Wearing jeans and a simple red sweater, I pulled up in front of the cabins just before one in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. To say that I was as excited as a kid at Christmas accurately depicted my emotions. Thanks to my friendship with Garrett, this ranch had started to feel like home.
Garrett waved from the porch of what would be my cabin for the next few days. I hoped my friendship with him would last a long time, and not just because he could fill out a pair of jeans better than any other man in this hemisphere. Would I still wish I hadn’t made myself that promise if he’d been average looking? Probably. What I liked most about Garrett was the way he made me feel, and his looks had little to do with that.
He opened my car door. “You planning to stay or just going to sit in the car for a while?”
“Merry Christmas!” I opted to pretend that I hadn’t been staring at him. “I can’t remember being this excited about Christmas since . . . forever.” I hugged him.
“How were things at the shop this morning? I’m sorry I didn’t make it over there.” He kept me close a few heartbeats longer than normal.
“It was busy. I was really glad I opened today. There wasn’t much left, but I dropped off the last few dozen at the fire station.”
He grabbed my bag from the back seat. “I know they appreciate that.”
“Tessa, you made it!” Ava smiled as she climbed out of her truck, which I hadn’t even heard pull up. “Would you be up for making Christmas cookies with us?”
“Sure.” I glanced at Garrett. “Is that all right with you? We don’t have to be anywhere until five.”
“Absolutely fine by me. I’ll take your bag inside if you want to ride over with Ava.”
“Thanks.” I buckled into the passenger seat and watched as Garrett waved before walking inside.
“He’s a gem.” Ava pressed a hand to her heart. “I’m so glad he found his way to the ranch. He belongs here.”
“He is just as happy that he found all of you.” I pulled a scrunchie out of my purse and tied my hair up. “What kind of cookies are we making?”
“Mexican wedding cookies, sugar cookies—I have cookie cutters in all sorts of shapes—and some peppermint chocolate chunk cookies. Most of the ranch hands go home for Christmas, but a few of them are from around here. I try to keep them all well fed.” Christmas spirit emanated off her like an energy force. “For a couple, this is their home.” She pointed at one of the houses up the hill. “Kent lives up there next to me. You’ve met his son, haven’t you? I’m not sure who is most excited about Christmas this year—Beau or Mason.”
“Garrett mentioned that Kent lived out here with his son. I know all the guys appreciate you. I’ve heard you do a wonderful job of not only keeping them fed, but happy as well.”
Her eyes misted. “I want all of them to be happy. That’s why I’m so glad you decided to spend Christmas here.”
I nodded, not sure how to respond.
She hopped out of the truck and motioned for me to follow. “They’re meeting us in the dining hall.”
When we walked through the door, Lilith and Joji waved from the counter.
Then Joji ran over to greet me. “We were hoping you’d come bake with us. I can only stay for a bit because I have to get everything ready for tomorrow. I’m having a houseful.”
Lilith laughed. “I got off easy this year. Ava’s cooking for everyone who will be at my house.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” I accepted the apron Ava held out. “What should I do?”
“We have a batch of sugar cookies waiting to be decorated. Stars and Christmas trees. You can decorate those, or you can make dough for one of the other kinds.” Ava tapped recipes lying on the counter.
“I’ll decorate.”
She motioned toward ingredients sitting out. “I’m guessing you have a good icing recipe. If not, there is one in this pile here.”
“I have a great icing recipe.” I found a bowl and what I needed before mixing up a batch.
While I colored small bowls of icing, Lilith, Joji, and Ava mixed cookie dough.
They chatted as they worked, and I enjoyed listening to their stories. Their friendship reminded me of my friendship with Delaney and Cami, and I smiled at the thought we’d still be friends years from now. Of that I had no doubt.
“You know how she met Beau, don’t you?” Ava pointed at Lilith.
“I don’t, actually.” I added tiny strands of icing and colorful dots so that the trees looked like they were draped with lights.
“He picked her up off the side of the road.”
I dropped the bag of icing. “He what?”
Lilith nodded. “Car trouble. Beau rescued me.”
Ava bumped her shoulder against Lilith’s. “That first night I knew Beau and Lilith were meant for each other. I’d never seen Beau so happy. And I’d known him nearly all his life.”
“Some things are just meant to be. Like me making his life difficult.” Lilith leaned toward me, acting as if she were going to whisper. “I wasn’t open to the idea of a relationship in the beginning, so I took my attraction out on Beau.”
Ava nodded. “She did. Acted like she hated him.”
“What else was I supposed to do? I’d sworn off men, and Beau was hotter than the afternoon sun in August.” Lilith shook her rolling pin. “But then I wised up.”
