Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold)

by Susan Mallery

  Two of the samples arrived in sad condition. Flat and wrinkled. She would leave them hanging overnight, then steam them in the morning. Or maybe ask Rosalind to do it. Business was brisk and she had to learn to delegate.

  After straightening several veils, she walked back to the main showroom. She looked at the tall ceilings and big mirrors. The lighting was good, but the walls needed a little sprucing. She had some ideas for colors. The wallpaper was in decent condition, but tired. She would love to take it down and replace it with paint. They could go with a faux finish. Cheaper than wallpaper and easier to update.

  After the first of the year, she was going to set up a meeting with Isabel to talk about the wedding gown side of Paper Moon. Her business partner had been focused on the designer clothes business for a couple of years now. Madeline had placed the last sample order completely on her own. As she bought into the company, she was taking on more responsibility. She had a lot of plans and it was time to share them.

  Her cell rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and smiled when she saw the familiar picture on her screen.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Madeline, how are you? Your father and I were just talking about you, so I thought I’d call.”

  “I’m good. I sold two dresses today. Both to lovely brides.”

  “I can’t wait to see the pictures. Are you ready for Christmas?”

  “Yes. My shopping is done. I’m busy with Ginger’s wedding. She comes in tomorrow. I’m excited for her to try on the dresses I chose. Are you and Dad all ready for the cruise?”

  “We are.”

  “You’re going to have a great time.”

  “I know, but I worry.” Her mother paused. “Darling, are you going to be all right by yourself? With us gone and Robbie not there, what will you do?”

  “Mom, you’re sweet, but let it go. We’ve talked about this. You and Dad are going to have so much fun. I’ll be busy getting ready for Ginger’s wedding. On Christmas Day, I have places to go. Seriously, relax. I’m all grown up. You did a good job raising me.”

  “I can’t help it. We love you.”

  “I love you two, as well. Now relax and trust me to be okay.”

  They chatted a few more minutes, then hung up. Madeline went to her computer to check her email before heading home. As she sat behind her desk, she thought of her family and how much she enjoyed spending time with them. Within a second or two, her throat was tight and her eyes burned.

  “Don’t be silly,” she told herself. “I’m fine. I have plenty to do.”

  Only this would be the first Christmas on her own. Maybe it was a rite of passage or something, but it also felt kind of lonely. Sure her parents would call, as would Robbie, but it wasn’t going to be the same.

  She sniffed, then sniffed again. In the battle, tears finally won. She sucked in a breath, trying to get control as she wiped her face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She looked up and saw Jonny standing in the doorway to her office, Raven at his side. The old dog had the rope bone in her mouth and Christmas antlers on her head.

  “Why do you do that to your sweet dog?” she asked, hoping a bright, happy voice would keep him from noticing her ridiculous tears.

  He was at her side in a second. He pulled her to her feet and wiped her face with his fingers.

  “Tell me.”

  She stared into his green eyes. Funny how the more she got to know him, the less she noticed that he really was good-looking. Amazingly so. But somehow that didn’t matter anymore. He was just Jonny now.

  “Nothing happened,” she admitted. “My mom called. She’s worried about me being alone for the holidays. I told her I would be fine, which I will be. Then we talked and hung up and I started to cry. I don’t know why.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  She tried to turn away, but he wouldn’t let her.

  “I’ve never been alone on Christmas,” she admitted. “I know, I know. I’m acting like a baby. I have places to go. People to see. It’s no big deal.”

  He smiled at her, then kissed her. “Have Christmas with me.”

  “What? No. You’ll be with family.”

  “I’d like to be with you, too. There’s going to be plenty of food. I’m having a chef brought in.”

  She laughed. “Of course you are. I’ll be with friends.”

  “Then come over when you’re done. Stay with me.”

  Stay with me and be my love and we will all the pleasures prove.

  It was about the only poetry she’d ever committed to memory and she was pretty sure she didn’t have it exactly right, but the point was clear.

