*“I’m astonished!” Kara did a slow spin in the center of the barn, taking in the scrubbed planks, the polished dance floor, and the cedar partition, hung with an oversized evergreen and holly wreath. “Look at what you’ve done.”
Smaller wreathes were mounted on the simple side boards Milt had built to serve as bar stations and tiny lights twinkled from between the needles of evergreen swags that decorated the perimeter walls. Stevie had spent several evenings tying elaborate red bows that she mounted over the hooks that held the swags in place, and each of the rustic doors in the barn sported a similar ribbon decoration. Even Brant had to admit that the interior of the transformed barn felt kind of magical.
Kara turned to Brant and Stevie, who stood side by side watching her reaction, then rushed them, laughing as she wrapped her arms around them, initiating an off-balance group hug.
“This place is so…clean,” she said. “And…pretty.”
She leaned back, one hand on each their arms, keeping the group tethered together. “When I said I wanted to get married on the farm, I thought that you might dust things off a bit, hang some wreaths and call it good. I am…overwhelmed.”
“Come on,” Brant said with a smile. “Let’s look at the machine shed. If the weather threatens, we’ll hold the ceremony in there. Stevie suggested opening the bay doors and seating the guests inside while you and Theo get married outside in front of the trees.”
“Thus the wedding arch.”
Which had been the first thing he’d showed her after they’d arrived home from the airport. Stevie had finished decorating it with evergreen, lights, and holly the day before, with Milt offering helpful suggestions as she worked. They never did get around to building snowmen, but Milt had given them a pass, saying that there was such a thing as overkill.
Kara reached out and hooked her arm through Stevie’s and the three of them stepped out of the barn into the late afternoon sun. The snow had melted just enough to reflect the light in prisms, giving the ground a rainbow effect as they walked. Yep. Magical.
This is what happens when you spend too much time on Pinterest.
Brant glanced down at his sister. “We’re building a catering kitchen in machine shed for future events.”
“We?” she asked, her head swiveling between Stevie and Brant.
“Stevie’s dad is doing the job.”
“Excellent.” But there was a speculative note in her voice that told Brant that his sister was quickly putting two and two together. He opened the bay door and Kara clasped her hands beneath her chin as she stepped inside.
“You already have the chairs in place.” Two groupings of five chairs in five rows.
“Well, the wedding is day after tomorrow,” Brant said.
“Hopefully, the groom will arrive in time,” Kara said. “He does like to cut things close.”
“We don’t have much of a rehearsal planned,” he said. “Harp should be back in time to drive the sleigh. Judge Nelson stopped by yesterday to look at the setup, and Milt has kind of volunteered to direct everything.”
“He was here for the meeting with Judge Nelson,” Stevie added. “All we have to do is to follow directions on the big day.”
“Amazing, guys.” Once again Kara bounced a look between them, and Brant blew out a mental breath. He and Stevie had agreed to keep things at status quo until the ceremony was over, which meant not sharing the fact that they were edging toward a relationship. But his sister was sharp, and she knew them well.
She was going to figure it out.
“Milt plowed yesterday,” Brant said after closing the bay door, “so we can put the wedding arch in place at any time. I double-checked the motel blocks and no problems there. It looks like you’re getting close to 100% attendance judging from the reservations. The local guests all RSVPed.”
“Good. I like a big party.” Kara’s expression grew serious. “Honestly, guys, I am so impressed. So touched. I…” Her words trailed off as she rubbed a glove under her eye before shooting her brother a look. “Before you say it, soldiers are allowed cry.”
“Wasn’t going to say that,” Brant said, although it did stir uncomfortable memories of him trying not the cry in front of Kara after losing their parents.
They headed back to the house, stomping the snow off their boots on the porch, then stepping into the blessed warmth of the kitchen. As soon as the coats were hung, Kara disappeared into the living room and Stevie said to Brant, “Did you ever tell her not to cry?”
“Not once,” Brant said. He glanced toward the doorway to the living room, then said, “Aunt Ginger made a big production out of reminding Kara that crying didn’t fix anything. I think the noise got on her nerves.” He shook his head. “It’s a good thing that you were there to help my sister deal with her emotions in ways I couldn’t.”
“Despite the danger of a life of crime,” she murmured.
“Exactly.” He ran his hand down her arm, catching her fingers in his.
Kara came back into the room then, fighting her way into a hoodie, and Brant stepped back, dropping Stevie’s hand.
“Cold, cold, cold,” she said as her head popped through the opening.
