A Snowbound Christmas Cowboy
Autor
Sasha Summers
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14
HarlequinChapter One
Cassie Lafferty was a woman on a mission. Coffee. After that, she’d be ready to face the day. She gripped the handle of the dual leash as the dogs led her down Main Street. They knew where they were going—no matter the weather—it was their morning routine. But she couldn’t remember the last time she’d made the trek bundled up in her faux-fur-lined wool peacoat, her feet warm and toasty, encased in thick socks and her bright tangerine-colored rain boots.
“It’s cold, isn’t it, boys?” She always talked to her dogs—and she knew full well that they listened. Bert, her mixed, shelter pup who resembled a giant coppery-orange carpet, and Ernie, her sleek black-and-white Labrador mix, trotted along with their tongues lolling and their tails wagging. Neither seemed the least bothered by the sudden drop in temperature. “I bet it’ll clear off and be sixty by noon.” She smiled as Bert looked back at her, giving her a doggy grin.
To say there was a chill in the air was an understatement. It was below freezing—something that happened a few days at most in Texas. But, according to the local news stations, there was a winter storm coming through. Gusting winds, rain, snow and ice... That was unusual in and of itself. But before Christmas? That was unheard of. Most cold snaps happened in late January or February—if one happened at all.
“Hey, Cassie.” Dean Hodges stopped wrapping colored Christmas lights around the old-fashioned lamp post in front of his shop. It was up to the shopkeepers to decorate “their” streetlamps—making downtown alive with color and holiday spirit. “You ready for the storm?” He reached inside the front door of his store, Main Street Antiques & Resale Shop, for the treats he kept on hand for any canine visitors. “They’re saying it’s going to be a hundred-year storm.”
“I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Cassie had wrapped the pipes of her small house, made sure she had batteries for her flashlights and camping lanterns, chopped wood for her wood-burning stove and had plenty of food and water for her and the dogs. It helped that she was an avid camper—in a situation like this, her camping supplies came in handy.
“Good. Glad to hear it.” Dean opened the plastic container full of dog treats.
“I’m sure they’re saying thank-you for the treats.” She laughed, watching her dogs sit, ears perked up and tails wagging in unison.
“I think you’re right.” Dean offered them both a dog biscuit. “It’s not like they’ve been getting treats from me every morning for the last, oh, six or so years.” He gave Ernie a pat and scratched Bert behind his floppy, shaggy ear. “I guess you could say I’m reliable.”
Cassie nodded. “And they appreciate it.” She hoped he’d leave it at that. Dean was a good guy—a really good guy, according to her brother—but he wasn’t the one for her. No matter how sweet and handsome and reliable he might be, she didn’t see Dean that way. Dean, however, hadn’t been discouraged when she’d said as much. In fact, he’d said she was worth waiting for. “Come on, boys. Momma hasn’t had her coffee yet.”
Dean stepped back. “I’d classify that as an emergency.” He waved them on. “Get your Momma her coffee, boys.” He gave her a wink and went back to wrapping the streetlamp.
Cassie gave him a little wave, thankful he’d kept things light, and continued to The Coffee Shop. Part of her wished she could give Dean a chance. He was a good guy. An honest, kind, hard-working man who was thought highly of—by all. After her last relationship, with Mike, she should be thrilled to have a good guy. Her relationship history was short and a good guy hadn’t figured into either of her heartbreaks. Dean would never break her heart.
But the other part of her wanted...more. It didn’t help that everyone around her had their happy ending. Like flowers and poems and all the romance. From her brother, Buzz, to her brothers-by-choice, the Mitchells, all of them were contentedly wrapped up in their own blissful love stories. It was wonderful and, at times, absolutely unbearable.
“At least I have you two.” Cassie glanced down at her dogs trotting happily along the sidewalk. Synchronized wagging. It was a thing. At least, it was for Bert and Ernie. Sure, Bert’s tail was all fluff and Ernie’s was a more streamlined rudder, but that didn’t matter. Wag for wag, their tails kept time and pace. “You’ll love me forever, won’t you?”
Bert and Ernie both looked back at her.
