A Cowboy's Christmas Reunion (Mills & Boon Cherish) (The Boones of Texas, Book 1)

by Sasha Summers

  “Old machine.” The machine spit out the receipt, which Josie handed over. “Just needs your signature.”

  Amy signed it, grabbed the box, then paused. “Want me to tell Hunter hi for you when I get to work?” Her smile was a little too self-satisfied.

  “Thanks but no thanks,” Josie said, keeping her tone light. She could hold it together until Amy walked out. After that, all bets were off. Relief swept over her as the other woman turned to go.

  But Amy turned back suddenly, her brown eyes sweeping over Josie from head to toe. “Hunter’s a big boy, so it’s his own fault for making the same mistakes over again. But—” she lowered her voice “—you hurt my boy, and there will be hell to pay.”

  Josie stared at Amy, surprised and a little impressed that the woman had any maternal instincts. She managed a tight grin. “You have a good day.”

  Amy left, the little bell over the bakery door breaking the silence. And just like that, the entire bakery, all eight people, were whispering and talking among themselves.

  Annabeth stood, putting Cody’s empty plate and cup on the counter. “Why would he get her a job?”

  Josie’s heart ached. “She’s Eli’s mom. You know Hunter. If she needs help, he’s going to take care of her. For Eli.” It was one of the reasons she loved Hunter. And one more reason she should book that flight straight to New Mexico. She would always have to contend with Amy, with drama, with uncertainty. Hunter might love her, but he was loyal to his family. Eli and Amy were his family. Was there really room for her?

  She’d find out tonight—she had to. There was too much to sort through, too much still left unsaid. If it couldn’t work, she’d start over again. It’s not as if she was tied to a place... She could go anywhere, thanks to her books.

  Now she just needed to know where she was going.

  “Josie?” Annabeth asked. “You okay?”

  Josie nodded. “Yeah.”

  “You sure?”

  “I think so.”

  The little bell rang again, and this time Lola Worley walked in.

  “Is she gone?” Lola asked.

  “Just missed her,” Annabeth said.

  Lola put her hands on her hips. “Probably for the best. I don’t know what she’s up to, but she had no business coming in here, stirring up trouble.”

  Josie shook her head. “She was picking up pastries—”

  “She was stirring up trouble, mark my words,” Lola affirmed. “That one lives for it. After Hunter kicked her out, she spent a good month causing fights around town, getting the men all dazed and confused by her big...” Lola waved her hands in the air. “Well, you know.”

  Annabeth nodded.

  “Hunter kicked her out?” Josie asked.

  “Teddy told me all about it. He was fit to be tied.” Lola nodded. “He’d come home to find Eli in his crib, screaming and filthy. Amy was gone.”

  “Eli was alone?” Josie was horrified. “But—” How many times had Annabeth or her dad tried to bring up Hunter? But she’d cut them off, too caught up in herself to consider what those she’d left behind were dealing with. She hurt for Hunter. And Eli.

  “He gave her a lot of chances, Josie.” Annabeth nodded. “When Eli started kindergarten, he was one of those kids that was always in the office after school when it was her turn to have him. She’d forget to pick him up, or didn’t want to.” Annabeth looked at Lola, who nodded.

  “She was real good at coming in with presents, big smiles and stories for Eli before she’d leave again.” Lola moved around the counter. “That boy holds on to those memories, desperate to have a real mother, I guess.”

  “That’s natural,” Josie argued. She knew what it was like to want a mother. How many times had she made excuses for her mom? Rationalized her behavior? There were flashes of brilliance. Museum visits. Opera performances. Traveling to exotic locations... But the everyday version of her mother was something altogether different.

  “Seems to me his daddy did a good enough job for two parents.” Lola beamed at Cody. “Look at how big you are. I swear, you look more like your pa every time I see you, Cody.”

  The little boy grinned.

  “You want a cookie?” Lola asked him.

  “He just had one,” Annabeth protested.

  “One’s not near enough for a growing boy.” Lola winked at Cody as she handed him a huge frosting-covered sugar cookie.

  Annabeth laughed. “We don’t need a nap today.”

