Page 46 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

She turned to follow the doctor out. “Nic?”

She swiveled back around. “Do you need something?”

Garrett motioned for her to come over with his good arm.

She took a few steps closer. “What is it?”

“Come… closer.” His voice was fading.

She stepped closer until her legs butted up against the bed. Garrett took hold of her hand and the connection, a spark of something unnamed, traveled the length of her. She’d been scared, frightened, and near tears hearing about his injury. She didn’t want to admit how much she cared for him, but now that he’d been hurt, she had to come face-to-face with her feelings.

“Thank you,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Cody must’ve been scared.”

“He was, a little.”

“But you made him feel better. Heck, you make me feel better,” he whispered.

“It’s the drugs talking,” she teased, though this was hardly a teasing moment.

“It’s not. It’s you,” he said softly.

And then he pulled on her hand and she allowed herself to be tugged closer until they were face-to-face. “Nicole.”

Breath caught in her throat again. This time, the fear was of a different nature. She had to get out of here… fast. “I’d better go and let you get some rest. Don’t worry about Cody. I’ll stay with him until you’re released. See you later.”

She leaned over to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek, her mouth brushing up against his stubbly face. But then he moved, and she moved, and the next thing she knew, their lips were on each other’s and beautiful sensations rippled through her. As far as hospital-bed kisses went, this one was pretty great.

When it was over, Garrett closed his eyes as if savoring it. “Yeah, Nic. You do make me feel better and better.”

She gulped and left the room, wondering if he was too drugged up to ever remember kissing her.

One could only hope.

Chapter Six

Nicole had toget a grip on her feelings after leaving Garrett’s hospital room. The kiss they shared was deliciously good, no matter how much she wanted to think otherwise and she felt herself melting inside regardless. Garrett had been hurt, and she’d been there to make him feel better. That was what he’d said. That she could make him feel better about anything put a smile on her face.

So many things were coming at her all at once, and she didn’t have room for this, for Garrett. She had her teaching career, the fundraiser, an ex-fiancé to contend with, and Christmas was just around the corner.

She met up with Taylor, who was keeping Cody entertained in the waiting room with videos of Cassie’s baseball games.

Nicole sat down next to him, and smiled. “The doctor says your uncle Garrett will be coming home in a couple of hours. He’s resting now. Would you like to come to my house for a little while?”

“Or,” Taylor said, “why don’t both of you come over to our house? I’m sure Cassie would love to see you.”

Cody didn’t smile, but his solemn eyes brightened. “’Kay.”

Taylor took his hand. “Come on, we’ll come back to pick Uncle Garrett up in a little while.”

“That’s right, Cody. We will.”

A short time later, Coop pulled up to the Jameson Hospital entrance with Cassie’s one-time car seat installed in the back seat of the SUV. Coop’s thoughtfulness was amazing and certainly made for a safer ride. They all climbed in and little Cody buckled himself in with deft hands. “Will Muffy be there?” Cody asked.

“Maybe. Sometimes, Cassie watches Muffin for a little bit during the day,” Coop said.

“I hope so.”

“Why don’t we see if that’s possible?” Nicole got out her phone and called Julie. “Hi, Julie. We have a favor to ask. Can we come get Muffy to help cheer up Cody? We’re taking him to the Cooper house.”

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