Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold #19)(42)

“I was holding those two in reserve. You never start by playing your princess card. Do you think she’ll be happy with the veil?”

“I hope so. If she changes her mind again and brings it back, I’ll have to figure out what to do.” Which was a problem for another day.

“Have you heard from Ted?” he asked.

Madeline did her best to hold in a giggle. “There was a brief thank-you note in my email this morning. He said to thank you for dinner and he wished me a happy holiday. I have a feeling you’re right. There isn’t going to be any more contact from Ted in my future.”

“You okay with that?”

“I couldn’t be happier.”

“He’s not the one who got away?”

She considered the question. “Maybe a year ago I would have said he was, but not anymore. I think maybe you’re right about him not letting go. I can’t figure out why, though. He wasn’t in love with me. If he was, he wouldn’t have married Marigold. But he refused to just disappear.” She glanced at Jonny. “I confess I’m not very good at staying friends with my exes. I suppose if I were a better person I would.”

“Not necessarily. Some people don’t like to let go. Others can be friends with everyone.”

He turned off the main highway onto a small road. The snow fell more heavily but the windshield wipers were able to keep up.

“I’ve never been out here,” she told him. “I’ve been to the Nicholson Ranch a few times.” She grinned. “Zane was very hot in high school.”

Jonny sighed. “I’ve heard he was voted the guy girls wanted to lose their virginity to four years in a row.”

“I’m shocked you know that.”

“I’m shocked there was a poll. Seriously? I expect better of your gender.”

“Have you seen Zane? He’s the classic silent-cowboy type. Strong and brooding. Teenage girls love a good brooder.”

Jonny glanced at her. “You know he’s happily married, right?”

“Yes, I do, and my crush is long over.”

“You’re sure?”

“Completely.”

She told herself he was teasing. Or maybe even flirting. But there was no way he was genuinely concerned. Or interested. Still, a girl could dream and she planned on having a very good night.

They drove up a long driveway. The snow was about six inches deep and still coming down.

“Do you plow this?” she asked. “You’d need a truck and a plow attachment.”

Jonny shook his head. “A guy comes through when we have weather. Having a service is the only way to keep the driveway open when I travel.”

He slowed down and drove carefully. Madeline noticed they didn’t swerve at all. Looked like he was good for more than action sequences on the big screen.

When they reached the main house, he parked in front. The ranch-style home sprawled out as if it had been added to over the years. There was a wide front porch and a big double door. The house wasn’t new, but it looked welcoming. Especially with the heavy dusting of snow.

“The toys are out back in one of the barns,” he told her. “Wait and I’ll come around. It’s going to be slippery out there.”

Because he wanted her to be safe. An excellent quality in a man. But if she slipped, wouldn’t he try to catch her? They could fall together in tangle of arms and legs. In real life, that would be desperately cold, but this was her fantasy. She could ignore everything except how it would feel to have him hold her close and—

“Ready?” he asked as he opened her door.

“Um, sure.”

She stepped out and immediately sank into about eight inches of snow. It was cold, but also beautiful. The trees looked like something out of a Christmas card.

“Around here,” he said, taking her hand and leading her past the house.

Once they were between the house and the garage, it was easier to walk. Then they were out in the open again and the snow drifted down steadily. She saw two big barns.

“My workshop is in there,” he said, pointing to the closer one. “The other has the open area for the wedding.”

“Let’s look at the toys first.”

He guided her to a side door. They walked into a foyer with two doors beyond. The right one led to a huge workout room. Seriously, it was the size of a professional gym. There was every kind of equipment imaginable and a few she couldn’t begin to place. No wonder he looked as good as he did.

The left door was partially closed. Jonny pushed it open and motioned for her to go first. He clicked on the lights as she stepped over the threshold.

“It used to be the ranch workshop,” he said. “It’s bigger than I need, but I like the windows.”

Despite the snowfall, light spilled into the room. There were a couple of long workbenches, two desks and lots of cabinets. Everything was obviously cared for but worn. Tools were hung neatly on a peg board. Carved toys filled open shelves.

She hadn’t known what to expect. Maybe some primitively honed bears or a shell of a car. Instead, the toys were smooth and detailed. The dinosaurs had carved scales and the cars had wheels that not only turned but had tread on their tires. One of the trucks could be loaded with blocks. She touched the side of a castle.

“These are amazing,” she breathed. “They’re so beautiful. They must take hours.”