Chapter 6

6

WES

I was a grumpy bastard even though I’d soured Sutton’s date with Ashton. The worst part was it hadn’t stopped Sutton from going on more dates. In fact, it seemed to have spurred her to go on more.

I hated that she felt the need to put herself through this process. The one saving grace was that she wasn’t giving me the play-by-play anymore. She must have sensed it was bothering me.

I didn’t want to see my best friend marry someone she wasn’t in love with. I wanted the best for her.

We were setting up new trees on the precut lot. The speakers were already playing holiday music I could do without.

“I think it would be nice if you added a Santa. One of you could dress up as the big guy, sit on a red velvet chair, and pose for a few pictures,” Charlotte said as she followed Teddy through the trees.

He turned abruptly, causing her to stumble slightly to a halt. “Have you lost your mind?”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Your father asked me to implement a few of my ideas, and this is one of them. We’re close to Christmas, so I can only do a few things. We can’t make any long-term marketing goals until this season is over. But having a Santa on site would be an easy way to bring in more customers and interest.”

“I think that sounds like a great idea,” Jameson said from the other side of the tree I was setting up.

“Why don’t you be Santa then?” Teddy grumbled.

“I was hoping you could do it. You have the right physique, and you’re already sporting the beard.” Charlotte’s voice was hopeful.

Teddy’s jaw clenched dangerously tight. “You think I have the same physique as Santa?”

Charlotte shrugged. “You’re big and burly.”

I was enjoying this little exchange. “For what it’s worth, I think you’ll make a great Santa.”

Charlotte’s smile fell. “Will you at least think about it? I’m limited in what we can do in the few weeks before the big day.”

“We don’t have to do anything,” Teddy said stubbornly.

“Remember, you agreed to a trial period. I’m implementing a few new ideas. Then if they work, I can work on a more long-term plan for next year.”

Teddy crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t like it.”

Charlotte sighed like she was dealing with a difficult toddler. “I’m trying to make this as easy for you as possible.”

“By making me Santa?”

“You’ll wear the costume and a hat. No one will know it’s you.”

“Oh, we’ll know,” Jameson singsonged unhelpfully as he came around the tree.

Charlotte shot him a disgusted look. “You’re not helping. ”

“I don’t want to dress up as Santa,” Teddy said.

“You’ll look great in the pictures with the kids. You’re the perfect one for the job. Don’t you want to make kids happy?”

“Not really,” Teddy mumbled.

Charlotte floundered, clearly not knowing how to convince him.

“Our dad could do it. He has the gray hair and a less surly personality. You don’t want Santa to scare the children, do you?” I asked, knowing that would piss off Teddy even more.

Charlotte sighed. “That’s not a bad idea.”

Teddy was similar in stature to our father. He was a big guy even if he’d lost some of his weight as he’d aged. But he had the gray beard for Santa, and he adored little kids.

“I was just hoping Teddy would do it. If you’re the face of the farm going forward, then you should be the one involved in the activities.”

“Ask my dad. This was all his idea,” Teddy said as he turned and walked away.

“Is he always this difficult?” Charlotte asked us.

She was this petite ball of personality that most of us enjoyed having around. She was always quick with a good morning, or a happy Friday.

“More so. You caught him on a good day,” Jameson said.

Charlotte’s gaze swung from Jameson to me. “Is he being serious?”

I shrugged. “He’s generally grumpy.”

Dad mentioned something about letting Teddy take charge after Mom died, and now he was trying to take some of it back. He wanted Teddy to have a life outside of the farm and his job. So far, it wasn’t working, but maybe it would if we could generate more income for the farm; it would take the pressure off Teddy .

“We’ll talk to him,” I promised, used to my peacemaker role.

“It won’t matter,” Jameson said as he grabbed the next tree.

Charlotte’s shoulders lowered. “I’m trying to do my job, and he’s fighting me every step of the way.”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? If he can interfere with your plans, you don’t get the job,” I said, wanting to be honest with her.

“He’s absolutely infuriating. I need this job.” Then Charlotte spun around and left.

“I’ve never seen her this upset. She’s usually so positive.”

“Teddy can make anyone insane.”

“I understand where he’s coming from. But I don’t know why he’s so resistant to her suggestions. She knows what she’s doing.”

“He doesn’t want to play dress-up.”

Teddy liked to be in control, and that might have something to do with Mom dying. It was hard to watch her go through treatments and get sicker.

After she died, I could see why Teddy would hold onto everything with a tight rein. Unfortunately, he was going to have to learn he can’t control everything in life, especially not someone as bright and vibrant as Charlotte.

“It will be interesting to see how it turns out,” I said blandly.

Jameson smirked. “I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.”

“I think having a Santa is a good idea. It’s the perfect opportunity to draw people in.”

“As long as I’m not dressed up as Santa,” Jameson said.

“You’d be perfect as Santa. You’ve got the muscles. The facial hair,” I teased him.

Jameson punched me hard in the arm.

On Saturday night, I was trying to relax at home with Otto on the couch next to me. He groaned every time he rolled over. “Are you missing Sutton too?”

She’d been out on dates every night this week. She called it speed dating. I called it torture.

When my phone rang, I moved for it a little slower than I would have normally. I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear about her latest dating escapade. I certainly didn’t want to learn that she’d met the one .

With a sigh, I answered, “Hey.”

“Wes, oh, thank god.”

The desperation in her voice had me sitting up straight, immediately on high alert. “What’s wrong?”

“I went on a date tonight, and he’s creeping me out.”

My jaw tight, I asked, “Where are you?”

“Max’s Bar I wondered if she’d fallen asleep. Finally, she said, “I don’t want to go on anymore dates. I just want to forget about my grandmother’s edict.”

“I know how much the house means to you.”

“I’m not sure it’s worth this.”

I didn’t like that Sutton felt unsafe tonight. She might have been able to handle it on her own, but these dates could be dangerous. She could attract the sort of guy who just wanted her money, and who knows what they’d do to get it? “It isn’t safe.”

“The whole thing is crazy.”

“What if there was another solution?”

“I have to get married in order to inherit the house. The only other option is to walk away from everything.” Her tone was filled with defeat.

“We’ll figure something out.” I was considering offering myself up as the husband in this scenario, but I wasn’t sure she’d go for it. I needed to think it through some more, come up with the best course of action. One where she wouldn’t turn me down flat.

“I don’t want to think about it anymore tonight.”

I held her more tightly, enjoying the feel of her in my arms. Would this be the last time we were together like this? Would she choose one of the guys she’d already gone out with? How desperate was she to inherit the estate?

I wanted to give her everything she’d ever wanted. The marriage, the house, and her future. The more I thought about stepping in as her fiancé, then husband, the better the idea felt. I wouldn’t have to watch her marry someone else. She’d be in my bed.

It wouldn’t be real, but what if it gave me the time necessary to show her that we could be more than friends? We’d be married for a few months, living together, sharing meals, a bed. It had to appear real for Mrs. Rosesmith to believe it. How far could I take it? What would be necessary to show Sutton how I felt?

What if I fell even deeper for her, but she didn’t feel the same way? At least I’d know. It was the best plan I could think of. It gave me more time and solved her problem of marrying a stranger. She trusted me, and I didn’t want her family’s money.

I just had to figure out the best approach. I didn’t want Sutton to dismiss me.