The Cowboy's Christmas Courtship

by Brenda Minton

  “So going to dinner is out.” She didn’t get it. Maybe he should have told her that he had more in mind than a casual dinner with her.

  He didn’t get a chance. She was out of his truck in a flash, and hurrying toward the house. Stubborn female. He watched her go, deciding it was for the best. She needed to cool off, and he needed a better game plan.

  Man, he’d never needed a game plan before. How did a guy go about courting a woman as stubborn as Layla Silver? He headed for his granny’s, because if anyone knew about courting, it would be Myrna Cooper.

  He drove back to Dawson, glancing at the clock on the dashboard, and wondered if his grandmother would be awake. When he pulled into her driveway, the lights were still on.

  He walked up to the front porch and knocked lightly. A moment later, she peeked through the curtains, turned the porch light on and opened the door.

  “What in the world are you doing on my front porch at ten o’clock at night?”

  He shrugged and stepped in, pulling off his boots before he walked into the living room. “Wanted to visit.”

  “I’d say I was glad for the company, but you look like something the cat hacked up, and you smell like fried chicken.”

  “Thanks, Gran. Can I sit down?”

  “Take my chair and put your leg up while you’re at it. You’re going to end up having surgery again because you won’t listen to a thing anyone tells you.”

  “Another compliment, thank you for that.” Gage sighed, doing as she said, not because he wanted to, but because he knew she still had a flyswatter and she wasn’t afraid to use it.

  “Well, I can think of a few more compliments if that’s why you’re here. Like maybe you ought to shave once in a while.”

  “My self-esteem is tanking here.” He grinned up at her, and he’d never felt less like smiling. His grandmother eyed him, like she knew what he was going to say.

  “You are in a bad way. So tell me what happened.”

  He sat there on the sofa, wondering how exactly he should broach the subject of Layla with Gran. He decided to jump in, feetfirst.

  “I told Layla I’d like to take her to a nice restaurant in Tulsa. She told me politely, no, thanks. Then told me I basically am just a good ol’ boy, and she’s got to think about raising Brandon and working to keep her place from falling apart.”

  “The truth is so hurtful.” His grandmother fanned herself with a magazine, giving him a sly look. “She hasn’t dated in years, Gage. Do you think you can bat those pretty eyes at her and she’ll suddenly come running?”

  “I’m not looking for her to come running. I’m looking to marry her.” He choked a little because he hadn’t expected to say those words out loud. To anyone. Now that they were out there, they kind of made perfect sense.

  His grandmother couldn’t stop laughing. “Oh, now, isn’t that wonderful. But she thinks you want to date a little, then run back to bull riding and who knows what.”

  “Could you stop making me sound like a womanizer?”

  “Are you one?”

  “No, I’m not. You know me better than that. I’m not Jackson.”

  “Well, that ended well for him, didn’t it?”

  “Yeah, I guess it did.”

  They sat in thoughtful silence for a moment, letting his words sink in. He still couldn’t believe he’d said them out loud.

  “I have the perfect ring. Pearls and diamonds, so very much like Layla. She’s a gem, so quiet and beautiful, truly one of a kind.”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  “Don’t monkey around, honey. She isn’t the kind of girl you play around with. She’s got a lot on her shoulders. You’re going to have to make it clear from the beginning that you’re in love with her and you want to marry her.”

  “After three weeks, I should just declare my intentions? That’s kind of rushing things, isn’t it?”

  “I guess it is. You do what you want, but that’s my advice.”

  Gage left his grandmother’s with a diamond-and-pearl ring in his pocket. If a man was going to learn about all things related to love, she was the one to learn from.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Layla didn’t have to drag Brandon to church Christmas morning. He was actually up before her, having fed the cattle, broken the ice in the pond and taken a shower. She hugged him tight before handing him a plate of bacon and eggs.

  They had opened their gifts the night before. He was wearing the new jeans and button-up shirt she’d bought him.

  “Sis, thanks for the clothes.” He looked pretty happy.

  “You’re welcome.” She sat down across from him with a small plate of scrambled eggs. “Thank you for the perfume.”

  He grinned at that. He’d used the money he’d earned working for the Coopers. “Mrs. Cooper helped me pick it out.”

  The scent was perfect—subtle, not too sweet or too overwhelming. She had thought he must have had help. She also knew the bottle of perfume cost far more than he could ever afford. But she loved the fragrance, loved her brother for giving it to her.

  Christmas changed everything. Layla thought that as they drove to church. She’d worried over the holiday, over money and gifts. As they pulled into the parking lot of the church she realized people had changed the focus of the day. The focus should still be a baby born in the manger.

  The church wasn’t crowded, not on Christmas morning. Many of the regulars were out of town. The Coopers were in their usual pew, along with the Bradshaws, the Johnsons and several other local families. Layla noticed the church had been decorated with poinsettias and twinkling lights.

  Myrna Cooper waved her over, patting the seat next to her. Brandon and Layla slid in and sat down as the choir stood. She loved this, singing the songs that told the Christmas story, of faith and promises kept.

