by Hebby Roman
Kristen nodded. Despite the calming words, dark thoughts continued to eat at her. Even the best of drivers had difficulty maneuvering a vehicle in a blizzard. And it certainly didn’t ease her mind when she hadn’t answered any of her calls.
A large pickup, adorned with antlers and a bright red nose, pulled into the drive and flashed its lights.
“See? I know it’s only going to get worse, but Miranda made it no problem. And I see she decorated her truck like a damn reindeer again,” Cole snorted, shaking his head. “Only my sister would come up with something so silly. Chris, your mom’s here.”
Chrissy squealed, plopping the paint brush into the can of paint she’d been holding, and placed the container on the floor.
Kristen watched as the teens raced out of the house and into Miranda’s truck. Of course, she had no problems. Miranda not only lived five minutes down the road, she had 4-wheel drive. Laney was driving that damn sports car.
“She should’ve been here by now,” Kristen objected.
“She had to pack right? And it’s a good seven hour drive from Billings. I’m sure if Laney has any problems, she will call.” Cole pointed at her cell phone.
She glanced down at her phone, then tucked it into her back pocket. He did have a point. Perhaps this was all needless worry.
“How about we open that bottle of wine? You could take a bath while I grill up the chicken. It may help you to relax.”
Kristen studied his face, losing herself in his warm, whiskey gaze and enticing grin. After all of the painting she did today, a bath and a glass of wine sounded pretty darn good. And a handsome man willing to cook her dinner to boot?
The cowboy just kicked the gates wide open on sexy. Hard to believe he was the same man who used to torment her on a daily basis. Used to? Hell, he was still tormenting her. Only now, it was in an entirely different way.
Clutching his shirt, she pulled him toward her. “And what if I need something stronger than wine to help me relax?”
“What did you have in mind?” His eyes shined with a new light.
She ran the tip of her tongue along his bottom lip, then brushed her lips across his in a slow, languid kiss. “Just a Christmas kiss from the devil.”
“A Christmas kiss?” Cole stepped back, a strange expression altering his features. “Is that what you think this is? Some kind of holiday fling?”
Taken aback, Kristen held his gaze, before realizing she was once again the butt of his jokes. Same old Cole, having fun at her expense. Taking the bait, she played along. “What else would this be? Marriage, followed by a baby in a baby carriage?”
“More likely two,” he drawled, stepping closer, a wide grin enhancing his features. Grazing her jaw with his fingertips, he brushed his lips against hers, then kissed a trail to her earlobe and nibbled gently. “No. Make that a dozen or so. All boys.”
Kristen couldn’t believe her own ears. She studied his face, no longer seeing the playful smile. “Whoa. Wait a minute.” She flushed her palm against the hard pane of his chest. “Are you serious?”
“Yep. I plan on spending the rest of my life with you and I want a big family. We can start now.” Grasping her hand, he pulled her back in. The heat of his mouth scorched the tender skin beneath her ear.
The rest of his life with me?
Hogwash. This was the Cole she knew. Saying whatever he could to get a reaction. Dizzily, her senses reeled. At this point it hardly mattered what the man said. A tingling sensation spread throughout Kristen’s limbs, and the desire for more than just a kiss consumed her. Faintly, she heard a phone ring as an odd pulsation shook her back pocket.
“Your butt’s vibrating.”
“My what? Oh…my phone.” She reached for her cell. Her sister’s face showed on the screen. “It’s Laney.” Fumbling, she unlocked the screen to answer. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” her sister replied. “I’m here. At Nick’s. I wrecked the car.”
“Our old neighbor Nick? The fireman? And what do you mean wreck? Are you hurt?” Though relieved to hear the sound of her sister’s voice, her heart rate spiked at the thought of an accident. “I’ll come get you. I can be there in five minutes.”
“No, don’t. I’m pretty sure I’m in good hands. The car’s totaled though. And Nick’s—,” Laney gasped loudly into the phone.
“Nick’s what? What’s going on?” Startled, Kristen scrambled to find her keys. “I’m on my way.”
