Page 29 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy (Home to Texas #2)

T he cleanup on Sunday at Cottonwood had gone smoothly, the volunteers being generous with their time and energy.

And though Nicole was vegging on her sofa, nearing exhaustion after the weeks of prepping and the aftermath of tabulating profits on Monday and Tuesday, she was also especially happy with the end results.

When all was said and done, they’d made enough money to support all the families in need well through the winter months.

Not only would they have a wonderful Christmas, they’d have hope for the coming year.

Many of the Honeysuckle Elementary families just needed a bridge, a way to see them through a few months, in order to get on their feet financially again.

It meant so much to her that the event provided that safety net for them.

“Honey, I’ll make dinner tonight,” her mother said. “You stay on the couch and rest.”

“Mom, you’ve made dinner three nights already since you’ve been here. This is supposed to be your vacation.”

“I don’t mind, sweetheart. You’re pooped.”

She was. She’d been like a battery-powered bunny moving at the speed of light, in order to put the fundraiser together, and after breaking it all down at Cottonwood two days ago, her body sort of rebelled.

Her sofa never felt more comfortable. This was the most time she’d spent on the couch since she’d gotten the flu as a teenager.

Her folks had basically forced her to relax and rest, while they went about taking care of the apartment and cooking.

“I have to finish up my Christmas shopping, Mom.”

“We’ll do that tomorrow.”

“And I need a dress for the Christmas ball.”

Her mother blinked. “Well, I’m glad you’re going, sweetheart. You didn’t tell me you were.”

“I wasn’t. Until, well…” She turned her head away and squeezed her eyes closed. She knew what would come next after she made the announcement, but there was no getting around it. Her folks would find out soon enough. She turned to her mom, shrugging. “Garrett invited me to go.”

Her mother smiled her approval. “Isn’t that wonderful.”

There was no mistaking the wheels turning in her mother’s head right now. She saw them plain as day on a face that couldn’t hide any emotion.

Nicole glanced at her dad sitting across from her. He gave her a wink.

“We’re going as friends,” she said in her own defense. Though, she could tell her mother wasn’t buying any of it. And she doubted her dad was either.

“All right, then. I’ll help you shop for just the right dress.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She closed her eyes and there was Garrett’s face, smiling at her.

She sighed, remembering how he’d held her hand, how he’d been there for her at every turn.

She couldn’t deny it any longer, she was deeply in love with him.

It was powerful and, if she were being honest, she’d never felt this pull, this magic, with Johnny.

Garrett lit up her world, while Johnny had only been a dim glow.

Her gut clenched, her emotions reeling, but all she could do now was to go with what she was feeling, instead of running away from it.

Her cell phone chimed and she looked at the notification. It was from Garrett. She opened his text and smiled at the message. “An early surprise Christmas gift to Cody. I’m taking him horseback riding tomorrow afternoon at the Misty Rose Ranch. Want to join us?”

Her first inclination was to shout, yes, yes, yes.

She’d wanted nothing more than to join them, but she held back.

For Cody’s sake. This would be his first time on a horse, and the ride would be more special if it were just the two of them.

Nicole didn’t want to impose on that special bonding experience.

“Thanks. Wish I could. But I have plans tomorrow afternoon.”

“With your folks?” he asked.

“My mom. We’re going to finish up our Christmas shopping.”

And buy the perfect winter dress for the Christmas ball.

“Thanks for the invitation, though. Sounds like too much fun.”

There was a long pause before he texted again. “Rain check?”

“Sure,” she answered. But she didn’t believe it was ever going to happen. After the holiday, she’d go back to teaching class and he’d go back to renovating the house.

“What are you doing now?” he asked.

“Vegging out. Spending time with my folks.”

“Good. Your bones need a rest.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“I guess I’ll see you Saturday night then. I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Okay. See you then.”

“Sweet dreams, Nicole.”

She clicked off the phone and her eyes slowly closed. She savored every word from Garrett, no matter how they communicated. There was a sweet place in her heart for him, and she kept it all warm and cozy inside. “Sweet dreams to you too, Garrett,” she whispered.

*

Garrett put in half a day’s work at the house, finishing up in one of the bathrooms, while Cody played with a set of magnetic building blocks in his bedroom.

The kid was pretty good at making something out of nothing.

It always stunned him, how smart his nephew was, for a six-year-old and he gave all the credit to his sister, Carrie, and her husband Dell.

Together they’d been two equal parts of a whole in the brain department.

