Finding Love In Big Sky, Montana (Resort to Love--Finding Love line Book 2)

by Angela Ruth Strong

  She retracted from the touch, her gaze flitting up to his before she continued looping the lights. “Uh . . . no new nicknames. Although . . .”

  Sam’s spoon scraped the bottom of the bowl. Already. “Although what?”

  She handed the strand to Josh once again and left him to open another box. Had she been aware of his hand-warming plan?

  “My grandpa had a name for me.” Paisley dug through an assortment of ornaments until she found a paper heart woven together out of green and red cardstock. “He taught me how to make Norwegian heart basket ornaments when I was in kindergarten. He called it a julekurver.” She pulled an old photo from inside and held it up for Josh to see.

  He squinted at the faded image of a little girl sitting on her grandpa’s lap. Same long, wavy hair, but in pigtails. Same freckled nose, only smaller. Same smile except for an empty space between her teeth.

  “Ahh . . .” Josh finished winding the strand so he could take the snapshot and get a closer look. He turned it over. Was that English? “What’s ‘min skatt’?”

  “It means ‘my treasure’ in Norwegian.” Paisley wrinkled her freckled nose at him. “That was Grandpa’s nickname for me, which I guess is a big thing. Mom said in Norway it’s very rare to use a term of endearment.”

  “How cool.” Sam set his bowl on a side table to reach for the photo. “I love it.”

  Josh’s gaze slid sideways to study his brother as he handed over the picture. Sam sure used the term “love” an awful lot in conjunction with Paisley. Was it simply a figure of speech or was his relationship-shy brother starting to fall for someone? The thought made the bottoms of Josh’s feet itch.

  He rubbed the soles of his stockings against the rough, stone hearth. “That seems to be a common sentiment,” he said. “Annabel described you as a treasure, too.”

  Paisley looked up at him, eyes searching to see if he was speaking the truth. Though she wasn’t looking at him as if he were a liar. She was looking at him as if she had trouble believing anyone else would consider her a treasure. “She did?”

  Such sincerity made his own heart feel as fragile as if it were also made out of paper. “Yes.”

  “Of course she did.” Sam handed the photo back for Paisley to stuff inside the ornament and hang on the tree. “I knew you were a treasure, Paze, but I didn’t know about the nickname. I’m learning all kinds of things about you today.”

  Josh tilted his head. “What else have you learned?”

  Paisley’s wide eyes turned Sam’s way. Sam cleared his throat before diving into a second crate and coming out with a Santa hat. He stuffed it on his head then grabbed a couple of stockings to hang on the mantle. Josh looked back and forth between the two of them. Did he even want to guess what they weren’t saying? If he saw anybody else acting that way, he’d assume they were romantically involved. But the cramping in his gut wouldn’t let him make such an assumption here.

  Sam was his brother. Sam would tell him privately if anything had happened.

  Christmas music floated in from the kitchen. Paisley hummed along as if Josh was going to forget he’d asked a question.

  “Grandpa Johan used to play Christmas songs on his guitar when I was little,” she said.

  Josh spied a twelve-string resting in the corner. His own grandpa used to play, too. Taught him a few chords. But that wasn’t the reason she’d suddenly gone all hush-hush.

  “Oh yeah?” he asked. He’d play along verbally with her change of subject but challenge her with a knowing look.

  “Yeah.” Paisley refused to meet his gaze and left the ornaments to him as she retrieved pine garland for wrapping around the log support beams separating the living space from the dining space.

  If he was going to get any information, it would have to be from his brother. Finally, Sam got tired of fiddling with the stockings and took his bowl to the kitchen. Josh hooked an ornament on the tree, so he was free to follow and demand if Sam had kissed her, but Paisley beat him to the kitchen alcove. Josh could see the two of them from his position at the fireplace, but the kitchen area was far enough away that the sound from their conversation didn’t carry.

  Seriously? Did they think they were being covert?

