Chapter Twenty-Six

“Three…two…one!”

The hundred-foot-tall Christmas tree standing in the middle of the roundabout on Main Street lit up, casting a spectacular glow over the crowd assembled on the sidewalk. Everyone oohed and ahhed. Jenna, sitting atop Hunter’s shoulders, whistled. Pride filled him. He’d taught her to whistle the other day. He’d also been the guy to pick the tree making everyone smile.

“You did good,” Maverick said from beside him. Every year his family donated the giant evergreen to celebrate the start of the holiday season. Usually, Mav did the picking, but when Hunter told him he could do it, his brother had said, “Okay.” Just like that. Then he’d added, “You want more responsibility around here, so that’s what we’ll do.”

“Thanks,” Hunter said now, a yawn slipping out. He’d worked his ass off the past two days, arranging to have the tree cut down, then helping with the transfer and setup.

“Who wants hot chocolate?” Hunter’s mom asked.

“I do!” Jenna said.

“I thought so.” His mom put out her arms to help retrieve Jenna from his shoulders.

“We’ll join you,” Cole said, a sleeping Gia tucked against his chest inside a baby carrier. Bethany nodded in agreement.

“Any other takers?” Hunter’s dad asked.

Kennedy looked at her phone. “Ava and Andrew are almost here, so we should head home. They’re sorry they missed the tree lighting.”

“No worries,” his mom said. “You guys go do your thing, and we’ll see everyone tomorrow for dinner.”

“It’s you and me and the turkey trot bright and early tomorrow morning, right, Jenna Wenna?” Nova asked their niece.

“Right! I’ll be ready.”

They said their goodbyes, and then Hunter and Nova caught a ride with Maverick and Kennedy back to their place for tonight’s pre-Thanksgiving pizza party.

“I thought Callie was going to be here,” Hunter said to his sister on the way to Maverick’s truck.

“She’s going to meet us at Mav’s. She was Zooming with her parents and sister tonight since they’re still out of town, and I guess they won’t be available tomorrow.”

His stomach sank at that. Callie didn’t complain about her family’s indifference, she lived with it, and that had to be especially hard around the holidays. “What’s she doing for Thanksgiving?”

“She’s spending it with Birdy since Birdy’s two boys will be here for Christmas this year instead. I invited her to our house for a second dessert, though.”

He nodded, lost in thought. Their kiss last weekend had left a permanent mark on him. That she initiated it made it even better. If all they did was kiss, he’d take it. He’d take whatever she wanted to give him before he put on his best man suit.

They arrived at Maverick and Kennedy’s cabin a few minutes later. Barley greeted them at the door with her tail wagging. “Hey girl,” Hunter said to the golden shepherd mix. He lavished her with pets and let her lick his chin.

Kennedy got right to work setting up the kitchen with all the fixings to make their own pizzas. Maverick set out plates, napkins, and utensils. Hunter opened the fridge to grab a beer. “Anyone else want one?” He raised the bottle in the air.

Maverick snagged it out of his hand. “Thanks, man.”

Hunter was about to grumble until he noticed his brother give the beer to his fiancée. “Here you go, shortcake.”

“Thanks, honeybun.”

Hunt pulled out two more bottles, handing one to Maverick. He then joined Nova in the family room. She had her nose buried in her phone so didn’t even notice him sit down on the couch beside her. He leaned over for a peek at what had her riveted. She whipped the phone away so fast she fell onto her side. Then she rolled off the couch and jumped to her feet. Impressive.

“That wasn’t obvious or anything,” he said.

“What are you talking about?” She hid the phone in her pocket.

“You’re texting someone you don’t want me to know about. Why don’t you want me to know about it? Who is he?”

“It’s no one.”

“Liar.” From the way her cheeks were flushed, she had something—or someone—she wanted to keep under wraps.

“I’m entitled to my privacy, so just forget about it.”

“No can do, baby sister. Spill.”

The doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” Nova called out, hurrying around the couch. Saved by a literal bell.

He’d get to the bottom of it eventually.

She opened the door. “Hi, guys!”

Squeals of delight rang out that pierced the air and sent Barley scrambling over to him. “It’s okay. It’s just Ava and Andrew.” Barley hopped onto the couch and laid her head on his lap.

Kennedy appeared in the entryway, happiness shining on her face at the arrival of her sister and best friend. Maverick welcomed them, too. Before the door closed, Callie stepped inside and was caught up in the welcome.

Hunter watched with gratitude. Family meant everything to him. It was exactly a year ago that Maverick returned from a three-month trip and reunited with Kennedy. And from that day on, they’d been inseparable.

Callie’s gaze slid over to his. He’d been staring at her hard, hoping she’d look his way, and she did. That meant something, right? He made Barley comfortable on the couch, then stood and walked over to say hello to the new arrivals, too.

