“I can’t thank you enough for your invitation to dinner, Mrs. Scott,” Torie said as she took a scoop from a heaping bowl of sweet potatoes then passed it on.
“Please, call me Ellie.”
Keith’s mother sat at one end of the dining table, his father at the other. He and Torie sat on each side, across from one another.
Colt and Ellie Scott were in their late fifties, having spent most of Keith’s life as cattle ranchers. Starting their own ranch with some help from Keith’s maternal grandparents, they’d built a strong business and one Keith was proud to help his father run. The 4S wasn’t a working ranch, per se—their bread-and-butter ranch being in Texas. But his parents wanted a quiet, simple life in the mountains, so Tahoe fit them to a tee. With Dane helping out now too, the three men took turns traveling back and forth but trusted most of the operation to their foreman, who had worked with Colt since the beginning. It was a pace that fit Keith, one that balanced out his time in the service.
“I’m just so happy you agreed to join us, darlin’,” his mother said to Torie. She winked at Keith, who had to fight the urge to roll his eyes. His mother was a matchmaker of epic proportions. Wanting grandchildren only stoked the fire. Maybe Dane and Aimee would have a honeymoon baby, helping take the pressure off of him. He smiled at the thought. Yeah, that would work.
“What are you grinning about?” Torie asked.
Oops. Caught.
“Nothin’.” He tried to play it off, but the twinkle in his mother’s eyes said it wasn’t working.
Torie smirked at him and took a bite of steak. Lord help him, one look from her made him tingle all over.
“I’m surprised you’re not spending Christmas with your family, Torie.”
Keith’s spine stiffened. Torie had been vague with him that morning about family, and he could sense something was off when it came to that subject. He watched Torie’s body language for clues but she answered as calm as if his mother had asked where she shopped for clothing.
“I don’t have family.”
His mother looked at him and then back at Torie. She would not understand the concept of no family, being one of six children and having a loving family dating back Lord knows how many centuries. His father as well. Family was everything to a Scott.
“You don’t have family?” His father asked before his mother could.
“No sir. My parents are gone and my gram is too. No siblings to speak of.”
The three Scotts looked at one another and Torie avoided eye contact with them, the clank of her fork hitting her plate the only noise in the room.
“Well then.” His mother broke the silence. “I’m glad you’re here with us then.” She sent her best southern smile Torie’s direction.
God bless his mother. Her ability to make people feel at ease was a gift. Although she’d corner him later for sure and try to squeeze every ounce of info she could out of him. Not that he had any answers. Torie was as much a mystery to him as she was to his mother. A mystery that had captured his attention and wouldn’t let go.
“How are you settling in to the cabin, Torie? I hope you’re comfortable there.” His father, too, had a knack for knowing when a subject change was best.
“It’s lovely, thank you for asking. I can’t imagine anyone not being able to make themselves at home there. Dane and Aimee did a beautiful job.”
“Yes they did,” his mother agreed. “Keith did most of the renovations for them since it was a hush, hush situation.” She winked at Torie.
Dane and Aimee had planned their wedding for the week before Christmas, but a month before that decided to elope instead. They still went through with the bigger ceremony as planned but moved into their cabin weeks before Aimee was expecting to. Dane roped Keith into helping him get the cabin ready, wanting it to be a surprise for his bride. He didn’t mind. He liked Aimee. Was glad she and Dane found one another. He was happy for his little brother. He’d found something…someone…Keith would never find.
“I didn’t realize you were such a handyman.” Torie’s teasing brought him from his thoughts.
“Oh yes,” his mother answered for him. “He loves to build things. Always has. As a little boy, I think he played with Lincoln Logs more than anything else. Little towns used to line the hallways…”
“Mom.” Keith cut her off before she could get to how easy he was to potty train or that he slept with a nightlight until he was eight. He still had to sleep with the hall light on, but that wasn’t something he was about to share either. And now it was for completely different reasons.
