Marrying the Billboard Cowboy (Christmas in Redemption Ridge)

Chapter 15

15

Z eke held Kaitlyn’s arm as they stepped into the warmth of the Christmas Barn Dance. His mother had outdone herself this year; the barn was a spectacle of festive cheer with garlands draping from every rafter, and twinkling lights casting a soft glow over the merry faces of townsfolk and ranch hands alike. The barn dance was the official kickoff to the Christmas season in Redemption Ridge.

Zeke couldn’t help but notice how the golden light played across Kaitlyn’s hair, her brown strands a stark contrast to the simple maroon sweater dress that hugged her body. She was naturally slender, but gone were the harsh angles and gaunt cheeks she’d carried when she arrived in Redemption Ridge. Ranch life had brought a healthy flush to her cheeks and added some downright distracting curves to her frame.

She wasn’t adorned with the glitz like some of the other women here, but to him, she outshone them all. His heart thumped an irregular beat.

“Looks like Stetson’s making himself right at home,” Zeke said, his voice tinged with amusement as he watched the little boy weave through the crowd. Stetson’s dark hair was a blur as he darted with youthful exuberance from one family member to another—greeting his school friends with high-fives, then hugging Zeke’s parents, whose smiles were as wide as the brim on his cowboy hat. Anyone in town who had not already had the pleasure of being cornered by his mother to meet her newest pride and joy would surely do so tonight.

“Uncle Gideon!” Stetson’s voice carried above the music as he latched onto the man’s leg. Gideon feigned surprise, wobbling dramatically before sweeping the boy up into his arms. Their laughter melded with the jingle of bells hanging from the barn door, adding to the symphony of joyous noise.

“Seems like he’s found his place here.”

Kaitlyn’s voice, laced with the hint of warmth that often crept in when she spoke of her son, pulled Zeke back from his reverie. He nodded, watching the boy’s face alight with the thrill of belonging, something Zeke knew all too well was precious and rare.

“I hope you both have,” Zeke said, his gaze lingering on Kaitlyn a moment longer before he gestured toward the refreshment table. “How about a drink? Mom makes her famous Cowboy Christmas Cider every year. It’s a barn dance tradition.”

“Sounds perfect,” she said, and a small smile touched her lips—a smile Zeke wished he could bottle up and keep forever.

Under the glow of string lights crisscrossing the barn’s rafters, Zeke felt the pulse of the music thrum through the soles of his boots. He glanced sideways at Kaitlyn, her brown hair catching a shimmer of light as she watched Stetson with undisguised pride and joy. A longing tugged in Zeke’s chest to draw her into the fold of his arms.

“Care for a dance?” he asked, his voice almost lost amid the fiddles and laughter that filled the air. He didn’t love dancing, but he’d take any reasonable excuse to pull her closer.

Kaitlyn’s dark eyes shifted toward him, a flicker of surprise lighting them up before she nodded. “I’d like that,” she said, her voice a soft melody against the backdrop of festivity.

With a gentle hand guiding her, Zeke led Kaitlyn onto the dance floor. His palm rested lightly on the small of her back, feeling the warmth of her through the fabric of her sweater dress, and he brought her closer, their bodies finding a natural rhythm together. The scent of her floral shampoo grounded him in the moment.

They moved together to the slow tune, two figures in sync amidst a sea of dancers. The sparkle in Kaitlyn’s eyes rivaled the twinkling lights overhead, and Zeke couldn’t help but wonder if any part of that shine was for him.

“I can’t believe this is my life,” Kaitlyn murmured as they swayed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I feel like I need to say thank you again. For everything—the home, the security...” He was about to protest but she paused, her gaze searching his. “But it’s not just that.”

Zeke’s heart hitched, caught on her words. “What do you mean?”

Her hand tightened slightly on his shoulder as she drew in a breath. “It’s you, Zeke. You’ve shown me kindness I didn’t know still existed.” She looked away for a heartbeat, then back at him with an intensity that held him captive. “I admire you more than you can imagine. Your strength, your faith... the way you care for your family, and now, for Stetson and me.”

The music swelled around them, but Zeke barely noticed. Every chord played second fiddle to the sincerity in Kaitlyn’s voice, the honesty in her eyes.

“Kaitlyn,” he started, emotion roughening his voice, “you don’t have to thank me. It’s been a blessing having you and Stetson here with us. You’re family now.”

