Together for Christmas: 5-B Poppy LaneWhen We TouchWelcome to Icicle FallsStarstruck

by Debbie Macomber

  “You’re not really related,” she reminded him. “That happens to be important to me, even though it wasn’t to you.”

  He seemed to struggle with words. “His mother is married to my father.”

  “You lived together for two years. Sadly I’ve had to put up with Noelle my whole life.”

  He shook his head as if she’d just coldcocked him. “Brandon?” he said again. “You’ve got to be joking.”

  She lifted her chin. “Why?”

  “Because he’d be terrible for you!”

  “In what way?” she challenged.

  “He...he doesn’t know what it means to really love anyone. The second he gets bored, or a skiing opportunity presents itself, he’ll be gone and you may never hear from him again.”

  She sneered. “Funny you should say that.”

  “I know I let you down.” He lowered his voice. “But...that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”

  “Did you think I’d mope around indefinitely?”

  “No, of course not. That isn’t what I want. I want you to be happy.”

  She smiled broadly. “Brandon makes me happy.”

  A scowl replaced his stunned expression. “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, Olivia. He hasn’t been able to maintain one serious relationship. He’ll only hurt you in the end.”

  She popped the trunk. “I doubt it. Thanks to you, I’m older and wiser than I was.”

  “You’re no match for him. He’ll take advantage of how innocent and trusting you are and how deeply you love—”

  “I’m not planning to marry him.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll leave making the Big Commitment to you and my dear sister. Brandon’s good in bed. Right now, that’s all I need.”

  When he sagged a little, her heart twisted so painfully she almost admitted the truth. She couldn’t hurt Kyle regardless of what he’d done to her. But Noelle’s voice, filled with suspicion, rang out from the patio. “What’s taking so long?”

  Olivia raised the trunk lid, revealing the many boxes of wedding paraphernalia she’d borrowed from River City Resort Club & Spa. She’d been planning to tote it all in herself, regardless of her throbbing hand. She wanted to stay busy, focused. But if Kyle was going to dog her footsteps, she figured he could handle the job.

  “Looks like there’s more here than I remembered. If you could bring it into the living room, we’ll get started on the wedding favors right after we eat. I have to leave soon. Brandon’s expecting me,” she said and walked past her sister without saying hello.

  Chapter 4

  WHEN HIS MOTHER SHOWED UP on his doorstep, Brandon was relieved Olivia was gone. He didn’t feel he owed it to his stepbrother to stay away from her or anything like that. After what Kyle had done, Brandon considered Olivia fair game for any guy, even him. But he knew his mother would get involved if she saw Olivia at his place—and if there was any way to keep his mother from getting involved, it was always best to go that route. Otherwise, she’d give him no peace.

  “Hi, what are you doing here?” he asked as he swung the door wide. She rarely came over. But he’d let her past few calls go to voice mail. He’d heard enough about the wedding, hadn’t wanted to hear any more.

  That had been a mistake. Instead of leaving him alone, she’d come to harangue him in person.

  “I was on my way home and thought I’d stop by,” she said.

  Sure, that made sense. Except his place wasn’t on the way to or from anywhere. Only teenagers and hikers bothered to visit the old mine or the trails he loved so much.

  “Can I come in?” she asked, sounding slightly miffed that he hadn’t already offered.

  Belatedly he realized he was still blocking the entrance. “Of course.” He stepped aside so she could move past him. Then he placed his arms around her in the obligatory hug.

  “Have you picked up your tux for the wedding?” she asked as soon as he released her.

  “Not yet.”

  “Brandon!” Cocking her head, she gave him that searching look that said he was about to get a stern lecture. “You’re not going to do anything to ruin this wedding, are you? Because I’m counting on you. Just once I’d like you to go along with what we have planned and behave yourself. Can you do that? For me?”

  “No problem.” He tried to play it straight, but it was difficult not to grimace. He hated the way she catered to Kyle and Kyle’s father. Maybe if she’d give them hell every once in a while, he wouldn’t have to establish their boundaries on his own.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it. I’ll grab your tux when I hit town. If you wait too long, they’ll be closed.”