Torie’s giggle floated through the air, filling him with warmth. Her eyes sparkled as she watched him from across the table, the napkin she held in front of her mouth doing nothing to hide her grin. She was enjoying this, the evil woman.
Keith smiled. How could he not? “Yes. I like to build things. And no, I didn’t mind helping my brother in his time of need.”
“I heard you helped in other ways too.”
If Torie kept looking at him that way he just might have to come around to her side of the table and kiss that perfect mouth she had curved into a smile.
Keith cleared his throat. “I may have helped put some flowers around and light the fireplace for him the day they eloped, yes, but that was it.”
“Such a romantic buried in that big tough Captain America exterior.” Torie laughed.
Keith couldn’t take his eyes off Torie, but he could sure feel the look his mother was giving them. Torie’s teasing brought visions of grandchildren dancing in Ellie’s head, for sure. And for the first time in years, he didn’t mind it one bit.
He was in trouble. Six-foot blonde with hazel eyes kind of trouble.
***
After dinner the four of them sat in the great room in front of a roaring fire. There were vaulted ceilings made of knotty pine and a stone fireplace that went from floor to ceiling. Bookshelves flanked the fireplace with flowers, books, knick-knacks, and family photos. All the furniture was big and inviting. Torie was sunk down in a chair, her feet propped up on an ottoman and a blanket over her legs. Ellie had insisted and Torie hadn’t fought her on it. She hadn’t been pampered like that since she lived with Gram, another lifetime ago.
Keith sat on one end of the sofa. He chatted with his dad about horses, and Torie soaked in the atmosphere. This was a home. A loving one. She could sense how kindness from its inhabitants had seeped into the walls. Every room bore evidence of laughter and love, welcoming all who entered. As she sipped her decaf coffee and watched the flames flicker in the fireplace, she embraced the warmth of the moment. It wouldn’t last. It wouldn’t last because it wasn’t hers to have. She’d never had a loving family and she never would. As welcoming as the Scotts were, they were their own entity and she was an outsider. Like always.
Tears fought their way out, but she’d be damned if she’d let them fall. She’d been on her own a long time. That was familiar. A known factor. She swallowed her tears with another sip of coffee and turned her attention back towards Keith and his parents. Digging down deep she found her best beauty pageant smile, taught from day one by her mother, and pushed down any thoughts of family. She’d done it time and time again. She could certainly do it now.
Her smile faded, however, when her mind floated back into the conversation.
“Oh yes, dear. You need a Christmas tree over there. Keith can help you with one.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Torie needed to catch up with the line of conversation before she agreed to anything.
“My wife was just saying you should put up a Christmas tree at the cabin,” Colt said.
“Oh. Right. No. That’s okay. I don’t want anyone to go to any trouble.”
“It wouldn’t be any trouble at all, dear. Would it, Keith?” Ellie looked at her son with promise. The woman was relentless.
Torie still had to try. “Really. It’s fine. If I want to enjoy a tree I’ll just come over here. Yours is lovely.” She pointed to the Blue Spruce that had to be fifteen feet tall and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the backyard. An electric train ran around the bottom. Nativity scenes, white cotton snow with sleighs and reindeer adorned every flat surface in the room. The entire great room looked like Santa’s workshop.
“Oh pish-posh. You’ll have a tree. Keith can get you one tomorrow, right, Son?”
“Sure, Mom. I’ll get her a tree.”
Keith nodded at his mother and smiled at Torie. She tried to return the sentiment but failed. Instead, she put her coffee mug to her mouth and turned again to the fire.
She didn’t have anything against Christmas trees. It was the holiday itself she tried to avoid altogether. The merriment and gift giving wasn’t something she’d spent a lot of time enjoying when she was young, and they were usually too poor to have a tree. Her mother had tried for a few years but eventually gave up. It wasn’t worth the fight.
“Oh, and Keith,” Ellie continued, “don’t forget, our annual Christmas party is this weekend, so I’ll need your help getting that set up.”