Her smile wavered, vulnerable yet brave, and he could see her resilience shining through—toughness that had captivated him since the day she arrived. Her quiet strength was a testament to her spirit, and in that moment, Zeke knew with unshakeable certainty that he would stand by her, no matter what the future held.

The final chords of a classic Christmas melody filled the barn, wrapping around Zeke and Kaitlyn as they swayed gently on the dance floor. The warmth from her back under his hand seemed to seep through the fabric of her sweater dress, anchoring her in the safety of his embrace. Zeke’s pulse quickened, every beat a drumroll urging him to close the distance between them.

“Kaitlyn,” he murmured, his voice barely above the music. His fingers curled, drawing her nearer until space became a mere whisper. Her breath caught, an almost silent gasp that stirred the air between them. Their eyes locked and for a moment, time stood still.

Slowly, Zeke leaned in. The kiss landed soft, a hesitant brush against her lips, seeking permission. When she didn’t pull away, but instead responded, deepening the connection, something within him ignited.

The kiss grew fervent, a mingling of longing and newfound hope. Kaitlyn’s hands found their way to his chest, clutching at the fabric of his shirt, drawing a groan from deep in his chest.

Around them, the barn continued its festive bustle, but it all faded into obscurity. There was only Kaitlyn—the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her on his lips.

Zeke drew back slightly, just enough to gaze into her eyes once more. The worries that so often clouded his mind—fears of not being enough, of disappointing his father, of past mistakes rearing their ugly heads—dissipated like mist under the morning sun. In their place bloomed a sense of rightness, a belonging that stitched itself into the very fabric of his soul. He belonged with her.

He belonged to her.

“Kaitlyn,” he whispered again, this time infusing her name with all the wonder she’d awakened in him. With her, the harsh winters of his life seemed to promise the hope of spring.

The world seemed to blur around them as Zeke held Kaitlyn in his embrace, the warmth of her body seeping into his very bones. But then, a razor-sharp note sliced through the cocoon of sound that enveloped the dance floor. The music, the laughter, and the shuffling feet became distant, inconsequential noise.

“Looks like Zeke’s found himself a charity case for the holidays.”

The voice, dripping with condescension, clawed at his eardrums, severing the tether of their intimate bubble. His eyes flew open, locking onto the source—a figure poised with one hip cocked, blonde curls cascading over shoulders bared by a dress that glinted like fool’s gold.

Jenny.

Her lips twisted into a smirk, her gaze flitting between him and Kaitlyn with unveiled disdain. That smug expression, once a familiar sight in his life, now spurred a visceral reaction deep within him. His chest tightened, his pulse thundered, and his hands, just moments ago gentle and tender on his wife, balled into fists at his sides.

“Sorry,” Zeke muttered, unable to keep the growl from his voice. He didn’t wait for Kaitlyn’s response before stepping forward, a desperate protective instinct propelling him.

“Jenny,” he said, the name tasting bitter on his tongue, “that’s enough.”

“Aw, did I hit a nerve, Ezekiel?” Jenny cooed, unfazed by his approach. “I’m just stating the obvious. It’s so... altruistic of you to bring her here.”

Kaitlyn’s hand brushed against his arm, a feather-light reminder of her presence. Her touch was soft and steady, a stark contrast to the agitation that bubbled beneath his skin.

“Look,” Zeke said, his voice low and steady, despite the churn of emotions inside him. “Why don’t you just—”

“Move along,” someone finished for him. He glanced to the side to find Nora St. James, her voice carrying a steel edge that didn’t surprise him at all. He’d been about to say something a lot harsher, but the sentiment was the same. He didn’t care to see Jenny Caldwell again ever.

Nora crossed her arms. “Leave them alone, Jenny. You chose your path.”

The air seemed to shift, charged with the tension of the standoff. Zeke’s heart hammered against his ribs, not with fear or doubt, but with the resolve to stand between Kaitlyn and anything—or anyone—that threatened her peace. He’d promised himself he’d protect her, be it from the cold or from people like Jenny. And he intended to keep that promise, no matter what.

Zeke squared his shoulders, feeling the weight of Kaitlyn’s gaze as he faced down Jenny. “I expect you to show my wife the respect she deserves.” His voice resonated with an authority that echoed off the barn walls, silencing any remaining nearby conversations.

