The Christmas Bouquet. Sherryl Woods

do whatever it takes to make sure Cait’s happy,” he told Mick. “Even if that doesn’t include me.”

      Mick regarded him with shock. “You’d give up without a fight?”

      Noah shook his head. “Not without a fight, no.”

      Mick nodded happily. “Okay, then, let’s talk this through and come up with a plan,” he said eagerly. “I spoke to our priest yesterday and he’s ready to cooperate.”

      Noah smiled. “You don’t leave much to chance, do you?”

      “Not if I can help it,” Mick confirmed.

      “She’s not going to be happy thinking we’re in cahoots,” Noah reminded him.

      “Play this right and she never has to figure that out,” Mick replied confidently.

      Noah wanted to believe that was possible, but he knew better. Cait, of all people, had her grandfather’s deviousness pegged. As Mick began to toss out ideas, some more outrageous than others, Noah started to realize the depths of it himself.

      * * *

      Caitlyn was trying to focus on Nell’s instructions, but she was too distracted by the thought of Noah being interrogated by her grandfather. They’d been alone too long. Just when she was about to burst into her grandfather’s office to rescue Noah, Jenny walked into the kitchen, a grin on her face.

      “You!” she exclaimed, giving Jenny a mock scowl.

      Jenny Collins Green, whose mother was married to Caitlyn’s great-uncle Thomas O’Brien, laughed. “My mom called about your news. I understand you’re blaming this situation on my bridal bouquet, so naturally I had to fly home from Nashville to defend myself. Caleb’s in the recording studio night and day with his new album or he’d be here, too. He’s thinking there might be a hit song in this predicament you blame on the two of us.”

      “Of course he does,” Caitlyn said, then asked plaintively, “You couldn’t have tossed that bouquet in Carrie’s direction?”

      “She didn’t need my help,” Jenny replied, pausing to give Nell a warm hug before turning back to Caitlyn. “Your sister will fall in love all on her own. She’s had lots of practice at looking for the right man.” She shrugged. “Besides, everybody knows I was never a tomboy. I had very little control over where that bouquet went.” She looked around the kitchen. “Where is this man who managed to slip past your defenses?”

      “In Grandpa Mick’s office being grilled,” Caitlyn said with a shudder. “Do I need to be worried for his safety?”

      “You don’t have a ring on your finger yet, so no,” Jenny said. “Mick’s not about to kill the groom-to-be before he has the two of you married.”

      Caitlyn laughed, relaxing at last. “I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right. Grandpa Mick has a single goal right now and it trumps any desire he might have to make Noah pay for his role in this.”

      Jenny regarded Nell fondly. “Mind if I steal your helper? I think a walk in the fresh air before dinner will be good for her. She seems a little tense.”