I could relate to those feelings. Not that I thought Beau was hot, but even a glance from his son made my heart go pitter patter. “What changed your mind?”
The ladies grinned at each other, then answered in unison. “Christmas lights and a ladder.”
“What sort of trouble are y’all cooking up in here? Does someone need the lucky ladder?” Clint grinned as he walked toward the counter.
Joji spun around and wiped her hands on her apron. “Hey there, handsome. You ready to head back to the farm?”
He nodded. “I am.”
She untied her apron and handed it to Ava. “Merry Christmas. I’ll catch y’all later.”
Clint scooped her up, and Joji laughed as they left the room.
Lilith nodded toward the door. “If you ask Joji what a fifty-year-old woman is doing acting that way, you know what she’ll tell you?”
“What’s that?”
“Enjoying herself.”
More laughter erupted.
Ava moved into Joji’s spot and cut out more cookies. It was funny to see them so giddy.
She was busy asking Lilith about how the venue was doing when Mad Dog stepped into the room. With her back to the door, Ava didn’t see him.
He put a finger to his lips and crept up behind her. When he slid his arms around her waist and kissed her neck, she squealed.
“Mad Dog!” She flushed pink.
“Who else would be greeting you that way?” He picked up a decorated Christmas tree. “Being Ava’s husband makes me the official taste tester.”
“What do you need, love?” She kissed his cheek, then went back to cutting out cookies.
“Just got back from Jeffrey’s and wanted to see you. I’m headed home in a sec.” He picked up another cookie. “These are good. But I probably shouldn’t eat them all right now. See y’all later.” Whistling, he strolled out of the room.
Lilith glanced back at the door as he left. “Since Ava ratted on me, I’ll tell you about her. Instead of facing her attraction, she pretended they were only friends.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “That was just as bad as your acting like you hated Beau.”
My goal was not to think about my friendship with Garrett, and these ladies were not helping.
It was after nine when we left the Gallaghers’ house and almost ten when we parked in front of the cabins.
“That was fun.” Garrett shut off the engine.
“Aunt Patsy is always a wonderful hostess. I’m glad you went with me.”
He ran around and opened my door. “You’re probably exhausted.”
“All the excitement has me feeling more awake than expected. You want to come in for a bit?” I nodded toward the door.
“I’d like that for two reasons. One, I like spending time with you, and two, I’d like to give you your gift tonight.” He studied my face. “If that’s okay.”
There was no discomfort in having him close. The way he looked at me sent a rush of desire through my veins, but that was attraction, and I was all too familiar with that emotion. It seemed so at home in my head, I considered giving it a decorating budget.
I reached up and straightened his collar. “Of course it’s okay.” I’d expected to exchange gifts with lots of other people around, but I liked his idea better. “I have yours too.”
Garrett’s hand bumped mine as we walked toward the stairs, and all the stories I’d heard earlier in the day flooded my mind. It was easy to see how happy the ladies were, but none of them had given me the formula for getting past my fear. I wasn’t sure there was a cure for that.
We walked into the cabin, and I scanned the main room. “It looks a lot like your place. But I don’t remember curtains across the back of your living room.”
“Mine doesn’t have those.” He took my hand. “Close your eyes.”
I did as he asked and let him lead me across the room. The curtains moved along the rod. Then a door opened.
“Some might think this is a strange gift, but I’m hoping you like it. Obviously.” He squeezed my hand. “You can open your eyes.”
I opened them and gasped. “A hot tub!”
“I couldn’t exactly set one up in the middle of your apartment, so it’s here at this cabin whenever you want to use it.” He pressed a key into my hand. “Merry Christmas, Tessa.”
Privacy screens blocked the view of the cabins on each side, making the space feel as private as the hot tub at the house in San Antonio.
“You built all this for me?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I did. I started working on plans for it while we were at the house. This was my side project.”
My heart raced, and my chest tightened. What I’d gotten him didn’t compare to this at all.
“Tessa?” He hesitantly pulled one hand out of his pocket.
I stepped closer to him, wanting to bury my face in his chest and knowing I shouldn’t. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You could say that you hate it, and you want me to send it back. Or . . .” He inched closer. “You could say that you like it and invite me to join you for a friendly soak in the hot tub.”
I latched onto the word friendly. That word would get me through the next two weeks. Part of me wanted that word to last forever.
“No one has ever given me such an amazingly thoughtful gift. I love it.” I hugged him, and his other hand came out of his pocket in a fraction of a second. “Now I know why Delaney suggested I pack my swimsuit just in case.”
Garrett grinned. “I wrangled a few elves to help with the surprise. Like Ava, who made sure you were away from the cabin this afternoon while I finished installing the screens.”
I gave him another quick hug. “Go get your swimsuit on.”
He strode toward the door.
