Marrying the Billboard Cowboy (Christmas in Redemption Ridge)

Chapter 17

17

Z eke surveyed the back of the side-by-side vehicle, satisfied with the preparations for the evening’s surprise. A basket filled with homemade snacks rested in the back—he’d stolen some time in his mother’s kitchen to prepare them—while a thermos of hot cocoa promised sweetness and warmth under the expansive Colorado sky. A pile of soft blankets lay folded in the back next to the picnic basket.

“Lord, let this go well,” he murmured to himself, a small prayer escaping his lips as his hands worked methodically. He simply wanted to give Kaitlyn a gift, some time to enjoy the ranch without working so darn hard.

She’d slowed down–ever so slightly–since the day he sent her to the spa, but she was still working too hard. Cleaning at the lodge during the day, waking up early to make him breakfast. His tiny cabin had never been so clean. But he didn’t want her to feel like she had to work so hard. He wanted to take care of her. Which was what tonight was about.

Taking a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs, he straightened up, his shoulders rolling back as he headed toward the main house. The last rays of the setting sun cast long shadows across the landscape, and the crunch of gravel under his boots sounded like a crisp symphony against the relative silence of Redemption Ridge Ranch.

He reached the door and opened it, the anticipation of Kaitlyn’s reaction making his heart beat a little faster. There she stood, her dark eyes wide with curiosity, brown hair framing her face as she wiped down the kitchen counter.

“Did you get Stetson settled?” she asked.

“He’s all set with Christmas movies and snacks with Grandma and Grandpa. Sleepover night is already a winning tradition as far as he’s concerned. I’ve got a little adventure planned for us,” Zeke replied, his tone casual but laced with excitement. “You up for it?”

“An adventure?” She hesitated, a frown creasing her brow. “What kind?”

“Do you trust me?”

Another moment passed before she nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

Victory and warmth surged in his chest at her admission. “Great.” He produced a blindfold from his pocket. “But you need to wear this.”

Kaitlyn cocked an eyebrow, her lips twitching. “A blindfold? Zeke, what are you—”

“Trust me, Kaitlyn.” His eyes crinkled at the corners, the stubble on his jaw catching the fading light. “It’s part of the surprise.”

She studied him for a heartbeat longer, then sighed, a smile finally breaking through. “Okay.”

That trust—it meant more to Zeke than she could know. Carefully, he tied the blindfold over her eyes, ensuring it was snug but not too tight. She reached out, finding his arm, her fingers lightly gripping the fabric of his shirt.

“Let’s go,” he said, guiding her down the steps. They reached the side-by-side, and he helped her into the seat, ensuring she was secure before climbing in beside her.

“Ready?” he asked, his protective instincts kicking in as he started the engine.

“Ready,” she echoed, a tremor of excitement in her voice.

The engine of the side-by-side purred as Zeke navigated the familiar but treacherous terrain of Redemption Ridge Ranch. Every bump and dip in the winding road had him adjusting his speed, his hands firm on the wheel, his eyes scanning ahead with practiced care. The night was a blanket of darkening blue around them, stars beginning to sprinkle the sky. Beside him, Kaitlyn sat with her blindfolded gaze fixed forward, her body tense with anticipation.

“Doing okay?” Zeke asked, his voice steady, despite the thrumming of his heart against his ribs. He stole a glance at her, noting the way she gripped the edge of her seat.

“Better than okay,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of that sass that often caught him off guard. “This is kind of thrilling.”

“Good.” Zeke’s lips quirked up into a half-smile. “Just hold on tight for a little bit longer. We’re almost there.”

Kaitlyn nodded, her dark eyes hidden by the fabric, but he could sense the curiosity that surely sparked behind it. He breathed in deeply, the crisp air filling his lungs, mingling with the faint scent of her shampoo—a reminder of the vulnerable woman who’d come into his life like a whisper and now held a presence as loud as thunder.

The side-by-side slowed to a stop, and Zeke cut the engine. Silence enveloped them, a peaceful hush that seemed to wait with bated breath. He hopped out, his boots crunching on the hard ground, and rounded the vehicle to assist Kaitlyn. His hand found hers, calloused fingers enclosing her delicate ones as he helped her to her feet.