  If they wanted to leave him out, fine. He should be getting used to the feeling by now. First his job. Then his engagement. Now his family. Josh plopped down on the couch with his back to the kitchen and stared into the plastic crate where Sam had removed the stockings. A manger scene awaited display.

  Josh wasn’t the only one who’d gotten left out this time of year. At least he’d been allowed in the house and wasn’t forced to sleep in the barn like Jesus. He leaned forward and pried the lid open to remove a crèche. One by one he unwound bubble wrap from each wooden carving and set them inside the stable.

  What do I do, Lord?

  How often did the answers to his life’s questions stare him straight in the face the way they were right now? Josh was supposed to worship. The way the magi did. No matter what his problems were, Jesus was the answer. And focusing on the answer always made the problems seem smaller.

  He crossed the room, picked up the guitar, and sat in front of the hot, crackling fire. It took a few minutes to strum, tune, and feel at home with the instrument. He’d start with the beginner version of “Silent Night” until the rust wore off his skills.

  Having grown up on a Christmas tree farm, he’d heard a lot of Christmas music and knew all the verses to the song by heart. But it wasn’t until he got to the fifth verse that the words came alive.

  “Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light . . .”

  Wondrous star. The logo he’d designed for Paisley’s ranch. It meant much more than a horseshoe or the bull horns so many other ranches used. It was a sign from God that He had a plan for redemption.

  Josh needed redemption. He didn’t know what that would look like. With the phone call he’d gotten earlier, it could very well involve his old job. He knew now that it would never involve Bree. He wanted someone more like Paisley. Someone with depth and heart and the ability to keep up with him and his four brothers.

  But no matter what it looked like or what happened between the youngest Lake brother and Paisley (eye roll), Josh had to find some way to thank her. She’d taken him in even when she hadn’t wanted to, and through the beauty and simplicity of Bright Star, he could celebrate the holiday season with hope.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Paisley picked up a turquoise cowgirl boot with white floral embroidery to read the price tag on the bottom. Annabel could use a new pair for Christmas. Two-hundred-and-fifty-nine dollars? She put the boot down. Annabel’s pink boots matched everything in her wardrobe. Paisley shouldn’t mess with that.

  She frowned across the store to where Josh was in a deep conversation with a Native American who made jewelry. He’d talked her into going shopping, but unless she wanted to buy art, ski equipment, or fur coats, there really wasn’t much of a selection in Big Sky. As for Josh, how did he even have money to shop in the first place?

  Hangers screeched against metal, and Sam appeared between two overpriced ski jackets hanging on the coatrack in the middle of the store. “I lent him money so he could buy you a gift.”

  Paisley’s gaze slid up to meet his. Was he serious? Josh had nothing. He shouldn’t be spending money on her. And she definitely didn’t need anything—especially any reminders of him after he left. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  Sam’s huge smile overtook his face. “I know.”

  “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  Sam’s dark eyes flashed like a train signal, warning her laughter was headed her way. “I wanted to see how romantic he could get. I’m not the most romantic guy, you know. I could use a few pointers from my big bro.”

  “You’re horrible.” She couldn’t keep from laughing along with Sam despite the heat flooding her cheeks. “Did I not lecture you enough in the kitchen last night? You’re supposed to be understanding
and supportive, but you’re making everything worse. I’m getting you a bus ticket home for Christmas.”

  “Or maybe you’re sending me back to Sun Valley so you can be all alone with Josh.” Sam pretended to check out a display of sunglasses next to him, but the wicked grin told her he was impatiently awaiting her response.

  So this was what it was like to have a little brother. Well, then she’d act like a big sister. “If you don’t knock it off, I’m going to plant some mistletoe over you and Charlie.”

  Sam’s expression turned serious. He waved a white t-shirt. “Truce.”

  Paisley smiled triumphantly. “Truce.” She made her way down another rack away from Josh. She didn’t want him to know she knew he was buying her a gift. But she did know it. Which meant she should probably buy him something.

  She sighed. What did one get a guy who used to have it all? A mug with a moose on it? A cheeseboard in the shape of Montana? A bear sculpture designed to hold toilet paper?

