“I’m sorry. I was thinking of...something.”
“I was just saying the spaghetti is great.” Reid smiled at her.
Suddenly, she couldn’t stop looking at the deep creases in his cheeks. Dimples. She’d always been a sucker for a man with dimples, but were his always so sexy. Fine lines fanned out from his eyes. Thick lashes surrounded those beautiful gray eyes and she wanted to smack him for having longer lashes than she did. How was that fair?
“Thank you. It’s my mom’s recipe,” Lucy said poking at her food with her fork.
“Nana makes good p’sgetti too. I like mac cheese. Do you like mac cheese, Reid?” Zeke asked wiping a messy hand across his mouth.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Reid winked at Lucy and she almost fell out of her chair.
Good heavens, Lucy Albright! You’d think a man never winked at you before. You’re getting hot over a man talking about mac and cheese. Horny. She realized she was horny! She groaned and almost died of embarrassment when Reid frowned at her.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, of course. I just love spaghetti.” Lucy knew she was blushing and was hoping a hole would open under her and swallow her up. Now. Now, would be good. She inwardly sighed...no such luck.
“O-kay,” Reid said as he continued to frown at her. When she narrowed her eyes at him, he looked down and then picked up his water, and took a drink.
“If Santa brings me a pony, how will it fit down the chimley?”
Reid started choking on his water. Lucy stood up and smacked him on the back. He looked up at her with tears in his eyes.
“You have to be prepared for anything with a three-year-old,” Lucy said laughing.
Reid shook his head, and coughed. “I wasn’t ready for that.”
Zeke frowned at both adults. “Did it go down wrong, Reid?”
Reid burst out laughing. “Yeah, Z-man, it did.”
After dinner, Lucy told them to go to the living room while she cleaned up. Reid left the kitchen with Zeke. Lucy muttered under her breath when they disappeared. She needed some heavenly help to get her through the rest of the evening. When Reid laughed earlier, she couldn’t keep her eyes from his gorgeous smile. His teeth were white, straight, and perfect. The man had it all.
She loaded the dishwasher, wiped off the stove, and then leaned against the counter. Now what was she to do? She could hear Reid’s deep voice as he talked with Zeke. She smiled when she heard Zeke giggle. He seemed to like Reid a lot. Lucy frowned. That could be a very bad thing because Reid would be leaving so she didn’t want Zeke to get too attached. She was sure he’d be leaving after the holidays.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed away from the counter and headed for the living room. She stopped in the doorway and smiled when she saw them sitting on the couch together. Reid glanced up at her and smiled. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
“What’s going on with you two,” she asked, suddenly suspicious at how behaved her little boy was being.
“We can’t tell you, Mama. It’s about Christmas presents.” Zeke put his hands over his mouth as he giggled.
“Yeah, we can’t tell you,” Reid added with a grin.
Lucy smiled without thinking as she entered the living room and sat in one of the chairs. She picked up the remote and turned the TV on. Zeke scrambled to his knees.
“Find me a Christmas movie, Mama. Please.”
“I’m looking.” Lucy clicked the remote until she saw one he loved. “How about The Santa Clause?”
Zeke jumped off the couch and clapped his hands. “Yes, please.” He turned to face Reid. “You have to stay and watch it with me.”
“Uh...”
“Please,” Zeke begged.
“Baby, Reid may need to get home.” Lucy looked at Reid. “You don’t have to stay.”
“I don’t mind, if you don’t.”
“No. We’d love to have you stay.”
Reid nodded. “I will then. Thanks.”
They all relaxed and watched the movie. Before it was over, Zeke was sound asleep on the couch with his head in Reid’s lap. Lucy blinked tears back from her eyes. He needed a father in his life. She stood and moved to the couch.
“I’ll put him to bed and be right back,” she whispered.
Reid nodded. “Do you need me to carry him?”
She shook her head, picked Zeke up, and carried him down the hallway to his bedroom.