“I love you, too.” She smiled, shivering against a gust of icy northern wind. “And, yes, I’ll see if Reggie has any extra bacon for you.” Regina Hernandez, Reggie to most everyone, owned and operated The Coffee Shop. The shop had only been open a couple of months, but it was always crowded. Not only did Reggie make the most amazing pastries Cassie had ever tasted, she offered a variety of coffee—all freshly ground. Plus, she normally had a little something set aside for Bert and Ernie, which meant they were almost as excited as she was to reach the painted-glass front door.
“Morning.” Reggie waved from behind the glass cabinet. “Morning, boys.” She waved at the dogs. “Alonzo, can you get this gentleman taken care of?” She left her teenage employee to handle the man at the counter and headed Cassie’s way. “New lipstick?”
Cassie shrugged as she unwrapped the long blue scarf she’d knitted last year from around her neck. “I felt colorful this morning.” Cassie didn’t have a makeup drawer, she had a lipstick drawer. Lipstick was pretty and fun and easy to change up. “Sugar plum.” She puckered her lips for show. “Seasonally appropriate name.”
“I like it.” Reggie nodded. “I could never pull off a plum shade.”
“I’m not sure I am either.” Cassie shrugged. “But I’m wearing it anyway. Are we still on for tonight?”
“I’m so excited.” Reggie’s sarcasm was playful.
“I know, I know. Not exactly what you pictured yourself doing on a Saturday night?” Cassie shrugged. “Welcome to small town living.”
“You keep saying that.” Reggie grinned. “Actually, I think it will be fun. I’ll bring some cookies, too. For tonight and tomorrow.”
“They will love that. And I appreciate the help.” Not only had Cassie roped Reggie into helping her with bingo at the community center that evening, she’d signed Reggie up to volunteer for the Christmas Light Festival and Parade. Every year, Granite Falls had thousands of visitors come to town to take pictures beneath the lights wrapped around the giant oak trees surrounding the courthouse, with its clock-tower steeple. It was a big deal, a very big deal, and a perfect way for Reggie to meet folks and make connections.
“What about the storm?” Reggie asked.
“I don’t think it’ll be as bad as they’re predicting but I’ll let you know if something changes for tonight.” If a winter storm really hit Granite Falls, bingo would be cancelled. But tomorrow’s planning meeting? “I can’t imagine the Christmas Light Festival and Parade planning being postponed—ever. It’s barely a month until Christmas, after all. But I guess we’ll find out.” They only had one week until the lights came on, not a lot of time to get a whole lot done. Not that Cassie minded. She loved Christmas. She loved Granite Falls at Christmastime. Besides, what else am I going to do on a Saturday night?
“If the storm hits and bingo gets cancelled, you can come to my place and watch that British show with all the baking. They have a holiday special.” Reggie sighed, tucking a curl behind her ear. “Yeah, I know, my Saturday plans are sort of pathetic.”
“At least we’re in this together.” Cassie laughed, determined to put an upbeat spin on her lacking social life. It’s not like she didn’t have options—er, an option. Dean would step up if she gave him even the slightest encouragement. Considering how immediate her response was to the idea of encouraging Dean, there was no way she could actually encourage him. Besides, he was a good guy. He deserved a woman that would appreciate him.
After chatting through the evening’s logistics, Cassie ordered a peppermint coffee, a delectable looking gingerbread pastry, a bacon and cheese roll for the dogs and said her goodbyes.
“Good mornin’, Cassie-o-mine.” Angus McCarrick held the door open for her. Once she was outside, he swept off his hat, the outrageous flirt.
She smiled, adjusting her hold on the leash. “Morning, Angus. Dougal.”
“Cassie.” Dougal, Angus’s twin, touched the brim of his hat, his gaze shifting beyond Angus. “Um...” He elbowed Dougal hard, nodding in the direction he was looking. “You headed to work, Cassie?”
Angus’s eyes narrowed, a furrow creasing his brow. “Damn,” he murmured under his breath.
Cassie nodded, glancing between the brothers. “Yes...just for a few hours.” She started to turn, but Angus sidestepped and blocked her view.
“How about you come have coffee with us first?” Angus asked. “Tell us how things are going at the clinic—that sort of thing.”
“That sort of thing?” Cassie almost laughed. “Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something? Oh, right, because I’ve known you two forever and I know when you’re up to something.” She shook her head. “Bert, Ernie, say goodbye to Angus and Dougal.” She lowered her voice, and growled, “Goodbye, Angus and Dougal.” She waved, stepped around Angus to head back down the sidewalk, only to come to a screeching halt several steps later.