“Step down... There you go,” he murmured, his touch lingering just a moment too long before he drew back to untie the blindfold.

As the fabric fell away, Kaitlyn blinked, her eyes adjusting to the soft glow that lit up the secluded spot. The bonfire, not yet ignited, was laid out before them. Two camp chairs were already waiting, creating a cozy scene. He’d asked Dawson, one of the ranch hands, to drive out here earlier and take care of it.

“Zeke...” Her voice was a breath. “It’s beautiful.”

He watched her, saw the wonder etched across her features, the way her petite form leaned ever so slightly toward the unlit bonfire, as though drawn by an unseen promise of warmth. “I thought we could use a little bit of starlight tonight,” he said, his words tumbling out more tenderly than he intended.

“Thank you,” she whispered, turning to him, her dark eyes alight with gratitude and something deeper, something that tugged at his soul. “I love it.”

Love. The word echoed in Zeke’s mind, warm and inviting, and for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to share such moments with Kaitlyn—not just tonight, but every starry night thereafter. But the thought was quickly doused by the persistent fear of his own inadequacy, of being seen as nothing more than a means to an end.

“Let’s get this fire started,” he said instead, breaking the spell of the moment, directing their attention to the task at hand. “You must be cold.”

Kaitlyn smiled softly, wrapping her arms around herself, a silent admission of her chill. “I am, but I think tonight is going to be a special kind of warm.”

With those words hanging between them, they moved together, stepping closer to the circle of stones and timber.

Zeke knelt by the precariously stacked logs, his hands steady despite the flutter in his chest as he clicked the lighter. Flames licked at the kindling, eager to consume, and within moments, the fire crackled to life, its warm glow embracing their little haven under the vast Colorado sky.

“Beautiful,” Kaitlyn murmured, her breath visible in the chill air as she moved closer to the burgeoning bonfire. The light danced across her features, chasing away shadows and illuminating the quiet resilience etched into her delicate frame.

“Here, let’s sit.” His voice was gentle, an invitation rather than a command. Zeke extended a hand to help Kaitlyn across the rocky ground, marveling silently at the softness of her fingers as they brushed against his calloused palm.

Settled on the chair, Kaitlyn tucked her feet on the edge, a thankful sigh escaping her lips as he tucked a blanket around her and the fire’s warmth seeped into her bones. Zeke noticed her relax, shoulders easing from their habitual tension. He reached for his phone, thumbs scrolling to find the perfect soundtrack for the night.

The opening bars of “O Holy Night” filled the silence between them, notes rich and familiar. Christmas music had always been a balm to his soul, a reminder of family, faith, and the simple joys that came with the season.

“Christmas music,” Kaitlyn said, a small smile gracing her lips. “My mother used to play carols all through December.”

She hadn’t talked much about her parents, but there was a wistfulness in her voice when she spoke of her mother.

“Would you tell me about them?” he asked cautiously.

Kaitlyn tensed, then sighed. “Not a lot to tell. They were strict, controlling. When I got pregnant…” His heart cracked at the pain in her voice. “I loved them. And I thought they loved me.”

Anger at her parents’ actions flooded him. “I’m so sorry, Katie. They should have been there for you.”

She jerked a shoulder. “It’s okay.”

He laid his hand across hers on the arm of the camp chair. “No. It’s not. They are missing out on their incredible daughter and their perfect grandson. And that is their loss.”

A tear slid down her cheek. “Thank you,” she said in a whisper.

“Can I ask… What about Stetson’s father?”

Kaitlyn scoffed. “I thought my parents’ reaction to the news was bad… His was even worse. He told me it was my problem. I was living at home, but when my parents kicked me out, I went back to his apartment just to see if I could convince him to let me crash there or something.” A bitter laugh escaped. “He’d vanished overnight. Moved away, changed his number, everything.”

His jaw clenched. “And you were all alone,” he murmured.

She nodded, staring into the fire. “Yeah. I stayed with a girlfriend for a bit. Got a job. Found a roommate. But roommates don’t last long once the 2 a.m. crying starts.”