“Wait!”
Alarm registered on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, but you need to open your gift. I almost forgot that part. It’s in my bag.”
He pointed toward the bedroom. “I put it in there.”
I rushed into the room and found another gift on the bed. My name was on the tag. “What’s this?”
“Another present.” He leaned against the door frame. “Open it, and you’ll understand.”
I tore off the paper but froze when I saw the logo of Delaney’s store on the box. Just thinking about lingerie had Skeeter’s words blaring in my head. Inching backward away from the bed, I bumped into Garrett.
He rested his hands on my shoulders. “You can trust me, Tessa.”
I glanced back at him. “I know.”
Trusting Garrett was instinctive. He wasn’t like Skeeter. Garrett wasn’t the type to cheat. That only made this harder. I found someone I could trust, and he was the last person in the world I wanted to disappoint.
Also, I wanted to believe Delaney wouldn’t have set me up to be blindsided with something lacy or see-through.
“I’m glad you trust me.” His voice was almost a whisper.
I pulled off the lid and lifted the white fuzzy robe out of the box. “This looks exactly like the one at the house.” I buried my face in the soft fabric. “You thought of everything.”
“A reminder of that week. And of our friendship.”
I dropped the robe onto the bed and pulled his gift out of my bag. “I was going to put a bow on it tonight, but I guess it doesn’t matter if there is a bow.”
He tore away the green and red striped paper. “You bought me a cowboy hat.”
“I had an elf help me guess the sizing.”
He set it on his head. “It’s perfect. And now I know why the guys made a game of putting their hats on my head the other day. Clint’s hat made me look like I was five.”
“It looks good on you.” That was the friendly way of saying that he looked hotter than a tater tot in a fryer.
“Thanks.” His blue eyes twinkled. “I’ll meet you back here in five minutes. Should I wear my hat?”
“While it makes you look like a cowboy, I’d hate for it to get wet.”
“True. Wouldn’t want to ruin it.” He pulled me close. “Thank you. I love it.”
I circled my arms around his waist and buried my head in his chest. “Merry Christmas, Garrett.”
He rubbed my back. “Merry Christmas.”
A short time later, we eased into the warm bubbly water, and I sat next to him rather than in his lap.
“I think I’m going to be over here a lot.” I lifted my legs until my toes popped out of the water. “This feels incredible.”
“I’m glad to hear it. And I know it’s farther from the shop and that the kitchen here is smaller, but you can live here if you want.” He stared at the bubbles. “You said you loved it here on the ranch.”
“I’ll think about that.” I definitely wouldn’t be making a decision on that before the wedding.
“No pressure.” He bumped his feet against mine. “Whatever makes you happy.”
I couldn’t think about what made me happy right now. That was off limits.
Christmas morning arrived way too early. I’d spent a large chunk of the night trying not to think about what made me happy. And I’d failed. But today was a new day.
Without changing out of my jammies, I yanked on tennis shoes and a coat. As I stepped out the front door, Garrett walked out of his cabin.
“Perfect timing.” He wore cowboy boots and his hat with his flannel jammies, and it was a sight.
“If we are the only ones in jammies over there, I’m not going to laugh.” I pulled my coat closed as he opened the door of the truck.
“I’ll laugh, but that’s not going to be the case. Dad said he was changing back into his when we left the barn just a bit ago.” He ran around and slid in behind the wheel.
“You’ve already been up and working.”
“I helped this morning since we are down a few ranch hands.” He parked in front of the house. “But Christmas morning is pretty casual around here. We’ll go change before we have Christmas dinner later this afternoon.”
I followed Garrett into the main house, and Beau met us at the door.
“Hey.” His voice was almost a whisper. “Look over there.” He pointed into the eating area.
Blue lay on the floor, and a large cat hung over the side of a chair, flipping its tail in Blue’s face.
“Princess cracks me up.” Beau chuckled.
“Princess, I take it, is the cat and not a pet name for Lilith.” I watched as Blue twitched his ear, his only recognition of the cat’s presence.
Beau’s chuckle morphed into a full laugh. “I wonder what would happen if I called her that.”
Garrett shook his head as he kicked off his boots. “Lilith’s cat is funny. She is some sort of exotic, and she acts like she can’t stand Blue, but anytime that dog’s inside, she is right by him, trying to get his attention.”
Beau nodded. “Blue is mostly an outside dog, but it’s cold. And it’s Christmas. Also, don’t let the ear twitch fool you. He’s thrilled to get her attention. He just acts like it’s no big deal.”
“What are y’all going on about?” Ava stepped inside.
“We were discussing Princess and Blue’s complicated friendship.” Beau moved out of the way. “Come on in. I made coffee. Lilith should be out in a minute.”
