Hayley hadn’t expected Badger to hug her right off the bat. She’d never been in his arms and now it appeared he was about to kiss her in front of her parents.

She wasn’t prepared. “I’ve missed you, too!” Perhaps her voice was a little loud, a little manic, but she was new at this subterfuge thing. “Come in, come in. My folks are dying to meet you.” She extricated herself from his grasp and pulled him into the house. “Mom, Dad, meet Badger Calhoun, the answer to my prayers.”

His brown eyes sparkled with laughter. “I’m honored that you think of me that way. I’ll do my best to live up to it.”

“Oh, you already have.” She stepped back as her parents approached. “This is my mom, Virginia, and my dad, Warren.”

Badger greeted them both with a perfect combination of warmth and deference. After he’d kissed her mom’s cheek and exchanged a hearty handshake with her dad, he hung his jacket on the coat tree in the hall and they ushered him into the living room.

“Nice jacket.” Hayley took a seat on the couch and patted the spot next to her because that seemed like the right move.

“Borrowed it from Ryker’s brother. You were right that I needed one.” He sat next to her, laced his fingers through hers and gave a little squeeze.

She squeezed back. He was doing a great job. She was making it up as she went along because she’d never brought a boyfriend home. She’d figured out early on that it would send her mom into stealth wedding mode.

Her mom settled in her easy chair and gazed at them adoringly. “I should be put out with you two for keeping this a secret, but I can’t bring myself to be angry. I’ve waited a long time for Hayley to find Mr. Right, and here you are, Badger. I couldn’t be happier.”

“I’m mighty glad you’re pleased, Mrs. Bennett.”

“Oh, do call me Virginia. Unless you’d prefer Mom.”

“You know, Virginia’s such a pretty name. Always liked it. I’d be honored to call you that, if I may.”

Hayley smiled at him. Nicely played.

“So, Atlanta, huh?” Her dad sat in his recliner and pushed his glasses against the bridge of his nose. “This must be quite a change for you, coming from a big city in the South to a small town in the dead of winter.”

“Definitely, sir.”

“Speaking of dead stuff, are you into zombies, son?”

“Dad…” And she’d expected her mom to ask the embarrassing questions.

Badger seemed to take it in stride. “No, sir. Can’t say I am. Are you?”

“Yes and no. Years ago, Virginia and I went to Atlanta for a conference. Beautiful city, by the way.”

“Thank you. I think so, too.”

“Anyway, on our first visit, we took a tour that had a Gone with the Wind vibe. But we went to that same conference this fall, and the scheduled tour was about the zombie TV show.”

“Yes, sir, I noticed they had those. I’ve been out of the country the last ten years so I didn’t pay a lot of attention. Only watched the show a couple of times because of the Atlanta connection.”

“I wasn’t into it, either, but we took the tour because it was part of our conference fee.”

“It was?” Hayley blinked. “A bunch of ministers scheduled a tour of zombie film locations?”

“Oh, yes, they certainly did.” Her mother shuddered. “You would have hated it. Ghastly stuff.”

“Virginia wasn’t happy, but I was okay with it. Kind of fascinated, in fact. Keeping up with popular culture helps me stay relevant. Anyhow, after going on the plantation tour and then the zombie tour, I can’t get this mashup out of my head.”

“Warren, I don’t think this is the time or place for—”

“What if you combined a zombie apocalypse with Gone with the Wind?”

Her mom sighed and shook her head. “Badger, I apologize. He’s been going on about his idea ever since we came home.”

“Because it’s high concept!” Her dad focused on Badger. “Picture it, son. You’re from there, so this should resonate with you. Imagine zombie Scarlett raising her fist and delivering her famous line about never going hungry again. Is that not cutting-edge?”

Badger chuckled. “Sure is.”

“Can’t decide if Rhett Butler should be a zombie or the one fighting the zombies. What do you think?”

“Hard to say. Depends on whether you want to keep the romance between them or ditch it.”

“It’s iconic. I say keep it.”

“Me, too.”

“Dad, please tell me you’re not working in zombie jokes for the talent show.”

He shook his head. “No, sweetheart. That wouldn’t fit with my Holy Hilarity, Godman theme. But I could keep it in mind in case they do another show next year. What do you think, Badger?”

He smiled at her dad. “Zombies surely would be different.”

