Mistletoe Mistake (River's End Ranch Book 35) Read online

  Olivia poured herself a cup of coffee and added some leftover pumpkin spice, looking away as Fred curled his nose. She sat down at the table with Gillian.

  “Thank you so much for everything you did for us. The wedding was beautiful,” she said as she sipped her coffee.

  “It sure was, Mom. Thank you.” Fred sat down beside Olivia and glanced at the legal tablet Gillian had been scribbling on.

  “What’s this?” he asked as he turned it and cocked his head.

  “Oh, just some scribbling,” Gillian said as she remembered the Franklins and their predicament. Olivia and Fred were both her business partners now, so she went ahead and explained about the phone call.

  “Well, that’s rotten,” Olivia said with concern. “Not something you want to worry about at Christmas, that’s for sure.”

  “What happened?” Fred asked. “They were so certain that their business venture would be a success—and so were we, if I remember correctly.”

  Gillian sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I remember. They even had projections for three years laid out. It all looked good.”

  Olivia looked down into her coffee cup and let out a deep breath.

  “Olivia, what is it?” Fred asked as he reached across the table for her hand.

  “Sometimes things just don’t work out. My grandparents lost their farm in Texas to the bank that held the mortgage. My father and uncle were pretty little. It was devastating for all of them.”

  “That sounds horrible,” Gillian said as she and Fred exchanged glances. “The Bank of Riston has been fortunate that we’ve never had to foreclose on anything.”

  “No, and I don’t imagine we want to start now. The Franklins seemed to really want to make a go of this business.”

  “Do they have children?” Olivia asked quietly.

  “No, why do you ask?” Gillian stood and poured herself a cup of coffee—and added pumpkin spice flavoring as Fred rolled his eyes.

  “I know it was really difficult for my dad and my uncle. They loved that ranch. Had to live in the city after that, and I think it really took a toll.”

  “Oh, dear,” Gillian said as she sat back down at the table and reached for the pad of paper. “I promised I’d go out to talk to them right after the Jingle-Bell Jam and see what we could work out.”

  Olivia reached for the pad and looked over the numbers. “If it’s all right with you two, I’ll pull their file tomorrow and see if there’s anything I can see that might help.”

  Gillian reached for her daughter-in-law’s hand. She’d known from the first day they met that Olivia’s heart was as big as Fred’s, and it was a comfort to know that bringing her into the business would keep their mission true and their desire to help people on the forefront.

  “Thank you, Olivia,” Fred said as he poured himself a cup of coffee and pushed the can of pumpkin spice back into the corner. “That would be great.”

  “Okay, then, we’ll hit it first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll be spending most of this week collecting silent auction items, so I won’t be much help until after the gala, I’m afraid.”

  Gillian glanced at Fred, who was shifting from foot to foot and looking at his wife. Olivia had already started writing down numbers and Gillian gently pulled the pad away as Olivia looked up, confused.

  “I think that your husband is anxious to move you into the other suite, my dear. You two run along. There are leftovers in the fridge. I’m going to head to bed. I’m sure you’ll excuse me. And welcome home,” she said as she gathered up the notepad—and the box with the satin ribbon—and headed toward her wing of the house she’d shared with her son and husband for years, thinking how wonderful it was to have Olivia there to share it with them now—and now Opal, too.

  Chapter 3

  “Penny for your thoughts, Dad,” Opal Hamilton asked her father as they zipped down the highway toward the airport.

  Allen glanced at his daughter and smiled. She’d stayed home after Olivia had gone off to college, attending the local community college and he had been grateful. After their mother died, his girls were much of his comfort, and he was glad they were together now.

  “Not sure they’d even be worth a penny, sweet pea,” he said as he glanced out the truck window at the magnificent mountains as they whizzed by. The area had already had a couple decent snowstorms and most of the trees were bare, aside from the pine trees. It was a beautiful area and he knew Olivia felt the same, and now would likely never leave.

