Page 43 of A Cowboy Holiday

I picked up two empty bins and Tanner grabbed the other. We took them to the storage shed, stacked them neatly, and opened the side door into the kitchen.

Tanner pulled a glass from the open shelf and filled it with water, then finally broke the silence. “We dated for two and a half years, and broke up last year. Rich wanted a bigger commitment. Not a marriage proposal, but a hint that it was where we were heading.”

I held my hands up like dual stop signs. “I’m sorry I brought it up. You don’t have to?—”

“I wasn’t ready to get married,” he continued, ignoring me. “Not even close. I was busy with the ranch. We were growing too fast, and I had to stay focused. I didn’t want the distraction of a husband and unfortunately, I told Rich so…probably in those exact words. It didn’t go over well. We went our separate ways, but he works for the ranch and he’s an important part of our team, so…it’s been awkward.”

“And everyone knows.”

“And some are confused ’cause they thought we were a great couple,” he added.

“Everyone but you?”

Tanner pursed his lips. “Yeah. It wasn’t hard to walk away. I think if you really love someone, that kind of thing oughtta hurt.”

“Hmm.”

“I was extremely aware that our breakup was a hot topic, which sucked. It took months for the story to fade, and just as it finally did, Rich called me out of the blue. We had dinner and…”

“Don’t stop now,” I urged with a humorless half laugh.

“He asked if I might be interested in a sex-only relationship.”

I widened my eyes. “No shit?”

“Mmhmm, that was roughly when I met you.” He drained his glass, wiped his mouth with his hand, and set it on the counter. “And all I could think about was the new vet.”

“Me.”

“You.” Tanner snorted. “So there you have it. If he seems curious about you or us, he probably is. I don’t know what to say. I like Rich. I wouldn’t hurt him for the world. He’s a great guy, and I wish him all the best things in life. I just don’t want to be his person.”

I stepped into his space, crowding him against the counter. “I shouldn’t have poked at you for that story, but I’m glad you told me. You have a funny habit of making me like you a little more every time you open your mouth, cowboy.”

Tanner plucked my hat off my head, set next to his empty glass, and dragged his finger through my hair. “I feel the same way about you.”

Our kiss was sweet and unhurried. A tender fusion of lips and tongues with gentle nips, the brush of noses, and the rasp of stubble. I could have stayed like this for hours, drinking him in, reveling in his easy company and the underlying pull of desire. Itwas a heady combination that might have led us to the bedroom, but?—

“Daddy, Daddy!” The kitchen door banged open, and Phoebe tore into the room. “Did you see the lights on our house? And the big Santa and the snowman too!”

I winked at Tanner and squeezed his hip, then swooped Phee into my arms. “You saw Santa?”

“I did! I love it so much.” She hugged me tight and grinned at Tanner. “Did you see too?”

“Sure did,” he replied. “Let’s go look together.”

She wiggled out of my hold, grabbed my hand, and held her other hand out to Tanner. “Did you kiss my daddy?”

Tanner froze at the door, meeting my gaze briefly. “I…”

I ruffled Phee’s hair. “I kissed Tanner.”

“Did he kiss you back?”

“He did.”

Phee grinned. “Good. C’mon!”

Tanner snickered at my bug-eyed expression. “How long do you think we have before that rumor gets out?”