by Cindy Kirk
“I’m not going to buy anything,” Brad asserted.
“Your loss.” Margot heaved a happy sigh and pointed upward. “I’m thinking your feelings about this shop are going to do a one-eighty pretty darn quick.”
She was absolutely right. The mistletoe hanging directly over them practically demanded a kiss. Brad pulled Margot into his arms and by the time they came up for air, he decided this shop did have a few things going for it.
Brad kept his eye out for more mistletoe as they moved deeper into the cluttered store. With Margot stopping every couple of feet to check out various displays, it was slow going.
Pausing once more, Margot’s smile turned wistful as she gazed upon an assortment of snow globes. With gentle fingers she caressed the glass top of one, though she made no move to pick it up. “My mother loved snow globes. Now I do, too.”
She lifted the one that had captured her attention and held it up. The globe held a couple dancing under old-fashioned street lamps. “Look. This could be us.”
Brad studied the globe and was surprised to see just how much the iron streetlights resembled the ones flanking the street where they were currently shopping.
He inclined his head. “Do you have a collection?”
She sat the globe down and her smile disappeared. “My father thought snow globes were the most ridiculous things. My mother and I knew if we bought one for ourselves—or each other—we’d never hear the end of it from him. I sometimes wish...”
Instead of finishing the thought, she turned down another aisle and began flipping through various velvet tree skirts.
He moved close and slid an arm around her waist. “Tell me what you wish.”
“I wish I hadn’t held back.” Margot leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed. “I wish I’d said to heck with my father and bought her one, so she’d know just how much I loved her.”
Margot turned into him and tipped her head back, her green eyes swimming with emotion. “I adored my mother. We fought like a lot of mothers and daughters do during those teenage years, but I always loved her.”
Brad’s gaze never left her face. His heart ached for her, at the pain he saw reflected in those beautiful eyes. It wasn’t fair. In a matter of a few years, she’d lost her mother and now her father. Though Boyd wasn’t dead, it appeared he’d written Margot out of his life. He vowed to double his efforts to find the old coot and demand answers.
“Your mother knew you loved her,” he told her.
“I hope so.” Margot stepped back then turned to tables brimming with an assortment of Christmas items.
They shopped for another fifteen minutes but some of the luster seemed to have gone off the day. Margot purchased a few items, including a small desk calendar with a penguin on the front that she said reminded her of Vivian. Brad thought he showed great restraint in refraining from saying anything negative about Viper.
He waited until Margot had slipped off to the restroom to make his purchase. He added the item to her sack. When she returned, he clasped her hand in his as they stepped outside.
The streets and sidewalks were relatively empty. Brad took in the scene before him and smiled. He had the perfect plan for cheering Margot up. “I have a crazy idea and was wondering if you’re interested.”
She shot him a suspicious look. “If it involves sex in a public place, I’m going to pass.”
He laughed aloud. “No, but it does involve an outdoor activity.”
With the hand holding his bag, he gestured to a horse and carriage at the curb down the street. “Want to go for a sleigh ride?”
Chapter Sixteen
Margot had seen the horse-drawn carriages all decked out for the holidays before. With their jingling bells, greenery and red velvet ribbons, they drew everyone’s attention. Tourist traps, her father had dubbed them in the same derisive tone he’d used for the snow globes.
When she was young Margot had thought it’d be great fun to ride in one, but sleigh rides had been off her radar in recent years. Now, as she climbed aboard and Brad tucked the red plaid blanket around them, she experienced a thrill of anticipation.
The sun blazed bright in a cloudless sky. The pristine white of last night’s snowfall provided a startling contrast to the vivid blue overhead. The horses’ hooves made a clip-clopping sound when the driver turned off Main Street onto a cobblestone road. It was as if she’d been transported to a Christmas Winter Wonderland.
Here, snow-covered lawns glittered like diamonds in the sunlight. Branches of large trees that had been planted over a half century ago arched over the street like a canopy.
When they were seated in the carriage, Brad had put his arm around her shoulders. With her body pressed against his, Margot was reminded just how good they were together sexually.
Settled comfortably under the blanket, Margot felt that desire surge once again. She placed her hand on his thigh. Almost immediately a muscle jumped.
Smiling to herself, Margot began to move her fingers upward until, suddenly, his hand clamped around her hand, stilling the movement.
Margot lifted an innocent gaze to meet his. “Problem?”
“Not playing fair,” Brad murmured in a low tone.
“I wasn’t aware there were rules.” Her tone was deliberately husky, almost a purr.
Margot tossed her hair, sending the red curls scattering. Aware she now had his full attention, she ran her tongue over her lips and watched his eyes grow dark.
“Enjoying the ride, folks?” The driver, clad in a long coat and top hat, asked in a pleasant tone without looking back.
“Very much.” Margot squeezed Brad’s thigh again and smiled when once again his muscle jerked. “A sleigh ride is a great way to relax and unwind.”
