Page 69 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“Thanks, I’m glad it’s working out. I’m here to help, if you need a break.”

“I’m good,” Taylor said.

“Me too,” Coop added. “I think we’ve got this for now.”

“Okay.” She backed up a step and bumped right into Garrett. “Oh, sorry.”

“I’m not,” Garrett said, giving her a smile.

She laughed—flirty Garrett was back.

He was helping Cody write out his wish. The boy had one word scratched out on the paper ornament, snow. She met with Garrett’s eyes.

He shrugged hopelessly and took hold of Cody. “Ready, up elevator.” Garrett lifted him overhead to almost the top of the tree and Cody searched to find just the right place to put his wish. Then, Garrett lowered him down. “You found a great spot. Looks good up there,” he told his nephew, ruffling his hair. “Good job, Code.”

He smiled and looked her way. “Are you gonna make a wish, Miss Russell?”

“Me? Oh, I suppose I will sometime today.”

“Don’t you have a wish?”

“I, uh, it’s something I have to think about, Cody. But I’m glad you made your wish.”

“Me too. What about you, Uncle Garrett?”

“I suppose I have a wish or two in my head. I have to think which one is best, before I write it down.”

“’Cause, you’re only allowed one wish?”

“That’s right. One wish for the tree.”

“Uncle Garrett? Can I paint pine cones now?”

“Sure, you go on. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

Cody ran off and Garrett stood facing her. Both took a few steps away from the tree. “He’s having fun,” he said.

“Looks like he really is.”

“He thinks you’re fun.”

Nicole’s heart beat faster. “That’s nice. So, what about you?” She could be flirty too, especially since there was no danger here. She was among a swarm of people.

“Me? Do I think you’re fun? Heck, yeah. So much that we want you to be our partner in the snowman contest.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “Yeah, we do.”

She sighed. “I wish I could. But it wouldn’t be fair. I’m in charge here, and it wouldn’t be right. But I can certainly, cheer you on.”

“I’ll take that,” he said resolutely.

“Good. I’ll see you here in an hour then.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

*

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