The Maverick's Snowbound Christmas

by Karen Rose Smith

  While they’d decorated, they’d made small talk about what had happened on The Great Roundup last night. He’d watched the show at the Ace in the Hole again while Hadley had caught the program with Claire and Melba.

  Eli wanted to erase the awkwardness. There were so many things they needed to discuss. Maybe today they would. Maybe today they’d move forward so they both knew where they stood.

  Maverick Manor was a rustic hotel that had a gorgeous view of the Montana wilderness. He met Hadley in the lobby, in front of the stone fireplace that was big enough to stand in. They went into the restaurant that had been added on. It was after the lunch hour, and most of the seats and tables were empty. Eli was grateful for that, as the hostess showed them to a private table in a corner alcove. When the waitress came to take their drink orders, Eli held up the extensive wine list.

  “Wine?” he asked.

  But Hadley shook her head. “No, I think I’d better stay clearheaded for this conversation.”

  “How about an Irish coffee?” the waitress asked. “Easy on the Irish.”

  Hadley glanced at her. “That does sound good.”

  “I’ll have the same,” Eli said.

  Once the waitress had scurried off, Eli reached across the table and took Hadley’s hand. “I don’t want to put you on the defensive, Hadley,” he told her. “But I do have a question.”

  “If you’re already warning me—”

  “It’s just that I might not have any right to ask it.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about the offer for the job in St. Louis? We were together the day before.”

  “It just came up. Remember when I got the call when we were shopping? That was Greg, and I didn’t know what he was going to ask me then. He just said that he wanted to meet, that he had a proposition for me. I had no idea what that meant.”

  Eli studied her face and decided she was telling him the truth. He’d come to expect honesty from Hadley. “And you tried to avoid seeing me today because you thought it would be awkward?”

  “Yes, it would be awkward. I never should have poked into your personal life. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “You were right on the money.”

  Hadley looked startled for a moment.

  “I don’t know if rigidity was my problem, but I thought Elaine and I were building a life here. She thought she’d make a grand move and I would go with her. I was never anything but clear that my life was in Rust Creek Falls.”

  “Did you know she wanted more?”

  “I knew she had ambition.”

  “If you knew she had ambition, why didn’t you see the rest?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Just how far could ambition get her in Rust Creek Falls? She had to take it to the next level, Eli. Was she unhappy here?”

  “I didn’t think she was unhappy when she was with me.”

  “Other than you. Was she happy in her life here?”

  He looked troubled. “No. She complained about a lot.”

  “That was the red flag that you didn’t want to see. You thought you could be everything to her, and that wasn’t so.”

  As he thought about it, he realized Hadley’s conclusion was credible. He squeezed her hand. “How did you get so smart?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  However, he did want to know. But he had the feeling Hadley wasn’t going to tell him today. “Do you think I rigidly just don’t want to move away from Rust Creek Falls and that’s why I broke off the engagement?”

  “Isn’t that the reason?”

  “No. I like my life. I like being close to my family. I like knowing what’s going on with them as much as I can, and having their support and my giving mine. Tell me about your family. Don’t you want to spend time with them?”

  At that moment the waitress brought their Irish coffees. This gave Hadley the chance to stall, to taste the whipped cream, to stir the coffee with her spoon. But finally she looked him straight in the eye. “My family is paired off. I’m already long-distance from Tessa when she’s in California. If I move away, they won’t miss me.”

  “You’re wrong, especially if you move to St. Louis. You and your sisters are close.”

  “We can talk on the phone and text.”

  “That’s not the same thing as talking face-to-face, and you know it. What about your grandmother? And I’m sure your parents want you close.” He let up the pressure, took a sip of the coffee and then set it back down, intending to change the subject. He didn’t want to put more barriers between himself and Hadley. He wanted to break them down. “You know we’re both very lucky to have large extended families. Rust Creek Falls is overrun by Daltons of late, and I couldn’t be happier about that. But not everybody is so lucky.”

  “Are you thinking of someone in particular?”

  “I’m thinking about the Stocktons. Bella and Hudson have found happiness, but Bella and her brother Jamie have been through a world of hurt because they were separated from their siblings.”

  “I know some of their story,” Hadley said. “They were torn apart by a car accident ten years ago, right?”

  “Yes. Jamie and Bella went to live with their grandparents. The older children left on their own because they were eighteen. The younger ones were adopted. Jamie and Bella had no idea where any of their brothers and sisters were. I can’t imagine what it would be like to grow up not knowing where my brothers and sisters were. Just think about that hole in your heart every day, not knowing if they were okay or thriving.”

  “But the Stocktons recently reunited with two of their missing siblings.”

  Eli nodded. “Daniel and Dana. And they’re still looking for the rest. They’re hoping to have them all back by the time Dan marries Anne Lattimore at Christmastime.”

