Dylan had just finished putting the chicken in the oven when it was time to pick up Emma from the lodge. A few of the Silver Bells’ housekeeping staff had given the house a good cleaning from top to bottom earlier that day. His nerves were beginning to catch up to him as he gave everything one last perusal before heading out the door.
He pulled up to the lodge’s entrance, driving Jax’s red Wagoneer. It was the only vehicle he had that Emma wouldn’t have to climb up in. Plus, for a car from 1967, it was a sweet ride. He especially loved the bench seats. They were perfect for getting a little closer to your date. Not that they had time to snuggle during the five-minute drive. But this did constitute a date. The first since Lauren. He was ready. And from the looks of her, so was Emma.
Dylan left the truck running as he hopped out and opened the door for her. “You look beautiful.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You didn’t have to wait out here. I would have come in and gotten you.”
“I wasn’t outside for long.” She eased onto the passenger seat. “I recognized Jax’s truck from my visits and I wanted to avoid any more questions. It seems everyone on the ranch knows we are having dinner together.”
Dylan closed her door and ran around to slide in beside her. “Sorry. I hadn’t thought about that when I asked some of the employees to help me freshen up Jax’s house.”
“You didn’t have to go through so much trouble for me.”
He found it next to impossible to focus on his driving. Thank God it was a short trip because all he wanted to do was admire her. She looked different tonight. Not just more put together, but more serene. Her hair fell in soft brown waves around her shoulders. It took every ounce of strength not to run his fingers through them to find out if they felt as soft as they looked.
“Believe me, you wouldn’t want to have seen my uncle’s house before we tackled it.”
“I love this truck.” Emma glanced around the sparse red and charcoal interior. “Especially since I didn’t need a stepladder to get into it.”
He detected a hint of nervousness in her laughter. “It was Jax’s pride and joy.” He parked in front of the log home’s expansive porch and helped her out. “I just thought of something. You’ve probably already seen the house.”
Emma shook her head. “No, actually I haven’t. I always met with your uncle at the lodge. We had figured all dwellings into our proposal, but since the house wasn’t part of the guest quarters, I didn’t feel it was necessary to traipse through it. We planned to use it as an on-site living quarters for our firm while the project was underway and then evaluate its use during that time.”
Dylan held the door open for her as she entered. “I’ve always loved this house. The craftsmanship is impeccable for a place that’s been around for almost a hundred years. It was the first structure on the property.”
Emma’s mouth gaped open at the two-story interior. “This isn’t what I expected at all.” She ran her hands over the smooth golden logs. “I thought it would be much darker inside. This is a surprise. A very pleasant surprise.”
“The chinking needs some TLC here and there, but other than that it’s move-in ready.” Dylan helped her out of her coat. “I know I said this already, but you look beautiful tonight.”
Emma beamed up at him. “I found this great store in town today and I treated myself to something new.” She ran her hands over the feminine, pale-blue sweater. “I severely under packed, not anticipating the length of my stay. I actually found quite a few places in town that I liked. I was pleasantly surprised.” She wandered toward the kitchen. “What smells so amazing?”
“Chicken parmesan.” Dylan strode into the kitchen and turned on the burner for the pot of water he had waiting. “With a side of pasta. I hope that’s okay. I forgot to ask you what you like to eat, but I’ve seen you eat chicken so I took the chance.”
“It’s perfect. I had no idea you could cook.”
“I can’t make anything too elaborate, but I do all right. Between my mom and hanging around with some of the chefs here, I’ve picked up a few things.”
Cooking for Emma suddenly became more intimate. Convincing her to stay in Montana had been his main goal, but with each passing hour, he wanted it more than he had realized.
“This is a massive kitchen. I didn’t expect it to be so large for a place this old.”
Emma stood at the sink and peered through the window. She looked more natural in the home than he had envisioned. His heart began to beat rapidly at the thought of raising a family with her on the ranch. Now that he had a definite way to stay on the land, he wanted to make plans for the future.
