A Cowboy’s Christmas List: Holidays in Heart Falls: Book 4

by Vivian Arend

  The part he had to get settled in his gut was to stop hoping for everything to go smoothly the entire time. It was hard, though. The more time he’d had to plan, and the more items that he’d put on his list, the easier it had been to imagine coming out the other end with Yvette by his side.

  Damn optimistic soul that he had. He really needed to speak to his foster parents. Maybe he should have had fewer positive experiences during his teen years—that might’ve kicked the cheerful positivity out of his core.

  They hadn’t been perfect, but the one thing they had taught him was that success involved a lot of dreaming. Then it involved putting in the hard work.

  So be it. The small moment of keep it real had just been kicked to the curb by one hundred percent holiday enthusiasm. Alex was going to do his damnedest to make sure when Christmas landed, he and Yvette were more than friends.

  He flipped through one of his books, holiday carols playing in the background. Very appropriately, “I Know What I Want for Christmas” by George Strait came on, and Alex grinned as he hummed along.

  “You understand this is a bookstore, not a library.”

  The statement was said dryly with just a hint of warning as Sonora Fallen settled into the armchair next to his. The woman was striking in a solid, contented way. In her early sixties, she had long, silver-white hair she usually wore in a braid as she worked the animal rescue at the ranch where she lived. Tonight she’d left her hair down, and for a moment Alex could see hints of what she would’ve looked like in her early twenties. Bold, fearless, and brilliantly beautiful.

  Alex laid a hand on the pile of books on the table between them. “I plan to purchase them all.”

  “Huh.” She leaned back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap then examined him closely. “You were gone for months.”

  “I was. I came back.”

  Her gaze remained fixed on his face. Assessing—which was a little worrisome, because she was not only smart as a whip, she’d been around a few times when he hadn’t been at his best. Including one time when he’d managed to put both feet in his mouth regarding Yvette.

  Sure enough, Sonora’s brow rose. “While you were gone, did you learn any manners?”

  Interesting to discover he was sitting upright, no longer slouched and relaxed but as if he were on inspection. “Yes, ma’am.”

  She made a sound that could possibly be called a snort before sliding his pile of books into her lap. Quietly, she examined each one before restacking it.

  Alex had worked at the Silver Stone ranch for many years. Between that and his time at the fire hall, he’d gotten to know the foreman, Ashton Stewart, pretty well. Ashton, whom they were all convinced had a thing for the woman sitting next to him. Ashton was also in his sixties and usually said as little as possible about his relationship situation.

  Which just made it all the more tempting for Alex to open the topic.

  “I’ll be seeing Ashton later,” Alex informed Sonora.

  Her hands remained steady as she turned pages. Her voice was cool as she answered, “I assumed you would.”

  Alex was about to offer to say hello from her when the bell over the door rang, and Yvette walked in.

  He had closed the distance between them before she’d even reached the middle of the aisle. “You’re early.”

  “I thought I would look around for a while,” she said, lips twitching as she glanced at him. “You’re earlier.”

  He grinned.

  Sonora had disappeared, the curtain behind the desk still swaying. Alex would return to teasing her later if appropriate.

  For now, he focused his attention on Yvette. “Have you been in before?”

  “A number of times,” she told him. She paused, and Alex smiled when he realized she was taking a deep inhale, appreciation drifting over her face. “I love that smell.”

  Alex gestured to the corner of the shop. “I’ve already got a few books picked out, so go ahead and look around. Want me to grab you a cup of tea?”

  “Chai if they have it, please.” Without a backward glance, Yvette drifted into the tall stacks with their colourful displays.

  He turned to discover Sonora had reappeared, standing behind the counter with one brow raised. “The plot thickens,” she murmured.

  He cleared his throat. “Book lovers,” he said in explanation.

  “Ah.” Sonora placed her hands on the counter and leaned forward. “Young man.”

