Page 30 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“Thank you.” She set the Santa down and gave her a warm loving hug. “It’s so thoughtful of you. I really do love it.”

“I’m glad. Now, I think I’ll pour us a glass of wine. Sound good?”

“Perfect.”

Before Nicole could get to the kitchen, her doorbell rang. “Oh, I’m not expecting anyone,” she told Julie.

She walked over and opened the door. A delivery man holding a bouquet of winter flowers stood on the threshold. “Nicole Russell?”

“Yes.”

“These are for you.”

He handed her the flowers. Dumbfounded, she stood there a few seconds. “Uh, okay. Wait just a moment.”

Julie was right there, handing the delivery guy a few dollars. “No thanks. It’s been taken care of,” he said, refusing the tip.

“But…”

The guy smiled. “Merry Christmas,” he said brightly then walked away.

Julie closed the door. “They’re beautiful. All your favorites.”

It was a gorgeous bouquet of red roses and white lilies amid an array of greenery. “I know. Wow.”

“Well, just don’t stand there. I’m dying to know who they’re from. Open the card.”

“Okay,” Nicole said. She’d never describe herself as flabbergasted, but she was totally at a loss. She moved quickly, handing Julie the bouquet as she plucked the card up and opened it, reading aloud. “Because you deserve a lot more.” Nicole lifted her eyes to Julie. “There’s no signature.”

“Oh, wow. How sweet. Must be Garrett.”

“I, uh, all I did was make him a home-cooked dinner last night. And we played silly games with Cody.”

Julie glanced at her watch. “The poker game doesn’t start until seven. You still have time to call and thank him, Nic.”

“I, uh, should. Shouldn’t I? He should know I received them. I mean, these are stunning.” And so dramatic. She didn’t think it was Garrett’s style, but then, how well did she really know him?

“Go ahead. I’ll go into the kitchen and put these in water, while you call him. To give you privacy.”

Her heart was beating a thousand times a minute. She shouldn’t make such a big deal about this, but she was touched by his thoughtfulness.

She got out her cell phone and punched in his number. The phone rang twice before he picked up. “Garrett, hi. It’s Nicole.”

“Hey, Nic. How are you? I’m still full from that delicious meal last night.”

“About that. I, uh, I just wanted to thank you for the beautiful flowers. They’re amazing.”

“Flowers?” He sounded confused. “What flowers?”

“I just received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. I, uh, you mean you didn’t send them?”

There was a pause on the other end of the phone. “I wish I’d thought of it. But no, I didn’t send them.”

Oh, wow. This was unbelievable. She wanted to drop into a sinkhole, never to be seen again. How mortifying. She inhaled a sharp breath, thinking fast. “Okay, well, no problem. They’re probably from Mom and Dad. I’ve gotta go. Good talking to you.”

“Nicole?”

“Bye, Garrett.”

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