A Very Cowboy Christmas

by Kim Redford

  When he lifted her again, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. She felt him slide inside her hot, moist depths, and she moaned with so much relief and desire that she thought she would instantly combust. He gave her a quick, hot kiss, then he moved hard and fast, thrust deep and strong as they both panted and groaned and clutched at each other while they rode their spiral of passion higher and higher until they burned white-hot in a blazing inferno of ecstasy.

  She felt shaky and weak-kneed when he finally set her feet on the floor. She leaned back against the wall for support as she took deep breaths to still her racing heart.

  He braced his body with one hand on the wall behind her, breathing hard as he looked down at her with adoration in his blue eyes.

  She smiled at him, knowing she had the same look in her eyes, for he completed her in a way she’d never known before—not even with her beloved Emery.

  “Do you need the ladies’ room?”

  “Go ahead. Take care of yourself. Let me catch my breath.”

  “You’re okay, aren’t you?” He pressed a tender kiss to her lips.

  She nodded, feeling as if all words had failed her. She desperately needed a moment alone to come to terms with what she’d just realized about her former husband and herself. She’d never believed there could be anyone else for her except Emery. Now she knew different, but how did she deal with it?

  “Guess we initiated the Passion Pit after all.” He gave her a mischievous smile, then he quickly walked away.

  She took a deep breath, pushed back her hair, and looked down at her cigarette pants. She felt stunned, as much from the power of her reaction to Dune as from her revelation about Emery. Could she actually be in love? She felt such softness when she thought of Dune, as if she were unfolding one petal at a time for him like a flower responding to the irresistible, vibrant rays of the sun.

  She had to ask herself—had Dune become her sun and moon and stars? She felt breathless at the idea. Yet excited, too. And even a little scared. What if he didn’t feel the same? What if he was gone tomorrow? What if she was just a passing fancy? That’d be almost unbearable, because how would she deal with another broken heart?

  And yet she realized that she couldn’t think on it now, not when Dune would be back soon, not when somebody could drive up at any moment, not when she felt so vulnerable. She needed her clothes and the slight protection they afforded her. She needed to turn her mind away from her exhilaration and her anxiety. She needed to focus on the mundane, and that meant thinking about the calendar and the festival. She could handle those two items when she wasn’t sure she could handle anything else.

  She quickly leaned down and picked up her pants. She jerked them on and zipped up the side. She tugged down her sweater and started tucking the buttons back through their holes. And all the while, she looked around the snack shed, trying to settle her mind on anything except Dune. And yet he was all she could think about—even when she looked at the red vinyl booths, suddenly the soft, deep cushions looked perfect for an activity that went way beyond drinking malts and eating fries. Dune would know exactly how to put that red vinyl to good use.

  She ripped her mind away from that thought and strode over to the candy counter, but it was no help. She quickly averted her eyes from the pickle jar and walked over to the outside door. Maybe she needed to sit on the patio and let a cool wind freeze the heat in her brain.

  She glanced back toward the restrooms, but Dune was still out of sight. That was probably a good thing. She’d just wait for him outside where she’d be away from emotional jukebox music and tantalizing vinyl booths. She put her hand on the doorknob, turned it, and just as she started to open the door, she heard a vehicle pull up outside.

  Shocked, she simply stood there, knowing she wasn’t ready—no how, no way—to see anybody right now. She felt too vulnerable, too emotional, too on edge. And even worst of the worst, she had to look as if she’d been thoroughly kissed, what with her swollen lips and too-pink cheeks. Yet that sultry bedroom look was much better than the blatant truth of how she’d just initiated the Sure-Shot Drive-In into the Passion Pit.

  When vehicle doors slammed outside, she rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. Ready or not, they had company.

  Chapter 27

  Sydney wanted to flip the lock closed on the snack shed door and keep everybody out. She didn’t want to share the place, not after what she’d just experienced with Dune on the dance floor. And yet she now realized that life had to move onward, never stalling, never turning back, no matter how much she wanted to make time stand still.

