Page 37 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

The wagon was full of splinters, sharp edges and the wheels needed greasing. The kids could get hurt, if work wasn’t done on the wagon. Didn’t he realize that?

Forget what she’d thought about him not being rough around the edges.

“Nic, there’s no need, because I’ve already done it.”

She laid down the cookie in her hand. “You did?”

He nodded.

“Why?” It shouldn’t be the first thing out of her mouth, a thank-you would’ve been better, but he’d taken her by total surprise.

“Because it needed to be done.”

“I know, but you don’t have the time.”

“It didn’t take that long, Nic. I worked on it after hours. It’s no big deal. The wagon is ready to go now.”

It was a big deal. He’d wanted no part of the fundraiser, and now he’d taken it upon himself to fix up the wagon on his own. First the surprise cookies and now this? She bit her lip and stared into his eyes. “Thank you.”

“Welcome,” he said, his lips turning up.

She smiled back and for a few seconds, they simply stared at each other. Warm emotion rolled around inside her, but were these sweet tingles something more? Was it something she should embrace or be wary about? She wasn’t ready for this. He was leaving soon. The reminders always pounding in her brain, did little to curb her feelings.

Garrett’s eyes flickered as if he just remembered something. He cleared his throat and broke off their connection. It was a good thing too, because little Cody had been watching them, looking a bit confused. With Cody around, she had to remember her place. She was first and foremost his teacher, and she’d never want to compromise that.

The doorbell rang, and she was saved from saying anything. “I’ll get that. I’m expecting a package. Excuse me,” she said, glad to have the reprieve. She’d ordered special foil paper supplies for a Christmas project she wanted to do this week with her class. So, the interruption served two purposes, and she was only too happy to open the door.

A delivery guy stood at her door, the same one from the other night. This time he held a heart-shaped Christmas wreath, decorated with tiny crystal ornaments and red roses, all tastefully done.

“Miss Russell?”

She nodded, dumbfounded again.

“This is for you.”

“Who are they from?” she asked, this time, taking a more proactive approach.

“There’s a card inside and no tip necessary. It’s all been taken care of.”

“Thank you,” she said, a lump forming in her throat. She closed the door and mumbled, “This is so strange.”

Garrett stood inside the kitchen, looking on. “Not from your parents, I assume?”

“I… don’t know. They didn’t send the last one.”

She walked over to the table to set the wreath down.

“Wow, it’s pretty, Miss Russell.”

“Yes… it is.”

She plucked up the envelope this time making no assumptions. She was fully baffled and read the card silently. “I miss you, Nicole. Please forgive me. Love, Johnny.”

Nicole’s knees buckled and her heart just about stopped. She slumped into the kitchen chair, staring at the note as her hand trembled. “I can’t believe this,” she murmured.

“Cody, why don’t you put a few cookies under Miss Russell’s tree for Santa.”

Cody looked at Nicole’s sad face and nodded. The boy had good intuition. He knew this was time for grown-up talk. “Okay,” he said.

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