Page 21 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“Fine, then. Let’s check out the wagon and anything else you might need.” He put a hand to his chest. “I swear I was almost done for the morning anyway. And later, don’t we have a festival to attend with Cody?”

“Do you still have time?”

“I’ll make time.”

“All right then, but we’ll make it quick.”

He nodded, helped her on with her coat and she covered her head with her woolen cap. Garrett slipped his arms into his jacket and they walked side by side, to the barn, neither one saying a word.

He unlocked the barn doors, pulled them open and then gestured for her to enter first. She stepped inside. “It’s just like I remembered.”

The old barn was roomy, probably the same size as the house. Empty horse stalls flanked one side, while equipment and the old wagon flanked the other side. There was a small corner office, and overhead a good-sized hay loft.

“I suppose I could do something really cool in here, if I had the time,” Garrett mumbled, probably thinking out loud.

“I know you could. With a little cosmetic overhaul, I could see holding events and parties in here.”

He began nodding as he scanned over the barn. “I can see that.”

“Or you could make it into a giant-sized man cave.” She snickered.

His lips twisted as if he wanted to laugh, but Garrett kept his emotions close to the chest. “Are you a mind reader?”

“Hardly, or I wouldn’t have been dumped by my fiancé.”

Oh gosh, did she really just say that? “I mean, uh, I’m not trying to play the victim here.”

Garrett reached out to touch her arm. “I know that. And for what it’s worth, the guy was a fool to ever let you go.”

She swallowed hard, battling embarrassment. “That’s nice of you to say,” she said softly.

“I mean it.”

His eyes didn’t lie. They were sincere and… beautiful. She believed he meant what he said. He was the kind of man who spoke the truth.

“I know.”

But reworking the barn would never happen, because Garrett was due in Northern California. He seemed eager to finish renovating the house, and sell.

He released her arm and they both strode over to the wagon. True, it had seen better days, looking weathered and rusty, but the buckboard was perfect for hauling children around the property. And it had always been a kid favorite.

“It needs work,” she said, giving the side panel the gloved finger test minus the glove. “I’ll get a crew over here to do some sanding and maybe grease the wheels a bit.”

“Do you have a team of horses to pull the sleigh?”

“We do. Several ranchers lend us the use of their mares for the day.”

“That’s neighborly.”

“It’s their donation to the fundraiser. And it really brings in a good amount.” She sighed. “When it all comes together, the fundraiser is pretty spectacular.” As she smiled, his eyes brightened. Then something amazing happened, his lips spread wide, his teeth flashed white and he actually returned her smile.

For a second, she was stunned. His smile was beautiful and long overdue.

“What?” he asked, recognizing that something was off.

“It’s just that…you smiled.”

He blinked.

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