  She’d never refused to face a challenge, and she wouldn’t do it now. No matter how many ways she might look at her situation, she was facing a major life challenge, and not just in this particular moment but as she strode into the future. Revelations were revelations, but life was life. She couldn’t simply go to bed, pull the covers over her head, and think…not about all she’d lost but about all she could gain. She had to keep going forward right this very moment, because so many people depended on her.

  Still, she hesitated with her hand on the doorknob. She wanted to holler for Dune to hurry and join her. But if she did, the folks on the other side of the door would hear and draw conclusions that she didn’t want known yet. She lusted after this last moment with Dune before she let the world inside, shattering their time together.

  As she started to open the door, she heard the opening strains of “Unchained Melody” swirl across the room, filling her with such emotion that she knew, absolutely knew, that Dune would always register on her personal compass as true north.

  She glanced back. He stood beside the jukebox, smiling at her and obviously trying for all the world to appear completely innocent. He’d snapped shut his shirt and tucked the tail into his jeans, but nothing could remove the self-satisfied gleam in his blue eyes. She just shook her head. They made a fine pair, both looking as guilty as sin in the Passion Pit.

  He nodded toward the door, letting her know that he realized the gig was up and they had company. But at the same time, he put a hand on the jukebox and stroked it, sending a message that he’d always treasure their time here alone together.

  She returned his nod, letting him know that she understood and that she’d always remember, too.

  And with that vision of Dune—her forever cowboy firefighter—standing beside the jukebox burned into her memory, she turned back to face the future. She quickly flipped on the bright, inside lights, twisted the doorknob, and jerked open the door to let late afternoon sunlight spill inside, dispelling the intimacy she’d shared with Dune.

  Bert and Bert Two stepped back in unison, appearing surprised at the sudden opening of the door. They both raised their cowboy hats to her, then set them back on their heads with ready smiles.

  “Welcome to the Sure-Shot Drive-In snack shed.” She grinned at them as if she was there to give them a tour and stepped back as she gestured toward the interior. “We’re almost ready for Christmas.”

  “Good timing,” Bert said as he stepped past her.

  “I like what you’ve done with the place,” Bert Two teased as he followed his dad into the building.

  “Thanks,” she responded, going along with their game. “I do hope you appreciate all the hard work I’ve put into the drive-in.”

  “Yep,” Bert agreed, smiling at her joke. “We like every little bit of it.”

  “Seriously, I’m really impressed with your attention to detail and integrity in restoring the drive-in.”

  “I agree.” Dune walked forward from the jukebox to join them. “I bet you get tons of business from here on out. Folks will surely drive out here from Dallas and Fort Worth. They’ll come from Sherman, Denison, Bonham, Paris, and other North and East Texas towns.”

  “That’s true,” she quickly agreed, then noticed in horror that an edge of red la
ce peeked out of Dune’s front pocket. She couldn’t help but worry that the Holloways might notice or that her panties might fall out at their feet. She quickly stepped to the side and turned so she had her back to Bert and Bert Two.

  Dune gave her a questioning look before he glanced back at the other guys. “There are so few of these classic drive-in theaters left. I bet it’ll be a big family draw, depending on the movies you show here.”

  She got Dune’s attention and then pointed at his pocket before rubbing downward on her pants to let him know what she wanted him to do. She whirled back around, smiling too big and knowing it. “Yes, it’s such a good idea.”

  Bert glanced from Sydney to Dune before he looked over at Bert Two with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah. It’s what we have in mind to start.”

  “But these drive-ins weren’t known as passion pits around the country for nothing.” Bert Two chuckled as he nodded back at Bert as if in agreement with an unspoken statement.

  Sydney suspected what they’d just communicated with each other and sighed silently at their correct conclusion, but they were probably simply imagining a few kisses and hopefully hadn’t seen the edge of her red panties. “That’s what I’ve heard,” she said loudly, drawing their attention to her so Dune had a chance to conceal her underwear. “Still, Christmas at the Sure-Shot Drive-In is strictly family fare.”