Carrie being math and science while Dell was history and English.

He popped his head into Cody’s room and found him sitting on the floor, stacking magnets in the shape of a castle. “Hey, bud. I have a surprise for you today. That is, if you’re not too busy?”

The boy looked up, his eyes wide and expectant. “What kind of surprise?”

“How would you like to go horseback riding today?”

Cody jumped up immediately. “Oh, boy. For real?”

Garrett laughed. “Yeah, for real. We’re going to Misty Rose Ranch and you’re gonna learn how to ride. That’s if you want to.”

“Oh, boy! I get to ride a horse.”

“Yes, you sure do.”

“Are you riding too?”

“I am. I’ll be right next to you and we’ll have us a nice ride up in the hills there. Go put on your boots and I’ll grab our jackets.”

“Yes, sir!” And within ten minutes, they were in the truck heading toward the ranch. He’d been wanting to find some time to do this with Cody and when Blake Charles called yesterday, asking if he could bring by the buyer interested in the property, Garrett thought it a good opportunity.

Mr. McNally was motivated and Blake didn’t want to discourage the man by putting him off until after Christmas. Garrett didn’t think the house was ready for viewing, but he’d agreed because the timing was perfect. He’d be gone most of the afternoon with Cody and the house would be empty.

Cody was so excited about riding today he couldn’t keep still in his car seat.

“Hey, wiggle worm, calm down. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“I’m trying, Uncle Garrett.” But his boots kept kicking the back of his seat.

“Try harder and stop kicking. You’re making me dizzy.”

“Sorry,” Cody said and a glance in the rearview mirror said he didn’t look sorry. The kid was happy and it showed. So that must mean his surprise was a big hit.

“How about we play a quick game of what if?” Garrett asked to calm the boy down.

“Okay, I’ll go first,” Cody said, gazing out as the pastures touched with snow rolled by. “What if horses could talk?”

“Then they’d tell us to get off their backs.”

“Uncle Garrett, they wouldn’t say that.”

“What would they say then?”

“Give me more carrots.” Cody used his deepest manly voice and Garrett laughed. “Your turn.”

“Okay, let me think. What if all the wildflowers turned into ice cream cones?”

“That’s a good one, only there’s no wildflowers now.”

“There will be come spring.”

“But, we’ll be gone by then, Uncle Garrett.” Cody’s happy expression faltered.

The boy was sharp, but Garrett didn’t realize Cody thought about leaving the ranch. He’d been excited about moving to a place where it snowed every winter. Garrett thought he understood the ranch was their temporary home.

“Hey, Code. It’s just a game.”

“I know,” he answered, disappointment in his tone.

“Hey, look up ahead. There’s the Misty Rose Ranch.”

“Oh, boy. There’s a whole corral full of horses.”

“There sure is.” He pulled into the gates, and a pretty woman with long dark hair was waiting in front of the house.

He and Cody exited the car and walked up to her. “Hi, I’m Misty Chambers. One half of the Misty Rose.”

“Nice to meet you. We talked on the phone.”

“Yes, and this must be Cody.” She bent to his level and put out her hand. “Hello.”

“Hi.”

“I’m gonna be teaching you a few things about horses. Are you ready to learn?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good, let’s head on over to the barn.”

Half an hour later, after an informative course about equine care and traits, Garrett and Cody were mounted atop their horses. Cody was strapped in, using a special children’s saddle.

“Cody, Pattycake is a sweet ole girl so she shouldn’t give you any trouble at all. If it’s okay with your uncle, I’ll ride with you until I’m sure you both are doing well. And then, you’ll have some time on your own. We’ll stay along the path. Ready?”

“I’m ready,” Cody said eagerly. He looked so darn cute wearing a felt hat, holding those reins, a big grin on his face.

As far as surprise Christmas gifts went, Garrett scored big on this one.

*

Nicole couldn’t believe how quickly the week after the fundraiser flew by and it was Saturday night already, almost time for the Christmas ball and her date with Garrett.

She was pretty sure her folks were leaving for the Christmas ball early, in order to give her privacy when Garrett picked her up.

Her folks might be a little nosy when it came to her private life, but she didn’t mind too much, because when push came to shove, they always supported her.

They liked Garrett, maybe as much as she did, and giving her time alone with him was important to them as much as it was to her.

She showed her appreciation by giving them both kisses on the cheek, and a promise to save a dance for her dad.

“See you guys, soon. Drive safe and I’ll see you there later.”