Christmas With The Cowboy

Zach immediately regretted opening his big mouth. Emma was everything good and right in the world, and he had managed to dim her light with his special brand of darkness.

“May I see your assignment slips?” The words were clipped and flat.

“Sure.”

He pulled the crumpled papers from his pocket, smoothed them out and glanced at the words. What harm could come from putting up lights and greenery?

“Oh.” She released a long-suffering sigh.

“Oh?”

“You’re on my team.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“There’s no need to apologize.”

“Sure feels like I ought to.” He shrugged. “So where do I start?”

“Excuse me, Emma, Zach. I hate to interrupt.”

Both Zach and Emma turned to find Lucy standing close with a concerned expression.

“What’s wrong?” Emma asked her sister.

“I’ve maxed out. I’m so sorry, but I’m going to have to bail on you.”

“Do you need a ride home?” Zach asked.

“Oh, how sweet of you to offer, but Travis and AJ are dropping me off. They live right down the road.” She glanced around at the room and frowned before she put a hand on Emma’s arm. “I feel horrible leaving you with cleanup.”

“Go, Lucy,” Emma said.

“Are you sure?”

“Cleanup is my specialty. You of all people know how true that is.”

“I’ll help,” Zach said. The words slipped from his mouth before he had a chance to outrun them.

Lucy and Emma turned to him, startled expressions on their faces.

He offered an embarrassed chuckle. “Come on. I think I can handle a little disaster recovery, ladies.”

Emma bit her lip, saying nothing.

When Lucy stood on tiptoes from her five-foot-two-inch height and planted a kiss on his cheek, Zach froze.

“What was that for?” he murmured.

“Just to say thank you.” She offered him and Emma a benevolent smile. “Take good care of my sister.”

“Oh, good grief,” Emma said. “Lucy, will you please go home?”

“I’m going.”

“Call me in the morning to check in,” Emma called after her. “And stay home if you need to.”

“I just might.”

“Good.” Emma grabbed a trash bag.

“Let me help with that.”

“Zach, you really don’t need to stay,” Emma said.

“I’m on your team.”

“That’s the Holiday Roundup.”

“Let me help you get out of here and home to your children.” He paused. “Besides, I just promised your sister...”

She crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the vinyl floor tiles. “Do I look like I need to be taken care of?”