“I’m taking you down by the river,” the driver called back. “It’s a longer way back but, don’t worry, I won’t charge extra.”
“Thanks.” Margot gave Brad an impish smile. She knew it wasn’t the money, but the time that concerned him.
The look in his eye told her she wasn’t the only one eager to get back to the B&B and enjoy some adult time together.
Making love with Brad had unleashed needs that must have been pent up inside for years. Now each time she looked in his eyes, she thought of the way they turned to dark jade every time he saw her naked.
When he spoke and her gaze was drawn to his lips, she could almost feel those lips against her bare skin or around the tip of one of her breasts or at the very center of...
Margot felt a flush creep up her neck and infuse her whole face with heat. She assured herself she could keep her desires under control until they reached the privacy of their room. For now, she’d simply sit back and enjoy the scenery and the fresh...
The feel of Brad’s hand on her upper thigh had her inhaling sharply.
This time it was his innocent gaze that met hers. “Are you warm enough, honey?”
Before Margot could formulate a response, his hand slid up and inside her waistband. The large callused palm was cool against her fiery hot skin.
Margot supposed she could have reached under the blankets and stopped the naughtiness the same way he’d stopped hers only moments before. But she found herself liking this game.
“Bring it on, cowboy,” she whispered in a low tone meant for his ears only. “I can handle it.”
The challenge in her tone may have been a bit much. Though Brad had never competed on the rodeo circuit, she recognized the competitive gleam that flashed in his eyes.
“My parents used to bring us to Kalispell every year to go Christmas shopping.” His fingers slid down through her curls before one finger slipped inside.
She gasped, brought herself under immediate control. Okay, maybe not immediately, but quickly.
“Is that so?” she managed t
o stammer, as her body closed in around his finger.
“Yep,” he said with a cocky smile. “What about you?”
“How about me what?” Dear God, she’d forgotten the question. Why were they bothering to talk anyway? All she wanted to do was revel in the exquisite sensations flooding her body.
“Did you come here to shop every Christmas?” He added his thumb to the mix and she squirmed at the desire that erupted when he found her sweet spot. She pressed up against his hand, swallowed a moan.
“How often did you come to Kalispell?” The wicked gleam in Brad’s eyes told her he knew how his actions were affecting her.
“Now and...then...” She managed to get the words out. While she may have sounded slightly breathless, at least she wasn’t panting, which is exactly what she longed to do. His fingers continued to torture and tease.
Under the cover of the blanket, she opened her legs as desire rose as strong and hot as lava inside a volcano.
“Don’t stop.” She meant to whisper the words but they came out as more of a command.
The driver turned back and Brad’s fingers thankfully stilled. “Did you say you wanted to stop?”
“No.” Margot screwed on a bright smile. “Just speaking about something else.”
The second the man turned his attention back to the front, Brad leaned over and kissed her long and hard.
She plunged over the edge, his mouth absorbing her cries as the orgasm slammed into her. She clung to him as wave after wave of sensation battered her.
When her eyes were capable of focus, she met his gaze. “Your time is coming, mister.”
“Bring it on, cowgirl.” He nipped her earlobe. “I can handle it.”
* * *
They drove back to Rust Creek Falls the next day. If Brad didn’t know his father was planning to take inventory at the store this afternoon, he’d have tried to get him to watch the ranch another day.
Of course, he wasn’t sure he could handle one more night with Margot. He’d gone from being celibate for six months to continuous mind-blowing sex. On the way to the B&B after their sexcapades in the carriage, she’d warned him she’d make him pay once they were back in the room.
All he could think was if that was her way of extracting revenge, she could make him pay anytime. It was as if they couldn’t get enough of each other. The feel of her beneath him, the touch of her hands, the taste of her mouth... Brad couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so totally mesmerized by a woman.
He enjoyed her company just as much out of bed. Margot was an intelligent woman. She was well-read and her natural curiosity about a variety of things made her an interesting conversationalist.
On the drive back, they’d actually discussed national events and had a lively discussion. He’d never have been able to have such a conversation with Janie. She’d had little interest in anything outside of herself. But then, he’d been equally self-absorbed.
“I should have seen it,” Brad muttered.
Margot looked up from programming the radio to a more palatable station. “Should have seen what?”
“Janie.”
“What about her?”
Margot looked puzzled. He didn’t blame her. He rarely spoke of his feelings. Yet there was something about Margot that made him feel as if he could tell her anything. She was a woman he could trust and Brad found himself wanting to confide in her.
“We had so little in common.” He lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “I should have seen that would eventually become a problem.”
Apparently finding the country station she wanted, Margot turned the volume down and leaned back in her seat.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself for not seeing clearly,” she said with a self-deprecating smile. “Look at me and my dad. I thought I meant more to him than someone he could walk away from without a backward glance. I was wrong.”
* * *
Brad’s father appeared touched by the fishing fly that Margot had picked out for him as a thank-you gift. Privately Brad hadn’t considered a gift necessary. Helping family, helping neighbors, was simply the Rust Creek Falls way.
