His Christmas Cowgirl

by Alissa Callen

  Peta smothered a yawn with her hand. As she crossed to the table her phone chimed as texts flooded in. Shoulders tight, he came to his feet. There was no point starting a ranch update, they’d only be interrupted again. Her social network had just discovered she was home.

  “It’s getting late. We’ll talk about the ranch tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay. But it will have to be later as I need to go to town first thing for a dress fitting.”

  Garrett ground his teeth. The ranch already couldn’t compete with her social calendar. “No problem.” He glanced around the kitchen but didn’t see any luggage. There also hadn’t been any bags in the hallway as otherwise he’d have known she had arrived home. “I’ll bring your bags inside before I head upstairs.”

  To his surprise she frowned, as if taken aback by his offer. “Thanks, but there’s no need. I’ll get them.”

  Then as her cell phone rung he turned away, rinsed his mug out and placed it on the sink. He wouldn’t force the bag issue even if it was cold outside and his ex-fiancée had expected him to carry every bag she’d ever packed. Peta was his boss.

  But even with his door shut and a host of pressing emails, Garrett found his attention focused on any sound that drifted from downstairs. It didn’t feel right not helping Peta with her bags. Hal hadn’t raised him to be impolite. The front door opened and closed as Peta exited and reentered as she collected her luggage. But when it opened and then didn’t reopen, he gave in to his restlessness and stood. What could she be doing? She’d gone outside into the cold and hadn’t returned.

  He passed a hand over his face. Hal was the closest thing he’d had to a father. The rancher had seen through the anger of a belligerent teenager who hung around the feed and supply store helping to load hay and had given him his first job. Hal had clothed and fed him even when his mother had been around. And when she’d left, Hal had simply squeezed his shoulder and made up a bed in the bunkhouse.

  Hal’s love and guidance had been unconditional even when he had lost his wife in a car accident and then his ranch when the bank had foreclosed. The first thing Garrett had done when he’d had enough money was to ensure Hal would be financially secure again. But instead of buying another ranch, Hal remained happy running Bluebell Falls.

  Garrett speared a hand through his still shower-damp hair and headed downstairs. He wasn’t the only one Hal had opened his big heart to. Affection warmed Hal’s voice whenever he spoke about Peta. Garrett owed it to Hal to not only take care of Bluebell Falls but also its owner. And he’d start by checking on why she hadn’t returned inside.

  The scent of French perfume lingered as he entered the hallway. Two oversize purple bags now sat stationed at the front door. He turned left and from the mudroom grabbed his boots and denim jacket. A sheepskin coat that had hung beside his jacket was missing. He left the house. When the night’s chill hit him he turned up the collar. He wouldn’t be surprised if in the morning a dusting of snow covered the high-country peaks. Winter would soon be here and he could only hope Hal would be back on the ranch he loved by Christmas.

  Garrett strode to the front of the house and examined the stables, shed, and workshop as he passed but no lights signaled Peta may have gone inside. The ranch dogs were snug and silent in their kennels and gave no indication Peta had been near. He reached her truck but there remained no sign of her. He blew out a cloud of frosty breath. A flash of white caught his eye from over near the corrals and he peered into the moonlit gloom.

  The only horse in that direction was skittish and unpredictable Scout. The chestnut rescue horse had struck up an unlikely friendship with Whiskers the stable cat. It would have been Whisker’s white patches on his black and white body he’d seen. But then a larger patch of white appeared and he recognized the missing sheepskin coat. His nerves tightened. Peta had entered Scout’s yard. Only two days ago Garrett had patched up the bruises of a young cowboy when a frightened Scout’s front hooves had glanced off his shoulder.

  He strode forward. His first instinct was to call out for Peta to be careful but he clamped his mouth shut. Any loud noise would only spook the jittery mare whose agitated snorts already disturbed the silence. On soundless feet, he covered the distance to the corral and slipped through the fence. Then he stopped.