  Lola hugged her. “Sorry, sugar. It’s the holidays, you know? Calls for extra treats and breaking the rules now and then.”

  Annabeth smiled. “It’s fine.”

  Josie’s father came out of the kitchen. “Did you believe that Amy? I didn’t know what to say to her. Can I ban her from the shop?”

  “Absolutely not.” Josie sighed. “If she is back for good, we will all be on our best behavior. For Eli.”

  Lola, Annabeth and her father looked at her.

  “Okay?” she added, needing their cooperation.

  Annabeth and her dad nodded quickly.

  Lola sighed and said, “I’ll try, Josie, but I sure as hell won’t like it.”

  * * *

  “DR. BOONE,” A VOICE called over his intercom. “Your two o’clock is here.”

  “Have Frank get Jester’s vitals and put them in an exam room. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “Yes, Dr. Boone.” And the intercom went silent.

  Tripod leaped onto his desk corner.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, rubbing the black cat firmly along the back of his neck. “Too many dogs in the clinic today?”

  Tripod yawned, revealing a long pink tongue.

  “You go on and nap, and I’ll just get back to work.” Hunter gave the cat a last scratch before finalizing the chart on his tablet. The pharaoh hound was going to be a daddy. It had been a long road and the poor dog had no idea what he’d been missing out on, but puppies were definitely on the way.

  “Hunter?”

  Hunter looked up, completely floored to find Amy in UET scrubs. His stomach dropped. “What’s with the getup?” he asked.

  “I got a job.” She smiled. “A tech position.”

  He sat back in his chair. “At the hospital?”

  She nodded, coming into his office. “Yes.”

  “This hospital?” he clarified.

  “I’ll be over in the large-animal clinic, mostly.” She sat in one of the chairs opposite him. “Unless someone here needs me.”

  “And you think this is a good idea?” he asked. “Last time we talked, you were heading to Vegas, following the circuit, living the dream.”

  Her smile tightened a little. “And then my son called me and asked me to come home.”

  Now he felt as though he’d been punched in the gut. “Eli called you?”

  She sat back, looking far too comfortable in the chair. “Ask him.”

  “Why did he call you?”

  “Hunter.” She laughed the laugh that usually had any man looking at her, appreciating her. It made his skin crawl. “Contrary to what you think, some people want me around. That person just happens to be the boy we made together. He’s upset.”

  He waited.

  “Josie being here.” She paused, frowning. “Well, he’s just torn up about it. He’s worried about you. And about me.”

  “About you?” He shook his head. “You weren’t here.”

  “But he knows I still love you.” Her brown eyes bore into his. “He knows I hold out hope every single day that we’ll reconcile.”

  “Just because I didn’t go public with why we divorced then doesn’t mean I’m going to keep covering it up. Eli’s getting old enough to figure things out. To realize you left us long before our divorce was final.” He stood, pulling on his white coat. “I don’t know what you’re hoping to gain, but I can’t keep protecting Eli from your mistakes. This time, I won’t.”

  She smiled up at him, shifting in her seat. “I’m no
t planning on making any mistakes.”

  “Amy, if you’re on the clock, I suggest you get to work. The school doesn’t run without everyone working at one hundred and ten percent. You’d be smart to remember that.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “Always so responsible.” She stood, stretching so that her chest was impossible to miss. “Fine. I’ll see you later on. I was thinking of having Eli for a sleepover tonight.”

  “We’ll talk later.” He brushed by her, heading straight to the clinic.

  This was the last thing he needed. Eli was already stretched too thin. Throw his mom back in the mix, let her play her victim card and things would get bad.

  “They’re in exam four,” Martha said once he’d reached the admissions desk.

  He nodded, opening the door to find Jester. The dog growled, deep in his throat, a nerve-racking sound considering Jester was a nasty-tempered mix that tipped the scales at almost two hundred pounds.

  “How’s he doing?” Hunter asked Clarence Shaw, Jester’s owner.

  “He walked into the door frame today.” Clarence shrugged. “I can’t stand to see him this way, Doc. You gotta fix him up.”

  Hunter scanned the dog’s chart. “You sure?”

