The Christmas Cowboy Hero

by Donna Grant

  “No,” she hastily assured him. “I’m just not used to this sort of kindness.”

  He didn’t say anything else, simply kept a hold of her hand and pulled her after him as he walked away. Abby looked longingly at the white mare as she silently promised herself that she would come back with a box of her own sugar cubes.

  It wasn’t long before she heard voices and picked out Brice’s. Clayton slowed his steps until they stopped outside of an open door. She halted beside Clayton and peered around the door to see Brice sitting in a tack room, vigorously rubbing something into the leather of a saddle.

  “Then what?” Brice asked.

  A man of indiscernible age due in part to his wrinkles and weathered face continued his instruction on how to approach horses both broken and wild. Brice ate it up as if it were air that would sustain him. All the while, he kept working.

  She’d never seen him so dedicated to anything before. He’d gone to bed with a smile on his face the night before and had woken up with it still in place. Abby was beginning to think it was a permanent fixture now.

  She looked up at Clayton to thank him and realized their bodies were touching. His eyes seemed to swallow her whole, as if he stopped looking at her he might die.

  And she was fairly certain she’d perish if he did.

  The moment suspended as time slowed. It held them, seizing them both in a world all their own. Her senses came alive with Clayton. The warmth of his body swallowed her while she dragged in a deep breath of his spicy, earthy scent. His breathing was ragged, his eyes dilated. His fingers slid sensuously from her hand to her wrist.

  The desire she saw in his gaze made her stomach drop to her feet—and her body to shiver eagerly in response. Every fiber of her being was focused on Clayton, on the need pulsing through her.

  The sound of Justine calling Clayton’s name broke them apart. He gave her a look full of longing and promise before turning on his heel. Abby fisted her hands, which were suddenly cold again now that he’d released her, and followed him to the entrance of the barn.

  “I suppose we’d better get started,” he said.

  She smiled and waved when she saw Justine. “I suppose.”

  There was much she needed to do, but she hadn’t wanted her tour to end. It had been all too short, but magical all the same.

  They walked into the darkness side by side until they met up with Justine. Abby glanced around for Caleb.

  As if reading her mind, Clayton leaned close and said, “Shane won’t let anything happen to him. He’ll keep Caleb busy for a while.”

  Once inside the warmth of the house, Justine took her coat and ushered Abby into the kitchen. Abby found herself looking at all the garland hung around the house that she longed to have. It made things feel so much more like Christmas than the pitiful four-foot artificial tree they had.

  “Mom is a nut for Christmas,” Clayton said in a flat tone.

  Justine turned and swatted him with the towel she picked up from the kitchen counter. “Hush, you. He only hates it because he and his father are the ones who have to carry all of the boxes up and down the stairs.”

  Clayton barked in laughter. “You make it sound like you only have a few boxes.” Then he turned to Abby. “Do you know how many trees are in the house? Five.”

  “I can’t choose what color to use each year,” Justine stated with a shrug.

  Abby smiled at the banter. While Clayton griped, it was done in a loving manner, because it was obvious he’d do anything for his mother.

  “Let me give you a hint about how many boxes there are,” he told Abby as he leaned an arm on the island. “She has red, silver, gold, burgundy, champagne, black, pink, copper, and purple. Each of those colors has about five huge boxes of ornaments and other decorations.”

  Justine rolled her eyes. “We host a lot of parties, and the decorations need to match whatever color I use in each room.”

  “Abby, she even changes out the comforters in the bedrooms to Christmas ones.”

  She turned her wide eyes to Justine. “No way! I’ve always wanted to do that.”

  “Finally,” Justine said and looked Heavenward. “Someone who understands a love of Christmas decorating.”

  Clayton let out a sound that was something between a groan and snort. “You’re supposed to be on my side, Abby.”

  “No, no, no,” his mother said with a wag of her finger. “This one, I win. You’ve always had your father on your side. Now, I have someone,” she declared proudly.

  Never had Abby felt so … included. For the first time, she wasn’t just watching families interact, she was a part of it. It was an amazing feeling.

  And a reminder of everything her brothers didn’t have.

  Justine opened the oven and took out some freshly baked bread that Abby knew she’d made herself. “Abby, please don’t think I’m overstepping, but I’d love if you and your brothers joined us for Christmas dinner.”

  Abby hesitated, unsure how to respond. Was Justine giving the invitation out of pity or because she really wanted them here.

  “We have a big party the night before,” Clayton said. “Christmas is our private dinner. Say you’ll come.”

  How was she expected to refuse now that he was staring at her with those gorgeous green eyes and that crooked grin? “We’d be delighted.”

  “Oh, good,” Justine said with a clap of her hands. “And Ben will be feeling so much better by then. He’s dying to meet you. In fact, he’s coming down to dinner tonight.”

  “Mom,” Clayton replied, worry filling his face and voice.

  Justine put her hand on Clayton’s arm. “Leave your father to me. He’s promised to return to bed when I tell him.”

  Abby glanced around the massive kitchen. “How can I help with dinner?”

  “No need,” Justine said with a grin. “I love to feed people. It’s my thing, sweetheart. Clayton, why don’t you get her settled before you take your shower? You’re not sitting at my table smelling like that.”