  Soft piano music had begun to play in the background, and they listened for a while as they sipped their coffee. Staring at Hadley, realizing her beauty, remembering their night together, his mind wandered off. There was a huge Christmas tree at the side of the room. It stood for everything he wanted, and maybe hadn’t realized it until this moment. Staring at that tree, its glistening ornaments and its lights, he could see Hadley and himself standing there in front of it with children of their own. His mind veered on a detour to Christmas morning where they were all gathered around the tree opening presents. There was a little Eli Junior, all excited about a fancy fire truck. And a little girl who looked just like Hadley clutched a teddy bear. When Hadley entered the scene, she was rounded with child. His child. His children.

  “Eli?”

  Hadley had asked him a question and he must have missed it.

  She asked, “Where did you just go?”

  He’d taken a trip into the future, maybe the exact future he wanted. He’d looked for a woman like Hadley for a long time. Now that he’d found her, he didn’t want to let her slip through his hands.

  “So where did you just go?” Hadley asked him again.

  He couldn’t scare her off. That would defeat every purpose. And she’d been hurt before. He needed to proceed with caution. “Are you really sure you can’t stay through Christmas?”

  “I can’t let my boss down. I told him I’d be back to cover for him by December 11.”

  “All right, then. If you won’t be here on the twenty-fifth, then I’d like to celebrate Christmas with you ahead of time.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I’ll create Christmas just for the two of us. We’ll have our own celebration before you leave.”

  “I don’t know, Eli. There’s a lot to do between now and then—”

  Leaning forward, he took her hands in his and pulled them up to his face. “Say you’ll let me create a celebration for the two of us.
..a private celebration.” He kept his gaze on hers and wouldn’t let her look away. She didn’t.

  In fact, she said, “This could be a Christmas celebration to remember.”

  “As soon as I figure out the best way to celebrate, I’ll let you know. I’m thinking Friday evening would be good. Are you free?”

  “I can be free.”

  “Then Friday evening it is. And how about we seal the deal with a kiss?”

  “We’re in public,” she whispered.

  “And no one’s watching,” he said, as he kissed her and she kissed him back with all the enthusiasm of their earlier kiss. He’d better come up with the best before-Christmas celebration ever and make it memorable.

  * * *

  Eli looked around the suite at Maverick Manor and knew everything was perfect. Hadley would be meeting him here shortly. They’d managed to meet at his cabin only twice since their drinks at Maverick Manor. Both times had left him wanting more. The problem was they’d both been a little on guard there in case they were interrupted. His family didn’t always respect his boundaries.

  He could have set up this Christmas celebration at his place, but he hadn’t wanted to take any chances. He didn’t want any interruptions. He wanted a secluded place where he and Hadley would be undisturbed. No ranch. No relatives. And if he had his way, no phones.

  Understandably Hadley’s memories of Christmas weren’t good ones. He was going to change all that tonight. Maybe they couldn’t spend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day together, but they’d have their holiday tonight—and he’d make sure it was memorable.

  At the knock at the door, Eli went to answer it. When he opened it, he found Hadley, who had a puzzled expression on her face. “That was an enigmatic text,” she said. “‘Meet me at Maverick Manor, Room 333.’ Here I am. Did you have a business meeting here or something?”

  He took her hand and led her inside. “No business meeting. I decided we needed a change of venue.”

  Hadley’s eyes widened as she gazed around the room. First she spotted the Christmas tree with its ornaments, garland and lights twinkling at her from almost every branch. A fire burned brightly in the fireplace, sending a glow throughout the room. She took a few more steps inside. Beyond the sitting area and fireplace stood a king-size lodgepole pine bed all dressed up for Christmas with a red-and-green spread. Beside it on one of the nightstands was a cooler with a bottle of wine. Flameless candles glowed here and there, adding to the holiday charm. And last, but not least, her eyes took a path back to the fireplace and its mantel. From that mantel hung a huge red stocking emblazoned with Hadley’s name. The stocking was filled to overflowing with little wrapped presents.

  “Eli, what did you do?” She turned to face him, her eyes glowing bright.

  “I told you I wanted to celebrate Christmas with you. This is my idea of it. I ordered room service, so dinner should be here in about fifteen minutes. How about a glass of wine to start off the evening?”

  She took off her scarf and jacket, and Eli took them from her. After he laid her coat over a chair, she agreed, “A glass of wine would be lovely.” She motioned to the tree and the fire. “I still can’t believe you did all this.”

  Going to her, he wrapped his arms around her and brought her in for a kiss.

  Afterward, when they were both breathing heavily, he asked, “Now do you believe it?”

  She laughed. “I do. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.”

  “Exactly what I was going for,” he said lightly.

  He’d no sooner poured the two of them a glass of wine and put the bottle back in its cooler when there was a rap on the door. It took him only a few seconds to sign for the food. He had the busboy set it up on the coffee table by the sofa.

  When they were alone again and seated on the sofa, Hadley said, “I can’t wait to see what you ordered.”

  He took the lids from both of their dinners to reveal prime rib and lobster tail, mashed potatoes, green beans almandine and crème brûlée for dessert.

  “Oh my gosh, Eli. This is decadent.”

  “Just wait until you have butter dripping from your lips and I kiss you. Now that’s decadent.”

  The look in her eyes told him that she agreed. They talked and laughed throughout their meal, but more often their eyes met and so did their lips. Buttery kisses seemed like their new best idea ever.

