His Christmas Cowgirl

by Alissa Callen

  The special bond between Whiskers and Scout warmed his heart. The mare’s life might have been difficult before she came to Bluebell Falls but now she’d never again feel the lash of a whip.

  When Peta didn’t reply he glanced at her. Her arms were folded and her lips pressed together. Tears glittered on her lashes. She’d felt Scout’s pain as though it were her own. Just like when he’d feared Peta would fall from Cloud into the ravine, a rush of emotion crashed over him. Without thought, he put his arms around her and kissed her forehead.

  “It’s over now. Scout will be fine.”

  To his surprise, Peta didn’t move away. Instead, she turned toward him and looped her arms around his waist. He tightened his hold and held her until her tension drained away. Warm and soft, she rested against him.

  All too soon, she eased herself away. “I’m sorry,” she said, voice husky and her attention on Scout. “I’m not usually so… weak.”

  He thrust his hands into his jacket pockets to stop himself from pulling her close again. His arms felt so empty without her in them. “It’s not a sign of weakness to care so much.”

  His words sounded as hoarse as hers.

  “Thanks.” She examined her bloodied hands. “I’ll get cleaned up and sit with Scout until the sedation wears off. She can’t eat or drink until then in case she chokes.”

  Garrett managed a nod as Peta cast him a quick glance and then walked away.

  It’s not a sign of weakness to care so much.

  The words he’d spoken also applied to himself. His feelings for Peta wouldn’t weaken him. Nor would they distract him from making sure Hal never suffered again and that their futures were secure. Hal was right. Peta wasn’t trouble. She was the woman he loved and without her he’d never find true happiness.

  Right from the beginning, she’d slipped beneath his defenses and accessed his emotions. No amount of money, or number of ranches, could compete with the feeling of holding her in his arms. If there was a chance for him to spend forever with the only woman he’d ever want, opening himself up to heartache had to be worth the risk.

  His hands fisted by his side as he fought to steady the emotions that shouted at him to follow and talk to her. First, he needed to find a way to tell her who he was. Women flocked to him because of his money but his gut told him proud and self-reliant Peta, who hated being the center of attention, would only see his wealth as a liability.

  It wasn’t enough to tell her who he was. He had to somehow show her that his moneyed world and her small town Marietta world were compatible.

  *

  For the rest of the day, Garrett busied himself with ranch chores and with the plowing of the snow-covered cattle pastures. But as hard as he worked and as much as he thought, the answer of how to tell Peta he wasn’t a simple cowboy continued to elude him.

  Peta didn’t appear at dinner. When he’d then showered and returned downstairs, Hal remained alone in the kitchen.

  Hal looked over his glasses as he glanced up from the beef magazine he was reading. “You smell like you’ve been in that wedding shop again. When are you going to finish that bottle of cologne your mother gave you last Christmas?”

  “I’m trying. It’s true a little bit goes a long way.”

  “Well, I’d be tipping it down the sink. You smell like a city-boy not a cowboy.”

  Garrett grinned. “It’s not that bad and besides I noticed, when I helped unpack your hospital bag, you’ve still got that fancy lip stuff she gave you.”

  Hal matched his grin. “I sure do. I’ll never have cracked lips again.” He glanced toward the electric kettle. “Sam did a dinner-run to Peta. Maybe you could take her a mug of that tea she likes and talk her out of sleeping in the stables. Scout will be fine. It’s going to snow and Peta will be warmer inside.”

  “Will do.”

  Garrett headed across to the stables and pulled the collar of his jacket higher. The steam from the hot tea curled into the icy air. No matter how many blankets Peta had on her bedroll in the stables, it would be a subzero night. Across the yard the bunkhouse was quiet, with only a faint light streaming from the windows. Many of the boys were asleep.

  He entered the stables and found Peta sitting on a pile of straw in Scout’s stall. The mare dozed while Whiskers lay asleep on Peta’s lap. The cat’s contented purr echoed in the quiet.

  Peta smiled, but the caution in her eyes suggested her embarrassment over her earlier loss of control lingered. She gently sat Whiskers on the straw and slipped out of the stall.

