Page 23 of Cowboy Friend Zone for Christmas

“Why would my mother do this to me?” Noelle slumped back against the seat cushion at the realization that Triss Ward must have taken it upon herself to invite Brady and Adeline over for dinner. It was a deliberately cruel move, probably intended to again underscore Noelle’s failure to reel Brady in.

Nash turned off the motor. “I agree, it’s a little unexpected.”

“It’s ridiculous and unacceptable.” Anger sparked in her chest. “We should leave.”

Nash made no move to open his door. “It’s a small town, Noelle. We were bound to run into him again soon.”

She gave him a searching look. “Does it bother you that Adeline is probably here, too?”

“She and I parted as friends.” Though his voice was mild, there was a new level of tension in his grip on her fingers. “I have no reason to avoid her.”

Noelle pursed her lips. “Fine. I’ll be civil. But if my mother pulls anything else, and I mean anything, we’re cutting the evening short.”

“Deal.” He raised her hand to his lips again before they exited the truck. Then he walked her to the front door of her parents’ chalet.

It flew open before they could knock. “My sweet baby girl,” her mother cooed. She was wearing a bright red pantsuit and a matching layer of lipstick. After a curious glance at the hand Nash had resting on her daughter’s back, she held out her arms to Noelle. “I’ve missed you.” There was a hitch to her voice that Noelle didn’t recognize.

“You did?” Though she couldn’t say the same thing, she obligingly air-kissed Triss Ward, having been taught years ago not to do anything that would mess up her mother’s hair or makeup.

“Of course! I’ve been worried sick about you,” Triss Ward hissed angrily before stepping back.

Noelle grimaced. That was more like the mother she remembered. The only thing she was probably genuinely worried sick about was what her shallow friends would think if she couldn’t produce any recent photos or gossip about her only child. “In case you’re wondering, I’m enjoying my new job,” she informed her coolly.

“You were on crutches when you left,” her mother reminded in a low, terse voice. “You’ve missed half a dozen doctor’s appointments already, and?—”

“Do you want me to leave again?” Noelle met her mother’s unyielding gaze.

“Of course not! You just got here.” With a resigned look, Triss Ward finally backed down and waved them further into the chalet.

Nash bent his tall frame to press a light peck on her check as he followed Noelle.

Triss Ward caught her breath and reached up wonderingly to touch her cheek. “I invited Brady and Adeline McGrath to join us,” she announced like they were all old friends as she herded them toward the dining room.

The chalet had gleaming hardwood floors, freshly painted walls, and not a speck of dust in sight. Her mother probably had the place professionally cleaned before their arrival. She was big on appearances. Crystal goblets glinted enticingly from the table.

Brady McGrath rose from his seat the moment he saw them. So did Denver Ward.

“Hi, sweetie.” Her father’s smile was coolly professional as usual. Ever since she’d broken up with his junior partner, he’d treated her with a glacial form of politeness. Nothing more. Nothing less.

“Hi, Dad.” Ignoring his starchy white shirt and even starchier demeanor, she moved around the table to give him a quick hug.

Kill him with kindness. It had become her mantra where he was concerned.

He looked surprised, and his expression seemed to soften for a moment.

She turned to shake Brady’s hand. “Fancy running into you again.” Her voice was dry. It was probably clear to everyone in the room that her mother had manipulated tonight’s round of awkwardness.

From the corner of her eye, she watched Adeline greet Nash.

“Hey, stranger!” She shook his hand, then leaned in for a hug. “I feel like I should ask for your autograph or something.” Her ponytail bounced around as she spoke with her hands. She was in a long, flowy maxi dress with a split riding up the side.

In comparison, Noelle felt like she was dressed for a junior high dance. She swallowed a sigh of envy as she listened to Nash’s response.

“Whatever.” He chuckled. “Speaking of accomplishments, I hear you and Brady went in on those Air B&B rooms where we’re staying.”

Where some of us are staying. Noelle’s lips twitched at the memory of Ames’ and Flint’s reactions to the Jack Frost suite.

“We did.” Adeline shot a humored look at her husband as they took their seats again. “Brady thinks we might’ve gone a little overboard with the themes. What do you think?” Her head swung anxiously between Noelle and Nash.

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