We all gathered near the kitchen island, and coffee mugs were passed around.
“Once everyone gets here, we’ll go sit by the tree.” Ava shuffled around the kitchen in her slippers, turning on the oven and pulling food out of the fridge. “The breakfast casseroles should be done when we finish opening gifts.”
While they talked in the kitchen, I wandered over to the Christmas tree. Laughter rang out behind me, and I was glad I’d chosen to be here . . . even if it made my friendship with Garrett even more complicated.
Growing up an only child, Christmas was usually quiet. Not this house. Several ranch hands lounged in their jammies, including Kent, who had the cutest kid. I’d seen Mason in the doughnut shop with Ava before, but now the pieces all fit together.
People chatted in small clusters as we sipped coffee and waited until it was time to open gifts.
Mad Dog smiled as he followed his daughter inside. “Sorry we’re late. Poppy’s plane was delayed.”
Mason, who had shown immense patience this morning, darted across the room and jumped into Poppy’s arms. “Merry Christmas!”
This was one huge happy family. Being a part of something like this would be—I wasn’t allowed to think about that. After sucking in a deep breath, I counted to five, hoping all the unallowed thoughts would swoosh out with the air when I exhaled.
My plan didn’t work.
Garrett ran his knuckles down my arm. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just . . . happy. With everyone here, it feels so festive. Like family.”
He patted my leg. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Mason dragged Poppy and Mad Dog toward the Christmas tree. “Let’s open gifts.”
“Great idea.” Poppy handed him a present. “Why don’t you start?”
And with that, the gift giving began.
Watching the paper piling up near the tree and hearing the laughter made the day perfect.
When all the presents under the tree had been passed around, Lilith stuffed wrapping paper into a trash bag. “I think that’s it.”
Garrett stood. “I have one more. Let me grab it.” He ran outside and returned seconds later. “Dad, this is for you.” He handed Beau an envelope.
Beau’s brow knitted as he lifted the flap and pulled out the single sheet of paper. His blue eyes misted as he read. When he looked up, he smiled and blinked away the tears. “You changed your name.”
“You’re my dad, and this is my home.” Garrett wrapped his arms around Beau.
I wiped at tears as others gathered around Garrett, hugging him and patting him on the back. No one acted as if he were barging in where he wasn’t wanted. And the permanence of changing his name was truly a gift to his dad. That was clear.
Beau stood up. “Breakfast is in just a few minutes.” He crossed the room and sat beside me. “Parker mentioned you like to ride.”
“I do. It’s been a while, but I love horseback riding.”
“Good. Come with me.” He tapped Garrett’s arm. “You too. Let’s head outside.” Beau pointed at the door. “Lilith, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
When we got outside, Beau climbed into the back seat of Garrett’s truck. Following his lead, we got into the truck.
Garrett pulled away from the house and headed in a direction I hadn’t been. Three minutes later, we stopped outside a barn. Beau hadn’t told Garrett where to go, which had to mean that he was in on the surprise.
Beau opened my door after getting out. “I hope you’re enjoying Christmas. It can get a bit crazy around here. In a good way. I love it. It’s my favorite holiday.”
“I’m loving every minute. And I’m thankful I could be here.”
Smiling, Garrett slid open the barn door.
Beau walked up to a stall, and a speckled horse stuck its nose over the side. “Merry Christmas, Tessa. This is Sprinkles.”
I must’ve blinked twenty times before the words registered. “You’re giving me a horse?”
“Yes. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for my family. You and Garrett are friends, but the way I see it, you’re family.” He stroked the horse’s nose. “We’ll keep her here and feed her.”
With my arms wrapped around myself, I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.
He glanced at Garrett. “Does the quiet mean she likes it?”
Nodding, I hugged Beau. “I love her. And I can’t wait to ride.” I wiped my eyes as I backed up. “But the family part means the most. Thank you.”
He rubbed my shoulder. “Good. I’m going to head back on the Mule. Y’all take as long as you need.” Blinking, he strode out of the barn.
Garrett wrapped his arms around me. “In case you haven’t figured it out, everyone here on the ranch loves you.”
I closed my eyes and let his words sink into my bones. “When I helped you, I wasn’t trying to score points or . . .”
He leaned down to whisper in my ear. “I know, Tessa. You were just being you.”
I kept my head against Garrett’s chest, acknowledging what made me happy. He did.
“He bought me a horse!” I clenched Garrett’s shirt in my fists. “Do you think we’ll have time to ride today?” Sorely tempted to kiss Garrett, I stepped away from him and kissed my horse instead.
“We should eat first. Then we’ll ride.” He bumped my shoulder. “Have you ever gone horseback riding in your jammies?”
“I haven’t. But there’s a first time for everything.”