Mistletoe Weddings: Sweetwater Springs, #5

By Carol Burnside

Madison Kenedy feels like her world is in chaos. Her mother is a total shrew and hates Madi's boyfriend, Lucas Daniels.
 

Luke is Madi's rock and one of the best people she's ever known. His family has practically adopted her, but Luke has been distant of late, always working, and she's starting to think he's lost interest in their plans to marry.
 

Should she end things before he dumps her? 
 

Despite financial setbacks, Luke has been working for ages to buy wedding rings for Madi. He's planning to propose at Christmas -- then Madi breaks up with him.

But now the Vegas-style wedding venue at the city park gazebo, the second phase of Sweetwater Springs's Holiday Extravaganza designed to save the town from financial ruin, offers Luke new hope.
 

Suddenly Luke has a way to give Madi her dream wedding, but can he convince her that marrying her was his intent all along, not a desperate gesture brought about because of her ultimatum? He may end up looking like an idiot in front of the whole town, but with the help of friends and community, he's willing to risk it all for Madi.
 

Warning: Be aware that the holiday cheer in this book is invasive. You may experience the urge to buy gifts, put up a Christmas tree or sing carols. Those possible side effects are wholly the responsibility of the author. You're welcome. You may also experience the urge to smack the characters upside the head but remember they're young adults and still unused to adulting.

This book is the fifth in the Sweetwater Springs series. Each book is a standalone title and can be read out of order. However, a better reading experience is had when the books are read in order as characters from previous books appear in this and future books.

Visit the author at CarolBurnside's website
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Other titles by this author:
Sweetwater Springs series
A Suitable Wife
Her Unexpected Family
His Small Town Princess

Second Chances

Tropical Heat (all standalone novellas)
Sunset Beach Sizzle
Return To Paradise

Standalone titles:
Fake Fiance For Christmas
Nobody's Baby
Heart 2 Heart (a short story collection)
Home for Christmas (a complimentary short story & sample chapters)

Crainesian series (writing as Annie Rayburn):
Insight (short story)
Phantoms & Fantasies
Bittersweet Obsessions

Check Carol/Annie's website for an up-to-date list of titles available, excerpts and more.

Amazon reviews say Carol's books are:
"Highly captivating!" "intriguing and a wonderful read" "Emotional and heartwarming" "Engaging!" and "Great reading!"

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: B & R Bookery
• Release date: Dec 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215034699

Carol Burnside

Carol Burnside is an award-winning author of "Sizzling romance with heart and humor." Her personal second-chance-at-love story resulted in a marriage to her high school sweetheart. They reside in the Texas hill country, where Carol enjoys watching visiting wildlife from her covered back porch or poolside. Like any true southerner, she drinks tea in some form year-round. Carol's novel-length manuscripts have placed in numerous contests and won several, including the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence. She also writes as Annie Rayburn. Visit her blog at www.CarolBurnside.com/blog Like her page and interact with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolBurnside

Book preview

Chapter One

If only Luke would hurry up and propose, she would be out of her parents’ house and away from her mother’s constant nagging.

Madison Kenedy resisted the urge to plug her ears with her fingers as her mother scolded her while loading the dishwasher in a second-hand designer dress, the words spilling out like some actor reciting oft-practiced lines.

You’re sticking with a guy going nowhere fast, Madison. For Pete’s sake, you’re a Kenedy and meant for greater things than being a poor man’s wife.

No need to remind her mother that they weren’t related to the Kennedys of Maine, who excelled at public service, nor that the spelling wasn’t even the same. It had all been said, ad nauseum. Lucille Kenedy was convinced that some far-removed ancestor had changed the spelling because it fit her visions of grandeur that even Madison’s father, Charles (Chip) Porter Kenedy, III, and his lack of inheritance couldn’t shake.

Quietly, Madison left the kitchen and sprinted to the foyer, her neck taut with tension. Her long socks under jeans barely made a sigh on the polished-to-a-gleam tiled floor. She pulled on her red cowboy boots.