  He chuckled and put his hand on Abby’s back as he led her from the kitchen and down a hallway toward the office.

  “Your mother is wonderful.”

  He glanced her way and nodded. “She is pretty special.”

  “You’ve no idea how lucky you are.”

  “Do you miss your mom?”

  Abby paused inside the doorway to the office. “At times, though they are less and less as the years go on. Why should I care about someone who didn’t think twice about leaving her children behind without money or food?”

  “Did you ever grieve?”

  She felt those damn tears again. What was it about Clayton that he could bring them forth so easily? “I didn’t have time. I had to help my brothers deal with things, find a job, and handle all the legal papers making me their guardian.”

  “You’ve been doing things for everyone but yourself. When are you going to let someone do something for you?”

  Abby was certain he didn’t mean him, but she really wished he did. Because if there was ever someone who made her want to forget her responsibilities and do something selfish, it was Clayton East.

  Chapter 10

  “I don’t know,” she replied.

  Not even talk of her mother could ruin the flutter in her stomach. Abby liked the way she felt around Clayton, but she knew to be careful. It wouldn’t do her any good to go searching for something that wasn’t there. The Easts were being generous despite the situation Brice had put them in.

  Some might be suspicious, thinking Clayton was using her for his own gain. And he might be. She wasn’t naïve enough to fall for his charm.

  Well, not too much.

  It was damned difficult to shut him out completely. Mostly because he was so gorgeous and dark and … wounded. Then he’d look at her with his stunning pale green eyes and flash her that crooked grin. How was anyone supposed to withstand that? Besides, it had been a long time since anyone had paid any attention to her. It didn’t hurt that
she enjoyed the interest.

  Then there was Justine East. The woman was everything a mother should be—loving, devoted, strong, and determined. Abby had blocked so much about her own mother that it was rather wonderful to be around someone like Justine.

  And with Jill now living so far away where the time difference made it difficult for them to talk, it was nice to have another female to bond with.

  “You should think about letting others do for you,” Clayton said.

  She wasn’t sure what to say. The concept was foreign to her, but she wouldn’t pass up the chance if something came along.

  Clayton walked to the desk and pulled out the chair for her. Once she sat, he put a finger on a stack of papers. “I printed everything from the last year. I like to look through papers rather than at the computer, but the files are all open and ready if you’d rather.”

  “I like paper, too, but I’m sure I’ll still need the computer.”

  “Then I’ll let you get started. I need to get washed up before Mom has my ass.”

  They shared a smile. And then he walked away. Abby let her gaze drop to his fine ass. Until Clayton, she hadn’t realized how good Wranglers looked on a man. When he disappeared around the corner, she took a deep breath and pulled the papers to her. They were stacked with the most recent month on top.

  In order for her to get her bearings, she would have to go through the financials line by line, month by month. It was going to take days, weeks even, but she would gladly do it since she owed the Easts.

  * * *

  Clayton braced his hands on the shower wall and let the hot water beat upon his back. His palms still tingled from touching Abby.

  There had been a moment in the barn when he’d wanted to pull her against him and kiss her. And had his mother not said his name, he probably would have.

  Would Abby have kissed him back? While she seemed to like being around him, he also sensed that she was leery. Then again, frightened might be a better term. Not that he could blame her. She had the world upon her narrow shoulders, but she carried it without complaint.

  He straightened and hurriedly washed the day from his body before rinsing. After quickly toweling dry, he walked naked to his closet. As he looked inside, he shook his head. His mother had gone shopping again. She’d been shocked at his lack of clothes when he’d returned home, but it wasn’t like he’d needed a lot while in the Navy or for his job in South Africa.

  Clayton chose a cream-colored, long-sleeve Henley that he left untucked over his jeans. He combed his hair and made his way downstairs without shoes or socks.

  Ever since he’d gotten the call from his mother, he’d been going through the motions of a dutiful son. It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy to see his parents—or the ranch. But, coming home had been just as hard as he’d thought it would be. Luckily, he had something to occupy his mind.

  Now, he rushed down the stairs just to get back to Abby. While he didn’t want to think too hard about the why of it, he recognized—and accepted—the emotion.

  He stopped at the office door, leaning a shoulder against it as he watched her work. She had a pencil in hand and scribbled on a legal pad in between rummaging through the papers and mumbling to herself.

  She lifted her head of glossy, dark hair to look at the computer screen. She put down the pencil, and as her right hand clicked on the mouse, her left twirled a strand of hair around a finger.

  Suddenly, her eyes jerked to him. Having those blue orbs directed on him was like a punch in the gut—a wonderful, amazing punch. There was no bitterness or animosity in her eyes, no resentment or cynicism. It was so different than what he saw in the mirror each day. Perhaps that was why he was drawn to her.

  “Checking up on me?” she asked with a grin.

  He pushed away from the door and walked to her. “I didn’t want to interrupt you. You looked deep into it.”

  She blew out a breath and spread her hands, palm up as if taking in everything. “I was. Oh,” she said as she swiveled the chair to face him. “I forgot to tell you earlier that I called about the malpractice insurance. Turns out, Bill Gilroy’s father had the company surety bonded. Bill kept that going, and so did Nathan.”

