Page 7 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy (Home to Texas #2)

G arrett carried Cody into the house and locked the door directly behind him.

The boy had had a big day and was sound asleep in his arms. Between helping with the lights, then playing with Cassie and Muffy at the Coopers and then finally seeing his first tree-lighting ceremony, the kid was tuckered out.

It was times like these that weighed heavily on him. The responsibility of raising another human being was enormous. And a kid like Cody deserved the very best.

He entered Cody’s bedroom and pulled his covers back, then carefully set him upright on the bed. “Hey, Code. Buddy, let me get you into your pajamas. Then I promise you can go back to sleep.”

He opened his eyes slowly and mumbled, “Do I have to brush my teeth?”

“You should,” he said, but didn’t know how far he should push him.

Cody had eaten too many sweets today, a result of his poor parenting skills he was certain.

After the tree lighting, they’d walked over to the German market on Main and he and Cody shared a big slice of cherry marzipan stollen.

Nicole insisted they try it and it had been good, definitely a unique taste.

After that, they’d stopped for coffee and gotten hot cocoa for the kids.

Any more of this authentic Christmas experience and he wouldn’t be able to fit through the door.

With his eyes closed, Cody stood up, and Garrett managed to get him undressed and into his pajamas. “Code, just a one-minute brushing. C’mon, I’ll help you.”

Cody was too tired to argue. He nodded and let Garrett usher him into the bathroom where all Cody had to do was open his mouth, and Garrett did the rest. “Got all the germies out of there,” he said, remembering how his sister Carrie would always tell him that.

By the time the brushing was over, Cody was partially awake. He walked him back to bed and Cody slipped into his covers, all nice and warm.

“Good night, Cody.” Garrett kissed him on the forehead.

“Night, Uncle Garrett.”

Garrett stepped out of the room and then as he was walking away, he heard the low whisper of Cody’s voice. He peeked back just in time to hear Cody’s prayer. “Please, make it snow, just once more and not when I’m sleeping. That’s really all I want for Christmas.”

Garrett’s stomach squeezed tightly. He knew why Cody was so adamant about having it snow, and he only feared it would hurt his nephew when it didn’t happen again.

He was still grieving his sister’s death himself, but when Cody was around, he had to be strong.

He had to pretend that life was going along smoothly.

But when he was alone like this, as silence engulfed the entire house, loneliness and grief got the best of him.

He missed Carrie a lot. Twins had a special bond, a way of connecting that other siblings didn’t really have, at least it was the case with them.

Garrett pulled out a photo album from his bedroom closet and sat down in the great room, turning the pages of the book, glancing at photos of Carrie with Cody when he was a baby.

The joy on Carrie’s face, the light in her blue eyes was bright, filled with love.

And then, there he was, beside her, when Cody had spoken his first words, taken his first steps.

Even though he’d lived in various places, he’d always had a home at his sister’s house.

There hadn’t been too many milestones he’d missed.

But it was always Carrie, who knew what to do.

It was always Carrie who made the decisions about Cody.

She was a rock. She always had been. And he missed her, more and more each day.

When his phone buzzed, he checked the screen.

It was a text from Nicole. And instead of asking himself, now what?

He was actually glad to hear from her. She was a light that seemed to shine bright, no matter what.

It felt good being around her, and that was a dangerous thing because he had no room in his heart for any more pain.

He couldn’t open himself up that way. He couldn’t let anyone in.

It was easier that way, to protect himself from ever having to go through that devastating kind of loss ever again.

“I forgot to tell you, I need to stop by tomorrow and check out the wagon. Can I come by in the morning or is later better for you?”

“Morning is fine,” he texted back.

“Okay, thanks. Oh, and there’s the festival on Main Street we need to visit with Cody tomorrow.”

“Didn’t we just do that today?”

“No, this is different. Crafts and games and food, Texas style. Cody shouldn’t miss it.”

When he didn’t answer, she added. “It’s really fun for the kids.”

“I bet. Okay. It’s a non-date.”

“Are you making a joke?”

“Depends, did you laugh?”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s a joke.”

“See you tomorrow, Garrett.”

Garrett set his phone down. He closed the photo album, as a certain peace settled around him. Suddenly, he wasn’t feeling so lonely. Suddenly, he was looking forward to tomorrow and what the day would bring.

Despite all his internal warnings.

