Page 18 of Festive Faking
But it wasn’t like there was much need for an architect in Rust Canyon. Most of the structures were close to one hundred years old, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone looking for a new build.
What no one knew was that this town was my inspiration, what drove my passion. They might believe I thought I was too good to settle down here, but I wanted to bring a little bit of Rust Canyon to the world.
That was the dream, at least. Who knew if I’d ever be able to make it a reality. That would require investors, people who believed in my vision as much as I did, and I wasn’t sure it was a strong-enough pitch for those with deep pockets. They wouldn’t feel it in their bones the same way I did.
Daddy must’ve taken my silence to mean I had no interest in coming home because he cleared his throat. “Well, it’s your life, sweetheart. So long as you’re happy, I can’t want anything more for you.”
My lower lip trembled.
I wasn’t happy.
Focusing on school had kept me busy enough that I didn’t have time to dwell on the fact that maybe I’d made a mistake leaving this place. I made sure I fell into bed exhausted most nights to eliminate any chance of the doubts creeping in.
There were too many what-ifs to count.
But I couldn’t go back. Only forward. I’d chosen my path and could only pray it led me where I wanted to go.
“Best hustle back to the house. Your mama will have cooked up a feast for breakfast since we have a guest.”
The reminder of Mac’s presence had the guilt associated with fooling my family bubbling over, and I couldn’t stop a sob from bursting past my lips.
My dad didn’t do well with crying women, but that didn’t stop him from hopping off his horse and easing me from my own saddle. Tucking me into his strong arms, he ran a hand down the length of my hair, which was left loose.
“Easy there, honey. I’ve got you.” He soothed me like one of his beloved horses.
I pressed my face further into his chest. I could come clean right now, tell him the whole truth. I knew he wouldn’t be mad or even disappointed, yet something held me back.
Maybe it was the memory of that kiss—the one I couldn’t put from my mind. Something about it had made me come alive—as much as I hated to admit it, given the other participant. A piece of me wanted to chase that feeling, and though I wasn’t sure how, I was determined to find out.
If I could replicate it, maybe that would be the key to finding happiness.
I was thankful for the darkness of night as Tripp drove us into town for Rust Canyon’s annual tree-lighting ceremony.
It was the premier event of the year. Everyone in our community gathered around an enormous evergreen to celebrate the upcoming holiday together. Every business in town was involved in some way. One shop hosted pictures with Santa for the kids while another offered crafts and games to keep them entertained so the parents could mingle. Food and beverage carts lined Main Street, along with live music and dancing, in addition to the various fundraisers being run for those less fortunate.
It was cheery and festive. Growing up, it had seemed damn near magical watching those lights come alive on a tree that appeared so tall it touched the sky.
Now, the whole thing made me nervous. Or, more accurately, it was the man by my side in the backseat doing that.
His dark eyes had held mine over the breakfast table, a question resting in them. I wasn’t sure if he was more curious as to why I’d cut and run before the sun, or if he’d noticed how red and blotchy I was from crying in the field with my father. Either way, I’d broken his gaze and dug into the hearty meal my mama had prepared.
It’s not like I could just come out and say, “Hey, Mac, remember last night? You know, that part where we kissed and I totally forgot my family was there watching as I mauled you. Oh, and you were hard, by the way, which I kinda liked because I’ve never had a guy get hard from touching me before.”
Yeah,sonot gonna happen.
I’d kept my distance for the rest of the day but couldn’t avoid him now. No, tonight we’d have to put on a show for the whole town. If we did a shit job, everyone would be talking about it in the morning. If we were convincing, then they’d start planning our wedding.
No matter which way you looked at it, I couldn’t win. This whole plan was a disaster from start to finish, but I was in too deep and determined to see it through to the bitter end.
Tripp parked in a lot behind the bar and cut the ignition. Turning his torso so he could peek into the backseat of his truck, he teased, “Curfew’s at ten, kids. Meet you back here at the car. Try not to get into too much trouble.”
I shoved at his shoulder. “You’re not as funny as you think you are.”
When Mac opened his door and the interior lights flooded the cabin, I caught Penny biting back a smile. She was such a sweetgirl, and smart too, working toward obtaining her vet degree so she could work on the ranch. Her dad had been the foreman our entire lives, and Atkinses lived on the property with us. They were practically family already, and I wasn’t sure what kind of push was needed for Tripp to finally make that leap.
She was right there. All he had to do was reach out and grab her.
“You coming?” Mac’s voice was accompanied by a cold blast of air as my door was wrenched open.
