Caught Kissing the Cowboy: A Return to Snow Valley Romance

by Cindy Roland Anderson

  “That’s really amazing,” Tomi said softly. “I hope it all works out for them.”

  “I was thinking the exact same thing.”

  Lindsey came skipping back over, anxious to get home. Her teacher had reminded her about the spelling test tomorrow, and the little girl wanted to go home to practice her words.

  “I guess we better get going,” Tomi said. “But I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “By the way,” she said, grabbing onto the grocery cart, “what am I supposed to wear?”

  “It’ll be chilly in the morning, so make sure to bring a jacket.” Ian’s gaze swept over the form-fitting clothing she wore. Unlike most women in her industry, she didn’t look emaciated. Instead, the clothing hugged her curves to perfection. “You might want to wear jeans,” he said, quickly averting his gaze. “I think I can find some waders that will work, so don’t worry about that.”

  “Sweet.” She waited until he looked at her again before she said, “See you in the morning.”

  He watched her walk away, calling himself all kinds of stupid for inviting her to go fishing with him. Not only that, he’d volunteered to teach her how to fly fish. Unless she were a natural, teaching her would most likely involve touching.

  She and her niece rounded the corner, and Ian drew in a big breath. He was in so much trouble. He purposely lingered by the ice cream section, giving Tomi plenty of time to check out and leave.

  After loading the groceries into his truck, Ian headed for home. On a whim, he made one more stop at the small fly fishing shop that had opened the year before. He intended to only ask the shop owner about what the fish were feeding on and then purchase the pre-tied flies the man recommended.

  Thirty minutes later, Ian walked out with the suggested flies, a new fly rod that was way too short for him, and a pair of women’s waders.

  Chapter 9

  Peeking through the blinds from her bedroom window, Tomi saw Ian’s truck pull into the driveway. “This isn’t a date,” she said to herself for the tenth time this morning.

  “Tomi?” Piper said, knocking on the door. “Your date is here.”

  Grabbing her cell phone from the dresser, she crossed the room and opened the door. “It’s not a date.”

  “Whatever you say, little sister.”

  Tomi rolled her eyes. “I say it’s not a date.”

  A wry grin tipped her sister’s mouth as she scanned the length of Tomi. Yeah, she’d taken extra time getting ready this morning. But there was nothing wrong with looking good. “It’s totally a date,” Piper said.

  “You’re as bad as Mom,” Tomi said as she passed by her sister and headed down the stairs. “Just don’t interrogate Ian when he comes to the door.”

  “I promise not to embarrass you,” Piper said, following right behind her. She held out an insulated picnic bag filled with gourmet sandwiches instead of the PBJ’s Tomi had planned on. “I left off the mayo so the hoagies won’t be soggy and gross, but I’ve got a few packets in there, along with some mustard packets.”

  “Thank you so much.” Tomi accepted the cooler and offered her sister a smile. “I know you didn’t really have time to do this, but I’m very grateful. Ian will be too.”

  “You’re welcome.” Piper picked up her purse and slipped the strap over her shoulder. “Since I’m very tempted to stick around and take a picture of you and Ian, I’m going to sneak into the garage and leave.”

  Tomi laughed, knowing Piper was probably serious. “Have a good day.”

  “You too.” Piper wiggled her fingers. “Have fun on your date,” she said with a giggle as she disappeared into the kitchen.

  Left alone, Tomi glanced at the front door. She wondered if she should go outside or wait for Ian to come and get her. Since waiting seemed more like a date thing to do, she decided to meet him outside. Just as she reached for the handle, the doorbell chimed.

  She pulled the door open and let out a yelp as she was knocked over by a mass of golden fur.

  “Zoey, come here!” Ian shouted. The dog licked Tomi’s face before Ian gripped the dog’s collar and pulled the rambunctious animal back. “Are you okay?” he said, crouching down beside her.

  “I think so.” She glanced at the picnic bag and winced. “The sandwiches might not be though.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Ian took hold of her hand and helped her to her feet. The dog barked and strained against Ian’s grip. “She was supposed to stay in the back of the truck.”