By now, any reasonable person would’ve realized that mama’s boy, Luke Daniels was just stringing her along. Five years, Madison. Five years!

Crap. The volume of her mother’s incessant complaints increased. She’d better hurry. Madison shrugged into her coat and slung on her little crossbody bag, so light it made quick getaways easier.

It’s a long time to waste on a no-account like that. The diatribe continued, her mother maligning Luke’s family next. The older sister with the bad reputation, that mousy younger sister afraid of her own shadow, the dad living off the government...

Madison grimaced as she turned the knob, knowing the front door would make the same creak as always while disengaging from the threshold. She exited quickly from the red brick ranch into the gloom of a winter evening that had but a sliver of moon showing.

Thank goodness for porchlights and streetlights. Some houses had already put their festive lights up for the holidays.

Vapor clouds puffed from her parted lips and her heart pounded as she pulled up her hood against a cold breeze. Still, she held her steps to a saunter down the sidewalk bisecting a sharply edged dormant lawn and prayed Luke would be on time.

He pulled alongside the curb as she reached the end of the sidewalk, his headlights slicing through the darkness between houses.

Behind her, the front door cracked open again.

Madison.

Cringing, she ignored the harsh whisper, knowing she could claim the sound of Luke’s idling motor obliterated the sound. Madi waited as Luke hopped out and rounded his old pickup to open her door.

They didn’t always follow this ritual, but he’d made it a habit in front of her house.

He bussed her lips with a brief kiss and assisted her onto the bench seat, the scent of cooked food and grilled steaks wafting over her before he closed the door.

Her mother would see that Luke was a gentleman. She would see. Yes, she would, but she would keep her caustic, denigrating words to herself because Kenedys didn’t yell from the porch like backwoods yahoos. No ma’am. Kenedys had class. They comported themselves with dignity.

Except in the privacy of their home.

It was rare that Madison had occasion to savor Lucille Kenedy’s rules of conduct being used against her.

She avoided looking back at the house and the stabbing glare she could feel between her shoulders. Instead, she watched Luke’s too-long fair hair shining under the headlights as he rounded the truck to climb in. Thanks for being on time.

She on a tear today? He clicked his seatbelt, which reminded her to do the same.

Why should today be any damn different? I’ll be so glad when we have our own place. It wasn’t something that hadn’t been said a dozen times before, from both of them.

Today it felt different.

Lately, rather than dreaming with her when she made such remarks, Luke clammed up or said something like, Yep or I hear ya.

Today he squeezed her hand, released it to shift into drive, then pull away from the curb. You’ll relax when we get home. We’re having beef stew and cornbread.

Home. For real, his mom’s little house felt more like home than her own did. While it irked both of her parents, she stayed over at Luke’s more often than not.

You didn’t bring your pack?

She lifted a shoulder, heart racing and breathing still rapid from her exit. Doesn’t matter. I have enough stuff at your place if I decide to stay over.

I thought that was the plan, Madi. Is something wrong?

There hadn’t been a plan. Just a habit.

Dammit, you know how her rants put me on edge. I need a few minutes to decompress, okay? She bit off the words and folded her arms over her midsection.

She’d always felt at ease with Luke, no matter how many years she’d been schooled to fake a calm outer shell. With him, she could be herself. Her real self, not the one she’d been raised to portray.

With Luke she was simply Madi, and his family called her that as well.

The nickname had not gone over well at home, where her mom insisted that those were for common folks, not people of their place in society.

Like Sweetwater Springs had high society.

But being called Madi felt like freedom all the same.

Okay. Sorry. I’ll hush. But put it away before we get to the house.

Nodding, Madi released a long breath. She’d been too harsh. It wasn’t his fault her mother was a shrew. Even so, she would keep her increasing doubts about them to herself.