  He handed her the mug of tea. “Hal thought you might like this.”

  “Thanks.”

  Garrett looked to where Peta had filled an adjacent stall with clean hay and then rolled out her bedroll. “Scout will be fine. Maybe you should think about sleeping inside? It’s going to be freezing tonight.”

  Peta shook her head before stifling a yawn. “I’m so tired. I won’t feel the cold.”

  Garrett knew better than to push the issue. Peta was determined to spend the night close by Scout. He’d done what Hal had asked and should now go. But he didn’t move.

  When Peta had showered after Scout’s accident, she’d washed her hair. Heavy and long, it now hung tousled and loose over her shoulders. The apple blossom scent he always associated with her had to come from her shampoo. She wore her usual ranch clothes but the length and bulk of her jacket couldn’t disguise the perfection of the curves below. She took a sip of tea and her lips glistened.

  He swung away. Until he worked out a way to tell her who he was, he couldn’t act on how he felt, let alone, reveal his feelings to her.

  “Garrett…”

  He half-turned. She’d followed him along to the stall she’d be sleeping in and set her tea outside the doorway.

  She stared at him, her eyes large and solemn. “I never thanked you for your help today. If you hadn’t have earned Scout’s trust, it would have been a nightmare dealing with her injury on my own.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Straw was caught in Peta’s hair. He stepped forward to pluck the small stalk out from the blonde, silken strands. “It was a team effort. Sleep well.”

  As his hand slowly lowered past her cheek, her eyes changed from a clear to a smoky blue and her breath caught. He wasn’t conscious of any one thought, only of the pounding in his chest that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. His hands tangled in her hair as she pressed herself against him and her mouth met his.

  Just like in the truck cabin, passion ignited between them. He wasn’t sure when their jackets hit the dusty stable floor or when their hands sought the heat of each other’s skin. All he knew was that he couldn’t get enough of the woman he loved.

  “Peta…” He dragged his mouth from hers. “We either stop now, or we won’t stop at all.”

  Her only response was to fuse her mouth with his as her fingers flicked down his shirt buttons. When she pushed the cotton off his shoulders, he had all the answers he’d need. She had no intention of stopping.

  He lifted her into his arms and carried her to her bedroll. As he laid her down their eyes met. He’d never seen her eyes look a more brilliant blue or appear so luminous. He kissed her again and lost himself in the beauty and warmth of the only woman he’d ever want.

  When Peta later lay sleepy and soft in his arms, she smiled. A smile so content and so radiant it said she had no regrets. Lost for words, he kissed the tip of her nose. He could spend a lifetime loving her and it still wouldn’t be enough. But now wasn’t the time to tell her he loved her or who he was. He didn’t want to spoil such a precious moment.

  But he did now know of the perfect time for him to lay his soul bare. A time when they’d be away from the demands of the ranch and he could prove to her that the worlds they inhabited weren’t so different after all.

  He cleared his throat and brushed the tousled hair away from her temple. “I know you don’t want to come to the ball… but would you come… as my date?”

  Her fingers tr
ailed over his chest as she whispered, “I’d love to.”

  Chapter Eleven

  ‡

  The lights of the historic Graff Hotel danced through the misty windows of Garrett’s truck. Peta pressed a hand to her midriff to still the nerves waltzing in her stomach. Tonight the town would see her and Garrett together but she hoped the prince’s presence would attract the most attention. She didn’t know why she couldn’t fully shrug off her dread about having her life scrutinized. Perhaps it was because she’d never really had a social life before now.

  Garrett took her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles. “Don’t be nervous. I promise you don’t have to dance in those heels, unless you want to.”

  “If I’m dancing with you, I’ll be fine.”

  Garrett’s grin flashed white. “Trust me, I’ll be the only one dancing with you. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

  She smiled, her breathing quickening at his husky tone. Ever since the night in the stables, they’d been inseparable. By day they worked on the ranch and then, when Hal went to bed and Garrett had answered his emails, he’d slip into her room. She’d never known such happiness or that sharing her life with someone could feel so complete and so right.