  “Absolutely,” Bert said with a twitch of his lips that revealed he was restraining his amusement.

  “No doubt about it.” Bert Two turned away and rapidly strode over to the candy counter.

  Sydney narrowed her eyes at his quick departure, because she caught the shaking of his shoulders as if he was repressing laughter. She glanced at Dune’s jeans and gave a big sigh of relief. No more red. “Anyway, thanks again for letting us headquarter here for the festival.”

  “Glad to do it,” Bert said.

  “Yeah,” Dune agreed. “We stopped by to finish the calendar photo shoot and came on inside.”

  “What do you think about the place?” Bert asked, turning serious as he looked around the snack shed. “Have we missed anything?”

  “As far as I can tell, it all looks terrific.” She followed Bert’s glance.

  “What do you think about our food selections?” Bert Two pointed at the candy counter.

  “I like all the choices,” Dune said.

  “Looks as if you like our cap, too.” Bert gestured toward the ball cap on Dune’s head.

  “Oh, I gave him that,” she explained. “I’ll pay you back.”

  “No need. It’s good advertisement.” Bert Two selected another ball cap and tossed it to her. “Here you go. Enjoy—promote to your heart’s content.”

  “Thanks. I will.” She grabbed the cap out of midair and put it on her head, adjusting it at a cocky angle. “Listen, I’ve got to get going. We completed the photo shoot, so I need to go home, download the pictures I select into my calendar layout, and get it to Nathan at Thingamajigs. He says he can complete the order in about two weeks, since it’s nothing fancy this first time out. We’re going with plastic spiral bound to cut cost and time.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be great,” Bert said. “How’s his office supply and print shop doing?”

  “So far so good,” she said. “I’d never have thought about opening that type of store in Old Town, but he sells a lot of T-shirts and local promotional items, too. What he says is really turning out to be popular with tourists is the setup he’s got in back. Folks can choose from vintage hats, scarves, and other stuff to put on before they pose in front of old-time backdrops. He shoots, prints, and sends customers on their way.”

  “Clever ideas,” Bert Two added. “It’s not easy starting a new business and making a go of it.”

  “That’s the truth.” Dune nodded at the other guys. “We all know ranchers don’t have an easy time of it, so lots run an extra business to get through the tough times.”

  “I hear you,” Bert agreed.

  “Nathan is volunteering his time.” Sydney wanted them to know how much she appreciated local merchants. “I wouldn’t let him pay for supplies, since those are out-of-pocket expenses, so our fire-rescue station is picking up that tab. We’ll easily offset the cost with profit. At least I hope so.”

  “Sounds as if you’ve got your head and heart in the right place,” Bert Two said. “Let me know if we can be of more help.”

  “I will,” she agreed, liking these two better the more she got to know them. She hoped Hedy would stop by and see Bert’s bluebird collection soon, since that’d make him happy, and he deserved good cheer this Christmas.

  “Another thing.” Bert turned to look at Dune. “Thanks for letting us know about the problem out at the Perkins farm.”

  “Right,” Bert Two agreed. “If you hadn’t been there, we’d never have known about it, and we might have lost that bull.”

  “Glad I could help out,” Dune said. “Everything okay out there now?”

  “Yeah, mostly.” Bert Two gave a big sigh. “We took a look at the house, and it appears as if some folks have been messing around there.”

  “Maybe teenagers looking for a place to get away by themselves,” Bert added. “But we still don’t much like it, what with the broken glass and the loose bull.”

  “And all the other arson at our properties,” Bert Two added.

  “I don’t blame you,” Dune agreed. “Is Sheriff Calhoun keeping a closer eye on the place?”

  “Yep,” Bert said. “And we are, too. Still, we can’t be in several places at once.”

