Finding Love At Christmas (Cowboy Holiday Romance Book 1) Read online

  Wendy jerked in surprise, hard enough to shake the table.

  “Is that a yes?” he teased.

  “No, no, I don’t … that is to say, not yet.”

  “What does that mean?” he asked as the waitress refilled his coffee. He thanked her and, as soon as she left, met Wendy’s tired gaze. “Are you all right?”

  “Of course – why do you ask?”

  “You seem out of sorts.”

  She laughed. “How would you know, other than telling you earlier? You haven’t seen me in years.”

  “Yes, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see you’re not happy.”

  Her eyes widened. “Gee, thanks a lot, Jack.”

  He leaned toward her. “Are you?”

  “Well, I … sure I am.”

  He studied her moment. “Convince me.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me – convince me. So far our conversation has centered on you and your father. We covered when your mother died, when my father passed, and now it seems like you’re just tossing things that me.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” She didn’t exactly snap, but she was obviously getting flustered.

  “Just that you don’t seem happy, Wendy. There’s no joy in your voice. You’re not the girl I knew.”

  She straightened in her chair. “Of course not. How can I be? I’m all grown up now.”

  They were silent for a few moments, looking at each other with trepidation.

  “I’m about to be engaged,” she blurted.

  Jack stared at her as his chest tightened. He swallowed hard. What did he expect? He knew she wasn’t married, but with her looks and personality she had to be with someone. He should have asked her early on but didn’t – in truth, because he didn’t want to know. Now he knew.

  “Well?” she said. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

  He nodded and smiled again. “Congratulations. Who is he?”

  “His name’s Bill Reeves.” She picked at her napkin. “Once married, his and my father’s companies will merge. That will make them a lot of money.” She smiled sardonically.

  So she wasn’t happy about it. Was it arranged? Knowing her father, probably. “Do you love him?”

  “What sort of a question is that?!”

  “No need to get upset, I was just asking. Especially after that weird smile you gave me. What am I supposed to think?”

  She rubbed her temple again, and he wondered if she was feeling all right. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I guess I’m off my game today.” Her smile this time was genuine. “You’re not exactly catching me at my best.”

  He leaned toward her again. “I figured that.”

  She giggled, her hand over her mouth. When she removed it, she smiled warmly. “I’m sorry, Jack. I wanted this to be a fun lunch and I’m blowing it.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s been a long time – it’s bound to be awkward. That’s why I introduced myself again. I figured we might as well make a fresh start, get to know each other as adults.” He winked and took a sip of coffee.

  “I appreciate it. But I still blew it.”

  Jack sighed. Time to take a chance. “You know, Wendy, if you don’t want to get married, you don’t have to.”

  She swallowed hard, and he knew he’d hit paydirt. “Why wouldn’t I? I’ve known Bill for years. My parents love him … well, Mom didn’t get to know him much before she died, but Dad thinks he’s great.”

  “But …”

  She shrugged. “There’s no but. He’s fine. He’s rich, handsome …” She scrunched up her face as if making an effort to think.

  “When can I meet him?”

  “What?” She said in surprise. “You want to meet Bill?”

  “Why not? Maybe I can drum up a date and we can double? I wouldn’t mind a night on the town.”

  She stared at him, eyes wide, and he wondered what was going through her head. But he had to know if she was truly unhappy and if there was something he could do about it. He didn’t want to leave her this way or see her make a mistake just to please her father. The way she talked made it sound like he ran her life – and she let him. This wasn’t the girl he knew years ago- not that she was defiant and rebellious, but she spoke her mind. Maybe his horse analogy hit the mark, and Norman Preston had broken her. His jaw tightened just thinking about it.

  “He’s too busy,” she finally said. “Bill works all the time.”

  “And you don’t mind that?” he asked, curious.

  “Occupational hazard. I just have to get used to it. Besides, he’s home on weekends.” She took a quick sip of what was left of her tea. Clearly she didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

  He decided to drop it. “Well, what about dinner, then?”