“Are you going to make it through a winter ceremony?” Stevie asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Kara said confidently, punching her arm through a sleeve. “I have the cutest fake fur jacket to go over my wedding dress. I’ll unpack tonight and you can help me steam tomorrow after we pick up Theo at the airport.”
Brant saw Stevie’s lip twitch at the mention of fake fur, but she carefully avoided looking at him. “I’ll bring my dress over and we can get it fluffed up, too,” she said.
“During the dress fluffing,” Brant said, “I’ll take Bob out for a practice spin.”
“I’m coming along for that,” Kara informed him. “We’ll fluff before or after, not during.”
“Fine.”
“I should get going,” Stevie said. “What time do you need me here tomorrow?”
“We should get back from Boise somewhere around noon,” Kara said.
“Noon it is.” She shot Brant a casual look. “See you then.”
“Yeah. See you.”
“I’ll walk you to your truck,” Kara said, grabbing her coat off the hook and pulling it on over her hoodie. By the time she got back to the house, Brant had coffee brewing.
“Ah. The cure all for everything,” she said as she took a seat at the table.
“However, this would have to contain mega-caffeine to keep me awake.” She yawned. “I’ve been in too many time zones in too short a time. I need a nap.”
Kara did not get her nap. Milt stopped by with a hot Pizza Bob deep dish not long after they’d finished their coffee, and after eating, Kara allowed herself to be toured though her wedding venue again, while Brant tagged along behind, smiling as Milt proudly pointed out the many features of the barn and machine shed and explaining how useful they’d be to Brant in the future.
It was close to seven when Kara finally collapsed on the sofa with a half glass of wine—all she could handle without going into a coma, she assured him—and Brant took a seat in his favorite chair, beer in hand.
Kara raised her glass, then yawned instead of sipping.
Brant smiled. “You should go to bed.”
“As soon as this is done.” She lowered the glass and slowly swirled the wine, watching the red liquid stain the sides.
“How are you doing?”
Kara raised her gaze at the awkward question, and Brant clarified.
“You’re dealing with some big life changes in a short period of time. Leaving the military, getting married, going back overseas in a matter of months.”
“I’m good,” she said. He had to admit that she seemed at peace with herself and the world. She’d made her choices and she was sure of them.
“How are you doing?” she asked after lifting the glass to her lips.
He shrugged. “There are more unknowns in my life than usual, but I find that I’m okay with that.”
“What kind of unknowns?”
“Well…the farm for one thing. Is the venue idea feasible? Will it take off or will we continue to be a seasonal operation that slowly edges closer to breaking even as property taxes rise?”
Kara nodded. “Any job unknowns?”
“Not anymore.” He told her about Raj and his odd behavior followed by the recruitment offer.
“You’re sticking with Gifford?”
“It’s a good situation. I like the work, things will quiet down after the Austin expansion, and I’m close enough to run the tree farm.”
“Makes sense.” Kara gave him a sideways look. “Are there any Stevie unknowns?”
He narrowed his eyes at his sister. “Why do you ask?”
“Because you guys didn’t argue this morning. Not once.”
They raised their drinks at the same time, their gazes locking as if in a game of chicken. Brant lowered his beer first. “We didn’t argue because we’ve exhausted ourselves on that front while putting on the wedding.”
“I see,” she said.
Brant’s mouth tightened, but he resisted falling into the trap of protesting too much.
“I’ll stop hassling you,” Kara said with a smile. “I really appreciate all the time and effort you’ve put into my wedding. More than I can express.”
“This is one of the best vacations I’ve ever had,” he said truthfully. “I was glad to do it.”
“I hope I can repay the favor.”
“I’ll give a shout when I need a wedding pronto.”
Kara pointed her finger at him in a you’re-on gesture, then got to her feet. “I must put my jetlagged body to bed.” She emptied her glass in a long swallow. “And rest assured, I won’t ask any more questions you don’t want to answer.”
“Fat chance of that.” Brant gave his sister a wry look. “I’m glad you’re home, Kara.”
“Yes.” She leaned down to give him a sisterly hug. “Me, too.”
*
“It is so good to be home.” Felicity Evans dropped her bag just inside the front door of her father’s house and moved forward with her arms open.
“Good to have you back. Any chance that you can quit your job and stay?” Pete asked as he hugged his eldest. “I need a reliable right-hand man.”
“Zachary giving you trouble?”
“Always,” Pete replied with a laugh that seemed a touch too hearty. Stevie gave him a look before moving in for the next hug, followed by Tess.
“You know I’d love to go back into construction, Dad, but that pesky well-paying job that you insisted I go to college for would get in the way.”
“I made a mistake.”
She laughed then let out a sigh that made her shoulders drop. “I have to go back the day after the wedding.”