“Cassie.” He stood there.
She blinked, waiting for the image to vanish.
Instead, one eyebrow cocked up and he tipped his black felt cowboy hat back on his head, his cheeks red from the snap in the morning air.
She blinked again, harder. He didn’t move. He didn’t waver or vanish. He stood there, handsome and big and all too real. He was here. In person. “Sterling?”
“Yeah.” The voice rolled over her, deep and gruff and so familiar her throat went dry.
Sterling... She couldn’t breathe. Her brain seemed to lock up. But her gaze stayed glued to him. Processing. After all these years... It wasn’t fair, really. He had no right to stand there, looking like he belonged and as gorgeous as ever, while those warm brown eyes moved slowly over her face.
He wasn’t surprised or rattled or the least bit...upset.
She swallowed. Why should he be? He was the one who’d left her. She remembered how easily he’d walked away, his hate-filled words and unfounded accusations ringing in her ears. She had been left behind with no explanation for his sudden and total change of heart. After he’d gone, she’d wasted her days struggling to make sense of it all—to think and breathe and go on, now that the future she and Sterling had hoped and dreamed of together no longer existed. So many wasted days.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the look Angus and Dougal exchanged—concerned and wary, all at once. Right. This was awkward for everyone. Her and Sterling’s breakup hadn’t exactly been private or civil. Friendships had been challenged and lines had been drawn.
She wished she could pull some scathing setdown out of thin air instead of standing here, shocked into silence. The urge to slap his face or run away or vomit on his toes were vying for top spot—but then, she’d give him a reaction. She didn’t want to give him anything, especially her dignity. Been there, done that. The past was the past and she was so over it. Right. Sure. Keep telling yourself that.
“Bert?” His voice rumbled on as he crouched, smiling at the dogs. “Ernie?” The mingled surprise and tenderness in his voice made her chest tight.
Stop staring at him. Acting like the perfectly normal and completely unaffected person she was shouldn’t be all that hard. But that meant not ogling how muscled his jean-encased thighs were, how his khaki weather-all jacket was taut across the breadth of his shoulders or how big and strong his leather glove–encased hands were. She blinked, tearing her gaze from him.
The McCarrick brothers were no help. Angus, with his arms crossed over his chest, and Dougal, his hands shoved in to his pockets, were both having a hard time making eye contact with her. Almost guilty. Had they known he was coming? Is that what that look meant?
“Last time I saw you two, you were puppies,” Sterling said, oblivious.
Which stirred up a tenderhearted memory Cassie would be wise to ignore. In and out. Slowly. Stay calm. Once she got to the clinic, she could hyperventilate all she wanted to—with no one around.
“You’re both huge. Bert, with all that hair, you look more like a bear than a dog.” Sterling chuckled, scratching Bert behind the ears. “You’re not as shaggy but just as big.” He patted Ernie. Then he stood and turned to face her.
She focused on the painted coffee-cup sign over the door behind him, not the man standing beneath it. Yes, this was better. I can do this. Time had passed. People moved on and she and Sterling, well, they were strangers now.
“Y’all have a good day.” She waved, her pastry bag slipping from her fingers.
Bert perked up, tugging against the leash for the bag, but Sterling moved too quickly. He caught it and offered it to her.
“Thank you.” She took the bag, careful not to touch him. “Okay.” Walking away. Eyes forward, not looking back... So far, so good.
By the time she’d walked to the other end of Main Street, the Granite Falls Veterinary Clinic & Animal Hospital lights were on and her brother’s truck was parked out front. She clutched her now-squished bag to her chest as she backed through the front door, led the dogs inside and took a deep, wavering breath as the door closed behind her.
“Hey, Cassie.” Skylar Mitchell looked up from the computer. “I’m loving this cold weather. I know we were all in shorts last weekend, but I had to put the girls in sweaters and honest-to-goodness coats this morning. They looked so cute.”
Cassie nodded. “It’s nice.” She pushed off the door and turned, staring out on to the street for any sign of... No one. She swallowed, stepping back.
“What’s up? Who are we looking for?” Skylar asked, coming around the counter to stand beside her. “What are you holding?”