  “It’s okay.” Tomi held out her hand for the dog to sniff. “Hi there, pretty girl.” The golden retriever licked Tomi’s hand and barked once. “Is she yours?” she asked Ian.

  “No, she belongs to a family on the outskirts of town. I found her wandering on the road on my way over here.” He gently tugged on the collar to get the dog moving as they walked toward his truck. “I called the owners and told them I’d drop her off before we go fishing.”

  “That’s nice of you,” Tomi said, impressed he’d take the time to make sure the dog was returned home safely without involving animal control or charging a fee for his service.

  “It’s no big deal,” he said as he lowered the tailgate of his truck so the dog could jump in the back. “Just part of living in a rural community.”

  “Yes, but I’ll bet not everyone who lives here would do the same thing,” Tomi said as she slid onto the passenger seat. “You’re just a nice guy, aren’t you, Ian Davies?” she teased.

  Still holding onto the door, Ian studied her through narrowed eyes. “I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not?”

  She supposed she may have sounded a little on the cynical side, but other than her father and new brother-in-law, Tomi didn’t know too many genuinely nice guys. “Say thank you, Dr. Davies. It was meant as a compliment.”

  A smile curved his mouth. “Thank you.” He held her in his gaze for another heartbeat before he stepped back and closed the door.

  Tomi watched him as he walked around the back of the truck, stopping to talk to the dog while rubbing the Golden Retriever’s head. He was a nice guy. And looking pretty hot in a fitted tee that showed off well-defined biceps and a hint of rock-hard abs. Why did she have to be so attracted to him? Nothing could ever come from her attraction. Ian wasn’t the type to have a fling—neither was she—but he was very tempting. No matter what happened, she needed to stay focused.

  Even if Whisper Falls wasn’t successful, and she was free of Jake Kelley, she still couldn’t see herself settling down in Snow Valley. Show business was in her blood. The part for the military show in Hawaii could still be offered to her. The weekly series would require her to move to the tropical island. And if Whisper Falls was picked up as a series, the shooting location in Snow Valley was only temporary. Filming would resume at the original location in California.

  Sighing, she leaned back against the seat as Ian climbed in behind the wheel. They made small talk about the nice weather and how much the dog enjoyed riding in the back of the truck all the way to Zoey’s home. After dropping the dog off, they headed in the opposite direction to their fishing destination. The fact that taking the dog home hadn’t been on their way was another check mark in Ian’s favor.

  As they continued to their fishing destination, Ian pointed out the Christensen ranch, the location for Whisper Falls. “I talked to Lance this morning,” he said, glancing over at her. “I guess some of the film crew is arriving this weekend to get everything set up.”

  “Yeah, I got an email from the producer that the set production crew is on their way,” Tomi said. “It’s going to get crazy around here when the whole crew arrives. I hope Snow Valley is ready for it.”

  “I think we can handle it.” He flashed a smile her way. “You haven’t seen Snow Valley at Christmas time. That’s our heaviest tourist time. The whole town transforms into something right out of a Hallmark Christmas show.”

  “So I’ve heard. I think Piper is more excited for C
hristmas this year than the kids.” Her parents were just as excited to visit. Tomi knew filming would be over before Christmas, but that didn’t mean she’d be free to spend the holidays with her family. Perhaps, she’d take a trip to Hawaii to scout out the area just in case she got the part.

  Ian slowed down as they passed by the actual location. Tomi recognized the red barn and quaint farmhouse from the pictures Taryn had shared with the cast. The large open space would soon be filled with camera crews, trailers and a lot of people.

  “Are you planning on coming out for Christmas with your parents?” Ian asked as they headed further out of town.

  “It all depends on work.” She angled her body and pressed up against the window, giving her a better view of Ian. “What about you? Are you sticking around or heading to Arizona?”

  “I’m afraid I have to stay in Montana to cover the clinic. Colby is getting married a week before Christmas and won’t be back from his honeymoon until after the new year.” He rolled his shoulders back. “Both my brothers live within a few miles of each other in Idaho, so my parents are going there for the holidays.”

  “I’m sorry,” Tomi said, feeling strangely upset by the idea of him spending the holidays at his clinic.

