Cowboy Unwrapped

“Dinner’s at six-thirty,” Finn said. “Tuna casserole.”

“Hot damn. I’ll be back in time.” He left them, rounded the truck and climbed in behind the wheel, but he didn’t pull away until the Christmas lights had winked out. Only then did the muscles in his neck and shoulders relax. Disaster averted.

The road into Sheridan had been recently plowed so he made good time, accompanied by the sultry voice of Amethyst Ferguson on his truck stereo. In his opinion she sounded way better than Katy Perry or Taylor Swift, but then again, he could be prejudiced. And he still hadn’t decided what to do about her. Initially he’d planned to send her a text saying he’d be in town for a few days, but then he’d reconsidered.

He’d be busy with his foster family and she’d probably be busy with her folks, too, assuming she wasn’t performing somewhere. If she happened to be out of town that would settle his dilemma, but he couldn’t find that out without contacting her. He’d hate knowing she was here only to discover that family obligations would prevent them from having any private time.

And that’s what he was hoping for. Last summer she’d had a gig at a resort in Jackson Hole and he’d caught her final show. Because he hadn’t seen her since their PG-rated dates in high school, he’d invited her for drinks afterward. Sure enough, they’d reignited the spark and had spent the rest of the night in her hotel room.

The sex had been super hot, but they’d agreed that her budding career, his demanding schedule and the miles between Sheridan and Jackson Hole would keep them from meeting on a regular basis. They’d made no definite plans. If she had another gig in Jackson Hole she’d let him know, and if he paid a visit to his foster parents he’d give her a shout.

But this was a special holiday, not some random long weekend. He hadn’t spent Christmas at the Last Chance in years due to his rookie status at the fire station. Finally he could look forward to celebrating with his foster parents and any foster brothers who showed up.

That could turn into a crowd. Because of the holidays, the Thunder Mountain Academy students had cleared out of the log cabins down in the meadow. Finn and Chelsea had likely claimed one and Jake had figured on taking another one but that left two more plus guest rooms in the ranch house.

Although his foster mom used to make a big pot of vegetable soup on Christmas Eve, she’d told him on the phone that she’d decided to have a buffet this year. But the tradition of opening presents after the meal would continue as always. Christmas Day was filled with card games, basketball on TV, snowball fights in the yard and a turkey dinner. He didn’t want to miss any of that.

On the other hand, he’d thought about Amethyst fairly often during these past few months. He’d downloaded all of her music and played it quite a bit. The prospect of seeing her again affected his pulse rate. Imagining another night like they’d spent last summer sent all his blood south.

Yeah, he had a little fixation going on when it came to Amethyst Ferguson, whereas she might have put him right out of her mind. Besides, she’d mentioned sharing a house with her sister and he’d be at the ranch with a whole lot of people around. The cabins were set up with bunk beds, so even if he invited Amethyst to spend the night with him, it wouldn’t be the luxurious and intimate setup they’d had in Jackson Hole.

He should probably forget trying to connect with her and concentrate on enjoying his first Christmas home in years. While Jackson looked great for the holidays, Sheridan had its own small-town charm. He’d always loved how the old-fashioned lampposts looked when they were decorated. As he’d predicted, the hardware store was still open. The extension cords should be in stock but he wondered if the lights would be picked over. If so, they’d just make do with fewer lights.

He found a parking spot and pulled in. Last-minute shoppers with colorful Christmas bags hurried along the sidewalk. He was glad for an excuse to come into town and be part of the bustling scene. Thanks to his foster parents and his years at Thunder Mountain, he’d learned to love the season.

Displays of gift ideas dominated the front of the store and he paused to look at a selection of smoke alarms. Last time he’d visited the ranch he’d worried that the ones in the house weren’t top of the line. If he bought these for the folks, then he wouldn’t have to announce that the extension cords were his gift and Cade could save face. Matter of fact, he could buy smoke alarms for everyone on his list. An extra one was always helpful and then he wouldn’t have to come back into town tomorrow to Christmas shop.

“Typical fireman, mesmerized by the beauty of smoke alarms.”

He turned around and there stood Amethyst with a smile on her face and a sparkle of laughter in her blue eyes. She wore a red knit cap pulled over her dark hair and a red coat with a furry collar. His heart kicked into high gear and he couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

“Thought you could sneak into town, did you?” There was a teasing note in her voice.

He remembered how she liked to tease, especially in bed. “No! I was going to contact you, but then I thought about your family and how you probably wouldn’t have time, so—”

“I understand.” Her gaze gentled. “I was kidding you. It’s not like we had an ironclad agreement. Christmas is busy.”

“But I’d love to spend time with you.” He couldn’t help saying it. She looked more beautiful than ever and he had vivid memories of how she felt in his arms. He wanted her there again.

“I’d love to spend time with you, too.” The flicker of awareness in her eyes sent an unmistakable message.

It went straight to his groin. “But I don’t know when. Tonight’s out. I just got here.”

“I couldn’t anyway. Family dinner.”

“And tomorrow night’s Christmas Eve. That’s a big deal at the ranch. Maybe you’d like to come out there?”

“That’s a possibility. Our big celebration is on Christmas Day. But I’d need to check with my folks and see what’s planned. You know how it is.”

“Absolutely. That’s why I didn’t contact you. I knew it could be dicey.”

“True, but there has to be some free time.” She brightened. “Maybe tomorrow during the day?”

He was encouraged by her eagerness to see him. “I have some stuff to do with the guys in the morning, but how about tomorrow afternoon? If you’d be willing to drive out to the ranch in the early afternoon, we could—” He thought fast. “Go for a sleigh ride. How about that?”

“Sounds like fun! What time?”

“Let’s say around two. That’ll give me time to get the sleigh hitched up.” And find one somewhere. Thunder Mountain didn’t have one, but surely someone in the area would. A sleigh ride down the snowy Forest Service road sounded like a terrific holiday idea—lots of blankets and maybe some privacy.

“Great. I’ll be there. Listen, I have to go. I saw you walk in here and followed you so I could say hi, but my sister’s coming into town tonight and—”

“Coming into town? I thought she was living with you.”

“Not anymore. I have another woman sharing the house.”

“Oh.” That didn’t help.

“But she’s gone for the holidays.”

That perked him up fast. “Is that right?”

Amethyst laughed. “You should see your face.”

“Sorry. It’s just that—”

“I know.” Merriment danced in her blue eyes. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Maybe we can work something out.” Grabbing his arm for balance, she stood on tiptoe and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. “See you then.” She turned and left the store.

He wasn’t sure how long he stood there gazing after her while his fevered brain processed her brief but potent kiss and the information about her absent roommate. Okay, so she had to be with her family during the bulk of the holiday, but at some point she’d go home to bed. He’d be with his peeps at Thunder Mountain, but once everyone was sleeping, it wouldn’t matter whether he was there or not.

“Sir, can I help you with something?”

He snapped out of his daze and turned toward the hardware store clerk. “Yes, you sure can. For starters I’ll take...let me see...seven of these smoke alarms and if you have holiday bags to put them in that would be great.” Now that he’d be seeing Amethyst he might as well get her one.

The clerk stacked them into the crook of his arm. “I’ll take these up to the counter. Our store bags have a little holly on them.”

“That’ll do. I also need several outdoor extension cords and whatever LED Christmas lights you have left.”

“We moved all the cords and lights to the Christmas decoration section against the far wall.”

“Thanks.”

“Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Do you know anyone with a sleigh for rent?”

“You mean like a business that provides sleigh rides? I think one of the guest ranches is offering—”

“No, not the whole ride. I have access to a horse. I just need the sleigh.”