Dylan was glad he hadn’t mentioned the lodge manager job to Emma earlier. Not that she had given him much of a chance. Barnaby’s offer had been unexpected but not all that surprising. By combining the acreage of both ranches, they could offer more trail options and possibly even open a small downhill ski run since Barnaby’s land extended into the mountains. It sounded great, but he hadn’t decided to take him up on his offer yet. He still would rather maintain some ownership, but Barnaby wanted to buy the ranch outright. It was a solid plan to fall back on if he couldn’t find a partner. He needed to be sure though, before he told his employees they didn’t have to leave.
During the past few days, his vision had changed from saving the ranch to running the ranch with Emma by his side. The thought alone was crazy. But despite the absurdity, it felt damn right.
“It’s been updated a time or two in its life. I’d like to refinish the wood surfaces throughout the house and bring out the character of the grain.”
“You can do all of that yourself?”
“Sure. Woodworking is a hobby of mine, plus my father was really handy and I learned how to build just about anything from him. This house would be a great place for a bunch of kids to run around in. We loved it as children, but Jax never married or had any of his own. Would you like something to drink?”
“Just water is fine.” Emma sat at the kitchen table. “I can see kids here. It has what, three bedrooms?”
“Four. But my uncle used the smallest for a study.” Dylan twisted open a bottle of water and poured it into a glass for Emma. “This place has always been a second home to me, but I never fully appreciated its craftsmanship until after he was gone. It seems strange without him here.”
“I bet it does. I’m glad you have the memories to look back on.”
“Cheers to the memories yet to come.” Dylan held up his glass to hers. “I hope you like what I have planned for after dinner.”
“I thought we were decorating the Christmas tree.”
“We have to get it first.” Tonight’s anticipation built up in him like a kid on Christmas morning. He almost wanted to skip dinner and show Emma the surprise he had planned.
“Yeah, you mentioned something about cutting one down. Wouldn’t it be easier to go into town and buy one? I saw Christmas trees for sale in front of the supermarket.”
“Darlin’, no self-respecting cowboy buys a Christmas tree. Trust me, you’ll enjoy the experience.”
* * *
WHEN DYLAN UNCOVERED her eyes, she never in a million years expected to see a small white and silver sleigh harnessed to a lone Belgian.
“I feel like I’ve stepped into a storybook.” Emma giggled as Dylan wrapped her in wool and faux fur blankets. “I can’t believe this is how we’re getting a Christmas tree.”
“Aren’t you glad we didn’t go into town?”
“Absolutely!” None of her friends would ever believe she rode on a one-horse open sleigh, let alone one driven by a sexy cowboy after he’d cooked her the most incredible dinner she’d ever eaten. And that wasn’t her pregnancy hormones talking, either. The man could seriously cook. The majority of her meals came from the freezer and involved her heating them in the microwave.
The pale light of the moon lit their path as their sleigh glided across the snow. Emma didn’t think the smile would ever fade from her face after tonight. This moment was too perfect for words.
“I can’t believe this is your life.”
“What do you mean?” Dylan asked. He shifted slightly, causing more of his body to press against hers. Emma wanted to rest her head on his shoulders, but feared she’d miss something along the way if she did.
“You live in a winter wonderland. It’s like Doctor Zhivago meets Frozen.”
“As beautiful as the snow is, winter can also be harsh and cruel in these parts. You have to stay prepared all season and it is a long season.”
“It’s not like Chicago, though. We have dirty snow.”
Dylan laughed. “Give it a few days and you’ll see dirty snow here, too. Of course, fresh powder will probably fall on top of it within a day or two, but it does get dirty every now and then.”
They stopped at the same spot they had the other night, only tonight they could see the town with its moonlit mountains magically rising behind it.
“This would be the perfect location for an outdoor wedding chapel. Can’t you just picture it right here? With a few modifications to some of the more private cabins, this could be the quintessential wedding destination in all of Saddle Ridge. It would draw people in year round with that backdrop.”
Dylan could picture it very easily with Emma by his side. “I don’t remember an outdoor chapel in your proposal.”
“It hadn’t occurred to me until now. I was remembering the first time I came to Silver Bells to meet Jax. This was the first place he showed me. Of course, in my mind I saw dollars signs and ways to capitalize on the view. I had considered another lodge of sorts right here, taking advantage of the landscape, but no matter what I came up with, they all ruined the beauty of what drew me here in the first place. That’s why there aren’t any new structures in my proposal. After sitting here now and the other night, I see much more. This is God’s country and what better way to celebrate that than with love and marriage. I totally get why you’re so protective of this place.”