“Stay put. I was going to say he’s making me hot chocolate, but I got sidetracked. He’s not wearing a shirt,” Laney whispered, before adding, “I’m spending the night here.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Never been better, sis. Don’t worry.”
The line went dead. Kristen stared at her phone for a moment, then glanced up at Cole. “I…um….she’s fine. Better than fine, I think.”
Cole nodded, gently prying the cell phone from her grip and placing it on the coffee table. “Moretti will take good care of her. However, you and I have some unfinished business. Now, where were we?”
Kristen wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Bracing herself as she rose up on the tips of her toes, she brushed her lips against his in a chaste kiss. “I faintly recall something about you wanting me to give birth to a football team.”
A crooked grin pulled at the corners of his mouth. “Yep. The Lawson Lions.”
“Good grief, you already have a name picked out?”
Chapter Twelve
“Looks like we are snowed in.” Cole pulled back the expresso-shaded curtain, exposing a wintery world outside Kristen’s bedroom window. Though warm and cozy beneath layers of blankets, she shivered, longing for his return.
Her gaze darted from the icy landscape to his exquisite bare backside. Despite spending most of the night making love, she craved more. And seeing his naked silhouette highlighted in the light of day only increased the need.
“Good. We can spend the day in bed.” She lifted the covers in a saucy attempt to lure him back.
He spun, facing her with a crooked grin and a naughty gleam in his eyes. “As much as I’d like that, I thought you’d like to start tearing down the wall today. And we may need a little nourishment. We did skip dinner.” He sat on the edge of the mattress. Tilting her chin upward with the tip of his finger, he leaned in for a kiss. “I could whip up some eggs. Then bring you breakfast in bed. How does that sound?”
“Too good to be true.”
“You may be right. Maybe you should bring me breakfast in bed.” His smile widened. “You can deliver the meal in nothing but an apron.”
“Hmmm,” Kristen said, thoughtfully. “Or we can make breakfast together. After a hot shower.” She tossed the covers back and jumped out of bed, racing him to the bathroom. Thirty decadent minutes later, they emerged from the shower, thoroughly scrubbed and both wearing satisfied grins. They dressed quickly, famished from their half hour of sudsy frolicking.
After a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, they started on the wall. Cole handed Kristen a sledgehammer.
“Go ahead. Do some damage,” he instructed, pointing to the barricade she wanted removed. “Hopefully, the house doesn’t fall down around us.”
Kristen paused. “It just might.”
“I’m not sure taking out this wall will make any difference then.” Cole nodded. “What have you got to lose?”
Not needing any more prompting, Kristen slammed into the sheetrock. A large hole instantly appeared as fine coating of dust particles clouded the room.
“Whoa. Wait a minute. I don’t want you breathing the dust in. This will work for now.” He pulled a red handkerchief from his back pocket and motioned for her to turn around. The warmth of his body pressed against her backside as he tied the bandana. “That’s better.”
Though feeling more like a bank robber than a member of the demolition crew, she picked up the sledgehammer and slammed it into the wall again.
Several more swings later, she could see into the kitchen. Laying the hammer down, she stepped back to admire her handiwork.
“Oh my. This is really going to open the space up.”
Cole nodded, uncertainty marring his features. “How old is this place?” Pulling a chunk of sheetrock free, he glanced at a section of exposed, frayed wires.
Kristen stepped forward to get a better look. “I’m not sure, built in 1965 or 1970 maybe?”
“We need to get an electrician in to look at these. I’m thinking your wiring may need to be replaced. Certainly explains why your lights dimmed when I used the toaster.” He glanced at her, looking concerned. “That could be a fire hazard. I know a guy, but with this weather it may be a day or two before he can come take a look. Until then, I’ll wrap it up with electrical tape and keep the circuit breaker to this outlet off.”
“That’s the second time you mentioned fire hazard.” She grimaced, her brow furrowed in doubt. “It doesn’t make me feel warm and cuddly inside.”
