Capturing Christmas

by Shanna Hatfield

  Celia and Kash sat at a patio table outside a restaurant at a popular casino. Cooper and a few of their friends joined them, enjoying lunch and a moment to relax.

  “Check this out,” Cooper said, pointing in the direction of a woman intent on catching up to a popular bareback rider who’d just walked by.

  Light glinted off the woman’s rhinestone-studded boots with spiked heels. A super-short skirt with a revealing top and enough makeup Celia could have scraped it off with a butter knife rounded out her cheap and tacky appearance.

  “That girl is aiming to hit a bull’s eye with a leaky water pistol.” Celia quirked an eyebrow as the woman tried to race after the cowboy in her outlandish attire.

  Cooper snorted pop out his nose while Kash rolled his eyes and chuckled.

  “Maybe someone should tell her Ben is already taken. Isn’t that his wife over there?” Kash pointed to a fresh-faced young woman standing outside a shop door. The cowboy kissed her cheek and took her hand in his before the two of them disappeared inside a store.

  The thwarted groupie turned around and studied the crowd, looking for her next target.

  Celia squeezed Kash’s hand beneath the table. “I’m glad you mostly stay out of the public eye.”

  “Why’s that?” Kash asked, snitching hand-cut potato chips off Celia’s plate.

  “If women caught wind of the hunky guy behind the chutes, they’d be in hot pursuit. I’d have to follow you around every minute of the day and tackle any floozy who tried to work her wiles on you.”

  He snapped his head around and stared at her while the rest of the men at the table roared with laughter.

  “Don’t you glare at me like that, Kash Kressley.” Celia shot him a look so full of flirty temptation, he gripped the arms of his chair to keep from hauling her into his arms and ravishing her with kisses right there on the restaurant’s patio. “I would seriously kick some indecently exposed fanny if anyone drooled after you like that. I’ve got moves and know how to use them.” She raised her hands in a traditional karate pose and narrowed her gaze.

  Their friends hooted with mirth. When his uncontrollable laughter finally subsided, Cooper wiped tears of humor from his eyes then plunked cash down on the table. “You are more entertaining than some of the shows in this town, Seal. Lunch is on me and I’ll catch ya’ll later.”

  He kissed the top of her head before he and the other men disappeared into the bustling crowd.

  “Would you really wallop a woman if she came after me looking like she had a street corner reserved with her name?” Kash asked, amused by Celia’s antics. At any given time, unexpected silliness might spill out of her sweet pink lips.

  Despite her bluster, she was too much of a lady and far too tender-hearted to consider doing even one of the crazy things she’d mentioned.

  “You bet your boots I would, so keep that in mind before I catch you gawking at girls in skin tight jeans and skirts that don’t leave a thing to the imagination. In fact, I better not catch you eyeballing any girls.” Celia took a sip of her iced tea then leaned back in her chair and pointed to her head. “This red hair isn’t just for show, buster. It comes with a sassy mouth and a hot temper, so consider yourself warned.”

  “As far as I’m concerned, there is only one woman on the planet and that’s you, my feisty little firecracker. Let’s walk across the street and check out some of the Christmas decorations.”

  Celia took the hand he held out to her. “You’re on. Last year they had a two-story reindeer all lit up. It was amazing.” The next hour, they wandered through an upscale shopping center, looking in store windows and admiring the decorations hanging overhead.

  “I don’t know what it is about being here that kick-starts my holiday spirit,” Celia said as she pointed to a huge tree made of red poinsettia plants stacked in a wire frame. “By the time I get home, I’m ready to jump into Christmas festivities with both feet.”

  Kash hoped to be a part of her holiday plans. They’d even talked about him going with her to spend Christmas Eve at Cort and Kaley’s place. He hadn’t committed to anything yet, but he wanted to make it happen. He hated to leave his dad alone with Ransom, but the two of them would most likely sit in front of the television watching football anyway.

  “What’s the first thing you plan to do at home to get ready for Christmas?”

