Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold) (15 page)

She sighed. “You make it very hard to resist you.”

“Good.”

He walked out of Paper Moon. The sun was out, the snow a brilliant white. Everywhere he looked, there were Christmas decorations and happy people. Some called out greetings. He returned them with an easy smile. Today was going to be a great day.

* * *

Madeline raised her glass of iced tea. “We salute you,” she said with a laugh.

Noelle giggled as everyone toasted her victory in the annual holiday window display contest. “We really worked it,” she admitted. “Gabriel and I have been planning the windows since August. Josh gave me a run but we hung on.”

Every year the businesses in town competed for the best holiday decorations. Well, not all the businesses. Madeline and Isabel had discussed joining the competition, but then had agreed neither of them were all that interested. Noelle and Josh were locked in a fierce competition and getting between those two would require way too much effort.

Instead, Paper Moon went for quiet, seasonal lighting and a couple of glittery snowflakes. Their customers seemed happy, the season was celebrated and no one was caught in the competition crossfire.

Bailey put down her glass. “I had no idea you were so competitive. It doesn’t show at all.”

Noelle sighed. “I’m not usually. There’s just something about the window display contest that gets me going. Maybe because it’s only at Christmas and I have the Christmas store in town.”

Taryn looked at her. “I think you’re hiding a killer instinct. You need to channel it into something safe or we’ll all be in trouble.” She raised her eyebrows. “I know. Isabel is having triplets. You could compete with that.”

Noelle winced and held up both hands. “No, thank you. I surrender. Isabel wins. One at a time is plenty for me.”

Isabel touched her rapidly growing belly. “I’m not sure this is a victory so much as an endurance sport. I’m torn between counting the days until I’m no longer pregnant and terrified of what life is going to be like with triplets.”

Madeline knew that Isabel’s mother and mother-in-law would be there 24/7, if that was what she and her husband wanted, but she also understood her friend’s dilemma. Three babies at the same time? When was she supposed to sleep?

Shelby leaned close. “All this talk of babies is making me want to insist on bottled water. Something is going on with the birth rate in this town.”

Madeline chuckled. “You know it’s not in the water, right? I mean, do we have to have another talk about the birds and bees?”

“Very funny.” Shelby looked at Madeline’s phone. “Oh, look. You just got another text.”

Madeline felt herself blush. She’d left her phone on the table, but had turned off the sound. Silly, really, but Jonny texted her a dozen times a day. Fun little messages that he was thinking of her or telling her about how negotiations were going on the Dean Woodley project. It was day two of dating Jonny Blaze and she had to say that, so far, it was pretty terrific.

Last night they’d gone out to dinner and then he’d stayed at her place. It had been magical. Now she glanced around the table to see if anyone was paying attention.

“No one knows,” Shelby said quietly. “I haven’t said anything.”

Madeline saw that Shelby was right. Everyone else was talking and no one had noticed the text or her friend’s teasing comments.

“I’m just not ready to go public,” Madeline admitted. “I don’t know what people are going to say.”

“They’ll be happy for you.”

She nodded, but on the inside she was wondering if they would all be questioning what he saw in her. She wasn’t famous or beautiful or exotic. She was an ordinary woman living in a small town.

Larissa hurried into the restaurant and joined them. “Sorry I’m late,” she said, plopping down next to Taryn.

Taryn looked at her. “Let me guess. You were doing something for Jack.” She turned her attention to the table. “I love that Jack has found his career one true love in coaching, but to hear that one talk, he’s saving the world.”

“Starting a football program at Cal U Fool’s Gold is a big deal,” Larissa said, “but that’s not why I’m late.” She reached into her large tote and pulled out postcards. “I was picking up these.”

She handed one to Taryn first, then passed the rest of them around the table.

Madeline saw it was a “save the date” card for the surprise anniversary party Larissa was throwing for her husband. “Valentine’s Day 2016,” she read aloud.

“What day of the week is that?” Shelby asked.

“Sunday,” Larissa and Madeline said together.

Shelby shook her head. “I guess Larissa would know that because it’s the day of her big party. How do
you
know it?” Her expression brightened. “Oh, it’s a wedding gown thing, right?”

“Uh-huh. Valentine’s Day is very popular with brides. I know the date of every significant holiday in 2016, not to mention every Saturday from May through September.”

