Her Cowboy's Christmas Wish (Harlequin American Romance) (12 page)

No, it wasn’t.

Apparently Caitlin was the only one who wondered how he’d get up into the wagon without a lift, and how embarrassing it might be for him with all these strangers watching.

“Doug, let’s check out the craft tables while we’re waiting.” Her mother latched on to her husband’s arm.

“Send a search party if we’re not back in three days,” he called to Caitlin.

“Any chance I can recruit you to help me tomorrow night?” Sage asked as they walked away.

“Sure. I was planning on being here, anyway.”

Ten minutes later, the wagon returned from its run, the passengers singing Christmas carols. By the time Ethan reined the horses to a stop at the drop-off point, dozens more people milling nearby had joined in with the carolers.

Cheer spread from person to person, carried by a smile.

Caitlin felt her own mouth curve up at the corners. She had spent considerable effort and energy working on the festival. This was, however, the first moment she’d felt truly touched by the Christmas spirit.

She sought out Ethan. He must have sensed her gaze on him because he turned and looked at her…and kept looking. The warmth within her that had started with the caroling continued to build.

Ethan was responsible for this wondrous night. She’d asked for his help and, as always, he’d given it. Unconditionally. Even during the past couple weeks when she’d been avoiding him as much as possible.

She wanted to give him a gift of appreciation—and affection. And suddenly she knew just what it would be.

“We’d better hurry.” Caitlin’s mother carried three plastic
sacks, last-minute Christmas purchases from the craft tables. “Where on earth is Justin?”

The passengers had stopped singing and were climbing down from the wagon one by one, their faces radiant. They exchanged greetings with people lining up for the next ride.

“Here he comes,” Caitlin’s dad said.

She saw her brother wheeling toward them. Tamiko walked beside him. They made a striking couple, Justin with his fair complexion, Tamiko with her long black hair and exotic beauty.

Not a couple, Caitlin reminded herself.

Where was her boyfriend, Eric?

“Who’s this?” her mother asked when Justin and Tamiko joined them in line, even though Caitlin had already told her.

Tamiko put out her hand. “Hi. I’m Justin’s friend Tamiko.”

Justin’s friend? Not, Caitlin thought, one of the festival volunteers.

“Nice to meet you.” Caitlin’s mother’s eyes were bright with curiosity. “Do you attend ASU, too?”

Justin stared at Tamiko with such raw longing, Caitlin couldn’t bring herself to watch them. He’d get hurt if he wasn’t careful, and there was nothing she or anyone could do to prevent it.

“You coming, honey?” her father asked.

“I didn’t buy a ticket.”

“They won’t charge you. Not with all the work you’ve put in.”

She could always give Sage a donation tomorrow night.

And the wagon ride would be fun. “Sure, why not?”

Caitlin and her family fell into line. The wagon, with its hay bale seats, could easily accommodate ten people and two or three small children sitting on laps. Another person, usually an older child or teenager, rode shotgun next to Ethan.

While the passengers boarded, he stood, stretched and
rolled his bad shoulder. It must have been an arduous day for him.

Justin wheeled to the rear of the wagon and waited for a woman with incredibly inappropriate stilettos to be hoisted up by her husband.

Caitlin had to intervene. “Dad, are you going to help Justin?”

“If he asks me.”

“Aren’t you concerned how he’ll get in the wagon?”

“Not as much as you are.”

She grumbled to herself. They could possibly fit the wheelchair into the bed if a bale of hay was removed. That would require a pair of strong arms.

“You first,” Justin told Tamiko.

“Hey, what gives?” Her boyfriend abruptly stepped in front of them. Had he been there all along? “He’s not riding with us.”

“Yes, he is,” Tamiko answered coolly.

“I bought a ticket, dude.” Justin held up an orange stub.

“Yeah? Well, news flash,
dude.
No room for your wheels.”

“I’m not hooked to this chair by wires,” Justin said with a chuckle.

Caitlin willed herself not to say anything. She’d interfered before, only to incur her brother’s anger. He insisted on fighting his own battles.

