Page 8 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy (Home to Texas #2)

At the ranch, she waited for him to park his truck in front of the garage, then climbed out. “What should I do?” she asked.

“It’s okay to shut down your engine. I’ll have to jump it later to get you back to town. We’ll make sure someone’s there to change your battery.”

He was going above and beyond. She got out of the car and tossed on her wool cap and coat. The temps still hadn’t let up. The snow on the ground was pushed off to the side of the highway by a road crew that wasn’t used to shoveling.

“Come inside. I’ve got coffee made.”

“Thanks.” The second she stepped inside, the pleasing aroma of fresh coffee filled her nostrils. Even though the house was still semi torn up, there was a coziness about the space with the promise of a beautiful house emerging. “Smells delish.”

“I can assure you, my coffee will make the hairs on your arms stand tall.”

She laughed. It sounded good to her right about now and followed him into the kitchen, which was still in disarray.

The center island was partially built and covered with a plank of wood where the counter would go.

Other than an old refrigerator, the only appliances plugged in were a counter microwave and a coffee maker.

There were all kinds of tools about, and it was obvious she’d definitely interrupted his work today.

“Wow, this is going to be really nice when you’re done. But how do you cook?”

“I don’t. Not really. We use the microwave a lot, or I pick up ready-made food from town. Cereal for dinner is always an option.”

“You’re really roughing it.” She wasn’t kidding.

“It’s temporary. I should have the kitchen done in a week or two.”

“That’s if you don’t get any more interruptions.”

His mouth twisted, but he didn’t reply. He poured them two paper cups of coffee and gestured to a stool by the almost island counter. “Have a seat.”

“Thanks.”

They sat at the same time, adjacent to each other and she took her first taste of coffee. As the warm brew slid down her throat, she made a face.

Garrett chuckled and planted sugar packets and creamer right in front of her. “I won’t take offense if you want to bury the coffee in this stuff.”

She plucked up two packets of sugar and two of powdered creamer. Typical bachelor fare. “Don’t mind if I do.” She looked around and realized Garrett’s counterpart was missing. How had she not realized that before this? “Where’s Cody this morning?”

“He’s with Paulette.”

She blinked. “You needed the time this morning to work, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But Paulette’s babysitting, isn’t she?”

He nodded. “Cody likes being with her.”

Again, he was being kind.

She gulped one more sip of coffee, then rose and walked over to the great room where she’d left her coat and cap.

“I’ll do what I have to do, and then… I’ll…

” She couldn’t go anywhere. Her car was out of commission.

“I’ll call Rusty to see if—” She placed her hand on the doorknob, ready to open the door, but Garrett was there, his hand above hers on the door.

She turned and looked straight into striking blue eyes. They were deep and mesmerizing and…

“What if Rusty’s not there?”

“Then I’ll call Julie or Taylor or—”

“I can’t let you do that. Not when my truck is right outside. It’ll look like I’m not willing to help out… a friend.”

She quickly shook her head. “No, no. That’s not true.” She stopped and stared at him. “Are we friends?”

Garrett didn’t smile, didn’t chuckle. But he did raise his brows. “Aren’t we?”

He was so close her heart beat harder, which came as quite a shock, because wasn’t that part of her life over? She couldn’t possibly feel anything but friendship for Garrett. He was leaving town soon and no way would she court disaster again. No, she wasn’t going to be a fool twice in her life.

Garrett stared into her eyes, took a big swallow and then stepped back. The connection was broken. Thank goodness.

“Uh, yes. I suppose we’re friends.”

“Fine, then. Let’s check out the wagon and anything else you might need.” He put a hand to his chest. “I swear I was almost done for the morning anyway. And later, don’t we have a festival to attend with Cody?”

“Do you still have time?”

“I’ll make time.”

“All right then, but we’ll make it quick.”

He nodded, helped her on with her coat and she covered her head with her woolen cap. Garrett slipped his arms into his jacket and they walked side by side, to the barn, neither one saying a word.

He unlocked the barn doors, pulled them open and then gestured for her to enter first. She stepped inside. “It’s just like I remembered.”

The old barn was roomy, probably the same size as the house. Empty horse stalls flanked one side, while equipment and the old wagon flanked the other side. There was a small corner office, and overhead a good-sized hay loft.

“I suppose I could do something really cool in here, if I had the time,” Garrett mumbled, probably thinking out loud.

“I know you could. With a little cosmetic overhaul, I could see holding events and parties in here.”

