Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy - Diana Palmer Page 0,108

Saturday at two.”

As she stood, she glanced back at the door and spotted Ted.

“Hey! What’s up? Tucker said you had a surprise for me.” Her gaze slid past him to Veronica.

“Ronnie?”

“I guess I’m the surprise!” Veronica rushed forward to envelop Avery in a giant hug. “It is so good to see you again.”

“Likewise.” Avery turned to Ted. “I didn’t realize you two were long-distance dating.” She grabbed Veronica’s hand. “You did come for the wedding, right? I guess that’s why Ted didn’t reply about his plus one because he wanted it to be a surprise.”

“I—” Veronica looked uncertainly up at him, and he shrugged.

“If you have room for Veronica, I’d love to bring her,” Ted said.

“Of course I do.” Avery grinned at them both. “It will make my wedding even better—if that’s possible.” She glanced back at January who was helping her son into his coat. “Is it okay if I bring Veronica out to the ranch this evening for my party?”

“Sure!” January straightened up, keeping a firm hand on the back of Chase William’s collar. “The more the merrier. Now, I have to get back to feed Elizabeth, but is there anything you need me to take with me, or any messages I can relay?”

“I think I’m good.”

“Then we’ll see you tonight.” January smiled at Ted and Veronica. “Have a great day.”

* * *

Half an hour later, they were walking back to Ted’s apartment, his new blue shirt and cowboy hat tucked securely under his arm. Veronica squeezed his sleeve.

“Are you really okay about me coming to the wedding with you?”

“I can’t think of anything I’d like better.” He unlocked the door and walked ahead of her up into the apartment.

“Because I feel a bit like you were put in an impossible position, and—oomph.”

Veronica, who’d been looking down, concentrating on the steps, walked straight into Ted’s chest as he turned around to talk to her. His arms closed around her, stopping her from falling backward, and she just stayed where she was, enjoying the heat of him and feeling far safer than she had in a long while. She knew somewhere deep in her soul that if Ted Baker gave you his trust and support, you were set for life.

But she’d have to tell him what she’d done, and the thought of him recoiling from her made her attempt to gently push him away.

“Veronica?”

He took a step back, but still reached out a hand to cup her chin so that she had to look up at him.

“What?”

“I—” His smile was crooked. “I just have this crazy idea that I want to kiss you.”

“Definitely crazy.” She tried to smile.

“You wouldn’t want that from me?”

She considered him carefully, the strong line of his jaw, his warm brown eyes and the mixture of confusion and desire behind his stare.

“What are we talking about here exactly?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead.” He sighed. “That’s me all over, right? That’s exactly why I’m stuck here pleading with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met to feel sorry enough for me to kiss me.”

“I don’t feel sorry for you.” Veronica moved past him into the apartment and took off her hat and coat. He thought she was beautiful? “I’m just trying to get my head around this whole thing.” She slowly unwrapped her scarf, took a deep breath, and turned to face him. He surprised her by speaking first.

“I was thinking, that seeing as everyone wants us to be a couple, we could oblige them during the wedding.”

He fixed his gaze on her and he looked so hopeful that she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Or not, if you think that’s a stupid idea,” he added hastily. “I know you’ve only just got here. It’s just that I’m having such a great time hanging out with you, that—”

Veronica held up one finger. She might sound confident, but after a year of crappy dates she wasn’t sure of the right approach to take anymore. And as this might be her last Christmas of freedom, maybe she’d better go all out and enjoy it.

“I don’t have any major objections to that idea.”

“You don’t?” Ted let out his breath. “That’s . . . awesome.”

“But I do have a few questions.” Veronica went into the kitchen and started making coffee purely to have something to do with her hands as her thoughts skidded around like a car on ice.

“Sure.” Ted followed her and leaned up against the countertop, arms folded over his chest. “You get