“Sure, Mom. Just let me know what you need.”
“And we would love to have you here for that as well, Torie.” Ellie looked at her for a response. The woman was joy personified. She made it nearly impossible to say no to her.
“That sounds great.” Torie said it but wasn’t sure she meant it. She liked to party as much as the next girl, but a Christmas party with strangers didn’t sound too appealing. It was days away though, so she could probably get out of it. However, with Ellie Scott involved, that wasn’t likely.
It was time for her to go.
“I better get back.”
The three of them stood as she did, Ellie taking her coffee mug from her and taking it to the kitchen. Torie busied herself with folding the blanket, anything to avoid Keith’s eyes. He hadn’t said much to her since dinner, but she sure felt his gaze on her the entire evening. It warmed her and flustered her all at the same time. Having some fun with Keith would be great, but she didn’t do long term. Life was safer that way. And she didn’t get a “just out for fun” kind of vibe from him.
Yes. Best to keep it lighthearted like she always did with men.
“Let me walk you out.” Keith’s baritone voice sent a tingle down her spine.
She could keep things light.
Right. And Santa would be bringing her a million dollars for Christmas.
***
Keith pulled his truck up next to Torie’s. He’d insisted on following her back to the cabin, make sure she was tucked in and safe. She could handle herself, for sure, but the gesture warmed her anyway. Men didn’t tend to want to take care of her. Something she’d made peace with long ago. But it didn’t hurt to have a little extra watching over right now either. There was a slim chance anyone would find her here, but knowing Keith was looking out for her was comforting.
The moon cast a soft glow over the meadow surrounding the place. It was a cold, clear night. Stars filled the sky. Crickets chirped. Worlds away from a big city. Torie sighed. Someday. Someday, maybe she could live in a place like this.
They hopped out of their vehicles and walked to the front porch.
“Sorry about my mom. I know she can be kind of pushy sometimes. She means well though.” Keith had his hands in his jean pockets. He shuffled his boot over a wood plank of the porch, the gesture making him look like a young boy. Humorous, really, considering the size of the man.
“I know. She’s a sweetheart. And there’s nothing wrong with her wanting me to have a nice Christmas. It’s thoughtful of her, and I hope I didn’t seem ungrateful. That last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt her feelings.”
“It’s all good. Like I said, she means well. If you don’t want a tree, just say so. She’ll get over it.”
“No. No. A tree would be… great. I don’t have anything to decorate it with though.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure Mom has that covered as well.” His attempt to sound irritated with his mom fell flat. She was amazing and he knew it.
“I’ll bet she does.” Torie laughed.
He shrugged. “She loves Christmas.”
Torie could only nod. What was there to say? Everyone loved Christmas, right? That was the assumption, anyway. She really didn’t want to hurt Ellie’s feelings. Having a Christmas tree wouldn’t be so bad. It wouldn’t change anything.
“How does tomorrow afternoon sound? To go tree shopping?”
“Sounds great. Thanks.” She looked out at their trucks and back again. “You didn’t have to follow me here. It’s not like I’m staying in a bad neighborhood or anything.” She smiled up at him.
“I realize that. But I was raised to be a gentleman, you see.” He gave her a dimpled grin that caused a shiver to run through her.
“Speaking of, you must be freezing. Here.” He took off his coat and wrapped it around her, holding the front together just below the collar. It almost swallowed her whole. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of pine and leather and male.
Keith.
She opened her eyes as he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek. His stubble brushed against her skin, sending goose bumps down her arms. He lingered a moment, kissing her once more.
“Good night, Torie,” he whispered in her ear. He straightened and winked at her. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow around three and we’ll get you that Christmas tree.”
Dumbstruck, all she could do was nod.
He sauntered down the porch toward his truck. With a nod of his Stetson, he got in and drove away, leaving her on the porch wrapped in his coat, her hand touching her skin where he’d kissed her.