A Christmas Wedding for the Cowboy

by Mary Leo

  “I tried law, even worked at their firm for a while, but it isn’t for me. After almost an entire year of complete boredom, I quit without knowing what I would do next. My parents still haven’t accepted my career choice and keep waiting for me to come to my senses.”

  “Funny how as kids we figure on certain things happening by the time we’re in our late twenties. Twenty-five or twenty-nine seems ancient when you’re still in elementary school, even when you’re in high school. I always knew that someday I wanted kids of my own, but first I had to be a rodeo star. That was a given from the time I was really young. Never wanted to do anything else but bronc riding. If we’re being honest, lately I’m not so sure I still want that life.”

  She thought he must be trying to get a rise out of her. “Carson Grant, not a rodeo rock star? Never going to happen. Okay, I can’t say never... When you’re in your late forties, you might consider easing up, but everybody knows how much you love the sport.”

  He hesitated answering as he slowed behind a pickup truck. They were only a few blocks from town now. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  “What does that mean...you guess I’m right?” She shifted in her seat to face him. “Are you serious?”

  “As serious as saying it out loud.”

  That stopped Zoe cold. “Wow, I never thought... When I left my parents’ firm, it took me some time to make the transition. And I hadn’t been doing it for as long as you’ve been doing rodeo. When I was in college, my roommate’s mom ran a small wedding planning business. She’d commandeer us whenever the guest list went over seventy-five people. It was a way for us to make our own money and have some fun at the same time. I took to it almost immediately, more so than my roommate, who only participated because she felt she had to.” Zoe shrugged. “I guess it’s like anything your parents expect you to do. You rebel. I looked at it as a learning experience and took notes. When it came time for Piper and me to open our own business, I already knew where to order the perfect Jordan almonds, where to get a deal on yards of white netting and how to tie an organza sash on the back of a chair. The irony of it all is that my roommate ended up getting her law degree and now practices in Las Vegas, while I’m here in Briggs planning weddings. I like my job—it can be fun... At least it used to be, when the wedding actually took place with both happy parties eagerly saying I do. That’s why I’m so excited about your wedding to Marilyn Rose. I know you and the woman you love will show up and exchange vows, at least that’s what you promised and I now get that you’re a man of your word.”

  Carson drove his SUV up the driveway of Zoe’s parents’ house, turned off the ignition, then twisted his body so he could face her, took a deep breath and said, “Zoe, about the wedding. I—”

  He appeared as if he had something important to tell her, but before he could finish his thought, Zoe’s mom’s voice slammed into their little shelter.

  “Yoo-hoo! Zoe, we’re home. And we’re early, isn’t that great?”

  Chapter Eight

  “I had no idea this place was so big,” Zoe said as she and Carson drove under the metal archway for M & M Riding School. She’d never had reason to go out to the school, even though she’d heard about it around town. The only thing she really knew was that it had been restored to its former glory by the Granger brothers. Other than that, she hadn’t really paid that much attention to it. She didn’t ride, although she had always wanted to learn, but never seemed to have the time to take up the sport. Now as Carson drove toward the arenas, stables and school, she spotted a few of the students riding on some of the prettiest horses she’d ever seen. Maybe she would get more serious about taking some classes.

  Especially now that her business seemed to be all but dead. And it didn’t help that her parents were back home bugging her to give up the fight and come work for them. Her dad assured her that this time she wouldn’t be stuck reading briefs and torts all day, but her dad had a tendency to say whatever she needed to hear. Zoe loved him madly, but he turned into mush when it came to his “little girl,” whereas her mom was all about the facts. Mom refused to comment on what Zoe’s daily routine would be like if she came back into the fold, and from what she could gather, it would look a lot like catching up on her brief and tort reading.

  “The entire place was almost torn down a few years ago until Colt came to his senses and restored it for his wife, Helen,” Carson told her, looking particularly good under his chocolate-colored Western hat. He was neatly shaven and smelled musky clean as if he’d splashed on aftershave right before he’d stepped into his SUV. “They weren’t married at the time, and neither of them could seem to come to terms with each other. Colt thought he needed the land for a new potato storage facility for his family and some of the local farmers, while free spirit Helen had the hardest time deciding if she wanted to be mother to three young male rascals. It was a real tug-of-war.”

  Carson pulled into a parking spot in front of the main building, switched off the ignition, and they both slid out, slamming the doors shut behind them.

  “Glad to see they worked it out,” Zoe said. “This place is beautiful, and what a spot.”

  She slowly rotated to take in the spectacular scenery with the snow-covered Teton Mountains off in the distance on one side and Briggs sprawled out down below. She could only imagine what this place would look like in the warmer months with all the surrounding trees in bloom, the high grasses blowing in the wind while embracing the hillside. Not to mention the Snake River winding its way through the valley below.

