“Am I making a terrible mistake?” Amy Long whispered into the empty living room of the old farmhouse nestled in the California foothills. She watched snowflakes float from the darkening night sky and shivered at the thought of the cold reception she might receive tonight with the announcement cowboy Wyatt Cameron, the confirmed bachelor, had picked her to be his bride. His friends might wonder how a single mother, with a sick kid, hooked a rodeo champion of Wyatt’s standing.
His proposal had shocked her. Of course, she loved him but never considered he’d feel the same. She glanced at the beautiful gold and diamond engagement ring he’d had designed for her. As a woman with less than fond memories of her first marriage, the plan was to raise her young son alone, no man wanted and no more children needed. She and her son made a complete family unit.
Divorced and then downsized from her job, Granny’s organic apple farm was the perfect haven. She’d regain control of her life and make a living off the land to create stable employment. She couldn’t be downsized or fired.
Wyatt entered her life again and everything changed. He’d asked for her hand in marriage only a few months after she moved back to the farm. Always able to make well considered decisions by slowly weighing the pros and cons of every option, she’d answered yes without hesitation. But sometimes late at night she wondered if everything happened too fast. Did she know enough about him and his family?
It was New Year’s Eve but the Christmas decorations, including a Santa and his reindeer, still sat on a shelf. Gold balls and white lights twinkled on a live tree. Candles in glass holders lent a golden light throughout the room. The aroma of peppermint and eggnog blended with the smell of a pine log burning in the fireplace. Music played in the background. Her first party since she returned to the small hometown of Sierra Creek; she should be in the holiday spirit, but… What if his friends didn’t like her? Would Wyatt regret his choice?
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror over the mantel and admired the V-neck of the little black dress she wore. The firelight caught the heart shaped crystal necklace she inherited from her grandmother and the gem sparkled.
She pushed her hair back and let it flow freely down her back, curly and unruly. Even so, Wyatt called it sexy.
Her demeanor had changed since falling in love with him. She laughed more and looked toward the future with hope, something not done for years. Strong and caring, he was the best thing that ever happened to her, but a gnawing little voice in her brain wondered if it was all too good to be true. Good luck hadn’t played a big part in her life.
The doorbell rang. With a deep breath for courage, she ran to answer it.
“Wyatt, you’re early!”
He entered, closed the door and grinned. Snowflakes tumbled from his brown hair as it fell casually over his forehead and his deep-set blue eyes sparkled in the glow of the decorative Christmas lights.
She stood on tiptoes to reach for him. “I missed you.”
"I said I’d be back in time for the party.” He held her from him. “Every time I see you you’re more beautiful.” His huge hand caressed her cheek as he stared. He bent to kiss her, but the doorbell rang again.
“Off to the races.” She laughed.
As she opened the door, anxiety fluttered in her stomach. Even so, she smiled hello.
Soon the room filled with strangers. Wyatt was surrounded by rodeo buddies, their camaraderie on display as they talked.
When the doorbell rang again, Vanna Danelavich entered the room. “Hey Amy, you’re looking great.”
“Thanks, Vanna, you do too.” She smiled relieved to see her best friend.
“I mean it, Amy. You look great. You okay?”
“Nerves.” She shrugged. “I’m not good at meeting new people. All Wyatt’s buddies…”
Vanna gave her a hug.
“A while ago I thought I’d lose everything, Bobby, the farm.” She took a deep breath, the memory almost too much to endure. For strength, she held onto Granny’s crystal necklace. “I owe you a debt, Vanna. You called Wyatt and let him know Bobby was in the hospital.” She hesitated. “I’ve been so busy working on the farm and planning the wedding, I haven’t thanked you. I’m so grateful.”
“Hey, I didn’t do anything.”
“You did. You’re the best and if I can ever help you…”
“Stop, we’ll both be crying in a second. Let’s feed these cowboys.” Vanna walked toward the kitchen.
“Yum, smells good in here. My mouth is watering.”
“Well, living on an apple farm there’s always going to be pie.” Amy smiled and pulled one off the cooling rack. “I’ll send this home for your mom. Too bad the flu is keeping her away.”
“She so wanted to come—what do you need me to do?”
“Veggie trays are in the fridge and a couple of bowls of dip are there too. Could you put one tray and dip on the dining table and one on the coffee table in the living room?” I’ll set out the cheese and crackers and the popcorn. Bobby made it.” She grinned remembering the fun afternoon with her five-year-old son.
Vanna grabbed a tray and headed toward the living room. They made four trips to the kitchen and piled food, plates and utensils on the dining table. Amy lit the red candles and centered the poinsettia flowers on the table. “Gorgeous.”
Back in the living room, she surveyed everyone before setting a tray of caramel popcorn balls on the coffee table.
“Those look yummy,” Vanna said.
