by Mary Leo
The vision of Nathan waking to a picture of Carson on a bucking horse put a smile on his face, especially when he thought about his own bedroom ceiling. But realizing Nathan wanted to be a bronc rider because of Carson clenched his stomach. On the one hand he didn’t want to disappoint young guns like Nathan, but on the other hand he didn’t know if he could get back up on that bucking horse or any horse for that matter. He would never admit that he’d reached an all-time low in his passion for rodeo, and the unsettling part was he couldn’t seem to shake it.
“You’ll chart your own course, I’m sure. But thanks,” Carson told him, wishing his mom hadn’t sat the boys so close. They reminded him of himself at that age, all full of spit and vinegar, anxious to grow up and make history.
“We only have one more week of classes, then the school closes until February. We were all hoping you’d stop by,” Nathan said, his face sincere and innocent. It broke Carson’s heart just knowing he’d shirked his responsibility to these kids. “At first Miss Helen said you liked to stop by whenever you got the chance, but you never did. This last Friday she said you probably wouldn’t be coming by. Did we do something wrong?”
Guilt was a powerful force, especially when it was delivered via young innocence. “No. Of course not. You guys are the best. Tell you what, I’ll stop by this week. I’ll call Miss Helen and we’ll choose a good time. How would that be?”
Still, his gut told him he wasn’t one hundred percent ready to spend an afternoon surrounded by horses and enthusiastic kids.
His sister Kenzie, who had apparently overheard the conversation, frowned. She had her own way of assuring the boys he’d make it to the school. “You might want to ask him to give you his word. Lately, he’s been a little lax on some of his commitments.”
Carson made sure she caught his dismissive look and busied himself with mental excuses for his recent behavior when Zoe spoke up. “I’ve never been out to the school and would love to join you. We could make a day of it.”
“I...um... Sure,” Carson answered. “That would be great. Let’s make a day of it.”
“Sweet!” Nathan said, giving Jason a high five. Then he turned back to Carson. “Do we have your word you’ll come out this week?”
“Yes. You have my word,” Carson told him, acknowledging there was nothing short of death that would let him back out now. He hated when one of his sisters put him in this kind of situation. They all knew once he promised a child he would do something, it would take a cold day in hell for him not to follow through.
Plus, if he didn’t know better, he’d swear that Zoe was part of the conspiracy.
“There’s no avoiding it any longer,” Kenzie said, rubbing it in.
“And I wouldn’t want to,” Carson reassured the boys.
“Then it’s all set. This is going to be so much fun. I’ve been wanting to visit the M & M, but never seemed to have the time,” Zoe said. “I hope you boys can show me around.”
“Sure,” Nathan answered as a proud smile spread across his face.
“Is Zoe your wife?” Jason asked, breaking into Carson’s thoughts about Zoe and her bold intrusion into his private world.
Carson flinched and hesitated, and once again Zoe spoke up. “No, we’re just friends. Matter of fact, I’m his wedding planner. Carson is getting married on Christmas Day.”
“Why would you want to get married on Christmas?” Jason asked, his little face distorted with an obvious aversion. “That’s the best day of the whole year for presents, and cookies, and games and a whole lotta stuff. A wedding’s the last place I would want to be on Christmas.”
Carson leaned in to get closer to Jason. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. I don’t care for it much, either, but that’s what the bride wanted, and if I can teach you boys one thing tonight, remember that the bride is always right.”
“Not for me!” Jason announced. “Not when it means I can’t wake up and open presents. Have to get ready for some dumb ole wedding and wear a suit and suit shoes...where’s the fun in that?”
“Out of the mouths of babes,” Kenzie said.
“You make a good point, Jason, and I’ll remember to include something fun for the guests, and I’ll even give everyone a Christmas present to open,” Zoe said. “Would that help?”
He seemed to be considering her proposition; his forehead was wrinkling as if this was a difficult question and he had to make sure he came up with the correct answer. “I guess so, but the gifts can’t be anything to wear. Who wants another stupid scarf or socks? The gift has to be something fun to play with.”
“Tell you what, you can help pick out the gift so we’ll make sure it’s a good one. How would that be?” Carson said without the slightest idea if Zoe had already decided on what that gift should be. He turned to her. “Would that work for you?”
Her doe eyes went wide as if she’d been caught in headlights. “Sure. That’s fine.”
“Then I’ll contact your mom, arrange a date real quick, since we’re running out of time, and we’ll go shopping. You can come, too, Nathan.”
Nathan beamed.
Carson added, “And both you boys and your parents will get a special invitation to my wedding... That is if you wouldn’t mind spending Christmas Day at a dumb ole wedding.”
A great big smile creased Nathan’s lips. “I wouldn’t mind it one bit, not one tiny bit.”
Suddenly the room got quiet, and as if on cue, Father Beau bowed his head, and within the next heartbeat, everyone at the table did the same.
“Thank you, God, for this beautiful food, for our health, for your love and for these remarkable people who surround our dinner table today. May each and every one of us be reminded that love conquers all, and forgiveness is the root upon which we build our best lives. Amen.”
