Roping Her Christmas Cowboy

“You can tell Mills that Ted Bayliss is long gone from my life with no lingering regrets. It wouldn’t have worked. But if my brother hears that from you, he’ll believe it. I don’t know if you’ve figured it out yet, but you’re more or less the final word with him. I’ll reveal one more secret in case you weren’t aware. The great Toly Clayton was always his idol.”

So many revelations at one time had made Toly’s night, particularly the knowledge that she was no longer hung up on the man who, according to Mills, she’d come close to marrying.

The way he was feeling right now, he was ready to rope the steers lined up for the next ten nights at unheard-of speeds. Talk about leaping tall buildings in a single bound—

He got out of the car. “Thanks for bringing me back. I’ll follow you to your hotel to make sure you get there safely. Looking like you do, you need a bodyguard.”

“That’s heady talk.” She flashed him a smile that sent his pulse skyrocketing before he shut the door and got into his car. During dinner he never expected to see a smile like that from her again.

Toly turned on the engine and followed her all the way to the Cyclades Hotel. He waited while she parked her car in the lot. After finding a space nearby, he got out of his to walk her to the entrance.

“You don’t have to do this, Toly.”

Yes, he did. She looked like a miracle of femininity. He wanted to be with her as long as possible. “I feel like it.”

“Thank you,” she said when they reached the doors.

“Good night, Nikki. Don’t forget dinner tomorrow. I’ll see you after the vet leaves the stalls.”

“Sounds good.” There was a moment of hesitation before she turned to walk inside. He wondered if she’d wanted to invite him to her room to talk some more, but had controlled the impulse.