by Box Set
“I don’t think so. Wait, do you?” He saw the color drain from her face.
“No, no I don’t. I think she’s just excited about the haircut.” He nodded his head. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what it is.”
Chapter 15
The Prettiest Picture
Holly watched Preston and his mom from the corner of her eyes. Everything seemed normal, with Tamra going on about how short she should go with her hair. She bit her lip when she saw a look pass between her and her son, and she bit back a groan. Were they gone too long? She would be so embarrassed if Tamra suspected something. Especially considering how easily she had accepted Holly into the family.
Holly didn’t understand how Preston had gotten so far into her heart so fast. Hell, how had he gotten into her pants so quickly? She pushed the thoughts back, not wanting anything to ruin the last two weeks she would be spending with them. It would be fun to go into town with them again. Even more fun watching the transformation in his mother when she had a cute haircut. Tamra was a beautiful woman who was doing exactly what she had done, hiding herself in frumpy clothes and a frumpy haircut, doing everything for her family. Holly was going to surprise her with a couple of lovely sweaters that she had taken notice of Tamra looking at closely.
She’d made phone calls last night and ordered Clare and Tamra both two sweaters and was ensured they would be here early this week. Wouldn’t that be a lovely Christmas gift for them? Holly found her heart soaring with holiday cheer, thinking of the happiness Christmas morning when they opened their gifts. This is what she thought of as the true meaning of Christmas.
“Holly, did you hear me?” Preston pulled her out of her thoughts with that deep, sexy drawl of his.
“I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a few minutes there. What did you say?” She set her spoon down, giving him her full attention.
“Ma wants me to show you the canyon while she gets her hair cut, after you help her choose a style.”
Holly’s brow scrunched. “She doesn’t want us to stay? I thought that was the idea of me going with her?”
“Me too, but she insists I take you to see the canyon.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t argue with Ma when she tells me what is going to happen.” A grin spread over his face. “You can try if you want, but I wouldn’t recommend it. She wins every time.”
“Nope, I wouldn’t dream of disrespecting her like that.” She giggled and glanced behind her. “I’ll be perfectly content spending some alone time with you.”
“Yeah, me too, darlin’.” He stood and took his bowl and mug to the sink. “I’m going to start the truck so it’s nice and warm for you and Ma. Meet you outside.”
Holly watched him walk away, smiling to herself at his fine ass and that cocky walk. She heard someone clear their throat and felt herself freeze. She pushed her chair back and took her bowl and mug to the sink, rinsing them out and setting them next to Preston’s. She collected herself as she plastered a smile on her face and turned around to see Tamra grinning at her.
“Is he getting the truck?”
“Yes, ma’am. He said he wanted it warm for us.” She hung the towel back on the hook and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms over her chest. “Preston said you didn’t want me waiting with you while you get your hair cut. Are you sure?”
“Yes. I don’t want you spending your time sitting in a boring salon. I told Preston to show you the canyon. It’s beautiful, even at this time of the year. I’m happy you’re spending time with him. I’ve seen a wonderful change since you’ve been here. The light is back in his eyes again.” Tamra hugged her, clearing her throat again. “We better get out there so he doesn’t have to come back in looking for us.”
“Yes ma’am.” Holly’s heart was racing. Tamra didn’t seem upset about anything; she honestly looked happy. Relief flooded through her. His mother didn’t suspect anything was going on. She wanted to have this—whatever it was—with him for the next two weeks. Their secret Christmas fling wasn’t hurting anyone.
Oh, who the hell did she think she was kidding? It was going to hurt like hell when she walked out that door. She was going to be torn apart leaving this man, but she didn’t belong in his world. He’s just finding himself. She couldn’t expect him to want to keep her. She had grown kids; she was older than him.
Preston pulled up just as they walked onto the back porch. He jumped down out of the cab, hurrying through the snow so he could open the truck door to help them inside.
“I can sit in back, Tamra,” Holly said as he opened the back door.