“All the women in my life are impressive,” Taryn said with a happy sigh. She turned to Larissa. “Big party?”

Larissa grinned. “Only the best for Jack.”

“Dear God, you’re renting out some stadium, aren’t you?” Taryn leaned over and hugged her friend. “If it makes you happy, then it makes me happy, too.”

Madeline watched everyone chat with Larissa. Talk turned to other weddings and upcoming events. Taryn looked at Madeline.

“So,” she said. “About Jonny Blaze.”

Madeline froze. How had Taryn figured it out so quickly? She knew Shelby hadn’t said anything, which meant what? They’d been spotted together? Madeline had the obviously “I’ve been having amazing sex with a fantastic guy” glow?

“He got in touch with me this morning,” Taryn continued. “He said he’s willing to donate a bunch of toys to the drive, but they aren’t ready and that you would know about them. That they need to be painted first?”

Madeline’s relief was immediately followed by guilt and panic. In all the excitement of taking things to the next level with Jonny, she’d totally forgotten about the toys. So while the world didn’t know they were having sex, she was a horrible person for not following through on Christmas gifts for needy kids.

“I forgot,” she said, pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh, no. Children aren’t going to have toys because of me.”

Taryn pulled her phone out of her handbag and entered her password. “Don’t be silly. No one’s Christmas is going to be ruined. We’ll organize a paint party. Let me look at the Sprouts’ calendar to see what’s what. We have an activity day planned already. It’s only a couple of days before the end of the drive, but it can’t take that long for paint to dry.”

Shelby was already texting. “Let me check with Destiny and Starr. I’m sure they can help.”

Bailey was on her phone, as well. “I’m sending myself a note. Taryn, once you get the date and time nailed down, I’ll put out the word in town. Madeline, let me know how many more people you’re going to want. Eventually, we’ll hit the point of diminishing returns.”

Madeline swallowed against the tightness in her throat. Of course, she thought with relief. She wasn’t in this alone. There was no way her town was going to let children be disappointed on Christmas. She could screw up and someone would always be around to help her figure out a way to make it better. She still had to deal with the fact that she’d forgotten about the toys, but that was for later. Right now the more important problem had been fixed.

She promised to talk to Jonny about the work area where the toys were so they could decide how many people would be helpful and at what point there would be too many hands to be efficient. Conversation shifted to more personal topics. Isabel teased Taryn about what designer something Angel would be getting her this year while Noelle and Bailey discussed the best brunch casserole for post-present-opening Christmas morning.

After lunch, Shelby walked out with Madeline.

“You okay?” her friend asked as they crossed the street.

“Still feeling horrible about forgetting the toys.”

“You know the problem’s going to be fixed, right? You aren’t the Grinch.”

“I was so caught up in the guy that I let something important go.”

Shelby waited until they were on the sidewalk before facing her. “Stop beating yourself up. Honestly, when was the last time you were this crazy about someone?”

“I can’t remember.”

“Exactly. So enjoy every minute of it. It’s the holidays. You’re allowed to have a good time. The toys will get painted, children will be happy and you still get to have hot monkey sex with you-know-who.”

Madeline hugged her friend. “You’re a very nice person.”

“So I’ve been told.”

They started walking again. Madeline unfastened her jacket. “It’s really warm. I can’t believe that two days ago we were in the middle of a blizzard. It has to be at least fifty degrees.”

“It’s very strange weather,” Shelby said. “The weather guy said it was going to stay warm through tomorrow and then we get sideswiped by a polar vortex. So there’s still a possibility of a white Christmas.”

“I hope we get at least a light dusting. The kids always love that.” Not to mention how beautiful Ginger’s wedding would be.

They reached Paper Moon. Shelby smiled. “You okay? I don’t have to worry that you’ll be beating yourself up all afternoon?”

“I have a couple of appointments, so I won’t have time for major guilt. But I will probably still have a little self-loathing.”

“As long as it doesn’t go on too long. You’re a good person, too. It’s okay to mess up once in a while. Everyone still loves you.”

“Thanks.”

Madeline went into the store and walked to her office. After hanging up her coat, she turned to her desk. Sitting next to her keyboard was a small gold box. She recognized it as coming from the local candy store.

Inside was one perfect, dark chocolate truffle. Her favorite kind. There wasn’t a note, but she knew who had delivered the sweet to her. Because Jonny was nothing if not thoughtful.