Dylan wrapped his arm around her and tilted her chin toward him. “I think that’s the best idea you’ve had yet.”
His lips brushed hers, gently at first before becoming more demanding. She returned his hunger as desire coursed through her veins like venom seeking a beating heart. The fervent need to make love to a man she had just gotten to know a few days prior lustfully beckoned while mocking her sensibilities. Powerless against the seduction, yet more impatient with each breath she took, for the first time in her life, Emma wanted to completely surrender to another person...to Dylan.
“Emma,” he gasped. “What are you doing to me?”
“Are you asking me to stop?” She ran her tongue over his bottom lip, daring him to take her higher than she’d ever been.
“Absolutely not. I just need to know if this is leading where I think it is.”
“I don’t want to stop or let go of this moment. It may be all we ever have. It may be more. Whatever it is, I want to share it with you...right here under the stars in the place you love more than life itself.”
Emma knew her heart would never be the same after tonight. But she was recklessly willing to take a chance on the man she suddenly didn’t want to live without. She longed to be a part of his hope for the future. To share in those dreams and help him realize them without limitations. Heaven help her, she wanted Dylan Slade, in every way.
* * *
MAKING LOVE TO Emma under the Montana night sky hadn’t been on his evening itinerary. Unable to resist the woman who intrigued him more than any other had, he willingly gave her the piece of his heart he hadn’t believed still existed. Each kiss had driven them deeper into complete abandon. And when they had finally broken apart, his desire for her grew stronger.
Swathed in layers of warmth, he began to believe the odds were turning in their favor. Between some of Emma’s proposal ideas and the wedding chapel, a clearer vision for the ranch developed in his mind. But it wouldn’t be complete without Emma. He wanted to finalize the plans before asking her to stay in Montana again. He needed to offer her more than just talk and concepts. Emma required stability for her and her daughter. He couldn’t ask anything of her without it.
“I promised you a Christmas tree.” Dylan kissed the top of Emma’s head, relishing the feel of her body against his beneath the blankets.
“No, you said we’d cut down a tree. You promised tonight would be fun.” Her voice was laced with seduction, commanding his body to attention. “You definitely kept your word.” Emma straddled his lap, and for the second time that evening, he lost himself within her.
By the time they arrived back at the house with their tree in tow, Dylan could barely stand. Between the day’s earlier tension and the sex, all he wanted to do was crawl in bed and sleep.
“I have to tend to the horse and sleigh.” Dylan kissed her in the doorway. “Will you stay the night?”
Emma nodded, her eyes heavy with sleep.
“The bedroom is at the end of the hall. It’s the only one on this floor.” He wanted to lift her in his arms and carry her to bed, but he knew he’d never make it outside if he did. “I’ll be back shortly.”
She disappeared inside as he carried the tree onto the porch. Decorating could wait another day. Tonight, he wanted to hold Emma in his arms and forget the world around them.
After unhooking the sleigh and settling his horse down for the night, he climbed in beside her sleeping form. A soft breath escaped her lips with each exhale. Not quite a snore but more of a wildcat purr. Not that he’d had the opportunity to lie down next to a wildcat. It was just the sound he imagined them having. And she had been a wildcat tonight. His wildcat.
He brushed the hair from her face and kissed her cheek goodnight. Yeah, he could definitely get used to sharing his life with Emma.
EMMA AWOKE ALONE. Had last night been a dream? She looked around. No, she definitely wasn’t in her room at the lodge. The faint sound of whisking came from the kitchen. Emma tossed on the sweatshirt she found on a chair next to the bed and padded down the hallway.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
“Morning.” She wrapped her arms around Dylan and snuggled against his chest. “What time is it, anyway?”
“Almost nine.”
“Nine? What are you still doing here?” She looked up at him, loving the day-old scruff along his jawline. “Don’t you have to work?”
“I’ve already been out and back. Wes is handling some things for me while I take the rest of the morning off. A little break is long overdue, considering I’ve been pulling my weight and his around here.”