Cassie glanced down at the squished bag. “Oh. A snack, for the boys.” Her gaze darted down the street to the coffee shop. No Angus. No Dougal. No Sterling. The need to hyperventilate was easing.
“Cassie?” Skylar’s hand rested on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
She tore her gaze from the coffee shop and Main Street and turned to find Skylar, Bert and Ernie all staring at her. “Nothing.” She forced a smile. “Well, my gingerbread pastry is now mashed into a sausage roll, but that’s about it.”
“Okay.” Skylar didn’t look convinced.
“I’ll get right to work on the books.” When she wasn’t grooming the animals of Granite Falls next door, she handled the accounts for her brother’s veterinary clinic. Today, a screen full of numbers might just be the thing to steady her nerves. And the sooner she was done with work, the faster she could head home and get things together for tonight’s bingo and tomorrow’s meeting. Everything would be fine. She’d stay busy, the cold would fade by midday, and Sterling Ford would leave and he’d go back to being her biggest heartbreak, nothing more.
Sterling sat at one of the wooden café tables inside the coffee shop, numb. Christmas carols played from the speakers overhead, the distinct scents of ginger and peppermint filled the air, but inside—nothing. It was for the best. Feeling nothing was better than feeling...everything.
He turned his coffee cup, his gaze sweeping the shop. The place hadn’t been here last time he was in this neck of the woods. The cutesy chalkboard signs and fancy aesthetic weren’t his thing, but the coffee was good and he was seriously considering buying two more sausage rolls—even if he’d already devoured three. Other than the coffee shop, things looked pretty much the same as they had when he’d been in town three years ago. Three years. The last time he’d come to town to talk to Cassie—and left with a broken nose and an ass kicking. It’d been a short, but unforgettable, trip. Sometimes, it felt like a blink of an eye, other times, near a lifetime ago.
He kept turning the cup between his hands, doing his damndest not to look out the picture window, down the street—again. He’d known full well he’d see Cassie while he was here. Hell, he hadn’t planned on leaving Granite Falls until he’d seen her. He’d been hauled out of town before he’d talked to her last time. He’d be damned if he left before sitting down and talking to her. Not bumping into her on Main Street, though. He hadn’t been prepared for that—or her.
“You weren’t expected for a few days yet.” Dougal studied him over his coffee cup. “You could have called.”
“I like showing up unannounced. I get to see the real thing—not the cleaned-up, ready-to-deal version. Besides, contract negotiations side, I wasn’t sure what sort of reception I’d get.” He sipped his coffee, a slight edge to his voice. He’d put the McCarrick brothers in a sticky situation and they weren’t happy about it. “Considering last time we saw each other.”
“When you had a bloody lip?” Angus asked, looking a little too smug for Sterling’s liking.
“And your eye was near swollen shut?” Sterling quipped back.
“Here we go.” Dougal shook his head and finished his coffee. “If I recall correctly, you were both bleeding and hurt when I stepped in between you two.” He set his empty coffee cup on the table. “There were no winners that day.”
But there had been a loser. Sterling stood and threw his and Dougal’s empty cups into the trash can—his gaze immediately drawn outside until he found it. Granite Falls Veterinary Clinic & Animal Hospital’s green awning was barely visible from where he stood. He’d been left a little too rattled for comfort by their brief encounter.
Cassie, beautiful as ever, had stared up at him with big eyes and as good a poker face as he’d ever seen. That was new. His Cassie had always been so easy to read. He’d loved that. One look in her eyes and he’d known what she was thinking—or near enough, anyway.
This morning? He had no idea what she was thinking or feeling when she’d seen him. And it left his stomach in knots.
“Taking in the view?” Dougal was giving him serious side-eye, throwing more trash away. “Not much has changed in Granite Falls, Sterling.”
“No?” Sterling asked, taking his seat at the table. “Figured I’d see for myself.”
“How long are you planning on sticking around?” Angus asked.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re not all that happy to see me? You two aren’t much of a welcome wagon. Guess escorting folk out of town is your preference?” It was a dig and they all knew it. Did it feel good to lord a little power over them? Yes. His smile was tight. “I’m happy to take this contract elsewhere. This is purely business for me.”