Talk about hard to resist, she thought as she put the truffle in her desk drawer. How was she supposed to keep things light when every time she was around him, he got better and better?

If only... If only he wanted something more. An impossible dream, she told herself firmly. Even if this was Christmas, and a time for miracles.

TWELVE

“Y
OU
KNOW
YOU
don’t have to be here, right?” Madeline asked in a low voice.

Jonny grinned at her. “I can’t help myself. It’s better than reality television.”

“It’s a meeting about the Live Nativity. How is that compelling?”

“I want to hear the discussion on which animals will be allowed. Plus, who knows what Eddie and Gladys will get up to.”

“You so need to get back to work.”

He winked. “You’ll miss me when I’m gone.”

That was truer than he knew, she thought, determined to stay positive and hopeful.

Eddie and Gladys walked into the conference room. They glanced around, saw Jonny and walked over to sit across from him.

“It’s too hot outside,” Gladys said, slipping out of her coat. “It’s nearly Christmas. The snow’s melting.”

“It’s supposed to get cold again soon,” Madeline told her.

“I hope you’re right. Seasons exist for a reason.”

“Don’t mind her,” Eddie said. “She’s having a personal summer moment.”

Madeline wasn’t sure what to say to that and she couldn’t begin to imagine what Jonny must be thinking. But he’d been the one who had wanted to stay, so it served him right.

“Nice shirts,” Jonny said.

Madeline saw the two old ladies were in their finest bowling shirts. The pink ones that had their team name embroidered in bright, tall letters.

“Hot Young Things,” he read aloud. “Good marketing.”

Eddie preened. “Aren’t they nice? Gideon and his radio station sponsor us.” Her expression turned sly. “Of course, if you were interested in sponsoring us instead, we could talk.”

“They’d have to wrestle for the privilege,” Gladys said flatly. “Naked.”

“Naked would be very nice.” Eddie sat across from Jonny. “Interested?”

“Let me think about it. The offer is tempting.”

Eddie didn’t look convinced. “You’re messing with us, aren’t you? You have no plans to wrestle naked.”

“Or clothed,” he admitted. “But planting the image is my holiday gift to you.”

The old ladies looked at each other, then back at him. “It’s a good one,” Gladys admitted.

The meeting was called to order. Dr. Galloway put on her reading glasses and opened the folder in front of her.

“We’re going to have both the potbellied pig and the fainting goat at the Live Nativity,” she stated. “Unless the goat can’t handle it. No one wants to see the poor animal so terrified it keeps fainting.”

“I do,” Eddie murmured.

“Is someone going to be on hand to take the goat home?” Madeline asked.

“May Stryker has volunteered to wrangle the goat.” Dr. Galloway frowned. “Is that the right word? Wrangle? Or do you do something else with a goat?”

“In some parts of the world, they put them in stew,” Gladys offered.

“I’m ignoring you,” Dr. Galloway said without looking up from the papers she was studying.

“You always do.”

Jonny leaned toward Madeline. “You gotta love this,” he murmured. “It’s classic.”

“Somehow it’s all going to bite you in the butt,” she whispered back. “I can practically guarantee it.”

Thirty minutes later all the last-minute details for the Live Nativity had been arranged. Jonny and Madeline walked outside. The temperature was still unseasonably warm. Snow melted everywhere and the streets were wet and muddy.

“When it freezes, the roads are going to be a mess,” Madeline said.

Jonny leaned in and kissed her. “Then we’ll make sure when that happens you’re out at my place. You know, so you’ll get stuck again.”

“I like how you think.”

Before she could say anything else, they were both distracted by the sound of spinning tires. She turned and saw that Eddie and Gladys were stuck in the muddy slush. Their big sedan sat with spinning tires.

Eddie rolled down the driver’s-side window and waved them over.

“Jonny, you’re going to have to push,” she said. “Say when and I’ll give her the gas.”

Madeline fought against a feeling of dread. She just knew that somehow this wasn’t going to end well.

“Be careful,” she told Jonny.

He nodded and walked toward the old car. He checked each of the tires. As he bent low over the front driver’s side tire, Eddie got out her cell phone and angled it so she could snap a picture.

“Seriously?” Madeline called. “You can’t give it a rest?”

