Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold) Read Online Free Page B

“There’s a barn?”
    The lazy smile returned. “It’s nicer than it sounds. The barn has been converted into a big, open space. We’ll be able to fit in tables and decorations.”
    “What do you use it for?”
    “I haven’t decided. I knew I didn’t need a place to house livestock.”
    “No desire to raise horses and cows?”
    “Not this week. You’ll probably want to come take a look at it.”
    Go to his house? Or his barn, but still. They were on the same property. She hoped she looked normal as she nodded and made a note. “That’s a good idea. We can discuss decorations and table linens. I’ve already reserved the tables and chairs. I was worried they would all be set aside for other events. I wasn’t sure if you had enough dishes and glasses, so I reserved those, as well.”
    “Good thinking.” Concern drew his brows together. “I hadn’t realized there was so much to organize. I’m glad we’re working on this together.”
    His words made her tingle all over. Star power, she told herself. Nothing more than star power.
    * * *
    Madeline wrapped up her meeting with Jonny, then collected her handbag and walked toward the other side of the store. While wedding gowns would always be a part of Paper Moon, the retail clothing addition was doing well. Madeline found Isabel sorting through a shipment of handbags.
    Her business partner, a tall, curvy blonde, smiled. “Is it time for lunch? Thank goodness. This has been one of those mornings. Only half of what I ordered got delivered and there was nearly a fistfight between two tourists who wanted the same jacket in the same size. I was afraid I was going to have to call for backup.”
    “You know where to find me,” Madeline told her. “Rosalind is here most days, too. Between the three of us, we should be able to wrestle any unruly shopper into submission.”
    Isabel laughed. “Thank you for that. I feel better.”
    The words were appropriate, but there was something about the way Isabel said them. “Are you okay?”
    “What? Of course. I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
    “I’m not sure.” There was something, Madeline thought, studying her friend. She just couldn’t figure out what.
    “You’re feeling okay?” she asked.
    Isabel had recently announced she was pregnant. As far as Madeline knew, everything was progressing normally.
    Isabel put a hand on her belly. “Everything is going along as it should,” she said firmly. “I’m healthy. Not to worry.” She started for the back. “Give me one second and we’ll head to Jo’s.”
    Two minutes later they were walking to Jo’s Bar, where they would meet their friends for lunch. The air was crisp. The first snow had already fallen and pretty much gone away. There were still a few piles left from clearing the sidewalks, but little else. Still, plenty more was on the way. While the first few snowfalls were always exciting, by month two of shoveling, Madeline knew she would be ready for spring. Still, it would be wonderful to have a white Christmas.
    They ducked into Jo’s Bar. The place catered to women and was decorated with flattering paint colors, good lighting. There were plenty of healthy choices on the menu. Today the TVs were tuned to either a shopping channel or a show on HGTV.
    Madeline saw that Shelby and Destiny had already claimed a table. She waved at her friends, then led the way over.
    “Hey, you,” Shelby said, coming to her feet and hugging Madeline. She greeted Isabel, then moved so Madeline could say hi to a more-pregnant-by-the-day Destiny.
    “You’re growing,” Madeline said with a laugh. “And glowing. Isabel, this is in your future.”
    “If only,” Isabel said with a sigh. “I’ll never look that good when I’m six months along.”
    “Don’t be too nice to me,” Destiny told them. “I’m very hormonal these days. I’ll start crying.”
    “We don’t want that,” Shelby, a petite blonde, told her teasingly.
    The two women smiled at each other. While