  The temptation to stand at attention was strong. This woman must’ve been in the military in a past life. “Yes, ma’am?”

  “That is a fine young woman.” Her gaze barely flicked toward Yvette before settling on Alex, a very stern expression rising. “Behave.”

  “Ma’am, there is nothing you can tell me that my own mother hasn’t already told me, multiple times, especially over the past six months,” Alex assured her.

  Which wasn’t a yes, I plan to behave answer, because his list of what might happen over the next just-over-three weeks involved a fair bit of misbehaving. He hoped.

  If all went well.

  Sonora sighed. “You’re as bad as my granddaughters. Don’t think I didn’t catch that little bit of doublespeak.” She shook her head. “I’ll get you the chai.”

  After that, Sonora seemed to have magically vanished. Perhaps, since she’d delivered her warning, she figured it was now on Yvette to take care of herself. Or maybe Sonora figured that while she poked and prodded Ashton as usual, she’d keep an eye on Alex at the same time.

  Alex pushed all that aside and went after Yvette.

  He found her in the true crime section. “Really?”

  She already had three books in her stack. “Malachi Fields orders new mystery titles regularly for me. But this is a wonderful surprise.”

  She held up an oversized tome that involved serial killers and cold cases.

  “Yvette Wright, are you telling me you like bloodthirsty books?”

  “I like an eclectic mix of stories.” She glanced to the side, where two steaming cups sat on the table between their chairs. “Let’s see what you picked out.”

  A moment later she’d pushed her bloody books against his chest so she could settle in her chair and snoop through his pile.

  Yvette turned over the topmost books and glanced up in surprise. “Fantasy. I never took you for a high-elvish type.”

  “Science fiction, science fantasy. High fantasy.” He put her books on the side table, flipping the first one facedown so he didn’t have to look at the cover with its image of blood dripping off a knife.

  The glossy paint job made it look a little too real.

  “Make believe,” Yvette declared.

  “Even the real stuff tends to have a bit of make believe in it.” He leaned back and took the time to admire Yvette while she was busy reading the back-cover copy of his choices.

  She’d pulled on a pair of leggings in a snowflake pattern. A blue sweater covered her curves, shadows accentuating her tempting form. Full breasts over a strong torso. Legs that went on for miles. Hands he wanted to feel stroking his chest the way she was running her fingers over the spine of the book—

  Focus, dammit. Books, not ogling, were on the current agenda.

  He forced his gaze to her face so that when he spoke, their eyes met. “I’ve read some history, but most of it is full of battles or people doing cruel things to others, and it’s not my jam. Which is why fantasy history works better for me.”

  “A lot of history is nasty,” she agreed. She sipped on her tea thoughtfully, her gaze drifting over him. “You don’t have to buy me books.”

  What?

  He must’ve said it out loud because she lowered her cup and leaned forward in her chair, expression concerned.

  “I don’t know if we should do this,” Yvette said softly. “I mean, it’s really sweet that you made that desk into something unique. You’ve obviously put a lot of effort into it. I don’t want to knock that. But I’m just not sure this will work…
”

  “Because our reading choices clash?” Alex chuckled. He put a ton of energy into the sound, because if she called it off, they would be done. He would pursue her whole-heartedly, but only if she wanted to be pursued.

  He wanted this to work. He planned on it working, but she had to feel in control.

  Yvette eyed him in confusion. “Our reading choices don’t just clash, they’re night and day different. I will tell you right now, I have no interest in any of the books you want to buy.”

  “Trust me, I have no intention of reading yours.” He shook his head and offered her a smile. “I’m really surprised, considering both of our jobs involve a fair amount of blood and grossness at times. I expected you to avoid it in your reading. But it is what it is.”

  Yvette watched him, waiting.

  Alex rested his elbows on his knees. “Here’s the important part. We both read.”

  Yvette’s mouth was open, probably in preparation to once again tell him they needed to call this off before they’d even gotten started.

