Page 4 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

Garrett grinned and ruffled the boy’s hair. Cody was sharp and bright, which was great, but it also posed problems because the boy knew he’d been orphaned, and he’d never see his father or mother again. He was different than most children, being raised by his bachelor uncle who moved around a lot and showed up when he was in between jobs. Garrett had a restless nature and went where the job took him, but had kept a small studio apartment a few miles from his sister’s place in Denver, to be close to them.

After eating a big bowl of his favorite ice cream, chocolate cherry chip, which Cody devoured, he wandered over to the window in the great room and peered out at the snow.

“Think it’ll be there tomorrow?” he asked.

“Probably. At least for some time. But once it warms up, the snow’s likely to melt.”

“But it could be here tomorrow, right? If it was cold enough?”

“That’s right. It could, but Code, don’t…”

Cody closed his eyes, a solemn look gracing his face as if he were wishing to the darkened skies for more snow.

Garrett only shook his head. He didn’t want to burst the boy’s bubble.

“C’mon Cody. Let’s get your teeth brushed and get you into bed.”

He lifted the boy and Cody curved his arms around his neck. It was the best feeling in the world, and the scariest, having Cody’s love and trust. Garrett was all the boy had now. It’d been just less than a year since he’d taken him in and the responsibility weighed on him still. He wanted so much to do right by the boy. To provide a safe home for him and Garrett would do that as soon as he sold Uncle Rand’s place and moved on to their forever home.

After Cody brushed his teeth and got into bed, Garrett kissed the boy’s forehead and then covered him up to his chin with a thick plaid quilt. “Night, Code. I love you.”

“I love you too, Uncle Garrett.”

*

Nicole got upextra early on Friday morning to bake sugar cookies for Cody and his uncle. The morning was brisk, and she turned up the heat in her little apartment. She’d thought by now she’d be living in a house with her new husband Johnny, but that dream was gone. And she wasn’t going to wait around for anyone else to make her dreams come true. She’d learned a hard lesson, to make her way in the world by herself, and if anyone wanted to jump on the wagon, well, she’d see about that. She was taking matters into her own hands from now on.

After Christmas, her first order of business was to buy a house of her own. She longed for a yard and a bigger kitchen, someplace to call her own.

And today,she was taking matters into her own handsby driving out to Cottonwood Ranch. She wasn’t about to wait for Mr. Brown to respond—he hadn’t all week.

When the timer dinged, she pulled the cookies out of the oven. Christmas trees, bells, snowmen, and ornament shapes had turned out perfectly. The aroma of sweet vanilla filled the air and made her mouth water. This batch just might be her best cookies ever. The fun part came next, decorating.

True, it was more fun decorating with her friends, but she was on a mission today, and these cookies were not only a welcome-to-town offering, but a please-help-with-the-fundraiser plea.

Her cell phone rang, making her jump. She glanced at the screen and smiled. “Hi, Taylor. How are you this morning?”

“I’m good, a little busy. I’ve got three orders to fill before Valentine’s Day.” Taylor was a masterful wedding gown designer. She’d opened her own shop in Last Stand last spring and her business had taken off. She’d actually designed Nicole’s wedding gown that never made it down the aisle. “But I’ve got it handled. Julie said you’re in charge of Honeysuckle’s fundraiser this year. And Coop, Cassie, and I want to help.”

“That’s sweet, Taye. And yes, I’m sure I can use the help.”

“Coop says put him down for any hard labor you need.”

“Your husband is one-of-a-kind, Taylor.”

“Thanks. I know.” She giggled. “Oh, and by the way, Coop bumped into Garrett Brown at the lumber yard. Says he’s quite accomplished at flipping houses which is why he’s here in town. He plans to renovate and then move on.”

“Funny you should say that. I’m just on my way out to Cottonwood Ranch. Seems Garrett Brown’s been dodging my notes about the fundraiser.”

“Really? He’s holding you up?”

“Not to worry, I’m going out there armed with my best weapon.”

“Let me guess. You baked.”

“Christmas cookies. A good batch of ’em.”

“That should do the trick. You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart?”

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