Felicity had never imagined she would be attending a bachelor auction.
But since the new charity foundation had listed child services as one of its causes, she needed to make an appearance. And truth be told, she found the notion of Conrad on the catwalk to be something she didn’t want to miss.
The dinner portion of the Mikkelson-Steele charity fund-raiser had concluded. The partiers had relocated to the barn for the bachelor auction.
Tally stood next to her, red hair falling in loose, romantic curls. If she didn’t know her friend better, she would have assumed Tally was happy. She certainly kept a ready smile in place.
Years of training told Felicity otherwise. Her friend’s relentlessly straight shoulders spoke volumes about the tension she was feeling. Pain radiated from her.
Risk and trust were close cousins. They accompanied each other. Sometimes they did damage together. A fact she knew all too well.
And a fact that caused Felicity unease of her own. She watched Conrad button his tuxedo jacket. He caught her eye, gave her a wink.
Conrad moved quickly with determination and charm. His romance game unsettled her, scared her. The wounds of her failed marriage still stung. For all her skill with communication and people, she couldn’t seem to find the words to tell her appealing suitor that things needed to move slower. Why couldn’t he understand given his own relationship failures?
The auctioneer for the event cleared his throat, effectively extinguishing the conversation in the room. Felicity looked at the runway. Tally had a hand in helping the event come together. Her friend had hung heart-shaped snowflake formations from the barn’s rafters. Faux snow blanketed the runway. Tall, skinny pine trees decorated the back of the stage. A mini winter wonderland.
Conrad walked down the runway. Slow, determined strides. Women in the audience murmured about his sexy, tight-lipped half smile. A bidding war began between a bleached-blonde woman in a gown of sapphire and a brunette in a deep burgundy. Cheering erupted as the women drove Conrad’s price higher and higher.
Deep in Felicity’s stomach, a pang of jealousy bubbled. She had no claim, no right to the emotion and no room in her life for romance. She didn’t have the emotional reserves to risk another heartbreak.
With a deep breath, she did her best to not be distracted by how downright handsome Conrad looked in his custom-fitted tuxedo. The blonde raised her paddle, and the woman in red tapped out. The auctioneer almost called it until Naomi Steele, one of Conrad’s nieces, shot her paddle into the air, upping the bid substantially. The blonde shook her head.
The auctioneer nodded, attributing the bet to...
“Felicity Hunt.”
Felicity stifled a gasp through sheer willpower. All eyes turned to her. Anger iced her. She knew a setup when she saw it. And Conrad had very clearly maneuvered this to push forward his agenda.
Conrad descended from the runway, heading toward where she and Tally were seated at the back of the rows of chairs. For a brief moment, Felicity felt like a hypocrite, turning away, needing to put space between herself and the admittedly sexy man. It didn’t matter that she’d just spouted romantic encouragement to her friend Tally. Felicity wasn’t in the market for following her own advice, for being open to deeper feelings.
The truth was, as much as she’d hoped she could indulge in a light relationship with this man, she just wasn’t ready. Her divorce had left her too raw.
Practically out the door, or at least around the corner, Felicity searched for her coat-check ticket so she could leave. She needed to get out of this barn with all its confusing tensions. Conrad closed the distance between them, cornering her just outside the tack room, out of sight from the rest of the crowd.
“Is everything okay?”
Felicity wanted to say yes and just walk away, but she’d never been any good at lying. “You orchestrated that winning bid.”
“I thought you would find the gesture romantic.”
And perhaps it was. But she couldn’t allow this flirtation to continue. “It doesn’t matter now. What’s done is done. Might as well make the best of it.”
“Other men might be insulted by the horror in your voice,” he said dryly.
“I’m more frustrated with myself. I think I’ve given you the wrong impression with our lunches.” Felicity searched for the right words to put an end to this in a diplomatic way, but above all to be up-front and honest. “I just want to make sure you understand. I’ve already suffered through a divorce. It was a hell I’m not interested in repeating.”
“As I’ve said before, we’re not talking about getting married. We were discussing a date.” He arched a brow.
She was starting to feel foolish. Had she read too much into his attention? “I’ll honor the bid, but to be fair, I’m not at a place where I’m ready to let someone into my life.”
“You don’t plan to date? Or remarry? You’re planning to live a nun’s life, taking care of orphans?”
She didn’t like his tone of voice one bit. “And if that’s my plan, what’s so wrong with it?”
“I could swear I saw interest in your eyes.” He clasped her shoulders, drawing her near.
“That’s why I’m not officially a nun.” She tipped her face defiantly, wanting to kiss him, to lose herself in his embrace. But just as she couldn’t lie to him, she also couldn’t lie to herself.
There could never be anything simple between them. The draw was too potent. Too powerful.
“And you’re not interested in taking a risk?”
“No, I’m not.” She infused her voice with resolution, because if she weakened at all and he noticed... She wasn’t sure how long she could hold out.
Sighing, he stepped back, the air crackling between them with desire and regret. “Damn shame. We could have had something special.” Conrad straightened his tie. “No worries about going on the date. I’ll use the purchased time to volunteer somewhere like the hospital. Just say where your office needs the help most.”