*

She promised to stay out of Garrett’s hair, and not disturb his work but sometimes desperate times called for desperate measures.

Nicole sat in her car in the middle of the road, a good two miles from Cottonwood Ranch, trying to will her engine to start.

The darn thing had up and died on her and she didn’t have a clue what was wrong.

Yesterday, her car was a vital motor machine; today, it was sorely in need of urgent care.

Immediately, she’d picked up her phone to call Rusty at the gas station.

He’d know what to do. But all she got on the other end was a busy signal.

She’d tried several more times. Either Rusty was busy as all get-out, or he was closed for the Christmas festival.

Which left her no other choice but to call Garrett and let him know she wasn’t going to make it over this morning.

He answered on the first ring. “Hello.”

“Hi, it’s Nicole,” she said right away. “I’m stuck. My car died on the road. I just wanted to let you know I won’t make it today. I’m trying to get ahold of Rusty to come give me a tow.”

“Who’s Rusty?”

“He works at the gas station.”

“You said, trying. Can’t you reach him?”

“No, but I can walk back to town.”

“Nicole, where are you?”

“About two miles from the ranch on the highway.” And about five miles from town. She could walk it if she had too. She’d jogged five miles before. In her running years.

“Hang tight, I’ll be right there.”

“No, you don’t have to. You must be working.”

“I’m coming, Nic,” he said forcefully. “Just stay put in your car and don’t get out. I’ll be there in five.”

There was no talking him out of it. She flung herself back against the seat and closed her eyes. She didn’t have time for car trouble. She really didn’t. And did Garret just call her Nic again?

Garrett pulled up in less than five minutes, his truck facing her car on her side of the road. As soon as she spotted him, she felt a ping of… what? Excitement? Happiness? Whatever it was, she stifled it; there was no room in her heart for those kinds of feelings.

She bounded out of her car ready to thank him, but he pulled a frown and lifted the hood of her car. “Let me take a look. Why don’t you try to start the engine again?”

“Uh, sure. But first can I thank you for coming to help me?”

He stared at her. “What else would I do?”

“Uh, I don’t know. But I didn’t ask you to—”

“Nicole, I know. You didn’t ask me. I’m offering to help. Now, go start the engine.”

She wasn’t sure she liked his tone.

Nicole marched to her car door, pulled it open, sank herself down into the seat and tried to start the ignition. Nothing much happened.

He strode over to her. “Again. I want to hear it.”

She turned the key and then he nodded. “When was the last time the battery was changed?”

“Uh, I don’t think it’s ever been changed. The car is only three years old.”

“Maybe it’s time. I’ll give you a jump. Stay put and I’ll let you know when to start it up. Okay?”

She nodded and watched him walk to his truck. He came back holding jumper cables and connected them to her car’s battery and then his. He turned on his ignition and his engine roared to life.

“Try it again,” he called to her.

She gave the key another twist of the wrist and surprisingly, her engine sputtered to life for a few seconds and then it purred. “It worked.” She was beyond relieved.

Garrett walked over to her. “Let it run a while, then I’ll follow you back to town.”

“Oh, thank you, but that’s not necessary. I’ll make it just fine.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Just in case. You don’t want to break down again.”

She’d almost forgotten the reason for her visit to Cottonwood. “But what about the wagon? I really have to see it. The kids plan on decorating it, and I need to make sure it’s all in working order.”

“I can check it out for you.”

She shook her head. “No, I’ve already caused you enough trouble. And used up your valuable time.”

“I’ll be the judge of that. It’s not an imposition.”

It was really kind of him to offer, but she was imposing on him, and he’d been a good sport about all of this.

“If you really must see the wagon, drive over to the ranch and I’ll follow you. We’ll get you back to town safely later. Deal?”

She hesitated, biting her lip. His eyes traveled to her mouth and he sighed at her indecision. At least she thought that was why he was sighing.

She was wasting time and there was no use arguing, Garrett wore a stubborn, don’t-cross-me, look. “Deal.”

“Fine, I’ll follow you.”

“Thanks.”

He was halfway back to his truck, when he stopped and turned to her. “Were you really going to walk back to town on foot?”

“Sure, I could do it. Why not?”

He shook his head, as if she was completely nutty, then strode to his truck and waited for her to drive on by. He followed behind, and they made the short two-mile drive to Cottonwood in less than five minutes.