Page 56 of The Cowboy's Christmas
“I’ll walk you home,” Savannah said.
Her uncle got out of his chair, doing his best to hide his grimace of pain. “I’m going to bed,” he said—bed still being the recliner, which was easier on his ribs.
Quinn waited at the door while Savannah retrieved her insulated coat from the mudroom, then the two of them stepped out into the crisp winter air.
Neither said a word as they walked toward the barn, their boots making squeaking sounds in the snow. The air stung Savannah’s nostrils, but she barely noticed.
When they reached the door to the living quarters, Quinn asked if she wanted to come inside. Savannah shook her head.
“You have nothing to discuss? You’re literally walking me home.”
“I have a few things to say,” she replied. But nothing that involved needing to get out of the weather. “I want to thank you for being here to help on the ranch and for…understanding.” She pushed her hands into her pockets, but it wasn’t because she was cold.
“Glad to do it.”
“I know,” she said, studying the lines of his face. He was happy to help, as long as he wasn’t threatened with help in return. “Decorating the tree was different than I thought it would be. It wasn’t flashback city.”
“I’m glad.”
There had been a dicey moment when Sophie had pulled out the box with her and Matt’s first ornaments, which they’d chosen together at the jewelry store, with the idea of adding to them every year until they had a collection to split between their children and grandchildren.
They had three.
“Along that line, when we go to Marietta tomorrow”—because Quinn had made it clear that he fully intended on going with them—“I would appreciate it if you guys didn’t hover or keep watching me.”
Like they had done tonight. She’d felt like a spotlight had been shining on her.
“I didn’t mean to.”
“I know, and I appreciate the concern, but…I can do this.”
Seeing Matt’s metal wreaths, remembering how proud he was of them, wasn’t going to be easy, but it was part of accepting her life as it now was.
She wasn’t going to confess that, however, because if she did, she had a feeling that she’d be closely watched despite promises to the contrary. So instead, she stepped closer to Quinn and slid her hands around his neck at the same time his hands came to rest at her waist. He looked down at her, the expression in his gray-green eyes hard to read. But he wasn’t stepping back, and she felt his body stir against hers.
Still he did not step back.
Savannah locked her hand behind his neck and met his lips as his head came down. This kiss was different. Their first two kisses had suggested that things could get hot between them, but this one proved it as their mouths fused together and their hands traveled over too many layers of clothing.
Savannah pulled in a shaky breath when their lips parted.
Wow.
Her little voice expressed both awe and concern. Savannah batted back the concern.
“I think I will come inside,” she said. Her breath crystallized as she spoke, but Savannah didn’t feel cold in the least.
Quinn brought his forehead down to touch hers, before saying gently, “It might be best if you don’t.”
Wait. What?
Savannah took a step back, her hands sliding down the front of his coat as her cheeks started to burn. “That’s honest.”
“I want things honest.”
Was that a note of warning in his voice? If so, whose honesty was he concerned about?
“Right.” She stepped back. “I’m headed back now.”
