Page 59 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“Ready.”

“You’ve lived here all of your life, would you say heading south is our best bet?”

“Yes, south makes sense. We should only have to drive an hour or so.”

He nodded and started the engine. It roared to life and he pulled out and headed down the highway, going south out of town.

“Do you like music,” he asked, one hand on the radio dial. “Or do you like quiet?”

She wrinkled her nose adorably, making a cute face. “Do you mind if we just drive quietly right now?”

It wasn’t the answer he was expecting. Nicole was usually full of energy and life. For sure he thought she’d like to hear the radio. “You got it.”

“It’s just that I’m in a noisy classroom all week long, and don’t get me wrong, I love my students and love the job, but sometimes, it’s nice to just be.”

He smiled. “We have that in common. I like quiet too. Most times. As soon as Cody comes home from school, it’s all happy noise, television, or games until we go to bed at night. So, a little daytime quiet is just the ticket.”

He drove on and they sat quietly, each in their own thoughts. Every once in a while, he’d sense her watching him, and would turn to meet her eyes. She’d smile and then continue to look out her side window as the scenery passed before them.

*

Twenty minutes intothe drive, Nicole faced him. “Can I pour you some coffee?”

“Sounds good about now. Thanks.”

She reached into the bag between them, and carefully poured coffee into the thermos cup. The aroma of the steaming hot brew filled the truck with a delicious scent and she handed him the cup.

He took a sip. “It’s good. What about you?”

“I’ll have a cup too,” she said, digging into the bag and coming up empty. “Oh darn.”

“What?”

“I forgot to put my own cup in here.”

“It’s okay with me, if we share. That’s if you don’t mind.” He gave her a quick look.

It wasn’t as if they hadn’t locked lips a couple of times. “I swear I’m healthy. No bugs. In fact, I almost never get sick.”

“I’ll remember that.”

He handed her the cup and she didn’t hesitate to take a sip. The brew was fresh and warmed her up inside. “How about a muffin?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

“Blueberry or lemon?”

“I think I need to taste test both of them.”

She chuckled. “I think you do too. But afterward, you have to tell me which one you like the best. I’m going to be baking some for the bake sale, next week.”

“It’s a deal.”

She handed him the blueberry and he gobbled it down quickly. “Oh, wow. This is amazing. What’d you do, bake them this morning?”

“I get up early sometimes to bake.”

He looked at her seriously. “More of that peace and quiet you like?”

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