Dougal and Angus exchanged a look before Dougal relaxed, his big frame slumping back into the too-small café chair. “Hell, it’s not that, Sterling. It’s good to see you.” He shrugged. “And we realize what an opportunity this is for McCarrick Cutting Horses.”
Sterling stared at the man, not bothering to hide his skepticism.
All three of them laughed then, the tension slipping away.
“I’d ask you what you’ve been up to, but I’m guessing busting your ass?” Angus asked, tipping his cowboy hat back. “This is no small job. It’s damn impressive, Sterling. I mean it.”
“Busting my ass just about covers it.” Sterling shifted in the chair, the constant ache in his back dull—but enough to make him stretch a bit. He didn’t mind hard work, he preferred it. He didn’t do well with time to kill. “Hard work. Perseverance. A good eye when it comes to livestock. And, you know, my natural good looks and charm.” He touched his crooked nose, grinning.
“You own a mirror?” Angus asked.
That got them laughing again.
“Glad things are working for you.” Dougal seemed sincere, so Sterling nodded his thanks.
It was true things were falling into place now, but that was a recent development. For a time, life had seemed to keep knocking Sterling off his feet—then stomping him into the dirt. He’d kept getting right back up, brushing himself off and moving forward. He wasn’t a quitter, he never would be—no matter what other people thought.
“When I got the email, you could have knocked me over with a feather.” Angus shook his head, patting the table with his hand. “First, hearing from the National Rodeo Company, and then, seeing it was you.”
“Not me.” Sterling shrugged. “Yvonne sent it—tagged me on it. Trust me, if I’d written it, it wouldn’t have been near as lengthy or as professional sounding.”
“Yvonne?” Dougal’s brows rose.
“Who’s Yvonne?” Angus echoed. “She your someone special?”
“She’s someone special, all right.” Sterling chuckled. “Yvonne is my... If I said secretary, she’d box my ears. Let’s just say she keeps me on track. All of us in the office, that is.” She was good at her job and about as no-nonsense as they came. Sterling appreciated that.
“That makes sense.” Dougal nodded. “It went on a little long. Not that I’m complaining. It was good news.”
“Maybe,” Angus cautioned his brother. “Hopefully.”
Sterling respected they weren’t already counting on anything. Dougal was right, this could be a big opportunity for the brothers. Providing livestock to the National Rodeo Company would put McCarrick Cutting Horses on the map. His job was to scout the animals and, if he thought it’d be a good partnership, negotiate the contracts for all new stock suppliers. Meaning, if the McCarrick brothers wanted in with the NRC—and they’d be fools not to—he was the man that could make all that happen.
It was because he was so thorough that he’d advanced so quickly. He put the job first. He might know the McCarrick brothers, but that wouldn’t affect his decision to sign them on for the NRC. The horses and cattle would decide that.
“You still coming Tuesday? Or are we bumping things up?” Angus finished off his coffee.
“Tuesday’s still good for me—depending on the storm, that is.” Sterling didn’t like the look of the sky. He’d heard reports of a winter storm coming, but he got the feeling it was going to be more than the average, light ice-and-snow flurries. He hoped like hell folks in Granite Falls were ready for it.
“Yeah, news is saying it’ll hit about sundown.” Dougal shot a quick glance at the grey sky through the large picture window “We best be getting back. Make sure we’re all shored up for what’s coming.” He stood, and offered Sterling his hand. “If you want to come out in an unofficial capacity before then, you’re welcome.”
Sterling shook the man’s hand. “I appreciate that.”
Angus touched the brim of his hat and the two brothers left the shop.
Sterling watched the brothers walk down the block and climb into their massive truck before heading back to the counter. Armed with a hot coffee and two sausage rolls he returned to his seat to check his emails on his phone. He had nothing to do for a couple of days. Normally, he’d say that was a bad thing. Time on his hands usually landed him in trouble. That’s not who he was now. If he were smart, he’d use this time to apologize to Cassie. He’d planned out what he’d say—each and every word. But that was before he’d seen her again... Now? Well, maybe he wasn’t ready. Not quite yet.
He’d have himself some more coffee, a few more of those sausage rolls, and figure out when this storm was hitting and if he should look for some sort of entertainment for this fine Saturday evening. And then, tomorrow, he’d find Cassie and hope she’d hear him out.