  “Hang a fresh wreath on my door. I buy one every year from the FFA kids. When it’s up, I’ll decorate my apartment.” She gave him a curious glance. “What about you? Do you decorate at the ranch?”

  “Not really. Barb always leaves the day after we get back from the finals to spend the holidays with her daughter in Florida. It seems like a waste to decorate for three guys who wouldn’t pay attention anyway.”

  “That’s sad and pathetic.” A frown gave her a serious appearance as they walked up a flight of outdoor steps. “I’m renaming the three Kressley men. You’re known from this day hence as Bah, Hum, and Bug.”

  Kash sniggered and placed his hand to the small of her back as they stepped onto a monorail. Celia held onto a pole since all the seats were taken. Kash moved behind her, bracketing her with his big body. “Which one am I? Bah, Hum or Bug?”

  “Ransom seems most like a bug. One that I’d like to squish.” Celia offered Kash a saucy smile over her shoulder. “However, you definitely make me hum with your kisses, so there’s your answer.”

  He bent down until his breath tickled across her neck, bending close to her ear. “That’s good to know, Red.”

  She closed her eyes and leaned back against his strength as the monorail took them to the vendor show where Kash had parked his truck that morning. The event included vendor booths, demonstrations, exhibits, and a stage where rodeo celebrities answered interview questions.

  As part of the fan experience, a television network ran interviews on the hour. That morning, they’d talked to Kash since he was one of the rodeo’s stock contractors.

  Normally, his father would have insisted Ransom handle the press, but he’d gotten so drunk the night before, neither one of them could roust him out of bed in time to go.

  Interviews, schmoozing, and chatting up the press wasn’t an aspect of the business Kash enjoyed. He much preferred working hard behind the chutes and overseeing the animals. In the past few months, he’d taken over more and more of Ransom’s duties as his brother spiraled out of control. When someone shoved a microphone in his face and started asking questions, he no longer felt like a deer trapped in a pair of glaring headlights.

  Celia had told him to pretend he was talking to himself in the mirror and for some crazy reason that helped him calm down considerably.

  Once the monorail stopped and they’d stepped off, Celia grabbed his hand. “I know you’ve got to get going, but in case I don’t see you later, remember you promised to meet me at the art exhibit in the morning.”

  “I didn’t forget.” Kash grinned and kissed her cheek. “It’s on my phone calendar. You printed out the time and directions for me and made sure I have them in my truck. I’m pretty sure if I gave you the opportunity, you’d pin a note to my shirt and remind the teacher to make certain I’m there on time.”

  She swatted his arm and scowled. “Don’t get smart with me, handsome. I just want to be sure you’re there.”

  “You mentioned it features western artists, but what has you so fired up about it?”

  Celia shrugged. “You know I love western art. The show will be great and I want to share it with you. Don’t forget your jacket and tie, either. I can leave…”

  Kash silenced her with a kiss. It wasn’t deep or long, but it left her slightly dazed and effectively chased away her thoughts about the art show.

  “Be a good girl, Red, and try not to injure any floozies.”

  Her flirty smile drew a grin from him. “Just make sure you stay away from them and no one gets hurt.”

  She turned and headed toward the door for the vendor show. He watched the red waves of her hair b
ounce in the sunlight and the natural sway of her hips he was sure she didn’t even know existed.

  There was no denying it. He was head over heels in love.

  Celia stared at the door, hoping it would make Kash materialize. The text he sent an hour before the art show indicated there was a problem with one of the bulls and he might be late.

  Ten minutes after the show started, she received another text saying he had to grab a quick shower then he’d be on his way.

  Although the show was open to the public, she wanted him to be there early, to be among the first to see the exhibits, one in particular.

  Celia stifled a groan when she watched a group of photographers she knew strut through the door. Without time to hide, she plastered on a fake smile as they approached her. One of them looked at her with a lewd leer that made her want to bash in his bulbous nose.

  His status as one of the official rodeo photographers had gone to his big head. With his bloated ego, it was a wonder he could fit through a doorway.