  Sam looked over the other side at her. “I know what I’m getting you.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I already have the bathroom bear. Grandpa Johan put it in the master bath a few years ago.”

  Sam’s eyebrow arched then his gaze dropped to the bear in question. “As awesome as that is, I found something even better.”

  “The matching toilet brush holder?”

  “It’s not for the bathroom. It’s for Big Red.” Sam wiggled his eyebrows. “What is something your truck needs?”

  “New paint?”

  “Well yeah, but that’s not available here.”

  “A new transmission?”

  “Again, I’m pretty sure a gift store doesn’t carry such items.”

  “New brake pads?”

  “Well, that’s scary. But still way off.” Sam held up a plastic package with a picture of Rudolph on it. “Big Red needs a big red nose.”

  Paisley’s brain registered the large antlers and squishy red ball. It was actually pretty cute, but would seem tiny on her giant truck. “I usually put a wreath on the front of Big Red.”

  Sam dropped the package to his side. “I didn’t notice it.”

  She hadn’t made the effort so far this year. And she’d be lucky if she got around to it at all. With throwing Frozen parties, driving sleigh rides, and preparing an ice skating rink, Sam should be thankful she went with him to get a tree. “It’s still in a box somewhere.”

  “It’s December twelfth, Miss Scrooge. You need to get that wreath out.”

  Paisley bit her lip to keep from replying “bah humbug.” She might as well find the wreath for Sam. It really wouldn’t take that long. And it was the least she could do for everything he was doing for her—everything except loaning money to Josh for a gift. Speaking of gifts, did Sam really want to get her the Rudolph thing? “Do you want me to put the wreath on Big Red, or do you want to dress him up like a reindeer?”

  Sam’s gaze dropped to the package in his hands before bouncing over to his brother. “I could always give this to Josh for his car.”

  Paisley smirked at the visual of antlers on the luxury sports coupe. “He would never use them.”

  Sam leaned forward over the shelf and lowered his voice. “We could decorate the Mercedes for him.”

  Paisley guffawed then slapped a hand over her mouth when Josh twisted his head their direction. His eyes met hers. Paisley’s heartrate picked up speed. But that could be because they were talking about pranking him. Did he know?

  Josh’s brows lowered before he turned back to the salesman.

  Paisley’s pulse returned to normal. She pulled her hand away from her mouth but cupped it by her cheek to keep their discussion more private. “How are you going to do that?”

  “Not me. We.” Sam looked out the window into the parking lot. “You distract Josh while I buy this. And figure out a way to get his keys so I can roll down his windows far enough to insert the antlers. I’ll borrow Big Red and be back before he knows I’m gone.”

  Paisley’s heart lurched forward once again. “You’re joking.”

  “I’m serious. You both need to lighten up and get into the Christmas spirit. Plus, I think I owe Josh for pranks he’s pulled on me in the past.”

  Paisley understood the Christmas spirit part, as she and Josh were probably both downers for the youngest Lake, but she didn’t want to get into the middle of a prank war. She lifted her hands in a shrug. “How am I supposed to get his keys?”

  “Be resourceful.” Sam took off toward the cash register.

  He was buying it? Then she’d have to get Josh’s keys right away. But . . .

  “Find anything?” Josh spoke from behind her.

  She jumped and spun, almost knocking down the cheeseboard. She grabbed the smooth piece of wood to right it. “Do you like cheese?” she blurted.

  A corner of his lips turned up. “That is the cheesiest pickup line I’ve ever heard.”

  Ohh . . . not at all the tone she was going for. But it was almost impossible not to flirt with Josh. He made her insides melt like a snowman. She had to regain her original prickliness. “Did you already forget the pickup line you used on me at The Coffee Cottage?”

  Josh titled his head as if it would jog his memory. “I was pretty out of it from lack of sleep, but I think I called you an angel. Most women like that kind of thing.”

