Her mouth watered. “Well, that does sound good.”
“I made it just for you.” He handed her the cup.
“Don’t you want one?” She held it up to her lips and blew gently on the hot liquid.
“I’ve already had a cup.” His gaze shifted to the barn. “I noticed that you were upset about something a minute ago. Is there anything I can do to help?”
At first, she couldn’t recall what had her grumbling. Seeing him for the first time this morning, made her thoughts disappear. But now that she pondered on it, she nodded.
“Yes, but I’m not sure if you’re going to like it.”
“Try me.”
He walked beside her as they headed toward the barn.
“Well, the barn is painted white. Back in those days, barns were made of wood – old wood. They weren’t painted.”
Rafe’s mouth twitched as he looked at the structure. “So you want me to repaint the barn?”
“Yes, and no. I don’t think we’ll have to repaint the whole barn, just enough around the front here to make it look like the stable.”
His gaze moved to hers. “And the back where the other door is located, right?”
“Oh, I’d forgotten about that, but yes, that, too.”
He folded his arms across his massive chest and tapped his forefinger on his chin. His goatee was growing thicker, but he still kept it trimmed. She thought he was extremely handsome with facial hair.
He stayed quiet for a few moments as she sipped her cooling hot chocolate. She suspected he was in deep thought because of his narrowed eyes.
Finally, he nodded and looked at her. “Or, I could build a make-shift manger inside the barn. Then we won’t have run the chance of painting, only to discover it doesn’t work.”
She smiled. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”
“I know where I can get some pallets, and I’ll break them apart to use the wood. I think it’ll look much better than painting.”
Sighing heavily, she relaxed. At least one of her worries was taken care of. “I trust you to find what I need.”
He chuckled. “You trust me? Wow! That’s a lot of pressure, you know.”
Gently, she bumped her elbow into his. “You know what I mean.”
“Yes, I think I do.” He looked back at the barn. “Was that the only problem you found?”
“No.” She sighed again. “I think we need to fix those clear lights on the roof. I see what you’re trying to do with them, but it’s just not working.”
“What if,” Rafe stepped back a little so that he could study the roof a little better, “we lay down black felt material underneath the lights? That might help create the twinkling stars affect a little better.”
Holly gasped and moved to stand in front of him. She narrowed her gaze. “Who are you, really?”
“What do you mean?” he laughed.
“For being a rancher, you sure know a lot about creating sets.”
“Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Well, it is.”
She found herself locked in his warm gaze again. Butterflies danced in her stomach, and she really wanted this feeling to stop. A few years ago, she’d promised herself that she wouldn’t get involved in a serious relationship until she was a big movie producer. If she allowed herself to fall in love with Rafe, she might not have the ambition to go after her dream.
Turning away, she walked back into the barn, sipping her cooling chocolate drink. He followed. She pointed to the hay. “I think we’ll need more hay in this section of the barn.”
“All right.”
Rafe went to a bale and picked it up as if it weighed no more than a pillow. The muscles in his arms flexed, but there was no agony on his expression as if he was in pain. Amazing. He was definitely one surprise after another.
“Do you need me to help?” she wondered.
“No, I got it. Just tell me where you want them to go.”
Rafe lifted another bale and placed it near the other. Holly had to force herself to stop watching him. His strength had her spellbound. But if she didn’t look elsewhere, she might start drooling... and that wasn’t a good thing.
“How is that?” he asked, setting down another bale.
“Umm, yes. I think that’s enough.”
He motioned to the back of the barn. “I almost have the cradle made for Baby Jesus. Do you want to see?”
His eyes sparkled, which made her heart flip. “Yes. Show me.”
In one section of the barn was a room with a locked door. Rafe withdrew some keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. He opened it, and motioned for her to enter first. Once again, he was being very gentlemanly.
As she stepped inside, the walls were filled with different tools, none of which she knew the name. There were also four tables with bigger tools, and a large bench in the corner. A pile of odd shaped pieces of wood were stacked in one of the other corners.
Rafe turned on the overhead light. “Welcome to my hideout.”
“Your hideout?”
“Yeah, when I want to get away for a few hours and be by myself, this is where I come.”
She lightly trailed her fingers across some of the tools. “What kind of things have you made?”
“I’ve made many different things.”
“Have I seen your work?” She peeked over her shoulder at him.
“Yes. You were sitting on one not too long ago.”
“I was?”
He chuckled and moved closer to her. “I made the chairs around the table, and even the table itself.”
Shock rumbled through her. Was he joking? That dinette set looked so old fashioned and very professional. She licked her suddenly dry lips before her jaw dropped any lower.
“Most of the cupboards in the kitchen and in the living room were made by my hands.” He held up his hands. “And also, most of the shelves in the house.”
“I can’t believe it. You are very talented. You could make a living selling everything you make, you know.”
He shrugged. “I’d rather make a living working as a doctor.”
She set her nearly empty cup on one of the sturdy tables, and leaned against it. “What are you going to do about it?”
“I should sell the ranch. Then I’d have time to be a doctor.”