“I’ve seen his butt naked,” Eddie yelled back. “It’s worth a picture or two.”

Madeline wasn’t sure if Jonny was listening to the exchange or not. She supposed he was used to being ogled. He walked back to her and took off his jacket, then pointed at the car.

“Can you get her to focus? There’s no way I can push her car free if she’s not giving it some gas.”

“I’ll do my best.”

She draped his jacket over her arm, then walked toward Eddie. “You have to pay attention.”

“No, I don’t. He’s a hunky man.”

“You’re stuck and, unless you want to stay here, you need to help.”

Eddie looked from her to Jonny, then sighed heavily. “All right. We do have our Christmas bowling league party to get to.”

Gladys took her cell phone and Eddie waved at Jonny. Madeline stepped back.

“They’re ready,” she called.

Several people had gathered to watch. A couple of guys joined Jonny at the back of the car. They lined up to push the big sedan away from the muddy curb. Madeline took a step back, then another. Her foot slipped on a patch of slush just as Eddie hit the gas and the big sedan shot forward and veered sharply to the left. Madeline saw it coming and knew she had to get out of the way, but she was still busy falling.

“Stop the car!” Jonny yelled, lunging for her.

He grabbed, she tried to stay on her feet, but the car kept coming and then Jonny shoved her hard. She slipped and skidded before falling into a pile of wet snow. Her body registered the cold and damp, but she ignored that. She spun and saw Jonny lying partially under the huge sedan.

“No!” She scrambled toward him.

Eddie had already stopped the car and was opening her door. The guys who had been pushing were rushing to Jonny’s side.

“I’m fine,” he said as he started to slide out from under the car.

“You’ll want to wait for the ambulance,” one of the men said.

“Does he need CPR?” Gladys asked as she came around the front of the car.

Madeline reached him. “Are you okay?”

He nodded. “Nothing’s broken.” He started to stand up, then winced and swore.

“What is it?” Madeline demanded, terrified of what had happened to him. “Is it your back? Your legs? Are you bleeding?”

From several blocks away came the sound of a siren. Someone had called 9-1-1.

Jonny groaned. “It’s not that bad. Seriously.”

“Too late,” she told him. “The cavalry is coming and you’re simply going to have to deal with it.”

* * *

The good news was the EMTs had agreed to transport Jonny to the hospital without sirens. This despite Eddie and Gladys offering to lead the way. Fortunately, Madeline had told them they’d done enough damage for one day. The two old ladies had retreated to their bowling holiday party, leaving Jonny to deal with the humiliation of being taken to the emergency room in front of half the town.

“I’m fine,” he told Madeline for the fourth time since he’d come back from getting X-rays. He ignored the throbbing pain and the seeping blood that stained the towel he’d been given. “It’s a couple of cuts and a sprain. Nothing more.”

She didn’t look convinced. “It looks awful.”

His left hand was kind of beat up. There was a growing bruise, a couple of gashes that were going to need stitches and some swelling around his wrist. It also hurt like a sonofabitch, but he wasn’t going to mention that. She was already worried enough.

“I shouldn’t have slipped,” she told him.

She sat in the single visitor’s chair in the small treatment room. He was on the bed, although sitting up. He refused to lie down. That was too much like admitting defeat.

“Did you plan to slip?” he asked.

“No.”

“Did you slip on purpose?”

“Of course not.”

“Then it’s not your fault. Blame the weather. Or the fact that I insisted on coming with you to the meeting.”

“You’re not blaming Eddie and Gladys.”

“They feel bad enough.”

The two old ladies had already called twice to check on him.

The doctor came in and pulled up a stool. “Gabriel Boylan,” he said. “You’re right-handed?”

Jonny held up his injured left hand and nodded. “Lucky, huh?”

“Better luck would have been not to get injured in the first place. Hey, Madeline.”

Jonny looked between them.

“Gabriel is married to my friend Noelle. His brother owns a couple of local radio stations.” She pressed her lips together as if concerned she’d been babbling. “Is he okay?”

Gabriel looked at Jonny. “Do I have your permission to discuss your medical condition in front of her?”

“Sure.”

Gabriel typed on his tablet, then turned it so they could both see the X-rays. “No broken bones. You’re banged up and bruised. It’s gonna hurt over the next few days, but you’ll be fine. We’ll need to put in a couple of stitches to keep the cuts closed while they heal.”