  “Well, well, well,” the man said as he stopped in front of her and crossed his arms over his chest. “Howdy there, Miss Celia McGraw. What brings you to town, honey? It sure ain’t your photography skills, otherwise you’d be next to me out there in the arena. In fact, I’m surprised they let you keep your card with such an obvious lack of talent.”

  Full of himself, the man smiled at his friends. “Not hard to see how you convince them to let you in, though, is it boys? You just flash a little leg and toss that red hair and men fall at your feet, don’t they, honey?”

  Raucous laughter and a few bawdy comments followed. Celia considered how much trouble it would cause if she slapped the man’s yellow teeth right out of his head. Before she took action on her thoughts, she tugged her temper under control.

  One of the other photographers pointed to a group studying a bronze statue. “Come on, dude. I want you to meet the Smiths.”

  The ringleader nodded in agreement then scowled at Celia. “Later, honey. Try not to be too heartbroken that you’re just a two-bit amateur who can’t keep up with the big dogs.”

  “More like a rabid dog that needs put down,” Celia mumbled under her breath as the men walked away.

  Livid by the encounter, she took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down. She wanted today to be special and she refused to let those self-important dolts ruin it for her.

  Her phone vibrated in the little black handbag she carried and she whipped it out, smiling as she read Kash’s message.

  Parking the truck. Be right there!

  Quickly tucking her phone back in her purse, Celia smoothed a hand down the slim ruched skirt of her simple black dress.

  The day after Thanksgiving, she’d talked Kaley into going shopping with her. When she’d seen the dress in a store window, she rushed in to try it on. Kaley assured her she would make jaws drop and would most definitely cause Kash to suffer some incurable malady if she happened to wear it in front of him.

  The rounded neckline didn’t hold a single frill, but the dress featured a cap sleeve on one arm with a fluttering organza sleeve that dropped below her elbow on the other. The hem ended right below the knee and the overall effect was stunning, or so the salesclerk had said when Celia bought the dress.

  The only jewelry she wore was the bracelet Kash purchased for her at the Pendleton Round-Up. The red and cream jasper stone looked particularly festive with Christmas only a few weeks away.

  Movement at the door to the exhibit caught her eye. Her heart fluttered as Kash strolled in wearing a dark blue jacket with a pale blue and gray paisley shirt. He hadn’t worn a tie, but no one would notice. They’d be too entranced by his arresting blue eyes, gorgeous face, and rugged build.

  As she walked toward him, surprise and admiration filled his face. His gaze locked on hers and he smiled.

  “Wow! Just, wow! You look… I mean… you’re…” Kash stammered, trying to gather his wits long enough to pay her a compliment. He’d never seen her look so undeniably alluring.

  The modest black dress she wore hugged her figure just enough to make him wonder if his eyes might pop out of his head. The wedge sandals on her feet, with multiple buckles around her ankles, looked trendy and edgy while making her legs seem a mile long.

  She’d curled her red hair and it fell around her in a thick mass that his fingers itched to touch. Mossy green eyes glowed with excitement, framed by a fringe of long, black eyelashes.

  Rather than surrender to his longing to sweep her up and run down to one of the little wedding chapels so he could truly make her his own, he kissed her cheek. “You are the most dazzling woman I’ve ever seen, Red.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Kressley.” Celia wrapped her arm around the one he held out to her. “How’s your bull? It wasn’t Wild Willie was it?”

  “Bull?” Kash asked, attempting to think coherently with every fiber of his being attuned to how incredibly sexy Celia looked as they started through the exhibit. He noticed several men casting glances at her and felt the irrational desire to punch each one of them in the face.

  In a territorial move, Kash wrapped his left hand around her waist and held her right hand in his, making it clear Celia was spoken for, taken, and otherwise unavailable.

  She nudged him with her elbow and smiled. “Yes, the bull. You said you had a problem with one this morning. That’s why you were late.”

  “Oh, one of them decided he wanted to be king of the mountain and didn’t want to play nice with the others. We ended up putting him in a pen by himself. And no, it wasn’t Willie. He behaves better than that.” Kash glanced around at paintings, photographs, bronze sculptures, intricate beading and other pieces of western art on display. Each piece had a little card beside it with the name of the artist, the title of the piece, and a sale price.

