Marrying the Billboard Cowboy (Christmas in Redemption Ridge)

Chapter 14

14

“ H ey, Kaitlyn!” Cassie called out from atop a wooden ladder, tinsel in one hand and an ornament in the other. She balanced herself with natural grace, her laughter echoing through the rafters.

Kaitlyn’s eyes widened at the sight before her—the event barn of Redemption Ridge Ranch was being transformed into a wonderland of festive cheer.

Kaitlyn let out a breath, and her boots echoed on the worn floorboards as she approached. “Need a hand?”

“Sure do.” Cassie grinned, descending with care. “We’ve got a whole forest worth of Christmas to set up here.”

The tree stood tall, its branches reaching toward the high ceiling, demanding to be adorned. Kaitlyn reached for a box of ornaments, fingers brushing against the delicate glass.

“Think we can make this the best-dressed tree in Colorado?” Cassie asked, her voice warm like the homemade quilts back at the lodge.

A small smile cracked Kaitlyn’s guarded demeanor. “I think we could give it a shot.”

Together, they wove thick, gold ribbon around the tree, their arms occasionally brushing as they ducked under each other. The scent of pine filled Kaitlyn’s senses, carrying her away from recent memories of cold car seats and unforgiving shelter beds.

“Are you excited about the dance?” Cassie asked, her tone casual as she clipped a giant cowboy boot ornament to a sturdy branch.

“I suppose.” Kaitlyn’s heart fluttered with a touch of anxiety at the thought of the large event, but she kept her focus on the task, hooking a sparkling star onto the next available twig. “Zeke only mentioned it last night.”

“Of course he did.” Cassie chuckled, stepping back to admire their work. “My brother is stingier with words than a rattlesnake is with apologies.”

“You won’t hear me disagreeing.”

“Well, let me fill you in on what my lug of a brother probably didn’t say. First off, you’ll want to wear a dress. The guys wear nice jeans, but you know how it is. Maybe I could lend you one?”

Kaitlyn’s cheeks heated. Yeah, she definitely didn’t have a fancy dress. “That’s okay. I’m sure I have something.”

Lies. She’d get something, though. Maybe the secondhand store in town had something that would work. She definitely didn’t think any of Cassie’s dresses would fit her.

“Let me know if you change your mind.” Then Cassie looked up from the half-strung garland in her hands, her face breaking into a wide smile.

“Hey, hon!” she called out, as Jason strode confidently across the wooden floor.

“Couldn’t resist coming to see my favorite lady,” Jason said, wrapping his arms around Cassie’s waist and pulling her close. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and he planted a gentle kiss on her nose, eliciting a soft giggle from her.

Kaitlyn watched from the ladder where she was adjusting the height of the star topper, feeling a pang of envy at their easy affection.

“Y’all are making this place look beautiful,” Jason murmured, taking a step back but keeping one hand intertwined with Cassie’s.

“Thanks to Kaitlyn here. She’s got an eye for detail.” Cassie beamed up at her, gratitude clear in her gaze.

“It’s nice of you to help out, Kaitlyn,” Jason added, tipping his hat in her direction with a respectful nod.

“Happy to,” Kaitlyn replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She climbed down the ladder, her movements deliberate, trying to bury the longing that surged within her.

“Jason, we should get back to work. You’re distracting me,” Cassie teased, playfully pushing him away.

“All right, all right. I’ll see you ladies later.” Jason flashed a grin and sauntered off, whistling a Christmas tune that melded with the barn’s rustic ambience.

They worked a bit longer, rearranging the ornaments to perfect the tree.

Cassie turned to Kaitlyn, tilting her head slightly in concern. “You okay? You seem...quiet.”

Kaitlyn hesitated, biting her lip. “It’s nothing, really. It’s just…” Her words trailed off as she tried to gather her thoughts without revealing too much of her bruised heart.

“Kaitlyn?” Cassie pressed gently, her hand reaching out to rest on Kaitlyn’s arm with a feather-light touch.

“Seeing you and Jason together,” Kaitlyn began, her voice low, “it makes me a little sad that Zeke and I will never have what you have. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for everything Zeke has done. But someone like me...” She paused, then shook her head. “I’m just dreaming.”

“Someone like you?” Cassie’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Oops. Cassie had caught that.

Kaitlyn sighed, tucking her hair behind her chin. “Look, I’m a homeless single mom. I’m not sure a man like Zeke could ever look at me the way Jason looks at you.”

“Kaitlyn,” Cassie said, her tone imbued with a warmth that felt like a comforting embrace, “love doesn’t count your scars; it just is.”

Cassie plucked a silver ornament from the cardboard box and held it up to the light, watching it as she twisted it. “You know, Kaitlyn,” she said with a wistful smile, “this ranch has seen more than its share of stories.”

Kaitlyn’s fingers paused on the string of lights she was untangling, the warmth of Cassie’s comment pulling her away from her own tangled thoughts. She looked up, curiosity kindling within her as she sensed Cassie was about to share something personal.