She watched him disappear into the crowd, and even knowing she’d made the right decision, she wondered what might have happened if she’d met him a decade earlier.
Marshall thrust his hand through his hair, the bow tie damn near choking him.
Still, his least favorite part of the fund-raiser was complete—the bachelor bid. It had been difficult for him to parade around on the best days. It had been far harder knowing Tally was in the audience, watching. The winning bid had been a grand dame whose family were major sponsors of bringing rodeos to town. She’d bought his promotional presence.
At least he didn’t have to navigate the waters of an awkward date. His eyes were drawn to Tally, her elegance and poise.
Live music hung in the air, a song about love at Christmastime. His jaw taut, he did his best to stay anchored. Marshall had gone to an AA meeting and spent an extra hour with his sponsor prior to tonight, shoring himself up on so many levels.
Naomi’s husband, Royce, made his way to Marshall. The Alaska Oil Barons, Inc.’s environmental scientist looked at the cluster of people and did his best to walk by without being bogged down in idle conversation. Marshall assumed that as a reclusive, introverted and brilliant scientist, Royce was probably as eager to finish up this party as he was.
Naomi’s husband leaned against a barn beam. “You’ve been hugging the wall mighty hard tonight.”
Marshall sipped his sparkling water and looked out on the crowd, where the waitstaff seamlessly weaved through the long gowns and winter floral arrangements, filling drinks for the guests engaged in deep conversation. He flickered his eyes to Royce. “I’m here. I’ve fulfilled the family’s wishes. It’s no secret the news about Breanna has rocked us all.”
He hadn’t been able to get his feet back under him since that day. He’d carried on, of course, getting ready for this event. And the charity fund-raiser had clearly succeeded. The bachelor auction brought in a good deal of money, and other donations were already being made by impressed and intrigued guests. Judging by the sounds of the conversation, the party would continue for a time.
“How are you coping?” Royce tapped Marshall’s glass and pinned him with a look.
No need to hide the truth any longer. “Did Dad tell you?”
Marshall had been meaning to get the word out, but with everything that had happened with Brea, and then Tally, he hadn’t gotten around to it.
A waiter came by with a plate of appetizers—smoked salmon, avocado and cucumber. Tally had done a good job finding foods that appealed to everyone tonight. Both Royce and Marshall snagged some of the food.
Marshall popped the treat in his mouth, bracing himself for discussion about his alcoholism.
“No,” Royce said. “I only had a suspicion. You just confirmed it. Jack knows?”
Marshall swirled his glass in time to “O Holy Night.” Shaking his head, a ragged sigh escaped his lips. Every new person to know simultaneously alleviated the burden and highlighted his struggle. “I told him a few weeks ago. I planned to tell the rest of the family, but with the news about Breanna, I haven’t gotten around to it. Who else suspects?”
“No one’s heard it from me. So I’ll ask again, how are you handling the news?”
Not well, afraid as hell to hope his sister could really be alive. Finding it tough to look into the future. “You said it yourself—I’m hugging the wall.”
“Reaching out might be more beneficial.”
Marshall snorted on a laugh. “You’re one to talk.”
“Exactly,” Royce said, going silent for a moment. Marshall could see his brother-in-law process his thoughts. “I’ve existed on the outskirts of people’s lives for a very long time. It can be a lonely place even in a crowd.”
The words cut through him. Forever grateful for AA, Marshall knew what looking for support meant. What it was like to find someone reliable. As he chewed on Royce’s words, his eyes instinctively drifted toward where Tally stood, chatting in a small circle of people.
Royce clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m lucky I found Naomi. Because sometimes support isn’t about having twenty people to talk to. It’s about having one right person who really gets you.”
The scientist strode off, melting into the crowd, making Marshall wonder for a moment if the guy had intended to give him romantic advice, or if his timing had been a matter of luck. A little bit of Christmas cheer where he’d least expected it.
Because his brother-in-law had a point.
A knowing rose in his chest as he gazed at Tally. She had been there for him, since that first day she’d jumped in his pool to rescue his dog. She’d supported him and really listened to him. Yet he’d turned her away. Sure, he wished she’d told him everything sooner, but no one was perfect. Damn ironic that he, of all people, would forget that for a single minute.
He needed to show her how important she was to him. Hell, how much he loved her.
He just hoped he wasn’t too late.
Sixteen hours ago, Tally had moved through the Steele-Mikkelson charity event in a daze. Even now, she remembered the night in flashes of dreamlike images and feelings. Marshall’s face, his distance, her regret.
Her own regret over not having found a way to be honest with him sooner.
This morning, she found solace in the routine of the hospital. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and her contract working for the Steeles would come to a close. She still needed to make one more trip back to Marshall’s house to pack and clear out before the family’s holiday, and she dreaded that with a deep, slicing grief.
