Santa in a Stetson

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “You’re welcome. But it was Russ and Steve who made it happen.” She glanced over at Russ, who was looking as pleased as Jo felt. “It’s a fantastic tradition they have. I just sort of piggybacked onto it.”

  Lucile smiled at Russ. “You must be the silent helper. I always heard about Steve and Claire doing this, but I didn’t know you got into the act, too.”

  “I...usually don’t do much,” Russ said, looking uncomfortable.

  “Good-looking and modest, too. I admire that in a man, don’t you, Jo?” She lifted her eyebrows and gave Jo a significant look.

  “Uh, yeah. Sure.” Jo was afraid she might be blushing.

  “I’m sure he appreciates your help tonight.”

  “I do,” Russ said.

  “Well, with Richard being away and all, I had the evening free.”

  “Oh, of course.” Lucile’s expression wasn’t very convincing. “Richard would be away right now.”

  “Repairing iron lungs,” Russ said.

  “Doing what?” Lucile stared at Russ.

  “Oh, I told you about that,” Jo said quickly. “He sells the iron lungs, and then he’s on call during holidays, in case an emergency comes up. He can fix small problems himself, you see. You remember me explaining that, don’t you, Lucile?”

  “Why, uh, yes, I believe I do, now that you mention it.” She glanced from Russ to Jo, and merriment danced in her eyes. “I guess you two had better run along, before I—before I keep you from finishing your rounds. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for delaying Prescott’s own special Santa Claus.”

  “Before we go, do you need anything for the kittens?” Jo said. “We could rig up a temporary litter box if you need one, and I have some tuna if you—”

  “I saved it all,” Lucile said gently. “I couldn’t bear to get rid of anything to do with Pookie, so I even have a few cans of cat food left, and some toys.” She swallowed. “I know Pookie would want me to use them for these little darlings.”

  “I’m sure she would. She was a loving cat. Merry Christmas, my good neighbor.” Her eyes misty, Jo gave Lucile one last hug and each kitten a goodbye caress. Then she headed toward the door.

  Russ tipped his hat before starting after Jo. “Merry Christmas, ma’am.”

  “Call me Lucile, Russ. All of Jo’s friends do.”

  “Merry Christmas, Lucile. Oh, I nearly forgot.” Russ pulled a sealed envelope out of the pocket of his coat and handed it to her. “This goes with the kittens. I guess it’s a Christmas card.”

  “How nice.” Lucile tucked both kittens in one arm as she stowed the envelope in her bathrobe pocket. “I’ll open it later. That way my Christmas surprise will last a little longer. Godspeed, children.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jo said, waving as she started down the walkway. Her heart was full as she crunched along the snowy sidewalk toward the sleigh. This was what Christmas was all about, and she was very glad she’d asked herself along on this expedition. “I want to go say hello to Blackie,” she said.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  She walked up and held her hand under the horse’s muzzle so he could smell her before she began scratching his nose. “Hey, Blackie. Merry Christmas.”

  Blackie blew out another steamy breath and his eyes drifted half-closed.

  “I don’t know if I can take too many stops like that,” Russ said, coming up to stand beside her.

  Jo glanced over at him as she continued to pet Blackie. “Too emotional for you, cowboy?”

  “I didn’t think she’d start cryin’.”

  “But they were happy tears. Once I understood that, I was so glad we’d brought her those kittens. We took a chance, though. I guess it could have gone the other way.”

  Russ stroked Blackie’s neck. “I didn’t really figure on folks gettin’ upset about the presents.”

  “Maybe upset is too strong a word. But the right gift should touch people a little bit, don’t you think? Otherwise, what’s the point?”

  He gazed down at her, the brim of his hat partially shadowing his face. “I don’t know,” he said, his voice husky. “I haven’t had much practice givin’ Christmas presents lately.”

  Lately. That meant something had happened in the recent past to change his approach to the holiday. But despite their intimate night together and her earlier resolve to find out everything about him, she didn’t know him well enough to ask about it. “That’s too bad. I think you’re missing something pretty special.”

