Home For Christmas (A Copper Mountain Christmas) (11 page)

"Someday, sure. Until then it's my job to protect her. My sister's been hurt in the past. By those crooks who stole her business and assholes that broke her heart. I don't want to see that happen again."

"Rachel's grown up fast. She seems careful with her heart and her money now. From what I can see."

"But I can help her avoid the wrong kind of guys, ones who don't have the best records when it comes to long term relationships like us cowboys."

Us.
The word settled in the bottom of Nate's stomach like a horseshoe. He wasn't a dusty cowboy with wanderlust in his soul and a wandering eye. He owned a ranch and had an investment portfolio. He wanted to settle down and have a family. Ty knew that or should. "Speak for yourself, hotshot. I've been working my ass off to find a woman who'll put up with me for life."

Ty's eyes narrowed. His lips thinned. "You interested in my sister?"

Crap. "I'm interested in her staying in Montana. For you."

"Good, because even though I love you like a brother and you're a great business partner, I've seen you choose your work over women every single time. Not that I haven't agreed with you when it happened, but Rachel deserves better."

His words sliced Nate like a knife, a direct hit at his heart. "That's harsh, man. You know how much the Bar V5 means."

"Damn straight, I do. That doesn't change the facts."

"Falling in love with a woman who would never fit in here makes no sense."

"Exactly." A thoughtful expression crossed Ty's face. "Just because Rachel's enjoying this
vacation, don't think she'd want to live on a ranch that's as isolated as the Bar V5. Rachel's lived in Phoenix her entire life. She wants to open a bakery. If she decides to stay in Montana, she'll want to live in town. A place out in the middle of nowhere would drive her crazy."

Nate didn't think Ty knew his sister as well as he thought he did. "You should ask Rachel what she wants, and be prepared to accept what she says. You can't control her like she's ten years old."

"No, but having Rachel closer is to help her, not let her get hurt again. If worse comes to worst, there is something I can do."

Nate didn't like his friend's ominous tone. "What?"

"Tell her it's time for us to get her the hell out of Dodge. She would listen to me then."

He bit the inside of his mouth, afraid Ty was right.

CHAPTER SIX

Two nights later, a winter storm raged. Good thing it wasn't Christmas Eve or Santa would need Rudolph to lead his sleigh through the whiteout conditions.

Inside the Bar V5, Rachel slid hot pans from the oven. She placed the gingerbread on cooling racks then looked over at her brother, who was munching on a cookie. "I filled two thermoses with coffee and there's a container of Chex Mix for the bunk house."

"Thanks, kiddo." Ty looked more like a mountain climber than a cowboy with his winter gear, especially the neck gaiter. "And thanks for staying at the ranch. Makes my life easier with this storm."

"Mine, too." Driving back and forth to town didn't make sense in this weather. Especially when her big concern about staying here—Nate—had been a non-issue. She saw him only at mealtimes with the rest of the guys. A little frustrating. She missed talking with him and hearing his ideas and seeing his smile. Alone. Now she was being silly. He was just a business adviser and friend. That she might happen to have a little crush on.

Ty stared at her strangely.

Shoot. They were talking about…staying at the ranch. "I picked up new orders this morning. Glad I made it back here before the snow got too heavy. I wouldn't want to be stuck baking in your kitchen."

"Haha."

"What's so funny?"

Rachel didn't need to turn around to know Nate had arrived. If she hadn't recognized his voice, her racing pulse would have been a dead giveaway. Yeah, not seeing him much had probably been a good thing.

"My li'l sis is dissing my kitchen." Ty picked up another cookie. "Yours has spoiled her."

"She's spoiling us with her cooking and baking."

Rachel turned to thank him, but the words died on her lips. No man should look that hot in workout clothes. She nearly dropped her oven mitts into the sink.

"That's true." Ty stood right next to her, but he might as well have been talking in the laundry room with the door closed.