“You said Wednesday,” Pete said on a disappointed note.
“Then some stuff came up. I’ll try to make it back next month to celebrate after you finish renovating the old high school.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Now that you’re here and settled,” Stevie said, “I need to run. Kara and I are going to steam our dresses.”
“I’ll see you later tonight?” Felicity walked as far as the door with her.
“We have a sister-a-thon planned here at Dad’s,” Stevie said.
“Good. We have stuff to catch up on.”
“We do. And to start the ball rolling, I think you should know that Brant and I are seeing one another.” There. She’d come at it head-on, and frankly, it felt so much better than sidestepping. It was time for honesty, with Brant and with her family—but most of all with herself. She was falling in love with the man.
The room behind them went still, then Tess broke the silence. “It’s about time.”
Stevie had no clue as to whether her sister meant about time to date, or about time to fess up about Brant, and she wasn’t going to ask.
“This is going to confuse a lot of people who thought they had things straightened out about you two,” Pete said. “Engaged, not engaged, dating.”
“It’s good to keep the general populace guessing,” Felicity said. “Have some fun with it.”
“That’s what we’re going for,” Stevie agreed. “Fun. So don’t expect anything serious to come of it.”
“Never,” Tess said, coming to stand beside Felicity. “You go steam your dress and have some fun and we’ll see you back here at seven.”
*
“I think this is everything,” Stevie said as she smoothed the plastic over the skirt of Kara’s freshly steamed bridal gown. It was a simple dress, white silk with long sleeves and a high neckline. The short white faux fur jacket that was supposed to keep the bride from freezing had a pearl neck clasp, and Kara had found a clever white vintage hat, with a short pearl embellished veil attached. All in all, it was a striking ensemble.
“You will be gorgeous,” Stevie said.
“That’ll be two of us, then.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Stevie’s dress was a long dark green velvet sheath with a matching jacket that had been languishing in her closet with the tags still on it, waiting for a green velvet type of occasion. Felicity had insisted that she buy it years ago when they’d found it on deep sale, and Stevie was glad she had, because it had been one less thing to think about as she and Brant and Milt prepped for the wedding.
“Our shoes are killer, too,” Stevie said as she pointed her chin in the direction of the insulated boots she and Kara planned to wear during the ceremony.
“A little more comfortable than the shoes that will follow,” Kara agreed. “Theo said I should wear the boots all evening, but I think they’ll be hard to dance in.”
“He has a point, and I doubt we’ll be doing our usual and dancing barefoot.” Stevie turned to her friend. “I should get back to town.”
Kara nodded. “Yep…” She sounded like she had something she wanted to say, but was purposely holding her tongue.
“Okay, then. I’ll be here by nine tomorrow. Felicity and Tess will do our hair and makeup. Theo and Brant are on their own.”
Kara laughed. “I think Brant’s in the barn if you want to say hello before you leave.”
She’d only caught sight of him once since arriving, driving the sleigh across the field with Theo at his side.
“Thanks,” she said, stopping with one hand on the edge of the door. “We should probably touch base.”
“Lips are okay, too.”
Stevie let her head drop in a gesture of defeat. “You know.”
“I figured it out.”
“What do you think?” Stevie’s throat felt dry as she waited for Kara to answer.
“I think that whatever happens, you’re my best friend and he’s my brother. Nothing will change there.”
“You’re sure? Because I don’t ever want to mess up our friendship.”
“I know that,” Kara said in an uncharacteristically serious tone. “Stevie, you made friends with me at a time when I needed you, and I’m well aware that you weren’t in a friend-making frame of mind back then. You did it to help me.”
“It helped me, too.”
“But you didn’t make friends with me to help you, did you?”
Stevie shook her head. “Unexpected side effect.”
“Is Brant the same? An unexpected side effect?”
“I can safely say he was the most unexpected side effect of all.”
Kara laughed and gave Stevie a firm hug. “You have my blessing to figure things out with my brother. Now go find him while I figure out where I left my fiancé.”
“Hey,” Brant said a few minutes later when she opened the barn door and stepped inside.
“Hey back.” She closed the door behind her and crossed the planked floor to where he stood next to the dance floor.
“The DJ came with his stuff early, so I helped him set up. Trevor shows up with the food truck tomorrow. The flowers arrived and Milt’s all hot to put them out tomorrow after we get the heaters going again. And Harp just called. He landed in Boise, so I don’t have to drive the sleigh.”
“It sounds like you have everything under control.”
“Yeah,” he said thoughtfully. “It does. That’s why it’s important to have a good plan.”