“Yeah, but they’re messy. Still, Bobby would be disappointed if I didn’t put them out. I should grab a bunch of napkins.”
“Where is Bobby?”
“He’s in the den watching a video. After the announcement, I’ll put him to bed, past his bed time already.”
“He’s happy about the marriage?”
“Excited and calls Wyatt, “Daddy.” She paused. “My heart smiles when I hear him.”
“Sweet.” Vanna smiled. “I think everyone’s here. I’ll attract their attention and tell them about the engagement.”
“I’m so anxious. What if his friends don’t want me to marry him? I think his buddies believed Wyatt would be the last one to tie the knot. They’ll wonder why everything is happening so soon.”
“Hey, he’s lucky to have you and once those guys know you, they’ll love you too.”
“Vanna, you always say the right thing.”
“I only speak the truth.”
Was her friend wondering why Wyatt’s younger brother, Wes, was absent tonight? Amy shook off the thought. She’d done her very best to make nice with his brother and tried to understand his hostility toward her. His dreadful behavior was given a pass as she welcomed him into her family, but still he was absent tonight. Wes must understand Wyatt would be upset. So, why didn’t he show? He could have at least called and begged off.
“Hey, girl go find your hunk. Time for the big moment. I’ll be right back. I left the dinner bell in the other room.”
Vanna rang the bell and shouted over the noise, “Happy New Year everybody! People, we have exciting news, another reason to celebrate.” She paused. “Amy and Wyatt are engaged. In June, they’ll marry and start life as man and wife.”
The room went silent. Amy forced her head high as she stood next Wyatt, but tightened her grip on his arm.
“Relax, honey,” he whispered and patted her shoulder.
Finally, the room erupted in applause.
He hugged her and tilted her face to his. She stared, lost in his intense gaze and as their lips met and her eyes closed. Warmth radiated through her and she clung to him forgetting the people watching.
The crowd cheered.
“Way to go buddy,” someone shouted. “You always were a lucky dog,” another guy said.
Wyatt ended the kiss and grinned like a kid who’d received an amazing gift. “You’re all invited to the wedding. And I hope someday all you cowpokes are fortunate enough to find a woman as fantastic as Amy.”
Her cheeks burned, but she couldn’t prevent a wide grin from spreading across her face.
“A long and fruitful marriage!” Manny, Wyatt’s best friend, raised his glass.
The room shouted their approval.
“Thank you for coming. I’m so happy and I hope to see all of you at our wedding.” Her quiet voice calmed the crowd. “Help yourself to dessert, apple and pumpkin pie and some of Sophie’s delicious ice cream. We also have eggnog, Irish coffee, and beer.”
More cheers.
As Wyatt rejoined his buddies Vanna said, “See, they love you.”
“I hope. I’m afraid a shoe will drop and I’ll lose everything.”
“Oh, Amy, so much has happened, Granny’s death, and Bobby’s delicate health. But now it’s okay to be happy.”
“Yeah. I—better go cut the pie before these cowboys take pieces the size of Texas.” Amy flicked a tear from her cheek. Dear God, please don’t let anything interfere on our wedding day and let Wes show up for the ceremony and behave so he doesn’t disappoint Wyatt.
The living room suddenly felt stifling as the noise level rose with music and laughter. She grabbed a jacket from the hall closet, walked outside and took a deep breath. In the moonlight, she surveyed the apple orchard fanning out from the green lawn surrounding the flagstone patio. This farm meant so much to her, home, heritage, and future. Now, with Wyatt’s help, the property would pass to her son. How did she become so fortunate?
The snow stopped and she took another quick breath of the chilly air. If only she could lose the sense of foreboding. Surprise had rippled through her when she’d first seen Wyatt on her return to Sierra Creek. Anger first and afterward a desire stronger than anything ever experienced had caused her heart to thunder.
A gust of cold wind brought her back to the present. Private concerns shouldn’t spoil the evening. She sighed, entered the living room, slipped out of the jacket and prepared to smile.
The scent of pine floated in the air and laughter greeted her. Wyatt’s deep voice caught her attention and she found him in a circle of his friends, the best-looking man in the group and also the kindest and most generous.
As the evening progressed, she saw him sometimes staring at her, and other times laughing with his buddies. Both of them made sure to speak to each person at some point in the evening so no one felt left out.
Wyatt’s presence filled the room. Occasionally the sound of his voice filtered through the music and noise of people laughing. It sent heat down her spine sending yearning spiraling in her.
She mingled and conversation came easily, still, she was always aware of Wyatt as if they were doing a kind of a sensual dance while never touching and not talking.
No time for dinner earlier, she had an Irish coffee and considered eating something. Instead, she put a heap of heavy cream into her coffee, a high cholesterol treat she didn’t normally allow.