  “That’s because you’re like most folks, thinkin’ there’s magic in Christmas.”

  “Of course I do.” She paused and took a deep breath. “But you don’t think that.”

  “Nope.”

  “Well, that’s a shame. But whatever you believe or don’t believe, we have a job to do, and we’d better get on with it.”

  “You’re right about that. And I’m powerful glad you’re going with me, Jo. I’ll let you handle the waterworks, if we get any more.”

  “We’ll see,” she said, deliberately leaving her response vague. She wasn’t about to shield him from emotions he might encounter tonight. He’d never understand about magic if he didn’t allow himself to feel.

  Russ gave Blackie a pat. “I guess we’d better get going.”

  “I guess so. You’re doing great, Blackie.” With one final rub down his nose, she walked back to the sleigh where Russ stood waiting.

  “Up you go.” He steadied her as she climbed onto the driver’s bench at the front of the sleigh.

  She reacted to that firm grip as she had the other times they’d made physical contact, from the first moment in his arms when they began dancing at the Roundup. Her knees grew weak and without him holding her upright, she made a clumsy job of getting into the sleigh.

  He had to grab her around the waist to prevent her from tumbling sideways.

  “Sorry,” she said. “I’m not used to getting into these, I guess.”

  “You probably just slipped on the step. It’s slippery from the snow.”

  “Yeah, that’s probably it.” Her breathing unsteady, she picked up the soft blanket that was folded on the seat and sat down with it on her lap.

  “Just a second. Almost forgot Blackie’s treat.” Russ walked to the horse and pulled a plastic bag from his jacket pocket. “Hey, boy, did you think I forgot about this, huh?” he crooned, taking a piece of carrot out of the bag. “I wouldn’t do that, Blackie. Just got distracted. I won’t let it happen again.” He cupped his hand beneath the horse’s muzzle and scratched along the crest of his mane as Blackie chomped the carrot.

  Jo gazed at Russ, adding more pieces to the puzzle. He didn’t give Christmas presents, but he’d filled his pockets with bits of carrot to reward his horse during the night’s journey. He kept trying to pretend he didn’t go in for sloppy emotions, but his actions made a liar out of him.

  With a final scratch behind the ears for Blackie, Russ returned to the sleigh and swung up beside Jo. There wasn’t a lot of room between them, and his arm brushed against her as he pulled on gloves and leaned forward to gather up the reins. “Wrap that blanket around you,” he said. “You’ll need it.”

  “But you won’t?”

  “Nah. I’m used to it. Claire made me bring that blanket, and there’s a couple more in back.” He clucked to Blackie and slapped the reins against the horse’s rump. The sleigh lurched and then began gliding over the snowpacked street with a soft hissing sound. Blackie’s hooves crunched rhythmically as he trotted along and the bells on his harness jingled.

  The cold wind created by their movement caught Jo by surprise, and she quickly unfolded the blanket.

  “Told you.” Russ grinned at her.

  “I’m f-fine.” Jo wrapped the blanket around her knees and pulled it up to her armpits. It was a soft plush in bright red and more sensuous than Jo would have expected to find in a rancher’s sleigh. No doubt Steve had bought it with an eye toward pleasing the tourists he’d be taking on rides one day soon.<
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  “You’re not fine. Your teeth are chattering,” Russ said. “I can still take you back home.”

  “Nope. I’m g-going. What’s next?”

  “Ned and Sharon’s.”

  “The ladder.”

  “Yep. I have that one figured out, but once we get past Ned’s, I’ll need help figuring out the list.”

  “See, you need m-me.” She blinked as the frigid wind brought moisture to her eyes.

  He gave her a long glance. Then he sighed. “Come here, woman,” he said, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close, “before you freeze to death.”

  7

  HOLDING JO CLOSE felt way too good, Russ thought. But he didn’t know what else to do. She’d been shivering real bad, and the wind was making her eyes water. He couldn’t very well leave her like that and have her catch a cold or something because he was scared of putting his arm around her and keeping her warm.