  Her eyes locked on him as she set her glass down and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “With you?”

  He laughed. “Who else? Bring your friend along.”

  “Missy?”

  “Yes, I’d still like to have a night on the town. Why don’t the three of us go out?”

  “Well, I…”

  “I’ll bring my partner in crime Charlie. He’s always good for a laugh.”

  “Charlie?”

  “Yes, he works with me.”

  “Oh, the man you were meeting the other day – I remember now. Is he your boss?”

  Jack laughed. “No, we … help each other out with the ranch.”

  Her brow creased in confusion. “I didn’t think your ranch was big enough to warrant a trip here to buy stock.”

  “We’re branching out.” So she didn’t know how much they’d expanded over the last dozen years – she probably thought he just had that little nameless spread instead of the sprawling C-Square. “So what do you say?” She sighed, and he could tell she was hesitant. “My treat,” he offered.

  “Oh, Jack, I couldn’t ask you to do that. Especially since …” She snapped her mouth shut.

  “Since what? Since I’m just a poor rancher from Montana? I may not be in your father’s league, but my credit card isn’t maxed out.” Actually, he might be in Norman Preston’s league, but he’d never cared to check – those “which man has the biggest bank account?” games had never appealed to him.

  “No, I didn’t mean it that way.” She went for another sip of tea, but the glass held nothing but melting ice.

  “Would you like another?”

  She set the glass down and shook her head. “Jack, I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. I didn’t mean to, really.”

  Unable to help it, he reached across the table and put his hand over hers. “I know you didn’t. But you are beginning to worry me.”

  Wendy pulled her hand away and put it in her lap. “I’m just having a bad day, I’m sorry. I wish …”

  “Yes?” he asked when he didn’t finish, eyebrows raised in question.

  “I wish my circumstances were different.” She sighed in relief.

  He wondered if that’s what she’d wanted to say the last hour. “Dare I ask how?”

  She shook her head again. “Don’t bother. It wouldn’t do either of us any good.” She looked away. “I’ll call Missy and ask her if she’s free.”

  When she looked at him again he could see the pain in her eyes. His gut twisted at the sight. “Good. It’ll be fun,” he said with a reassuring smile.

  She nodded in agreement, biting her lower lip. Jack recognized the action – she always did it when she was deliberating. “What is it?”

  She exhaled nervously. “How would you like to see Dad?”

  Chapter Six

  Norman Preston’s smile, rigid under the best of circumstances, turned suspicious when Jack followed Wendy through his door. The office was posh, orderly and made Jack feel like he’d entered a throne room rather than the office of an investor and oilman. He suspected that was on purpose.

  “Wendy, how lovely to see you,” her father said. “This is a surprise.” He glanced at Jack. “Who’s your friend?”
/>   Jack caught himself before he rolled his eyes.

  Wendy took a deep breath. “Dad, you remember Jack Carlson, don’t you?”

  Mr. Preston scowled. “Jack Carlson?” He stared at Wendy like he was going to pass some horrible sentence – or barring that, a kidney stone. “What’s he doing here?”

  “I’m in town on business,” Jack said, coming to her rescue. He stepped forward, hand extended. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Preston.”

  Wendy’s father stared at his hand a moment before shaking it. He glanced between them a few times. “How are you?” It looked like it pained him to ask.

  “I’m good.” Jack glanced around the office again. “Looks like you’re doing well. I congratulate you.”

  Mr. Preston’s eyes widened. “On what? Continuing with what I already had?”

  “Exactly – not everyone can sustain success. But you also branched out. It can be risky moving into new ventures. You’re a risk taker, always were. My father used to admire that.”

  “How is your father?” Mr. Preston asked as he went behind his desk and sat.

  “He passed away last year.”

  The man had the decency to hang his head. “I’m sorry to hear that. He was a hard worker. Too bad he never made anything of himself.”

  Jack suppressed a smirk. What kind of person would say that about someone’s dead parent?! “He did all right. He kept a roof over our heads, food on the table.”

  “And I suppose you’re carrying on in his footsteps? A roof, food?”

