Page 18 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“Okay, thanks. Oh, and there’s the festival on Main Street we need to visit with Cody tomorrow.”

“Didn’t we just do that today?”

“No, this is different. Crafts and games and food, Texas style. Cody shouldn’t miss it.”

When he didn’t answer, she added.“It’s really fun for the kids.”

“I bet. Okay. It’s a non-date.”

“Are you making a joke?”

“Depends, did you laugh?”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s a joke.”

“See you tomorrow, Garrett.”

Garrett set his phone down. He closed the photo album, as a certain peace settled around him. Suddenly, he wasn’t feeling so lonely. Suddenly, he was looking forward to tomorrow and what the day would bring.

Despite all his internal warnings.

*

She promised tostay out of Garrett’s hair, and not disturb his work but sometimes desperate times called for desperate measures. Nicole sat in her car in the middle of the road, a good two miles from Cottonwood Ranch, trying to will her engine to start. The darn thing had up and died on her and she didn’t have a clue what was wrong. Yesterday, her car was a vital motor machine; today, it was sorely in need of urgent care.

Immediately, she’d picked up her phone to call Rusty at the gas station. He’d know what to do. But all she got on the other end was a busy signal. She’d tried several more times. Either Rusty was busy as all get-out, or he was closed for the Christmas festival. Which left her no other choice but to call Garrett and let him know she wasn’t going to make it over this morning.

He answered on the first ring. “Hello.”

“Hi, it’s Nicole,” she said right away. “I’m stuck. My car died on the road. I just wanted to let you know I won’t make it today. I’m trying to get ahold of Rusty to come give me a tow.”

“Who’s Rusty?”

“He works at the gas station.”

“You said, trying. Can’t you reach him?”

“No, but I can walk back to town.”

“Nicole, where are you?”

“About two miles from the ranch on the highway.” And about five miles from town. She could walk it if she had too. She’d jogged five miles before. In her running years.

“Hang tight, I’ll be right there.”

“No, you don’t have to. You must be working.”

“I’m coming, Nic,” he said forcefully. “Just stay put in your car and don’t get out. I’ll be there in five.”

There was no talking him out of it. She flung herself back against the seat and closed her eyes. She didn’t have time for car trouble. She really didn’t. And did Garret just call herNicagain?

Garrett pulled up in less than five minutes, his truck facing her car on her side of the road. As soon as she spotted him, she felt a ping of… what? Excitement? Happiness? Whatever it was, she stifled it; there was no room in her heart for those kinds of feelings.

She bounded out of her car ready to thank him, but he pulled a frown and lifted the hood of her car. “Let me take a look. Why don’t you try to start the engine again?”

“Uh, sure. But first can I thank you for coming to help me?”

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