He began nodding as he scanned over the barn. “I can see that.”

“Or you could make it into a giant-sized man cave.” She snickered.

His lips twisted as if he wanted to laugh, but Garrett kept his emotions close to the chest. “Are you a mind reader?”

“Hardly, or I wouldn’t have been dumped by my fiancé.”

Oh gosh, did she really just say that? “I mean, uh, I’m not trying to play the victim here.”

Garrett reached out to touch her arm. “I know that. And for what it’s worth, the guy was a fool to ever let you go.”

She swallowed hard, battling embarrassment. “That’s nice of you to say,” she said softly.

“I mean it.”

His eyes didn’t lie. They were sincere and… beautiful. She believed he meant what he said. He was the kind of man who spoke the truth.

“I know.”

But reworking the barn would never happen, because Garrett was due in Northern California. He seemed eager to finish renovating the house, and sell.

He released her arm and they both strode over to the wagon. True, it had seen better days, looking weathered and rusty, but the buckboard was perfect for hauling children around the property. And it had always been a kid favorite.

“It needs work,” she said, giving the side panel the gloved finger test minus the glove. “I’ll get a crew over here to do some sanding and maybe grease the wheels a bit.”

“Do you have a team of horses to pull the sleigh?”

“We do. Several ranchers lend us the use of their mares for the day.”

“That’s neighborly.”

“It’s their donation to the fundraiser. And it really brings in a good amount.

” She sighed. “When it all comes together, the fundraiser is pretty spectacular.” As she smiled, his eyes brightened.

Then something amazing happened, his lips spread wide, his teeth flashed white and he actually returned her smile.

For a second, she was stunned. His smile was beautiful and long overdue.

“What?” he asked, recognizing that something was off.

“It’s just that… you smiled .”

He blinked.

“You don’t usually do that,” she said lamely.

“I smile,” he said in his own defense. “If something is funny or cute or amazing.”

He stared at her and goose bumps rose up her arms.

“In this case, all three,” he said, not letting go of her gaze.

“Uh, thank you?”

He nodded and turned away, walking toward the front of the barn. “Are we through in here?”

“I think so, unless you’re hiding a batch of tumbleweeds for the snowman contest.”

“Nope, sorry.”

“Okay, another thing to add to my to-do list.”

“Are you going to go tumbleweed hunting?”

“Maybe I’ll have the fourth- and fifth-grade students do if for extra credit.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I should go,” she said, realizing she’d taken a great deal of his time. “I still have to deal with my car.”

“Call the garage, and if they can help you, Cody and I will follow you into town.”

“But your work.”

“We are still going to the festival today, right? I’ll have to drive into town at some point today. Might as well help a friend , at the same time.”

She chuckled. Garrett had a way of making her feel good about herself, and life in general. “Thank you,” she said softly.

*

The festival was in full swing by the time they arrived, Garrett making sure Nicole’s car was fully operational.

Rusty had changed the battery at no charge, feeling guilty he’d closed down the shop that morning to attend the festivities.

And in return, she’d offered to bake him his favorite dessert, pecan pie.

The way people did business in Last Stand sometimes surprised him.

Garrett walked alongside Nicole and Cody, as they wandered down Main Street, looking at the booths and fun games. Nicole led them to a booth where one had to guess how many candy canes were in a giant-sized jar. “Cody, would you like to make a guess?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

“How many do you think are in there?” Garrett asked.

“More than seven,” Cody said. It was his favorite number.

“Definitely more than seven,” Garrett said.

“How about three sevens? Which would be seven hundred and seventy-seven,” Nicole said.

Cody’s eyes went wide. “That’s good.”

“Okay then, Code,” Garrett said. “I’ll write down your name and your number and we’ll come back later to see if you’re right.” He wrote on a slip of paper, and gave it to Cody. “Here, you go drop it in the box.”

Cody grinned and slipped his guess into a slatted gift box, wrapped with pretty Christmas candy cane paper. “Good luck,” the lady behind the booth said. “Winner gets a handful of candy canes and a month of free horseback riding lessons at our ranch, the Misty Rose.”

Cody’s eyes grew wide. The kid loved horses—what little boy didn’t—and he’d been asking to go horseback riding since they’d arrived. Garrett hadn’t had the time to make that happen. “Uncle Garrett.” He tugged at his jacket. “I want to win.”

“Well, you put in your guess. Let’s see what happens.”