  “There’s always tomorrow, Mom.”

  “The wedding rehearsal is tomorrow. There’ll be a lot to do as it is.”

  “I can get my own tux!”

  Obviously put out by his refusal to let her take control, she sniffed. “And you’ll make the rehearsal?”

  “Of course.”

  “On time and sober?”

  “When have I ever shown up anywhere drunk?” he asked. As an athlete, he worked against the clock as it was. Age would slow him down fast enough; he wasn’t about to destroy his body with alcohol.

  “I’m just covering all the bases,” she told him.

  For Kyle.... “Maybe I’m not the one you should be worried about,” he said.

  “What do you mean?

  “Maybe you should pay Kyle a visit instead, see if you can get him to call off the coming travesty.”

  She looked as though he’d just stuck her with a pin. “Why would I do that?”

  He made a face that suggested she was crazy for even asking. “Because he’s about to ruin his life?”

  For a moment, she seemed torn, but ultimately took the party line. “We don’t know that.”

  “Maybe you don’t, but I do.”

  “Granted, Noelle isn’t the woman Olivia is,” she said, relenting, “but...it’s his choice. We have to respect his wishes.”

  Brandon leaned one shoulder against the wall. “Were you aware that Olivia’s been planning the wedding?”

  She slid her purse farther up her arm. He wasn’t sure how, at five-two and a hundred and twenty pounds, she managed to haul that thing around. It had to weigh thirty pounds. But she didn’t go anywhere without it. “Nancy mentioned she was helping, yes.”

  “I can’t believe they’d expect her to do that.”

  “They told me they thought it would be cathartic for her.”

  “To plan the wedding of the man she loves—to her sister? Come on! I think it was just cheaper.”

  “It wasn’t my place to make that decision, either,” she said, but at least her tone of voice acknowledged that she agreed with him.

  “Someone should’ve told them to plan it themselves,” he grumbled.

  “I’m sure it’s fine. Olivia’s a very forgiving, wonderful woman. And someday she’ll find an equally wonderful man.”

  Brandon pictured Olivia sitting on the side of the road, tears streaming down her face as she gazed up at him. Even completely disheveled, she was the prettiest woman he’d ever seen. “How wonderful would he need to be?” he asked.

  His mother frowned at him. “Excuse me?”

  “Never mind.” He’d known all along, ever since he’d held Olivia in his arms at prom, that he couldn’t have her. If he was going to get involved with a woman, she had to be like him, able to enjoy a quick, passionate affair and then move on.

  Because, as soon as ski season arrived, he’d be gone again.

  * * *

  Noelle was angry during dinner. Olivia could feel her sister’s animosity. She wasn’t sure why Noelle felt she had the right to be upset. She wasn’t the injured party. But every few seconds she’d glance over a
t Kyle, who was keeping his eyes on his plate, before sending Olivia an accusing glare.

  What did she think happened before she came upon them outside?

  Olivia didn’t care. Not really. Most of the slights Noelle perceived were imagined. It’d always been that way. Olivia just wanted to get the wedding favors assembled so she could leave. She couldn’t stay here, as planned. The unspoken hurt and anger were too agonizing.

  But she wouldn’t go to Brandon’s. Sacramento wasn’t that far. Although it would waste time and gas, she’d drive home and come back in the morning. She did, however, have to tell Brandon what she’d said to Kyle. She wasn’t looking forward to that conversation. She’d already embarrassed herself once where he was concerned.

  After dinner, Kyle went in to watch a true crime show with her father, Noelle disappeared into her bedroom to do whatever she felt she needed to do to prepare for her wedding and Olivia helped her mother wash dishes. Olivia had just started to relax, thanks to the comfort of routine, when Noelle called to her from the bedroom.