  Carson guided her toward the green three-story building, telling her they were to meet Helen Granger inside. A light snow had dusted the ground earlier, causing everything to sparkle in the morning sunlight. She loved the Teton Valley, loved living in Briggs, and despite her intrusive parents needling her about coming back to their firm, she was happy to be spending time with Carson. He still hadn’t told her what he’d been about to say the other night when he drove her back to her parents’ place. She had a feeling whatever he’d been trying to say would put a damper on his wedding, so she wasn’t eager to push him to clarify. Not when she was really looking forward to her day with Carson and the kids at the riding school. Whatever he’d been bent on telling her could wait.

  Zoe had worn her warm wool socks and gray boots, along with gray tights and a long cream-colored sweater. She wore a white wool coat and a black knit hat pulled down over her ears with a red woolen scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hands were covered in bright red knit gloves with Santa’s face embroidered on each one. A splash of white yarn enhanced the tip of Santa’s hat. An early present from Piper she’d bought at Art Attack over the weekend.

  Carson wore the same festive gloves, only his were embroidered with Rudolph, his nose, a small fuzzy red ball.

  Carson pointed as they walked, and Zoe giggled every time Rudolph’s bright red nose popped out from under Carson’s sleeve. “The stables are on the other side of the barn. There are two arenas, one open but covered for the warmer months, and one heated for the winter months. There are a few classrooms and the admin office in that two-story building, and the Granger house is that sprawling two-story building on the far end of the property. Wait, what’s so funny?”

  “Your gloves.” She held up her own. “Mine were a gift from Piper. Yours?”

  He held up his hands as well, showing off Rudolph’s nose. “Sal, and he insisted I wear them today.”

  “You don’t think they coordinated this?”

  Zoe knew that ever since she’d told Piper about Carson’s attempted kiss, she was probably working overtime trying to get the two of them together. Although Zoe wasn’t quite sure if she was supposed to hang out with Carson to keep Lana Thomson away or if she should hang out with him to make sure his wedding would still take place. Whatever the reason, she liked being around him more than she should.

  He laughe
d and her heart melted. She loved the way his voice went deep whenever he chuckled, as if he kept those baritone octaves for something he found a little scandalous. She could only imagine what that voice would sound like in the middle of the night as he snuggled up behind her...naked.

  As soon as she thought it, she tossed the too-tempting visual out of her head, chastising herself for having such provocative thoughts. The man was marrying another woman in less than a week... Get a grip!

  But ever since he’d told her how a real man would treat her, she hadn’t been able to get him out of her head.

  “I wouldn’t put anything past them,” he said. “Sal’s been acting a little secretive ever since he met Betty. Almost like a kid with a new toy he wants to keep for himself. It’s a hoot to see him so silly.”

  “Sounds like true love.”

  “Might be another wedding for you to plan.”

  She couldn’t conceive of planning another wedding for anyone even remotely connected to Carson Grant. It was sure to fail in some way; she was certain of it.

  “After your dad’s birthday party, I doubt Betty will be calling me anytime soon.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. Sal knows what really happened that night.”

  “Yeah, I planned a party that ended in another disaster.”

  A gust of wind slapped her hard and she shivered as it moved past her. Carson held on to his hat as three teen boys wearing puffy down jackets ran from the barn to the enclosed arena. A moment later two girls about the same age, wearing cowgirl boots and carrying Western hats, followed in their footsteps.

  “Not necessarily. My sister and Jimmy are talking again. That’s huge.”

  “And a falling Christmas tree could have killed somebody.” Every time she thought of that tree tumbling through the front windows, and what could have happened if someone had been standing near it, fear gripped her body. It took hours of logical reasoning to keep her from hiding in her room again.

  Of course, if she was still home, in bed, she would have missed out on spending time with Carson. That would have been tragic, particularly when he looked so darn handsome.

  “But it didn’t, so you’re good. And I wouldn’t be back at this school if it wasn’t for you.”

  “Those boys would have convinced you regardless of what I said or did.”

  “I don’t agree. I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t have to pick you up. I had second thoughts when I woke up.”

  “Why? Wasn’t Chewbacca doing his job this morning?”

  Zoe flashed on his small poster taped to his ceiling.

  He grinned and she was sure she spotted a slight dimple in his left cheek, a dimple she hadn’t noticed until that moment. How could she have missed it? Hadn’t she been paying attention?

  “Not really. I don’t think I’m quite ready for light speed this morning.”

  “You seem ready to me. You look happy and you’re walking like the pain is almost gone. Everything is right in Carson Grant world, I just know it.”

  “See, that’s what I mean... You make me believe in myself again.”

  His grin grew wider and his dimple grew deeper, enhancing the utter charm of his face.

  “I didn’t know I had such an impact.”

  “Well, you do, but don’t let it go to your head.”

  She chuckled as if it was that easy for her to regain her confidence. Although, being around him for any length of time seemed to erase some of her self-doubt...a lot of her self-doubt.

  “I’ll try to remember that when I need you to finally commit to the rest of the decorations for the church.”

  “Don’t remind me. I thought I placed all those decisions in your capable hands.”

  “You did, but there are still some issues that have to be resolved, and I don’t want to do anything completely on my own. It wouldn’t be fair to either you or Marilyn Rose if I screwed up. We’re down to days until the main event. We still have fun gifts to buy for each of the guests, remember?”