  But now, she closed it. A small noise escaped her, sort of like a humph, and she dipped her head. “You’re right.”

  “When do you read?” he asked, hope returning as Yvette settled. Thank goodness, she no longer looked about to bolt from the store.

  “Whenever I can. Far too much.” Yvette met his gaze. “I’m sorry. I’m a little skittish. I said I would trust you and give this a try. You’ve obviously not just put effort into this but a good deal of thought.”

  “No need to apologize. I get it,” he assured her. “I’m on shaky ground here, as well.”

  For a moment they just looked at each other. The soft sound of Christmas carols chimed in the background as the warmth of the bookstore wrapped around them.

  “When should I open the next drawer?” Yvette asked.

  His heart kicked back into high gear. Good. They were still moving in the right direction. “Day two. Anytime you want tomorrow.”

  Her lips twisted slightly. “Let me rephrase the question. You said some drawers I’d open on my own, some with you. What’s tomorrow?”

  “On your own.” He should have made it clearer in the first place. “I made a few assumptions, based on typical Heart Falls December activities. Did you plan to help pack holiday hampers for the food bank on Saturday?”

  She popped open her phone and checked her calendar. “Yes. I’m off all day.”

  “Then, if it’s okay with you, I’ll bring lunch to your place. You can open day four, and we’ll head to Rough Cut for the event at four o’clock.”

  “Are we planning on eating lunch the entire time? Because I don’t know if I need that much pre-holiday consumption.”

  He laughed. “We won’t eat the entire time. Your gift on Saturday is some assembly required.”

  Yvette nodded slowly before her eyes met his, and this time some of the hesitancy was gone. Curiosity and amusement sat in their place. “Okay.”

  Okay.

  Day one. Plans made for day four. Alex pulled a book off the shelf to his side, and for the next hour, they wandered through the store, talking about books.

  The time together was a touch awkward by anyone’s standard, but it was also far less antagonistic than some of their previous encounters.

  It was a start, and that’s all Alex could have asked for.

  3

  Of course, the change in their relationship was now cannon fodder for discussion in the Heart Falls community. Alex discovered this the following day when he made his way into the fire hall.

  His first shift now that he was back wasn’t due to begin until two p.m., but the fire chief, Bradley Ford, had asked him to come in early. After Brad was good enough to let Alex take off at a moment’s notice the previous year with no known return date, Alex figured there would be some payback for his good luck over the next months.

  Not that he minded. None of the crew he worked with at the fire hall commanded anything less than his full admiration.

  The two men Alex considered his best friends were Mack and Ryan. Mack Klassen, the head firefighter, was ex-military and as solid as they got. Ryan Zhao ran the local pub, Rough Cut, along with doing volunteer hours. Adding in Brad and Ashton, who also coordinated shifts at the fire hall, Alex was surrounded by a core group of men he knew not only had his back but were willing and able to kick his butt when necessary.

  He raced up the stairs to the upper level, above where the trucks were stored. The main area at the top was divided into three. First was the kitchen/gathering place where they served meals and met for technical training. The next section was the common room for quiet time and more relaxed conversations, with couches and easy chairs arranged in small groupings. The final area held the shower house and bunk rooms.

  The one private room that had been previously occupied by Mack was still vacant. Over the past two years, Heart Falls had slowly increased their volunteer force until there were enough people willing to do overnight shifts, so they hadn’t bothered to fill the space.

  Alex hit the top of the landing and jerked to a stop.

  As if thinking their names had summoned them, Alex glanced at the table in shock to discover not only Brad but the rest of the supervisory crew. Including Ashton, whom Alex had left not even twenty minutes ago at Silver Stone ranch.

  Brad pulled out a chair and patted it somewhat ominously. “Alex, my man. Have a seat.”

  He hadn’t expected running the gauntlet would be required, but Alex moved forward, striving to stay as outwardly relaxed as possible. “Well now, a twenty-one-gun salute. Nice you all took the time to come welcome me back.”