“No, you sit up front with him. I like the backseat. I always ride back here,” she declared as she let him help her.
“Even when it’s just the two of us, she climbs in the back. I think she likes to pretend I’m her chauffeur.” He laughed as he opened the front door to help Holly in. “I don’t argue with her.” He winked, closed the door, and rushed around to climb behind the wheel. “It sure feels like it’s going to snow again. Ma, did you watch the news this morning?”
“No, I didn’t. I heard on the radio they are calling for a heavy snow starting tonight into tomorrow morning.”
“Yeah, we may get a bad one this time. I’m glad all the groceries are in for the big day. I would hate to have to head into town for a few days after this one.”
Holly glanced at him. “Will it be a lot of snow?”
“We’ll see. Nothing to worry about, we have plenty of firewood, we have a well that we can prime and pump, if needed, and we have food. We keep a reserve of canned goods and staples. We’re far enough outside of town that the roads here are the last ones they worry about plowing. But we’re used to it.”
Holly turned and looked out the window up at the sky. It looked bleak and gray and made her shiver. She loved it here. If it snowed them in, would it really be such a bad thing?
“Are you cold, Holly?” Preston reached to turn up the heater.
“A little. Looking at the sky makes me feel colder. Does that make any sense?” She glanced at him and Tamra, shrugging her shoulders.
“It does. Whenever I walk out and see the sky looking like this, it makes me feel the same. Actually, I always want to turn right back around, head inside, and start a fire.” She laughed.
“And that is usually what she does, and I get to go into town to shop for the groceries. Hey!” Preston yelped when his mother leaned forward and slapped the back of his head. “Why’d you do that? You know it’s true.”
Holly couldn’t help but laugh at the look on his face and the huge grin on his mother’s face. He was so adorable joking around with her.
Before long, they pulled into a parking space by a small parlor off Main Street. Preston turned off the truck and slid out of the cab, hurrying around to help Holly and his mother out of the truck. “I don’t need you guys to stay with me,” Tamra said as she climbed out of the truck.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I’d love to go in with you and help you pick out a cute style. It will be fun. That way we can make sure the stylist knows what we’re talking about. You want something sweet and classy, right?” Holly took her arm. “I’m sure Preston won’t mind waiting for a few moments.”
Tamra glanced at him, her brow raised. “Would you mind, just for a few minutes? I probably could use Holly’s help and that way they can see her hair.”
“Anything for my favorite girl.” He put his arm around his ma and hugged her, glancing over her head at Holly. “Thank you.” He mouthed.
“Let’s go find you something cute!” Holly winked at him as a happy grin crossed her. “You are going to look so beautiful.”
After making sure the stylist knew exactly what Tamra was looking for, and she was comfortable with going through with it, Preston touched Holly’s shoulder. “You ready?”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you?” She knew how unsettling it could be to make such a drastic change.
“I’m fine. Go on and let Preston take you to
see the canyon before the storm starts. It’s a lovely place to see. Otherwise, you might not get the chance before you leave, and I’d be very upset if I was the cause of you missing out on it.”
“Remember what I told you before? Don’t argue with Ma, she’ll win every time.” He was grinning from ear to ear.
Holly threw her hands up, laughing. “Okay you two. I’ll go with Preston to see the canyon and you get your haircut.”
“I’ll make sure Tamra gets the perfect cut,” the stylist said to the retreating couple as she smiled and asked Tamra to move to one of the wash chairs. “You two have fun.”
When Preston helped Holly back into the truck, she sighed with contentment at the thought of more alone time with Preston. As he slid into the truck, she reached over and took his hand.
“I’m so happy we’re going to see this place. Having more time with you is definitely a perk, too.”
“I’m still kind of surprised your mother wanted us to leave her.”
