A Thunder Canyon Christmas (11 page)

“Funny, that's not the rumor going around town. The minute I walked in the house last night, Stephanie was
bending my ear about your engagement. And she's not the only one. I've now heard it from more than one person.”

He loved living in Thunder Canyon but life in a small town where everybody cared about your business had some definite downfalls. A stray bit of gossip could run rampant like an August wildfire. With just a little fuel, it would spread to every corner, wreaking havoc in its path.

And he had stupidly been the one to set the match to this particular rumor. He should have expected this, damn it.

The hell of it was, he couldn't go around putting out this particular fire completely, not if Christine was going to convince her jackass of an ex that they were done.

He might not be able to tell everyone, but he could certainly confide the truth to Elise, he decided. “Look, if I tell you something, I need you to keep it to yourself, at least for a little while.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, obviously not at all in the mood to listen to anything he had to say. Still, she didn't toss him out so he figured he would take what he could get at this point.

“The truth is, Christine had an overenthusiastic ex-boyfriend a few months back who couldn't seem to get the message they were really over. I wouldn't exactly put him in the stalker category, but maybe a step or two down from that. She confided in me one night what she'd been going through and somehow we decided to pretend to be dating in hopes the ex would finally figure out it was over.”

“So out of the goodness of your heart, you agreed to pretend to date a beautiful woman with absolutely pure and altruistic motives.”

He fought down annoyance at her sharp tone. “I never said that. I'll be honest, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement. My parents stopped bugging me for a while about settling down for the first time since Haley and Marlon got together. And I enjoy Christine's company. She's a very fun person. But we're not engaged and never will be. Neither of us feels that way about the other.”

She didn't look convinced. “For the sake of argument, let's say I was stupid enough to believe you. Don't you think becoming engaged to the woman is taking your charade a little too far?”

He sighed. How to explain this part without sounding like a complete idiot? “We bumped into a cousin of the ex-boyfriend outside The Gallatin Room the other night. Completely on the spur of the moment, I figured this was the perfect opportunity to convince the guy things were over, once and for all. I never really stopped to consider the consequences, that word might trickle out and we would have to explain the truth someday.”

He thought he detected a slight thaw in her expression but it was barely perceptible so he pressed harder.

“I'm telling the truth, Elise. Come on, think about it. Do you really believe I'm the kind of guy who would announce his engagement one night, then spend the next night kissing someone else?”

She gave him a long, considering look. “I can't answer that, Matt. I guess that's part of the problem. I've been away from Thunder Canyon for a long time. All
I know are the rumors I've heard about your wild past. Didn't you and Marlon get engaged a few years ago to twins you'd barely met?”

He winced. She
would
have to dredge up that little gem of a story, one of his less than stellar moments. “We were young and stupid. I think it was more of a joke than anything. Marlon and I have both changed over the years. Look at him, happily engaged to Haley. And he was always the reckless one, not me. I was mostly along for the ride.”

He thought the ice thawed just a little more. At least she didn't look ready to feed him to the wolves yet.

“Trust your instincts, El,” he said softly, reaching for her hand. “We're friends. I wouldn't treat any woman like that, not Christine and not you.”

She stared at him for a long moment and he could feel the tremble of her slender fingers. She swallowed hard and opened her mouth to say something, but at that moment the door was shoved open.

CJ McFarlane burst in, all auburn hair and lanky skater boy. He didn't seem to notice any of the fine-edged tension in the room. “We're starving, Miz Clifton. Okay if we nuke a couple bags of popcorn? Haley keeps a supply back here.”

“Um, sure.” She stepped away from Matt and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Anything else you need?”

“No. Popcorn ought to do it.”

She gave Matt a long look, then returned to the other room. He followed, frustrated and more than a little annoyed that she was being so stubborn.

“I guess I'll give Haley a call about what she needs me to do for the party. Sorry I bothered you,” he said tersely and headed for the door.

“Matt. Wait.”

He turned. “Yeah?”

She twisted her fingers together and chewed her bottom lip. “What was I supposed to think?” she finally said with a quick look at the kids. “Stephanie's not the sort to make up stories.”

“And I'm not the sort to string two women along. You ought to know me better than that.”