  “I’m sure that’s not true,” she said with an elbow to his ribs. “I’m always interested in what you have to say.”

  No matter how close they were, he really didn’t want to share what he’d been thinking at that particular moment. He even hoped that his heated cheeks didn’t give him away as he thought about dancing with Gillian Wharton at the wedding. Before that, he’d not given a second’s thought to anything romantic, and he wasn’t even sure he wanted to now, but it had been fun to spin her around the dance floor. And when the kids had wiggled their eyebrows and winked at both of them—well, he didn’t even know Gillian, but it was an unfamiliar feeling, one he hadn’t had in years and years.

  “Dad?”

  “What, honey?” he said as they turned into the parking lot of the airport.

  “I asked what you were thinking. You were a million miles away.”

  “Just thinking about your mom. And your uncle. And—well, olden days.”

  Opal let out a laugh. “Olden days? Dad, you’re not that old.”

  “Hm,” he said as he found a parking space and jumped out as soon as he’d turned off the truck to catch up with Opal. She was out like a flash and heading into he terminal.

  “Besides, Uncle Aaron is here. We’re going to have a great time. I’m so glad he could come. We’ve never had a Christmas without him, and I didn’t want to start now.”

  Allen wasn’t going to jump up and down, but he was probably just as excited to see his brother. They’d been a terror, the two of them, when they were little. And although they were almost like night and day, his brother was the closest friend he really had.

  Opal squealed as they opened the door to baggage claim, and Aaron popped out from behind her and tugged at her black braid.

  “How you doing, little one?” he asked as she turned and gasped, throwing her arms around his neck.

  “Oh, Uncle Aaron, it’s so good to see you. Merry Christmas,” she said as her uncle kissed her on the cheek and pulled his brother into a big bear hug.

  Allen stepped back, his hands on Aaron’s shoulders. He really was a sight for sore eyes.

  “Hey, old man, getting a little gray there, aren’t you?” he teased as Opal looped her arms through her uncle’s and tugged him toward the car.

  “Looked in the mirror lately, brother?” Aaron said as he held the door for his niece and grabbed his suitcase.

  “Funny,” Allen said, and they all relaxed into familiar, easy chatter when they got in the truck and didn’t stop the whole ride back to the ranch.

  Aaron whistled as they traveled through the canyons, steep mountains on either side, leaning forward to look out the window and Allen smiled. Aaron had always appreciated new places—he’d sold his ranch several years ago and had been traveling ever since. But even when they were kids on their small ranch in Texas before they’d lost it, his older brother had always talked about wanting to be somewhere big and wet and green and cold—and River’s End Ranch was certainly that at this time of year. Especially if you considered snow wet.

  “Thought you might like it. We’re staying there at the ranch and Opal’s staying in the town we’ll pass through with her sister and the Whartons.”

  “That’s great. Thanks for putting me up. I can get a cabin here if that would be more convenient,” Aaron said as they passed through the gates to the ranch.

  “No, no, you need to stay with Dad and I’m excited to stay with Olivia. I’ve seen her about as much as you’ve seen Dad this last year. It’l
l be fun, and I’m sure we’ll be together a lot,” Opal said. “It’s perfect.”

  “Okay, if you say so,” Aaron said, just as his stomach rumbled.

  “If my memory serves, that means you’re starving,” Allen said with a laugh.

  “That’s perfect,” Opal said. “Fred and Olivia are meeting us at Kelsey’s Kafe. Olivia’s dying to see you and for you to meet Fred.”

  “Well, same here,” Aaron said as he clapped his brother’s shoulder. “It sure is good to be with family again.”

  “Oh, and Fred’s mother, too. She said she was coming. She’s really nice, and she owns the bank with Fred,” Opal said as they passed by the Bank of Riston and she pointed.

  “They own a bank?” Aaron asked as he stared at the old building, one of the oldest in town.

  Allen glanced quickly at his brother. “It’s the oldest bank in town and Fred is third generation there. He’s a great guy, Aaron, and his mother’s very nice. Not that kind of bank,” Allen said quickly.