  Garrett let go of her hand to change gears as he spied a parking space outside the movie theatre.

  But as blissful as the past days had been, they were yet to have a serious talk about where they were headed and about where Garrett planned to spend Christmas. After Jeanie had walked out on him, and his mother abandoning him, Peta would be naïve to think Garrett didn’t possess any emotional baggage. Just like Scout needed to have her trust with men rebuilt, Garrett would need time and proof before he believed his heart was safe with her. So she’d held her tongue. When he was ready, and the time was right, she was certain they’d talk about their future. Until then, she’d savor every moment.

  Garrett silenced the truck’s engine but made no attempt to open the driver’s side door. Instead he turned to her. When she’d come downstairs and seen him standing in his tuxedo, waiting for her, she could have sworn her heart had forgotten to beat. And it seemed as though seeing her in the rose gold sequined dress that Lisa had talked her into buying had the same effect on him. The admiration in Garrett’s eyes and the heat in his kiss reassured her the fitted style didn’t look ridiculous on a clumsy cowgirl.

  He leaned forward and his breath caressed her skin before he pressed his lips against her neck. “You smell as good as you look. But that will have to do until I can kiss you properly.” His gaze explored her mouth. “Red might be a Christmas color but when it’s all over my collar it’s a giveaway I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  “Did I mention not only is this lipstick smudge proof, its kiss-proof, too.”

  Garrett’s grey eyes darkened. “Really?”

  “Really?”

  He slowly ran his thumb over her bottom lip. She wouldn’t have cared if the red lipstick was kiss-proof or not, she needed his mouth on hers. She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him. Breathless minutes later, they broke apart.

  “Are you sure we have to go to the ball?” he asked, voice deep.

  She loved the way he no longer hid his emotions from her.

  “If you’re about to say that staying in your pickup and making out will be the best offer I’ll receive tonight, forget it.”

  His lips curved. “I’ve learned from that redheaded cowboy’s mistakes. I’ve booked a room at the Graff…” His mouth lowered to hover over hers. “That we can either use before or after the ball.”

  She ignored her hormones’ insistence that they use the room now.

  “That’s a much better offer but it’s one I’ll have to save until later. Ivy and Kendall were with me when I had my hair done.” She smiled against his mouth. “I can’t possibly turn up with my bun looking more messy than chic. I’m also okay about Carol knowing we’re together, but I don’t want to give her too much to gossip about.”

  He pulled back a little, gaze now serious. “That works for me. There’s a final part of my long and boring story I haven’t yet told you… and I’d like to tell it to you tonight.”

  She placed a hand on his cheek and hoped it didn’t tremble. Perhaps after the ball they’d also talk about their future. “I’ll look forward to the next installment.”

  Someone tapped on the driver’s side window and Garrett opened the door. Ethan and Bridie stood outside. Ethan also wore a tuxedo while Bridie wore a full-skirted red dress that showcased her pale skin and dark hair.

  “Are you two planning on coming to the ball?” Ethan said, with a slow smile. “You’ve been parked there for five minutes.”

  Peta fought the blush in her cheeks and a fresh flurry of nerves. Nothing screamed loved-up couple more than foggy truck windows. Marietta would be left in no doubt she and Garrett were an item. “Yes, we’re all set.”

  She snuck a look at Garrett’s shirt collar to make sure her lipstick really was kiss-proof. The crisp cotton below his tanned jawline remained snow-white.

  She took his arm as they strolled toward the Graff Hotel. For forty years, the majestic building had been a ruin but tonight it glittered with life. She searched the rare window that didn’t yet have light slipping past its thick curtains. She was sure Eliza had said the rooms had all been booked for tonight, with only a couple of their high end suites still available. How had Garrett secured a room?

  They walked into the warmth of the grand lobby and into an era of timeless elegance. Proud columns stood tall, wood-paneled walls shone, and the polished marble floor gleamed. She tightened her hold on Garrett’s arm. She might not have made a fool of herself by slipping in her heels at Ivy and Rhett’s wedding, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t do so now. As if privy to her thoughts Garrett wrapped an arm around her waist and held her tight.