  Layla closed her eyes as she sang, wishing the peace of this moment would last forever. She wondered why it didn’t. God had said He gave peace, not as the world gave it. She remembered the verse: Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  Layla stood with the congregation to sing “Joy to the World.” As she sang, Gage looked at her, making eye contact. She noticed the tears in his eyes, and her heart faltered. She had found peace during this Christmas service. Maybe Gage had found a way through his anger.

  She smiled at him, hoping he would know that she understood. He had come home in more ways than one.

  As the service ended, people stood. Hugs were exchanged, and friends wished one another a merry Christmas. Layla turned to look for Gage. He had gone. The door at the back of the church opened as people filed out, and she saw his truck pulling out of the parking lot.

  “Ready to go?” Angie Cooper appeared at her side.

  “Oh, yes, of course.” Layla smiled, as if nothing had happened. She wouldn’t be the person who heard a message and then quickly forgot what she’d learned. Peace, not as the world gives it. Peace coming down from the Father above, she reminded herself.

  She turned to find Brandon. He was at the front of the church, and he looked strangely proud of himself. His smile seemed a little too big and his eyes a little too bright.

  “What did you do?” she asked as they walked out the door and down the steps together.

  “I didn’t do anything.” He looked young and sheepish. Then he looked over at Jade Cooper, with her pretty blond hair and her big smile. Great, the last thing she needed was her brother going girl crazy.

  “She’s a year older than you, you know,” Layla warned as they drove away.

  “What?” He sounded pretty surprised and a little puzzled.

  “Jade Cooper. She’s a sweet girl, and I really do like her, but I’ll like her better when you’re twenty-two and out of college.”

  He turned a little red. “J
ade is just a friend.”

  “That’s cool. Brandon. We haven’t really talked about dating.”

  Brandon groaned. “Could we not talk about girls and dating right now? It’s Christmas.”

  Layla laughed. “You’re right. It’s Christmas.”

  They followed the line of Cooper cars and trucks up the long drive to the big brick, Georgian-style home. Lights were wrapped around the columns on the porch, and a big wreath hung on the front door. Layla knew it would be beautiful later, when the lights twinkled in the dark evening.

  They parked next to Jackson. Gage’s truck was nowhere to be seen. She tried to pretend she didn’t mind that he had disappeared. He was a grown man. He could do what he wanted.

  Layla walked up to the front porch. The Coopers were filing inside, laughing and talking. Layla felt her guest status keenly as she and Brandon entered the big house, taking off their shoes and lining them up alongside the others. Myrna Cooper had stationed herself at the entrance to the living room. She hugged everyone as they walked through. She hugged Layla tight and kissed her cheek.

  “I’m so glad you’re here. You are a pearl.” Myrna held her cane in one hand and slipped her other arm around Layla. “You’re a pearl, my darling girl. You’re beautiful and beyond compare.”

  “I’m not sure about that, Myrna.”

  “Oh, Layla, I’m never wrong about such things.”

  The two of them walked arm in arm to the kitchen, where the Cooper women were gathered, putting the finishing touches on lunch.

  “I should help,” Layla said, but Myrna didn’t agree. She kept her arm around Layla.

  “You’re still recovering. And look at the crowd of women in there.” Myrna led her to a stool at the counter. “Sit down.”

  Angie pulled a beautiful beef tenderloin from the oven, then turned to her. “We have it under control. I’m going to bake the rolls and then we’ll have dinner. I think it will be about thirty minutes.”

  “Where is that grandson of mine?” Myrna asked, glancing at the clock.

  Angie gave her what Layla would classify as a warning look.

  “Do you all mind if I interrupt?” Gage’s voice behind her surprised Layla. She turned, nearly falling off the stool.

  Angie looked back, her smile big. “Well, there you are.”

  “Yes, here I am.” He walked up right behind Layla. “I need to talk to you outside.”

  “I’m helping.”

  “No, she isn’t.” Myrna gave her a little push. “Go.”

  Angie echoed the sentiment. “Go. You have thirty minutes before dinner’s ready.”

  “That’s long enough. I hope.” Gage reached for her hand and waited.

  Layla slid off the stool. Gage didn’t let go of her. He also didn’t explain. They walked to the front of the house where she’d left her shoes and coat. All the while, her heart was doing a strange dance.

  * * *

  Gage helped Layla into her coat, his fingers trembling. He hoped she didn’t notice. Trembling fingers couldn’t be a sign of strength. She reached for the front door, but he stopped her.

  “Not so fast.”

  Her eyes large, so expressive, searched his. “Why?”

  “I need to blindfold you.”

  “I won’t be able to see.”

  He laughed at the obvious. “No kidding?” He pulled a bandanna out of his pocket. “Hold still.”

  He wrapped the cloth around her face and tied it tight in the back. And then he took advantage of the moment, leaned in and kissed her. At first she hesitated, then she kissed him back, holding tight.

  “Merry Christmas, Layla,” he whispered close to her ear, smiling when she shivered a little.

  “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

  He placed her hand on his arm. “Be careful on the steps. I’ll help you.”

  “I trust you.”