Her parents didn’t appear to be concerned. They watched their son closely but made no move in his direction.

“Come on, Tamiko.” Her boyfriend snatched her hand.

“What about Justin?”

“You heard him. He’s not hooked to that chair.”

The other passengers had all boarded and were watching the scene unfolding before them with rabid interest.

“This is better than reality TV,” one woman said.

The hell with making Justin mad. Caitlin had reached her limit. “Okay, guys—”

“Stay out of it,” her father ordered.

“Dad!”

“I mean it, honey.”

“I’m not leaving Justin,” Tamiko said stubbornly.

“You’d pick him over me?” Eric demanded.

“We’re friends. Why can’t you be nice?”

“This is stupid.” Caitlin took a step forward.

A large, strong hand on her arm pulled her back. She pivoted, intending to tell her father they should—

It wasn’t her dad restraining her. It was Ethan.

“Let me handle this,” he said, and brushed past her.

Caitlin started to follow.

“Young lady!” Her father’s stern voice stopped her in her tracks. “What did I tell you? Butt out.”

“Dammit,” she grumbled. Why did she have to butt out and not Ethan?

He walked over to Justin. “You ready?”

“If you are.”

A look of understanding passed between them.

Ethan bent down and placed one arm beneath Justin’s legs and the other behind his back. He lifted her brother out of the chair and carried him the short distance to the wagon. Another man sitting on a hay bale jumped up. Without being asked, he took Justin from Ethan and gently deposited him on the nearest empty seat. The three of them worked together so smoothly, they might have done this before.

And just like that, it was over.

Caitlin’s father helped her mother and then Tamiko into the wagon. Her boyfriend clambered up after her, scowling as he squeezed by Justin.

“You coming, honey?”

“Yeah, Dad.”

Ethan appeared next to her. “You can sit with me if you want.”

She turned to her father, but he was already halfway in the wagon. “I guess I will.”

Conner sat in the seat, holding the reins, while T.J. gripped Dolly’s bridle. The two cowboys had been helping Ethan with the horses all night.

Ethan climbed up first. Once he had hold of the reins, Conner jumped down. Molly and Dolly, tired after their long night, didn’t so much as twitch an ear.

Ethan held out a hand to Caitlin.

She tried to remember where to place her feet. Wheel spoke left? Footrest right?

“Need help?” Conner didn’t wait for an answer, and gave her a boost.

By some miracle, she made it into the seat, clumsily plopping down beside Ethan. Before she was quite settled he clucked to the horses and they were off.

She glanced over her shoulder at her brother. He appeared fine. Not the least bit self-conscious. He seemed to be enjoying himself, talking with the man who’d helped him. Smiling at Tamiko.

Such a change from the shy, geeky kid he’d been.

If Caitlin hadn’t encouraged him to go to the river that day, it might have been him sitting next to Tamiko. Taking her to a dance. Walking with her down a church aisle one day.

“He’s all right,” Ethan said.

“I was checking on my parents.”

“Liar.”

She sighed. “Am I that transparent?”

“Only to those of us who know you well.”

He did know her well, and she him. Which made this
game they were playing—drawing toward each other, then stepping back—all the more frustrating.

“Thanks for helping Justin out.”

“He’s a good kid.”

“Yeah, he is. And I’m sure he appreciates what you did for him.” She bit her lower lip, worrying it between her teeth. “So do I,” she finally admitted.

His reply was a simple, “You’re welcome.”

“I apologize for the mixed messages I’ve been sending you.”

“Maybe they weren’t so mixed.”

Maybe they weren’t.

A tiny sliver of awareness arrowed through her.

“I’m here for you, Caitlin, and I’m willing to wait. For however long it takes.”

That wasn’t what he’d said before. He’d left on a whim, broken her heart.

Could she trust him again?

Perhaps the more important question was, did she want to live the rest of her life without him?

“Isa, come back here!” Sage muttered an expletive in Spanish under her breath. Jumping down from the wagon, she chased her daughter across the green to the Santa’s workshop.

“Just think,” Ethan ribbed Gavin, who sat on the seat beside him. “Soon you and Sage will have another kid to wear you down and teach you a second language.”

