Page 21 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy (Home to Texas #2)

He smiled then, a killer, and she almost lost her train of thought.

“Don’t smile, Garrett.” She realized he still held her hand. She pulled it free of him.

“Okay, fine. I got it. No smiling. But I’m a little confused. I thought you liked a less grouchy me. I’ve been told lately that I’ve changed, but now I’m not so sure she knew what she was talking about.”

“She?”

“Ella, my sister Carrie’s best friend. I guess I’ve never mentioned her to you.”

“Ella was y-your sister’s best friend?” She took a big swallow. Her heart began to beat hard against her chest.

“She and her husband were driving through Last Stand and she decided to look me up. Ella’s pregnant and happier than I’ve ever seen her.

She and I met in town and had some laughs.

She still has a wild sense of humor. We got to talking about the silly things she and Carrie would get into as kids.

It was nice reliving good memories. I guess I need to tell Cody more fun stories about his mom. Maybe I don’t do that enough.”

“Oh.” Nicole bit her lip.

She’d been all wrong about Garrett. Her sense of relief warred with horrible guilt in thinking the worst about him.

In being jealous over a completely innocent encounter.

When she had no right to be jealous. All they had between them was a pact.

To help Cody and to make the holiday fundraiser a gigantic success.

“I, uh, think you should too. Cody would probably love to hear those stories.”

She shivered again, the chill climbing up her entire body and Garrett’s brows furrowed. “You’re freezing in that jacket.”

Garrett removed his coat and put it around her.

He brought the lapels closed, making sure it covered her.

The lambswool inside his thick suede coat was cozy and warm against her neck and when she looked up, he was so close she could see the dark blue rim circling his irises. “Here you go. That should warm you up.”

“It does,” she said. “Thank you.”

“I just wanted to make sure we’re okay now. You and me. You’ve been so good to us and I, uh—”

“Garrett, it’s all good. We’re fine. I’m sorry you were injured and glad you’re feeling better.”

“Thanks. And what you said just now, about second-guessing yourself? I get that. Ever since my sister died, I’ve been second-guessing myself too. Wondering if I’m getting it right. Wondering if my decisions are the best for Cody. I wasn’t ready for any of this. Who would be, right?”

She gave him a nod. “What you’re doing is giving Cody stability. Giving him your love and making him feel safe. That’s the best anyone can do under the circumstances.”

The look he gave her stilled her heart. His eyes beamed with appreciation and something more. Something she didn’t know how to handle.

“How do you do it, Nic? How do you know just the right thing to say to make me feel better?”

“I, uh, I do?”

He nodded slowly. “You do,” he whispered.

He touched her cheek, removing a strand of hair that had blown onto her face.

But his fingers lingered there, his soft touch making her insides tingle.

He was strong and tall and, with the forever stubble along his defined jawline, ruggedly handsome.

He always seemed to make her feel safe too, especially now.

Being with Garrett was like no other feeling she’d ever experienced before.

She could fall into that deep well of emotion very quickly.

And when he cupped her face with both hands and leaned in, she was helpless to stop what was coming next, so she closed her eyes as his beautiful mouth came down on hers.

She relished the kiss, the taste of him, the nearness that cocooned her in safety and warmth.

She kissed him back and he smiled, a slight curving of his lips, without breaking contact.

Her heart raced and everything inside her became marshmallow soft.

If she wasn’t careful, she could fall in love with Garrett Brown.

From a distance, she heard Cody’s voice, calling for his uncle.

They broke apart immediately and stared at each other. Oh, wow. Oh, wow. Oh, wow.

With regret in his eyes, Garrett called out, “Over here, Cody.”

Julie, Miguel, and Cody came down the church steps and strode over to them. “Whatcha doing, Uncle Garrett?” The boy looked especially curious.

Garrett cleared his throat. “Just having a chat with Miss. Russell.”

“She’s wearing your coat,” Cody blurted.

Julie and Miguel exchanged a glance.

Man, now she knew how it felt when one of her students got caught stealing an extra treat from her lollipop jar.

“That’s because I was cold and your uncle was nice enough to lend me his coat.

” Nicole wiggled her way out of Garrett’s coat and handed it back to him.

“Thank you,” she said, not meeting his eyes.

“You know what? Tomorrow is a big day. We’re putting up the booths for the fundraiser at the ranch. So, we all should get some good sleep.”

“But wait,” Cody said. “You didn’t get a cookie.” He dug into his jacket pocket and came up with a napkin. “There’s one in there for both of you.” He handed the napkin to Nicole.

“Cody, that was awfully thoughtful of you.” Nicole opened the napkin and handed Garrett a cookie.

“It was,” Garrett said. “But we’d better get home. As Miss Russell said, we have a big day tomorrow.”

“You’re not helping, Garrett,” Nicole said firmly, surprised at the warning in her voice. She didn’t mean to be so bossy, but he was still injured.

His eyes twinkled as he gave her a soft look. “You’re forgetting I do have one good arm and I think I can manage to do something constructive.”

“But I’m not asking—”

“I know, I’m offering.”

Oh, boy. He knew now; she cared for him.

That kiss basically stole her heart. She was still tingling inside.

She had no right telling him what he could or couldn’t do.

He wasn’t going to sit still and watch everyone else build the booths but he didn’t scold her, or use harsh words to prove his point.

And the gleam in his eyes scared her silly. What was she doing? She almost preferred Garrett the Grinch—a man who exasperated her—better than this sweeter, kinder man who touched her heart in so many ways.