She sighed. “I've been in that position before, in college. The other woman, I mean. My first real boyfriend was a…well, a jerk. I dated him for three months and never knew he had been engaged for a year to marry a girl in his hometown right after graduation. Then I bumped into them one day while they were picking out wedding flowers and had to stand there, stunned and heartbroken, while he introduced me as some girl he had a class with.”

She paused, fidgeting with a stapler on Haley's desk. “It was an awful situation. I hated thinking you could do the same thing to me or to Christine.”

He sighed. He felt like he was doing nothing but taking one step forward and two or three giant steps backward with her.

“I'm sorry you were hurt that way. But I'm not some idiot you knew in college, Elise. You've known me for a long time. You should have given me a chance to explain before you jumped to all kinds of crazy conclusions.”

He was hurt, he realized. It was a feeling he wasn't
very accustomed to when it came to his dealings with women.

“I've got to go.” He didn't want her to see it, didn't want to reveal the depth of his feelings for her just yet, not when she was fighting him every step of the way. “Tell Haley I dropped by and I'll do whatever she needs me to for the party.”

“Matt—”

He didn't wait for whatever else she wanted to say, only pushed open the door and walked out of the ROOTS clubhouse and into the December afternoon that seemed to have lost all its good cheer.

“E
verything looks absolutely perfect!”

Haley slung her arm over Elise's shoulders and pulled her close as they stood in the doorway admiring the winter wonderland they had spent all day creating in the ROOTS clubhouse.

“You did a fantastic job with the whole thing. You should be a party planner, El. You didn't need me after all,” Haley said.

“Not true. I never could have thrown it all together without you the last two days. I still think you're overdoing it, though. Are you sure you're up to this?”

“I'm feeling almost back to normal, if I can only shed this stupid cough.” As if to illustrate her point, she suddenly had to step away from Elise in order to cough into the corner of her sleeve.

“Sorry. I really am feeling better,” she said after a moment. “Those garlands you made are fantastic and the swag bags are perfect.”

“The kids are going to have a great time.” She smiled at her friend, noting all the changes in Haley over the last few months. Her friend glowed with happiness, even though she still looked pale and worn-out from her illness.

Elise was thrilled for her. Haley's handbag design business, HA! was taking off, she was passionately committed to the success of ROOTS and she was deeply in love with Marlon Cates, who loved her right back.

She deserved all those wonderful things and more after giving up her dreams early in order to take care of her younger siblings after her single mother's untimely death.

Elise wouldn't have begrudged her any of it and she refused to feel even a tiny niggle of envy that everything seemed to be coming together so perfectly for Haley when Elise's life seemed like such a tangled mess.

“What you're doing here is a good thing, Haley. It's been really cool to be a part of it this week, in my small way.”

“Not small.” Haley squeezed her arm with affection. “You know we would have had to cancel the whole thing if you hadn't stepped in to save the day. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.”

“I had help,” Elise said. “Your hardworking volunteers plus those amazing kids.”

“They are, aren't they? Amazing, I mean. I think I
get more out of associating with them than the other way around.”

She looked at the clock suddenly. “And speaking of the kids, they're going to be here any minute now. You're staying, right? I won't let you leave, not after all your hard work.”

Elise nodded. “I brought some party clothes to change into so I didn't have to go back to the ranch to change.”

“See, that's why you always were the smartest girl I know.”

Ha,
Elise thought as she headed for the ROOTS women's restroom. If she were as smart as Haley thought, she would have stayed far away from Matt Cates the moment she spied him at The Hitching Post the other night. Instead, she had let her life become more and more entwined with his and now here she was fighting down completely inappropriate anticipation at the likely possibility that he would come to the party.

Not that he would be thrilled to see her. The last time she had seen him, the anger in his eyes that she had believed he was two-timing his fiancée by kissing Elise would have melted every inch of snow on the whole road out front.

She hadn't seen him in four days, since that tense scene here. His outrage still seemed unfair. If he was telling the truth—and she still hadn't managed to completely convince herself of that, despite every instinct that urged her to believe him—he and Christine Mayhew
wanted
people to think they were engaged, right?

Or at least one particular person, Christine's ex-boyfriend.

For him to be angry with Elise for believing the rumors they had started themselves seemed wrong, somehow.