“Yeah.” His brother grinned, something he’d been doing a lot lately. “I can’t wait.”

None of the Powells could. Sage’s resolve had weakened yet again, and this morning she’d broken the news of her pregnancy to the rest of the family. The girls had squealed with excitement. Ethan’s father had cried.

“By the way, you’re going to have to buy a new suit,” Gavin said. “We’re moving up the wedding date from May to February. Sage doesn’t want to be fat as a cow in her wedding dress. Her words,” he added emphatically, “not mine.”

“Can you pull everything together by then?”

“I think so. If we keep it casual and simple.”

“Let me know what you need help with.”

“Consider yourself on notice.” Gavin swung out of the seat, landing easily on the ground.

“Clay can be in charge of the bachelor party.”

Gavin moaned. “Whatever you do, don’t tell Sage.” He headed to the horses to check on them.

Ethan chuckled. He was glad for his brother.

Six months ago, the Powells were barely making ends meet, and their future looked bleak. Gavin had believed it was entirely up to him to put their riding stables in the black. He’d done it, with a little help from the rest of the family and good friends, including Clay. He’d also gained a fiancée and stepdaughter in the process.

Quite an accomplishment for a man who, until recently, considered himself unmarriageable and a poor excuse for a father.

Ethan held a similar opinion of himself. Though lately, with the help of Cassie and Isa, he was learning how to be a good uncle. That was a start.

“Isa forgot her hat.” Cassie, in full elf costume, held up a striped stocking cap with an enormous tassel on the end.

She, Isa and Sage had ridden in the bed of the wagon from the ranch, while Ethan’s father followed in the truck. He and Gavin had been tapped to help Ethan tonight with the horses.

“Come on, Dad.” Cassie scrambled out of the wagon. “I’ll show you and Grandpa Santa’s workshop.”

“You okay alone for a bit?” Gavin asked Ethan.

“Go on. Have fun.”

The pair met up with Ethan’s dad on his walk over from the parking lot.

All the Powells were together for an outing. Ethan didn’t have to search his memory for the last time that had happened. He remembered it clearly—Fourth of July fireworks, right before his mother’s body rejected the donor heart, and she succumbed to infection.

He’d taken Caitlin to the fireworks display, naturally, and they’d kissed under the brilliantly lit sky, pledging their love and devotion. No wonder she was still angry at him. If she had up and left him shortly after a night like that, he’d have trouble forgiving her.

She would be here tonight, helping Sage sell tickets and take donations. Ethan intended to get her alone at some point before the evening ended. A small wrapped package was burning a hole in his jacket pocket, and he was eager to give it to her. The gift wouldn’t make up for all the grief and misery he’d caused her, but he hoped she would see the meaning behind it and think a little better of him.

One of the horses lowered his head and pawed the pavement, more ready than his buddy to get started.

Ethan had brought a different team tonight. They weren’t as nicely matched as Dolly and Molly, but equally dependable. The geldings had been full of energy when they left the ranch. A two-mile walk down the long road had tired them out some, and by their third trip around the park, they’d be beat.

So would Ethan. He hadn’t worked this hard since basic training, but he’d do it again in a heartbeat if Caitlin asked him.

Ethan noticed her then, taking the same route as his father from the parking lot across the green. She carried a large tote bag pressed close to her side, as if the contents were fragile or precious.

Caitlin went straight to the table, waving briefly to him, and seemed perplexed to find no one there. She looked around, set her tote bag down, then picked it up again.

He’d have gone over to talk to her if he could leave the horses. Instead, he imagined her coming to him.

In the next moment she did, wearing a radiant smile.

She aimed it at him, and he swore they were back at the fireworks display, sitting beneath the brilliantly lit sky.

Before she reached him, his father and Gavin met up with her. She gave his dad a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Ethan was jealous. Gavin received the same treatment, and Ethan was even more jealous. He was seriously considering leaping
down from the wagon and collecting his kiss and hug when she came to stand by him, her hand resting on the wheel.

“Hey.”

“Can I interest you in a ride, ma’am?”