  “Oh, absolutely.”

  Mr. Preston eyed him a moment before turning his scrutiny on Wendy. “Why did you bring him here?”

  “Dad, don’t be rude. Jack wanted to say hello.”

  Mr. Preston returned his attention to Jack. “Hello,” he growled.

  “Dad!”

  “Wendy, I’m sorry, but I’m very busy. Oh, by the way …” He glared at her. “… Bill will be here any moment. You might as well stay long enough to see him.” He leveled his gaze on Jack. “Mr. Reeves is Wendy’s fiancé.”

  “Yes, so I’ve heard – congratulations,” Jack said without batting an eye. “I’m sure they’ll be very happy.”

  Mr. Preston cleared his throat. “Um, yes, I’m sure they will.”

  Wendy drew in a sharp breath. Jack could tell it was all she could do to stay civil. She’d mentioned on the drive over that she and her father were at loggerheads over some business venture that she didn’t elaborate on, and he’d seen her tension earlier when she talked about him. But right now he was curious about this Bill Reeves.

  Just then, a man sauntered into the office. “Wendy, darling!”

  Wendy stepped into his arms and gave him a hug – a very stiff, formal one. “Dad said you were coming by.” She motioned to Jack. “I’d like to introduce you to an old friend of mine, Jack Carlson.”

  Bill offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.” He studied Wendy as Jack shook. “Where do you two know each other from?”

  “High school,” Jack said. “Like she said, old friends.”

  Bill sighed. “I never see anyone from high school. Never attended a reunion. I think they’re silly – everyone showing off or trying to relive the past.”

  “Too beneath you, Bill?” Wendy chided.

  “Exactly. Everyone from school knows I’m the most successful of the bunch. Why go to a bad dinner to tell them? Besides, they’d only be jealous.”

  Jack pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. Was this guy for real? No one’s ego could be that big!

  “What are you doing here?” Bill asked, catching his attention.

  “Business. I’ll be heading back in a week.”

  “What business, exactly?” Bill asked, putting an arm around Wendy. She looked like he was kidnapping her.

  Jack’s stomach tightened. Good grief, was he jealous? Well, maybe. And if the man hadn’t come across as so high and mighty, he might not be. “Cattle, mostly.”

  “Missy and I ran into Jack at the Fort Worth stockyards,” Wendy volunteered.

  “Really?” Bill drawled. “Do you live in Texas now?”

  “No, Montana,” Jack replied.

  “Cutter’s Creek is the pathetic little town I told you about,” Mr. Preston interjected. “There’s nothing there but a few run-down ranches and struggling businesses.”

  “Dad, we haven’t been back since moving here. I’m sure it’s grown over the last twelve years.”

  Mr. Preston looked at Jack. “Has it?”

  “Yes, quite a bit, as a matter of fact.” Jack didn’t bother to mention that Norman Preston’s characterization of how it was twelve years before was wildly inaccurate.

  Mr. Preston ignored him to smile at Bill. “Have you thought more on what we’ve discussed?” Then to Jack, “If you’ll excuse us, Mr. Reeves and I have business to attend to.”

  “Of course – I won’t keep you. Nice seeing you again, Mr. Preston. I’m glad everything has worked out for you.”

  “And why wouldn’t it?” Bill asked, looking Jack up and down.

  “Mr. Carlson is an admirer of my business tactics,” Mr. Preston explained.

  “Actually, it was my father. I was a teenager back then and didn’t trouble myself with such things.”

  Bill looked him over again. “I see.”

  If only you did, Jack thought with a smile. What did Wendy see in this Bill Reeves? It was obvious he was full of himself. Maybe that was why he got along so well with Wendy’s father – they were peas in a pod. But Wendy was acting like she’d rather be with anyone else.

  “We’re off, then,” Wendy said.

  “No, stay,” her father said. “This involves you too.”

  “I can’t – we came in my car,” she protested.

  “I’m sure Mr. Carlson can find his way back to wherever he needs to be.” Bill smirked at Jack. “Can’t you?”