She changed quickly, out of jeans and a hooded sweatshirt into a pair of black slacks and a shimmery white blouse, sheer at the neck and sleeves, then sighed as she replaced the utilitarian small hoops she'd put in her ears that morning with her favorite chunky, dangly crystals.

Why did it matter if Matt was upset with her? Engaged or not, her reasons for stopping their kiss the other night at Clifton's Pride remained. Nothing had changed since Monday. If anything, things were more tangled than ever now that Jack and Betty Castro were returning to Thunder Canyon for the holidays.

She thought of the phone call she had received the night before from Betty and her stomach quivered with nerves.

Betty and Jack were back in Montana, staying with friends in Billings. Betty had sounded desperately eager for Elise to join them for dinner on Sunday. She knew they genuinely wanted to get to know her, to forge whatever relationship they could with her.

Elise had always considered herself a nice person. She tried to treat people with decency and respect. But the Castros' continued overtures made her want to saddle up one of the Clifton's Pride horses and ride fast and hard into the mountains to hide out somewhere she wouldn't be found for days.

Her reaction was ridiculous, she knew, and rather shameful. The Castros weren't trying to hurt her. They only wanted to become acquainted with the child who had been taken from them by circumstances beyond anyone's control.

After she applied a new coat of mascara, Elise gazed in the mirror at the face she had seen looking back for twenty-six years. She had inherited her cheekbones, her eyes, the curve of her mouth from Betty and Jack. Didn't she owe it to them to at least be cordial?

She had two brothers she didn't know, an entire family history to learn. She couldn't keep avoiding them, hoping this whole tangled mess would just sort itself out. It was time to face her angst.

But not tonight. This was a Christmas party and she wouldn't ruin it for the teens that Haley helped.

The first guests had started to arrive by the time Elise finished changing her clothes and makeup. Haley had started playing some holiday music and Elise could see a group of teens already taking to the small dance floor they had set up.

She could see Haley's siblings, Austin and Angie, as well as many of the volunteers and teens she had become acquainted with the past week, including CJ McFarlane, Roy Robbins and Ryan Chilton.

Marlon was helping Haley fiddle with the speakers.

And Matt. Her insides did a long, slow roll when she spotted him filling glasses with punch at the refreshments table.

He looked dark and rugged and absolutely gorgeous in a dark green sweater, tan slacks and boots.

He wasn't alone, Haley suddenly realized. Next to him was the lovely brunette she recognized from the restaurant the other night, though that seemed a lifetime ago.

Christine Mayhew.

They were talking and laughing but she had to admit they looked more friendly than romantic. Was it possible he was telling the truth? She wanted to believe him. The last three days she hadn't heard any more rumors about any engagement—but she hadn't heard anything about it being a sham, either.

Haley suddenly grabbed her arm, distracting her from any more pointless wondering. “Help! I can't find the MP3 player I spent hours loading with a Christmas dance mix while I was sick,” Haley wailed. “Have you seen it?”

“Is it your pink one? I think I saw it on the table in the back room. Let me go see if I can find it.”

She supposed it wasn't a very good sign when she couldn't wait to leave a party not three minutes after she showed up. She hurried to the other room and emerged a moment later with the MP3 player in her hand.

Haley hugged her. “You're a lifesaver! We would have had to listen to ‘Jingle Bell Rock' all night.”

“Oh, horrors!”

Her friend laughed and headed back to Marlon and the sound system. Elise was just about to go talk to Austin and Angie when she saw Christine Mayhew heading in her direction.

The other woman was indeed beautiful, tall and curvy. Elise felt about twelve years old in contrast.

She wasn't at all prepared when Christine gave her a warm, friendly smile. “You're Elise Clifton, right?”

“Yes,” she admitted warily.

“I'm Christine Mayhew. Matt's told me a lot about you.”

“Has he?”

Christine's smile was warm and open and not the slightest bit jealous. “I have to tell you, I've never seen him like this about any other woman.”

She stared. “Like…what?”

“Nothing. Sorry. Forget I said anything.” Christine sent an amused look over her shoulder to where Matt was watching them intently. “I'm on a very important mission here tonight.”

“Oh?”