  Instead of greeting Peta with pinned back ears, Scout nickered softly and made a beeline for her visitor. Peta offered the mare an apple and the sound of crunching carried on the night air. Whiskers walked along the fence, jumped to the ground and wrapped herself around Scout’s front leg. The chestnut lowered her head and rubbed her cheek against the cat. When the mare lifted her head, Peta stroked her nose.

  He didn’t realize Peta knew he was behind her until she turned slightly and spoke over her shoulder. “I thought you said no one has ridden Scout after Hal’s fall.”

  He kept his voice low. “They haven’t.”

  Scout’s head lifted and she snorted as she examined him and then lowered her head for Peta to continue to rub her nose.

  “You might not have ridden her but you’ve been working her haven’t you?”

  “Yes. I have.”

  “I thought so. The only other man she’d let get so close is Hal.” In the darkness he couldn’t pinpoint Peta’s exact expression but there was no mistaking her stern tone. “I also thought I made it clear she was to be left alone until I got home.”

  “You did.” He walked over to the fence and Scout broke away from Peta to amble toward him. He rubbed her favorite spot high on her neck beneath her heavy mane. “She looked lonely and I wanted to prove that not all men are capable of cruelty. Hal told me about her past.”

  Peta didn’t immediately reply and when she did, her voice had softened. “I was just trying to protect her but whatever you’ve been doing has made her less scared. Thank you.” Peta drew near, her eyes dark pools in her face. “You should have seen her when she arrived. You could have counted every rib and the bullwhip welts would have broken your heart.”

  “Well, she’s as fat as mud now and has come to a good home. The connection between you is obviously already strong.” He hadn’t meant to reveal his thoughts but with the moonlight blurring Peta’s makeup and her ranch coat covering her designer clothes she resembled the unspoiled woman in the family pictures on the mantelpiece.

  “Thanks. I hope so. But we’ve a long road to go and we will get there. It’ll just take time.”

  He nodded as Scout nuzzled Peta’s hair. “It will. She has a gentle heart.”

  “I think so, too. She just needs to learn to trust again, especially men.”

  “She does and one day she will.”

  “I hope so.”

  A brisk breeze eddied by and Peta turned up the collar of her coat. The crimson polish on her long nails gleamed and reality returned. He was bonding with a woman who tomorrow would be in town at a dress fitting instead of reacquainting herself with the running of her ranch.

  He swung away. “Night. I’ll leave you two to catch-up.”

  Chest tight, he strode away without waiting for Peta’s reply. What had he been thinking not keeping his wits about him? The moonlight and shared concern for Scout had lulled him into forgetting Peta appeared no different to the other women who’d scarred his life. He’d lowered his guard and risked exposing his emotions.

  He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

  Chapter Two

  ‡

  “Sorry,” Ivy said with a sweet smile, as she stared at Peta across the small corner table in the Java café. “I can’t stop looking at you. You look so… different.”

  Peta broke off a piece of chocolate brownie. “It’s okay. Kendall said the same thing the day I first wore mascara. But I suspect Kendall only stared because I smudged black all over my nose.”

  “Even with mascara smudged all over your nose you’d be beautiful.”

  Peta gave a self-conscious smile. She might be more comfortable wearing makeup and dresses but she still wasn’t used to bei
ng the center of attention. She could rope a rogue stallion and fend off a mountain lion, but when it came to being in the social spotlight, nothing worried her more.

  “Thanks but come tomorrow it will be back to no makeup, jeans, and ranch shirts. It’s been fun leaving my comfort zone but the truth is once a no-frills cowgirl, always a no-frills cowgirl.” She examined the crimson nails on her right hand. “These will be the first thing to go. Do you know how impractical it is to have long nails?”

  Ivy’s hazel eyes sparkled. “I’m sure they are when you’re lassoing a cow.”

  “And typing on a phone. Who knows what messages I sent last night when I got home, all I seemed to do was to hit the wrong keys. And don’t get me started on how hard it is to button up a shirt or to unclip Tank’s chain. The poor dog had no idea why I took so long to let him off for his morning run.”