  Maybe he could pretend she was Claire. He’d hugged Claire plenty of times, or rather she’d hugged him and he’d squeezed back, so’s not to appear unfriendly. Claire was the type to start the hugging business with folks she liked, and for some reason, she liked him. Putting his arms around Claire felt comforting, to be honest, so he didn’t mind her hugging him a lot.

  Putting his arm around Jo didn’t feel comforting at all. He’d hoped with those layers she’d put on, he wouldn’t feel her heat through the padding. But he could feel it, and it called to him on a level his mind couldn’t control. The scents he linked with her—the shampoo she used on her hair, her classy perfume, and underneath those artificial things the special fragrance of Jo—all combined to turn his brain to mush. For weeks he’d tried to push her out of his mind, but now he realized she’d taken up permanent space there. He wanted her more than ever.

  Just having her nestled against him like this was enough to start him thinking about ways to have her, and he’d even congratulated himself on having a condom available in his wallet. But she was married, dammit. Untouchable, according to his personal code. She’d cuddled in real easy, too, fitting right inside the crook of his arm as if made to go there.

  Maybe it was the lack of sex that was bothering him. He’d been so obsessed with Jo ever since that November night that he’d been totally uninterested in anybody else. Logic told him that the best cure for one woman was to take a different one to bed, but he hadn’t been able to make himself do it. So now here he was, in dangerous contact with the woman he wanted, who just happened to be the woman he couldn’t have. Damnation.

  “Russ?”

  He shifted on the seat slightly to ease the ache in his groin. “What?”

  “Ned told me that Sharon was planning a real intimate evening for the two of them, if you know what I mean.”

  “I reckon I do.”

  “So wouldn’t that include a fire in the fireplace? How’re you going to lower a cooler down a chimney if there’s a fire going?”

  Just her talking to him while she was so close was driving him crazy. It reminded him of the way they’d talked to each other while they’d made love. He didn’t remember another woman ever telling him he’d caused her bones to melt, or that she felt nailed to the bed. Oh, Lord, but he wanted to do those things again.

  “Stumped you, huh?” she said.

  He’d totally lost track of her question. “About what?”

  “The fireplace. I think they’ll have a fire in it. And a bearskin rug in front of it.”

  “You sound experienced in such goings-on.”

  “A little bit.”

  Yeah, he’d just bet. He could easily picture Jo stretched out naked on a bearskin rug. He shifted on the seat again, although no amount of moving around would take care of his problem.

  “Are you saddle sore, Russ? You keep twitching around.”

  “Something like that.”

  “Maybe you should have brought a pillow.”

  And her four-poster to go with it, he thought. “I’ll be okay.”

  “If you say so. So what about the fireplace?”

  “Steve figured they’d be in—” He paused to clear his throat. This was not a good subject to be discussing with Jo. “He figured they’d be in bed by now, so the champagne and orange juice would be for Christmas mornin’. If there’s smoke comin’ out of the chimney, we’ll leave the cooler by the front door, ring the bell and take off. I know Steve wanted this to be a hit-and-run situation so’s not to disturb...whatever they’re doin’.”

  “I don’t picture a fast getaway in this rig.”

  “Don’t worry. It’ll be fast enough.” He turned down the quiet little street where Ned lived. Christmas lights sparkled along the eaves of many of the houses, pine wreaths hung on the doors and snowmen stood grinning at them from a couple of front yards. Russ pulled up in front of Ned’s house with some relief. He needed to be doing something besides holding on to this tempting woman beside him and talking about people on bearskin rugs and such.

  “Here we are, and I don’t see smoke,” he said. “All the lights are out, too.” He could just imagine what those newlyweds were up to. In his present condition, it didn’t bear thinking about Ned and Sharon wouldn’t hear a stampede on their roof, let alone one cowboy with a Christmas cooler.

  “No lights.” Jo moved from the protection of his arm and peeled away the blanket “Maybe Sharon went for the bubble-bath-and-candlelight seduction instead.”

  Russ clenched his jaw. “Could we maybe talk about something else besides Ned and Sharon’s goings-on?”

