Page 22 of Bouquets and Buckles

“This… hands down… is the best Christmas lunch I’ve ever had.” She says through a mouthful.

Taking another big bite of the grilled cheese, she’s a gorgeous sight, bundled up in a blanket in front of my fireplace in the lounge. Hair damp and skin glowing after the bath. I got my wish to keep her naked, but Skylar reluctantly agreed to let me throw on some sweats while I made us a meal.

“I don’t believe that for a second.” Biting into my own, the savory hit of melted cheese and caramelized edges of the bread do taste damn good. “But I will say, there’s an art to grilled cheese, I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks. You gotta do it properly. Crisp that motherfucker a little, ya know?”

Skylar chews quietly, then gestures at the sight beside us where we’ve camped out on the floor for this impromptu picnic.

“The tree looks so pretty. I didn’t think I’d want to see a single bauble or scrap of tinsel after the past few weeks of beingneck-deep in making everyone else’s Christmas look gorgeous, but I’m kinda glad to get to see some cute decorations and lights.”

I clear my throat because, if anything, the sight I’m looking at right here before me with her pink hair and gorgeous smile is a thousand times better than that goddamn tree.

“It’s all Brad’s doing. Can’t say I’ve contributed anything really.”

“Bet you still chopped the tree down for him, though, just like you do every year?”

Giving her a wry smile, I reach forward to brush a crumb off the corner of her lips with my thumb.

“Shh, sweetheart. Don’t give away all my secrets. If I had it my way, I’d have nothing at all… I’ve never been much into Christmas, to be honest. Brad however...”

The prettiest girl in the entire fucking world tips her head back and laughs, earning her a glare.

“What?” I huff.

Skylar rolls her lips together, shaking her head. “I’m not really sure I can be bothered with it either… all the day usually does is remind me of being single, and it’s just another day where everything seems to be about buying shit they don’t need and spending time with people they don’t want to be around.”

Ain’t that the fucking truth.

“So my stupid little grilled cheese and a tree that my son insisted on inserting in my house and decorating—that’s enough Christmas spirit for you?

She hums while breaking off a corner, letting the melted cheese stretch out between the pieces with a smile that I don’t deserve to be enjoying so much.

“Look, I’m nothing but a hazard in the kitchen. Anyone who can make me a meal that tastesthisgood is a saint in my eyes.”

“Do you not cook for yourself?” My brows crease.

“No, I’m either too tired, too busy, or find it easier to get takeout.” She mulls over a mouthful, and then her blue eyes roll at me. “Don’t give me thedadlook of judgment either.”

“Well, what do you expect me to say? You’re not taking care of yourself.”

“I’ve never been any good at cooking, and it’s just so hard when your business is new.” Skylar brushes some additional crumbs from the corner of her mouth with a thumb.

I get it. I really do. There have been plenty of times on this ranch when work or the horses have come first, and my own needs a distant second. Even so, it chafes to know this girl has been potentially working herself to the bone with no one there to take care of her.

“No one's been there to help you?” I want to fucking punch whoever she’s been allowing in her life. Clearly, the asshole she was with didn’t know shit about how to keep such a perfect girl.

His loss.

My gain.

She takes another mouthful, avoiding my eyes as she chews. The fireplace pops and hisses to fill the silence.

“Turns out I let the wrong kind of asshole into my life, and I should have listened to Brad a long time ago.” She eventually admits. “But, is it ok if we don’t talk about that?”

“Fine by me, I probably shouldn’t be threatening to break anyone’s jaw, seeing as it’s Christmas and all.”

Skylar gives me a small smile.

“Cooking for me and defending my honor. Where have you been all my life, cowboy?”