Page 42 of A Cowboy Holiday

“Ooh. What else does Phee want for Christmas?”

I frowned. “She hasn’t said much. That’s a little odd ’cause she’s usually got a list a mile long. I think…”

“What?” he prodded.

“I think every day feels like Christmas for her lately.”

Tanner smiled. “She likes it here.”

“She loves it. A nice house, a playground with horses and pigs, and a couple of new best friends…”

“Friends are important.”

Such a simple throwaway line.

“Hmm.”

We worked quietly, putting the finishing touches on the tree.

“Do you remember what you wanted for Christmas when you were five?” he asked after a minute.

“Probably boots or a new cowboy hat.”

“So you really were always a cowboy at heart.”

“I ’spose so.”

Tanner grinned. “Same. At five, I’d have been happy with a new football and a bunch of Matchbox cars too. Remember those?”

“Uh, yeah. I had a good-sized collection,” I admitted.

“Jax and I had the racetrack too, but we spent more time digging our own roads and making tunnels for those mini cars by the creek ’cause it was?—”

“Good dirt,” we said in unison.

We laughed, though it wasn’t all that funny. My laugh used to sound rusty—too deep and scratchy. Not lately, though.

“So we’re back to good dirt, huh?” Tanner waggled his brows in an attempt at lascivious suggestion that came off as boyish and…well, adorable.

I tugged at the brim of his hat. “All right. If we’re going to gossip, I got something.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“I think your ex is worried we’ve got something going on.”

Tanner’s mouth formed a perfect O. “Rich? That’s—why would you think he’d give us a second thought?”

“He gave me the third degree at Thanksgiving.”

“That was over a week ago. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

Good question. My brow creased as I stooped to gather the empty boxes and stash them in the plastic bin marked OutsideHoliday Lights. “I dunno. I couldn’t decide if it mattered or not. I get the impression he still has feelings for you.”

He sighed in exasperation, casting a weary glance at the landscape where twilight had shrouded the early evening sky in streaks of light blue and indigo.

The surrounding bungalows and their yards were lit with thousands of lights. Some white, some multi-colored. Some had blow-up figures or more sophisticated decorations featuring life-sized reindeer, a sled, and woodland creatures dressed in winter finery. The holidays had hit the ranch seemingly overnight. It made sense that I’d be the last tenant to join the party and even more sense that I’d ruin the upbeat mood by bringing up my temporary lover’s ex.

Way to fucking go, Axel.