But he’d said nothing because her gratitude was sincere and his father had genuinely appreciated the gesture. Brad had stood back while Todd showed Margot the fresh bedding he’d placed in the box when mama dog had been outside.
At least today Viper appeared no fonder of his father than she was of him, growling at both of them when they entered the parlor.
“I want to make sure there’s water in the south pasture before I leave.” His father cast a pointed glance at Brad. “The windmill didn’t seem to be working earlier. Why don’t you and me ride out there and see what you think.”
Since Brad knew this was something he could easily check himself, it was obvious—at least to him—that his father wanted to talk with him privately.
“You don’t have to do that, Mr. Crawford,” Margot protested. “You’ve already done so much.”
“I enjoyed every minute of it,” he told her. “And, remember, it’s Todd.”
“Okay, Todd.” Even though she wasn’t speaking to him, Margot’s sweet smile had Brad’s heart tripping all over itself. “But—”
“Seriously, it was a pleasure being back in the saddle again.” Todd punched Brad in the shoulder. “This trip to the south pasture will give my son a chance to catch me up on your trip to Kalispell.”
Though her smile didn’t waver, Brad could almost read her thoughts...keep the account PG-rated. She didn’t need to warn him. As he’d told Margot this weekend, he wasn’t one to kiss and tell. Even if he was, he couldn’t imagine ever sharing details of his love life with his father.
“If you gentleman don’t need me, I’m going to run upstairs and put some of this stuff away.” She gestured to the sacks from their shopping spree.
“Let me carry those sacks up for you.” Before she could protest, Brad hefted them into his arms. “You can keep my dad company.”
As he carried the bags to the bedroom, Brad found himself whistling under his breath. Margot was such an independent woman, it felt as if he’d scored the winning basket whenever he was able to persuade her to let him help. Over the past week, he’d discovered a protective side he didn’t even know existed. Whatever he could do to ease Margot’s load, to take some of the pressure off her, he’d do it.
When he returned, Margot and his father were laughing over some story involving the miniature vipers. Margot turned when he entered the room and her smile widened. For one crazy second when she stepped forward, he thought she was going to kiss him.
The speculative gleam in his father’s eye made him glad she didn’t.
“Think about catching a nap.” Instead of the kiss he wanted to give her, Brad gave Margot’s arm a squeeze.
She rolled her eyes. “We just got back.”
“We had a busy weekend,” he reminded her. “You’re still on the mend.”
There was so much more he would have said if his dad hadn’t been there watching and listening to every word.
“I’ll consider it,” she promised.
“Thanks.”
Margot’s name didn’t come up until Brad and his father had made some minor adjustments to the windmill and were on horseback headed back to the house.
“You’re different around her,” Todd said as they reined the horses back toward the stable.
Although they hadn’t spoken of Margot since they’d left the house, Brad had been waiting for the inquisition. “I like her.”
“She’s a lot younger than you.”
Brad heard the censure in his father’s voice and stiffened in the saddle. “She’s an adult woman of twenty-two.”
“She’s Natalie’s age,” his father reminded him. “Be careful with her.”
> If Brad had been Viper, he’d be snarling right about now. “As I’m not certain what you’re accusing me of doing, you’ll need to spell it out.”
The sharp edge in Brad’s voice had his father’s jaw tightening. Todd Crawford didn’t raise four headstrong young men by being a wimp. “Watch your tone, boy.”
Brad inclined his head slightly letting his father know the message had been received.
Todd slanted a sideways glance in his direction. “Since the breakup with Janie, you haven’t stayed with one woman for very long.”
“That’s true,” Brad admitted. “Until now, I haven’t been looking to settle down.”
“Until now?” Todd raised one dark brow. “This girl is too young to think about settling down with anyone. She’s still searching for who she is and what she wants out of life.”
Brad felt a slap of cold wind against his cheek. He lifted his head to the ominous-looking gray clouds overhead and wondered if there was more snow in the forecast.
“What are you saying, Dad? That I should move out and let her handle the ranch on her own?” Brad blew out an exasperated breath. “If that’s what you’re proposing, you can forget it. Margot experienced a bad injury and is still healing. I’m not leaving her.”
His father’s gaze pinned him and for a second it felt as if his dad could see right through him.
“All I’m saying is that she’s in a different place in her life.” Todd’s tone turned conciliatory as the stable came into view. “If you try to tie her down now, she may end up resenting you for not giving her that time to pursue her dreams.”
“Well, you don’t need to worry,” Brad assured his father. “I’d never keep her from her dreams. I want Margot to have what she wants out of life.”
“Even if that’s not you?”
Brad gave a curt nod, for the first time in his life knowing what real love felt like. “Even if that isn’t me.”
Chapter Seventeen
His father had told Brad to give Margot space, warned him not to get too close. But staying away from her proved impossible in the days that followed. Not only were they living under the same roof but their lives intersected in countless ways.