Nate stood in the doorway to the living area, his hair damp, the ends curly. A plain white T-shirt stretched across his wide chest and showed off his strong arms, not the muscles of a bodybuilder, but a man who did hard labor. He wore black sweat pants and was barefoot. Even his feet looked sexy. "Guess you're not going back out tonight."

"Nope." He tilted his head toward Ty's direction. "This crazy guy is going to make sure everything's locked down."

"That's right," Ty said. "You need to get off that ankle."

"Ankle?" Rachel noticed the way Nate leaned against the door jamb, his right leg supporting his weight. She took a step toward him. "Did you hurt yourself?"

"Nothing serious." Nate waved off the concern. "Twisted it."

"Trying not to step on a barn kitty," Ty added. "That little beast appeared out of nowhere. We should rename him Lucky."

She stared at Nate. "You hurt yourself because of a cat?"

"I couldn't step on a kitten."

Her heart melted. "That's so sweet."

"I try." His grin crinkled the corners of his eyes. "It's no big deal. I'm going to grab some ice, a beer, and watch TV tonight. I'll be fine tomorrow."

"Grab a spot on the couch and make yourself comfortable." Rachel had taken care of Ty many times when he'd hurt himself working at a guest ranch while raising her. She grabbed a gallon-size plastic bag. "I'll get you ice. Anything else?"

"Popcorn if you don't mind." Nate gave the thumbs up to Ty. "This is turning out better than I expected. Give Lucky a treat for me."

Ty nodded. "Now all you need is something to watch."

"A Christmas Carol," Nate said.

"I love that movie." Standing at the freezer, Rachel put ice into the plastic bag. "Such a great message for everyone."

"Not if you're scared of ghosts," Ty teased.

"Well, I'm not. I love the Ghost of Christmas Past." Rachel wrapped the bag of ice in a clean dishtowel. "Nothing scary about reliving fond memories from long ago."

When Mom and Dad had been alive. She needed to take flowers to the cemetery when she got home.

"I'm a fan of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come," Nate said to her surprise. "I'm an optimist, always thinking the best is still on its way, rather than behind me."

"The Ghost of Christmas Present is the realist. That's me." Ty grabbed a beer out of the fridge, removed the cap, then took a pull. "Looking back won't change what happened yesterday.
Who knows what will happen tomorrow? The best thing is to concentrate on right now. We're going to have an amazing Christmas together."

"It's going to be great," Rachel agreed.

Ty's eyes turned serious. "Montana starting to grow on you?"

"It's hard not to get caught up in the Christmas spirit," she admitted. "The snow, the people. What's not to like?"

Ty's gaze met Nate's.

Rachel looked at her brother. "What? I thought you wanted me to like it here and would be happy."

Ty's smile lit up his face. "I am very happy."

"Why don't you two watch the movie with me?" Nate asked. "I need someone to make beer runs to the kitchen during commercials."

"No explosions. No hot women. No sex. I'll pass." Ty picked up the thermoses and plastic container. "But Rachel loves the movie. She'll keep you company and be your runner."

Nate looked at her with hope in his eyes. "Will you?"

"You could learn a lesson here, big brother. Nate lets me decide for myself."

Ty shrugged. "Your answer's still going to be a yes."

"True. It's one of my favorite holiday films." The way he kept weight off his foot bothered Rachel. So did the bruise. Someone needed to stay with him and make sure he was okay. That duty fell to her tonight, and she didn't mind one bit. "I'll make the popcorn and be right in."

Nate glanced at the clock on the microwave. "The movie starts in ten minutes."

"Plenty of time." She looked at her brother. "Help Nate into the great room. Make sure his foot is elevated on pillows above his heart."

Nate started to speak.

Ty raised his hand. "Don't say a word. Just go with it. Been here myself. You're in good hands."

Six minutes later, Rachel entered the great room, tray in hand. Wood crackled and flames danced in the stone fireplace. Pine boughs and holly covered the wood mantel. Candles and the word JOY spelled out in silver letters were interspersed among the greenery.