REID SAT FORWARD AND drew his hands down his face. He needed a kick in the ass for agreeing to stay for the movie. He had to get the hell out of here. As soon as Lucy came back, he was gone. He was already beginning to like Zeke too much, and he knew he shouldn’t. He was going back home to Butte after New Year’s Day. It was for the best. Lucy would never feel about him the way he felt about her. She’d already had the love of her life, and Reid hated being second in anything. He stood when she entered the room.
“He didn’t even stir when I changed him into his pajamas,” she said as she leaned against the doorjamb.
“I wish I could sleep like that,” Reid muttered.
“Me too.” She crossed her arms and Reid’s eyes strayed to her breasts.
“I’d better go. Thank you for dinner. It was very good.”
“You’re welcome. I wanted to make it up to you for the way I had treated you.”
“I deserved it, Lucy.”
“No, you did not, Reid Callahan.”
“He’s why you blame yourself, isn’t he?” Reid jerked his chin toward the hallway.
“Yes. I can’t help but think that had I told Zeke I was pregnant, he might’ve stayed home. I had just taken a pregnancy test a few days before he told me he wanted to go. I knew if I’d told him and he stayed home because of me, he’d resent me for it. But then again, if I’d told him, he might still be alive.”
Reid shook his head at her thinking. “I seriously doubt that, Lucy. He would have gone just so he could brag that you were carrying his baby.”
Lucy chuckled. “You could be right, that would be like Zeke.”
“I know I’m right. He loved talking about you to anyone who would listen.” Reid stared at her and then walked toward her. He stopped beside her in the doorway of the living room. “I hope you have a Merry Christmas.” He tilted his head. “I’m curious. Is Santa bringing Z-man a pony?”
Lucy laughed. “Of course. I’ve done everything to give him the impression that Santa can’t bring everything we ask for, but he won’t believe that.”
Reid grinned. “Smart boy.” He glanced up and saw mistletoe hanging above him. He looked at Lucy. “Tradition,” he murmured as he leaned toward her.
She straightened up and he was sure she was going to tell him not to do it but when she didn’t, he lightly kissed her lips. He was sure his heart skipped a beat. Her hands went to his shoulders and his wrapped around her waist. He pressed his lips to hers again and groaned against them. When she moaned and opened to him, he moved his tongue into her mouth. He pulled her tighter against him and he knew she had to feel his hard cock pressing against the fly of his jeans. He slowly raised his head and stared into her beautiful blue eyes.
“I’m sorry...”
“Jesus, Reid. Stop apologizing. I was right there with you.”
“I need to get going. Could you get my coat?”
Lucy looked like she was going to argue but then she spun on her heel, and walked down the hallway. She returned in less than a minute with his sheepskin coat. She handed it to him. He shrugged into it and placed his hat on his head.
“Goodnight. Merry Christmas,” he said, as he walked out the door, and climbed into his truck. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel.
“You’re a fucking idiot,” he said aloud to the empty cab. “What in the hell were you thinking? Stupid son of a bitch,” he muttered, turning the ignition over.
Reid drove home to his parents’ house where he pulled up to the back of the two-story white farmhouse, stopped and shut the truck off. H
e wrapped his hands around the steering wheel as he tried to calm himself. Her lips were softer than he’d ever imagined. He wanted her—so much. He had for years.
Shaking his head, he climbed out of the truck and entered the dark kitchen. He could hear the TV in the living room and headed that way. His dad sat in the recliner with his feet up, watching an old movie.
“Hey, Dad,” Reid said quietly as he removed his hat and coat. He laid his coat over the back of the other recliner.
His dad looked up at him and smiled. “Hey, son. Did you have a date,” his dad asked with a slight Irish brogue.
“No. Actually, I had dinner with Lucy Albright and her son.”
“No shit?”
Reid chuckled. “No shit.”
Reid tossed his hat to the sofa and then walked around the recliner, and sat down. He pulled the lever to raise the footrest.
“How’d it go?”
“Good. Did you know she had a son?”