  “I’m sure.” A great reminder why she had to pretend she wasn’t falling for him.

  “So.” Josh glanced over her shoulder toward his brother at the cash register. “You think I should take lessons from Sam on how to hit on women? He seemed to have you laughing pretty hard over here.”

  “Sam?” Paisley had to get Josh away from Sam before he saw what Sam was buying. She grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the door. “Let’s go next door. Sam can catch up.”

  Goodness, Josh’s bicep was solid for a white collar worker. Was it possible for him to be even stronger than he was when he worked for her dad? What would it feel like to have those arms wrapped around her again? She had to get him outside and let him go before she caved into the temptation to try to hang on. Forever.

  The bell jingled as she pushed outside into the snow. Josh looked down at her, his face only inches away since she hadn’t released him yet. The stubble on his chin suited him. She retrieved her lip gloss from her pocket and twisted it open.

  His breath puffed warm against her cheek. “What’s going on?”

  She froze with the applicator halfway to her lips. Had he overheard the Rudolph plot?

  Josh pulled away. “If you have a thing for Sam, don’t use me to make him jealous.”

  Paisley’s arms dropped to her sides, half of the lip gloss container still in each hand. She searched his eyes. Rejection glimmered underneath the hazel surface. She knew that look because she’d looked at him that way for years.

  She’d been rejected by him, not the other way around. Now she was protecting herself. And he considered it rejection because he’d already been hurt by the woman he’d planned to marry. He was hurting, sure, but not because of her. As for her having feelings for Sam . . . “That’s ridiculous.”

  The accusation in his glare wavered. “You obviously have a thing for him.”

  Her face scrunched up in disbelief. “Because we’re friends?”

  “You guys talked until midnight last night.”

  She’d needed a distraction from Josh. And from the way her heart ached with loneliness when he played Grandpa’s guitar. But she couldn’t tell him that. “He’s easy to talk to.”

  Josh lifted his chin, unwilling to accept her explanation. He turned his back toward her, but she could make out the reflection of his face in the window of the camera shop. His eyes roamed the display aimlessly.

  Why was he making such a big deal out of her relationship with Sam? Was it because he was used to getting all the female attention before Sam joined the Army? Or was it because he wanted her attention alone? Had he really bought her a gift to woo her the way Sam
suggested?

  Her belly clenched tight over her insides at the idea, but even if he wasn’t playing her, she’d end up losing in the end. Big Sky wasn’t his home.

  Paisley stepped next to Josh and looked at her own reflection in the window as she applied the lip gloss. How did she assure him Sam was only a friend without giving the impression she was still available?

  She pocketed the tube. “I threatened to hang mistletoe above him and Charlie if he didn’t stop acting like an annoying little brother,” she said.

  Josh didn’t smile, but a muscle in his jaw twitched. “It’s his specialty.”

  Paisley’s shoulders relaxed. There may never be solid ground in dealing with Josh, but at least she’d regained her footing. Time to move forward, away from that dangerous cliff of a conversation. “I should see if there’s a photographer here who can come take pictures of the skating rink. That would look good on the website, huh?”

  Josh nodded. “Now you’re starting to think like a business owner.”

  A bell jingled, the gift shop door flew open, and Sam charged out as if headed to fight a three-alarm fire. A clump of snow from the eaves overhead slipped from its perch and smacked the back of Paisley’s head before splashing down her collar and riding her spine like a waterslide.

  Paisley shivered and shook the ice away. Too bad she hadn’t worn her parka with the hood. “Remind me not to leave my coat at home the next time I come shopping with you, Sam.”

  “Here.” Josh shrugged out of the barn coat he wore.

  He was offering her his coat? Probably to mark his territory rather than to be a gentleman. Hadn’t he gotten anything from Paisley’s comparison of Sam to a little brother?

  Paisley held up a hand to decline.

  Sam cleared his throat. Bugged out his eyes. Jingled the keys in his pocket.

  Oh. She had to wear Josh’s coat to get his keys. Of course. So much for keeping her distance.