Page 5 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“Bite your tongue, Taylor. I’m not aiming for anyone’s heart anymore.”

Taylor sighed on the other end of the phone. “Well, good luck. And be sure to let us know how we can help.”

“Will do. Thanks again.”

After the call ended, Nicole placed her cookie creations onto a large Santa Claus plate and covered them with clear wrap. On top, she put a pretty red-and-green bow.

At nine o’clock in the morning, Nicole turned off the road that led to Cottonwood Ranch. The place was spotted with mesquite, otherwise known as cottonwood trees and that was how legend said the place got its name. Randolph Brown had lived and worked the land for two decades as a cattle rancher, before the ranch went belly up. But Rand loved the place, and didn’t want to live anywhere else. So, he eked out a modest but happy life here until his passing last year.

She drove the car through the gates, pulled up to the house, and parked out in front. The exterior of the house wasn’t much to look at, work needed to be done to a porch that had weathered through the years, windowsills that were peeling, and exterior stonework that was missing chunks. Yet, Rand always said the place was solid, and that was all he needed.

Nicole grabbed her red knit scarf, draping it around her neck, and put on her tan coat, then lifted her plate of cookies off the passenger seat, balancing it in one hand as she locked her car door. Her gaze traveled around the property coated with snow, and envisioned it once the committee worked its Christmas magic here.

She moved around her car, noting how deserted the place looked and wondered if Mr. Brown and Cody were even home. Dread settled in her belly. What if they weren’t home this weekend? What if Mr. Brown continued to ignore her notes? She headed the committee, and she couldn’t let everyone down.

With that in mind, she marched up the steps, catching her boot heel on a loose plank and nearly falling over, cookies and all. But she caught herself in time, and managed to knock on the door.

When no one answered, she knocked again. Harder.

“Mr. Brown. Are you home?”

He didn’t answer.

She gave it one last try and was once again met with utter silence.

“Darn.”

She turned around and scanned the property again. There was a barn to the left and a garage to her right. She trudged to the garage first, making a sweeping circle around the perimeter and then peeking into the window. She found a late-model black pick-up truck inside, which gave her hope that she just might find someone on the property.

Then she hiked to the other side of the house and went down a path leading to the barn. The barn doors were not only closed, they were locked, so she was pretty sure no one was in there and just as she was rounding the bend, bam! She ran into a block wall…of a man. The smack of his chest sent her flying back, releasing the plate as she struggled for balance. Two large arms grabbed her quickly, pulling her in, saving her from a graceless fall and possible broken bones. As she was whipped up close and personal to a jarringly handsome face flashing deep blue eyes, a sudden spark ignited, something she hadn’t felt before. It was a moment in time, a quick connection as he held her firmly while she found her own balance. Steady on her feet now, she blinked hard, trying to ward off the sensations rushing through her.

He gave her a stare and something flashed in his eyes, but he caught himself and released her upper arms as if they were on fire. Taking a step back, he asked, “Who are you? And what are you doing here?” His voice was sharp and quite unwelcoming.

She crossed her arms around her middle, anger rising. She’d gotten up early to bake the perfect batch of cookies and now they were in crumbles. Did he think she’d come here to snoop around his property?

“I came to speak to you on behalf of the fundraising committee, Mr. Brown.” She pointed to the ground, frustrated that her plan to win him over with baked goods was ruined. “I certainly didn’t come all the way out here to poison you with Christmas cookies.”

He raised a brow, glancing at the ground littered with plate pieces and destroyed cookies as if noticing them for the first time. “No?”

Did she actually see his mouth twitch?

She shook her head. “No.”

Cody rounded the bend and his eyes went wide when he saw her. “Miss Russell! Uncle Garrett, this is my teacher, Miss Russell!”

Cody ran over to her, and she bent to give him a hug. “Hi, Cody. It’s good to see you. I guess I surprised your uncle.”

Both looked up at Garrett Brown. He shot her an apologetic look, one that softened his grumpy face and reminded her of one of her students when they’d been caught doing something naughty.

“I guess so,” he said.

They stared at each other in an awkward moment. “Why are you here, Miss Russell?” Cody asked. “Did you come to see the ranch?”

“Uh, yes. I would love to see the ranch, but I’m actually here to see your uncle about something important.”

Mr. Brown rubbed the back of his neck, as if she’d caused a pain there. “Would… you like to come… inside?” he said so reluctantly, she was ready to give him a lesson in good manners.

She forced a warm smile. “I would love to. Thank you, Mr. Brown.”

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