  “Tank would have just been glad to see you and all of your messages to me made sense.” Ivy’s smile widened. “You don’t know how happy I was to see your smiley face and heart emoticons next to Kendall’s name. I had everything crossed all would go well last night when she went to Fire Weed Ranch to see Brent. He’s the only man who’ll ever make her happy.”

  “I know.” Peta rubbed her arms through the thin cotton of her white peasant blouse. “It gives me goose bumps just thinking about how happy she must be.”

  Ivy blinked more than once and Peta’s own eyes misted.

  “And we,” Peta said voice husky, “weren’t the only ones hoping everything went well. You should have seen the messages pour in last night.”

  “Considering your phone’s lucky to receive five texts a week I’m amazed it didn’t have a meltdown.”

  “Tell me about it and the texts haven’t slowed today. Now everyone wants to know about a potential wedding date.”

  Ivy chuckled. “Now why doesn’t that surprise me? I know firsthand how much Marietta loves a wedding.”

  Peta sighed. “It sure does.”

  She glanced away before perceptive Ivy could see the loneliness she worked so hard to hide. The town would be waiting forever for Peta to walk down the aisle. At the rate she was going to find someone special, it would be Ivy and Rhett’s children who’d be in her bridal party.

  An image of Garrett’s handsome, chiseled features and intense grey gaze slid into Peta’s mind. She pushed it away. Her temporary foreman might be one of the few men in town who she hadn’t known since childhood but she had no idea if he was single. Even if he was available, he was the worst possible man for her. Not only did he not approve of her, their power struggles over what needed to be done on her ranch hadn’t even begun.

  Five teenage girls entered the café, their voices loud and their smiles wide. Peta glanced at the last available table over near the door. The café had been almost empty when she’d arrived to meet Ivy for a quick coffee before heading to Married in Marietta for her bridesmaid dress fitting.

  “I know it’s the weekend but why’s it so busy?” Peta ate the last of her brownie. “Surely people aren’t starting their Christmas shopping? It’s only November.”

  Ivy finished her hot chocolate. “No, I’m guessing everyone’s making the most of the mild weather and shopping for the ball.”

  “A ball? I go away for a month and miss all the news. No wonder everyone’s out and about. Is it a Christmas one?”

  “Yes, it’s being put on by the Daughters of Montana to raise money for the courthouse. They always do such a good job for the pancake breakfast on the rodeo weekend; I’ve no doubt it will be a fabulous night.”

  Peta nodded. A night she wouldn’t be attending. Ivy and Rhett’s upcoming wedding would be enough of a social outing for her. She’d make a donation to the ball committee and spend a cozy evening at home.

  She reached under the table to collect a floral gift bag. She’d already given Hal his gift when she’d paid a visit to the hospital earlier that morning and now it was Ivy’s turn. She handed the bag to Ivy with a smile.

  “Before we leave and get busy with dresses, this is for you. Sorry I didn’t give it to you last night when you picked us up from the Bozeman airport but it was buried in my bag.”

  Peta’s heart warmed as Ivy pulled out a blue and white apron decorated with pretty English cottages. Ivy was far more than a soon-to-be sister-in-law; she was also a dear friend. A year ago Ivy had come to Marietta to grieve for her grandparents and to bake up a Christmas storm using her grandmother’s cook book. This year Ivy was determined to do the same. The only difference was that this Christmas she wouldn’t be alone, she’d have Rhett by her side.

  “Thank you,” Ivy said, her smile delighted.

  “There’s more.”

  Ivy dug deeper into the bag and pulled out a round wooden board with the engraved picture of a scotch thistle.

  “It’s a shortbread mold,” Ivy said, tone awed. “I’ve always wanted one of these.” She came out of her seat and hugged Peta.

  Peta returned her embrace.

  Ivy remained standing and, as she carefully returned her gifts to the bag, she cast Peta a serious look.

  “You know… now you’re back home, it doesn’t mean life has to go on like it did before.”

  Peta swallowed. The insightful corporate analyst hadn’t missed her earlier sadness at still being alone.

  “I know and it’s okay if it does. The ranch is my life and I intend to focus on what I have and not what I don’t have.” She stood. “Besides being under the Marietta microscope would do my head in. If I do ever find someone willing to put up with me, I’m planning to elope.”