  “Good. Okay, step.” He allowed her to go slow. “Next step. And two more.”

  He led her down the sidewalk. The sun was warm and the breeze had calmed down. Snow would have been nice, but a guy couldn’t have everything.

  “Where are we going?”

  “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

  “I don’t like surprises.”

  “I kind of figured you for a person who didn’t like surprises. But I promise, you’ll like this one.”

  They stopped walking. She stood still, her hand still on his. “Gage?”

  “Hold on.” He stepped away from her.

  “Gage?”

  “Give me a second.” He untied the mare, adjusted the big bow around her neck and led her close to Layla. He slipped the lead rope into her hand, then stepped behind her to untie the bandanna.

  When it dropped, she gave a gasp that turned to a sob. And then she hugged the mare’s neck. He stood behind her as she ran her hands across the horse’s face, then hugged her again.

  She looked up at Gage, tears streaking down her face. “How?”

  “I bought her. I arranged for one of Jason’s guys to pick her up, and I kept her there so you wouldn’t know.”

  “But why?”

  “Because you wouldn’t let me give you the money, and I knew you wouldn’t let me buy her and hand her right back to you.” He brushed hair away from her face, then gently touched her cheek. “You’re stubborn that way.”

  “It isn’t stubbornness. It’s strength.”

  “Yes, of course it is.” He kissed her again, soft and easy, as the horse pushed between them. He pushed back. “Go away, Pretty Girl.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say yes,” he whispered, waiting, holding his breath, wanting to hear that one word more than he’d ever wanted anything in his whole life.

  * * *

  Layla stopped breathing.

  She held her mare in one hand, Gage’s arm with the other. He remained close, his head touching hers, his breath soft on her neck.

  “Yes to what?” she managed to get out.

  Gage pulled back, his face serious, his eyes full of emotion. She loved his eyes. She loved his smile. She loved that when he held her, she felt safe.

  “I guess we could start with you saying yes to dinner in Tulsa.” He grinned as he said it. “You keep telling me no. But I think we have a misunderstanding.”

  “Do we?” She tried to keep up with what he was saying.

  “We do. I think I failed to communicate my intentions to you, Miss Silver.”

  “Your intentions? How very Victorian of you.”

  “Not Victorian. Romantic.” He leaned to kiss her again, and she held tight to his shoulders, the lead rope of the mare slipping from her grasp.

  “What are your intentions?” she whispered as he held her close.

  He smiled down at her. “My intentions are to show you that a cowboy can learn to stay home if the right woman is there to keep him close.”

  “Is that a fact?”

  “Yes, it’s a fact. Another fact is that when I asked you to dinner, I didn’t mean I would take you out just once before I left town. I meant I wanted to take you out. And keep taking you out.”

  “Oh, like a steady girlfriend?” she teased.

  “Stop talking, woman.” He sighed and let go of her. He yanked the brace off his knee and tossed it aside. Before she could stop him, he dropped to one knee and reached in his pocket.

  “Gage?”

  “Layla, I love you. I’m going to court you, romance you, buy you flowers every day if I have to. And then I’m going to marry you.”

  “But...but...” She was so full of love for him, she was speechless. Her heart ached from the tenderness in his voice and his eyes. She reached for his hands and pulled him to his feet. “Stand up.”


  “I’m going to make it to a few rides this winter, then I’m going to stay home and build a life with you.” He stood and pulled her close again.

  “What about Brandon?”

  “We’re going to raise him together. And my family will help. Layla, it’s time for you to open your heart and let people help.”

  “You can’t propose to someone you haven’t dated.”

  “I’ve been trying to date you, and you kept turning me down.”

  “I’m sorry.” She smiled up at him. “I haven’t made this easy for you.”

  “No, you haven’t. And you haven’t said yes, either.” He pulled back. “Come to think of it, you haven’t said you love me.”

  “I do love you. I’ve always loved you. Since I was fifteen and writing your name in my notebook, I’ve loved you.”

  He reached for her hand. “My grandmother says you’re a pearl.”

  She laughed at that. “She told me that just an hour ago.”

  “She said not to tell you that you’re shiny, because a girl doesn’t want to hear that she’s shiny.”

  “What does a girl want to hear?”

  Gage Cooper loved her. He loved her, and he’d just put one of his grandmother’s rings on her finger. He’d bought her horse and given it back to her. He wasn’t going to leave.

  “That she’s the only one in the world for a cowboy. That she’s beautiful beyond compare.” He kissed her lightly and whispered, “And that if this cowboy can’t marry her, he’s not sure what he’ll do.”

  Layla touched his cheek. “I love you, Gage Cooper. I do want to go to dinner with you. And I do want you in my life forever.”

  “I’m going to love you forever, Layla Silver.”

  Layla wanted to tell him that he had changed everything for her. She hadn’t expected it that day he stopped to help her on the side of the road, but she was so glad he’d stopped.

  Before she could speak, there was a burst of applause and cheers. Layla and Gage turned toward the house, where the Coopers were crowded on the front porch. Brandon stood with them, clapping and smiling big.