“Do you want to be a doctor in town, or somewhere else?”
He absently played with a nail on the table. “I don’t know, really. I want to stay around here because I don’t want to sell the house.”
“Is the ranch the only thing holding you back?”
“My family, too. I mean, I feel responsible for my cousins. The house is in my name, but if I sell it, they’ll have to move. I’m not worried about Blake, but Luca... he’s a different story.”
“I see your dilemma. However, do you plan on taking care of Luca all of his life?”
Rafe frowned. “No.”
“Then the best thing you could do for him is to make him take on responsibility.” She moved next to him and rested her hand on his arm. “My best friend’s little sister was lazy, too. Her parents paid for her to go through college, from which she barely graduated. My friend married right out of college and started a family, but her sister lived at home with her parents until she was thirty-two. Finally, her parents kicked her out of the house. They didn’t do it because they disliked her, they did it to help her. And you know what?” She smiled. “My friend’s sister found a job, and she’s the secretary at a law office. She is the proud owner of her own townhouse, too.”
A smile slowly stretched across Rafe’s handsome face. “So tough love is the answer?”
“It is.” She gave his arm a little squeeze. “And as for you, Dr. Montgomery, I think you should start searching for your dream, whether it’s here in Timberland, or... in California.” She shrugged. “Wherever you can find it.”
“California, huh?” He laughed. “Isn’t that where you live now?”
“Yes, that�
�s where I call home.”
“Do you have your own apartment?”
“No, not yet. I live with my aunt, so that I can save my wages.” She shrugged. “How else am I going to fund my first movie?”
His brown eyes darkened as his expression grew serious. He cupped the side of her face and gently drew his thumb across her cheek. “You’ll get your dream, too. With your cheerfulness, and all of that energy, I’m sure you’ll become one of the best movie-producers California has ever seen.”
Her heart melted, and all she wanted to do was cuddle up against his palm. In fact, she wanted to do more than that. She stared into his eyes, and memories of their last kiss resurfaced. As much as she wanted to kiss him right now, she also worried that it would lead to other things... and especially, to love.
She moistened her cotton-dry throat with a hard swallow. Grudgingly, she pulled away from his heated touch. “So you were going to show me the cradle?”
Disappointment washed over his expression as he nodded. “Yes, it’s right over here.”
Rafe led the way to another room, smaller than the one they were in. Only one table stood in the middle, with fewer tools on the shelves. On the table covered with sawdust was a drawing of a baby’s cradle, and next to it were a few boards that were nailed together.
Her heart flipped, and once again, a calming feeling flowed inside of her, causing her feelings for Rafe to deepen. “Oh, it’s beautiful.” She picked up the drawing. “Is this what it’ll look like when it’s finished?”
“Yes.” He stood next to her, incredibly close.
She looked up into his smoldering eyes. “I... love it.”
His smile softened. “I was hoping you would.”
Her gaze dropped to his lips. She couldn’t help it. She wanted this to be the special moment when she kissed him again. Her heart jumped to her throat and stayed. Rafe lowered his head, and she wasn’t going to stop him this time.
Just before he could kiss her, the lights flickered, and a crack ripped through the air. Rafe jumped and jerked his gaze upward. Before she knew what was happening, he yanked her away from the table and they stumbled to the ground. Rafe blocked his body over hers. Seconds later, the overhead light crashed down upon the table.
ELEVEN
Pieces of broken glass and chipped wood fell around Rafe as he shielded Holly with his body. His heart raced with panic and worry. What could have caused the light to drop from the ceiling?
Leaning up, he looked down at Holly. The sunshine pouring through the window was their only source of light. Holly’s face held no color, and her eyes were wide. A few pieces of glass had fallen in her hair. Carefully, he plucked out the glass and tossed it aside. She had a small scratch on her cheek, but thankfully, it wasn’t bleeding. He brushed the pad of his thumb across it.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Wh-what happened?”
“The ceiling light fell.” He shook his head. “I don’t know why it happened, either. It’s never been loose before.”
“It could have landed on us,” she whispered.
“I know. We were lucky.”
“Y-you saved my life.”
“No—”
“Yes, you did, Rafe. Thank you.”
He grinned. “I guess it’s in my nature to rescue damsels in distress.”
Finally, color returned to Holly’s face as she smiled. “Yes, that must be it.”
He swept his hand over her hair. “Are you all right? You’re not hurting anywhere, are you?”
Slowly, she nodded and held up her arm. “My wrist hurts a little.”
He took hold of her hand, brought it to his mouth, and placed a small kiss on it. “There. Does that feel better?”
“Yes, doctor.”
“Anywhere else?”
She pointed to the mark on her cheek. “It stings here, too. Is it cut badly?”
“No, it’s a scratch.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips across her cheek. Being so close to her mouth, made the rhythm of his heart thump to a different beat. He pulled back again and peered deep into her lovely green eyes.
“Anywhere else?” he asked in a husky voice.
She nodded again as her finger lifted and pointed to her lips. “Here.”