  She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him. He held her close. She felt the heat of him, the safety of his embrace. These were the moments, she thought. She could believe everything was going to be fine. That she wouldn’t get her heart broken and nothing bad was ever going to happen.

  FIFTEEN

  THE LARGE BOX was delivered at nine in the morning. Madeline read the label twice. She knew she hadn’t ordered a custom anything from that particular design house. The only person she knew who could afford those prices was Taryn, and her friend had already gotten married. Yet the box was addressed to her. Not the shop, but her.

  She studied it for a couple of seconds before she realized that she knew exactly what was inside. Some ridiculously priced designer gown that Jonny had bought for his sister. Because he couldn’t help himself.

  “Rosalind, fill up the steamer,” she called. “We’ve got a new dress in.”

  Although the box was larger than most, she knew the drill. Wedding gowns came in impossibly small packages. They had to be fluffed, then steamed into bride-ready perfection. The dresses she had set aside for Ginger were hanging in the largest dressing room. It would take a couple of hours to get this one in the same shape.

  “Or longer,” she murmured as she pulled the stunning gown out of the box.

  She had to admit, he got the color right. Like her choices for the petite bride, he’d gone with a pale ivory. The warmer tone would complement Ginger’s skin and hair color. But instead of a sleek, delicate silhouette, this gown was all about volume.

  The tiny cap sleeves were layers of lace. The bodice was fitted, then the massive skirt billowed. Tiers of lace and silk fluttered to the floor. The train had to be at least eight feet long. The dress was heavy, and while the size was right for his sister, there was no way this gown could work. She would look like a child trying to wear an adult dress that overwhelmed her. No amount of tailoring could make this suit her delicate frame.

  Madeline put the dress on a hanger, then hung it on a rack. She would give it an hour to shake out before starting the steaming process. She picked up the envelope containing the invoice, then nearly passed out when she saw the twenty-eight-thousand-dollar price.

  “You really need to learn to say you love her,” Madeline whispered, hoping Jonny had made sure the dress was returnable before he’d handed over his credit card.

  Three hours later, Jonny and Ginger arrived right on time. Madeline smiled at Ginger.

  “Are you excited?” she asked. “Or nervous?”

  “Both,” Ginger admitted with a laugh. “I can’t believe how fast time is going. Oliver and I are so busy with our research. Thank you for all you’re doing for us. There’s no way we could get married without so much help.”

  Madeline hugged her. “It’s been fun for me.”

  “Me, too,” Jonny added. “Not that you were asking.”

  Ginger wrinkled her nose. “I’ve thanked you fourteen times already and you know it.” She pressed her hands together. “I can’t wait to try on the dresses. I love the pictures you sent.” She held out a small tote bag. “I have my shoes and the underwear you told me to get.”

  Ginger started for the dressing rooms. “There are two dresses, right? We narrowed it down to that?”

  Madeline looked at Jonny, who glanced around innocently. When he didn’t say anything, sh
e shook her head.

  “You expect me to tell her?”

  “What?”

  “You have a third dress from your brother.”

  Ginger sighed. “What did you get?”

  “Nothing. It’s nothing. Another dress for you to try. It’s beautiful. Tell her it’s beautiful.”

  Having just spent two hours steaming it, Madeline was intimately familiar with the designer gown. “It’s lovely. Handmade. The lace is truly exquisite.”

  Ginger didn’t look convinced. “But?”

  “But you should try it on, along with the other two. I also have the maybe dresses from your last visit.”

  “Okay, then. I guess I should get ready.” She headed for the dressing room.

  Madeline started to go after her. Jonny grabbed her arm.

  “You mad?”

  She smiled. “No and not even surprised.”

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re consistent and adorable. You know that dress is never going to work, right? It will overwhelm her.”

  “But it’s really pretty.”

  “Which translates to ‘I can’t possibly convince you so you’ll have to see her in it to decide for yourself.’”

