Mistletoe Masquerade - Clean Christmas Romance (Sagebrush Dude Ranch Christmas Book 1) (eBook)

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Chapter 1

Daniel muttered an expletive as he glanced over his shoulder while he hurried toward the resort from the parking lot. Christmas lights glinted when the light hit them just right, and a speaker somewhere blasted a Christmas song he couldn’t quite place. His cowboy boots kicked up dust around him, giving him the appearance of being surrounded by a dirt devil. This was not an ideal situation. It was never supposed to come to this. Zoe was gonna kill him.
Heck, his family might do worse than that. He would be the laughingstock of his hometown the next time he visited. That was why he’d moved to Starlight—to get out of the reach of the meddling locals.
None of that mattered when his family decided to make a last-minute visit for the holidays, expecting to meet the girlfriend he’d told them so much about.
Dang it, where was she?
Hadn’t Eve said that Zoe was in the activities barn, preparing to take some guests on a horseback ride? Daniel whipped through the first barn but found no trace of Zoe. He had to get to her before his folks did. They had been right behind him.
His heart lurched into his throat as he darted out of the barn and headed for the stable, where all the horses were kept. Just as he headed down the aisle, Zoe emerged, holding the reins of a beautiful chestnut horse. The jingle bells on the reins tinkled with each step they took. She jumped as her warm brown eyes landed on him, then a small smile graced her lips. “Hey, Daniel. I thought you were off today.”
He nodded, hurrying forward as he gulped in the air he’d lost from his sprinting. “I know this isn’t going to make any sense, and you’re probably going to think the worst of me—”
Zoe laughed. “Take a breath, Daniel. I’m sure whatever it is will be just fine.”
Daniel swallowed hard, shaking his head. “You don’t understand. My folks. My brother—” He motioned toward the door. “I’m so sorry.”
Her smile faded as her gaze darted to the door. Tone light but wary, she brought her gaze back to him. “Sorry about what?”
“Daniel! There you are. We thought we’d lost you.”
He spun around to find his mother, father, and younger brother standing in the doorway in all their Christmas-sweater glory. Why did they have to come now of all times?
Alice’s focus flicked over Daniel’s shoulder to Zoe, and her smile widened. “Is this her? Is this the Zoe you’ve been telling us so much about? Boy, you’re prettier than Daniel described. Isn’t she pretty, John?”
His father grunted.
That wasn’t embarrassing at all.
Shoot, shoot, shoot.
This was what he’d feared would happen, only he’d fooled himself into believing it never would. Slowly, Daniel turned around and faced Zoe, finding only confusion and maybe a hint of amusement. He mouthed the words I’m so sorry as he walked toward her. When he reached her, he was finally able to whisper, “Please go along with this.”
She blinked up at him then glanced toward his family. “Wha—”
Daniel slipped his hand into hers and squeezed firmly. “Yep, this is her. This is my girlfriend.”
Zoe shot another surprised look at him before making a small attempt to tug away from him.
“I know I told you that you wouldn’t have to meet them until you were ready, but they just showed up.”
His mother had the good grace to look chagrined. “I’m terribly sorry for putting you on the spot, dear. I just… Well, we thought we needed to finally meet the person who had stolen Daniel’s heart.” She reached for his father’s hand, and they exchanged a loving look. “We’d love it if you would spend the week with us. We got a reservation at the resort for the holidays.”
This was it—the moment of truth where Zoe could rat him out and tell his family he’d been lying to them this whole time. She could run away from him and tell Human Resources that he’d overstepped.
Maybe he would even get in trouble for harassment. There was no telling what would happen next.
He held his breath, waiting for her to do just that. He couldn’t blame her. She probably should run.
Run far, far away.
Zoe glanced up at him, and for a split second, he could see it in her eyes. The absolute distrust. She thought he was crazy.
Then her features shifted, smoothing into a graceful smile. She squeezed his hand briefly then took a step toward his family, tugging him along with her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Daniel raves about his family.” She flashed him a look that could only be described as adoration.
Boy, this woman is a good actress.
“I’m sorry you had to take the trip to Starlight. It’s just that I’m so busy, and so is Daniel—especially around the holidays.”
His mother nodded. “Oh, we’ve heard all about it. This place is a destination not to be missed.” Alice moved closer to Daniel and patted his cheek. “This was the first year Daniel wasn’t able to make it home for the holidays, so we knew we had to bring the family to him.”
“I’m right here, Mother. You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not.”
“Oh, hush. I’m allowed to show my oldest son some love.” She nodded to Zoe, who still held the reins of the horse in her free hand. “It looks like you’re getting ready for something. We should leave you to it.” She shot one more look toward Daniel. “I expect you to share supper with us this evening. Zoe, you’re more than welcome to join us, but don’t feel obligated.”
“Thank you, Mrs.—”
“Oh, call me Alice. And this is my husband, John, and our son, Michael.”
His father and brother nodded toward Zoe. While his father was unreadable, his brother wore a smirk that only a high school senior could pull off. Great. A smirk like that could only mean one thing. He thought he knew something Daniel didn’t.
Or he did, and he was going to hold that information hostage.
His mother gave them both a little wave then nudged Michael. “Come on. Let’s get our bags out of the truck and check into our room. Let’s let these two have a moment.” She winked, eliciting a groan from Daniel. Could this get any worse?
They slipped out of the barn, and he stood there with Zoe by his side for a few full minutes before she ripped her hand from his grasp and faced him. “Girlfriend? Seriously?”
Daniel dragged a hand down his face. “I told you I was sorry.”
“So you, what? Told your family that we were dating? We barely know each other, Daniel. What were you thinking?”
He grimaced. “I was thinking that they’d never come visit. They live in Oklahoma, for heaven’s sake. I figured by the time I saw them again, I could tell them we weren’t an item anymore.”
“You did, did you?” She shook her head. “This is crazy. You know that, right? They’re probably going to ask me questions about how we met and stuff that I like about you. Have you even thought this through?”
“No, not really,” he admitted.
“Well, it’s too late to go back on it now. They’re staying for a week. I can’t be the bad guy who breaks up with you right before Christmas.” She let out a heavy breath that lifted the stray strands of brown hair that surrounded her face. When she looked up at him, her eyes narrowed. “You swear it’s only going to be for the week?”
Hope burst to life within him. “I swear it.”
She pressed her lips together tightly. “Fine. Then after that, you’re responsible for telling them we’ve broken up.”
“Absolutely,” he promised. “As soon as they leave.”

(Prequel) Snowfall at Sagebrush
1. Mistletoe Masquerade
2, Gingerbread Hearts
3. Beneath the Christmas Star
4. Tinsel Trail
5. Crossroads at Sagebrush

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