  He met Aaron’s gaze and smiled, knowing exactly what his brother was thinking.

  “Yes, very nice. And very pretty,” Opal said as she poked Allen in the shoulder.

  Aaron glanced toward the bank once more then back at Opal. “Pretty, too, huh? Oh, is that the lady I met on FaceTime at the reception?”

  “You two FaceTimed at the reception? How did I miss that? I wanted you to see my dress.”

  Aaron laughed. “Your dad showed me. You and Olivia both looked stunning. And Mrs. Wharton did, too, I might add.”

  “Yes. She plays tennis and cooks and works at the bank. She has beautiful, wavy hair and is really funny—”

  “Okay, okay,” Allen said as he knew exactly where Opal was going with this. A repeat of the wedding.

  “Well, brother, sounds like she’s a catch,” Aaron said as he wiggled his eyebrows at Allen.

  “Not you, too,” he said. Gillian was very nice, and he didn’t disagree that she was very pretty. But he really just wanted to be friends, no matter what everyone else thought should happen. “I love your mother,” he said, hoping that would put the subject to rest, and disappointed that it didn’t.

  “Dad, Mom’s been gone for years. I know you loved her. We all loved her. But you’re too young to be a hermit.”

  He laughed and turned around to look at his daughter. “I’m hardly a hermit. I just sold the business and we’re here, aren’t we? On an adventure?”

  “Well, I meant a hermit with ladies. Right, Uncle Aaron? Like you, too, I guess.”

  Allen stifled a smile and looked at his brother. Aaron had never been married, and while he’d dated several lovely women, he’d never wanted to settle down. So technically, he was a hermit “with the ladies” as much as Allen was himself.

  He enjoyed watching his brother squirm a little. “Yeah, how about that, Uncle Aaron?”

  “You two leave me out of this. I’m very happy with things they way they are in my life.”

  “Are you really?” Opal asked. “Both of you?”

  Allen felt no need to fill the silence, hoping his brother would first.

  “Fine. You two just turn into old curmudgeons. I, for one, hope someday to be as happy as Olivia and Fred.” Opal crossed her arms over her chest and turned to look out the window.

  Allen and his brother exchanged quick glances, then chose to enjoy the majestic scenery like Opal for the rest of the ride to River’s End Ranch.

  Chapter 4

  Aaron reached over and adjusted the vents in the truck so that the warm air of the heater blew directly on him. He hadn’t been in cold weather in—well, quite a long time. His most recent travels had taken him down through the Caribbean, and he’d spent time in the Yucatan, climbing pyramids. When Olivia had called and said she was getting married, he’d been back on the ship and there was no way to get to a port in time for a trip to Idaho.

  But he’d made arrangements as soon as possible to come and see his family. He’d never missed a Christmas with his brother and his nieces. As his life had unfolded, he considered them the kids he’d never had, and he enjoyed every moment he had with them.

  It wasn’t that he’d never wanted children—he’d always thought he’d have several. But after his family lost their ranch to the bank, even as young as he was, he’d set out to never rely on anyone else ever again. His parents had never been the same, and he vowed it would never happen to him—and his work took up all of his time.

  He and his brother rarely talked about it, but their worst shared memories were of his mother sobbing as they put the last of their belongings on the back of their beaten-up truck as the bank manager stood by the gate, the deed in his hand, waiting for them to vacate. It echoed in his ears on bad days, and had prompted him to become a success at helping other people keep their farms. It was a career he’d been proud of, and he’d earned the opportunity now to not be tied down, to travel wherever he wanted, after years of hard work.

  He took in a deep breath, and leaned his head against the cold window of the truck. He was happy for Olivia and Fred, and he couldn’t wait to meet the man who’d captured his niece’s heart. He must be a great guy, because Olivia wouldn’t fall for anyone who wasn’t.