The clock stuck midnight and everyone shouted “Happy New Year”, blew their noise makers, and threw confetti. Someone started a chorus of Auld Lang Syne and she joined in. On cue, Wyatt appeared and she swayed in his arms singing with the crowd. “Going to be a terrific year, honey,” he whispered in her ear sending a shiver of hunger for him to race in her.
“I love you,” she said. “More than I can say,” Her voice was so quiet she wasn’t sure he could catch it above the hullabaloo.
After midnight people began to leave. Vanna helped her clear some of the empty glasses and dirty dishes.
“Hey, you don’t have to. We’ll clean up in the morning.” Amy joined her at the kitchen sink.
“You and Wyatt?”
“Yeah, can you believe it? He does dishes. Am I lucky or what?”
“You bet you are.”
Manny Gordon entered the room. “I’ll say good night. Thanks for inviting me. Hey, Vanna. Happy New.”
Her friend didn’t return the wish; instead stiffened and turned her back on him.
Amy stared at Vanna with a-what-heck-is-going-on look.
“Manny, I’ll walk you to the door.”
“Amy, don’t go all formal on me. I’m fine.” He rushed out of the room.
“What’s going on between you and too? It’s not like you to be rude.” Her friend’s expression turned grim, so she added, “Never mind. I don’t want to pry.”
“I better go.” Vanna started to leave.
“Hey, remember the pie for your mom.”
“Oh—yeah.”
“Snowing again, drive carefully, Vanna,” Wyatt said as he came into the room.
She left without answering.
***
Amy stood in the entryway while Wyatt unplugged the Christmas tree lights in the living room. They’d decided for Bobby’s sake, not to move in together until after the wedding. Wyatt would continue to live in the small cottage on the property as he had after she and her son returned to Granny’s home.
“Not much longer and we can both go upstairs to the bedroom.” She brushed his hair back from his forehead. “Can’t wait.” She brought her mouth to his, enjoying the sensation and wanting more. Even so, she pulled back. “But I will.”
He laughed. “Did I ever tell you you’re a tease? And so gorgeous.”
“Don’t believe a word of it, I’m plain at best, odd at worst, with my frizzy hair and glasses, but please keep telling me.” She smiled. “I love hearing the exaggerations.”
“Your curly hair is one of the things I liked.”
There was a knock at the door and Vanna peeked in. “Sorry to disturb you guys. I forgot my purse. I think I left it in the kitchen.” She ran to the room and came out holding a silver clutch bag. “Got it. Night.”
She left before Amy could answer.
“Hey, what’s with Vanna and Manny? I’ve never seen her turn her back on anyone before.”
Wyatt locked the front door.
“Such a sad story. I guess you were too young to pay much attention when it happened. Vanna’s father died in a horrible accident. Her mom blames Manny’s dad. He worked for them at the time. The two families don’t speak, haven’t for years.”
“I should’ve realized.”
“Granny probably protected you from the incident.”
“What about our wedding? Both of them are in the ceremony. Can they get along? I don’t want any drama except ours, of course.” She couldn’t keep the corners of her mouth from turning up at the thought of the kiss they’d share after they said, “I do.”
“Honey, they’re going to work it out. Cause I’ll tell you something—nothing and no one is going to spoil our special event.” He brought her face to his. “On our wedding day, you’re going to be the most important person on the planet and you’ll be best looking bride there ever was.”
His kiss brushed against her waiting mouth, then he demanded more. She sighed and opened for his tongue to join hers. She moaned. “Wyatt, take me to bed. Let me come to the cottage with you.”
She grabbed the child monitor on the hall table and turned toward the back door. They entered the kitchen when she heard her son.
“Mommy, my tummy hurts.” He stood in the entryway, wearing green plaid pajamas. His red hair tousled, he looked younger than his five years. “I sneaked some apple pie.”
She ran to him and knelt down. “Bobby, you know with celiac disease you can’t eat the crust. It’s made with wheat.”
“I just wanted to be like everybody else.”
She held him in her arms. It was so unfair he couldn’t enjoy the simple pleasure of pastry on the holidays. “Don’t worry, sweetheart.”
“Here big guy, let’s take you to the bathroom and then back to bed.” Wyatt picked up her son and carried him upstairs.
She followed.
“Bobby’s in bed,” she said later “I better stay with him. Please don’t be mad.” She remembered how angry her first husband, Bobby’s biological father, got when their son’s illness caused a change of plans. It hadn’t mattered the boy was his and hurting.
“Why would I be annoyed? Of course, you need to be with him. I couldn’t take pleasure making love to you unless he was okay. We’ve got a lifetime to be with each other.”
“I love you, Wyatt.”
“And I love you—and Bobby. We’re a family now.”
“Mommy!” Bobby cried.