“Yeah. I’ve seen her in town.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
His dad looked over to him and frowned. “Reid, you’ve blamed yourself for Zeke’s death for years. I knew if you found out he had a son, you’d never get past your guilt.”
“It just floored me. He looks just like Zeke.”
“He does. Acts like him too.” His dad chuckled. “A little tornado is what he is.”
“You’re telling me. He talks a thousand miles an hour, just like Zeke used to. He loves telling jokes too. He asked me what the banana said, and when I asked what, he said because it’s yellow.”
His dad laughed. “So, how did you end up having dinner with the woman who cut you into pieces at the funeral?”
“She doesn’t blame me anymore. We had a long talk. She’s been blaming herself too, for a long time. She feels if she’d told him she was pregnant, he wouldn’t have gone to that rodeo.”
“Did you tell her that was bullshit?”
Reid laughed. Leave it to his dad just to tell it like was. Declan Callahan was never one to mince words.
“I did. She told me she originally blamed me because she didn’t want to blame Zeke but in the end, he was man enough to make his own decisions.”
“She’s right, son. No one twisted Zeke’s arm. He made up his own mind. It was a damn shame what happened but the only person responsible for going or not going, was Zeke.” Declan sighed. “I know you miss him. He was your best friend, but you can’t keep blaming yourself for something you had no control over.”
“I know, Dad,” Reid said in a low voice.
“Does she know how you feel about her?”
Reid was startled. “What?”
“You might be able to hide it from others, but your mom and I have always known.”
“How?”
“We saw the way you looked at her at their wedding reception.”
“Shit,” Reid murmured.
“Don’t worry. I don’t think anyone else noticed. They were too involved watching Lucy and Zeke.”
“She’ll never know. She was married to my best friend.”
“And he’s gone.” Declan put his hand up when Reid started to interrupt. “Life goes on, Reid. Who knows? Maybe she’s the one for you.”
Reid had no comment. That kiss came rushing back into his mind. It had felt so right, but how did she feel about it? She didn’t push him away or tell him no. She’d wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. Shit! Shit! Shit! She’d been married to Zeke for three years. Reid knew she loved Zeke more than anyone was able. Her heart broke when he died. Reid would never forget seeing her in pain at the funeral. He hadn’t gone to the funeral home. He couldn’t stomach seeing Zeke lain out in that casket. It was hard enough just knowing he was inside it at the cemetery.
“I don’t think so, Dad. She loved Zeke so much. I don’t think any man could live up to that.”
“You don’t have to live up to him. She doesn’t want another Zeke. She needs someone completely new for her. She works hard on that ranch of hers and she only has one ranch hand.” Declan shrugged. “If you decide to stick around, maybe you could help out a little. Just sayin’...”
“You’re incorrigible,” Reid said, laughing.
Declan chuckled. “Maybe. But I’d like to see my son happy, and you haven’t been since Zeke died.”
“I’ll get there eventually.”
“Oh hey, by the way, could you pick up a Christmas tree for us tomorrow? I haven’t had a chance yet.”
“Sure, Dad, I’ll get one tomorrow.”
“I believe you got one four years ago on the Rolling A, didn’t you?”
“Damn, Dad. Quit playing matchmaker. I’ll get me a woman one day.”
“Please do before your dad and I are too old to enjoy our grandchildren,” Catherina Callahan said as she stepped into the room.
“Aw, Mom, not you too,” Reid muttered.
She laughed, and coming to stand alongside his chair, she placed her hand on his head. “Sorry, honey. Come on, Declan, before you fall asleep in your chair.”
“I never fall asleep in my chair, Cat. Where did you ever get an idea like that?” Declan winked at Reid as he let the footrest down on the recliner and stood. “Goodnight son, sleep well, for once.”
Catherina leaned down and kissed the top of Reid’s head. “Goodnight, Reid. I agree with your dad. Sleep well, honey.”
“Goodnight Mom. Dad. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Don’t forget to get a tree,” Declan called out as he put his arm around Catherina and they disappeared up the stairs.
