Holiday Hook Up: (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls Book 4)

by Robyn Neeley

  “That all depends,” he said, while stepping back and shoving his hands in his pockets.

  She might have been worried, but his playful smile gave him away. “Will you, Bethany Wilson, split a sausage and mushroom pizza with me? By my calculation, I owe you one hundred and four.”

  She picked up the wig and tucked it underneath her arm, smoothing her dress that she knew in her heart she’d wear again one day. “Then we better get started.”

  Epilogue

  “I could do this all day.”

  Bethany couldn’t agree more as she playfully tugged on Adam’s flannel shirt. “I think we did that all yesterday and most of last night.”

  That they did. The last twenty-four hours involved a lot of kissing, cuddling, and a few other things that easily shot them both up Santa’s naughty list. They’d have many days to get back on the nice list—or better yet, stay on the naughty one. That thought produced a mischievous grin. She raised her head until her lips met his again.

  “So let me see that ring again.”

  She wiggled out of his embrace and went behind her desk in the back office, picked up the ring, and handed it to him. She’d confessed last night that Emma had found it in the sea of rings that Brandon’s opening up the trunk had produced.

  “This life,” he read the inscription. “It’s . . .”

  “Spooky.”

  “You think your life with me is going to be spooky? That hurts, LB.”

  “No, silly.” She came around and sat next to him on the edge of the desk. “I think our life is going to be perfect. It’s weird how Mary brought this ring and . . .” She jumped off the desk and rested her arm on the first tower of MR Wedding boxes. “And all these items into my life.” In addition to the ring, she’d filled Adam in on the deliveries she’d received and how she deduced they were from Mary the night of the movies when he’d referred to his distant cousin as MR.

  Adam came over and inspected the boxes. “I can’t believe Mary sent all these. What do you think she’s up to?”

  “You think I have a clue what your dead distant cousin—a witch who went around enchanting spoons and a hope chest—is doing?”

  “Good point.” He chuckled and picked up one of the black nighties. “I definitely think she wants you to put this on tonight.”

  She came up to him and snatched the silk out of his hands. “Don’t even think it because Rachel was right.”

  “About what?”

  “You’re a blanket hog.”

  He pulled her into his arms and whispered into her ear. “But if you put this on, I guarantee both of us will be nice and toasty all night.” He nodded to the calendar hanging above her desk. “I could wear my uniform.”

  She’d forgotten about Mr. July still hanging up above her desk, but she didn’t care. “Suspenders sans shirt, too?”

  “Hell, yeah.”

  She giggled, and they kissed again. Maybe these boxes were for their wedding one day—not that she was pushing the cart in front of the horse. Okay, she totally was.

  Grabbing her jacket and purse, they walked onto the floor, trying to decide between Chinese food or Mel’s BBB burgers for dinner. A tap on the front door ended their conversation. Bethany crossed the room and let in a frantic Rachel, followed by a perturbed Zoe.

  “Hi, girls.” Bethany eyed the two. “What’s going on?”

  Rachel started, “I need to know w—”

  “We,” Zoe interjected. “We need to know.”

  “Fine. We need to know who Will’s soul mate is.”

  Adam slid on his leather coat and adjusted his gloves. “Sorry, ladies. I’m putting a moratorium on spells.” He glanced over at Rachel. “The last one I did was a doozy.”

  “I knew this was a waste of time.” Zoe put her hand on the door.

  “Wait.” Bethany thought for a second. She’d like to help her two friends put an end to the mystery of which one of them could be Will’s soul mate. Emma was still out of town, so she couldn’t perform the spell. “What about Sheila?”

  “We tried her house first, but her neighbor said she flew to Texas this morning.”

  “Really?” Bethany hadn’t heard that Sheila was leaving. She hoped that trip was a good thing and that Emma had reconciled with her father.

  “Why are you two so curious?” Adam raised a playful eyebrow. “Are you both interested in him?”

  Rachel looked away while Zoe shook her head fast and furious.

  He asked his question another way. “Is one of you interested in him?”

  Rachel threw her arms in the air. “I just need to know that it’s not him.”

  “Me, too,” Zoe said. “That it’s not him for me. I don’t care if he’s Rachel’s soul mate.”

  Bethany couldn’t help but think that each gal was protesting way too much. Of course, she knew that Rachel had been hooking up with Will and struggling to admit she liked him, but did Zoe have feelings for him, too? “I think I have an idea, but we need to head to the lake.”

  It only took twenty minutes for them all to meet at the Lakeside Inn. Before they left the store, Bethany had filled Rachel and Zoe in on the hope chest and swore them to secrecy.

  Maybe Adam couldn’t perform the Batter Up spell, but they could have Rachel and Zoe each open the hope chest to see if a wedding gown appeared. Maybe it would help minimize World War Three if, in fact, both were smitten with Will.

  She pulled her seatbelt off and hopped out of Adam’s truck. Who was she kidding? If one pulled out a wedding dress, and the other didn’t, it definitely could start a war.