  He kissed her. “I like that you’re so smart.”

  “Sure you do.”

  Madeline went back to the dressing rooms and knocked.

  “Come in,” Ginger called.

  Madeline entered and saw the other woman had changed into a nude strapless bra. She had on plain bikini panties and nothing else. The giant designer dress hung on a rack in the center of the room.

  “It’s huge,” Ginger said with a moan.

  “It takes a village and a really big crinoline slip.”

  Madeline got her into the puffy slip, then Rosalind came in and helped her get the dress onto Ginger. The second it settled on her body, she seemed to shrink.

  “How many buttons are there?” Ginger asked.

  “About five hundred.”

  The other woman laughed. “Only do the top two. Then please get my brother. Not only can’t I walk, but no one should have to button me into this.”

  Madeline fastened a couple of buttons, then used clips to secure the rest of the back. She walked into the waiting area and motioned for Jonny to follow her.

  “That bad?” he asked.

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You didn’t have to. You have smug-face. That’s your silent way of telling me I was wrong.”

  She turned toward him. “I don’t have smug-face, and even if I did, you weren’t wrong. You love her and you want her to have a beautiful dress. That’s really sweet.”

  “Even if I didn’t get the right one?”

  Madeline smiled. “I’m really hoping you can return it.”

  She opened the door to the dressing room. Jonny took one look at his sister and sighed.

  “That’s awful,” he admitted. “It’s what? Too big?”

  “Too much dress,” Madeline told him. “Ginger is petite. She needs a gown that flatters her rather than overwhelms her. Go sit. She’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  He retreated. She closed the door. Ginger stared at her.

  “That was good,” Jonny’s sister said. “You totally handled the situation without making him feel bad.”

  “He did a sweet thing. He really loves you.”

  Ginger nodded slowly. “Yeah, he does. I’m very lucky. It’s nice how you understand him.”

  Madeline got a little nervous about where the conversation was going, so she hurried over to help Ginger out of the big dress. Rosalind took it away while Madeline got Ginger into one of the dresses she’d ordered.

  “This is my favorite,” Madeline admitted. “If it looks as good as I hope it will, you’re going to be stunning.”

  The dress was a beautiful creamy ivory lace covering a white silk sheath. The two-tone effect was subtle, but added a depth that was elegant. The neckline was a deep V, front and back. The dress was sleeveless and a modified trumpet style—fitting to midthigh before flaring out. Rather than being too puffy, the skirt draped, giving a nod to the modern style without overwhelming the wearer. In the back, the fabric pooled into a beautiful brush train.

  “I love it,” Ginger breathed as Madeline pulled up the zipper.

  “There’s more,” Madeline told her, then reached for the beaded ribbon belt. It was the same creamy ivory as the lace, with hand-sewn beading on the front. She tied it in place, then smoothed the ends of the ribbon.

  “If this is the one, when we get it fitted, we’ll have the belt bow sewn into place. Then we’ll cut it and add a couple of sturdy snaps to hold it closed for the day. The last thing you want to worry about is tying the bow over and over again.”

  Ginger blinked quickly. “Why am I crying?”

  “You’re supposed to cry when you find the right dress. Come on, let’s go show your brother.”

  Madeline grabbed Ginger’s shoes and followed her to the front of the store. Jonny came to his feet as his sister entered, then whistled.

  “Sis, you’re stunning.”

  “Isn’t the dress beautiful?” Ginger asked, wiping away tears. “I love it.”

  Madeline got her up on the platform, then helped her into her shoes. Ginger turned and viewed herself from every angle. Madeline showed her how the dress could be bustled.

  “We’ll add extra loops and buttons,” she said, holding the train up. “From the back, it looks fantastic and the front lines are still perfect. You’ll be comfortable, able to dance and look good in pictures.”

  She straightened and Ginger threw herself at her.

  “Thank you,” the other woman breathed. “This is perfect. I love this dress so much. I can’t believe how much you’re helping me.”

