Chapter 28
The Holiday Hoedown was in full swing and scheduled to run until Friday. There were booths galore as the townspeople peddled their wares in an effort to raise money for their own pocket books as well as the community holiday outreach charity that was run by the local Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical from the House. All of the handmade jams, coasters, and wreaths would translate into Christmas gifts for the area youth who had less than most.
As a tourist town, they always had plenty of interest and a successful event as tourists planned their getaways around this special, one-of-a-kind affair. The buzz, this year, went beyond the pickled eggs and fried anything you could think of. The newest element, the formal Crystal Showdown Gala, as contradictory as it sounded with its rustic meets glam charm, was a sold out event.
Megan was proud of her contribution to her community, the success of the annual event and the added element of a formal Gala. The Silent Auction of donated goods and outings from the community, as well as a live auction of McKenzie’s finest from the House, were a bonus. Meg had her eye on a certain firefighter, and Lord help anyone who tried to outbid her.
They spent each day at the Bazaar, keeping things in order and enjoying their time together. Although not out of danger, Meg felt this sense of calm and peace…like she was finally home. They couldn’t tell Declan’s team from a townsperson or tourist but knew his men were there, following their every move.
The occasional spine stabbing chill and eerie sense of being followed let them know that danger was still lurking. It was like a shift of the wind, calm and secure to dark and shady. The latter sparked that familiar urge to run, but Colton kept her grounded. He reminded her that they were safe and that he wouldn’t let those assholes anywhere near her or Jax.
He really was her everything. He was her manly, take charge alpha when he needed to be, but he was also a gentle, caring man who would stop the world to make her happy. He was her hero in every way. She was glad that he stopped her from leaving. This was the life she wanted. He was the man she wanted forever.
The geriatric mafia seemed to need Colton at their booth more and more. The old ladies held their famous baked goods booth, headed up by their eternal leader…Granny Lou. Lou had insisted on walkie-talkies since they were of delicate age
and fragile health
…they might need help in a hurry, she argued.
Complying with her request, especially since she had three extra walkie-talkies at the ready, the three men took to their duties. The requests for help usually consisted of lifting, bending over, and taking a pulse or two. Being the people pleaser that he was, Colton made sure he responded to every call, knowing full well what they were up to when they started pinching his ass and getting handsy.
They paid him well, however, in baked goods, reducing him to a new form of male entertainment who worked for lemon bars and brownies rather than dollar bills. Harmless as they were, he finally scolded them for walkie-talkie abuse when the visits to the granny booth reached several an hour.
As it turned out, they weren’t calling more often – Blake and Dawson just turned off their radios, leaving all the dirty work to Colton. Assholes
. He would even the score, but not until he finished all of the rum cake, apple pie, and various cookies and bars he was rewarded with at his last ass pinching. Dirty birds.
Friday night ended with a community cookout to celebrate a successful week, hosted by several different area restaurants and ranches. Booths were closed a bit earlier and dismantled, so everyone could attend. Their final event would be the Gala the following night. It was the last opportunity of the year to hold such an event with cooler days and crisper nights settling in and the first snow just around the corner.
As the final night of the weeklong event, the committee took a moment to acknowledge Meg as their head of committee and mastermind behind all of the new and improved festivities. The local crowd cheered for her, a job well done by their newest member. She was at it again, in her element, soaking up the kudos and best wishes for the final event, tomorrow’s Gala.
Colton couldn’t get enough of her as she smiled from ear to ear, her joy filling the space. She was amazing, the final piece to his puzzle, what made him whole. Her happiness and new sense of belonging wasn’t lost on him. He thanked God every day for bringing her to McKenzie Ridge and making her his…forever.
Countdown to Gala began the moment they all woke. The gang, who made up most of the committee, gathered bright and early to prepare the event venue – the women handled the details while the men were the muscle. By early afternoon, they had transformed the eclectic, one-hundred-year-old white building resembling a large old barn or swollen old school house, into a stunning shabby-chic Gala trimmed with vintage and glam flare.
It boasted gorgeous picture-like windows that were enormous in size, stretching nearly to the three-story ceiling and resting across every wall, allowing in the natural light that reflected off the crystals, which seemed to be strung everywhere. It had large rolling barn-type doors that added an element of character you would think clashed with the elegance strung through the building, but it actually complimented it nicely. The day’s natural beauty flooded in, reflecting off the various elements scattered throughout the space, offering a romantic ambiance.