A rope hung across the front of the fireplace and strung through the loops on red stockings with names on the white cuffs, one for each of the ranch employees and one for her. She'd been touched and honored. The only family she had was Ty, but here at the Bar V5, she felt part of something bigger. "I appreciate your hanging a stocking for me."

"I told you the first day we met. You're family."

Family should feel comfortable around each other. Being alone with Nate unnerved Rachel, like she was standing on a cliff, with deep water below, unsure if she should jump or edge back slowly.

She placed the tray with his beer, her mug of steaming tea, and a bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. "Do you need ibuprofen?"

"Took some for the swelling. Any pain will be eased by the company." He sat with his foot on pillows and the makeshift ice pack against his ankle. "This couch has a better view than the other two."

Maybe, but the other leather sofas were empty. She wouldn't be seated right next to him.

"You'll be able to reach your tea from here, too," he added.

True, but he would be within arm's reach. Oh-so-tempting.

"Come on." He patted the cushion next to him. "I haven't seen you much except during meals."

She sat, a cushion away from the spot he'd patted. A safe distance.

Or maybe not.

His soap scent had replaced the dirt and musky male smell she'd gotten used to while eating with a bunch of ranch hands. She wanted another sniff of the fresh aroma. And his skin.

He picked up the beer bottle. "How do you like your room?"

"It's amazing." Sleeping between luxurious high-thread count linens on a soft-as-a-cloud mattress made her feel like royalty. The plush, white towels in the bathroom went to the top spot on her if-I-win-the-lottery-list. Maybe if she limited any
naughty
thoughts about Nate and stayed on the
nice
list, Santa would bring her a set for Christmas. "Nightly turn-down service and a Copper Mountain Chocolate on my pillow are nice touches. You or Ty?"

Nate's cheeks reddened, answering her question. "That's what we do for guests."

"I thought I was family."

"Guests and family." He took a swig of beer.

She glanced around the room until her gaze rested on the fifteen-foot Christmas tree positioned in front of two floor-to-ceiling windows, twinkling with multi-colored lights. A shiny gold star sat at the top. A wooden carved nativity was centered beneath the branches, on a colorful patchwork tree skirt. "

Rachel loved this place. "Staying here's spoiled me. Will make it hard to go back to Ty's apartment."

Or hers in Arizona.

That was a crazy thought. She picked up her mug. The desert was home, not the mountains.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you want."

"Thanks." The russet of her tea reminded her of Nate's eyes. Rachel's heart bumped. "I imagine Christmas must be lovely at the ranch."

"It's quiet." His voice sounded lower, more serious than normal. He shifted positions. "At least until people come over for Christmas dinner. Folks know there's an open invitation so I'm never sure who'll show up 'til they step through the door. It's a potluck rather than a traditional menu, though I do cook a turkey."

"Sounds fun."

He leaned toward her. "You'll be here?"

She reached for the popcorn to put more distance between them. Avoid crawling onto his lap like the kitten he'd saved. Being careful of his ankle, of course.

What would happen if she did?

That was what she'd been thinking about at night, two doors away, waiting for him to walk past her room. Knock. Just to check on her.

Right.

"Rachel."

"Oh, yeah. Of course we'll be there. I brought my favorite holiday recipes with me. I'll cook a couple of dishes."

"The more the merrier. This place was built for a crowd."

And that's when she realized what Nate Vaughn wanted—company. The guy was lonely with no guests to care for and entertain. Helping her with the gingerbread houses might be for Ty, but also gave Nate something to do, something other than being alone in this big house.

He touched her shoulder. "Hey. You seem miles away. The movie's starting."

Her sweater kept his skin from touching hers. Yet heat emanated from the point of contact, sending chills down her arm. The good kind, ones she hadn't felt since the last time he'd made this happen a few days ago. She swallowed. "Just enjoying the Christmas tree."

And his touch.

