Page 56 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

She gave him a nod. “What you’re doing is giving Cody stability. Giving him your love and making him feel safe. That’s the best anyone can do under the circumstances.”

The look he gave her stilled her heart. His eyes beamed with appreciation and something more. Something she didn’t know how to handle.

“How do you do it, Nic? How do you know just the right thing to say to make me feel better?”

“I, uh, I do?”

He nodded slowly. “You do,” he whispered.

He touched her cheek, removing a strand of hair that had blown onto her face. But his fingers lingered there, his soft touch making her insides tingle. He was strong and tall and, with the forever stubble along his defined jawline, ruggedly handsome. He always seemed to make her feel safe too, especially now. Being with Garrett was like no other feeling she’d ever experienced before. She could fall into that deep well of emotion very quickly.

And when he cupped her face with both hands and leaned in, she was helpless to stop what was coming next, so she closed her eyes as his beautiful mouth came down on hers. She relished the kiss, the taste of him, the nearness that cocooned her in safety and warmth. She kissed him back and he smiled, a slight curving of his lips, without breaking contact. Her heart raced and everything inside her became marshmallow soft.

If she wasn’t careful, she could fall in love with Garrett Brown.

From a distance, she heard Cody’s voice, calling for his uncle.

They broke apart immediately and stared at each other. Oh, wow. Oh, wow. Oh, wow.

With regret in his eyes, Garrett called out, “Over here, Cody.”

Julie, Miguel, and Cody came down the church steps and strode over to them. “Whatcha doing, Uncle Garrett?” The boy looked especially curious.

Garrett cleared his throat. “Just having a chat with Miss. Russell.”

“She’s wearing your coat,” Cody blurted.

Julie and Miguel exchanged a glance.

Man, now she knew how it felt when one of her students got caught stealing an extra treat from her lollipop jar.

“That’s because I was cold and your uncle was nice enough to lend me his coat.” Nicole wiggled her way out of Garrett’s coat and handed it back to him. “Thank you,” she said, not meeting his eyes. “You know what? Tomorrow is a big day. We’re putting up the booths for the fundraiser at the ranch. So, we all should get some good sleep.”

“But wait,” Cody said. “You didn’t get a cookie.” He dug into his jacket pocket and came up with a napkin. “There’s one in there for both of you.” He handed the napkin to Nicole.

“Cody, that was awfully thoughtful of you.” Nicole opened the napkin and handed Garrett a cookie.

“It was,” Garrett said. “But we’d better get home. As Miss Russell said, we have a big day tomorrow.”

“You’re not helping, Garrett,” Nicole said firmly, surprised at the warning in her voice. She didn’t mean to be so bossy, but he was still injured.

His eyes twinkled as he gave her a soft look. “You’re forgetting I do have one good arm and I think I can manage to do something constructive.”

“But I’m not asking—”

“I know, I’m offering.”

Oh, boy. He knew now; she cared for him. That kiss basically stole her heart. She was still tingling inside. She had no right telling him what he could or couldn’t do. He wasn’t going to sit still and watch everyone else build the booths but he didn’t scold her, or use harsh words to prove his point.

And the gleam in his eyes scared her silly. What was she doing? She almost preferred Garrett the Grinch—a man who exasperated her—better than this sweeter, kinder man who touched her heart in so many ways.

Chapter Eight

At nine o’clockon Saturday morning, Nicole walked into the big barn at Cottonwood Ranch, leading a troop of ten older children to help decorate the wagon. Their arms were filled with boxes of donations to create a pretty awesome Santa’s sleigh and their excited chatter made Nicole glad she chose teaching as her profession. There was nothing better than filling a child’s heart with fun and thrills and a sense of purpose. But she stopped up short when the wagon came into view. “Oh, wow.”

The wagon wasn’t only fixed, and looking sharp, but it was painted Christmas cherry red from top to bottom, all except the wheels. They were snowy white. They’d never wanted to ask Rand Brown if they could paint the wagon, as he had notions of one day using it again for something. But this, this was off-the-charts wonderful. And they had only Garrett to thank for it.

“Look at that,” she told her crew. “I think Mr. Brown has been hard at work.”

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