“Maybe later.” She laughed softly and transformed once more into the old Caitlin. They were young, flirting outrageously and unable to get enough of each other. “I promised I’d help Sage tonight.”

“The supplies are in the truck,” Wayne said. “If you’re looking for them.”

“I’ll wait for Sage.” She shrugged, causing her tote bag to slip. She hefted the straps back onto her shoulder, running her fingers tentatively down the side.

“She might be a while. I can fetch them for you.”

“Do you mind? I’ll go with you.”

Ethan saw his opportunity and grabbed it. “I’ll do it. Gavin, get over here and watch these horses for me.”

“D
ID YOU WANT TO LEAVE
your stuff here?” Ethan asked. “Dad will watch it.”

“No.” Caitlin hugged the tote closer. “That’s all right.”

They walked side by side, though not close and not touching. Small talk came easy.

“Are you ready for Christmas?”

Her question reminded Ethan they’d seen little of each other lately.

“Me? No. I’m a last-minute shopper.” He thought of the gift in his pocket. “Usually. But Sage and the girls have transformed the house. There’s a tree in the living room, a wreath on the front door and cookies baking in the oven every day. Dad’s trying to set some kind of record.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“It is.” The preparations took him back to when he was a kid and his mother had gone all-out for Christmas with the
same gusto as Sage and the rest of his family. “What about you?”

“I’ve finished my shopping.”

“More than I can say.”

“Still haven’t done anything with the condo or even sent out one card. I’m so bad.”

“You’re busy.”

“Not that busy.”

“By the way, Clay’s having another jackpot the Saturday after Christmas.”

“I’ll be there.” She hesitated a beat before asking, “Will you?”

“Yes, but not riding. Working the stock.”

“Not competing?”

He thought he detected a hint of optimism in her voice, and hated disappointing her. “This jackpot is for high school students. There’s a statewide junior rodeo coming up in January. Clay wants to give the kids an opportunity to practice before then.”

“High school students? They’re so young.”

“I was competing at that age.”

“I know.” Deep creases knitted her brow.

“We don’t use the same rodeo stock for them. The bulls and horses tend to be smaller. And Clay will require every participant to wear safety equipment or they don’t compete.”

He could see the topic distressed her. Too late, he remembered that Justin had been a senior in high school when he’d had his accident.

Fortunately, they reached Gavin’s truck, and the discussion came to an end. Digging the keys from his pocket, he unlocked the door and retrieved the box of supplies.

“I’ll carry it for you,” he said when she held out her hands.

“Wait.”

“Just this once, Caitlin, let me carry something for you without giving me a hard time.”

“I don’t care about the supplies.” She hesitated, did that lower-lip biting thing that signaled she was nervous. “I’d planned on giving you this later tonight.” She lowered the tote from her shoulder. “Now might be better, so you can put it in the truck.”

His curiosity was piqued. “What is it?”

She removed a wrapped present from the tote bag and held it out to him. “Merry Christmas, Ethan.”

He was floored. She’d gotten him a present, too.

Setting the supplies on the hood of the truck, he took the slim, rectangular package from her. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing special… I hope you like it.”

He tugged at the tape holding the colorful wrapping paper. “I’m sure I will.”

The corner of a wooden picture frame peeked out. A moment later, he held a framed photograph in his hands, emotions rioting inside him.

“I noticed you don’t have any pictures on the walls in your apartment yet,” Caitlin explained. “I thought maybe this could be your first one.”

“This is great.” He smiled at her and tilted the picture for a closer look in the fading daylight. “I really like it.” He also liked the effort she’d gone to and the thoughtfulness behind the gift.

“I hoped you would.”

The photo was of him breaking Prince. It was one Justin had taken with his phone, now enlarged to an eight-by-ten. The angle was perfect. Both Ethan and Prince wore determined expressions, Ethan’s goal to stay seated and Prince’s to throw his rider. At the moment the photo was snapped, no clear victor was evident.

He rewrapped the picture and placed it on the floor in front of the passenger seat.

“Don’t take this wrong, but I’m kind of surprised.”