  Clarence patted the broad head of the massive dog. “He’s my baby, Doc. I’m sure. How long until he’s better?”

  “Cataracts are pretty bad.” Hunter kept his voice steady, soothing for Jester—and Clarence. “Especially for a dog this age. After the surgery, he’ll be seeing in a few hours.”

  “No kidding?”

  “No kidding.” Hunter stood, rubbing the dog’s head and neck.

  “He’ll like that.” Clarence was smiling. “Hell, I’ll like that. It’s hard on a body, carryin’ Jester around.”

  Hunter smiled. “I can imagine.”

  Jester lay flat, resting his head on his paws. “You’ll be fine, big fella. You’ll see,” Hunter said.

  “What’s next?” Clarence asked.

  It took twenty minutes to get Jester checked in to the hospital and settled in a cage.

  Tripod came around the corner as Hunter closed the cage door. “I’d stay away from this one, Tripod. He can’t see you.” He watched the three-legged cat wind his way between his legs. “Either way, I imagine he’d rather eat you than cuddle with you.”

  “Dr. Boone.” Mario, a tech, laughed. “I’ll keep Tripod out of Jester’s way.”

  Hunter grinned. “I’ll check in on him tomorrow.”

  “Headed to the parade?” Mario asked. “Tell Eli good luck with the float.”

  “I will.” He nodded his goodbyes, heading back to his office. He hung his coat on the rack and dug for his keys. With a quick glance around the room, he flipped off the light and locked the door behind him.

  “Dr. Boone.” Dr. Lee was in the hallway. “I was wondering if you’d heard anything from Miss Stephens. Any interest in the mural project?”

  “I’m on my way to see her now.” He tugged on his jacket. “I’ll see what she’s thinking.”

  “I’d appreciate that.” Dr. Lee smiled. “Enjoy your evening.”

  “You, too.” He nodded.

  “Thank you for sending Mrs. Boone to us. It seems you have a very talented family.”

  Hunter stopped cold. “I didn’t send Amy to you, Dr. Lee. To be perfectly candid, I would not have recommended her.”

  “Oh, I see.” Dr. Lee frowned. “I suppose we’ll have to make the best of it. Enjoy your evening.”

  The drive from the hospital to the bakery took fifteen minutes. It took every second of that time to ease the tension from his shoulders. He wanted to enjoy tonight, enjoy being with Jo. The streets were blocked for the night’s celebration, so he had to walk, which did him good. Nothing like seeing the smiling faces of the community, the kids piled in the backs of minivans or sitting in lawn chairs to set things right again.

  By the time he reached Pop’s Bakery, he wasn’t thinking about Amy or Dr. Lee or the pile of charts he needed to review.

  He pushed into the bakery, the little bell chiming. Most of the lights were off, but he heard movement in the back room.

  “Jo?” he called out. Sprinkles greeted him by jumping up and down and yapping excitedly. “Good to see you, too—especially since you’re not throwing up or needing a diaper.”

  He walked through the connecting door from the bakery to Carl’s house. “Jo?”

  “Hunter?” she called out, her voice thin and stressed.

  He followed the sound of her voice to her bedroom.

  She was sitting on the bed, bundled in her robe, tear tracks down her face. She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand and sniffed, loudly. He didn’t know whether to laugh or pull her into his lap. He sat and drew her close. “What’s wrong Jo?”

  She shook her head, hiccuping. “N-nothing.”

  “Come on now. Something’s wrong. You’re not one to cry for nothing.”

  Her big eyes peered up at him. “You mean I wasn’t... For all you know I c-cry at the drop of a hat.”

  “Okay.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I’d still like to know why you’re crying.”

  “My dad—” She sniffed. “My dad proposed to Lola.”

  “And that’s bad?” He wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “No. It’s g-great.” She sobbed.

  He laughed again.

  “It’s not f-funny,” she moaned, pressing her face against his chest.

  “Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “It’s not funny. And it’s not bad. But you’re crying.”

  She nodded.

  His hold tightened on her. “What can I do, Jo?”

  He felt her breathe deep, felt her hands grip his shirtfront. “I’m happy for him. And relieved. H-he doesn’t need me to stay.”