“And to not get overly confident.”
“That, too.” He hooked his thumbs in his pockets as he studied the interior of the barn. “We did good work, Stevie.”
“We did.” She took a step closer, keeping her hands in her pockets. “I told my family we’re seeing one another.”
His gaze jerked around to meet hers and then a slow smile spread across his face. “We’re naming this thing?”
“We’re naming it ‘seeing one another’ for now.” She cleared her throat. “Kara also gave us her blessing to, as she put it, figure things out.”
“I think she figured things out the second she stepped off the airplane.”
“Me, too. We are horrible actors, Brant.”
He moved closer, coming to a stop when his boots were almost touching hers. “I don’t like acting.”
“I do.” She slid her hands up along the sides of his face and pulled his lips down to hers.
When the kiss ended, he covered her hands with his. “If you’re talking that kind of acting, I’m on board.”
“I have to go. I have a sister-a-thon in half an hour at Dad’s house.”
“I wouldn’t want to get in the way of that.” He lowered his head and captured her lips in another long, slow kiss, then stepped back.
Stevie reached up to press her palms against his chest, loving the feel of firm muscle beneath the wool jacket and heavy shirt he wore. “I’ve turned a corner.”
She was edging forward with a guy she cared about, instead of cutting and running the instant she felt a connection that could grow into something deeper.
He gave a slow nod. “We both have. I’m now officially a fun guy.”
She rose to her toes and gave him one last kiss, then lightly touched his lips with her finger. “I’ll see you tomorrow, fun guy. Just one thing…”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t tell anyone that things are going smoothly.”
He gave her another devastating smile and she lightly cupped his cheek then headed the door before she lost the fight with temptation and kissed him again.
*
Brant watched Stevie’s taillights until they disappeared, turning when he heard footsteps in the snow.
“Hey,” he said as Kara approached wearing his down coat, which practically swallowed her whole. “Ready for the big day?”
“I am.” They started back toward the house, taking slow steps through the crunchy snow. “But I’m worried.”
“No need to be. Milt has everything planned.”
She nudged him. “I’m worried that Theo will wear the furry abomination you made. He loves it.”
“I’ll tell Milt there’s a dress code.”
Kara laughed. “Now let me get this straight. Milt wasn’t part of the wedding preparations in the beginning, right? He just kind of eased in and then took control?”
“Yeah. I’d say that’s pretty much it.” Brant stopped at the gate to the front yard. “I didn’t realize how lonely he got between selling trees and visiting his family.”
“Maybe he could manage the place for you if you go forward with the pumpkin patch and lavender fields and all the stuff he told me about today.”
“The only trouble is that he isn’t giving up his summer treks. I asked him about it and he’s totally on board for anything in October through March.”
“Not exactly the busy season. I’m just glad he’s here to take some of the pressure off you and Stevie.”
“He was a life saver. With the exception of the ladder accident.” Which led to him learning more about Stevie and the hurts she was still dealing with. She’d helped Kara during her grief, but had never completely dealt with her own.
“That’s the second one, right?”
“At least. I’ve locked the ladders in the grain shed.”
Kara linked her arm with his and they started up the walk. “We’ll practice for tomorrow when you give me away. I think it goes like this. Left. Right. Left. Right.”
“I’ve got it,” he growled as his phone rang. He hauled it out of his pocket to silence it. The only reason he didn’t drop it back into his pocket was because the name on the screen was that of the top guy in his office. And it was not yet five o’clock on a Friday. In other words, it was still business hours for those not on vacation.
“Ferris. What’s up?”
He listened for a moment, then changed his phone to his other hand, as if the news would make more sense coming into his right ear rather than his left.
“Okay. Raj quit with no notice?”
“Raj got dismissed for recruiting Gifford employees,” Ferris corrected.
Brant put his hand to his head. Raj…what were you thinking? Either he’d been careless or someone he’d recruited had been trying to make points with the Gifford brass. Or he’d wanted to get fired so that he got severance pay after he left. That made the most sense.
“We have a contractual obligation in Austin,” Ferris continued, “and I need you to take his place.”
Brant’s heart did a stutter beat. “Temporarily or permanently?”
“That’s what I want to talk about before you get on the plane to Austin on Monday.” His first official day back.
“Do you have a few minutes?” Ferris asked.
“Call me back in five and tell me what you have in mind.”
When he lowered the phone from his ear, Kara was studying him with a concerned expression. “You do get to come to the wedding. Right?”
“I’d quit before I missed the wedding.”
“Good. Then what just happened?”
“I’m not sure, but…I think I have a new position with Gifford Systems.”