  He took a glance back at Opal, her eyes closed as she rested her head against the window. She had her whole life ahead of her, too, and he hoped she’d find the same kind of love. Love he’d never been lucky enough to find.

  Even Allen had had a wonderful relationship with his wife. And maybe he would again. But that time for him had passed, and he shrugged his shoulders, happy with how his life had turned out.

  At least he was here now, with his family at his favorite time of year. Allen laughed at him as he began to hum the tune of It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. They zipped past pine trees heavy with snow as his brother drove onward toward the ranch, and he pushed all of those thoughts about love from his mind, looking forward to meeting Olivia’s new family. He had everything he needed—right here. And besides, it was almost Christmas. How could it get any better?

  Chapter 5

  Allen pulled the truck up to the cafe where he and Opal had eaten a couple of times since they’d been at the ranch.

  When the three of them walked in, Olivia gave out the same yelp Opal had at the airport and she rushed over to hug her uncle.

  They walked past the counter and Allen couldn’t help but notice a woman staring as they passed by. She looked from him to Aaron and back to him, nudging the gentleman in the seat next to her. He’d never met her before and decided he must be imagining things.

  It warmed Allen’s heart to see Olivia so proud to introduce his brother to Fred, and after the introductions, they’d all sat down in the large booth in the restaurant and ordered lunch.

  “Olivia, I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it to the wedding. That’s the last cruise I’ll take for quite a while. There was no way to get off the darn boat and get back in time.”

  “Oh, Uncle Aaron, it’s all right. Fred and I will just torture you with pictures when they come back. Opal took great ones, as you can imagine.”

  “You’re getting good enough for wedding photography?” Aaron asked, turning to Opal who immediately blushed.

  “She’s the best,” Olivia said. “She’s studying it in school, after all. She should be.”

  Allen sat back and enjoyed the chatter of his family. Since the girls’ mother died, he felt best when they were all together and especially at Christmas, when his brother was around. He listened as Aaron explained all about his cruise and his travels in search of real estate to develop and wondered how he did it, traveling all the time. Allen wasn’t interested in all of that, but he did enjoy hearing about it when Aaron shared his stories.

  Fred looked past Allen to the door of the cafe. He stood up and waved, smiling wide. “Mom,” he said.

  Allen turned around as Gillian Wharton headed in their direction with a big smile. She’d been a gracious hostess to them since they’d bee
n there, and he enjoyed when she was around. He stood and offered her his seat, hoping Olivia would make the introductions.

  And she did.

  “Gillian, I’d like you to meet my Uncle Aaron,” she said. “He’s just arrived from Florida.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Gillian said as she shook his hand and smiled.

  “Same to you. Although we briefly met over an iPhone,” he said, and Gillian laughed.

  “Oh, that’s right. We did,” she said.

  “It seems you and your son have captured the hearts of my family.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that, but they all have captured ours.” She smiled at Fred and winked at Olivia as she took the seat Allen offered and he reached for another chair.

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” Gillian said as she looked quickly at the menu. “I’m having such a time collecting all the silent auction items for the Jingle-Bell Jam. People have never donated this many items before.”

  Fred offered an explanation as the majority of the group looked a little confused, Allen included.

  “Mom and Dad have been involved in the charities of Riston for—well, ever since I can remember. Olivia and I offered to help collect donations, but she likes to do it herself,” he said as he smiled and nodded at his mother.

  “All by yourself?” Allen asked, his eyebrows rising.

  “Well, yes, but there have never been this many donations before. It gives me an opportunity to see people I haven’t seen in a long time and to check in. The Bank of Riston has helped many of these people get started in business and it’s just a nice chance to check in,” she said as she looked around the table. “I’m not being a martyr, truly I’m not.”

  “How did you know that’s what we all were thinking? We’d be happy to help,” Olivia said as she smiled at her mother-in-law with genuine affection that Allen couldn’t miss.

  He wanted to offer to help, but Gillian seemed determined and he didn’t want to interfere. He didn’t know her that well.