  They crossed the foyer and the scent of pine overlaid the more subtle scent of fresh flowers. Peta slowed to admire the huge Christmas tree that took center stage in the lobby. The heavy boughs were draped in wide, red velvet ribbon and hung with delicate crystal ornaments. She couldn’t wait until she put up a tree at Bluebell Falls. Going to Carson’s Christmas tree farm was a family tradition and she could only hope Garrett would be here to help her decorate whatever tree she chose.

  They joined the small line to show their tickets. Head high, she ignored the surprised stares that skimmed over her stylish dress or lingered on Garrett. She could do this. She could be the center of attention and not feel awkward or uncomfortable.

  They entered the grand ballroom and the tight line of her shoulders lowered. They were now just another couple in a noisy and crowded room. Above her, the ornate ceiling was hidden by silver and red helium balloons, their thin ribbons trailing streams of color and light. Around her, ball dresses sparkled and dazzled amongst the stark black and white of men’s dinner suits.

  Garrett’s hand found the small of her back and he guided her through the tables. White napkins, folded like swans, vivid red poinsettias, and flickering candles adorned the center of each table. The Daughters of Montana had put on an event equal to any fancy city-venue.

  Ivy and Rhett already sat at their table, alongside Cordell and Payton and Zane and Trinity. Kendall had called to say she and Brent would be late as they were bringing his mother, Ruth, and they didn’t want to tire her out too early. If Garrett noticed the approval and happiness in her friend’s smiles at seeing them together, it didn’t show in his relaxed expression. He pulled out her chair and waited for her to be seated. He then sat beside her and laced his fingers through hers.

  “So, Garrett,” Cordell said, a twinkle in his blue eyes, “I take it we might see more of you after Christmas?”

  “Yes, you will.”

  Heart full, she squeezed his hand. This was Garrett’s first indication that what they shared wouldn’t end when Hal took over the running of the ranch.

  Ethan and Bridie joined them at the table. The crystal wine and water
glasses were soon filled, and laughter rippled round the table. Peta allowed the last of her nerves to dissolve.

  A hush settled over the ballroom and all eyes focused on a tall, blonde man who’d entered, accompanied by an elderly couple and Rowan, a writer for the Courier. The prince had arrived. But while he was dressed in a tuxedo, he wore no tie and his white dress shirt lay open at the neck. Peta smiled as Rhett tugged at his tie. Ivy arched a fine brow as if daring him to also remove it. He grinned and stole a kiss.

  As the prince joined Rowan’s family at a front table, crystal clinked and conversation again buzzed.

  Garrett leaned in close, to ask, “Who was that? The guest of honor?”

  “His name’s Theo and he’s actually a prince whose mother grew up in Marietta. She left town after high school and, after marrying a king, never returned.”

  Garrett’s mouth tensed as he scanned the crowd. “A prince usually is accompanied by hype and media attention.”

  “I’m sure he is. But he’s made it very clear this visit is a personal one so no one’s expecting any paparazzi.”

  Garrett nodded as he continued to examine the crowd.

  In the middle of Cordell’s story about what trouble his bad-tempered horse Mossy used to cause on the rodeo circuit, Garrett’s fingers tightened on hers. But when she looked at him his attention was centered on a woman in black who held a long-lensed camera. His grip on her fingers eased as the woman encouraged guests to sit closer together so she could take a group photo. The photographer was someone the ball committee had hired to take crowd shots.

  Garrett and Ivy shared a quick look and then Peta forgot about Garrett’s reaction as their delicious dinner arrived. The volume of the voices in the room rose as wine flowed and the chicken cordon bleu, sautéed vegetables, and herbed basmati rice were all enjoyed. The noise lulled while the raspberry and chocolate parfait desserts were savored and then subsided further when the speeches were made. But as dinner ended, noise again filled the ballroom. This time the hum of conversation was added to by the sounds of the band as they prepared to play the first waltz of the night.