“Jason and I, our love story... it isn’t what you might think.” Cassie hooked the ornament onto a sturdy branch and stepped back to view it amid the evergreen needles.

The confession hung between them like the ornaments on the tree, and Kaitlyn felt a flutter in her chest. She leaned closer, her interest piqued by the seriousness in Cassie’s tone. “What do you mean?”

Cassie’s eyes dropped, tracing the pattern of the barn’s worn wooden floor before locking again with Kaitlyn’s. “We didn’t get married because we loved each other. My ex, he wouldn’t leave me alone. And Jason, well, he had this bad-boy reputation as a bull rider that wasn’t doing him any favors. We thought we could help each other out.”

“Help each other?” Kaitlyn repeated, shocked at the idea that the couple she’d come to admire had begun with such transactional intentions.

Cassie nodded, picking up another ornament and threading a piece of twine through its delicate loop. “Yeah. Marrying Jason helped send my ex a clear message and meant the ranch was out of his reach. And playing the role of a devoted husband softened Jason’s edges in the public eye.”

A sense of disbelief whisked through Kaitlyn as she imagined the two sharing anything less than the love that seemed so inherent to their every interaction.

“Then...” Kaitlyn began, her voice barely above a whisper, “the way you two are together now—”

“It grew.” Cassie’s smile returned, soft and knowing. “From respect, friendship, then into something deeper. Love found its way to us when we weren’t even looking for it.”

Kaitlyn’s heart thrummed in her chest. The honesty of Cassie’s admission was a balm to the fears that had been gnawing at her since her arrival at Redemption Ridge Ranch. Could a marriage that started out of necessity evolve into one of love?

“Maybe...” Kaitlyn ventured, her gaze returning to the tree, laden with symbols of joy and hope, “maybe there’s hope for Zeke and me too?”

“I think there is,” Cassie replied gently. “Believe me when I say, I’ve never seen Zeke look at anyone the way he looks at you.”

With each word, the knot of doubt in Kaitlyn’s stomach loosened, replaced with an unfamiliar sensation that she dared to name optimism. If Cassie and Jason could find their way to each other, perhaps she and Zeke could as well.

“He certainly never looked at Jenny that way,” Cassie said with a casual shrug.

Kaitlyn felt her pulse quicken, a prickling sensation creeping up her neck.

“That’s his ex?” Kaitlyn ventured, her voice steadier than the fluttering in her chest.

“Ugh, don’t get me started on that one,” Cassie huffed, her hands now busy arranging a skirt around the tree stand. “All flash and no substance. She cared more about Zeke’s bank account than his heart. It was all take, take, take with her.”

Kaitlyn’s hand trembled, sending a fragile angel ornament swinging perilously. She steadied it with a touch. The comparison to Zeke’s ex sent a chill deeper than winter’s breath through her. Wasn’t she here because Zeke offered her a lifeline? A home for her and her son, security, a chance at a new life? Wasn’t she take, take, taking?

“Sounds rough,” she managed to say. “Zeke deserves better than someone after his money.”

“Absolutely,” Cassie agreed, straightening up and looking Kaitlyn in the eye. “He’s a good man. He needs someone who sees beyond the dollar signs, who appreciates him for his... well, for his heart, you know?”

Kaitlyn knew. Oh, how acutely she knew. She could feel Zeke’s kindness in every meal he cooked, every gentle interaction with Stetson, every effort he made to include her in the ranch community. And yet, doubt gnawed at her insides, a relentless rodent feasting on her newfound hope.

“Appreciates him,” Kaitlyn echoed, her voice barely above the rustle of the tree branches. Her gaze dropped to the floor, where pine needles lay scattered like the pieces of her confidence. Was she really any different from Zeke’s ex? Her reasons for accepting his proposal were practical, born of desperation rather than affection. Did she even have the right to wear his ring, to share his name?

A knot formed in her throat, tight as the ribbons on the fake gifts beneath the tree. She turned back to the task at hand, her motions mechanical, as she grappled with the fear that she might be unworthy of the life Zeke offered her—a life she so desperately wanted not just for herself, but for her son as well.

Kaitlyn’s fingers trembled as they grazed the smooth surface of a glass bauble, her thoughts ricocheting between guilt and fear. She clipped the ornament onto a sturdy branch, feeling the prick of pine against her skin, a sensation that mirrored the sharp sting of her conscience.

“Something’s not right, is it?” Cassie’s voice broke through the haze of Kaitlyn’s inner turmoil, gentle yet probing.

Kaitlyn sucked in a breath, and she paused, her gaze anchored to the floor where her boots scuffed the dusting of sawdust. “It’s nothing, really...”

“Kaitlyn.” The name was a soft but firm prompt, inviting honesty over pretense.

She inhaled deeply, the scent of fresh pine and cinnamon from nearby candles wrapping around her like an embrace as she exhaled her fears. “I just... I can’t shake this feeling,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “That maybe people will think—I mean, what if I’m no better than Zeke’s ex?”

