Nikki grabbed the playing cards and looked up at Toly from her side of the bed wearing only a sheet. Since their church wedding in Stevensville, they’d spent the last three days and nights in the rig decorated for Christmas by her new sisters-in-law. They’d put up a fabulous Christmas tree and had hung garlands that stretched from one end of the rig to the other.
Potted red poinsettias had been placed around his bedroom that had become their bedroom. The whole rig smelled of pine and Nikki was so in love, she never wanted to leave it or his arms.
“You’re a cheater, Mr. Clayton, but I can’t figure out how you do it.”
“So you’ve noticed I have another skill besides cooking, Mrs. Clayton.”
“You’re fishing for compliments again. Are you ready for a post Christmas present?”
“You’ve showered me with too many.”
“This one is different and my personal favorite. You’ll have to get out of bed. It’s up on the top shelf of the closet in the hallway.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“I had a hard time trying to figure out where to keep it out of sight until now.”
He kissed a certain spot. “I’ll be right back.”
Nikki watched her gorgeous husband pull on the bottom half of his sweats and leave the room for a minute. When he returned, he had to remove the Christmas wrapping from the fourteen-by-eighteen framed photograph.
She heard him suck in his breath. “Nikki—Where? How? When did you take this picture?”
“Last summer while you were out in the corral with Snapper practicing some throws, I was upstairs and saw you out the window. It was hot. You took off your shirt and had just dipped your Stetson in the rain barrel before putting it on your head. I thought you were the most amazing male specimen I’d ever seen in my life.
“Without hesitation I reached for my camera and took a dozen pictures of you. After having them developed, I decided I loved this one best. The art studio enlarged it to this size and I had it made up in black and white. The silver-and-black frame with the clear glass cover looks perfect with it. Did you see the plaque at the bottom?”
He looked down. In a husky voice he said, “The Sapphire Cowboy.”
“Yup. One day our children will regard this as a great treasure to cherish forever. I know I do. If you’ll notice, the white gold band on my ring finger makes the perfect frame for my gray sapphire, another treasure.”
Toly rested the photograph against the wall. “Just a minute. I’ll be right back.”
What was he up to?
In a minute he came back and handed her a gift of approximately the same size. “It’s your turn.”
Excited, she undid the wrapping and there was one of her posters. The kind she’d given out at the dealership in Great Falls before they’d left for Las Vegas. It was in glorious color and framed in a light oak color.
“Oh, Toly—”
He smiled. “I grabbed one when you weren’t looking and planned to hang it in the tack room on the ranch. But everything has changed since then and I wanted us to have it. There’s a plaque at the bottom.”
She couldn’t believe it and looked down. My Sweet Clover Sweetheart.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t believe it.”
He put both pictures against the far wall and got back in bed. “Consider this an after Merry Christmas gift, my love. Now why don’t we call it a night.”
“I thought you’d never suggest it,” she teased.
“You little hussy.” He turned off the lamp at the side of the bed and leaned over her. “I don’t know how it’s possible, but my hunger for you just keeps growing.”
He started devouring her. They made love again. She never wanted it to stop. Each time he touched her, it thrilled her so much she moaned in ecstasy. Amazing how her cast didn’t interfere with the pleasure they brought to each other.
In the middle of the night Nikki awoke, wishing he weren’t asleep. She caressed the dusting of hair on his chest. He was such a beautiful man and almost too wonderful to be real. She’d known him for a year and couldn’t believe she’d been lucky enough to have married him.
“I heard that sigh,” he murmured, kissing her throat.
“You’re awake.”
“Yes. It sounded serious.”
“It was. I think I love you too much.”
“Then we suffer from the same condition.” He plunged his hands in her hair. “I’ve been worried you’d wake up before now and tell me you need a day away from me.”
Nikki laughed and slid halfway on top of him. “I’ve been worried what your family will think. We haven’t gone outside once.”
“We’re in the middle of a blizzard right now.”
“Still—”
His deep chuckle permeated her body. “With three brothers who are crazy about their wives, you know exactly what they’re thinking.”
“It’s kind of embarrassing.”
“It’s kind of wonderful to be this much in love, sweetheart. I still can’t believe you wanted to marry me knowing what could be ahead of me.”
“We’re not going to talk about that. Neither of us knows what the future will hold. Do you remember when we both got excited about riding in the rodeo? We didn’t think about the risk. It was too much fun doing something we were good at.”
“I remember. I was obsessed.”
“So was I. It didn’t matter what we had to go through. We loved it so much we kept going back for more. That’s how I feel about our marriage. Every day, every night is a great adventure. I never want to miss a moment of it, darling.”
“We’re not going to.”
“No we’re not. So let’s not use birth control. I want to get pregnant with your baby as soon as we can. I’m jealous of your sisters-in-law and can’t wait to have an adorable little boy or girl like Libby.”
“You mean it?”
“Oh, Toly. I can’t wait to fill those bedrooms we’re going to have designed for our new house. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we had children who love the rodeo too?”
“What if they don’t?”
“It doesn’t matter because you’re going to make the most terrific father. You had a wonderful role model.”
“He was the best.” Toly kissed her with tenderness. “So were your parents.”
“You never knew them.”
“No. But I know you. You’re my favorite person in the world. Mills comes in a close second.”
“What a beautiful thing for you to say. I’m crazy about your family too.” She kissed his mouth. “Love me again, Toly.”
He began kissing her back with growing desire. “I thought you’d never ask.”