  “That reminds me.” Bert Two walked over to Dune. “We want to talk with you about security here. We set up cameras so we can access images through our laptops, tablets, and phones.”

  “Sounds about right,” Dune agreed.

  “If you have time,” Bert said, “would you take a look at our setup and see if we missed anything or if you have other suggestions?”

  “Why don’t y’all talk security while I go home?” Sydney interrupted them as she edged toward the open door. They didn’t need her for this discussion. “Dune, you might stop by the house later. Storm will be there. She hauled her goat-roping dummy into the living room to show you.”

  “How about tomorrow afternoon?” Dune gave her an apologetic smile. “After that Brahman busted out the fence this morning, I want to check the line along that section. I’d feel bad if any more cattle got loose.”

  “Okay,” she said, trying not to feel disappointed that she wouldn’t see him later. “Storm’s goat-roping dummy will still be there tomorrow. Anyway, I need to finish the calendar.”

  “Good.” Dune glanced at the Holloways. “I’m going to help Storm practice her tying and roping.”

  Sydney caught Bert and Bert Two exchange another knowing glance that she couldn’t help but realize fit right into the narrative that was building about her and Dune. She had no doubt that particular piece of gossip would spread fast. She just hoped it didn’t include red lace in Dune’s pocket. But maybe—other than the panties—it was for the best. She was finally moving on with her life, and everybody would be glad for her.

  “I’m sure they’re most appreciative,” Bert said, giving Sydney a wink.

  “You know it.” She pretended not to get his underlying message and walked over to the open front door. She gave them all a little wave goodbye before she stepped outside.

  Fortunately, the weather was glorious with a crisp breeze and scent of cedar in the air as the sun lowered in the western sky. She sauntered past three pickups to Celeste and sat down inside. She stowed Kent’s camera in the glove compartment, started the engine, and pulled away from the snack shed.

  Now she had to get her thoughts turned back to business, although that wasn’t going to be easy when she still carried Dune’s scent on her sweater and the touch of his hands on her skin. Still, she’d do her b
est to relegate him to the back of her mind, so she could take care of urgent matters.

  She drove out the drive-in gate to Main Street, where she slowed down and checked to make sure nothing in downtown looked amiss. Every store appeared to be ready for Christmas at the Sure-Shot Drive-In with holiday decorations in their windows and lights strung along their rooflines. If all went as planned, visitors would go through town on their way to the drive-in and be unable to resist stopping for a snack at the Bluebonnet Café or picking up something at one of the stores—hopefully, that would include a Wildcat Bluff Cowboy Firefighter Calendar or maybe several for friends.

  With everything in place at Sure-Shot, she turned onto Wildcat Road and headed for Steele Trap Ranch. When she passed the place where Celeste had died on her, she simply shook her head in amazement. Dune had turned her life upside down, and she must have been more than willing, even eager, to help him do it.

  When she drove past the turnoff for Cougar Ranch, she thought about Dune living there in his cowboy cabin. Suddenly she wanted to see his place, be there with him, try out his bed. Struck by those thoughts, she realized that all her determination to keep him in the back of her mind had just gone out the window. And she didn’t even care. She just needed to figure out a way to finagle an invitation to his home.

  She turned off Wildcat Road and drove under the Steele Trap Ranch sign, feeling a little burst of happiness. Nothing was quite as enjoyable as being on acreage that had been in her family for generations, where there was a sense of love and continuity and heritage.

  She pulled up beside her pickup next to the farmhouse. She cut Celeste’s engine and patted the leather seat next to her. She took a deep breath of the cool air scented with dry prairie grass and evergreen trees. Everything appeared to be just the same as when she’d left it early that morning. A lot had happened since that time—not the least of which was a cowboy named Dune.

  She retrieved Kent’s camera and put it in her handbag. She quickly got out of Celeste and walked up to the house. She stepped onto the porch and was surprised to see a white poinsettia in a red ceramic pot with a large green bow sitting beside the front door. It definitely hadn’t been there when she’d left home that morning.