“I know, right?” Her dad’s answering grin was endearingly familiar. “Hey, Badger, what did one zombie say to the other zombie while they ate the comedian?”

“Beats me.”

Her dad’s grin widened. “He said, does this taste funny to you?” Then he cracked up.

So did Badger. It wasn’t a polite, fake laugh, either. He was clearly tickled by her dad’s goofy humor.

Hayley’s mom rolled her eyes before pushing up from her chair. “Time for a change of subject. Who wants dessert?”

That set the guys off again.

Hayley stood. “I’ll help.” As her dad and Badger began trading zombie jokes, she followed her mom into the kitchen.

Once there, her mom gave her a quick hug. “Oh, honey, he’s perfect.”

“He is?” She caught herself. “I mean, yes, he certainly is.”

“The minute I saw him I knew he was right for you.” Her mom took dessert plates out of the cupboard and set them on the counter. “But I never dreamed he’d be the perfect son-in-law for your father. He’s going to love having Badger in the family.”

“Mom, we’re almost engaged, but it’s a little early to toss around terms like son-in-law.”

“You’ll be engaged before this vacation is over. I saw the look in his eye.”

“You did?”

“That man’s crazy about you.” She took a pumpkin pie and a can of whipped cream out of the refrigerator. “Would you please switch on the coffee? It’s ready to go.” She took a knife out of the wooden block on the counter. “I just wish I could call him Thaddeus. It’s so much more elegant.”

“But he hates the name.” Hayley turned on the coffee pot and took mugs down from the cabinet above it.

“How can he? He’s named after his father and grandfather!”

Hayley had considered that, too, especially after finding out that he’d chosen Eagles Nest over Atlanta for his first stateside Christmas. But she wasn’t willing to share her speculations with her mother. “Maybe he was teased in school.”

“I suppose he could have been. Kids will do that.” Her mom sliced the pie. “But I love that kind of tradition. I wanted to name Luke after your father but he wouldn’t hear of it. He’s never been overly fond of his name, either. I guess I should be grateful he doesn’t want to be called Raccoon or Porcupine.”

“I like Badger. It’s—”

“Did I hear my name mentioned?” The man in question appeared in the kitchen doorway.

She looked over at him. Sure enough, he was standing smack dab under the mistletoe. Her mother always hung it there to go with her holiday apron that said Kiss the Cook. “I was just saying to Mom that I like your nickname.”

“And I don’t dislike it,” her mother said. “But I think your given name has a certain ring to it. I hope you’re planning to use it on the wedding invitations.”

Hayley gulped. “Mom, we haven’t exactly—”

“Don’t worry.” He gave her a quick glance. “We’ll use it on the invitations.”

“Oh, good.”

“The pie looks amazin’. I came in to see if I could carry anything in for you.”

“That would be lovely.” Her mom glanced at him. “Hayley,” she said in a sing-song voice. “Look where he’s standing.”

“What?” He turned right and then left. “Is this a bad place?”

“Oh, no, you’re in the exact right place,” her mom said. “Go on, Hayley. Claim your kiss.”

He looked up and spied the mistletoe. “Aha.” Amusement flickered in his eyes as Hayley approached. “Guess I’m caught.”

“Seems like it.” She couldn’t be tentative about this kiss if she wanted her mom to believe they were madly in love. Her heart beat so loud she was scared he could hear it or worse yet, her mom could.

Arms at his sides, he watched her.

“First time under the mistletoe.” She slid her palms up his solid chest. The guy had some serious muscles. And surprise, surprise, his heart was going fast, too.

“Then you best make it good, darlin’.”

She stepped closer and gazed into eyes that had darkened to the color of rich chocolate. “Can’t make it too good with Mom in the room.”

“You two lovebirds just pretend I’m not here.”

His mouth twitched as if he might be holding back laughter. Great mouth. Full. Sensuous. Dizzy with anticipation, she raised up on tiptoe and pressed her lips against his.

Oh, boy. In trouble, now. Velvet. Yielding. Supple. Pleasure source. Want more… Danger, danger!

Stepping back with a gasp, she unclenched her fingers from his shirt. Whoops. Got a little carried away.

Slowly he opened his eyes. Heat flared as he held her gaze.

She swallowed. “Merry Christmas.”

“Same to you.” His voice was husky.

“Whew!” Her mom giggled. “That was the hottest mistletoe kiss I’ve ever seen!”