  “Can you come and tell me how to wear my hair?” she asked, but Olivia wasn’t fooled. Noelle had played nice long enough. She’d obviously decided on a bit of honesty to pierce the thin veneer of civility that had carried them this far. Olivia wasn’t opposed to that herself.

  “I’ll be right back,” she told her mother.

  Nancy’s forehead creased in worry, as if she, too, suspected that Noelle wasn’t interested in opinions on her hair, but she nodded, and Olivia silently promised to do all she could to keep her temper in check. Fighting wouldn’t improve the situation. Noelle and Kyle were going to have a baby. She needed to keep that in mind, especially if she wanted to be part of her niece’s or nephew’s life. The child was innocent and deserved the support of his or her entire family. Olivia just hoped that someday she’d be able to look at her sister’s offspring, at Kyle’s offspring, without cringing.

  Maybe it’d be easy. Maybe Noelle would have a little girl who was a much better person than her mother....

  “Are you thinking of an updo?” she asked as she walked down the hall.

  Noelle was waiting by the door. She closed it as soon as Olivia walked in. “What are you doing?” she whispered harshly.

  Olivia studied her flushed face. She was pretty; there was no denying that. They both had wide blue eyes, long blond hair and even features, but Noelle, shorter by two inches, had a curvier figure, which probably made her more attractive. Despite that, Olivia had never been jealous. Due to Noelle’s demanding nature, self-absorption and terrible mood swings, she’d never been particularly popular with the opposite sex. Olivia figured men could sense that her looks wouldn’t be worth the cost of involvement. She’d always thought Kyle understood that, too. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about!”

  Did Noelle believe Olivia had said something inappropriate to Kyle? That she was trying to stir up trouble?

  Olivia started to explain that she was at a complete loss when Noelle made the reason for her anger clear. “You’re seeing Brandon? Really? Kyle’s stepbrother?”

  At first, because of Noelle’s emphasis on the family connection, Olivia assumed she was worried about how that might make Kyle feel. Neither one of them had any right to complain, of course, but the threat of looking like a hypocrite had never stopped Noelle. She believed the entire world should bow at her feet—which made Olivia suddenly realize that Noelle wasn’t angry on Kyle’s behalf. She expected Kyle to fight his own battles and cope with his own difficulties. She expected that of everyone, except herself. The only way Noelle could be this upset was if Olivia’s actions affected her personally.

  And then Olivia remembered. For most of one summer, Noelle had had the worst crush imaginable on Brandon. She’d done everything possible to gain his attention, including driving past his house numerous times a day, calling him incessantly, showing up wherever she guessed he might be. Olivia had forgotten that, largely because it’d been so long ago—eight years or more. And he hadn’t given her so much as a second look. When August rolled around, he told her flat-out that he wasn’t remotely interested and she’d better quit stalking him or he was going to the police.

  The police threat came—understandable enough—after she’d spied on him with another woman, but his unequivocal rejection had done significant damage to Noelle’s ego.

  “Why are you smiling?” Noelle snapped.

  Olivia sobered. “I guess I still don’t understand why you’re upset.”

  Noelle grabbed her arm. “I’m upset because you’re doing this on purpose! You’re trying to ruin my wedding!”

  “What?” Olivia jerked loose. “I’ve been planning your wedding—for free! Not only have I donated hours and hours of my time, I’ve called in favors from all the vendors I’ve ever worked with.”

  “For Mom and Dad. Not for me.”

  Olivia couldn’t argue with that.

  “This is your revenge,” she continued. “This is how you think you’ll get the last laugh.”

  “What are you talking about?” Noelle had liked a lot of boys over the years. She couldn’t claim proprietary interest in all of them. Besides, after that summer she’d never had a nice thing to say about Kyle’s stepbrother.

  “I’m talking about you sleeping with Brandon!”

  So Kyle had shared that information. “I don’t see why my being with Brandon would bother you. You’re in love with Kyle, right? You’re having his baby. And because of that baby, he’s marrying you.”