So many words he wanted to say caught in his chest. That she’d never be alone again. That he’d hunt down her parents and make them realize what they were missing.

“We were okay. Things were tight, obviously. Credit cards, crappy apartments. I worked at a preschool for a while, where I could bring Stetson with me. But then last spring he got the flu, so we missed work for a week and a half. And then I got the flu. Another week off. I fell behind and…” Her voice cracked. “What kind of mother can’t even pay the electricity bill?” She shook her head. “I was out of hope, Zeke.”

“Don’t say that,” he pleaded. “We’re never out of hope.”

Her voice was nothing but a whisper over the sound of the fire. “My head knows that. But my heart? If it hadn’t been for that crazy billboard…”

“You would have survived, Marvel. But you’re here now. I’ve got you. And as much as I want to track that miserable loser down who left you high and dry… I’m too grateful that you’re mine. Stetson is mine. And nothing is ever going to change that.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Every word,” Zeke confessed, letting his solemn words sink into the silence.

Kaitlyn shuddered next to him, her eyes closing and a look of peace settling over her face. He had to touch her.

He stood up, brushing his hands against his jeans, and extended one to Kaitlyn. “Would you dance with me under the stars?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if too loud a sound might shatter the delicate moment.

Kaitlyn’s lips curved upward in a smile that reached her eyes, lighting them up with a spark that had been absent for too long. She placed her hand in his, the contact sending a jolt of warmth through Zeke’s body. They stepped onto an impromptu dance floor beside the bonfire, its flames casting a soft glow on their faces.

He led her into a slow two-step, moving to the rhythm of a gentle melody. The world fell away, leaving only the two of them, the music, and the heavens bearing witness. Her hand was small but sure in his, and when he placed his other hand lightly on her waist, Kaitlyn moved closer, trusting him to guide her.

“You know, if you squint just right at the fire, it almost looks like a choir singing carols.”

Kaitlyn tilted her head, humor lighting up her dark eyes. “I think your Christmas spirit is making you see things, Mr. Reynolds.” Her voice carried a lilt of mirth he hadn’t heard before.

“Perhaps,” he chuckled, shifting closer to share her warmth. The firelight danced across her features, deepening the lines around her eyes as she smiled. “But I’d rather have an overactive imagination than none at all, Mrs. Reynolds .” His heart surged at the recognition of her belonging to him.

They swayed together, each step bringing them more in sync as the song played on. Zeke marveled at the way she followed his lead, her movements tentative at first, but gaining confidence with every beat. The scent of pine from the surrounding woods mixed with the smoke from the fire.

“True.” Her gaze lingered on the flames for a moment longer before meeting his. “And what does Ezekiel Reynolds imagine for himself? What’s your grand dream?”

Zeke paused, the question catching him off guard. He usually kept his dreams close, afraid of the consequences of revealing them. But tonight, under the watchful eyes of countless stars, he felt the urge to share. “A future where this ranch isn’t just a business. I want to bring families together with nature and festivities–and food–that mean more than just a simple vacation for them.” He looked over her shoulder to the expanse of land beyond the ring of the light from the fire. “I want my kids to grow up here the way I did. To love and respect the land, but free to follow their dreams.”

Her expression softened, and he could tell his words resonated with her. “That’s beautiful,” Kaitlyn whispered.

“I think so,” he admitted, allowing vulnerability to seep into his tone. “Your turn. What about Kaitlyn Reynolds? What are the aspirations hiding behind those thoughtful eyes?”

She drew in a deep breath, contemplating the night sky as if it held her dreams spelled out in constellations. “I used to dream about stability, a proper home where my son wouldn’t have to worry about where we’d sleep each night.”

“You’ve got that,” he stated firmly.

Her soft smile melted him. “Yeah, we do. I’m just not sure where to go after that. I’ve never let myself think beyond the basics. Maybe it’s just to find a place where we belong. To build a life where love trumps fear.”

“Love has a way of doing that,” he said softly, their shared laughter from earlier still echoing in his heart. “Turning the tables on our fears.”

“Does it?” Kaitlyn turned to him, hope mingling with the pain of past betrayals in her eyes.

