Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TEAGAN
Stepping into the Ziegler homestead was like walking into another world. Warm and inviting, the air held traditional holiday aromas—pine, cinnamon, cocoa, cookies.
The scents triggered vague, hazy memories.
Standing on a chair, scooping dough onto baking sheets; sipping hot chocolate loaded with tiny marshmallows while hanging homemade decorations on a tiny tree.
Listening to Christmas carols and sneaking peeks under the tree to see if maybe, just maybe, Santa had come early.
Teagan closed her eyes and savored the moment. The images grew fainter with every passing year. She wasn’t even sure they were real anymore.
“Ready?” Noah whispered as he took her coat and hung it on an open hook.
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Relax.”
“Easier said than done.”
“If you start to feel overwhelmed, squeeze my hand, okay?”
Teagan nodded, even though every cell in her body wanted to turn around and walk right back outside. In and out, that’s what Noah had said. It seemed like such a small ask in the grand scheme of things.
She could and would do this for him.
From the foyer, they entered a living room bigger than her first apartment.
A fire blazed in the hearth, which was decorated with pine garland and festive candles.
In front of the bay window stood one of the prettiest Christmas trees Teagan had ever seen.
Twinkling white lights covered every branch, and pearly, satiny bows and ribbons cascaded like tiny, glittering waterfalls from top to bottom.
Half a dozen children of various ages were scattered about, laughing and playing among twice as many adults.
An attractive, golden-haired woman in her early twenties was the first to spot them. A huge grin split her face as she exclaimed, “Noah!” and ran across the room to hug him.
Another young woman, identical to the first, was right behind her.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re really here!” the second woman said, kissing him solidly on the cheek. “Now it really feels like Christmas!”
Noah smiled and hugged them both, one in each arm, with affection. The family resemblance was striking.
They turned and focused their attention on Teagan, their amber eyes glowing with excitement and blatant curiosity.
The first woman smiled warmly and extended her hand to Teagan. “Hi, I’m Lydia.”
“And I’m Miriam,” said her twin, doing the same. “Thanks for bringing this guy home to us. He’s easily our favorite brother.”
“They say that to all of us,” Noah said, but Teagan could tell he was pleased.
She summoned a smile and accepted each of their hands, hoping they wouldn’t notice how much her hands were shaking.
“Uncle Noah! Uncle Noah!”
Teagan stepped back, making room for the rush of little bodies anxious to greet their uncle. Bear placed himself in front of her again, providing a furry barrier against anyone who might try to hug her. She made a mental note to buy the protective beast a big, juicy bone the first chance she got.
Teagan pasted on a pleasant, casual smile as Noah greeted his family and did introductions. She avoided direct eye contact when possible, focusing on their shoulders or foreheads instead, and tried to breathe through the tightening in her chest.
There were too many to remember, but she managed to catch a few names. Bree, Adam’s wife. Daniel’s wife, Kelly, who looked like she was ready to give birth at any second. Kinsey, Brandon’s also pregnant wife.
Noah wasn’t kidding about his big family gathering here for the holidays.
Remembering Noah’s earlier words, she squeezed his hand when things got to be too much.
“Where are Mom and Dad?” Noah asked immediately, answering her squeeze with one of his own.
“Mom’s in the kitchen,” Miriam said. “You’d better go see her. She’s been looking out the window every two minutes for you.”
Noah excused them and, with a hand lightly resting on Teagan’s lower back, he guided her into an adjoining hallway.
“That was the worst of it, I promise,” he told her. “Everything from here on out is easy.”
Teagan took a deep breath and nodded. She’d trusted him this far; she could do so a little longer.
“Noah!” his mother exclaimed when they stepped into the kitchen.
The Ziegler matriarch was nothing like Teagan had pictured, based on the tall, golden-haired, amber-eyed members of the family she’d met thus far. The older woman was petite, like Teagan, her dark hair slightly streaked with silver.