  He smiled and glanced over at her. “It’s not the first time I’ve spent Christmas alone, so I’ll be okay.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to say she’d come to spend Christmas with him, but she quickly curbed the impulse. Who knew where she’d be when December came around?

  The ringtone for Ian’s cell phone interrupted their conversation. He pulled over onto the side of the road and answered the call as the truck came to a stop. “This is Dr. Davies,” he said, letting Tomi know it was a professional call.

  She listened to his end of the conversation, which consisted of him asking a lot of questions about the horse’s eating and bowel habits. He ended the exchange by telling the caller to keep the horse walking and that he was on his way.

  “Sorry,” he said, turning toward her. “Looks like our fishing trip is delayed.”

  “It’s okay, sounds like a horse has a tummy ache that only you can fix.”

  The skin around his eyes crinkled. “Don’t you mean me and my assistant can fix it?”

  “I’m afraid to even ask what you want me to do,” Tomi said, remembering he’d said something about softening the impaction with mineral oil. “I think I might have a tummy ache now.”

  Laughing, he pulled back on the road. “How about you just sing to the horse again?”

  “Singing I can do.”

  The Middleton’s sod farm was a beautiful place, tucked at the base of a tree-covered hill. The white farmhouse, with a wide wrap-around porch, was flanked by a field of pumpkins on one side and a maze made up of bales of hay on the other side. Beyond the house and small barn were acres and acres of perfectly groomed grass. Portions of the acreage were scarred by stripes of rich looking soil where the sod had been cut. She could see several men loading the rolled-up grass onto the bed of a large trailer.

  As they drove down the long driveway, they passed by a giant wooden sign proclaiming the upcoming dates for Snow Valley’s largest pumpkin patch and a children’s hay maze.

  Grant Middleton, an older gentleman with thinning gray hair, greeted Ian and Tomi as they climbed out of the truck.

  “Much obliged for you stopping by so quickly, Ian,” Grant said, shaking his hand. “My grandkids love Moonbeam and will be plenty upset if something happens to her.”

  “I’m sure we can fix Moonbeam up just fine,” Ian said. He turned to Tomi and introduced her. “Grant, this is Tomi Jensen, my assistant for the next couple of weeks.”

  “Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” Mr. Middleton said, shaking her hand. When he let go, he turned and winked at Ian. “If I were you I’d try to get her to stay a little longer than a couple of weeks.”

  Ian smiled, but Tomi noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. “I don’t think I’d be very successful. Tomi is just visiting from California and doesn’t like snow.”

  “I don’t like being cold,” Tomi corrected. Yeah, maybe it was the same thing, but when he put it that way she sounded like the diva Ian had expected.

  “That’s what warm coats are for.” Mr. Middleton grinned and wiggled his bushy gray eyebrows. “Plus, cuddling in front of the fireplace is a perk during the cold, winter months.”

  Tomi remembered the fit of Ian’s T-shirt and instantly conjured up an image of her snuggled up against his broad chest in front of a roaring fire. Heat curled inside her stomach as she allowed the fantasy to include a lengthy kiss. She was so caught up in the dream she could even smell the scent of his tantalizing cologne.

  “Tomi?” Ian said, gently shaking her shoulders. “You okay?”

  Blinking, she peered into Ian’s silvery eyes. “Yes.” She sucked in a quick breath, catching another whiff of his cologne. “Sorry, I kind of spaced out for a minute.”

  He held her gaze for a long moment, the warmth of his fingertips penetrating through her clothes. “Do you need to sit down or have something to drink?”

  “No, thank you. I’m fine,” she said with a shaky laugh. “Let’s go see Moonbeam.”

  Ian hesitated and then dropped his hands. As they walked toward the small barn, Ian and Grant discussed Moonbeam’s diet. She only half listened, her mind still occupied with thoughts of snuggling with Ian. This little obsession with the handsome cowboy was getting out of hand. If she was fantasizing about him after only a few days, where would she be in two weeks? Perhaps her time shadowing him would be better spent in theory only. She could scour YouTube videos for different veterinarian emergencies and call her research good.

