A Fool's Gold Christmas (Fool's Gold #9.5)(46)

“You’re starting a cult.”

She looked up and saw Dante standing in the doorway to the studio. As always, the sight of him set her heart beating a little faster.

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

“Those girls. You’re training them to take over the world.”

She laughed. “You’re not making any sense.”

He walked toward her and took her hand, then led her to the window in the reception area.

“Look down there,” he said, pointing. “What do you see?”

“Lillie and Patience.”

“And how is Lillie wearing her hair?”

Evie saw the braids tightly wrapped around her head, then reached up and touched her own.

“A coincidence.”

“I don’t think so. All your students are copying you. It’s charming.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “You’re their role model.”

“I think I’m more of a cautionary tale.”

He kissed the top of her head. “You’re being too hard on yourself.”

He turned her toward him and kissed her again, this time on her mouth.

“What time’s your last class?” he asked.

“I finish at six and then I head over to the ranch for the hayrides.”

“Me, too.” He groaned. “I’d rather be home, having takeout with you.”

“Me, too.” She put her hands on his shoulders and stared into his blue eyes. “But instead, you’re helping my family. You’re a really good guy. I don’t usually fall for the good ones. I tend to be attracted to the losers of the world.”

He leaned close to whisper in her ear. “It’s the sex. You can’t help yourself.”

Evie was still laughing as he strolled down the stairs.

* * *

“I DON’T THINK SO,” Evie said, staring at herself in the mirror.

“Come on,” Annabelle said, handing over a set of pointed ears. “You look adorable. I can’t do it.” She patted her belly. “I’m pregnant. How would that look? And Heidi has to handle the petting zoo. You know how the goats get when they have company. They’re all so happy, they could accidentally knock over a four-year-old.”

Evie stared down at herself. She was wearing a green flared skirt, a long-sleeved red-and-green sweater, along with red-and-white-striped tights. Finishing up the outfit was a green hat and elf ears and pointy green elf shoes.

“I don’t want to be an elf,” she muttered. “What was I thinking?”

Annabelle beamed at her. “That’s the spirit.”

“I’m crabby.”

“Crabby works, as long as you smile for the pictures. Come on. I just heard a car pull up.”

Somehow, when she hadn’t been looking, Evie had been roped into helping with the annual hayrides at the ranch—a tradition Heidi and her grandfather had started when they’d first moved to the ranch a couple of years ago. Families drove out for an old-fashioned hayride. The various animals were available for petting, families could take pictures, and if they were very lucky, it might snow.

Evie sort of remembered agreeing to help, but that was before she’d figured out how busy she was going to be with the production and the other activities someone always seemed to be volunteering her for.

“I wrapped books,” she told Annabelle. “Isn’t that enough?”

Annabelle raised her chin. “Excuse me, but I’m not in charge of the hayrides. That’s Heidi’s thing.”

“Right,” Evie muttered, following her pregnant sister-in-law to-be out of the guest bedroom and toward the rear of the house.

She wanted to complain that she’d had to help everyone. Heidi tonight, Annabelle with the books, her mother with the pet adoption. Only all three of her brothers had shown up to refurbish her production sets, so it wasn’t as though she could really complain. And in truth it was kind of fun to be with everyone, in a low-key setting. Still, these were the most intense holidays she could remember.

She stepped out the back door and walked down to the lit pathway. The night was freezing, but clear. So far there wasn’t any snow in the forecast. Stars twinkled in the dark sky.

The wagon, decorated with swinging battery-operated lanterns and wreaths, stood by the barn. Shane had already hooked up the horses. Christmas music played from a stereo somewhere, and the scent of hot chocolate drifted on the air. Two cars had already pulled up, and children and adults were spilling out into the hay-riding loading area.

Evie watched them, seeing a familiar blonde woman. She was about to wave to Nevada when she realized the hair was all wrong, as was the man with her. Another of the triplets, she thought. Montana, she remembered.

She walked over. “You came for a hayride.”

“How could we resist? I can’t believe you have time to be here. Everyone is talking about what you’re doing with the dance,” Montana said. “We can’t wait to see it. This is Simon, my husband, and our daughter, Skye.”

Evie glanced down at the baby, prepared to give the obligatory coo. New parents expected that. But as she parted her lips to say something, Skye opened her eyes and stared at her. The baby’s mouth was a perfect rosebud shape. The corners turned up as tiny hands clapped together in excitement. Skye giggled and reached for her.