Jenny’s lips curled into a sneer, but Zeke didn’t waver. He could feel Kaitlyn beside him, her quiet strength mingling with his own, creating a united front against the spiteful intrusion.

“Your wife, huh?” Jenny said, her tone dripping with disbelief. “That’s rich, Zeke.”

He took a step closer, effectively cutting off Jenny’s view of Kaitlyn. “You’re right about one thing. It is rich—rich in ways you’ll never understand.” The words spilled from him with a possessiveness that clutched at his chest, surprising even himself. He had claimed Kaitlyn as his own, not just in name but with every protective fiber in his being. Jenny might be marrying a billionaire, but she would never understand true riches.

Zeke turned slightly to glance at Kaitlyn, searching for any sign of discomfort and ignoring Jenny as Nora finished telling Jenny off. Kaitlyn’s eyes met his, dark and wide, a silent thank you shimmering within them. But as he held her gaze, uncertainty gnawed at the edges of his heart. Was this enough? Did she see the depth of his care for her, the tender emotions that went beyond mere friendship?

Zeke’s chest heaved with the effort of restraint, the heat of anger still simmering beneath his skin as Jenny scoffed and disappeared into the crowd. The celebration, with its merry lights and festive decorations, felt suddenly distant, the joyous atmosphere a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart.

He turned to Kaitlyn, the need for reassurance gnawing at him like a persistent hunger. Her dark eyes met his, pools of calm in the midst of his storm. He searched them, looking for a flicker of uncertainty, a shadow of doubt that might mirror his own insecurities. But there was none—only the quiet strength that had first drawn him to her.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice rough around the edges. It wasn’t the question he wanted to ask, but the words to express his deeper fears eluded him.

Her hand found his, a small gesture that spoke volumes. “I am now,” she replied, her voice carrying the hint of sass he adored so much. “Thanks to you.”

A bashful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, dispelling some of the tension that had tightened his shoulders. Zeke squeezed her hand, the simple touch grounding him, pulling him back from the edge.

“Let’s get some fresh air,” he murmured, offering Kaitlyn a reassuring smile while hoping it would mask the storm of doubts whirling inside him. He led her through the throng of dancers toward the barn doors. They stepped out into the crisp night, the chill of Colorado winter nipping at their faces.

“Thank you,” she said softly as he led her around the small porch at the front of the event barn.

He wanted to reply, to tell her that it was he who should be grateful, for the hope she’d unwittingly brought into his once solitary existence. But the words lodged in his throat, a mix of fear and longing clogging the path to confession.

Zeke felt the memory of the imprint of her body against his, and the echo of his own unresolved longings. He appreciated her, liked her, more than he dared admit. But did she feel the same? Friendship wasn’t love, and love was what Zeke found himself craving with an intensity that startled him.

He released her hand reluctantly, the warmth lingering on his skin.

“Zeke,” Kaitlyn murmured as they walked, her breath forming clouds in the cool air. She stopped and faced him, the moonlight casting her features in relief, etching her determination in silver and shadow. “You are so much more than I ever hoped for in this crazy arrangement.”

Zeke’s pulse quickened, her admission stirring a whirlwind of emotions he’d kept at bay. There it was—the reassurance he craved. But what did that mean? Was she talking about the kiss? Or the fact that she was now married to one of the richest men in ranching? Was he too much, too needy?

“Katie,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, “I never imagined that stupid billboard would lead to the biggest blessing in my life. I...” He hesitated, his own vulnerability holding him back.

Zeke knew that sometimes faith meant taking the leap without seeing the whole staircase. He’d taken that leap once, and it had ended up with him in a heap on the bottom step. He didn’t want to fall again.

“We should go inside.” The words fell flat in the heavy silence.

Different words he should have said choked him, caught in his throat. Too much. Too needy. She didn’t want him, just the life he could give her.

Kaitlyn reached up, her fingers brushing against his cheek, a touch that seared straight to his soul. She held his gaze. “She didn’t deserve you. And I probably don’t either, but–“

He silenced her words with another kiss. Whatever nonsense Kaitlyn had been about to spout was exactly that–nonsense. If anything, it was him who didn’t deserve her. She was goodness and kindness and light. And he was nothing but a grumpy cowboy with a hardened heart.

Although, it was feeling a whole lot softer after just a few weeks with the amazing woman in his arms. It was a good thing he never planned to let her go. As long as she didn’t get any stubborn ideas about leaving on her own.