“I'm under strict orders to convince you beyond a sliver of doubt that Matt and I are not engaged.”

Elise cast a quick look at Matt then shifted her gaze away. She knew perfectly well she shouldn't have this little fizz of happiness welling up inside at the word.

“Matt is a great guy,” Christine went on. “Don't get me wrong. I care about him and always will. But there won't be any wedding bells ringing for the two of us. We're friends, that's all. I swear it.”

What was she supposed to say in response?
I'm really happy to hear that
didn't seem quite appropriate under the circumstances.

“He was doing me a favor,” the other woman said firmly.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Matt asked me to. He told me he explained it all to you but you still had some doubts.”

“What about your ex-boyfriend?”

Christine shrugged. “Word on the street is that he's started dating someone else recently. I can only hope she turns out to be a keeper for him so he'll take my number off his speed dial.”

She paused and studied Elise until she could feel her face heat in another of those blasted blushes. “Can I give you some advice?”

“Okay,” she said slowly.

“I've been friends with Matt for a while now and as I said, I've never seen him like this over any woman.” Christine gave her a careful smile. “I think you're more important to him than even he wants to admit.”

Elise shot him another look. Though he was busy talking to his twin brother, he must have felt the weight of her stare because he shifted his attention to her. For a moment they stared at each other and the crowd, the decorations, the music all seemed to fade.

“Matt is a great guy. When he finally falls for a woman, I have a feeling he will move heaven and earth to make her feel happy and safe and loved.”

Elise drew in a shaky breath. She didn't know what to say. She did know she shouldn't be fighting this powerful yearning to be that woman.

“Pretending to be his girlfriend these last few months has been great fun,” Christine added, her glittery earrings reflecting the Christmas lights from the tree. “I can only imagine being the real thing would be a million times better.”

With that parting shot, she walked away, leaving Elise floundering for a response.

For the next hour, she carefully avoided Matt as she circulated among the party guests and helped Haley with hostess duties. She knew she owed him an apology for ever doubting him but the middle of a noisy, festive party full of teenagers didn't quite seem the proper venue.

She was in the kitchen preparing another plate of appetizers when she finally couldn't avoid him any longer.

He walked in and something unreadable flashed in his gaze when he spotted her there. “I'm under orders from Haley to see if there are any more of those cheesy cream puff thingies in here.”

“A few. I was just about to carry them out.”

“Here, I can take them.” She handed him the tray but instead of heading back out to the party, he stood in the doorway.

“It's a great party, Elise. Haley's giving you all the credit.”

“Not true,” she protested. “She had already laid all the groundwork. I only had to finalize a few details.”

“Well, you did a great job. Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time, from the kids to their parents to the volunteers. And I know fundraising wasn't the intent of the party but Haley said donations have been pouring in.”

She could barely focus on anything but Christine's words.
I've never seen him like this about another woman.

She had to be wrong. He was treating her just like
he treated everyone else. Maybe even on the cold side of the politeness thermostat.

“More donations are always good.”

He gave a short laugh and set the plate of appetizers back down on the counter. “Yeah, they are. Haley has done wonders with a small amount of money. Who knows what she can accomplish when her funds increase?”

He paused and gave her a careful look. “So do you want to tell me why you sound like I just told you somebody injected botulism into the cream puff thingies?”

She blinked, then flushed. “I'm happy about the donations. I just…I…I owe you an apology.”

“I guess you've talked to Christine.”

She sighed. “She was only corroborating what I already knew. I believed you that day you came here to ROOTS and explained about your sham engagement.”

He winced. “It was never supposed to go that far, I swear it. I didn't expect anyone else to hear about it. I'm sorry you were caught up in it. The whole thing was stupid.”

Christine was right, Elise realized. Matt was a good man. When he gave his heart, he would give it completely. He would never betray the woman he loved for some thrill
du jour.

He couldn't be more different than her first boyfriend.

She drew in a deep breath, her pulse racing. “Christine basically told me I would be crazy if I didn't…give things with you a chance.”

He gazed down at her but said nothing for several
long moments. The party sounds were muted in here, just a throb of bass, and she could swear she heard her heart beating in her ears, keeping time to the music.

“Are you going to listen to her?” he finally asked.