  Carson sucked in a breath. “I almost forgot about the gifts. I don’t have to join in for that, do I?”

  “Sure you do. It was your promise, not mine. We have a date with the boys for this coming Saturday at noon at Geppetto’s Toy Shop in town. After that we’ll have five days to wrap up this wedding.”

  Carson threw her an ironic grin. “Fine. Anything to get the planning stage of this wedding over with.”

  He said it almost as if he couldn’t wait to shed the entire event, as if the wedding was a burden he no longer wanted to carry. She had the distinct feeling it had something to do with her, and it made her instantly sad. She couldn’t bear to do anything that might make him want to be rid of her. She had hoped to be his friend long after the wedding took place. Was that even possible?

  “Does that mean you’re getting tired of being around me?”

  He quickly swung back to look at her. “Never. I could never get tired of being with you. You’re the only bright light in my life right now.”

  The words slapped her with more force than the wind.

  Wasn’t Marilyn Rose supposed to be his bright light?

  He seemed genuinely sincere and Zoe hesitated for a moment to catch her breath. Then after a beat, he began talking again about the school and the main house as if what he’d just said had no other implication. But Zoe had a hunch those words had a deeper meaning. A meaning she wasn’t sure she wanted him to reveal.

  He pointed to the main house, and this time, Rudolph’s fuzzy nose popping out from under his sleeve didn’t seem so funny. It was one thing if she was crushing on Carson Grant, but another thing entirely if he was falling for her to the point of wanting to act on it. She wasn’t certain she could ever be the “other woman.” She’d gone down that road before and there was no way she’d even consider it ever again.

  She forced herself to toss the thought from her head and focused instead on what he was saying about the Grangers as she walked alongside him, nestling her chin under her warm red scarf.

  “Helen and Colt seem to be constantly making upgrades to their house, either because they need more room, or something needs repair. Fortunately, Colt and his brother Travis are handy and can do most of the work themselves or this place would be costing them a fortune to keep running. As it is, they squeak by.”

  Zoe focused on the buildings. She had done some research on Carson’s scholarship program for the school. He gave out two for each season, which cost him somewhere in the vicinity of fifteen to twenty thousand a year. The more she learned about this rodeo cowboy, the more she realized what a great man he truly was. She would give anything to have a man like Carson in her life. She just wished she had gotten to know him before Marilyn Rose had dug her hooks in.

  “I bet Marilyn Rose can’t wait to be a part of this,” Zoe said, knowing perfectly well that so far these were Carson’s scholarships. Marilyn Rose had nothing to do with them.

  “She’s not particularly fond of children, so this isn’t something she can wrap her heart around.”

  “But you seem to love kids. How’s that going to work?” And as soon as the words slipped out, Zoe knew she shouldn’t have said it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean... I mean, of course it’s going to work, and you’re both fine with whatever it is that you decided on...about kids, I mean.”

  Zoe stumbled all over herself trying to cover her doubt, but she couldn’t help it. The more she learned about his fiancée, the more she thought they weren’t even a close match, let alone soul mates destined to be together forever.

  “We have an understanding.”

  Zoe left it at that, and didn’t want to press him further. For all she knew, Carson was only pretending when it came to liking children, and secretly, deep inside he didn’t truly like them.

  She had that ridiculous though
t just as his entire face lit up. Carson gestured to a teen cowboy riding a gorgeous black horse toward the enclosed arena. The boy waved back, a look of excitement tinting his striking face.

  “He seems to know you,” Zoe said, watching the boy ride off, the majestic mountains a backdrop to his retreat.

  “That’s Colt’s oldest, Buddy, a really great kid and a natural cowboy. Takes after his dad.”

  “He seemed happy to see you.”

  Carson sighed. “Ever since my accident, I haven’t been very attentive to the school or anybody in it, but that’s all going to change now.”

  “From what I read, you were pretty banged up. I doubt they were expecting you to carry on as usual.”

  Carson carefully made his way up the three steps to the school and pulled open the heavy front door, then held it for Zoe to walk through first. “They didn’t expect me to completely ignore them, either.”

  An abundance of Christmas decorations lit up the small lobby. Drawings of Santa riding a horse lined the far wall, garland and bows were strung across the reception desk, and a tree decorated with Western-themed ornaments sparkled in front of the side windows. The room smelled of cinnamon and pine. Christmas had definitely arrived at the M & M Riding School.

  Once they were inside, Zoe turned to him. “I can’t believe they thought you were ignoring them. That’s your guilt talking. You’re just now able to walk without your cane. Give yourself a break. You needed time to heal, both physically and emotionally.”

  “No excuse for staying away this long, and even now, I have to admit I’m a bit apprehensive. I haven’t been on a horse since...well...let’s just say it’s been a while.”

  “Nobody expects you to do anything you don’t want to do. I’m sure the students will be thrilled that you stopped by. Anything more than that is gravy.”

  They stood in front of a large counter, staring at each other for a moment. Then he took her hand and gently pulled her toward him. His touch was electrifying.