Mistletoe Rodeo (Welcome to Ramblewood) by Amanda Renee Page B

coffee. Back inside, Chase popped an eggnog-flavored K-cup into the Keurig.
    “Happy birthday to me.”
    * * *
    “I HATED LYING to him like that.” Nola looked up at Miranda, Lexi and Tess, standing shoulder to shoulder on the other side of her desk.
    “Trust us—by the end of the night he’ll be feeling much better. Especially with you by his side.”
    Nola still couldn’t believe the “brides of Bridle Dance,” as Chase affectionately called them, had shown up at her office first thing this morning and asked her to be a part of Chase’s surprise party. She’d had no idea it was even his birthday, a fact she wondered if he had intentionally left out.
    “Are you sure he wants me there?” The little voice in Nola’s head told her Chase hadn’t mentioned it for a reason.
    All three women laughed—some might even say cackled—in unison. It was cute but becoming somewhat frightening. The interest they’d taken in Nola’s relationship with Chase was a tad intense at times and Nola wasn’t sure whether to believe they were telling the truth, or whether it was all just wishful thinking on their part.
    “He just called and asked you out for tonight,” Tess said. “I’d take that as a definitive yes.”
    Nola had enjoyed the time she’d shared with Chase over the past few days, but they’d spent the majority of it working. They’d never actually been out on a date or spent any time alone other than that first night, although she assumed that was what Chase had been attempting to do today.
    “Should I get him anything?” Nola mentally ran through what she knew about Chase, and his only hobby seemed to be his truck. Anything rodeo related was a sore subject right now.
    “Nope.” Lexi shook her head. “Just bring yourself.”
    “Hopefully I won’t let anything slip today. I had planned to discuss some ideas with Chase about honoring your mother-in-law at the Mistletoe Rodeo. If you have any thoughts on the ceremony, please let me know.”
    “We love how you came up with that idea, but don’t overdo it.” Tess stopped herself and winced. “That probably wasn’t the best choice of words. I just mean Kay doesn’t like attention drawn to her, so where a mention would be fine, an outright ceremony would probably embarrass her.”
    “Tess is right,” Lexi added. “I think anything that detracts from the event and what she’s trying to do with the food bank awareness campaign might actually upset her. We know you mean well, and it doesn’t surprise me that Chase wants to put Kay in the spotlight to acknowledge all she’s done for Ramblewood. I personally feel this is one of those things that would probably be better if it was held among her family and friends. Not a public event.”
    “I hadn’t thought of that.” There were people out there who’d probably accuse the Langtrys of organizing the fund-raiser just for the recognition. Namely Scott David, who had increased his online ranting. Nola had yet to discover the basis of his resentment toward them, but his cutting remarks became more personal with every post. “I’ll talk to Chase about making it a private affair. You’re absolutely right.”
    “Thank you for understanding,” Lexi said. “And don’t worry about it tonight—you’ll have the entire weekend with Chase at the Winter Festival to discuss the Mistletoe Rodeo.”
    “I will?” Chase had asked her to go, but she’d put it out of her mind and had no formal plans to attend. Plus she was on standby for the station, so it wasn’t as if she could promise anyone she’d be anywhere.
    “Kay asked us to invite you to our tree-trimming party tomorrow night.” Miranda shifted, nearly causing an avalanche of files to tumble off the credenza behind her. “It’s tradition. We begin at the town square and watch the Ramblewood tree lighting together, then we head back to the ranch and decorate the inside of the house from top to bottom. It will be so much fun. Please say you’ll