the kind that only happened in romantic dreams.

  At the end of the kiss, Caulder slipped his coat off and wrapped it around her shoulders. He escorted her to the west end of the veranda and nodded toward the sun as it lowered behind the whistling pines. “I love you, Velia. Have from the moment I laid eyes on you. How can we blame them inside who did the same thing?”

  “I know. And I have loved you…since the moment you first kissed me in Tucson.” Velia wrapped her arms around his waist and held him. “You excite me in so many ways.”

  “Likewise, ma’am, to be proven later…as usual.” He snorted.

  You prove it every minute. Velia smiled to herself. They had their own dream come true. One that had its share of ups and downs, tears and laughter—love and loss.

  Pain and joy.

  But, they had each other—their own little family created from love—to live here on a ranch in the mountains when all was said and done. The McCutchen family… Caulder and Velia, and their half-Italian sons and a daughter… They’d forever be one right here…in their love house. Velia cuddled into the crook of his arm and hugged him tight as they watched the sun set on another day. “You’re my champion.” She brought his hand to her abdomen as the first faint flutter from their son or daughter, tickled her inside.

  “Nice.” He drew her closer. “And we’re off into another season—you and I together with our little ones. All is good within the soul, darlin’.”

  “Poetic words of love, my bull rider. All is good—for our souls are one in the same.” A surge of warm-hearted emotion blanketed her heart. Watching the sun rise and set with him for the rest of their lives, sounded good to her. She dared their happily ever after to be anything less than…forever. All is good within our soul.