The doctor went on to give him instructions on how to care for his hand. They had a brief discussion on painkillers and how long Jonny should use ice.

“I’ve done this sort of thing before,” he said without thinking, then wished he hadn’t. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about injuries on a movie shoot. His hand hurt more and more, and while he knew he was going to heal, he also understood it was going to get ugly before it started getting better.

“Stopped cars with your bare hands?” Gabriel asked before turning to Madeline. “Did you get hit by the car?”

“No. I was busy falling into the slush.”

“Bump your head? Your hip? Your knee?”

She held up both hands as if to show they were fine. “I’m wet from the snow. I had a soft landing and am dealing with nothing more earth-shattering than guilt.”

Gabriel turned to Jonny. “Okay. I’ll be back to suture you up and then I’ll write up the prescriptions. Take it easy for the next day or two. No more playing hero.” He stood, then crossed to Madeline and patted her shoulder. “You stay out of trouble, too.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He left the room.

Madeline turned to Jonny. “You were saving me. I just got that. You put yourself in danger so I wouldn’t be hit by a car.”

Tears filled her eyes.

He was a typical guy who didn’t like tears on any woman, but especially not when it came to the one he was seeing. Not that he didn’t appreciate she was worried about him, but tears? He was prepared to do nearly anything to stop the flow. Lucky for him, her cell phone rang again.

“You should get that,” he told her.

“It’s not going to make me forget what you did for me,” she promised, then pushed the talk button on her phone. “Hello?”

He watched as she listened. Madeline frowned slightly, then shook her head. “I don’t have room. Four dogs? I know it’s only for a few days, but I’m working. I couldn’t leave them home alone at my place and I don’t think I could get back to walk them.” She listened for a second, then flushed. “No. I’m not going to ask him. You do realize we’re in the hospital emergency room, right? Yes, he was hit by a car.” Another pause. “Eddie and Gladys. No, he’s fine, it’s just...”

She sighed. “There has to be someone who can take them. I’m happy to help, take a walking shift or something.”

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Just a second,” she told the caller, then lowered the phone.

“The Day of Giving is Saturday.”

“Yet another Fool’s Gold festival?” he asked.

“Yes. Local charities have vendor booths so they can explain about their programs. There’s also a pet adoption. It’s become really successful, so they bring in pets from shelters around the state. Several dogs are arriving and they need a place to stay until the event on Saturday.”

Now her conversation made sense. “You’re right,” he told her. “No way you could handle four dogs at your place. It’s not big enough and you have to be at Paper Moon.”

“I know. I feel bad, though.”

“They can stay with me.”

She stared at him. “Excuse me? You’re injured.”

“I have a hurt hand, not a broken leg. I can deal with a couple of dogs.” He thought about the big open area around the ranch. Talk about dog heaven.

“It’s four. How would you hold the leash to walk them? It’s too much.”

“You could help.”

He had a feeling that Madeline would be open to hanging out at his place regardless, but a little dog guilt wouldn’t hurt. And if she was fussing over him while loving on some puppies, all the better. Because being around Madeline was the best part of his day and he wasn’t above taking advantage of homeless dogs to encourage her to stay close.

“It’s Christmas,” he added for good measure. “Don’t those poor dogs deserve a chance to be adopted?”

She eyed him suspiciously, then sighed. “Fine. But when you don’t sleep because you’re overwhelmed by too much canine, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I won’t.”

* * *

Despite what he’d promised Madeline, Jonny fully expected to feel there were too many dogs in the house. He hadn’t had a pet since he’d been a kid and going from zero to four was going to be a lot. What he hadn’t realized was that in addition to the dogs, the town would show up at his place.

After getting stitched up, he’d been ready to drive home. Madeline had insisted on taking him, but first they’d had to fill his prescriptions. By the time they got to his house, there were already three cars in the driveway. Two of them belonged to shelter volunteers, ready to drop off the dogs. The other one was owned by a woman he’d never met but who wanted to drop off cookies and a fruit salad.

“While you’re recovering,” she said, handing the food to Madeline, before getting back in her car. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, Maeve,” Madeline called.

“Who was that?” Jonny asked.

“Isabel’s sister.”

“Isabel from Paper Moon? How did she know I was hurt?”