Everyone joined in on the Amen, and soon plates of food made their way around the table. The clatter of voices filled the room and giggles from the children echoed through the house. When Carson glanced over at his mom, he could tell she was in her glory. Perhaps her favorite time of all was Sunday dinner.
Of course, seeing one of her children get married in a church might be on her list of favorites, as well. Carson hoped to help make that list very soon.
“I hear Jimmy’s staying at Dream Weaver Inn,” Carson told Zoe loud enough for Kayla to hear. “And he’s not doing too well.”
“Rumor has it he’s hardly eating,” Zoe said, obviously playing along. That was what he liked about Zoe, she picked up on things and went along with them without him having to coax her. As if they were in tune with each other... As if they were a seasoned couple.
Kayla addressed them. “Excuse me, but I don’t want to talk about Jimmy. That relationship is over, and for all I care, Jimmy can sit over at the inn until the cows come home. I’m not interested in seeing him or hearing about his empty stomach.”
Carson cleared his throat. “I wasn’t talking to you, Kayla. I believe I was talking to Zoe.”
Kayla cocked her head to one side and smirked. “I know what you’re attempting to do, and I’m not going to fall for it.” She piled half the bowl of mashed potatoes on her plate, made a big hollow in the middle of the mound and proceeded to pour most of the gravy into the crevice. Then she shoved in a slab of butter, half of a dinner roll, and topped it all off with a chunk of fish. Beau tried to pass her the plate with the rib roast, but she shook her head no and held up a hand.
“Meat makes me gag. I used to crave it, but now I can hardly look at it. Who knew?” Kayla announced as if this was how every pregnant woman felt. “Jimmy hates fish. He’d gag if he saw what was on my plate.”
She took a big bite, moaned and sat back rubbing her small baby bump. Why Carson had never noticed it before this moment was beyond him.
“Maybe I should take a picture of your plate,” Father
Beau said. “And send it to Jimmy.”
“Just so he could gag?” Kayla teased. “Go ahead, but I don’t want any part of it.”
And just like that, Beau took the picture with his phone and sent it off to Jimmy.
“Of course you don’t,” Beau assured her. “I wouldn’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to know that someone around here respects my wishes.”
Carson and Beau shared an encouraged look, both men hoping this might generate a romantic spark between Kayla and Jimmy.
Kayla kept eating, moaning with each big bite. A moment later Beau’s phone pinged with a text.
“You got your wish,” he told Kayla. “He says the picture made him gag.”
“Ha! I told you. He hates fish, and he particularly hates gravy of any kind. We once had an argument over whether or not pasta sauce could be considered a gravy. I love pasta sauce. He hates it. Just another example of how we have nothing in common.” She picked up a fat chunk of fish that dripped with gravy, held it up and mugged for the camera. “Send him this. It’ll turn his stomach for sure.”
Father Beau did as he was told, and before Carson could say another word, Kayla and Jimmy were talking to each other via her priestly cousin, a miracle of sorts. He was certain of it.
“Is that all it takes?” Zoe whispered to Carson.
“It’s a start, but don’t get your hopes up. My sister can turn on a dime.”
“If anyone knows how she can change her mind, it’s me,” Zoe teased. “I had to deal with an entire church filled with people, and no bride, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right. You had something to do with that wedding, didn’t you?” He took a sip of his wine as memories of driving away with his crying sister blazed through his head. Now at least he had a good idea why she had refused to get out of the car. She didn’t want to raise her baby away from everyone she knew and loved. She didn’t want to move to Boise. Ever. Which Carson completely understood, but what he couldn’t figure out was why she was being so stubborn now that he was back in town, had given up his job and would do anything for her. The guy was obviously more in love with her than ever.
“Ya think?” Zoe said, chuckling. “It was somewhat of a nightmare, but don’t tell that to Kayla.”
“You have my word,” Carson assured her, and Zoe shook her head while she watched Kayla take the phone away from Father Beau and text Jimmy herself as she giggled every time the phone chimed with a new message.
Carson nodded to his cousin Beau and hoped that his plan was actually taking hold.
* * *
ONCE ZOE AND CARSON were headed back to town, all bundled up inside his warm SUV, she said, “Thanks for driving. I don’t think I would have ever found my way out here on my own.”
She’d wanted to go by herself, but Carson had insisted on picking her up. The drive over, while it was still daylight, had been fine. They’d made small talk about his wedding, all the snow that had fallen and how her GPS on her phone couldn’t locate the road. Now, in the dark with only moonlight guiding them, she wished she’d made a bigger effort to find the place on her own.
Being alone in a car with Carson Grant with her growing feelings for him and her wanting to act on those feelings was almost more than she could endure. Sitting next to him during dinner had put enough of a strain on her already-weakened willpower, and now that she was alone with him in his SUV, watching his strong hands gripping the wheel, she could think of nothing else but those hands on her body.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Carson said, breaking in on her sexy thoughts as he turned off the feeder road to his family’s property and onto the main highway. Weeks of snow buildup sat on either side of the feeder road, causing it to seem more like a narrow chute they had to maneuver rather than a flat road. Zoe had a hard enough time driving on slick streets in town. However, not coming out for dinner would have meant her missing what was possibly the best Sunday night supper she’d had in years.