  She gazed at him, and except for the gleam in her eye, her expression was innocent enough. “You seem kinda touchy for a swingin’ bachelor. Haven’t the women in Tucson been treating you right?”

  “I’d as soon not talk about my sex life, either.”

  “Hey, don’t be shy. After all, we’ve had some good times, you and I. You can tell Jo your troubles.”

  “Thanks, but you don’t look like no Dear Abby to me.” He looped the reins through the brass handrail. “Time for me to play Santa Claus and climb up on ol’ Ned’s roof.” He got down from the sleigh. “You can stay wrapped up here in the blanket, if you want.”

  “No, I’ll help. That’s what I’m supposed to be here for.”

  He’d begun to wonder if she was here to torment him with the fact that he couldn’t have her. He hadn’t thought of revenge as a motive when she’d made her offer to accompany him. “Then if you don’t mind, I could use somebody to steady the ladder.” Truth to tell, he wasn’t crazy about heights, although he’d never made much of a fuss about it. Steve didn’t know how queasy he got once he was more than ten feet off the ground. When he was a kid, he’d been afraid Steve and his friends would make fun of him for it. Now that he was grown, he felt foolish admitting to such a thing.

  “I’d be glad to hold the ladder.” She scooted over and started to climb down.

  He remembered she’d had trouble getting up, and he automatically helped her down. Big mistake. Once he had his hands around her waist, he couldn’t seem to let go again. He set her on her feet and just stood there, close enough to kiss her, his hands still spanning her waist.

  She didn’t seem inclined to move, either. She gazed up at him, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders, her mouth full and inviting.

  “You shouldn’t look at a man that way that unless you intend to kiss him.” His voice was low with frustration.

  “I do feel like kissing you.” Her breath made puffy little clouds in the still air.

  It was a strange sensation, iciness on his face, a furnace burning in his groin. “Have you forgotten about that little gold band on your finger, lady?”

  “When I’m with you, it’s hard to remember.”

  He was having trouble remembering, himself. She felt so right in his arms. “Jo, tell me the truth. Are you thinkin’ about cheating on your husband?”

  “What would you say if I was?”

  “I’ve got no right to judge anybody. I’d say you hav
e to do what you have to do. It just ain’t gonna be with me.”

  “Are you so sure about that?” She settled in against him and lifted her face to his.

  He fought back his natural instincts to tighten his grip and claim what she was offering. “Now listen here, sweetheart. If you hadn’t gone and got yourself hitched, I’d love you six ways to Sunday right this minute, long underwear notwithstandin’.”

  Her eyes grew round. “Right here? How?”

  “The bed of the sleigh would work out just fine, honey, and I’m sure I could find my way through all the clothes you have on, considering the reward I’d get for it. But I don’t make love to married women. I don’t have many rules for myself, but that’s one I don’t intend to break, even for somebody as temptin’ as you are. If your new husband doesn’t do you right, if he’s leavin’ you alone and unsatisfied, get rid of him. Then come and see me. Until then, you’re off limits.” Feeling noble as hell, he released her and stepped back.

  The look on her face just about killed him. Judging from her behavior, the bastard she’d married wasn’t giving her any satisfaction, because she needed loving more than any woman he’d ever seen. He hated watching misery, in people or animals, but Jo had chosen her path and she’d need to work her way out of her mistake without him adding to her confusion.

  “I’ll get the ladder,” he said, heading toward the back of the sleigh.

  WELL, now she’d done it, Jo thought. Her bruised ego had demanded to know that Russ still wanted her, so she’d been testing him, taunting him a little to make up for the way he’d deserted her that November night She’d expected him to put the moves on her eventually, and then she’d have her little moment of revenge when she regretfully turned him down because she was married.

  To her surprise, she’d uncovered a bedrock of moral strength in Russ that she’d never suspected was there, given his reputation. He’d been the one to do the rejecting, leaving her filled with frustration and a grudging admiration. Lots of men might pretend not to notice a married woman when folks were watching, like at the Roundup. But Jo didn’t know many who would deny themselves if that same woman offered sexual favors in private, as Jo had just done.