All she had to do was scoot a couple inches to her left. She had a feeling he might meet her halfway. Maybe put his arm around her. Except…

Her stomach knotted, like curling ribbon that had fallen off the spool into a jumbled mess.

Rachel didn't want to repeat her past mistakes. They'd cost her so much, too much. What if this turned into another misstep? Her heart didn't want to take the chance.

Reluctantly, she leaned forward, set her mug on the table, and reached for the popcorn bowl.

His hand slipped off her shoulder, the way she'd expected. He rested his forearm on the cushion between them. Exactly what she'd wanted to happen. But darn it, she missed his touch.

Rachel offered Nate popcorn then forced herself to stare at the television. Concentrate on the opening credits. Focus on the first scene.

Except she couldn't stop thinking about the man seated next to her. For so long, she'd allowed work dreams of a bakery to dominate her fantasies, pushing thoughts of a serious relationship, having her own family and the future out of the way. But here in Montana, those thoughts were becoming stronger, more vivid, and starred Nate. She shivered.

He placed his arm along the back of the couch. "There are blankets on the quilt rack by the Christmas tree if you're cold."

"I'm fine." She remembered his ankle. "Do you need one?"

"Nope." He tipped back his beer. "I'm nice and warm."

Hot, actually. But no one was asking her opinion.

The bowl of popcorn rested between them.

Weird. Nate seemed to have moved closer.

A full cushion no longer separated them. But even stranger, he hadn't been the only one to bridge the gap between the bottom sofa cushions. She'd done the same thing.

Uh-oh.

At this rate, they'd be on top of each other before Marley appeared, dragging his heavy chains. That appealed to her more than hearing Tiny Tim's famous words at the end.

She thought Nate felt the same way, at least by the way he was acting tonight, but what would that mean?

A holiday fling.

Rachel's stomach plunged to her feet. A sign what might happen to her heart. Splat.

Nope. Best to keep things nice and easy between them, like friends. Good, helpful, care-about-each-other friends.

That meant she had make sure she didn't move any closer to him and not eat any popcorn. She didn't dare reach into the bowl and accidentally touch Nate.

Because despite her friends-only intentions, she might not want to let go.

The snow kept falling. Nate didn't mind the white stuff, but he didn't know how many days of the storm he could take being stuck inside. Lying in bed, he punched his pillow, trying to get comfortable. He hadn't slept well.

His ankle, but mostly Rachel.

Last night Nate had been too focused on her to pay attention to the movie. He could have made a move, see if she was interested in him romantically or not, but no, he sneaked peeks and touches like a fourteen-year-old, too afraid of the consequences if he crossed the imaginary boundary line set by her over-protective older brother.

Stupid.

Not to mention that he was the worst friend ever.

But he couldn't help himself.

Nate tried to think of Rachel as an old friend like Annie. He tried to think of her as an employee like Charlie. Even tried to think of her as a sister. Nothing worked. Rachel's baking skills, her creativity, her kindness, her compassion and her nurturing made his desire grow stronger each time he saw her.

If Ty knew, he would never stay at the Bar V5. He'd want to take Rachel with him. And she would likely choose her loyalty to her brother over a man she'd just met.

But Nate wasn't the kind of guy to assume the temperature was too cold for a swim without dipping in his toe into the water. Or in this case, tasting the water.

Besides a few touches and a near kiss, nothing physical had happened between them. These thoughts and feelings about Rachel could all be in his head, a fantasy, a Christmas wish. He needed to find out whether they were real or not. And if real, whether they were reciprocated.

If they were, he was screwed.

A knock sounded at the door. Must be Ty. He checked on employees whenever they were sick or hurt. Nate's ankle throbbed. He hoped Ty came bearing ibuprofen and a fresh ice pack. "Come in."

Rachel entered, carrying a tray. "Good morning."

He bolted upright, his blanket falling off his bare chest. At least his ankle had been bothering him too much last night to bother taking off his sweatpants. Otherwise she would have caught him in the nude. "Hey."