  Her words clawed at his heart. “You think so?”

  “I want him to be happy. And Lola is wonderful. She’ll keep him young—” Her voice broke. Her hands twisted in the flannel of his shirt.

  “He wants you to stay, Jo.” The words rasped out.

  She froze, looking up at him. Her silver-gray eyes were full of pain, bone-crushing misery. “I’m a h-horrible daughter.”

  He laughed then, though he tried not to. “You are not.”

  “I am, Hunter.” She swallowed, her gaze wandering over his face. “A good daughter wouldn’t be jealous.”

  His hand cupped her face. “Jealous?”

  “I hate that I’m the way...I am.” She frowned.

  “What way?” He frowned, too. “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m t-terrified.”

  “Of what?”

  “Commitments and relationships, losing control.” She sighed, sniffing. “Hurting others to get what I want. Like you. And Eli.” Her gaze wandered to his mouth. “You make me remember how to feel things I’ve tried to forget. And it scares me.”

  He rubbed his nose against hers. Her words revealed so much. “Let me love you, Jo.”

  He felt her tremble and pulled her close. His lips were firm, parting hers and stealing her breath. She shuddered again, but he didn’t let her go. He didn’t care if they were late for the festivities. Right now, he was where he needed to be.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Josie rested her head on Hunter’s chest, listening to the thump of his racing heart. Her hand drifted back and forth across his bare chest and stomach, stroking the muscles along his side. He offered comfort and strength, surrounding her with his warmth. She closed her eyes, tempted to stay put. She didn’t really want to ride on the float, anyway. But they were already late. Any later and people might come looking for them.

  She sat up, running a hand over her tangle of curls. “We should go.”

  “Like this? Lola will have plenty to talk about.”

  She giggled. “Um, no. Clothes, taming this—” she pointed to her hair “—and then we go.”

  He lay there, naked and gorgeous. “You okay?”

  She nodded, enjoying the v
iew a little too much. “Sorry.”

  He sat up, smoothing her hair from her face. “For?”

  “Crying. Being pathetic.” She shrugged. “Being emotionally overwrought. It was a long day.”

  He nodded. “I hear ya.”

  She attempted to pull her robe from beneath him. Since he wouldn’t give it up, she stood, bravely walking across the room to pull clothes from her closet. “Anything new at the hospital?”

  “A dog. A monster of a dog.” He chuckled. “Two hundred pounds of drool and muscle.”

  She pulled her panties up and looked at him. “Two hundred pounds?” She arched an eyebrow. “Are you telling me a fish story?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. You should go like that.” He nodded at her pink-and-white cotton undies.

  She pulled on her red bra, clasped it in front and saw his frown. “Hunter.” She laughed. “So what does this beast need you to do to fix him, Dr. Boone?”

  “He can’t see.”

  “Poor baby.” She frowned. “What’s the matter with him? I mean, can you fix him?”

  “Yep. The hospital can handle almost anything. He’s got some terrible cataracts, but he’ll be fine.” He pulled his pants on, giving her the most delightful glimpse of his firm rear and muscled thighs. “Speaking of the hospital...”

  That doused the rising hunger. She gripped her red sweater, waiting. “Yes?”

  “Dr. Lee wanted me to touch base with you about the mural.” He pulled on his undershirt, then started buttoning up his plaid flannel shirt. “You said you wanted to at dinner, but I didn’t want to speak for you.”

  She’d thought about it a lot. Working with Hunter was a perk. Doing something for this family, honoring their son, was important. Supporting the school, also significant. She’d made up her mind to do it. But Amy changed everything. “I don’t think I can work there.” And since he wasn’t going to bring it up, she would. “Not with Amy around.” She pulled her brown corduroy pants on and looked at him. “She came by the bakery this morning—”

  “I’m sure she did.”

  “She had an order to pick up for the hospital.” She ran her fingers through her hair, distracted.

  “She’s not happy unless she’s making everyone else unhappy.” There was no mistaking his frustration. “Not the best way to start the day, I imagine.” He brushed her hair from her shoulders, tilting her head back so they were eye to eye.