“Oh, I’m sure she has a reason for everything she does. That’s Ma.” He backed out and turned the truck to the right, heading out of town in the opposite direction of their ranch. “You’re going to love the canyon, darlin’.” Once they were outside of town, he glanced over at her. “Why don’t you slide over here, you’re too far away.”
Holly unbuckled her belt and slid quickly to his side, clipping the center belt over her lap. “Better?” She laid her hand on his thigh.
“Much better.” He turned the truck onto a side road, and after a few minutes, he swung to the right and parked. “What do you think?”
“It’s perfect,” she whispered, looking into his eyes.
He smiled and pointed out the windshield. “I mean that view.” He chuckled as she felt her face heat up from the blush.
She felt her breath catch at the sight of the canyon. “This is beautiful, Preston.”
Preston loved watching Holly’s joy with every new thing he showed her. The way she blushed in that sweet innocent way of hers, the way her beautiful eyes lit up with joy. God, he was going to miss this. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and snapped a quick picture as the light highlighted her features. These next two weeks were going to go by way too fast. He reached and tugged her back against him, smiling as she sighed and snuggled close.
“I’m glad Ma suggested I bring you here, it’s one of the prettiest places around.”
“Oh, I don’t know. It is beautiful, but I think the mountains from the window in my room beats this any day.”
She shivered, and he tucked her closer as he reached to turn up the heater. “Sorry, darlin’, it will be warmer in a moment.”
“I’m not cold. Just a little sad. Do you think your mom will rent me the room again next year?”
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Yeah, I think she’d rent to you anytime you wanted to come. She really likes you, so does Clare.”
“I like them a lot, too.” She slid away and turned to look into his eyes. “I like you a lot, Preston.” She leaned forward and softly kissed his lips.
His heart lurched; it was a kiss full of hope, yet so full of sorrow. He didn’t want to let her go. How was he going to survive her leaving him when he just found her? “Yeah, I like you, too. Way more than I could’ve ever dreamed.” He pulled her closer and kissed her, his tongue dancing with hers and his heart raced. Pulling away, he sighed. “We better head back to town. Ma is probably ready to go.”
“I hope her hair turned out like she wanted. I think she’s going to look adorable. It’ll match her personality, wait and see.” She slid over to the far side of the cab and hooked her seatbelt. “Thank you for today, cowboy.”
Preston chuckled and turned the truck towards town. He didn’t trust himself to speak at the moment. He wanted to keep things happy and light for her. Seeing the sadness pass over her eyes, before she masked it again, broke him. Fuck, how did this woman grab his affection and get so far into it in only a week? He raked a hand through his hair and silently cursed himself for allowing it to happen. Yeah, his heart was going to be ripped out of his chest, and this time, he didn’t think he would get over it easily.
They pulled into town to find Ma standing in the doorway of the salon watching for them. She waved as a huge smile spread over her face. He jumped down and hurried to help her with the multiple bags she had sitting around her feet.
She grabbed his hand. “What do you think?” She turned in a slow circle.
“Ma, you look beautiful. I love the cut. Holly was right, you look ten years younger.” He ran a hand down his face. “Shit, I’m going to be chasing the men away.” He ducked before she could smack him. “Come on, slugger, let’s get you out of here. I’m hungry.”
Holly had gotten down from the truck and was walking quickly towards them, a smile as big as Ma’s on her face. “Oh, you look adorable! Stacy did a wonderful job. Let me see the back.”
Preston placed Ma’s bags into the back seat of the truck, turned, and leaned against the cab watching them laughing and comparing their cuts. He hadn’t seen Ma this happy since…hell, come to think of it, he hadn’t seen her this happy in years.
When he finally got the two of them into the truck, he headed back to the ranch, listening to them chatter the entire way. This would truly be the best Christmas for his family, thanks to this exciting, beautiful woman. The sun was starting to set when they pulled into the drive.
“Ma, I’ll bring everything in after I see to the horses. I’m starving, by the way.” He chuckled as he climbed down from the cab to hurry around to open their doors.
Ma smacked his arm.