  “Not because of the baby!” she cried, stamping her foot. “Because he loves me! I knew you’d try to cheapen it, try to convince yourself that he’s still in love with you. But he’s not. He hates that the two of you were ever together!”

  When they talked on the phone for the last time, Kyle had said the years they’d spent together were the best of his life, but Olivia didn’t give him away. His feelings had probably already changed.

  “Fine. He hates that we were together. He hates me. I don’t care. He’s all yours now. You got exactly what you wanted. So enjoy him and leave me alone.”

  “I didn’t get pregnant on purpose. I know you think I did.”

  “At this point, it doesn’t matter what I think.” She turned to go but Noelle wasn’t finished yet.

  “Does Brandon know?”

  Olivia hesitated with her hand on the doorknob. “Know what?”

  “That I’m pregnant?”

  Why would he care? “Of course he does. Everyone in town knows.”

  “Your relationship with him won’t last,” she said suddenly, changing tactics. “He isn’t the marrying kind.”

  “Fortunately, after what I’ve been through in the past few months, I’m only looking for some fun.” Unable to resist, she lowered her voice. “And, God, can he provide it!”

  * * *

  Kyle had the hardest time keeping his eyes from gravitating to Olivia. She looked better than ever—tall, tan, hair streaked from the sun. But, despite her shapely legs—which happened to be his favorite part of the female anatomy—her appearance had nothing to do with how he felt. She’d always been beautiful to him, the only woman he’d ever loved. Just seeing her made his determination falter.

  How had he gotten into such a terrible mess? These days, he constantly asked himself that. But he had no answer—except the obvious. He’d been an idiot, foolish enough to make the kind of mistake that would change his life forever.

  He wished he could stop time, demand everyone back up and let him start over. But he’d seen the results of the pregnancy test. With a baby coming, there were no second chances.

  “Honey, you have to put three hugs and three kisses in each box,” Noelle said.

  He blinked at the foil-wrapped chocolate candies. W
asn’t that what he’d been doing? He opened the last wedding favor he’d assembled. She was right. He’d put in five kisses and only one hug. He’d thought, as long as they each included six pieces, it wouldn’t matter. They had more than enough of both kinds. But every little detail mattered to Noelle.

  “Got it.” He smiled as congenially as possible to keep Olivia and her parents from knowing how badly Noelle’s voice grated on him.

  Three kisses, he silently mimicked. And three hugs. Along with a scrap of paper that read, What’s the earth with all its art, verse, music worth—compared with love, found, gained, and kept? —Robert Browning

  “Kyle, is something wrong?”

  He glanced up to see his future mother-in-law watching him. He hadn’t realized he’d slipped into inactivity. He was sitting there, staring at that damn line of Robert Browning’s.

  “No.” His cheek muscles ached with the effort of yet another smile. “I was just wondering if I’d remembered to invite my aunt Georgia.”

  “You invited her,” Noelle said without looking up. “You had so many on your list I had to cut twenty from mine, remember?”

  He didn’t know if he was supposed to apologize. He’d tried to keep his list small. His was certainly smaller than hers, by a significant margin. He hadn’t wanted a big wedding. Given the situation, he much preferred they forgo the embarrassment of being married in Whiskey Creek and fly to Vegas. It seemed crazy to celebrate the hardest thing he’d ever done.

  But thanks to Noelle’s insistence on creating the fanfare she’d always craved for her wedding, they were looking at a long, painful weekend. One that included Olivia, making it impossible to avoid the fact that, if not for one foolish night, this could’ve been their wedding.

  Actually, he’d been with Noelle more than one night. It had been a whirlwind couple of weeks, during which she’d flirted and teased and cajoled and pleased. Caught in the aftermath of Olivia’s proposing a break and moving to Sacramento because she didn’t want to settle down without experiencing a little more of life, he’d been feeling rejected, unsure she’d ever really come back and angry enough to tell himself he didn’t have to suffer while she was gone. Their break hadn’t been his idea. The fact that they weren’t together but weren’t really apart left him feeling irritable and foolish.