Cassie’s brows knit together, her expression etched with concern as she stepped closer, placing a supportive hand on Kaitlyn’s shoulder. “You’re worried about looking like a gold-digger?”

The word hung heavy in the air, a label Kaitlyn feared would stick, tarnishing everything she touched. “Yes,” she admitted, the admission tasting bitter. “I married Zeke to give Stetson a better life, to escape my own mess, but I never stopped to consider how it looks, how it mirrors... her intentions.”

“Kaitlyn, you’re nothing like her,” Cassie assured, her tone imbued with conviction. “But I get why you’re scared. Starting over isn’t easy, and people can be quick to judge without knowing the whole story.”

A surge of gratitude warmed Kaitlyn’s heart, melting away a sliver of her self-doubt. “I just don’t want to let Zeke down,” she said, her dark eyes meeting Cassie’s. “Or have him think...I don’t care about him.”

“Zeke sees you, Kaitlyn—your heart,” Cassie said gently. “He’s not one to make a commitment lightly. He chose you because he wanted to. And he didn’t choose her.”

The weight on Kaitlyn’s chest lightened, even if the shadows of insecurity still lingered at the edges. For a moment, she allowed herself to believe in the possibility of a love that wasn’t measured by wealth or convenience but forged in the quiet moments of shared dreams and silent understandings.

Cassie reached out, her hand resting briefly on Kaitlyn’s arm. “Listen, I’ve seen the way Zeke looks at you and Stetson. He cares, really cares. It’s not just about providing or feeling obligated. He chose you.”

Kaitlyn’s gaze dropped to the ornament in her hands, the glass cool and delicate beneath her fingers. She traced the painted snowflakes, each one intricate and unique. They reminded her of the careful way Zeke had introduced himself to Stetson, with patience and gentleness, as if understanding the fragility of a scared child’s trust.

“And another thing,” Cassie continued, her voice low, a conspiratorial whisper between friends, “I think maybe you’re holding back more than you realize. You’re trying to ignore some feelings for Zeke. Am I right?”

The question hovered in the space between them, and Kaitlyn could feel her cheeks warm. Was it possible? Her heart had been so guarded, so braced for the next inevitable disappointment. Yet, there was no denying the flutter of anticipation she felt whenever Zeke entered the room, or the sense of safety his presence brought.

“Perhaps,” Kaitlyn murmured, nearly lost in the thought.

“Let’s take a break,” Cassie suggested, stepping back from the tree to survey their work. “How about we grab some hot cocoa? My feet are telling me it’s time to sit down for a bit.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Kaitlyn replied, her body echoing the sentiment.

Kaitlyn cradled the steaming mug of cocoa between her hands, the warmth seeping into her chilled fingers. The scent of chocolate and the hint of cinnamon mingled in the air.

“Thanks, Cassie,” she said, taking a tentative sip. The sweet liquid was a balm to her weary spirit, and she allowed herself a moment to savor it, to push aside the tangle of worries that so often clouded her thoughts.

Cassie settled beside her on the hay bale, her own cup sending up spirals of steam. “Isn’t this nice? I have to be honest… I don’t have a ton of girlfriends. And I’ve never had a sister “

“More than nice,” Kaitlyn admitted, the corners of her mouth lifting in a genuine smile. It felt rare these days, the ease that came with true friendship.

“Zeke talks about you, you know,” Cassie said softly, breaking into her reverie. “While we’re working. He always has this softer tone when your name comes up. I think he’s more smitten than he lets on.”

Kaitlyn’s heart skipped a beat. She took another sip of cocoa, letting the warmth spread through her. Maybe she wasn’t alone in her growing affection for Zeke—a thought both terrifying and exhilarating.

“Maybe,” Kaitlyn responded, allowing herself to believe, if only for the span of a heartbeat. “But I’m not easy to love.”

“Who says?” Cassie’s voice was gentle yet firm. “You’re strong, Kaitlyn. You’ve been through a lot, but here you are, still standing. Still fighting for a good life for you and Stetson. That’s not just admirable—it’s lovable.”

Her words struck a chord deep within Kaitlyn—a chord long muted by hardship and loss. For so long, she’d worn resilience as armor, never considering it might also be the very thing that could draw others to her.

“Thank you, Cassie,” she murmured, her eyes tracing the contours of the barn. She loved the way the light played across the wooden beams, contrasts of shadow and highlights emphasizing all the textures.

“You got it, sis,” Cassie replied with a soft chuckle, bumping Kaitlyn’s shoulder playfully. “Now, let’s finish that tree. We have a dance to prepare for, and I want it to be perfect—for everyone.”

Setting down their empty cups, they rose together, the sense of camaraderie wrapping around Kaitlyn like a warm blanket. In this moment, with Cassie’s friendship and the unexpected possibility of love on the horizon, Redemption Ridge felt less like a place and more like a beginning.