“Why?”

“You don’t much like me bronc riding and breaking horses.”

“Yes.” Caitlin tipped her head appealingly to one side. “But it’s your life and what you choose to do. I respect that and admire it, too. You’ve always been true to yourself, Ethan.”

That wasn’t quite accurate. If he was really true to himself, he’d haul Caitlin into his arms and kiss the socks off her.

“Be careful. I might start thinking you’re not as tough as you claim.”

“Maybe I’m not.”

He was tempted to jump to all sorts of conclusions, and warned himself not to read too much into what she said. Becoming more tolerant of his chosen profession wasn’t an open invitation back into her life.

“I have something for you, too.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and removed his gift for her.

“Oh.” Her eyes lit up. She accepted the present and, unlike him, tore at the paper with careless abandon. “Haverson’s?” she asked, reading the name stenciled in gold.

“You’ve heard of them?”

“Yes.” She cradled the box in her hands. “Before I open this, I’m going to say you shouldn’t have. Everything in that store costs a small fortune.”

Ethan chuckled. “One of the owners is a client of mine. He gave me a discount.”

Nestled inside the tissue paper was a handmade Christmas tree ornament. Caitlin lifted it by the silk string and held it up. The wagon, a miniature replica of the one Ethan drove,
spun in a circle, the glow from the parking-lot lights glinting off its shiny green paint.

“Ethan,” she breathed. “It’s charming.”

“I know you said you weren’t decorating this year because you hadn’t decided whether to stay in Mustang Valley or not. I thought you should have something. Blame Sage and the girls. They’ve corrupted me with their Christmas spirit and—”

Caitlin didn’t let him finish. Clutching the front of his jacket, she pulled him to her for a kiss. “I love it,” she said, and pressed her lips to his.

Ethan was very glad he’d stowed away the picture she’d given him. Having two free arms enabled him to slip his hands inside her unbuttoned coat and draw her fully against him.

In the span of an instant the kiss went from sweet to sensual to searing. The moment his tongue touched her lips they parted for him. He took full advantage, and she encouraged him, unlike the night they’d kissed at the rodeo arena and she’d held back.

She tasted exactly as he remembered. Her body, firm yet yielding, molded to his. She teased and tortured him by sifting her fingers through the hair at the base of his neck and rocking ever so slightly.

Her soft moan was answered by a low groan from him.

The need to touch her became overwhelming. Too many clothes hampered his efforts, causing him great frustration. He settled for taking hold of her hips and aligning them with his.

“Caitlin?” Sage’s call carried from the park.

Ethan cursed his future sister-in-law’s lousy timing.

He broke off the kiss, gulping air to fill his deprived lungs. He tried to talk. All that came out was Caitlin’s name and a ragged breath.

She sighed contentedly, smiled coyly. Standing on tiptoes, she captured his lower lip between her teeth and tugged. It was something she used to do when they were younger, and it always drove him crazy.

Nothing had changed. His body jerked reflexively in response.

He kissed her again, hard, deeply, then pulled away while he still could. “I want to see you. Tonight. After the wagon rides.”

“All right.”

No objections? No arguments? No insisting he listen to reason?

“I’ll get Gavin and Dad to take the wagon and horses home.”

Caitlin leaned forward and rested her forehead on his chest. In a quiet voice she said, “We can go to my place.”

“You sure?” Ethan lifted her face to his, not wanting there to be any misunderstanding between them.

“I’m sure.” She retreated a step, and his hands fell away.

She’d made her decision about them and about tonight. Ethan didn’t quite know what that decision was. He could only guess…and hope.

“T
HANK YOU, SIR
.” Caitlin put the donation for the mustang sanctuary in the jar. “The last ride will be leaving in about twenty minutes. The line starts over there.”

They’d been busier tonight than last night, for which she was glad. The constant stream of customers over the past three hours had enabled her to avoid thinking of Ethan and what might occur later.

She’d invited him to her condo! That hadn’t been her original intention. After they’d kissed, her mind shut down and her heart had come up with the idea. She could rescind the invitation, concoct some excuse. Only she didn’t want to.