“Nope, I don’t imagine it would,” Cole returned. “But it’s better to be safe than sorry.” After turning off the breaker and carefully wrapping the wires in tape, he moved them out of the way, then quickly detached the remaining pieces of sheetrock. Using a loud, reciprocal saw, he cut the studs in half, before removing the split two by fours by pulling them aside.
As Kristen watched Cole stack the lumber into a neat pile, worry continued to eat at her. She glanced at the nest of wires Cole had taped. “Do you think it’s safe?”
He faced her. “I think so. For now. But, I’d rather you stay at my house.”
She shook her head, locking onto the concern in his amber stare. “I can’t. What about Laney?”
Cole shrugged. “She can come too. I have plenty of room.”
Kristen stepped closer. Focused on the wiring, she debated whether or not to take him up on his offer. “You sure you turned the right breaker off?”
“Yes.” Cole nodded. He walked over to the large picture window in the living room and cracked it open a few inches to help clear the dust. “If not, it would’ve shocked the crap out of me.”
“So, I should be okay,” Kristen mumbled, more for herself than for his sake. She wasn’t sure running to Cole’s house was the answer, especially considering how she felt about the man. She was falling hard. And fast. There was a good chance she’d never want to leave. “I’ll stay here.”
“Then, I’m staying too. At least until the electrician takes a look at the wiring. Deal?”
Kristen bobbed her head, thankful for his company. “I’m not sure we could leave anyway. Snowed in. Remember?” She pointed out the window.
“Snowed in. Hmm…what will we do with the rest of our day? How will we pass the time?” A sly grin pulled at the corners of his lips. The heat of his hand warmed her hip and he pulled her into his arms.
Embracing the moment, she twined her hands around his shoulders, her fingers toying with the champagne colored locks of hair lining his neck. “I don’t think I ever gave you a tour of the house.”
“Nope. Not officially.” His mouth found hers.
“How about we start over there?” She released her hold and took a few steps toward the couch. Sweeping her hand in the air dramatically, she then placed a palm on the back of the pillowed cushion. “This is my sofa. The salesman said it was the perfect place to make love on a snowy day.”
“He said that, huh?”
“Yes.” She bobbed her head. “I’m sure it was something he said to sell it. I guess I’ll never know if he was telling the truth or not.” She bit her lip, projecting her best attempt to appear coy.
“Perhaps we should test his theory?” Cole suggested with a sly grin.
Chapter Thirteen
Even with the constant bickering of the father and son duo working on the wiring, the house felt empty without Cole. Hiding in the solace of her bedroom, Kristen picked up a flannel shirt he’d left behind and breathed in the hint of leather and musk. Instantly, she was flooded with memories of the incredible last two days.
“Would you like me to leave the two of you alone?” A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. Kristen spun to see her sister hovering by the doorway. “Oh, thank God. I was so worried.” She rushed over to Laney, welcoming the girl home with a heartfelt bear hug. After a moment, her sister wiggled out of her grasp. Stepping back, she swept a thorough gaze down the length of the girl. “You look good. All in one piece.”
“I told you I was okay. Just banged up a bit. Looks like you had plenty of company.” Laney eyed the shirt still in her hand.
“This?” She followed her sister’s stare. Heat crawled up her neck, warming her cheeks. She placed the flannel neatly on the bed. “I…uh…I was just folding it so I could take it to Cole later. Looks like I’m not the only one guilty of stealing clothes. What do you have there?” Kristen pointed at the festive red and green felt garb Laney held.
“Don’t ask. It’s my dress for the dance. Santa’s helper. An elf,” she grumbled. “Apparently a girl will agree to anything after a good—”
“Laney Kelly!” Kristen reprimanded sharply, primly pursing her lips. She grasped the costume and held it up, showcasing a flirty skirt and striped leggings. “I think this is adorable. Look there’s even red, ruffled underpants sewed into the skirt. You will make the cutest elf.”
“Thanks.” Laney snatched the outfit out of her sister’s hands and tossed it on the bed. “I’m sure they need a few more volunteers. Or you could always spare me the humiliation and take my place.”
“How about you keep an open mind? You may even have a good time.”