  Together they left the bustling café and stepped onto Main Street. As they strolled past Paradise Books their steps slowed. In the wide shop window, Lesley stood on a low stool as she created a new book display. Her grey curls awry, she peered over her heavy glasses and gave them a cheery wave.

  Ivy waved back with a smile, her attention lingering on the piles of books beside the store owner. “Where has the past year gone? In less than a month Lesley will be replacing those craft books with Christmas ones ready for the Christmas Stroll.”

  Peta smiled. It had been at last year’s Christmas Stroll she’d first met Ivy and realized how much her wilder younger brother had been tamed. “She will be. At least this year you’ll be on your honeymoon soaking up the sun and will be spared going to the stroll with us. Dad was such a grump last year.”

  Ivy’s lips curved as they turned to head to Front Avenue. “He wasn’t that bad.”

  Peta arched a brow. Even though her father had mellowed, the only person he took any notice of was Ivy. For the rest of them, getting their father to listen was almost as impossible as reaching the summit of the cloud-draped Copper Mountain that towered ahead of them.

  The smell of pizza intensified as the Pizza Parlor beside the bridal salon prepared for the Saturday lunch time rush.

  Ivy chuckled as they walked past. “Lisa having a pizza shop close to her store was a smart move. I made sure Rhett, Cordell, and Zane all had their suit fittings around lunch time. I also made sure they understood that if they complained, even once, there would be no pizza afterwards. I’ve never seen three cowboys get out of their Wranglers so quickly.”

  Peta joined in with Ivy’s laughter. Rhett would always do anything for his favorite meat lovers and chili pizza.

  Ivy squeezed her arm. “You and Kendall are the last bridesmaids to be fitted. I didn’t have the heart to tear Kendall away from Brent, so I’m sorry it’s just you this morning. Saul also needs a suit fitting, but he can’t be here until the morning of the wedding. I just wish I knew of someone his size so I could see what his suit looks like with your dress.”

  “It’s fine and I’m sure Saul’s suit will be a good match for my dress.”

  Ivy had chosen the same colored bridesmaids dresses, a deep royal blue, but in different designs to reflect her four bridesmaids’ personalities. Peta’s pattern was a no fuss, high halter neck dress with a fitted waist.
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br />   Together they entered Married in Marietta. Peta’s steps dragged. The sophisticated store always smelled of fresh lilies and the sparkle of the chandelier never failed to make her feel nervous. Her attention focused on the closest rail and the diamantes that shimmered on the delicate and whimsical dresses. Their brilliance was only matched by the gleam of tiaras displayed on a nearby self that further made her feel out of place. She might have transformed herself while away but at heart she was still a simple cowgirl happiest in dust, denim, and boots.

  Lisa Renee greeted Ivy with a hug and a smile and then moved forward to greet Peta.

  “Being away certainly agreed with you. You look great.”

  “Thanks.”

  They exchanged hugs.

  Lisa’s smile widened as she moved away. “Adam says when your dad came in for his checkup all he talked about was when you and Kendall would be back. I think he missed you.”

  “I think he did. Tell Dr. Adam he even baked us an apple pie.”

  “And it was good, too,” Ivy said, taking a seat on a vintage pink velvet chair.

  All too soon Lisa whisked Peta to the dressing room and drew open the curtain. Hanging on the hook was her royal blue dress.

  Peta glanced at Ivy. “Wish me luck. I shouldn’t have had those two pieces of pie last night. Let’s hope I can at least do the zipper up.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Ivy said as Peta entered the dressing room and closed the curtain.

  But as she stripped off her long skirt and white blouse and pulled the blue dress over her head, her worse fears were realized. The bodice refused to slide into positon. Not daring to look in the mirror, she wriggled and tugged until the dress went over her breasts and sat at her waist. Sliding the zipper into position proved another battle. She managed to move it to within an inch of where it was supposed to be and gave up. Hair tousled and cheeks flushed she stared at her reflection. Her stomach knotted.