Page 53 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

Garrett grabbed the bag and looked inside. He’d brought them at Char-Pie yesterday and now the bag was half gone. “From now on, two’s your limit, Code. And have some milk with it, but not chocolate milk.”

“Aw.” Cody made a sour face. Well, someone had to be the adult in the room.

“No aw-ing. Okay.”It’s for your own good, he wanted to say. But that never worked with him or Carrie when their folks tried to make a point. “We’re going to eat healthy tonight.”

The day after he returned home from the hospital, he’d been visited by Julie and Taylor. Both of them had delivered trays of food, casseroles and lasagna and chicken. They’d sent him enough food for the entire week. He’d been speechless and humbled by their kindness.

But the one person he really needed to thank was Nicole. She’d called every day to check on him and had probably deliberately kept her fundraising committee away from Cottonwood, so he could rest. Time was running out, the fundraiser was just days away. She must be under a lot of pressure and now as he thought back on it, those phone calls with her had been brief and awkward. His fault. He hated feeling weak and the object of people’s sympathy. He’d always been the strong one, out of necessity and sheer will, and this week had thrown him for a loop. In many ways.

Now that his arm was healing, he wanted to do something for her. To thank her for taking such good care of Cody. Knowing he was in her care had been a great relief to Garrett while he was in the hospital and he wanted to show his gratitude.

But flowers were out of the question. Her ex-fiancé had ruined that.

What he really wanted to do was take her to a nice, kid-free dinner. To be able to have an uninterrupted meal and good conversation. If Nicole was nothing else, she was a good friend.

Although, he thought about her constantly. Couldn’t get the woman off his mind lately or the hospital kiss that had both warmed his heart and knocked him out.

Chapter Seven

All ages ofchildren were to participate in the church choir performance and they’d been separated into groups; grade school, middle school, and high school. Nicole recognized several of her past students in the younger group, as they made their way up onto the steps in front of the altar. The entire church smelled of fresh flowers, every other row of pews decorated with red and white carnations. Two big poinsettia plants sat upon columned posts at the top of the steps, making a beautiful visual.

Nic sat with Julie and Miguel in the center row feeling guilty she hadn’t informed Cody and his uncle about this event. Her friends hadn’t questioned her about it, since she’d made her intentions clear, but still, she thought how much Cody would enjoy being here, experiencing yet another holiday event in Last Stand.

The program began as the younger children, all dressed in white tees and dark slacks, sang several songs. Their harmonizing needed a little work, but their eager adorable faces made up for that. And once they were through, pride shone in their eyes as all in attendance gave them a loud round of applause.

“They did so well,” Julie whispered to her. “Did you see Annabelle and Josh up there? I’m so proud of them.”

“I am too.” They were kids both she and Julie had taught in their class. Now they were third graders.

“I’m glad Cody got to see them too. Josh is his third-grade buddy.” They pair kindergarteners with third graders once a week, to help the younger ones in reading and math. It’s a great program for all of the students involved.

“Cody?”

Julie swiveled around and pointed to two rows back on the opposite side of the aisle.

“See, there’s Garrett and Cody.”

She turned and locked eyes with Garrett immediately. Darn, she didn’t want him to see her ogling him. But then he smiled and gave a little wave. She waved back, her heart beating fast. Garrett was rocking his Sunday best, a dark jacket and tie looking terribly handsome.Oh boy.

She whipped her head around quickly and clamped her hands together in her lap. “I see him.”

“Them, you see them,” Julie teased. “Or are you only looking at Garrett?” she whispered. “’Cause, I wouldn’t blame you.”

“Stop it,” she whispered forcefully. “I bet Paulette invited them.”

“Because you didn’t.”

“Can’t I have one night to myself?”

“Of course,” Julie said. “If that’s what you really want.”

She couldn’t forget seeing Garrett and the woman at Char-Pie the other day. They seemed totally at ease with each other, familiar, as if they were in on a secret that no one else knew about. She’d felt like an outsider, and wondered if Garrett was just another Johnny, playing her until something orsomeonebetter came along.

Which was ridiculous. Because she and Garrett were only pretending to be a couple for the pact. In reality, she had no right being jealous. Garrett Brown wasn’t an option and it was silly she had to keep reminding herself of that.

The middle schoolers took the stage in their raspberry-red choir gowns and white snow caps. Immediately, they began singing well-known Christmas classics, “Silent Night,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and “O Holy Night.” Tall column candles flickered, casting jumping shadows against the side walls, and the powerful music filling the church connected them with joy, solidarity, and a sense of community. It was what she liked best about the holiday, the connection, the love shared, the joy of giving.

But with every song, she so much wanted to turn around to see Garrett’s reaction. Was he actually enjoying the performance? Was Cody? Mentally, she chided herself to keep her gaze on the performers and listen to the beautiful songs they were singing, to let the music seep in and soothe her, like it always had before.

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