“Hey, why did you do that?”
Eyes narrowed, she said, “You know why.” Her eyes danced as laughter spilled from her mouth. “Holly, why don’t you help Preston so he can get done quicker. I’m going to change and get dinner going.”
“Yes, ma’am. If you’re sure you don’t need me to help you.”
“Nope, I’ll get Clare to peel the potatoes. See you inside.”
Preston and Holly crunched through the snow to to barn. “It does look like snow, doesn’t it?” She glanced at him with her lids lowered over those damn sexy eyes of hers.
“Sure does.” He slid the barn door open and turned on the lights as she made her way in, closing the door behind her. He grabbed a wheelbarrow and went to the feed room, making quick work of placing the flakes of hay and scoops filled with oats inside of it.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I just want to get this done so we can get inside to warm up. Ma will want an early night, but I want to start a fire in the parlor and have some wine with you once she goes upstairs to bed. I’m going to get the fire started so she doesn’t wonder why I want to do it after dinner. Just flows better.” He watched as the smile lit up her face as she realized what he was alluding to.
“Sounds like a perfect way to end the day. I like your thinking, cowboy.”
He was on her in two strides, pushing her against the wall, claiming her mouth as he cupped her ass, pulling her against him. “I’m starting in the parlor, and then we are going upstairs to my room. By tomorrow morning, you might not be able to walk right,” he growled, laying his forehead on hers. Her eyes grew wide as the most beautiful flush spread over her face. “You look like an angel, darlin.’ You take my breath away every time I look at you.”
A smile spread over her face. “I can’t wait for dinner to be over so I can have my dessert over and over and over again.”
He released her and grabbed the wheelbarrow, heading toward the stalls. “Come on, darlin’, let’s get this done.”
He heard her giggle as she ran past him to open Sampson’s gate. She opened each stall door for him to throw the flake of hay and pour the oats. Once everything was done, she stood back while he opened the barn entry to the pasture and let each horse in one at a time. Holly closed the doors as each horse made their way into their stall, heading right for the oats. When
they were finished, he put everything away while she waited by the entrance, the cold air coming in from outside. When he turned off the lights, they stood in darkness.
Holly shivered. “It feels colder now.”
“It is. This storm will hit in a few hours, I can feel it coming in. Let’s get inside and have some hot chocolate, I’ll bet Ma has it ready by now.”
They hung their coats in the mudroom and kicked off their boots. Preston handed her the slippers she had placed there earlier before he slipped into his. He winked at her as he pinched her bottom just before they walked into the kitchen.
“Ma, something smells wonderful.”
“We had enough left over chops and potatoes from last night, so I just heated everything up and made some fresh veggies. Hope you don’t mind?” She stirred the gravy, waving her hand over it as she leaned closer to take in the aroma before adding a bit of cracked pepper.
“No, not at all. I’m sure it will be just as good as it was last night. What can I help you with?” Holly moved toward the stove. “Your gravy is so delicious. I’m hoping you won’t mind sharing your secret with me. What did Clare say about your hair?”
Preston saw Ma’s eyes light up as a sweet smile spread over her face. “She loves it. She said it makes me look more like her sister than her mother. I’m so happy you two talked me into this.” She snaked her arm around Holly’s waist. “You’ve given me so many reasons to be thankful.”
“Aw, the feeling is mutual, Tamra. You guys will never understand how much joy you have filled my heart with.”
She leaned in to give Ma a huge hug as her eyes flew to his and gave him a wink. His heart seemed to grow another size as it filled with even more feelings for this delightful woman. Contentment flowed through him as he found himself wishing the magic of this holiday season would never end, but he had a sinking feeling it wouldn’t be just him missing her. His ma seemed to be getting very attached to her as well.
Just then, Clare burst into the kitchen. “Hey guys.” She ran to Holly throwing her arms around her. “Thank you so much for talking mom into cutting her hair. Doesn’t she look beautiful?”
