Mistletoe & Marriage: Snowbound Cowboy

She nodded. “They’ve both been there for me and my son.”

“From what I gather from Jesse, his dad hasn’t been in his life.”

Amelia never explained her life to strangers. She’d never needed to before. “It’s no secret that I never married Jesse’s father. When Russ found out I was pregnant, he took off. Never heard from him again.”

“You must have been pretty young.”

She glanced away. “And naive. It’s funny how easy it is to let love cloud your judgment. Yet, at nineteen, I’m not sure we even know what it is.”

“Love can do that to you.”

Something in his low tone of voice caused her to turn around. “Sounds like you have your own experiences.”

He shrugged. “Past history. I found out in time.”

Amelia could see a flash of hurt. She wanted to reach out to him, but she held back. “Were you married?”

His dark eyes met hers. “No, but we planned to, before I lost the ranch.”

“She left you?”

His jaw tightened. “I don’t blame her. I didn’t have anything to offer her.”

“Don’t say that. You had love. She should have stood by you. Together you could have worked to get it back. That’s what love is, working for a future.” She crossed her arms. “Well, you’re lucky to be rid of her.”

An easy smile crossed his face. “You are fierce when riled. Remind me never to cross you.”

“I’m sorry. It just seems that so many people just walk away when things get too rough. A commitment means sticking it out through the hard times as well as the good times.” She blinked at the sudden tears welling in her eyes. “You had to be devastated, losing your home, then someone you love. I’m sorry.” She moved away, swiping at the rush of tears. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

He touched her arm. “No, Amelia. Please, you have no reason to be sorry.” He came closer. “Besides, it was a long time ago. I don’t think about Kendra anymore.”

“Good. She doesn’t deserve your time.”

“God, Amelia. I wish…”

His dark gaze held hers, and Amelia knew it could be trouble. She wanted to blame what she was feeling on the storm and their being thrown together.

“If only I had met someone like you,” Boone began.

“Yeah, right. A single mother with a child. Not that I’ve been pining after Russ after all these years. I haven’t. It took a while, but I realized I don’t need a man to make me complete. Of course, that doesn’t mean men are exactly beating down my door.”

“Then, they aren’t worth your time. And they sure don’t deserve you. If things were different—”

Amelia held up a hand. She didn’t need to hear his reasons why he couldn’t be that man. “It’s okay, Boone.”

She started to move away, but he stopped her. “I was about to say there are things you don’t know about me. And there’s also the fact that you live in Montana and I live in Texas.”

Three hours later Boone was in his room. Restless, he’d done a fifteen-minute workout, hoping exhaustion would help him sleep. He should be used to the confinement after living and working on the oil platform, except there he had television and other guys to talk to.

All he had here was a five-year-old boy and one beautiful woman, making him realize what was missing in his life. And tonight he nearly stepped over the line. Just touching Amelia’s softness had him reeling with need. It had taken everything in him to keep from dragging her into his arms and kissing her senseless. Great, he was turning into some sex-starved maniac.

Boone suddenly heard the puppies’ cries. He hurried to the pantry, hoping they hadn’t woken up anyone else in the house. Amelia was already there. She was leaning over the box. He started to move away, but she turned toward him.

“Seems they want some attention.” She stroked the tiny animal in her hands.

Boone couldn’t resist and sank down beside her, trying not to notice as his leg rubbed against hers. He scratched Izzy’s head, then gently scooped up one of her crying babies. “You know, you’re spoiling them,” he told her.

“Everyone needs some spoiling. Besides, I don’t get to keep them long. All these precious babies will be in other homes soon.”

He smiled down at the now-sleeping chocolate-colored pup. He wouldn’t mind having one of these himself. He shook away the thought. It would be another connection to Amelia Hughes, and give him a reason to keep in touch. She probably wouldn’t want to when she learned the truth about him.

Amelia propped her back against the shelves that stored canned goods. Boone did the same on the other side. Even though the small closet was cold, it wasn’t bad, or was it the fact she warmed his blood whenever she got near him?

“Jesse asleep?” he asked.

She nodded. “He fought it for a long time, but lost in the end. Thank you for helping burn off some of his energy earlier.”

“He does seem to have a lot to burn, doesn’t he?”

“Always had.” Amelia smiled as if she were remembering. “Even as a baby. He crawled at five months, and was walking before he was a year old.” She continued to stroke the puppy. “I guess I should say running. He hasn’t stopped since.”

“He’s a fine boy, Amelia. Any man would be proud to have him for a son.”

“Thank you.” Her smile faded. “There are times when I think I’ve cheated Jesse, with him not having a father.”

This was the time he could tell her. “Earlier you said the boy’s father was never in his life. Have you explained why to Jesse?”

She shook her head, but didn’t seem angry at the question. “Somewhere around the age of four he began asking about his daddy. I only told him that he lived somewhere else. Then this year he went off to kindergarten and discovered all the other kids had fathers.” She glanced at him. “That’s how this silly Christmas wish came about. A little girl on the school bus, Emma Clark, told him to make a wish for one. Jesse took it to heart.” She released a long breath. “I don’t know what’s going to happen when Christmas arrives and he has to face reality.”

“It’s a hard lesson for a little boy. I wish…” He hesitated and looked at her. “I wish things could be different.”

She smiled and his gut tightened with longing.

“You know what they say,” she began “‘If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.’”

He nodded, silently cursing Russ for putting him in this spot, and for waiting so long to contact his son. Now it was too late, and Boone had to bring the bad news to a little boy. “I know I won’t be around much longer, but if you ever need anything for the boy, you can call me.”

Amelia was shocked by Boone’s offer. It also made her look at reality, too. He’d be going back to Texas. “Oh, Boone, that’s sweet of you, but we can’t intrude on your life. Besides, you’ll be so far away.”

“Not that far.” He put the pup back with its mother.

Amelia couldn’t stop looking at his hands. His palms were large and his fingers long and tapered. What would they feel like against her skin? A shiver ran down her spine. She shook away the thought. “But you’ll have your own life.”

“I doubt I’ll have time for a life if I’m busy with a ranch.” He shrugged, his gaze focused on her. “A boy needs a man around when he gets to a certain age.” Then hurried on to say, “That’s not to say you won’t find someone, you’re very attractive. But if you don’t, then you can always call me.”

Amelia’s heart pounded as she put her pup back with Izzy, then bravely leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on Boone’s cheek. She pulled back slightly and swallowed hard. “You’re a sweet man, Boone Gifford.”

The look in his eyes quickly changed as the irises darkened to a smoldering black. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew what I was thinking right now.” His voice was low and husky.