  The asking price for most of what he’d seen made him want to shove his wallet deeper into his pocket, just in case any wild ideas about buying entered his head.

  For the most part, his focus centered on Celia and the way she looked in that enchanting little black dress.

  The two of them turned a corner and Kash suddenly stopped. A huge canvas print of him hung on the opposite wall. Stunned, he stared at it.

  Uncertainly, Celia grasped his hand and glanced up at him.

  He looked at the photo and back at her. “When did you do this? How did you do this?” he asked as they walked closer to the photograph she’d taken of him the day he’d caught a child’s balloon before it soared into the summer sky.

  In the photograph, the little girl had tears in her eyes and a puckered lip as she reached out for her balloon. Kash barely remembered giving it back to the toddler, but there it was for anyone to see.

  Celia had perfectly captured the moment, the colors, the expression on his face and that of the little girl in her pink tutu dress. She’d titled the print, “Cowboy Compassion.”

  Kash studied the photo again.

  “Do you like it?” she whispered.

  “It’s incredible, Celia. I mean that. The emotion that you’re able to capture, along with the image is just unbelievable. I had no idea you’d even taken this.” Kash kissed her temple and drew her closer to his side. “Did you tell anyone you were part of the exhibit?”

  “No. I wanted to surprise you. The exhibit is open all week, so you can tell whomever you like. I just wanted you to be the first to see it.”

  “I’m so proud of you, Red. It’s a big deal for you to be here, to have your work on display.” Kash took his phone out of his pocket. “Let me take your photo with it. I know your mom would love to see it.”

  “Okay, but just one.” Celia smiled as he took the photo then sent a copy to her phone. She observed him for a long moment then put a hand on his arm. “Do you really like it, Kash? You aren’t just saying you do to make me feel good, are you? I want your honest opinion.”

  He dropped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a tender hug. “It’s wonderful, Celia. Even if you chose a qu
estionable cowboy for the photo, everything about it is just fantastic. My dad will definitely want to see it. You should tell Cooper. Oh, and don’t forget about Huck.”

  Celia wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed as he rattled off a list of people who needed to attend the show.

  He went back to the card and gaped at the price set on the print. “Are you sure they didn’t make a mistake and add an extra zero?”

  “No, you goober. The art sale will benefit the crisis fund. It’s all for a good cause.”

  Kash shook his head and took her hand in his. “I agree, but it’s just a little overwhelming.”

  Intentionally, she bumped against him and he looked down at her with love in his eyes. “Want to see the rest of the exhibit or just sit here and admire yourself the remainder of the day.”

  “Lead on, Red.”

  Half an hour later, they studied an objet d’art fashioned from horseshoes with a price tag that made Kash choke when he read it. “Maybe I should start welding old rusty horseshoes together. Obviously, I’m working too hard to make a living.”

  Celia playfully slapped his arm and they looked at a few more pieces before Kash pulled her back to the photo she’d taken of him. Silent, he studied the image for several minutes before he gave her a warm hug.

  “I’m so impressed with you, Celia. You have so much talent, it’s almost beyond my ability to grasp it.”

  She hugged him back and released a pleased sigh. “That means a lot to me, Kash. I work hard to be unique and see things through a different lens, pun intended.”

  He smiled and she took his hand, leading him toward the exit. “Only my family knows this, but I want to be the next Louise Serpa.”

  “Louise Serpa?” Kash racked his brain, trying to place the woman’s name. Vaguely, he remembered his grandfather mentioning her name. “She was a rodeo photographer?”

  “Yes, that’s right. She was the first rodeo-approved female photographer to work in the arena. Louise captured the raw emotion, the energy, the very essence of rodeo in her photographs. She grew up as a debutante in New York and eventually found her way to Tucson where she got into the business of photographing rodeos.” Celia grinned at him. “I want to be just like her when I grow up.”