He lost his breath, but he wouldn’t deny her. Not this. He wrapped his arms around her as he covered her mouth with his. She sighed and pressed against him, clutching his shirt. Her response was better than he’d expected, and he lowered her back to the ground, looming over her.
Holly met his kisses urgently, and yet it was the sweetest kiss he’d ever had. Happiness grew in his chest. He’d never felt this exhilarated from just kissing a woman. And Heaven help him, he wanted so much more.
She laid the palm of her hand against his face. Warmth filled him faster. He loved her tender touch. And when she moved her fingers up to his head and threaded them through his hair, he released a groan. The tingles that shot through his body multiplied. He suddenly became more aware of everything; her soft touch, her flowery scent, and the mint from the chocolate drink he could taste on her tongue.
She broke the kiss, staring into his eyes. His breathing was ragged, just like hers was. He didn’t know why she had stopped, but he also didn’t want to rush her. If she was having doubts, he needed to know now. Instead, a soft smile appeared on her face mere seconds before she leaned up and placed her lips against his, once again.
His heart soared, and his chest burst with love for this adorable woman. Their kiss wasn’t urgent this time. He took it slow and meaningful. He wanted to know everything there was to know about her face, and her body, but more importantly, her heart.
But before he could enjoy himself any further, his name was called from out in the barn. Silently, he cursed and broke the kiss. Blake’s panicked voice boomed through the room.
Reluctantly, he stood and helped Holly to her feet. He finished brushing off the shards of glass off their clothes. Hurried footsteps pounded on the floor in the outer room mere seconds before his cousin rushed into the room... and then came to a sudden stop. Blake’s gaze shifted to Rafe and Holly, and then to the broken light on the table.
“What happened?” Blake stepped carefully on the broken glass as he moved to the table.
“I wish I knew.” Rafe shrugged. “I was showing Holly the cradle that I’d started to make, and the next thing I know, this fell. Nearly hit us, in fact.”
“Whew.” Blake shook his head. “You’re lucky you moved quickly.”
Rafe turned back to Holly. “Why don’t you go back outside with Blake and I’ll clean up in here. I don’t want this little problem to be a setback to your plans.”
“Okay.” She touched his arm again. “Thanks for saving me.”
“Anytime.” He winked.
She walked out of the room. At first, Blake started to follow, but then he quickly spun around and moved back inside. He glared at Rafe.
“What are you doing?” Blake growled in a low voice. “Don’t you know Luca likes her?”
Irritation flowed through Rafe and he bunched his hands. “Just because Luca likes her, too, makes her off limits for other guys?” He kept his voice low.
“Well, no, but... what about your girlfriend, Katie?”
“We aren’t together any longer.”
“How convenient,” Blake muttered. “So that gives you the right to make the moves on Holly?”
“Will you lower your voice?” Rafe grumbled. “I’m not going to apologize for liking her. I’m sorry that you disapprove.”
Blake backed away, shaking his head. “Luca isn’t going to like this at all.”
“Then don’t tell him. Besides, there’s nothing between Holly and me. We’re just two friends.”
Blake pointed toward the other room. “Did you see the look on her face when she thanked you for saving her? That wasn’t the look of one of your friends. No, she had stars in her eyes.”
Rafe wanted to grin with satisfaction, and he st
ruggled not to let the excitement show on his expression. “She was just thankful I saved her from the falling light.”
“Whatever you say,” Blake mumbled as he left the room.
Rafe rubbed his pounding forehead. He wasn’t going to back off just because his cousin was interested in her, too. His heart wouldn’t let him.
Cautiously, he stepped to the table to look at the broken light fixture. How could this have possibly happened? He was the one who’d built this room. He didn’t make mistakes when it came to important mechanics like the light. Had he possibly been thinking of something else when he’d installed it? He doubted it. He didn’t make mistakes like this.
Blowing out a frustrated breath, he picked up a trash can to start cleaning up the room. Although his head was still reeling from Holly’s kiss, he couldn’t stop thinking about how the accident could have hurt her badly. His chest tightened. He didn’t want to think of something terrible like that happening to Holly.
But now he needed to start over with building the cradle. Plus, he should get started on all the other things he’d promised to make for Holly. He didn’t want her to be disappointed in him for not having everything ready for when she wanted to start filming.
More sets of footsteps hurried in from the other room. Two of the ranch hands, Brett and Paul came to a dead stop, just as Blake had done. Their eyes grew wide. Both men were in their mid-twenties, and they worked part-time on the ranch during the winter.
“What happened?” Brett asked.
“I wish I knew.” Rafe shrugged.
Paul scratched his neck. “Blake sent us back to help you clean up.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Rafe replied. “Grab more trash cans from outside.”
Paul whistled and pushed his fingers through his blond hair. “You are lucky that didn’t land on you.”
“It almost did. And Holly was in here, too.”
Brett gasped. His freckled-face turned red. “Holly was here?”
“Yes.” Rafe wondered why the ranch hand would act so worried about Holly. “Tell me, Brett, how well do you know Holly?”
A Thrill of Hope Page 12