“What’s going on in here?” Her dad appeared behind Badger.

“Just our happy couple enjoying their first Christmas, Warren. Remember our first Christmas?”

“Like it was yesterday. You had that red knit dress. Take it from me, Badger, a blond in red on Christmas Eve is hard to resist.”

“I believe you.” He glanced at Hayley. “Did you pack a red dress?”

“I did not.” A red flannel nightgown, but he’d never see that.

“So,” her dad said. “Are we having pumpkin pie or not?”

“We’re having it.” Her mom picked up the can of whipped cream and quickly placed a frothy layer of white on each piece. “Grab your pie, pour yourself some coffee, and off we go. There’s cream in the fridge if you need it, Badger.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I take it black.”

Hayley made a note. It was something she should already know if she expected to pull off this charade.

That kiss hadn’t been a charade, though. She wouldn’t have to fake her attraction to this guy. “I’ll take some, though. Thanks, Mom.” She was the only one in the family who liked cream in her coffee. Her mother always remembered to stock it when she came to visit.

Little things like that touched her heart. She could appreciate them more when she wasn’t fending off would-be suitors her mother had lined up. So far Badger’s plan was working out exactly as planned.

Mostly. She’d expected to enjoy getting to know him better. She hadn’t expected that one kiss with virtually no body contact other than a lip-lock would inspire fantasies of naked time alone with him.

Dream on, girlfriend. He was staying at the ranch and she was staying with her parents. Still, it was fun to think about.

Once they were back in the living room with pie and coffee, her mom began organizing the troops. She glanced at Badger. “Hayley said besides coming to meet us, you’re also here to see Ryker McGavin.”

“Yes, ma’am. He and I served together. By the way, this pie is delicious. Pumpkin is my favorite.”

“Hayley’s, too, but I’m sure you knew that.”

“I’m not sure he did, Mom.” Might as well lay the groundwork for future slipups. “When you carry on a long-distance relationship, you don’t find out quite as much about each other.”

“I understand and I’m sure you’ll figure out a solution so you can be together all the time. Love finds a way.”

Badger glanced over at Hayley. “We’re workin’ on it, right, darlin’?”

“Sure are.” She needed some term of endearment for him. Or not. If she hadn’t used one so far it might seem weird if she started calling him by a cutsie name now.

Her mom put down her coffee mug. “I don’t want to make things difficult for either of you during this holiday. I remember early in our marriage Warren and I had to figure out how to appease both families as they competed for our time. So, Badger, tell me what you already have going with Ryker and the McGavins and we’ll work from there.”

“Kendra’s plannin’ a big family dinner tomorrow night. She’s asked if Hayley can come, but I didn’t make any promises. I need to be there, though.”

“Of course you do. And Hayley should, too. You’re a couple, after all.”

Hayley was used to her mother making decisions for her but tonight she decided to assert herself. “I don’t have to go over there, Mom. If you have some activity in mind, let me know.”

“I had a plan but I’ve scrapped that now that everything’s changed. I think it would be great if you went to Kendra’s tomorrow night and got acquainted, since Ryker and Badger are such close friends.”

“All right, then.”

“In the morning we could go shopping in town. I still need a couple of things. Then we can have lunch at the Guzzling Grizzly. You’re welcome to come along, Badger.”

“Thank you, ma’am, but Ryker and I are takin’ the Beechcraft up in the mornin’.”

Her dad put down his coffee. “I’ll be doggone. So that’s where Ryker got the name. I’ve seen the ads for his commuter service but I couldn’t figure out why he called it Badger Air. I like it, though. It’s funny. That logo with the badger wearing a World War I leather helmet is hysterical.”

Badger chuckled. “Yeah, it is. I was still deployed when he had that designed. He sent me a picture and I tacked it up in the barracks. The guys loved it.”

“I’ll bet.” Her dad picked up his coffee again. “I may be making a leap, but are you two in business together?”

“In a way. I’m more of a silent partner.”

“Nice.” Her dad sipped his coffee. “You planning to do any flying now that you’re out of the service?”

“That’s still up in the air.”

Her dad laughed. “Good one.” He sent a smile in her direction. “I like this guy. He has my cornball sense of humor. You have my permission to keep him around.”

“Thanks, Dad.” His happy expression made her heart ache. She’d expected her mom to be over the moon regarding the new development but she hadn’t figured on her dad taking such a shine to Badger. Damn.