The well-worn, white, chipped walls were perfectly complimented by the antique, iron chandeliers that hung from the high, wood beams. The aged, whitewashed, wood tables were strategically placed to maximize seating without crowding the buffet or stage. Vintage metal chairs circled those tables, and they were accented by vintage candelabras, each different and surrounded by fresh floral arrangements.
Crystals hung from each centerpiece and filled the bouquets while simple burlap ribbon and streamers added an organic feel. Each table had a card that looked like a doily with a number in the middle to prompt guests to their purchased seats. A matching paddle was placed in the center of each plate atop the white napkin, with a raffia bow tying them together like a delicate package. The paddle would be used for the live auction…everything had a hint of rustic and a hint of glam.
The second level, something of a large loft, held the bar. It was open for mingling, with limited seats, and perhaps dancing should the lower level dance floor become crowded. Every inch of the venue was well planned and spent. Megan had thought of every last detail and pulled it off with a stunning rustic charm that only she could.
She had transformed an old, often overlooked, eyesore and made it a magazine worthy view that was sure to get more and more attention after this event. It was a breathtaking experience that represented all things Megan—beauty, class, and natural elegance.
“Wow, Fancy Pants… you fucking did it!” Jessie said in awe, which was the highest compliment one could receive from her.
“It’s stunning, like gorgeous, glitzy, wedding stunning,” Everly offered.
“Yeah, I wish I wasn’t already married so I could do it here!” Sam contributed, getting a furrowed brow from Dawson.
“Oh, honey, you done good. You took a bunch of old stuff and spit shined it real good,” Granny said, holding Meg’s hand in her own, patting with the other, full of pride for her newest handpicked family member.
“It is beautiful, isn’t it?” Megan questioned, eyes filling with tears, her heart full.
“Yes, so beautiful,” Colton replied, looking directly at her.
As the afternoon expired, the group scattered, each finding their way home to ready for the event. Colton found Megan sitting on the back porch, staring off in the distance, Duke at her feet, his head in her lap.
“You’re spoiled, boy!” He regarded the pooch with a scratch of his ears.
Megan smiled at Colton’s presence and playful jealousy of his dog.
“Aww, that isn’t possible, is it, Dukey?” she said in a childlike voice.
“Dukey? Sounds like you just called him crap,” Colton said, laughing. “At the very least, you’ve stolen his man card…Dukey…” he finished, as if disgusted, shaking his head.
He smiled and pulled her into him. She closed her eyes and inhaled his freshly showered scent, waking all of her senses – especially those that made her cross her legs a little tighter.
“What has you so distracted? Everything okay?” he asked with a pinch of nerves.
“Everything is perfect,” she said with a sincere grin, face beaming. “So perfect it feels like a dream.”
He smiled and kissed the top of her head, pulling her even closer. “It is, finally. Now, tell me what you’re really thinking about,” he said.
“I’m just thinking about everything. The Gala, Esteban, the security everywhere. Are you worried? About any of it?” she confided, feeling a bit insecure.
“No. Esteban is Dec’s problem, and he’ll get him. His people are everywhere and the best at what they do. The Gala is going to be a success. Some really hot chick did an amazing job planning it,” he teased. “My only worry is you, keeping you safe and happy, and making sure tonight is as epic as you are.”
“Hmmm, epic, huh? Are we still talking about the Gala?” she ribbed.
“Megan, my heart stops at the sight of you. My world stops if you’re not in it. Every promise I’ve made to you I intend to keep. I have waited so long for you. I will fight to keep you, no matter the circumstance. You never have to worry…that’s my job, forever.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a long, deep kiss full of promises and those forevers. Colton scooped her up and cradled her in his arms, moving toward the door. She tossed her head back, giving him a squealing giggle.
“Stop, I have to go take a shower and get ready!” she bartered.
“Me too!” he shot back with a mischievous glint in his eye, hinting at the ideas for how they could remedy their shower dilemma.
“But you just took one! Put me down!” She playfully struggled.
“It seems I’m feeling a little dirty again, and I promised you epic…” he said, smacking her ass before going inside to fulfill his promise.