Best Man Under The Mistletoe

Chelsea was just thankful they’d started allowing women to join a few years ago. There was a time when only men were members, but everything had changed when they’d opened the doors and their minds to the ladies.

Chelsea had jumped at the chance to join such an elite club. Who wouldn’t want to be part of all of this? The clubhouse sat on gorgeous acreage, the amenities were absolutely perfect and everyone worth anything in this town was a member. Perhaps that’s why Dusty was never admitted. Chelsea didn’t know him personally, but his actions before his death had proved the guy to be a grade-A bastard.

Settling into an easy rhythm with her horse, Chelsea found a trail and rode off, thankful that with evening falling, there were no other riders. The stables closed at nine, so she had a couple hours to enjoy the open air, the peaceful evening, and to start figuring out her Christmas shopping list because she still had a few people she hadn’t bought for. Online shopping was going to be her best friend in these last days leading up to Christmas.

With all the wedding planning, she’d dropped the ball on—

“And here I thought I’d be all alone.”

Chelsea cringed at the familiar voice, her grip tightening on the reins. “Then take another path.”

Gabe’s laughter floated around her as he came up beside her horse. “Now, what fun would that be?”

His thigh brushed hers as he kept a steady gait. Chelsea didn’t want any part of his body touching hers. Okay, that was a lie, but if she kept repeating it over and over, maybe the words would penetrate her stubborn heart.

“I came out here to think and be alone,” she told him, refusing to look his way. She knew what he looked like—all brooding and sexy—without tormenting herself any further.

“Then by all means, think,” he stated. “You won’t even know I’m here.”

“Are you kidding me?”

She pulled her horse to a stop, not at all surprised when he did the same. Now, she did glance his way. Yup. Just as sexy as two days ago when he’d been wrapped all around her, driving her out of her mind. His black hat shielded his eyes, but not enough that she didn’t see that sexy gleam.

“You think I can have a peaceful moment when you’re right next to me?”

“Well, darlin’, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Chelsea narrowed her eyes. “Why won’t you go away?”

He rested his forearm on the saddle horn and shrugged. “I haven’t seen you for two days. I went by Hope Springs and worked more on the arch, thinking you’d show up and lend a hand, but you never did. I’d say you’ve had plenty of space.”

“Not enough,” she muttered.

“You can’t hide from me forever, Chelsea. We’ve got work to do and this tension between us isn’t going anywhere.”

Why did he have to be so blunt and just lay their attraction right on the table like that? It wasn’t often she was speechless, but the man was bound and determined to throw her off her game, and damn it, it was working.

“You seem angry.” He offered her a killer smile. “I’d say this fresh air will do you some good. Come on. Ride with me and we’ll talk. Not about the dressing room or the fact you want me, and don’t deny it. We’ll do small talk. We can do that, right? The weather is always a good topic, but so predictable. Maybe we could discuss if you’ve put your Christmas tree up yet. I haven’t.”

Was he seriously turning into some chatterbox? She wasn’t going to ride along beside him and talk like he was some girlfriend she was comfortable with. Gabe Walsh made her anything but comfortable.

“I don’t want to engage in small talk with you.” Chelsea pulled the reins and turned her horse back toward the trail. “I can’t stop you from riding, but shut up.”

Again, his laughter swept over her as he came to an easy trot next to her. Chelsea concentrated on the rocking of the horse, the smell of the fresh air, and not the man a mere foot from her.

“There’s something I’ve been curious about.”

She never knew where his thoughts were headed, but it was obvious he was going to keep going no matter what she said, so she just remained quiet.

“Why computers?”

Chelsea turned toward him. “Excuse me?”

“Just wondering why you got into computers.”

She should’ve known he wouldn’t honor her wish for silence. But work she could discuss. That was one topic where he wouldn’t make her a stuttering, turned-on mess of emotions.

“I’ve always been interested in how things work,” she told him. “When I was little, I tried picking locks. I actually got quite good at it by the time I was seven, but then I grew bored. Dad was always talking business, so I knew we were being raised to take over. When I wasn’t learning fast enough, I tried getting into his computer when he was asleep one night. By the time I figured out his password, I’d gotten a little thrill and decided to see what else I could do.”

“How old were you then?”

“Ten.”

Gabe swore under his breath. “And here I’ve pissed you off. Are my bank accounts safe?”

Chelsea couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her lips. “For now.”

“Did your father know you’d gotten into his system?”

“Of course. I was sloppy, as all beginner hackers are.” Chelsea brushed her hair back from her face, wishing she’d thought to put on a headband. “You know, I really don’t like that term. It makes me feel... I don’t know...illegal.”

Gabe tossed her a look with one arched brow. “It pretty much is illegal.”

With a shrug, Chelsea forced her attention to the smooth path in front of her. “Maybe, but I’ve never done anything terrible with my knowledge. I more do things to see how far I can get and to educate myself.”

“So you’ve never done anything risky or wrong?” he asked.

Chelsea pursed her lips. “I may have changed a couple grades when I was in high school.”

“And?” he prompted.

She swallowed. Was she really going to get into this with him?

“I might have hacked into one bank account to add some funds.”

“You think hacking into a bank isn’t illegal or bad?” he asked, obviously shocked at her admission.

“I admit it was wrong, but hindsight won’t change the past.”

Silence settled between them and Chelsea figured she shouldn’t have told him. It was years ago and nobody had ever figured out what she had done. It had been her first real victory and, illegal or not, she wasn’t sorry she’d done it. In fact, she was rather proud of herself.

“Are you going to finish the story or leave me hanging?”

Chelsea came to a stop and glanced toward a nearby cypress grove. Restless energy had her dismounting and tying the reins around a sturdy tree trunk. Gabe did the same and when he propped his hands on his hips and continued to stare at her, she figured she may as well tell him everything.

Five (#u07b717ae-589e-5c3b-aa14-5ee340498864)

Sweet, innocent-looking Chelsea had shocked him, but he was more than ready to hear what she had to say. If she claimed her hacking was for good reason, he believed her. He’d built the foundation of his career on reading people and was pretty confident she wasn’t vindictive. And he wanted to continue spending time with her. She was opening up. Apparently when they weren’t discussing the scandal that had rocked the town, she let her guard slip. He only hoped he could wipe his uncle’s actions out of the picture for good.