  A young man greeted them as they entered the small paddock. “Moonbeam is doing much better, Grandpa,” he said with a wide grin. His eyes landed on Tomi, brightening with interest.

  All at once, an overwhelming stench slammed into her like a sneaker wave in the ocean. Holding her breath, she spotted the source of the horrible smell coming from a white and gray speckled horse that stood only a few feet away.

  “Ooh-ee,” Grant said, fanning his hand in front of his face. “I’d say Moonbeam may have just resolved her GI problem.”

  “I think you’re right,” Ian said with a laugh.

  Tomi’s eyes watered as the scent seemed to wrap around her throat, choking off any fresh air. She took in a tiny breath, so she didn’t pass out and immediately gagged. Desperate for relief, she gripped on to the back of Ian’s shirt and buried her face against the fabric. She felt the muscles of his back stiffen as she pressed her nose closer. “Don’t move,” she said in a muffled voice. “Or I might lose it.”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re about to vomit all over my back,” he said in a low voice.

  “Not if I can stay right where I am.” Blessedly, the scent of his deodorant and freshly laundered shirt were helping her to keep it together.

  “Everything okay, Doc?” Grant asked. Tomi couldn’t see the man’s face, but he was obviously aware she was clinging to the back of Ian’s shirt like a barnacle on the bottom of a boat.

  “Yes, sir.” Ian choked on a laugh and quickly cleared his throat. “But my assistant is having a hard time adjusting to the smells of farm life.”

  A bark of loud laughter from Mr. Middleton and his grandson echoed in the barn. Moments later, Ian’s body shook as he joined in laughing with the other men.

  “This isn’t funny,” Tomi said, tightening her hold on Ian.

  That made the men only laugh harder. Tomi knew she was acting ridiculous. She should just let go of his shirt and hurry back outside, but she wasn’t sure if she’d make it without losing her breakfast. Curse her weak stomach and highly sensitive gag-reflex.

  “Just give me a minute,” Tomi said, against the fabric of his shirt. “And let me know as soon as she’s done.”

  “She’s still going, ma’am,” the younger Middleton man said with an amused voice. “It might be a whil
e yet.”

  Tomi squeezed her eyes shut as the air in the barn became balmy as a summer morning along the coastline. A hint of the accompanying stench fouling the air made her grip more of Ian’s shirt to her face.

  “You might want to take your shirt off,” Mr. Middleton suggested wryly. “Before she rips it off you.”

  The comment elicited more laughter. Regardless of the scent, Tomi needed to let go of his shirt before she made a bigger fool of herself. Holding her breath again, she released her grip and turned around to run outside. She made it to the door just as an older woman stepped over the threshold. Tomi couldn’t stop her momentum and crashed into the woman, along with the tray of cookies she held in her plump arms.

  “Oh my stars,” the woman screeched as Tomi landed on her backside. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

  The force of the fall made Tomi suck in a breath. She gagged and quickly covered her hand over her nose as cookies rained down on top of her.

  Chapter 10

  Ian winced when Tomi hit the floor and the cookies Mrs. Middleton had been carrying dumped on top of her. He stopped laughing and rushed over to help her up. Zach, Mr. Middleton’s grandson, followed right behind him, still holding his cell phone up as he continued to video the chaotic scene.

  The second Tomi had buried her face against Ian’s back, the kid had whipped out his phone. Ian hoped he wasn’t live-streaming the whole thing. Tomi was used to being on camera, but not like this.

  Ian took one look at Tomi’s face and didn’t bother trying to help her to her feet. He just scooped her up in his arms and rushed her outside to the fresh air. The green-tinted tone of her skin didn’t bode well for him, but he was willing to take the risk.

  As he carried her back to his truck, her arms went around his neck, and she pressed her face against the hollow of his throat. “Thank you,” she murmured.

  Every cell in his body responded to her nearness as a whisper of her warm breath skimmed over his skin. This girl was going to be the death of him. He’d debated all morning about canceling their fishing trip. Especially, after the restless sleep, he’d had due to her invading his dreams. He had no doubt he’d be dreaming about her again tonight.