Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy - Diana Palmer Page 0,116
the escalator to the second floor and held on to it as they went into the big department store that anchored one end of the mall. She still didn’t enjoy shopping for clothes. Years of Jason criticizing her taste and judgment were hard to shake off.
True to his promise, Ted didn’t say a word as he followed her through the racks. He did volunteer to carry the ever-increasing pile of garments she gathered as she went and she was very grateful for that. A salesperson glided up and offered to set her up in a dressing room, which Veronica accepted.
Eventually, she found herself in her own space and quickly set about trying on all the things. Most of them she discarded immediately, but there were three she liked. She glanced doubtfully at the door. Should she go out there and show Ted? Would he really be able to keep his mouth shut?
She reminded herself she’d been a free woman for two years now, and that what she wore was totally up to her. She unlocked the door and went out to where Ted and a couple of other guys were all sitting staring glumly at their phones. He looked up as she approached and smiled.
She did a little twirl. “What do you think?”
“It’s great,” Ted said. “I like the color.”
He continued to smile approvingly while she waited for the but, which never came. Eventually, she went back to try on dress number two. It was a soft pink color with an embroidered skirt and a red sash that complemented her coloring nicely.
This time, he stood up and his smile was definitely hotter. He didn’t need to say anything because she already knew he liked it, but she still asked.
“It looks good on you,” he finally said, his gaze firmly on her face. “How do you like it?”
“I think it’s my favorite,” Veronica confessed and lowered her voice. “You don’t think it’s too revealing, or too juvenile for me, or anything?”
“Nope.”
“That’s it?” She looked up at him.
“Yup. Did you say there was one more contender?” He gently turned her around and pointed her back at the dressing room. “Let’s see it, then.”
Chapter Five
“Hey, Dad.” Ted waved at his phone as his father, Kevin, who had finally conquered FaceTime, appeared on the screen. He looked tanned, relaxed, and way healthier than he had in years. Despite his initial concerns about the trip, Ted was beginning to believe that it had been a good thing for both of them.
“Hi, son! How’s snowy Morgantown?”
“Snowy.” Ted grinned back at him. “How’s Hawaii?”
“We’ve just left Maui and we’re heading to the Big Island overnight. It’s all been great. The food is good, the weather, the company . . .”
“Awesome. Is Victor there?”
His dad looked around. “I can find him if you want me to. What’s up?”
“Maybe you could just give him a message? His niece Veronica turned up, thinking he’d be there.”
“Vic wouldn’t have come if he’d known Veronica was visiting.” Kevin frowned. “He loves that girl.”
“I think it was a sudden decision,” Ted said tactfully. “Anyway, just tell him that she’s staying with me over the holidays, and that he can see her when he gets back, okay?”
“With you?”
Ted shrugged even though his father couldn’t see all of him. “Yeah, everywhere else is all booked up for the Hayes wedding of the year.”
“No, you really liked her. I remember Vic and I joking that we were going to be in-laws one day.”
“Dad . . .” Ted blushed like a teenager. “Stop. She’s just staying here until Victor gets back.”
“You’re a fool if you don’t take advantage of that, aren’t you? She’s a nice girl and that ex-husband of hers was a dirtbag.”
“So I hear.”
“Then reach out to her! Get off the couch and live a little, okay?”
“That’s hardly fair,” Ted pointed out. “I stayed here for a reason. I’m not the kind of guy who walks away when his family needs him.”
“Beth is doing great now, and so am I. It’s time for you to reach out for what you want.”
“Fine! Great! I’ll do that, okay?” Ted scowled at his father. “Pass my message on to Victor, will you? If he wants to talk to her, he can call my cell or try hers.”
He abruptly ended the call, feeling more unsettled than he should have been. He walked out into the family room where Veronica had set