The evening had been a complete delight, and much to Zoe’s surprise, Carson’s family hadn’t mentioned anything that could be even remotely related to her being jinxed, despite what had happened at Henry’s birthday party. Truth be told, Zoe was shocked they’d even invited her to dinner after all that had happened.
“I really like your family, Carson. You’re blessed to have such a supportive and loving group around you.”
“They can be a handful sometimes. How about you? I have a feeling your family is just as loving and supportive.”
Zoe didn’t want to talk about her family, especially after just being with his.
“I don’t have any siblings. My parents can only focus on one task at a time, and raising me was my mom’s full-time job. Once I was off to college, she went back to practicing law full-time. I rarely see her or my dad. But I understand. They love what they do.”
“And you love what you do. Seems as if it works out for everyone.”
“Yep, all good,” she said, but she was far from being “all good.” “Actually, that’s not exactly true. I envy you and your big, loving family. It’s what I longed for when I was growing up. I used to look forward to going over to Piper’s house to visit. She has three older brothers. Sitting at their table instead of mine was always a treat. My parents talked about law, while her parents listened to what the kids had to say, especially Piper. Her parents liked to dote on her every chance they got. They still do.”
“Perfectly understandable—she’s the only girl.”
“Seems like I saw a little doting going on from your parents, only it wasn’t on any of your sisters. Your mom kept offering you more food, more pie, and gave you the biggest scoop of ice cream. And your dad kept talking about all your rodeos when you were a kid. He seems very proud of you.”
“I’ll admit it. Yeah, they can sometimes go overboard on their only son. It’s the nature of parents, I guess.”
Zoe could use a little parental doting right about now, or at the very least, some maternal advice. Each time she gazed over at Carson, with his strong features and his end-of-the-day stubble surrounding those kissable lips, she wished he was marrying her on Christmas Day instead of Marilyn Rose, who still seemed to be completely MIA. Was the Nationals really keeping her from helping with the final wedding details or was there something else going on? Zoe wasn’t sure she wanted to know the truth, at least not tonight.
The lights from the town now loomed in the distance. She wished they were already there. She wanted out of the car or she would end up revealing everything. He had a way of making her feel as if she could trust him with just about all her secrets.
“I always assumed I’d have a whole houseful of kids I could dote on by now,” she said wistfully.
“Seems to me that a talented, beautiful and amazing woman like you would have her pick of the men in this town.”
“I don’t seem to know a good guy from a loser. All the guys I’ve ever dated have been, shall we say, less than marriage material.” She turned to Carson. “And all the great guys I know are already taken.”
“Are you referring to me? Whoa! I’ve been referred to as a lot of things in my life, but a great boyfriend has never been one of them.”
Zoe hadn’t meant to be so blunt and could feel the blush rushing to her cheeks. She was grateful for the cover of night. “Don’t get all full of yourself. You have a reputation that I’m perfectly aware of. I was merely referring to that great guy out there.” She swept her arm in a circle, then pointed out the front windshield. “The universal great guy.”
“Oh, that guy. The one every man aspires to.”
“Depends on the aspirations.”
“The guy who would recognize what a great person you are and support you in whatever path you take. The guy who would fight for you, care for you w
ith all his heart and never leave you no matter what happened. The guy who can’t think straight when you’re around him, who can’t breathe when he spots you from across the room, who gives his all to you, no matter what the circumstance. You’re his end, his beginning, and in the middle all he wants is to love you. That guy?”
Zoe had to come out of the lusty fog he’d put her in to answer him. She let out a sigh and said, “Yes. Him.”
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t exist, but if does, he’s still figuring a few things out and might not show up for a while.”
Zoe felt certain Carson could hear her heart beating, it was that loud. Never had she been so confused over her emotions for any man in her entire life. The fact that he’d just verbalized everything she had ever dreamed of in a partner had caught her completely off guard. It was as if he’d read her innermost thoughts and put them all out there just to see how she would react.
If this was some kind of test, she was sure to fail. She decided to make light of the situation. “Don’t tell my mom, she’s certain he’s out there searching for me.”
“And he’s an attorney, no doubt.”
“No doubt.”
They both chuckled, and Zoe delighted in his baritone voice coming from deep within his throat. As she laughed, his words swirled around her, as if they were suspended in air and she could retrieve them whenever she wanted to. She could hardly look over at him, and instead focused on the barren road ahead.
“So why a wedding planner and not a lawyer like your parents? I would think they would have wanted you to follow in their footsteps. I know my parents wanted all of us to be ranchers, but only my sister Kenzie took up the family trade.”
She was glad for the conversation. It distracted her from the remorse she was feeling that this beautiful man wasn’t hers.