  “No, that’s not right,” Wendy said, cheeks pink.

  Jack’s chest warmed. “Thank you, Wendy, but I’m sure I can get back to Fort Worth …”

  “Fort Worth?” Bill said as his eyebrows shot up. “My, that’s a jaunt with traffic.” He reached into the inside pocket of his suit and pulled out his wallet. “Here.” He drew out some bills. “The ride’s on me.”

  Jack was too stunned to manage more than a blank look. This guy really was too much. “Thank you, but no, I don’t need your money.”

  “Oh, take it,” Wendy’s father said. “I’m sure you can use it.”

  Wendy gasped. “Dad!”

  “Come now, we both know the Carlsons are proud, but they’re also poor. Let us help him.”

  Wendy squeezed her eyes shut and facepalmed. “Dad!”

  “It’s all right, Wendy,” Jack said, patting her on the shoulder – much to Bill’s annoyance, it seemed. A nice side benefit. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m perfectly capable of getting back to my hotel on my own.”

  She opened her eyes, face red with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

  Jack smiled gently. “I know.” So this was what she had to put up with? And now she was going to marry that pompous son of a … well, he wouldn’t wish that on his worst enemy.

  “Shouldn’t you be running along, Carlson?” Mr. Preston said. “You’re holding us up.” He left his desk and joined him. “Here, I’ll see you to the door.”

  “Dad …” Wendy warned.

  Jack held up a hand. “It’s all right, I’m fine.” He glanced at Bill. “Nice meeting you, Willie.”

  “That’s Bill,” the snob corrected.

  Jack smiled. He couldn’t resist. “Well, nice meeting you anyway.”

  Bill glanced at Mr. Preston. “Was it?”

  Mr. Preston eyed him as he headed for the door. “Thanks for dropping by,” he said as he opened it wide. “And good luck to you.”

  Jack stared at him a moment. Norman Preston still thought he was so much better than the Carlsons and everyone else back in Cutter’s Creek.
And Bill Reeves was no better. Poor Wendy – it was obvious they weren’t well suited. So why was she marrying him? Other than it was obviously what Norman Preston wanted. Wendy probably had no say in the matter.

  He took one last look at her and fought the urge to kiss her farewell … then realized he had nothing to lose? He walked over and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.” He looked at Bill. “By the way, I’d like to take the two of you out, make a night of it. To celebrate your engagement.”

  Bill stared open-mouthed at him for a second, then snapped it shut. “That’s generous of you, but don’t trouble yourself. Wendy and I will be far too busy from now on. We’ve so much to plan.”

  Jack smiled. “The offer stands.” He looked at Wendy. “Talk to Missy.”

  She nodded with a relieved smile. “Yes, I will.”

  Jack left, wondering if he should try to rescue Wendy from this mess. If she gave even a hint that she wanted to be, he would.

  Chapter Seven

  Wendy’s cheek felt warm where Jack had kissed her. It was all she could do not to reach up and touch the spot.

  “Wendy, come away from the door,” her father ordered.

  She glanced between the door and her father.

  Bill caught the action and smirked again. “Is he a charity case?”

  “Bill, stop it,” she said. “Both of you were incredibly rude.”

  “On the contrary,” Bill said. “I thought we were quite generous. If he had been smart, he’d have taken my offer.”

  She remained where she was. “The man isn’t destitute.”

  “Since when?” her father said. “The Carlsons were always begging for handouts.”

  “Jack was looking for work back then, not handouts,” Wendy said in his defense. She slammed the door shut, feeling almost brave at the moment. But then, defending Jack was familiar territory – she’d done it a lot in the past. “I don’t know why you look down on him so much, Dad.”

  Her father shrugged and went behind his desk. “He’s not my equal.” He sat and looked at Bill. “Unlike this fine fellow.”

  Bill stood proudly. “Thank you for the compliment.” He turned to Wendy. “And he’s right – you don’t need to associate with such riffraff. Why did you bring him here anyway?”