Page 8 of Her Cowboy Santa
I’m not sure how long the drive from the airport is. I offered to drive, but Nate shook his head. “You must be exhausted from traveling all day. Let me.”
He finally points to an exit sign. “There’s a tavern. We’re about an hour from the ranch. I thought you and Danny might like to freshen up and get some food in you.”
“I’m not hungry,” I tell him even though we’ve been traveling all day. Nate has gone out of his way to be kind to me, and I don’t want to take advantage of him. Someone with a heart like his has probably been used and treated poorly in the past. It’s always those with the biggest, kindest hearts that carry the most scars. “But Danny could use a bottle.”
He pulls off the interstate. “Come in with me. I hate eating alone.”
After we’re seated, I take Danny to the bathroom. I get him some diaper ointment for the rash on his bottom and put on his cutest little outfit, the one with a pun about reindeer.
When I’m done, I inspect my appearance in the mirror. My hair is a mess, and my makeup is smudged. I do my best to fix what I can.
I’m feeling a little more human by the time I leave the bathroom. I’m still exhausted, but Nate took an incredibly stressful situation and made it bearable.
Maybe it’s my imagination, but I could almost think that his eyes light up when I return. He’s already ordered two hot chocolates, one of them on my side of the table.
He stands and holds out my chair for me. He just does that because he knows it’s hard to juggle a baby. Not because he’s thinking of this as a date.
We settle into our seats and before we can start a conversation, the waitress appears. She’s an elderly woman with a twinkle in her gaze and the kind of laugh lines around her eyes that tell me she’s spent her life looking for those joyful moments and cherishing them.
Nate orders the stew for himself.
She turns to me, but I wave her away. “I’m fine with just the hot chocolate.”
He frowns at me. “Do you like stew?”
“I do,” I admit, my cheeks heating. I wasn’t expecting him to put me on the spot like this.
“They make the best stew in four counties here.” He turns his attention to the waitress. “Better make it two. And can we get some of those dinner rolls?”
“You betcha.” She gives him a wink that doesn’t seem flirty before disappearing into the kitchen.
He can make friends with anyone. He’s been so considerate since the moment he met us, and a girl could get the wrong idea if she didn’t remind herself that he’s only here to help out Mary.
What Nate thinks of me doesn’t really matter. He’ll probably leave the second he drops us off tonight. The thought makes my stomach hurt. But maybe that’s why he’s here. Nate was meant to be my Christmas miracle, the person who restored my faith that there are still good people in the world.
“Callie,” my name sounds sweet on Nate’s lips. “Look at me.”
He slides his hand across the table, holding it up in an offering. I don’t even hesitate before I let him take mine. Holding his hand feels so right, just like it did the moment we met. “I like taking care of you.”
My cheeks heat. There’s no denying this attraction between us anymore. I can see on his face that we both feel it. “I’ve never been the type of girl who needs that, but I kind of like it when you take over.”
He nods, his next words making me melt into a puddle. “Good, then relax and let me provide everything you need right now.”
Chapter 5
Callie
The closer we get to the Naughty List Ranch, the more the butterflies in my stomach tumble around. I’m so nervous, and it has nothing to do with meeting my future employers, and everything to do with the handsome cowboy beside me. From the moment he met me, he’s been taking care of me and looking out for both of us.
I know he’s kind. He’s probably just the type of man who’s used to being in charge. But I can’t deny the way my stomach swooped when he took my hand and said, “Relax and let me provide everything you need right now.”
When he said that, I thought about other needs I’d like him to meet. Needs that involve being a desirable woman, having his hands all over me, and hearing his quiet groans in the throes of pleasure.
It’s ridiculous because I’ve never been the type of woman to have a fling. I’ve always been the type that wanted a ring and promises of forever. But look how that turned out. I was foolish with too many stars in my eyes.
Nate pulls the truck into the driveway, and the sight stuns me. It’s a huge two-story ranch, lit up against the dark winter sky. There’s not a single inch of it missing Christmas lights. There must be thousands of bulbs here and each one twinkles in perfect rhythm as if to welcome visitors.
I gasp in surprise and delight. If there were ever a Christmas postcard of the perfect holiday getaway, it should be a picture of this beautiful ranch.