Reid chuckled. His dad was such a character. Reid knew his parents wanted him to be happy and he hadn’t been in over three years. Lucy’s heart wasn’t the only one that broke when Zeke died. He wanted to crawl inside the casket with him, as morbid as that sounded. They’d become friends in the second grade and remained inseparable ever since...until he died anyway. After graduation, they’d headed to Oklahoma together to learn how to ride the bulls. They hit the rodeo circuit in their early twenties and in no time were at the top. They loved the competition between each other, but were happy when the other won. Zeke would have been so proud of Reid winning again for the third time in his career.
Reid sighed and rubbed his jaw. Zeke wouldn’t be happy with him kissing his wife though. Reid used to tease him that if he’d seen Lucy first, she’d belong to him. Only he knew that he hadn’t been joking. It was wishful thinking but if it were possible to turn back time, he’d find her and make her his before Zeke had. He leaned back in the chair and stared at the TV. He chuckled when he saw what movie was playing. Jimmy Stewart ran down the street in the snow, waving at the buildings and calling out to them. If only we were all allowed to see how different life could be by changing a few things. He closed his eyes and relived that kiss. He could see tonight wasn’t going to bring much sleep.
Chapter Three
LUCY SAT AT THE KITCHEN table, drinking her coffee. Zeke was still sleeping. This was her alone time when the house was quiet because it was too early for him to be up. She touched her fingertips to her lips. Reid’s kiss still seemed to linger there. Why had he kissed her? Oh, sure, there was mistletoe, but not everyone kissed under it. Some people ignored it. Tradition, he’d said.
God! The man could kiss. She was sure her toes had curled. No man had ever kissed her like that, not even Zeke. The kiss was simply all consuming. Her insides quivered just thinking about it. She pushed her chair back and stood.
Hearing a vehicle outside, she walked to the door and peered out. She saw Reid climbing out of his truck. His brown Stetson sat low on his forehead and he wore gloves, but his sheepskin coat hung open. She couldn’t stop her eyes from traveling down his broad chest to his crotch. She groaned as she stared. The jeans were tight around his thick thighs, and they cupped his sex, leaving little to the imagination. What she’d felt against her last night, she’d thought very impressive.
When he started toward the steps, she
opened the back door. He came to a halt and stared up at her. Snow flurries swirled around him.
“I was hoping you were up,” he said.
“I’ve been up a while. What are you doing here?”
He bounded up the steps and stood in front of her. “Would you mind if I cut a tree on your property?”
“No, not at all. There are still some beautiful ones up there.”
“Dad wants me to get a tree and he remembered that I’d gotten one here before...”
“Before Zeke died, I know. You can say it, Reid. I’m not going to fall into a heap at your feet and cry.”
He huffed. “I just find it hard to talk about him.”
“You can say anything you want about him. I’m fine with it. I don’t blame you, Reid. I mean that.”
“All right, thank you. Do you have a horse I can borrow?”
“I have twenty in the barn to choose from, but come in and get a cup of coffee. It’s awfully cold.”
Reid stepped inside and removed his hat, gloves, and coat. After stuffing his gloves in the pockets, he hung his coat on the back of the chair and set his cowboy hat on the seat of an empty chair. He pulled a chair out, but waited for Lucy to sit before he did. He picked up the mug she’d set in front of him and sipped his coffee.
“Do you mind if Zeke and I go with you?” she asked before taking a sip of her coffee.
“No. In fact, that would be great. I’m not sure I remember where we got the last tree.”
She smiled. “I’ll show you then.”
“Hi, Reid,” Zeke yelled suddenly appearing at the door before running into the kitchen.
“Hey, Z-man, did you sleep well?” Reid lifted his cup to take a sip of the hot brew.
“Yep. Did you sleep here with Mama?” Zeke stood alongside the table by Reid bouncing up and down in his bunny slippers.
A Cowboy for Christmas Page 3