Her Montana Christmas Groom. Teresa Southwick
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one. To find a hometown boy with an engineering background, a doctoral student researching green energy alternatives…” The complexity of what he did boggled her mind. According to Ethan, he was brilliant, innovative and passionate about this new technology. Not just a pretty face, she thought. “Ethan is really excited about the possibilities.”
“That makes two of us.”
Was she imagining that his gaze lowered to her mouth when he said that? Probably. Desperation did strange things to a woman.
“I’m glad things are going well with my brother because he can be focused, intense and demanding.”
Austin’s expression was ironic. “You just described practically every guy I know.”
“Me, too,” she said, laughing. “And I know a lot of guys, what with having five brothers.”
“Lucky you,” he said with mock envy. “I’ve got two sisters.”
Rose had met the younger one, Angie, earlier at DJ’s Rib Shack as the holiday volunteers had split into teams. Rose had already been assigned to ride along with Austin, a newbie learning the ropes from someone more experienced. Her attraction to him had been instantaneous, and she’d asked his sister a few questions. She almost wished she hadn’t, but it was probably better to know up front that it wouldn’t work. Still, the disappointment had not made her things-to-be-grateful-for-on-Thanksgiving list.
“Seriously, though, Ethan is a great boss. And I owe him for giving me a start.” He rested his wrist on the truck’s steering wheel. “We’re definitely on the same page. Protecting Thunder Canyon and the environment is important to both of us.”
She nodded. “I haven’t lived here long, but I can certainly understand that this is a special place. Part of what drew me is that the town takes care of its own. I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
“Remember that at dinner when everyone has to say what they’re thankful for.”
She laughed. “Does your family really do that?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s tradition.” His dark eyes were warm with humor. “Are you cooking or going somewhere for dinner?”
“I’m not cooking for which my family is thankful,” she answered. “Ethan and Liz invited me to have dinner with them. What about you?”
“As far as cooking, I could engineer the heck out of trussing a turkey, but I’m not sure it would be fit to eat. It’s going to be a quiet dinner, just me, Angie and Haley. But we’re having dessert with the Cates clan because she and Marlon can’t bear to be separated for too long. The two of them decided to have this one last holiday with their families. A quiet one because the wedding is day after tomorrow.”
“I can understand that.”
“Why?”
“Duh. It’s a double wedding.” Marlon Cates was marrying Haley Anderson and his twin, Matt, was marrying Elise Clifton. By all accounts it would be a fabulous affair. “I hear it’s going to be the Thunder Canyon social event of the year. By the way, you’ll look great in the family pictures.”
Was it okay to say that? He’d never be her boyfriend, so it wasn’t flirting. Just the truth.
“You think so?”
“Yes. And you’re fishing for compliments again.”
“Busted again. You’ll be there, right?” he asked.
“Yes. Elise is the mayor’s cousin and he asked me to take notes for the press release from his office.”
“Just part of your job?” he asked.
“That and the Traubs have been friends with the Cates family for years.” She shrugged.
Austin studied her intently and there were questions in his eyes. “Double wedding. Social event of the year. Yet you don’t sound excited about it.”
“It should be great.” She hoped he didn’t see through the phony enthusiasm. “Are you looking forward to it?”
“Wearing a tux? Smiling until my face hurts? Being nice to everyone?” He shrugged. “Should be fun.”
“Now who doesn’t sound excited?”
“Who’s your lucky date?” he asked.
The question didn’t surprise Rose. She had gone out with more than a few guys here in town and earned a reputation as a “dating diva” which made her all the more pathetic for going solo to the wedding. But she couldn’t tell a lie. Even if she was tempted, he’d know when she showed up alone.
“I’m not going with anyone.”
“Then I’ll take you.”
Oh, God, he felt sorry for her. It was a pity invitation, but seriously nice of him. And that was such a problem. She’d seen him in action today and liked what she saw. He was funny, not scary-looking but scary-smart, and she’d spent a lot of time wondering if he was a good kisser. She could tick off at least five of her man-must-haves. Ironically it was number six on the list that was a problem. It was the same number that took him out of consideration. His sister Angie had told her how old he was and that made him six years younger than she was.
She’d always dated men at least five years older. It was the perfect age difference and part of her fantasy since she’d been a four-year-old flower girl at her first wedding. Going out with Austin wouldn’t put her in cougar territory, but definitely within growling distance as far as she was concerned. And that was unacceptable.
“I’m sorry,” she said, truly meaning that. “But I really can’t go with you.”
Austin was pretty sure that was regret in her big blue eyes. Rose. A beautiful, sweet name for a beautiful, sweet girl. Her hair was just dark enough to call auburn, but in the sun it was red. The freckles on her turned-up nose were extremely cute which was a contradiction to her voice. It was grit and gravel and gumption that scraped across his nerve endings in the best possible way. She was an intriguing combination of fire and ice that made him want to know her better.
“Why?” he asked.
“Why what?”
“Can’t you go with me?”
“Because I’m too old for you.”
Austin stared at her and figured if she hated his guts and would rather take a sharp stick in the eye than go out with him she could have come up with a better lie than that. He’d been lied to before, a betrayal so personal it left a mark that would never go away.
“How do you know how old I am, Red?” he asked.
“Someone mentioned it in the context of how much you’d accomplished for a guy your age.”
“So, what are you? Twenty-five? Twenty-six?”
Her full mouth pulled tight before she answered. “Just turned thirty.”
She looked like a college kid with her blue knit cap pulled low on her forehead and long, silky strands of red hair spilling over her puffy jacket.
“No way,” he said.
“Unfortunately it’s the honest-to-God truth.”
“Why unfortunate?”
“Because I thought I’d be married and a mother by now.” She sighed, a sound full of frustration and disappointment. “Back in Texas I knew a lot of women who wanted to get married but couldn’t find a guy. Men have it so much easier. They can snap their fingers and have women coming out of the woodwork.”
Austin disagreed. Not every girl was dying to get married and he’d showed the poor judgment to pick one of those. After that, getting serious was the last thing he wanted, although he was all in favor of having fun. He liked women. He liked Rose. Giving back through volunteering was something