For now, she would remain here in the moment. Present. Focused on baby Erica in her arms. Gently rocking the sweet girl back and forth as hospital staff milled about checking charts. One of her favorite nurses waved at Tally, green eyes bright in spite of having to work over the holidays, in spite of the critically ill children all around. The nurse wore scrubs patterned with tiny wreaths. A silver tinsel tree was parked in a corner. Little touches to make the next few days more bearable for the families.
The infant in her arms neared sleep. Her eyes fluttered shut. Tally smiled down at her charge, blinking back tears for fear the relatives might see them.
From the corner of her eye, a movement caught her attention. Not the normal traffic of nurses and doctors. Something else. Through the large window, she saw familiar broad shoulders approaching the nurses’ station.
Marshall.
What was he doing here? No matter, he stole her breath in his simple red plaid shirt and jeans, wide belt buckle gleaming. Then she noticed he carried a large box filled with ornately wrapped gifts.
The staff clustered around him, their tired expressions replaced with smiles as he pulled out presents for staff, parents and children. Did she dare hope he’d done this for her? And even if he hadn’t, the kind of man who would make this thoughtful gesture was a person of honor, integrity. A man worth fighting for. Her eyes filled with tears.
Rising from the rocker, Tally lowered the sleeping infant into the bassinet. Touching the infant’s little hand, her heart swelled. She thought of her own child preparing for Christmas, a life she honored by being here even knowing she would carry the ache of loss forever. Marshall carried burdens of his own, and rather than letting them break him, he tackled them head-on every day. She admired him for that.
She turned back to the window. Pace and pulse quickening as her eyes fell on Marshall. He stood, waiting. Their eyes met. Connected.
Hope churning inside her, she passed through the door.
“Hello, Tally, care to take a walk?” He extended an arm.
She noticed his cast was gone. She took his arm and walked beside him, the warmth of him familiar and welcome after their estrangement. She’d missed him, so very much.
Words failed her as they meandered, winding their way through the hospital until they came upon a small meditation garden. The enclosed structure allowed sunlight to stream through, lighting the rock path winding through flowering plants. Sprawling greenery filled the space with summer in winter, a fountain spewing in the center with a soothing shoosh of water. And as luck would have it, the space was empty, giving them privacy to talk.
He guided her to a bench and sat beside her. “I appreciate your talking to me.”
“I appreciate what you did for the children—for the families and staff, too.” The image of him passing out gifts still filled her mind and heart. “That was so thoughtful of you.”
Writing a check was easy. Showing up was harder.
He took her hand in his, his thumb stroking along the inside of her wrist. “It’s my Christmas gift to you—along with my apology.”
That he’d chosen something he knew would make her happy touched her all the more.
She flipped her hand in his, linking their fingers, taking hope from the warmth in his eyes. “If anyone should apologize, it’s me.”
“Thank you, but no.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “I should have never let things go this long without talking to you. I shut you out, and that was wrong.”
“I shouldn’t have lied to you,” she insisted.
“And I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”
It was about more than that, and she couldn’t shy away from it. “I should have told you about my father. You had every right to be upset.”
“What happened with your father was an accident,” he said with unmistakable certainty, his gaze steady and strong. “He paid a high price for his feelings of guilt... So did you.”
“Your family paid a much higher price.”
His hold tightened on hers. “Life isn’t easy. Having you in my life has taught me I can’t isolate myself. That’s no way to honor my mother’s memory. And it certainly hasn’t taken away the pain of losing them. Having you here made me realize I should be opening my life, not closing it off.”
His words touched her with hope, for him as much as for her. She liked the idea of this amazing man rejoining the world with all he had to offer.
She slid her hands to cup his face. “You credit me with too much.”
“You don’t credit yourself with enough.” He covered her hands with his. “But I want to be around, in your life, to tell you every day just how damn special you are.”
Her heartbeat skittered faster, her breath catching with surprise and more of that heady sensation of hope.
“That easily, you forgive me?”
He rested his forehead against hers. “Yes, and I hope you’ll forgive me.”
His scent, his nearness, soothed an ache in her that went far beyond the past few unhappy weeks. He eased her soul in a deeper way than that, filling her with a sense of rightness.
“Of course I do.”
His eyes filled with something that looked remarkably like love. “And what if I said I want us to continue seeing each other? Because the thought of letting you go is driving me insane.” He clasped her shoulders, his touch stirring her the way it always had, and more. “Tally, I’m falling head over heels in love with you.”
Joy filled her to overflowing, just like that garden fountain. It seemed to spill right out of her along with a few happy tears.
“I’m so very glad to hear that, because I’m right there with you.” Happiness curled deep inside her, like it was ready to stay for a long, long time. “I’ve never felt this way before, never expected to find someone like you.”
“I’m far from perfect. You know my history.” His eyes went somber.
“We’re all far from perfect. And as long as you’ll be open with me, we can face things together.” She angled closer, sealing her mouth to his, holding, relishing the privacy but wishing they had more.
And they would, a prospect that filled her with passion and promise.
Easing back, Marshall stroked her hair from her face with reverent hands. “Move in with me. Help me build the family ranch back to the place full of life it used to be.”
She sank into his arms, and into their future. “I can’t think of anything that would bring me more joy.”