When she embraced Noah, she barely reached his shoulders. He picked her up easily and kissed the top of her head.
“Hi, Mom,” he said, putting her gently back down.
His mom peeked around her son, greeting Teagan with a warm, friendly smile and sparkling eyes.
“Come on in, dear, but keep hold of Bear, will you? That beast has eaten more of my cookies than all the kids combined.”
Teagan took a few steps forward with her hand still on Bear’s collar. Noah took her other hand, and that helped. She refused to analyze it.
“Mom, this is Teagan. Teagan, my mom, Molly Ziegler.”
Mrs. Ziegler took a good look at Teagan. “I am so pleased to meet you, Teagan.”
“Thanks for having me,” Teagan said.
“Anyone who brings my boy home for Christmas is more than welcome! Oh, you must be hungry,” Mrs. Ziegler said, bustling around the kitchen with renewed energy. “Sit. I’ll make you a little something.”
Before she could protest, Noah said, “Maybe later, Mom. I promised Teagan we’d get a tree tonight. The guys are getting the sleigh ready now.”
“Oh, what a wonderful idea! Give me five minutes and I’ll just pack something for you to take back with you then.”
“So,” Mrs. Ziegler said, speaking over her shoulder as she gathered goodies together. “Noah says you met at the ranch.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Molly. I wouldn’t know how to answer to anything else,” Mrs. Ziegler said, eyes twinkling.
“Teagan has quite a gift with animals,” Noah said.
“Yes, I can see that.” His mom chuckled, shooting a glance at the tail peeking out from under the table. “Maybe you can swing by the stables. Chester hasn’t been himself lately. You might see something we missed.”
Teagan’s mood brightened slightly. Stables, horses. She could definitely do that. “I’d like that.”
“Where’s my boy?” a booming voice said.
The back door opened, bringing with it a swirl of snowflakes on a rush of crisp, clean air. A large man wrapped in winter gear made the room suddenly seem much smaller. As he unwrapped himself, Teagan saw an older version of Noah.
There was no doubt which parent had the dominant genes. The man was tall and still quite muscular, and had short-cropped golden hair liberally sprinkled with white. His amber eyes lit up at the sight of Noah rising from the table.
Mr. Ziegler greeted his son with a vigorous bear hug, relief etched into his features. Teagan wondered what could have kept Noah away from such a loving, caring family, then reminded herself that it wasn’t any of her business.
The older man released Noah and leaned down to give his wife an affectionate kiss. He froze when he saw Teagan.
“Sweet Lord, child. I haven’t seen a pair of eyes like that since …” Noah’s dad left the rest unfinished.
“Dad, this is Teagan. She’s spending Christmas with us.”
His father clapped his hands together. “Teagan!” he said excitedly. “I knew it! I may be an old man, but I know an Irish lass when I see one.” He winked at Noah as he gave his wife a knowing squeeze. “Makes a man’s heart skip a beat, eh, son?”
So much for this being easy.
Teagan waited for Noah to correct him, but Noah’s mom saved them. “Martin, stop it. You’re embarrassing her,” Molly said.
Bear whined softly, and Teagan realized she was squeezing the poor dog’s ears. She rubbed him apologetically, and he quickly forgave her, settling his head on her lap once more.
“Teagan, dear, are you feeling all right?” Noah’s mom asked. “You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine. Thank you,” she murmured, hoping that Molly Ziegler wasn’t as good at detecting lies as she looked. “Just a little tired.”
Thankfully, Noah understood. He pushed himself back from the massive table. “It was a long drive,” he said, “and we’ve still got a tree to pick out.”
“You go on,” Molly said, waving them toward the door. “I’ll have someone take this to the cottage so it’ll be there for you when you get back.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Noah said, leaning down to kiss his mom’s cheek.
“Have fun, you two,” Molly called out. “It’s a beautiful night for a sleigh ride.”
Teagan’s smile faded once they stepped outside, guilt draping heavily over her shoulders. “This was a mistake,” she said quietly.