Her eyes widened. Her gaze dropped to his chest. "How's, um, your ankle?"

"Okay. A little sore." Seeing her made him feel like the sun had burst through the clouds. She wore a red apron over her long-sleeved forest green shirt, faded jeans and multi-colored, polka dotted socks. She walked toward him, her lopsided ponytail bouncing and a wide smile on her face. "Nothing that more ice, a couple anti-inflammatories, and breakfast can't fix."

He wasn't sure how Rachel managed to look beautiful and adorable at the same time, but she did. "Thanks."

She rested the tray against her hip and handed him an ice pack. "Put this on your ankle."

He did, never taking his gaze off her.

Forget keeping Hansel at the ranch. Nate wanted Gretel in a bad way.

"Take it easy today." Her voice slid over him, soft and sweet. "Stay in bed."

Hell, he wanted her to set the tray on the dresser then slide in bed and spend the day with him, limbs and tongues tangled, without the cute clothes. That would give him all the answers he needed.

She gave him the tray. "I made you a cheesy scramble with hash browns, molasses toast and a strawberry-banana smoothie."

Nate didn't know what smelled better—breakfast or her, a mix of vanilla, something floral, and sugar plums.

He was losing his mind.

Cabin fever must have set in during the last, oh, sixteen hours. Either that or wanting to have sex with his best friend's sister had re-wired Nate's brain.

She leaned toward Nate. Touched his forehead. "Are you okay?"

No. But he could fake it. "Hungry."

"Let me know if there's anything you need."

Nate wanted her, but he knew that wasn't what she meant. "Company would be nice."

Way to go, Vaughn.
Why not light ten sticks of dynamite to see what might happen? Or ask to see her breasts?

She nodded. "I'll be back once I pull the gingerbread out of the oven, okay?"

He nodded, even though none of this was okay. Ty would never be okay with Nate having sex with Rachel.

Crap. He stared at the food on the tray, his appetite completely gone, then up at Rachel. His chest tightened.

If he kept this up, he would destroy his relationship with Ty.

Change the Bar V5 forever.

Nate couldn't do that.

I've seen you choose your work over women every single time.

Ty's words echoed through Nate's head. He'd done that, and he would do the same thing again this time. Put the ranch above his personal needs. Above Rachel.

Nate needed to push all physical attraction and desire for Rachel away. No testing and tasting between friends. Or their sisters.

He might want to, but he couldn't. Wouldn't. Not worth the risk to her, to him, to the Bar V5.

Maybe if Nate told himself that enough times, he might start to believe it.

By the time the storm passed two days later, Rachel knew all about Nate leaving the Bar V5 to go to college, business school, and into venture capital, to his return, falling in love with the ranch and never wanting to leave. The worst part was she wanted more. More talking. More sharing. More Nate.

With a sigh hanging on the chilly morning air, Rachel made her way to the barn along the shoveled path.

Nate's openness to questions surprised her. He didn't act smooth or gloss over his mistakes. His honesty gave her hope about guys, and she appreciated the way he listened to her. Ty only heard a few of her words before suggesting fixes and dismissing concerns. Nate waited until she finished, no matter how long she took to get something out then gave an opinion only if she asked. Talking with him felt different, like shopping with him had felt different. Not so much side-by-side buddies hanging out, but more like they were… together.

But he hadn't made a move or asked her out on a date. She couldn't be sure if he was just being super-friendly, her Christmastime BFF, and was going to let her down slowly from her obvious crush.

At least her crush was obvious to her.

Nate acted oblivious, but she didn't know if that was on purpose or not. She wasn't sure what to hope for, except she didn't like the status quo.

In spite of her cold-weather gear, her teeth chattered. She carried a container of fresh-from-the-oven scones, a jar of jelly, and container of butter. Yesterday, he'd mentioned how his mother used to make scones for him and his dad, so Rachel had decided to surprise him. Cowboys had to take breaks once in a while, right?