  It was too late to turn back now. She’d already opened her mouth, and Rachel and Zoe had pulled in next to Adam’s truck in Rachel’s Audi.

  They gathered in the foyer where Brandon greeted them. Once Bethany filled him in on what they were there for, he’d said to go on up.

  “Okay, this is what I need you both to do.” She started up the stairs and paused. “Hold on for a second.” Turning around, she stepped down and kissed Adam.

  He wrapped his arms around her. “What’s that for?”

  She smiled up at him. “Just taking steps.”

  He swept her bangs to the side. “Do you want to call this off and step over to my place?”

  Boy, did she. She kissed him her response.

  “Uh . . . hum.”

  Bethany glanced behind her shoulder at both Rachel and Zoe standing at the top of the stairs. “Right. Let’s do this first.” She let go of Adam and climbed up, meeting Rachel’s gaze. “Sorry.”

  “You two really are cute together,” Rachel admitted. “I’m happy for you both.”

  “Let’s go see what your futures hold, shall we?” Bethany walked into the guest room and opened the door, motioning for the rest to join her.

  “So, this is the magical hope chest?” Rachel asked, bending down and running her hands over the top.

  “Yes.”

  “What do we do?” Zoe asked that question from the doorway. Bethany didn’t blame her for being more than a little apprehensive.

  “You each have to open it. Rachel, why don’t you go first since you’re already in position?”

  “Okay.” Rachel grabbed onto the handle, lifting it up. She peered inside and reached in.

  “What’s in there?” Bethany came up beside her just as Rachel stood and flashed a cream-colored envelope.

  “This. It’s addressed to you.” Rachel handed over the envelope.

  Bethany looked down to see her first and last name written in black cursive. “I don’t know what this is.”

  Adam came up beside her. “Do you want me to open it?”

  “No, I will.” She turned it over and tore open the seal.

  Bethany, You’ll wear my wedding dress again one day. If you return it from your closet, I’ll make sure it’s as good as new. She gulped. The water-stained dress was, indeed, now hanging in her bedroom closet. Continuing to read, her eyes widened at the following instructions.

  For now, p
lease give my shipments to the woman who opened the trunk. She is to open MR Wedding Events. XXX, Mary

  “What does it say, Bethany?” Rachel asked.

  “Um . . . it says that I should give you my shipment.”

  “What?” Adam snatched the card from her and read it. “Well, I’ll be . . .”

  “What shipment?” Rachel grabbed the card from him.

  “I think she wants you to become a wedding planner. She’s been sending boxes almost daily with wedding supplies.”

  “But I already have a business.” Rachel shook her head. “A thriving floral business. I do not want to plan weddings.” She shoved the card at Adam. “This is your relative. Tell her I’m not interested.”

  Bethany put her arm around her. “We’ll figure it out. Why don’t we go get some lunch at Mel’s?”

  “Fine. I’m just thankful my wedding dress didn’t come out of there. Guess I won’t be marrying Will,” she said, and if Bethany wasn’t mistaken, there seemed to be a bit of disappointment in her best friend’s voice.

  “Should I try?” came Zoe’s shaky voice from the doorway.

  Bethany turned around having forgotten about Zoe. “Oh, my gosh. Yes. You should go, too.” If Zoe pulled out a wedding dress and Rachel had to plan her wedding, her best friend might lose it.

  Rachel stepped off to the side, reading the card again while Adam looked over her shoulder. Zoe mimicked Rachel’s moves from earlier and bent down, placing her fingers on the handle. A few seconds ticked by.

  “We’re right here with you,” Bethany said encouragingly. “Go on.”

  Zoe lifted it up and turned away. Bethany peered in.

  Nothing.

  “You can open your eyes,” Bethany said. “There’s nothing in there.”

  “Thank God.” Zoe let out her breath. “Rachel, my Holiday Hook Up is over. He’s all yours.”

  “I don’t want to date that grease monkey,” Rachel scoffed.

  Zoe pursed her lips and touched her face. “Right,” she said sarcastically. “Not my business. Can someone give me a lift back into town?”

  “Sure,” Bethany said, glancing over at Zoe. “I’ll go with Rachel. Why don’t you ride with A—” Oh no. Bethany’s mouth dropped.

  “What are you looking at?” Zoe asked.

  “You have something on your face.” Whatever was on her hand she’d smeared on her cheek.

  “I do?” She walked over to the mirror and her eyes widened. “It’s from the chest’s handle.”

  Bethany came up and touched Zoe’s face with her finger tip, inspecting the dark slick.

  “What is it?” Zoe asked.

  Bethany looked at Zoe and then Rachel.

  “Grease.”

  THE END

  Also by Robyn

  Enjoy all the books in the Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls series!

  Batter Up

  Tangled Up

  Kiss & Make Up

  Holiday Hook Up

  All Dressed Up (Coming soon!)

  Read other books by Robyn!

  Destination Wedding

  Holiday Wedding

  Christmas Dinner

  Sign-up for Robyn’s e-newsletter at www.robynneeley.com for exclusive updates and giveaways!

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  Copyright © 2016 Robyn Neeley

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