Page 57 of Marrying the Accidental Groom
He sat there, listening to the quiet rasp of her breathing, the hum of the heater, the creak of the old cabin settling in the cold. Every sound pressed in on him, filling the silence she’d left.
He’d seen that guarded look in Juliana’s eyes before, the one that said she was already bracing for disappointment. He wanted to shake her mom for planting more doubt when Juliana had already been through enough.
He rubbed at the back of his neck, staring at the faint glow of the lamp by the couch. He should’ve been relieved that Elaine Emerson hadn’t come out swinging with claws and insults—at least not at him. But the syrupy sweetness in her tone when she’d spoken to him in the hall had unsettled him more than outright hostility ever could. She hadn’t mentioned the inheritance clause directly, but the way she’d looked at him? It was like she was appraising a stock option instead of a man.
He hated it.
Hated even more the thought that Juliana might believe her. That she’d start second-guessing every kind gesture, every joke, every look he gave her—wondering if it was love or just convenience.
His gut twisted. That wasn’t what this was. Not even close. He wanted her, not the ranch. He’d spent his whole life trying not to get weighed down by expectations, and now the only future he could picture with any clarity was one with Juliana in it.
Still, logic kept whispering in the back of his mind. She deserved someone with polish, someone who wouldn’t make her feel like she had to clean up after him. Someone who wouldn’t hand her a plate of questionable gas station curry and call it dinner. He wasn’t that guy. And maybe she knew it. Maybe that’s what the distance was about.
He shifted in the chair, elbows on his knees, staring at his clasped hands. Every instinct in him wanted to fight for her. Tostay planted right here at her side until she looked at him again like she had on the trail, like he was the only one in her world. But the part of him that had lived long enough to know better whispered that love didn’t always win. Sometimes, it just wasn’t enough.
He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, then leaned back, forcing his shoulders against the creaky wood of the chair. For now, all he could do was stay put. Keep watch. And pray like crazy that she’d wake up tomorrow and still want him here.
21
JULIANA
Juliana had spent most of the last month at Redemption Ridge Ranch, but the few times she’d ventured into the small town itself, it always struck her as something straight out of a movie. Quaint shops. Lights strung like it was always Christmas. People who waved at strangers. After years in California and other big cities, it was almost unnerving—as if she’d stepped onto a movie set where everyone had memorized their lines.
Cassie had dropped her off for a few hours so she could get a haircut and do some Christmas shopping. If someone had told her three months ago that she’d be wandering the streets of a picturesque mountain town, picking out gifts for herhusbandand his family, she would have asked what kind of head injury they’d suffered. And yet, here she was.
The haircut had been the least expensive one she’d ever gotten. Her mother would be scandalized. But Julie at Peak Style had done a great job. She stepped outside, ran her fingers through her hair, and caught her reflection in the frosted window. Not bad. Maybe even better than the overpricedcuts she’d gotten in L.A. It was such a small thing, but she felt...content.
Her boots crunched on the salted sidewalk as she crossed to Donut Haven, the sugary warmth hitting her before she even opened the door. She ordered a peppermint mocha and eavesdropped on a conversation revealing that the owners’ daughter had gotten her learner’s permit.
Cup in hand, she strolled along Main Street, taking slow sips. It should’ve just been another errand run. But the more she looked around at the decorated windows or the bundled-up kids tugging their parents toward the bakery, the more she realized she liked being here. She liked the way people looked her in the eye and remembered her name. She liked waking up to the sound of horses nickering instead of traffic. She liked the way Gideon had a knack for turning ordinary moments into something she wanted to remember.
As much as she loved her time at Redemption Ridge—and as increasingly impossible it was to deny her feelings for Gideon—her brain kept dragging her back to the job offer from Harrison Hotels. Six months ago, she would’ve been doing mental cartwheels in Louboutins over the opportunity. Now, the follow-up email was still sitting in her inbox, unread, like it might bite.
It wasn’t like her to avoid problems or procrastinate on big decisions. She’d tried everything: pro/con lists, long walks, prayers that started frantic and ended exhausted, even two separate five-year vision boards. But still.. .no peace. No clarity. Just the constant tug-of-war in her chest.
Although, peaceful contented moments like this were few and far between in her former life. She could use more of these. And she couldn’t deny the way her heart twinged every time she thought about leaving Gideon. That was one giant item on the con column for the new job.
She ducked into Olive & Sage, hoping inspiration might strike in the form of the perfect gift for Zeke. She’d already scored a cool LEGO set for Stetson and toys for Arlo, Chance, and Juniper. Cassie and Connie were getting customized weekender bags stuffed with fancy soaps, lotions, and candles she’d scavenged from other local shops.
Gideon, though... Gideon was a problem. The absolute opposite of materialistic.
She scanned the shelves of spices and oils, wondering if Zeke was the type to care about smoked paprika. He was an interesting mix of foodie and down-home family food.
For Gideon, maybe an experience was better. Except. ..what kind of “experience” could she give a man who’d been everywhere and done everything? He said yes to life like it was his job. She smiled to herself, realizing that lately, she wanted to be part of those “yeses.” She wanted to keep saying yes to his crazy ideas.
With the shopkeeper’s help, she finally settled on a set of island-themed spice mixes for Zeke—a small tribute to where she and Gideon had started. A little farther down Main Street, she found a bench and settled in to wait for Cassie. People drifted by, even some familiar faces she was starting to recognize from the barn dance, church, or the ranch.
“I’m so glad I found you,” a breathless voice said from her left.
Juliana turned to see a woman in a bright-red coat rushing toward her, cheeks pink from the cold. She had medium-length brown hair and looked to be about the same age as Juliana, though the rainbow beads and random letters on the necklace she was wearing were a dead giveaway that they were in very different stages of life.
“Levi and the kids and I are headed out of town for the holidays tonight, but Gideon said this was urgent. I really don’t have time to run it up to the ranch, so seeing you is a lifesaver.”
“I’m sorry, what was your name again?”
The woman laughed, shaking her head. “Oh my word, I’m so sorry. I’m Ruby Thompson. I’m a lawyer and friend of Gideon’s. And I really need to get him these documents before he leaves, but he’s not answering his phone and the drive out to the ranch is just not on the schedule today.”
At that admission, Juliana felt a pang of empathy for Ruby. If there was anything she understood, it was how a wrinkle in the schedule could ruin all her plans. And this poor woman didn’t deserve to have her vacation ruined just because Gideon was probably jumping off a cliff or something.