  Ryan grinned, black hair swinging across his forehead. As he leaned forward, mischief danced in his dark eyes. “This is the interrogation team. You need to pony up information.”

  “That’s right, you do,” Mack agreed. “Let’s see, ‘Hey, was just wondering. I need a little info and thought you might be able to help.’ Isn’t that how all the emails started?”

  “Mine did.”

  “Me too.”

  “Me three.”

  Shit. When he’d gone looking for information about Yvette, Alex had done his best to keep his questions on the down low. He’d trusted that the guys wouldn’t mention to each other what he’d been up to.

  Looked as if he’d been wrong. Still, he wasn’t going to confess to anything until he had to.

  He dropped into the chair and deliberately slouched back, folding his arms over his chest. “Ask your questions, but I want it noted up front that the lot of you are worse than a proverbial group of gossiping old grannies.”

  “What else is there to do while we’re sitting on shift from midnight till seven on a dead-quiet evening?” Brad asked. He rubbed his fingers over his beard. “Spill. What the hell are you doing with Yvette?”

  “This isn’t us being gossipy old women,” Ryan hurried to clarify. “This is us keeping an eye out for a friend. Also, one of our ladies’ good friends.”

  Alex snickered. “What you mean is that your wives are making you grill me.”

  “Sure. If that makes you feel better,” Ryan said.

  “I don’t have a girlfriend, and I still want to know what’s going on.” This from Ashton.

  Alex was so close to calling the older man on that fib. Everyone in town knew that Ashton and Sonora Fallen were something, even though they refused to come right out in public and admit it. But after his little conversation with Sonora the day before, Alex knew damn well the woman was curious as all get out. Which meant Ashton wanted dirt to be able to share with her, dollars to donuts.

  Alex offered a nonchalant shrug. “It’s like I told you when I contacted you. I wanted to make Yvette a gift, and I wanted it to be something she could enjoy.”

  “Good to see you’re finally getting your act together and making a move. You’re slower than molasses on a winter day.” This from Ryan. His friend looked far too delighted.

  Alex did his best Vulcan imitation.
“Says the man who took far too long to realize he was actually in love with his best friend.”

  “Yeah, but when he did finally clue in, he went double time at the whole leg-shackling and merging-her-into-the-family routine. Maddie looks ready to pop.” Mack leaned forward and shook his head. “You’re about to have a preteen and a baby in the same house. Glutton for punishment.”

  Ryan raised a hand in the air. “Madison’s got experience with kids. And Talia is over the moon, although she’s still a little worried it’s going to be a boy. She thinks a little sister would cry less than one of the male persuasion.”

  “Not our fault that most of her friends had little brothers arrive,” Brad said.

  Alex snorted “Exactly whose fault do you think that is? I seem to remember you had a squawking son.”

  “Nice try getting us off topic.” Mack leaned his elbows forward on the table and met Alex’s gaze straight on. “So. You and Yvette.”

  “Hopefully, but there’s no guarantees yet,” Alex was quick to point out. “Look, I know this is partly because you have wives who are curious, and partly because you’re all super snoopy all on your own. Here’s the deal. You were all a big help putting together what I hope to be a great get to know each other scheme for December. I hope you’ll see a lot of us together, but beyond that, back off and give us breathing room.”

  Ashton was grinning far too hard. “Don’t know that we can do that.”

  Brad jerked a thumb in Ashton’s direction. “What he said.”

  “It’s not that we don’t want to see you succeed,” Mack explained. “It’s just that shepherding you through this tricky relationship business is something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.”

  “Bullshit.” Ryan glanced at the other guys at the table before turning his own grin toward Alex. “They’re all being far too nice. This is payback time, buddy. For all those times you meddled and all those times you pulled a fast one on us, we’ve got your back now.”

  “Why does that sound more like a threat than a promise?”

  “He’s damn smart. Some of the time,” Brad said easily as he turned toward Ashton.