  They fed each other crème brûlée, letting the creamy texture linger on their tongues and tasting the dessert from each other. Their kisses were becoming longer and hotter until Eli broke away, took a deep breath and said huskily, “You have to look in your stocking.”

  Hadley blinked at him. “Now?”

  He nodded, rose from the sofa and unhooked the stocking from the mantel. He brought another package along, too, a Santa bag with a mound of white tissue. He lay the stocking on her lap. “Start with these.”

  As Hadley unwrapped each small package, her smiles grew broader. There were chocolate bars and gummy candies, a toy dog and cat, and a figurine of a foal with the same coloring as Coco. Hadley ran her fingers over it lovingly. “It’s beautiful, Eli. Thank you. I’ll never forget that moment when the foal was born, or being with you when it happened.”

  She’d said the words that were important for his heart to hear. Being with him had mattered. He knew being with her mattered. He handed her the bag next. “Something for tonight.”

  “Should I guess?” she asked with a sexy look in her eyes.

  If she was expecting red or black lace, she was going to be surprised, he thought.

  And surprised she was. Her eyes widened, her cheeks grew rosy with delight, and her smile blessed his soul. She carefully unfolded a cozy fleece nightshirt embroidered with a puppy wearing a Santa hat. Hadley laughed, and Eli knew he had hit just the right note.

  “Stay here tonight with me?” Eli asked, knowing her answer could tell him everything he needed to know.

  “This could be our last night together,” she murmured.

  “Don’t think about that,” he suggested, still waiting for her answer.

  “Yes, I’ll stay.” Then teasingly she asked, “Are we going to watch The Great Roundup?”

  “Not tonight,” Eli murmured as he took her into his arms and kissed her.

  That kiss fueled their passion. She couldn’t seem to rid him of his clothes fast enough nor he hers. They dropped their clothes on the way to the bed and hardly made it there. Eli’s groans seemed to quicken her hands as she stroked his muscles, his skin, every part of him. When his tongue drove into her mouth, she took him, tasted him, nibbled at his lips, too.

  They seemed to burn for each other. The curve of Hadley’s neck was perfect for his kisses. Her shoulders were creamy pink, so feminine yet so strong, too. She was the type of woman who could face adversity and win. As Hadley sifted her hand through his chest hair, she made him crazy with need. Wherever Hadley touched him, it wasn’t only pleasure but torment. He wanted satisfaction as much as she did, but he wasn’t willing to rush to get there. She might be arousing him, but each brush of his hand on her skin aroused her, too. Her breaths were shallow, her pulse was racing and his name was on her lips.

  He’d never felt before what he was feeling with Hadley, and that’s what drove him on. He coaxed sighs from her. He kissed her until all of her skin had a rosy glow.

  Finally, Hadley seemed to be at her limit. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and she said, “Let go, Eli. I want you. Can’t you see that?”

  “I see that,” he said with some satisfaction. “And I want you, too.”

  She arched toward him, but still he wouldn’t hurry. He entered her with a slowness that drove them both crazy. And then, finally, they found the pleasure they were seeking. The release, when it came, seemed to shatter them both.

  Hadley held on to Eli as if sh
e’d never let him go. And that’s what he wanted. He didn’t want her to ever let go. That was almost his last conscious thought. Almost. Because there was one other, and he knew exactly what he was going to do.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Hadley had never had a more perfect night. She’d never been loved the way Eli had loved her—with care, with passion, with gentleness. She’d worn her nightgown with the puppy in the Santa hat as they shared a midnight snack. And then he’d removed it and they’d started all over again. Now they were dressed and having the full breakfast he’d ordered for them from room service. Sitting next to him on the couch, she couldn’t stop smiling as they drank orange juice, ate scrambled eggs and croissants, and sipped coffee. She hated to leave, but she knew she had to. She’d told Brooks she’d be in this morning.

  All of a sudden, Eli said, “I want to ask you something very important.”

  She thought he might ask when she’d be back after Christmas. She thought he might ask if they could see each other again before she left tomorrow. She thought...

  Suddenly Eli pushed their breakfast tray back on the coffee table. Then he stood. He was towering over her, looking a little uncertain. And she had no clue as to what he was thinking. She had no clue until he pushed the coffee table away and got down on one knee in front of her.

  Taking her hand in his, he said, “I’d like to wake up every morning the way we woke up this morning. I hadn’t planned on doing this just yet. I know you might have doubts, but I don’t, and I need you to know that. I want you to stay in Rust Creek Falls and start a future with me. I’d like you to marry me. Will you, Hadley?”

  Hadley had never had a panic attack in her life. But right now, her breaths were short and shallow, her chest felt tight and she didn’t know if she could suck in another lungful of air. She was looking at Eli and the hope in his face. She felt joy that he wanted to marry her. Yet she also felt panic and so much fear. Could this possibly be the real thing? Just asking that, her thoughts went back to that Vegas chapel and how hard she’d fallen the last time, and how badly it had all turned out. Justin had impulsively proposed, too!