Look, I’m sorry to dump on you after you’ve worked all day. I’ll put it away now. Talk to me. That’ll take my mind off other stuff. How was your shift at The Skinny Steer?

Same ‘ol, y’know? Though I did have a local celebrity come in for lunch. He and a friend sat right in front of my prep station. He shot her a grin, brows raised. A damn nice tip.

Good. Any juicy tidbits to share? She wasn’t all that interested but needed the distraction, and while they gossiped to each other about things they overheard at work, they had a rule not to share beyond that unless it was already common knowledge.

Maybe. It all relates to weddings. I heard the mayor and that realtor lady, Dixie DeLuca that we see ads for everywhere got married last night. Quick ceremony at his house with family. Speculation is that Dixie might be pregnant.

Seriously? Isn’t she kind of old for that?

Luke lifted a shoulder. I’m thinking she’s mid-thirties, so it could happen.

I guess time will tell, though I think it’s wishful thinking for the gossipers. They just want something juicy to keep them happy jawing about other people.

For sure. Hey, don’t you think it’s kind of unusual for two guys to be talking about a wedding? I mean, like the actual planning of it.

These days, who knows? Maybe the bride is too busy with her career to plan it and the guy knows what she wants.

Hmm. His response was non-committal, but his squint and slightly canted chin told her he thought otherwise. I think the author guy’s wife was supervising the wedding for J.T.

Now he’d piqued her interest. You’re talking about Sam Moreland? Was he one of the wedding guys?

Yeah. His name was on the tip of my tongue. And J.T. was with him.

Luke did seasonal work for J.T. Baxter’s landscaping business, so she was familiar with the name, and everyone who didn’t live under a rock was familiar with Sam Moreland, his books, the movies made from them. J.T.’s engaged to Cassandra Bing, so that would make Rosie, the florist, their planner. I’ve done her nails on occasion. What are they hatching?

Her pulse and breathing were slowly returning to typical under the normalcy of their after-work chatter.

I couldn’t catch it all. You know how it is. Snatches of this and that between filling orders and runs to the kitchen, but it sounded like a Christmas wedding in the park gazebo.

Huh. I guess that wouldn’t be so bad. Could be chilly, but the gazebo would look great with Christmas decorations. They should be going up soon, now that Thanksgiving is behind us.

Drove by there last night. They’re already up. Looks great. I guess with the Parade of Lights fast approaching, they’re working hard to get everything ready.

She sighed, thinking about the argument her parents had had over ordering more decorations—all classy according to her mother—and the expense. In the end, her father had acquiesced but grumbled under his breath with the arrival of every new delivery box.

Luke’s voice, deep and full, broke into her thoughts. I can see how that might be pretty cool. The holiday wedding, I mean. What do you think?

Sure. Maybe Cass will wear long sleeves, or even a white fur shrug with a red sash around her waist or carry a red and white bouquet. J.T. could wear a red tie and pocket square, or if it’s a tux, a red cummerbund, too. The bridesmaids could all dress in Christmas red. It could be really pretty and with all the fairy lights around the gazebo, would make great photos.

Right? That sounds really nice. You should be a wedding coordinator.

Now that she was calmer, the familiar timbre of Luke’s voice washed over her, stirring intimate places to life. Sex had never been a problem with them. Waiting a whole six months back in high school until she’d felt ready had been excruciating, her body and mind warring with each other. Ever steady, Luke had been patient with her. Or at least as patient as a hormonal teen boy could be. Hey, did you remember to get condoms?

She could well imagine her mother’s rage over an unwed pregnancy situation. Madi shuddered.

He moved his work apron and tapped a small white paper sack. Are you cold? I can adjust the heat.

Madi stilled his hand with her palm over his fist, threaded her fingers through his when he spread them apart. No. It’s fine. I just...it’s nothing. So...beef stew and cornbread, huh?

AT THE LAST RED LIGHT before they turned into his neighborhood, Luke waited for the turn arrow. He ventured a glance at Madi, caught her observing him. He waggled his brows. Hey, sexy, what you thinkin’ about?

