Page 75 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

Her first inclination was to shout, yes, yes, yes. She’d wanted nothing more than to join them, but she held back. For Cody’s sake. This would be his first time on a horse, and the ride would be more special if it were just the two of them. Nicole didn’t want to impose on that special bonding experience.

“Thanks. Wish I could. But I have plans tomorrow afternoon.”

“With your folks?”he asked.

“My mom. We’re going to finish up our Christmas shopping.”

And buy the perfect winter dress for the Christmas ball.

“Thanks for the invitation, though. Sounds like too much fun.”

There was a long pause before he texted again.“Rain check?”

“Sure,”she answered. But she didn’t believe it was ever going to happen. After the holiday, she’d go back to teaching class and he’d go back to renovating the house.

“What are you doing now?”he asked.

“Vegging out. Spending time with my folks.”

“Good. Your bones need a rest.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“I guess I’ll see you Saturday night then. I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Okay. See you then.”

“Sweet dreams, Nicole.”

She clicked off the phone and her eyes slowly closed. She savored every word from Garrett, no matter how they communicated. There was a sweet place in her heart for him, and she kept it all warm and cozy inside. “Sweet dreams to you too, Garrett,” she whispered.

*

Garrett put inhalf a day’s work at the house, finishing up in one of the bathrooms, while Cody played with a set of magnetic building blocks in his bedroom. The kid was pretty good at making something out of nothing. It always stunned him, how smart his nephew was, for a six-year-old and he gave all the credit to his sister, Carrie, and her husband Dell. Together they’d been two equal parts of a whole in the brain department. Carrie being math and science while Dell was history and English.

He popped his head into Cody’s room and found him sitting on the floor, stacking magnets in the shape of a castle. “Hey, bud. I have a surprise for you today. That is, if you’re not too busy?”

The boy looked up, his eyes wide and expectant. “What kind of surprise?”

“How would you like to go horseback riding today?”

Cody jumped up immediately. “Oh, boy. For real?”

Garrett laughed. “Yeah, for real. We’re going to Misty Rose Ranch and you’re gonna learn how to ride. That’s if you want to.”

“Oh, boy! I get to ride a horse.”

“Yes, you sure do.”

“Are you riding too?”

“I am. I’ll be right next to you and we’ll have us a nice ride up in the hills there. Go put on your boots and I’ll grab our jackets.”

“Yes, sir!” And within ten minutes, they were in the truck heading toward the ranch. He’d been wanting to find some time to do this with Cody and when Blake Charles called yesterday, asking if he could bring by the buyer interested in the property, Garrett thought it a good opportunity.

Mr. McNally was motivated and Blake didn’t want to discourage the man by putting him off until after Christmas. Garrett didn’t think the house was ready for viewing, but he’d agreed because the timing was perfect. He’d be gone most of the afternoon with Cody and the house would be empty.

Cody was so excited about riding today he couldn’t keep still in his car seat.

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