Merry Christmas, Baby Maverick!

“You don’t need ice cream,” his wife told him.

“You didn’t need those new gloves you came home with when you were out Christmas shopping last week, but you bought them anyway.”

Trey fought against a smile as he got up to get the ice cream. His grandparents’ bickering was as familiar to him as the boarding house. They were both strong-willed and stubborn but, even after almost sixty years of marriage, there was an obvious affection between them that warmed his heart.

After they’d finished dessert, his grandmother asked, “So what are your plans for the evening?”

“Do they still show movies at the high school on Fridays?” Trey had spent more than a few evenings in the gymnasium, hanging with his friends or snuggling up to a pretty girl beneath banners that declared, “Go Grizzlies!” and had some fond memories of movie nights at the high school.

“Friday and Saturday nights now,” she told him.

“Two movie nights a week?” he teased. “And people say there’s nothing to do in Rust Creek Falls.”

His grandmother narrowed her gaze. “We might not have all the fancy shops and services like Thunder Canyon, but we’ve got everything we need.”

“You’re right,” he said. “I shouldn’t have implied that this town was lacking in any way—especially when two of my favorite people in the world live here.”

She swatted him away with her tea towel. “Go on with you now. Take a shower, put on a nice shirt and get out of here.”

Trey did as he was told, not only to please his grandmother but because it occurred to him that the high school was likely where Kayla and Natalie were headed.

Chapter Three (#ulink_aaba6802-d8ea-5ff6-b3c5-b90ba497db1d)

Kayla gazed critically at her reflection in the mirror and sighed as she tugged her favorite Henley-style shirt over her head again and relegated it to the too-tight pile. The nine pounds she’d gained were wreaking havoc with her wardrobe.

Of course, it didn’t help that most of the styles were slim-fitting and she was no longer slim. Not that she was fat or even visibly pregnant, but it was apparent that she’d put on some weight, and covering her body in oversize garments at least let her disguise the fact that the weight was all in her belly.

She picked up the Henley again, pulled it on, then put on a burgundy-and-navy plaid shirt over the top. Deciding that would work, she fixed her ponytail, dabbed on some lip gloss and grabbed her keys.

“Where are you going tonight?” her mother asked when Kayla came down the stairs.

She’d mentioned her plans at dinner—when she’d asked her dad if she could take his truck into town—but her mother obviously hadn’t been paying attention. Ever since Ryan put a ring on Kristen’s finger, her mother had been daydreaming about the wedding.

“I’m meeting Natalie at the high school,” she said again. “We’re going to see A Christmas Story tonight.”

“Is it just the two of you going?” her mother pressed.

“No, I’m sure there will be lots of other people there.”

“Really, Kayla, I don’t know why you can’t just give a simple answer to a simple question,” Rita chided.

“Sorry,” she said automatically. “And yes—it’s just me and Natalie tonight. We’re not sneaking out to meet boys behind the school.”

“Your turn will come.”

“My turn for what?” She was baffled by the uncharacteristically gentle tone as much as the words.

“To meet somebody.”

“I’m not worried about meeting somebody or not meeting somebody,” she assured her mother.

“I had sisters, too,” Rita said. “I know it’s hard when exciting things are happening in their lives and not your own.”

“I’m happy for Kristen, Mom. Genuinely and sincerely.”

“Well, of course you are,” she agreed. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a little envious, too.” A career wife and mother, Rita couldn’t imagine her daughters wanting anything else.

She’d been appalled by Kristen’s desire to study theater—worried about her daughter associating with unsavory movie people. She’d been so relieved when her youngest child graduated and moved back home to teach drama. Unfortunately, Kristen had faced numerous roadblocks in her efforts to get a high school production off the ground, causing her to turn her attention to the community theater in Kalispell.

Kayla was actually surprised their mother had approved of Kristen’s engagement to a Hollywood lawyer. But Ryan had fallen in love with Montana as well as Kristen and was planning to give up his LA practice—as his sister, Maggie, had done just last year when she moved to Rust Creek Falls to marry Jesse Crawford.

But, of course, now that Kristen and Ryan were engaged, it was only natural—to Rita’s way of thinking—that Kayla would want the same thing. Her mother would be shocked to learn that her other daughter’s life was already winding down a very different path.

“Getting out tonight will be good for you,” Rita said to Kayla now. “Who knows? You might even meet someone at the movies.”

Meet someone? Ha! She already knew everyone in Rust Creek Falls, and even if she did meet someone new and interesting who actually asked her to go out on a date with him, there was no way she could say yes. Because there was no way she could start a romance with another man while she was carrying Trey’s baby.

And no way could she be interested in anyone else when she was still hopelessly infatuated with the father of her child.

“I’m meeting Natalie,” she said again. Then, before her mother could say anything else to continue the excruciating conversation, Kayla kissed her cheek. “Don’t wait up.”

* * *

When Kayla arrived, Natalie was standing outside the main doors, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her coat, her feet—tucked into a sleek pair of high-heeled boots that looked more fashionable than warm—kicking the soft snow.

“Am I late?” Kayla asked.

“No, I was probably early,” Natalie admitted. “I needed to get out of the house and away from all the talk about weddings.”

She nodded her understanding as she reached for the door handle. Natalie’s brother had also recently gotten engaged. “When are Brad and Margot getting married?”

“That was one of the topics of discussion. Of course, Brad was married before, so he just wants whatever Margot wants. But Margot lost her mother almost three years ago, and her father’s been AWOL since the infamous poker game, so as much as she’s excited about starting a life with my brother, I think it’s hard for her to be excited about the wedding, and I don’t think my mother’s being very sensitive about that.”

“Believe me, I understand about insensitive mothers,” Kayla told her friend.

They paid their admission at the table set up in the foyer for that purpose then made their way toward the gymnasium.

“I always get such a creepy feeling of déjà vu when I’m in here,” her friend admitted.

“I know what you mean,” Kayla agreed. “It doesn’t help that Mrs. Newman—” their freshman physical education teacher “—works at the concession stand.”

Natalie nodded her agreement. “Even when I count out the exact change for her, she gives me that perpetual look of disapproval, like I’ve just told her I forgot my gym clothes.”

Kayla laughed. She was glad she’d let her friend drag her out tonight. Not that much dragging was required. Kayla had been feeling in a bit of a funk and had happily accepted Natalie’s invitation. Of course, it didn’t hurt that A Christmas Story was one of her all-time favorite holiday movies.

“Oh, look,” she said, pointing to the poster advertising a different feature for Saturday night. “We could come back tomorrow for The Santa Clause.”

“Well, I’m free,” Natalie admitted. “Which tells a pretty sad tale about my life.”