She laughed and brushed a strand of light brown hair off her cheek, then looked away, shaking her head. Don’t use that tone with me, William Lucas Daniels. Not when we’re so close to your mama’s house.

Anything for you, Madison Renee. I can find a secluded spot and pull over for a few minutes if you need me to. I’m always—

Ready. Yes, I know. She shook her head again, her hair brushing over her shoulders, but she was unsuccessful in curbing her smile. Insatiable.

I was going to say willing to help you relax, but ready works, too. The next turn, I could go left instead of right, back to the woods. At least he’d gotten her to really laugh. That told him she’d overcome the tension she’d brought with her from her house.

He hated she had to endure that awful home life. He had to get those rings out of layaway, and soon. Even if they had to live with his mama for a while after they got married, she would be better off out of that toxic environment.

Stop teasing me. Besides, we have a room and bed at your house. Why would we head to the woods?

We wouldn’t have to be quiet.

She shook her head, her hair moving over her coat again with a slight swishing sound. Your mama is slaving over the stove, waiting for us to come help.

The light turned green and, with no one in the opposing lane, he eased into the turn. The Crock Pot is doing most of the work. Besides, my mama could do this meal with one hand tied behind her back.

Should I have brought something?

No. I bought the groceries for it, or more accurately, gave her money toward groceries.

You’re so good to her. I love that about you.

A man who is good to his mama... He left his words hanging and raised his brows.

Yeah, yeah. ...will be good to his wife.

There you go.

She chuckled at his comeback, then they rode in silence for a few blocks.

Luke. Her voice had turned pensive. Why have you been so...I don’t know. Distant, maybe? Quiet, for sure, especially lately. What’s wrong? Are we okay?

He couldn’t answer her first question, because he wouldn’t lie to her, and telling the truth would spoil all his plans to propose. Girl, between you, my sisters, and mama, I’m surrounded with yammering females. I’m lucky to get a word in edgewise.

Luke.

He heard the plea for him to get real but didn’t dare look into those sexy, dark eyes of hers or he might be tempted to confess everything. I’m fine. We’re fine. If anything, I’m just tired, babe. I’ve been putting in a lot of hours between the Skinny Steer and Soo-ee Pit.

I know you have. You work too hard. You should quit the Soo-ee. I don’t understand why you still work there. The pay is so much less.

May not be a problem. Marv’s business is off, so I haven’t had many hours there lately.

Then just quit. You work too much. We hardly see each other. When was the last time we had a real date, hmm?

He had been working more hours than usual, every extra shift he could pick up, so he could pay off the rings faster and propose at Christmas. There was no extra money for dates.

Luke had a plan for a proposal that would make Madi happy, but Sam and J.T. had talked about more than Rosie planning one wedding. She wanted J.T. and Cass to let her to turn their wedding venue into a Vegas-type wedding chapel after their wedding, though couples wouldn’t have to pay for the venue since it was already set up and ready. The details had made his pulse trip with hope.

And the way her eyes had lit up, Madi had liked the Christmas wedding idea.

Hello? Madi snapped her fingers in front of his face. Where did you go?

I’m here. Just thinking. Could he get the rings out a few days early, before his last paycheck, enough that he could propose and get her to agree to marry him right away? She would need a few days to pull things together, but in his mind, it was doable. He’d have to pick up another shift and fast.

This is what I’m talking about. It’s like you clam up and go somewhere else in your head, Luke.

I’m here, babe. I promise. He should talk to Rosie about the particulars. I told you. I’m tired.

He also needed to talk to Lauren Burrows, Madi’s best friend. She would know if this was just a harebrained scheme born of his desperation to be done with this in-between situation they were in, or if Madi would actually go for it. He could trust her to keep it a secret, and maybe even help him make a quick wedding happen.

Are your sisters bringing dessert?

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, plus whipped