Page 43 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“I will, thanks. Same goes to you. I’m available, if you ever need an extra hand too.”

“Good to know.”

Nicole and Coop walked out the door and got in the truck. The sun was descending, brightening the sky in deep hues of pink and gold. It was a beautiful display that would be gone as quickly as it had come. Sunsets in Texas were unequalled.

As soon as they were off the property, Coop turned to her. “Something going on between you two?”

Nicole’s tummy turned over. “No.”

Coop smiled. “At least you’re not pretending that you don’t know what I’m talking about. It was a nice thing you did for Cody today. I bet he’ll never forget having his very own Christmas tree.”

“Thanks, that makes me feel better. I acted first, without getting Garrett’s permission, so I wasn’t sure how he was going to take it.”

“Seems to me nothing you do would upset Garrett.”

“What?” She turned to Coop. “Nothing’s further than the truth. He’s… he’s…”

“All I’m saying is that Garrett seems relaxed around you and I think he’s glad he met you.”

“Relaxed? Whenever we’re around each other, there’s nothing but tension.”

Coop eyed her and then burst out laughing. “Oh, man, Nicole. You’re making my case.”

Nicole’s hands went to her face and she pulled the skin down. “Geesh. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Out of the mouths of babes. Or should I say schoolteachers.”

“You shouldn’t say anything, Coop. You are way off base.”

“I think Garrett likes you. And I think the feeling is mutual.”

“I thought you were on my side, Coop. Taylor must be brainwashing you. She and Julie never let up and it’s sweet, because they think they’re helping, but they’re really not.”

“Okay, I get the message.”

She nodded. “I really hope Cody remembers this Christmas in good way.”

“Am I allowed to say you’re making a positive impact in his life?”

Nicole beamed inside. “Yes, and thank you for saying that. I truly hope so. He’s a special child.”

What she didn’t tell Coop was she was beginning to think the same about Cody’s uncle. Garrett was special too, and her feelings for him were growing every day.

As much as she tried to stop thinking about him, she couldn’t.

And that was a scary thing.

*

“Hey, man. Can’tthank you enough for coming out here again,” Garrett said to Coop. “If I thought I could handle this on my own, I wouldn’t have bothered you.”

“No big deal, I’ll catch you next time. This slab of granite is too dang heavy for one person.”

Garrett needed to secure this last piece onto the kitchen island. He was tired of looking at the plank of wood substituting for a countertop. After he installed this piece, the room would be complete. All the appliances were in, and the only thing left to do was the flooring. He’d been working his butt off, trying to finish the interior, so he could tackle the exterior and be out of here, hopefully by early February. And even as he thought that, an image of Nicole Russell, rushed into his mind. She had no place there, but that didn’t seem to matter.

“Okay, ready?” he said.

“Ready.”

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