“This is as open as my mind gets.” The younger sibling announced with a sigh. “I’m already wishing for another blizzard. Nothing like being snowed in with a hunky fireman. Or in your case, a sexy cowboy minus a shirt.”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t object to another one either.” A giggle escaped her. “Aren’t we a pair? I didn’t want Cole to leave this morning. And you certainly look as if you enjoyed yourself too.” Kristen stared at Laney. The brief interlude did wonders for her. This was the happiest she’d seen her in quite a while. Even casually dressed in black yoga pants, a t-shirt, and her chestnut locks pulled into a ponytail, Laney practically glowed.
A grin pulled at the corners of the girl’s mouth. “Are you kidding? It was the best two days of my life,” she confessed. “I just hope I don’t screw things up.” The fine arch of her brow furrowed in doubt. “We both know my track record sucks, and I’m not exactly starting off with a clean slate—jobless and reeling from a bad break-up. Hell, now I don’t even have a car. Top that with trust issues and whatever I have going on with Nick, I’m a mess.”
“I’d say we both are. Moving back was hard for me too.” Kristen reached for Laney’s hand and squeezed gently. “As far as calling it quits with your cheating ex, it certainly took you long enough. The relationship was over almost as soon as it started. You were just too stubborn to walk away. You and I both know you are better off without him.”
Laney pursed her lips before nodding, showcasing her struggle into admitting the defeat.
“Seriously Laney. I don’t think there was anything more you could’ve done.”
“I know. You’re right. I just didn’t want to let mom down. She thought I was happy. And even though we haven’t heard from them for months…,” she paused, swallowing hard before continuing, “I just continued to try to make it work. For some reason, it seemed less terrifying than returning here a failure. I don’t know how you did it. Coming back here. Alone. I should’ve returned with you.”
“You aren’t a failure. The fact you tried so hard to make it work is proof of that,” Kristen paused and glanced around the room. “I know this isn’t home. Not yet. With all the moving in our past, it’s nearly impossible for us to feel at home anywhere. But it will be. One day.”
“I do like the color of my room,” Laney a
greed. Stepping back, she glanced at the walls of Kristen’s room. “Now, we just need to paint yours.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Kristen stated with a laugh. “Which wall do you want to start on?” She tapped the toe of her foot on an unopened can of paint. Bending down, she retrieved a roller and a paint brush.
Laney accepted the brush. “This one by the window. I’ll do the trim. All of this is just weird, isn’t it?” She ran the palm of her hand over the dry bristles. “It feels so foreign. Odd, they would buy this house and try to settle down after a lifetime of picking up and moving at the drop of a hat. I can’t wrap my head around it.”
“They didn’t stay for long. But it was the first time they actually bought something instead of renting.” Kristen opened the can and poured the peach tinted paint into a pan and then filled a cup for the trim which she handed to her sister. “I’m thinking they may have wanted this house for the property. Dad always dreamed of owning cattle. A few chickens. Goats. He wanted a farm, remember? Maybe he finally talked Mom into it.”
A giggle escaped Laney. The sound infectious. “We had that in common. How much land is here?”
“Only ten acres. But the neighboring properties are both for sale. I can’t say for sure, but I think Dad may have been looking into buying those too.” She dipped the roller into the pan until it was saturated with paint.
“Why?”
“For you and a thousand animals. I swear you should’ve been the vet. The land for you, and the house would’ve been Mom’s gift to me.”
A place to call home.
“Oh my. I think I get it now,” Kristen mumbled under her breath.
The last conversation she had with her mom came back to haunt her again. An ugly argument in which Kristen ended the call with a snarky remark about constant moves and lacking stability. Ironically, the only link to her parents now was this damn house. Needing the distraction, she picked up the roller and began painting the wall.
“I don’t. And just for the record, you chose the perfect profession. You love animals too,” Laney said, interrupting her thoughts. “I fall apart the minute I see one in pain. Remember Chloe? The pregnant stray cat we tried to hide? As soon she started having kittens, I panicked. You, however, kept a cool head. You were always so much better in stressful situations.”