Charlie’s voice nagged at her from the recesses of her mind. She didn’t want to hear it. Not now when things were blissfully happy between her and Dylan. “Are you making French toast?”
“I am. I know it’s your favorite.” He kissed the top of her head.
Emma yawned and sat down at the table. “A woman could get easily spoiled this way.”
Dylan smiled, but didn’t ask her to stay as he had the other night. Not that she expected him to again. Although, it would be nice to hear. The thought had crossed her mind a few times during their evening. Moving to Montana would be ludicrous and bold, even for her. She took risks in business but rarely in her personal life. As much as she had grown to admire the ranch’s beauty, she still couldn’t see herself living there.
“After breakfast, I thought we’d decorate the tree. Unless you have other plans.”
She did. She had a date with her credit card and a baby store she saw on her way back to the ranch yesterday. But shopping could wait a little while longer. So could telling Dylan about the new offer. “Um, sure.”
He expertly flipped the toast in the pan with the flick of his wrist. “That wasn’t the reaction I had expected.”
“I need to tell you something. Two things actually, but I don’t want it to break the mood.”
Dylan shut the burner off on the stove and faced her. “You have my full attention.”
The smile he’d worn seconds earlier had faded into seriousness. She inwardly groaned. “I had inquired about the horses, even though you asked me not to. The horses they didn’t keep would have been sold at auction. I informed my office that was unacceptable and told them it was an absolute deal-breaker. They countered and said the horses would be excluded from the deal, allowing you to decide where they went.”
“That’s a significant contract change.” Dylan turned the burner back on and continued cooking. “I appreciate the effort. I’m still not changing my mind, but I’m glad to hear they were open to it just the same.”
“Okay, well that’s the one I thought would upset you.”
“I’m not upset at all. I’m disheartened that your company has a complete and blatant disregard for animals, but it doesn’t surprise me. They may or may not know what goes on at horse auctions. Some choose to ignore it. I’m glad you didn’t. Thank you.” Dylan slid the toast on to a plate and set it before her. “What’s the other thing you wanted to tell me?” He sat down across from her.
“Aren’t you eating?” Emma asked.
“I already did, while you were sleeping.” Dylan hopped up from the table, opened the microwave and removed a small bowl. “I almost forgot. I heated up some syrup for you.”
“Thank you.” Emma hated when people watched her eat, but breakfast smelled too good to resist. She took a mouthful and almost dropped her fork. “These are heaven. Is that cinnamon I’m tasting? And a hint of nutmeg?”
Dylan’s smile lit the room. “Now that you know my secret ingredients, I’m going to have to find a way to keep you quiet.” He winked. “There’s a tablespoon of sugar in there, too and one other ingredient, but I’m not telling.”
“That’s not right.” Emma playfully nudged him with her bare feet.
“Sure it is.” Dylan caught her foot in his hands and began kneading it. There was nothing like an orgasmic foot massage while eating your favorite breakfast after a night of repeated sex on the back of a one-horse open sleigh...in the snow. Yep, she’d found heaven.
“God, that feels good.” The man sure knew how to treat her like a queen. “The other thing was, I told my boss about your ex-employee who got injured. The firm would like to donate twenty-five thousand dollars to his family and I will need their contact information so we can set that up for them.”
Dylan stopped massaging her foot.
“Okay, that wasn’t the reaction I had expected.” Emma tucked her feet under her chair. “What is it?” She already knew the answer because she’d felt the same way when Charlie told her the amount. It felt like a payoff of some sort. They wouldn’t have needed to worry about medical bills if Emma and her company hadn’t swooped in and tried to buy the ranch.
“I don’t know how Billy’s wife will react to the money.” Dylan jumped up from the table again and poured a cup of coffee. “She was outspoken against Jax for a while. Billy had had to run interference between the two. He hadn’t liked the situation, but he understood Jax owned the ranch and could do with it as he pleased. It was no different from other corporate buyouts. Only most of the time those people kept their jobs, or at least some did.”
“I get it. I’m the enemy.”
Dylan reached across the table for her. “No, you’re not. You were doing your job.”
Were doing? She was glad she held off on mentioning the offer until later. He might reconsider the enemy part. For now, or at least for the morning, Emma wanted to leave their responsibilities behind and get lost in a little Christmas spirit.