Page 83 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“When were you going to tell me?” Her eyes misted up.

He sighed deeply, looking pained. “Right after Christmas. It literally just happened earlier this week and I…”

“You didn’t want to ruin my Christmas, is that it?”

“Something like that. Cody doesn’t know either.”

“You’re just so good at lying, Garrett. I should’ve known.” A tear spilled down her cheek. She swiped it away quickly.

“I, uh, I was always going to leave.”

“Yeah, I know. So that’s on me. I’m the fool once again. I get it.”

“Nicole, you’re no fool. You’re incredible and things between us just got—”

“Don’t say it, Garrett. It’s fine, really.” She straightened up and looked him in the eye. “I want to go home.”

“Of course, I’ll get your things.”

“No, thanks. I’ll have my parents take me home. It’s better that way.” She spun around and walked away from him. “Good night, Garrett.”

“Nicole?”

She didn’t answer him. She kept on walking until she made her way back into the house. Right now, she needed the love and support of her family and friends. They were the only ones she could really count on.

Chapter Eleven

Christmas eve atthe Russell house always meant honey-baked ham with all the fixings. Tonight, was no different, her mom and dad were a big help in the kitchen, helping her prepare side dishes of mashed potatoes, green beans with almonds, and fresh buttery biscuits.

“Hand me the butter, Mom. I’ll lather up the biscuits.”

Her mother grabbed the butter from the fridge. “Here you go, honey. Those biscuits came out just about perfect, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes, I would say.” She gave her mom a smile.

But both of her parents knew she was hurting inside. They knew she was pretending, and they were happy to pretend along with her. She wasn’t about to give in to temptation and cry her eyes out. That would have to wait until they were on their way home. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin her folks’ holiday. They’d come here to spend Christmas with her and have a good family time.

When the phone rang, she wiped her hands on a dish towel and picked it up on the second ring.

“Hi, sis! Merry Christmas.”

“Sam? Is that you?” He sounded far away, because well, the call was coming from some far away military base. He was serving out the last of his deployment overseas. “Oh, my gosh, it’s so good to hear your voice.”

“It’s good to hear yours too, brat.”

“Mom, Sam called me brat again,” she said, chuckling into the phone. Her parents were right in front of her, waiting on their turn to talk. “Wait, I’ll put you on speaker, so we can all talk.”

“Hi, honey,” her mother shouted into the phone. “Merry Christmas.”

“Mom, you don’t have to shout. He can hear you.”

“I can hear you just fine, Mom.”

“Hey, boy,” her father said. “How’re you doing out there in that desert land?”

“I’m doing okay. Missing the family.”

“Oh, we miss you too,” her mother said.

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