“Absolutely. Love’s the one force that redeems us all, in the end.”

As the song drew to a close, Zeke couldn’t resist the pull any longer. He leaned down, his breath mingling with Kaitlyn’s. Her gaze locked onto his, dark eyes wide with an emotion he hoped mirrored his own. With a tenderness that overwhelmed him, he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that was both a question and an answer.

Kaitlyn responded, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as if to anchor herself to the present. The kiss deepened as the last chords of the music faded into the night, their hearts beating a new rhythm together. The chill of the evening air was forgotten, replaced by the warmth that radiated between them.

When they finally parted, the world seemed to hold its breath. The crackle of the fire and soft murmurs of nocturnal creatures slowly filtered back into his awareness. He pulled away from her and led her back to the chairs.

The flickering shadows danced across Zeke’s broad face as he stoked the bonfire, casting glimmers of doubt in his eyes. Each crackle of the flames underscored a question that gnawed at his insides—a fear that dug deeper with every shared laugh and touch. He had laid bare parts of his soul to Kaitlyn under these stars, but now, vulnerability tugged at the edges of his certainty.

He was falling hard. And he meant every single word of what he’d promised to Kaitlyn–his wife. His feelings went far beyond protectiveness. But he couldn’t help the fear that she didn’t feel the same way.

She’d said multiple times that she had come for stability. That she was desperate and he’d been an answer to prayer. He’d fallen in love with someone who only wanted him for the life he could give her. Again.

“Beautiful night,” Kaitlyn murmured, her voice threading through the crisp air. She tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear as she gazed at the stars, oblivious to the storm brewing within him.

“Beautiful,” he agreed, his words steady despite the turmoil in his heart. He wasn’t looking at the sky. He watched the way the firelight played upon her features, highlighting her resilience and the hope he’d seen flicker in her eyes earlier. It was one thing to be her safe harbor, another entirely to be just another stopover on her journey.

“Kaitlyn, there’s something….” The words felt like boulders, heavy and hard to maneuver. He shifted on his chair, suddenly conscious of the expanse of night surrounding them, the vastness echoing his sense of exposure.

She turned to him, dark eyes reflecting the fire’s glow. “What is it?”

He cleared his throat, the rasp loud in his own ears. “You and me…” He gestured vaguely between them, as if he could pluck the answer from the air.

“Us?” Her head tilted slightly, a frown creasing her forehead.

“Yeah, us.” He paused, struggling with the admission that clawed for release. “I know I promised you friendship and security…” The words trailed off, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging between them.

Kaitlyn’s expression softened, her eyes searching his. “Zeke, I won’t pretend that security isn’t important. After everything, stability for me and my son is... well, it’s everything. But that’s not why I’m here with you right now.”

“Then why?” The question fell from him like a plea, raw and unguarded.

“Because when you look at me, I feel seen. Not as a project or a woman to be pitied, but as me.” Her hand reached out, hesitating just shy of his arm before she seemed to gather courage and let her fingers brush against him. “And that kiss... it wasn’t about security, Zeke. It was about wanting you.”

His heart thumped against his ribcage, a mix of relief and lingering uncertainty. Could he trust this moment? Trust when she said she wanted him, not the ranch or his money?

“I don’t know how to do this.” His confession was a whisper against the backdrop of the crackling fire. “What if… What if you change your mind? I’m not an easy guy to love. I’m stubborn. I really suck with feelings and words and… all that junk.”

Kaitlyn drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around them as her laughter eased the tension in his chest. “Easy isn’t exactly something I’m accustomed to, Zeke.” Her voice was soft, threaded with the resolve that had carried her through life’s storms. “I don’t need pretty words. And you already know I can match you for stubbornness.”

His chuckle was dry, an echo of the protective walls he had built around himself. He moved closer again, drawn by the honesty in her gaze. “I guess we’ll just have to figure it out together, won’t we?”

Her fingers slid into his, a silent agreement that spoke louder than words. Her smile was a soft glow in the night, offering warmth that seeped into his bones. There was risk in this—risk in letting her see the vulnerable man beneath the protector’s exterior. Zeke was finally realizing that some risks were worth taking.