very merry Christmas from my home to yours!
Patricia Johns
To my husband, my very own happily-ever-after.
Contents
Note to Readers
GABBY ROGERS AND SETH STRAIGHT had driven out to Benton, Colorado, for the privacy—because if they’d done this in Eagle’s Rest, their secret would be impossible to keep. Gabby pulled her honey-blond hair away from her face, then rubbed her hands over her arms. Her cream knit dress wasn’t warm enough in the chill of the courthouse. She shivered. The old building was decorated for the holidays—Christmas was only two weeks off—but there were drafts coming from windows, and Gabby found herself wishing she’d left her thick winter coat on. Except that didn’t seem quite appropriate for her wedding—even this wedding. In all her fantasies, her wedding day had never been like this—so sterile and logical. She’d been positive that when she did marry, it would be for love—what other reason made it worth it? But this was smart; they’d agreed on that much.
Times were tough right now. She was a mother to triplet newborns, and that had changed her life in every possible way. The father wasn’t in the picture. Just about the time she discovered she was pregnant, he’d revealed that he was already married. She’d been stunned, heartbroken. She’d been thinking he might be the one, only to find out he’d been lying from the start. So though she’d delivered her babies with his financial assistance, their relationship was over. Now she was on her own, back in her hometown of Eagle’s Rest, Colorado, with a broken heart and trying to figure out where her ex’s lies had started and ended. Recovering after childbirth and now realizing she had no way to afford her baby boys’ expensive formula… This idea of marrying her best friend had made so much sense a few days ago, when she and Seth Straight were making their plans. They were getting married for mutual benefits, and love didn’t have to factor into their arrangement. Love never steered her right, anyway, and Seth was the best man she knew. This was sensible…wasn’t it?
“Are we crazy?” Gabby asked, looking over at Seth. She fiddled with the flowers and realized belatedly that she’d been slowly shredding a rose petal.
“Maybe.” Seth shot her a wry smile. He had worn his Sunday best—a suit and cowboy boots, with his white cowboy hat tucked under one arm. The last five years had aged him, with some silver laced through his auburn hair, and eyes that were a whole lot sadder. He’d always been the guy who was so cautious and organized that she’d assumed heartbreak would skip him. But no one was immune, it seemed, so here they were, along with their mangled hearts.
Gabby missed her babies right now, and that lonesome feeling was squeezing out her other misgivings. This was the first time she’d been separated from her newborns since they’d been in the NICU at the hospital. Funny how the same feeling of panic seemed to rise even when they were healthy, growing, and safely being cared for by Aunt Bea for the afternoon. Gabby’s mother was working a double shift, which was actually a good thing. This wedding was top secret and she had no idea how she’d explain it. One thing at a time.
Gabby glanced at the clock. They had five minutes until it was their turn in the judge’s office. Then they’d be married. This would be very final, if she went through with it.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Gabby asked, stepping closer to Seth, searching his face. “Because we can still back out.”
Was she hoping that he would change his mind? Maybe. It would be easier to step away from this solution if Seth pulled