Page 21 of Evergreen Christmas
Carol Belle nudged her. “Kandy. There’s a world of difference between you and Max Reynolds.”
Kandy’s smile dimmed. “I know.”
“I know he’s taken a shine to you, but he’s fifteen years younger than you.”
Kandy lowered her hand and looked away, refocusing on the crowd. “I know.”
Carol Belle sighed. “Any man would be lucky to have you in his life, Kandy, and I don’t mean to offend you or butt into your business, but you know how much female interest there is in Max around here and—”
“I know exactly what people would think,” Kandy whispered. “And say. Which is why I keep my distance. The only time I see him is when we go to Kringle’s Café, so there’s never been—and never will be—anything other than hot cocoa and red velvet cupcakes between us.”
Carol Belle sighed. “I don’t mean to—”
“It’s okay.” Kandy looped her arm around Carol Belle’s. “I know you’re just being a great friend and watching out for me. And I also know how far along I am in life and how much younger Max is.” She shrugged. “It’s just a nice fantasy. The way he looks at me . . . I’ve never had a man look at me that way before. Not even Carl noticed me the way Max does. Max thinks I’m interesting and fun.” She wound a pink curl around her finger and grinned. “He even complimented my hair.”
Carol Belle laughed. “Maybe he deserves more respect than I give him.”
“He does.” Kandy held her gaze. “He’s respectful and kind. In all these years, I’ve never felt like I was missing anything by not dating or marrying again. I’ve been fulfilled by Carl’s memory and happy with you and the girls. Max is the first man I’ve been interested in since I lost Carl, and my attraction to him was a complete surprise. Do you know how great that feels? To admire someone again? Tobeadmired again?”
Carol Belle nodded. “I can imagine.”
Kandy squeezed Carol Belle’s arm. “Anyway. That’s all there’ll ever be between me and Max Reynolds. Admiration, hot cocoa, and red velvet cupcakes. A nice fantasy of what might’ve been if circumstances were different. But now, it’s time to honor the memory of Carl and George by kicking off this competition.” She tipped her chin toward the crowd and grinned. “I see our top two contenders for the Christmas Crown have arrived. And from the looks of things, I think they might be scoping each other out.”
Carol Belle followed Kandy’s gaze and scanned the crowd, her eyes focusing first on Nate then on Jordyn, who stood on the other side of the town square. “Well, what do you know? I think you might be right . . .”
“It’s almost time, Daddy!”
Nate glanced down and smiled at Roxie, who practically vibrated with excitement at the scene unfolding before her in Noel’s town square. She’d been anxious for tonight’s celebration and had even welcomed his suggestion two hours earlier that they both spruce up a little bit before attending the evening’s ceremony. Normally a rough-and-tumble type of girl, Roxie usually chose to wear jeans and a sweater. But tonight, she’d insisted upon wearing her favorite red Christmas cardigan which had little bells sewn into the cuffs, and she’d even insisted that Nate tie a red ribbon around her ponytail.
“Do you think Ms. Jordyn will wear a ribbon in her hair tonight, too, Daddy?” she’d asked, looking up at him with wide eyes as he’d combed her hair.
That had been the first of many questions Roxie had peppered him with as they had prepared for the celebration, climbed into his truck and driven into town.
Roxie, seated in the back seat of the extended cab, had begun asking questions the moment they left the driveway and had continued up until the second Nate parked the truck near the town square. She’d wanted to know exactly how tall Jordyn was, if Jordyn curled her hair or if it was naturally wavy, and where Jordyn had found cowgirl boots with blue stitching like the ones she’d worn at the gift shop. Was Jordyn’s quarter horse a pearl white or an ivory white like the one they were currently boarding at Frosted Firs Ranch? How fast did a barrel racing horse run on average and did Nate think Jordyn’s horse would be faster? Did Nate think Jordyn would mind if they came by Chestnut Ridge to visit Jordyn and see her horse? And if they did visit Jordyn, did Nate think Jordyn would let her ride Star?
By the tenth question, Tucker, who was seated in the passenger seat during the ride to town, had grinned, shot Nate a sly look and whispered under his breath, “Looks like you’re not the only one who’s taken a shine to Jordyn.”
At the time, Nate had brushed Tucker off and changed the subject, but he had to admit to himself that he had as much trouble getting Jordyn out of his mind as Roxie did.
He hadn’t expected Jordyn to ask about his being married, though the question and her interest was understandable considering she’d met Roxie. But he’d been unprepared for the opposing mix of emotions he’d experienced at the relief in her eyes when he told her he wasn’t married and that his little family consisted of only him and Roxie.
On the one hand, saying he’d lost Macy out loud had stung as painfully as it always did, but realizing Jordyn’s interest in him might be as intense as his interest in her also filled him with a sweet ache of pleasure.
It felt good to be wanted—especially by a woman as intriguing and beautiful as Jordyn. And he couldn’t help but wonder, for the first time in years, what it might feel like to date a woman he was truly attracted to again. What would it feel like to spend some part of his day as a single, carefree man rather than a somber businessman and bone-weary single dad? Would he feel that same rush of heady emotion every time he was with Jordyn? Or, after spending some time together, would this pull of attraction he felt for her fade a bit?
Surprisingly, he found himself wishing he could throw caution to the wind and enjoy exploring a romantic relationship with Jordyn while still maintaining the status quo at the ranch.
But as a single father, he couldn’t undertake any sort of personal change without considering Roxie’s best interests first. Besides, he and Jordyn could only be friendly enemies now that she’d broken the news to him that she planned to enter the Christmas competition and use the Fraser fir in her backyard to secure a win.
And he had to give Jordyn credit. She’d been honest and direct about her intentions when she’d visited him at the gift shop earlier; he admired her determination. It was clear she was a strong competitor.
What was it she’d said?
I’ve never forgotten how it felt to have someone supporting and cheering me on.
It was a shame they weren’t on the same team. He would’ve enjoyed working with her, supporting and cheering her on . . . or at least he thought he might. But at the same time, the thought of spending Christmas with another woman—even in an innocent fashion—filled him with a sense of betrayal. Christmas had always been the most special time of year for him and Macy.
“Can I, Dad?” Roxie stared up at him expectantly.