  “Which means what?”

  Abby’s smile grew. “It means that you can get the money back. Malpractice insurance won’t cover embezzlement, but the bond will. I already began the paperwork for the ranch during my lunch break today.”

  She hadn’t needed to go that far. The fact that she had told him just what kind of person she was.

  “Thank you.”

  Abby shrugged and moved the pencil to align with the legal pad. “It was nothing. Just a few phone calls and a couple pieces of paper.”

  “That you didn’t have to do. I appreciate it.”

  “Someone would’ve figured out the Gilroys were bonded sooner or later.”

  He rested his fingers atop the desk. “Perhaps. But probably months down the road. You saved us a lot of trouble.”

  They stared at each other for a long time. Something ignited within him. In truth, that something had sparked the moment he laid eyes on Abby at the sheriff’s station. There was chaos all around him, but she was the center of the storm. Calm, serene, exquisite. She was like a glimmer of hope that everything was going to work out.

  He might tell his parents that every day, but in the back of his mind, Clayton had been coming up with different plans to save the ranch.

  Abby was the first to look away. She licked her lips and fidgeted nervously, which he thought was adorable. Everything about her intrigued him. He wanted to know what she was thinking and feeling, but more than anything, he wanted her to be comfortable in his home.

  Lights flashed through the office windows, signaling that Shane was back with Caleb. It wasn’t long after that, the voices of the two boys could be heard.

  Abby rose and went to the window to watch her brothers beneath the lights of the barn. She wrapped her arms around herself. “The ranch is the best thing that’s happened to my brothers in a long time.”

  “They’re always welcome here. So are you.”

  She looked over her shoulder at him. “After what we’ve done? Why would you say that?”

  “Everyone makes mistakes, Abby. The ranch has been in trouble before, but it’s going to be fine because of you. Some might call that Fate.”

  “You believe in such things?” she asked as she turned to him.

  He walked until they stood less than a foot apart. “Look at all the connected things that occurred that brought you to my door. None of the authorities I’ve spoken to—including the FBI—asked anything about Gilroy being bonded.”

  “You make it sound like I did something amazing.”

  “You did in my book,” he said before she could continue. “I’m saying thank you. Please accept that.”

  She gazed at him a long moment before she softly said, “You’re welcome.”

  His eyes dropped to her lips. Blood surged to his cock at the thought of taking her mouth and tasting her sweetness. Just before he was about to lean forward, Brice and Caleb came into the house with Shane.

  The sound of her brothers had Abby looking away. Clayton stopped her before she turned from him. When her gaze once again met his, he said, “Your brothers are fine. Mom and Shane are with them. You can take some time for yourself.”

  “I know,” she said in a low voice. “I’m just so used to being the only one to watch over them. Brice seems to have grown up overnight. I think you’re the cause of that.”

  He held back a frown at the sadness in her voice. “Are you happy about that?”

  “Yes,” she said with a small smile. “You’re a good example for both of my brothers.”

  “So are you.”

  “Abby,” Caleb said as he came into the office, his hair windblown and his brown eyes alight with joy. “Oh, my God. This place is so awesome. It’s so much more than Brice described. I mean it’s … wow.”

  She smiled,
laughing at Caleb’s enthusiasm. “I’m glad you think so.”

  Caleb then turned to Clayton. “I know Brice is working off a debt, but is there any way I can come work with him this weekend? I promise I’ll pull my weight.”

  Clayton was surprised at the boy’s request. “Did you ask your sister first?”

  “Abby, please,” Caleb begged. “You can have an entire weekend to yourself.”

  “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself,” she said with a wink. “Actually, I think I’ll be here going over the books anyway. I’m fine with it, but the ultimate decision is Clayton’s.”

  Caleb turned his dark gaze back to him, silently pleading. As if Clayton could hold out against such fervor. He gave a nod, which had Caleb yelping in excitement before running back to the kitchen to Brice.

  “I hope you don’t regret that,” Abby said, chuckling.

  But all Clayton could think about was that she would at the ranch. With him. He swallowed, his gaze lowering to her lips as he thought of kissing her. Hell, it was all he’d been thinking about for days.

  Then he had a thought. “Why don’t the three of you stay the entire weekend? Come Friday night.”

  A small frown furrowed her brow. “I don’t know.”

  “Why not? We have plenty of room. The boys can bunk with the other workers if they don’t want to stay in the house. Consider it a little vacation for you. You don’t even have to work.”

  She shook her head while she smiled. “I’ll be working.”

  “Not the entire time. Say yes, Abby.”

  “Why?”

  “Why not?” he countered. He didn’t want to tell her that the thought of her staying at the ranch pleased him more than anything had in years.

  Abby blew out a breath as she contemplated his offer. “I don’t know.”

  “What are you afraid of? Having a good time? Enjoying this place? Or letting someone do something for you?” he challenged.

  “I knew you were going to bring that up.”

  He shrugged, knowing that she was the one doing him a favor by looking through the books, but he intended to make sure she had some fun, as well.