The pizza-making started right after that. Everyone stood around the kitchen island talking and laughing while assembling various pizzas. He’d made sure to stand next to Callie. Andrew was on the other side of him, regaling them with stories from Hollywood, per usual.

“So, the casting director asks me to read from Pride and Prejudice, even though I’m auditioning for a role as a villain. I had no idea if it was a test or what, so I decided to go with a Darth Vader voice while reading lines.”

“You didn’t,” Kennedy said, sprinkling cheese on her pizza.

“I did, and everyone laughed so hard they didn’t hear my reading, which, if I do say so myself, was epic.” Andrew continued dropping olives on his pizza to make a happy face.

“Did you get the role?” Callie asked.

“No. But the casting director said she’d keep me in mind for future comedic projects.”

“Tell them about the audition for the role you did get,” Ava said proudly. Kennedy’s younger sister stood on the other side of Andrew and gave him a nudge with her elbow.

“Okay, so I really wanted this role. It’s a small part in The Mandalorian.”

“Oh my God!” Callie and Nova shrieked at the same time. “We love Mando and Baby Yoda.”

“Right?” Andrew grinned. “I knew the audition was a big deal, and I wanted the part badly, so after the audition I told them I’d do anything for the role. Any-thing. They said if I wanted to stand out from the others, I could do a dance. Two seconds later, I broke out in a half-robot half–funky chicken dance that ended in applause. Needless to say, it worked.”

“You have to do the dance at the wedding,” Ava said.

“Of course.” Andrew popped an olive into his mouth.

“You’re obviously a big Star Wars fan,” Hunter said.

Andrew gasped and brought his hand to his chest. “Please don’t tell me you’re not. It’ll ruin the fantasies I have about you.”

“Andrew,” Kennedy admonished. “Leave him alone.”

“It’s okay,” Hunter said. From the first time they’d met at Sutter’s, when Andrew and Kennedy had come to town to crash a wedding on the ranch, Andrew had made no secret of his attraction to Hunter. Hunter rolled with it. He liked Andrew. He couldn’t help it if he charmed everyone without even trying.

“Speaking of the wedding,” Kennedy said from across the countertop. “While you’re here Ava, Callie needs to do a fitting.”

“Yes,” Callie said. “Your dress is ready for you to try on.”

“I can come by tomorrow morning if that works,” Ava said.

“Sounds good.”

“I hope you’re ready to be the next one to walk down the aisle,” Nova said.

Ava giggled. “So you say, but what about Hunter? He’s older and more ready to settle down than I am. Are you hoping for a trip down the aisle?” she asked him.

“I’m definitely not opposed.”

Nova, Maverick, and Kennedy all stopped and stared at him liked he’d said the most outlandish thing they’d ever heard.

“What?” Hunter said. “I wouldn’t have asked Callie to make my suit if I wasn’t serious about settling down.”

“It’s just the first time we’ve heard you say it out loud,” Nova said.

He shrugged. “Mav knows.”

“I know certain feelings you have on the issue, but it’s good to hear you’re not wavering.”

“I am one hundred percent yours if you decide to switch teams,” Andrew said. “I would treat you so well.”

“Thanks, man. Whenever you do find that someone, they’ll be lucky to have you.”

“Aw,” Kennedy said. “This is why you’re going to make some girl very happy.”

Maverick leaned over and kissed Kennedy.

“What was that for?” she asked dreamily, gazing up at him.

“No reason. I’m just damn happy I’m marrying you.”

“Right back at you, cowboy.”

“Ugh,” Andrew groaned. “Would you two stop being so cute? My singledom is bad enough without my bestie drooling all over her hot fiancé.”

Kennedy gave him a cheeky smile, then put a few pizzas in the oven.

“Callie, is it weird that your dresses have had this magical effect?” Ava asked.

“My best friend is becoming a total celebrity.” Nova tossed a piece of pepperoni at Callie. “I’m your date when you’re invited to some famous wedding, right?”

Callie added the pepperoni to her mostly vegetarian pizza. “You are,” she said to Nova before directing her attention to Ava. “And to answer your question, it is weird, but I’m getting used to it. It makes me happy that my maid of honor dress has had such a positive impact.”

Hunter bumped her arm with his. “Just wait till I walk down the aisle.”

“I hope to ride this wave for as long as possible,” she said optimistically.

“You’ve got a long career ahead of you,” he said. He wished her the best. He also wished she’d realize she could be part of the equation.

His equation to be exact.

It didn’t matter how many times he tried to talk himself into being open to love with someone else, until he wore that best man suit and surrendered to the luck that came with it, he’d keep hoping Callie would see him differently.

Even though he knew it was doubtful.