  Madeline hugged her back. “You’re welcome. I’m having a great time.”

  Over Ginger’s head, she saw Jonny watching her. When their eyes met, she felt a tug that went clear down to her heart. It had nothing to do with sexual attraction and everything to do with the man himself. The feelings were deep and overwhelming.

  What she’d been experiencing hadn’t been star power or even hanging out with a really great guy. It had been love. She’d fallen in love with him. Maybe the first day, maybe over time. However it had happened, she was in it now. Totally and completely in love with Jonny Blaze. What on earth was she supposed to do about that?

  * * *

  After Ginger’s fitting, she and Jonny went off to finalize wedding plans. Madeline did her best to act normal, despite the voice screaming in her head. In love with Jonny Blaze? What had she been thinking? Only there hadn’t been thinking. There’d been her heart, falling for a man she could never have. Not only was he totally famous and rich and who knew what else while she was the definition of ordinary, there was his whole fear of commitment. He couldn’t even tell his sister he loved her. How on earth would he ever allow himself to care about anyone else? Madeline knew she was completely doomed. It was not a happy revelation only a few days before Christmas.

  She walked through town on her way to lunch with her friends. The store windows were glowing with lights and holiday decorations. All around tourists shopped for last-minute gifts. People called out greetings to each other. Madeline did her best to smile and wave, all the while telling herself she was going to have to get it together before she got to Jo’s. Otherwise, everyone would guess something was wrong.

  When she reached the restaurant, she paused to draw in a few deep breaths. She could do this, she told herself. Act normal. She opened the door and walked in.

  She was the last one to arrive. She saw that Shelby had saved her a seat. Bailey was there, along with Taryn and Felicia. Isabel had gone away with Ford for a few days before family festivities. Dellina saw her and grinned, then motioned her over.

  “How’s it going?” Dellina asked as she approached the table. “Have you found a new career as a wedding planner or are you ready to pull your hair out?”
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br />   Before Madeline could answer, Dellina turned back to the table. “You all know that Madeline is planning Jonny Blaze’s sister’s wedding, right? I’ve been hearing from my vendors that you’re doing a fantastic job, by the way. Everyone is loving the choices you’ve made.” She paused. “Oh, God. I’m talking too much, aren’t I? I had four lattes this morning. It’s the caffeine. I’ll be quiet now.”

  Everyone laughed. Madeline hugged her friend on the way to her seat. “I don’t want your job,” she said. “But planning one small wedding has been fun.”

  Patience, the owner of Brew-haha and apparently Dellina’s enabler, nodded. “I’m sure it’s been a good distraction, what with your family not coming for the holidays.” She held up her hand. “You’re a grown-up, you’re fine and I know you had fifteen invitations for Christmas, but it’s not the same.”

  Her words were kindly spoken and meant, Madeline thought. After all, she and Patience had known each other all their lives. Patience was a couple of years older, so they hadn’t been in the same grade, but they’d grown up in this family-centric town and knew how that left a mark.

  “It’s nice to be busy,” Madeline admitted.

  “And hanging out with Jonny Blaze,” Bailey added. “Do you have a crush on him? Isn’t it fun? I had such a crush on Kenny.”

  “We knew,” Taryn told her. “We all knew and were charmed by it. Now you’re together and blissfully in love. Which is nice, but the crush was more interesting.” She looked at Madeline and raised her eyebrows. “How’s your celebrity crush going?”

  “I’m over it,” Madeline said, knowing it was the truth. “He’s a regular guy now.”

  “Is that good or bad?” Shelby asked.

  “Mostly good. It’s nice to be able to talk to him without being starstruck. My sentences have gotten longer.”

  Everyone laughed. Madeline felt herself relax. No one knew that anything was different. As long as she thought about her friends and the holidays, anything but Jonny, she would be fine.

  “The toys were a huge hit,” Taryn said. “They were special and so well made. I hope he does more for next year. I plan to talk to him about that.”