A Cowboy for Christmas

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  “Reid!” Zeke’s voice filled the room. Reid turned just in time to catch him when the little boy threw himself at him.

  “Hey, buddy. Was Santa good to you?”

  “I got a pony! You have to come see my pony. He’s in the barn.”

  “Santa didn’t put him under the tree?”

  Zeke giggled. “No, silly, he couldn’t get him down the chimley.”

  “Silly me. What was I thinking? Go get your coat, hat, and mittens and we’ll go see this pony of yours.”

  Zeke ran off down the hallway. Lucy stood and kissed Reid. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly against him. He lifted his lips from hers and gazed into her eyes.

  “Am I ever going to get enough of you?”

  “I hope not. Reid...”

  “Okay, I’m ready,” Zeke yelled as he ran into the living room.

  Reid looked down at the boy’s feet and grinned. “Your boots are on the wrong feet, buddy.”

  Zeke sat down on the floor and pulled his boots off. When he put them back on, he stood, and then hopped up and down.

  “Come on, Reid.” He tugged at Reid’s hand.

  “We’ll be right back,” Reid told Lucy with a big smile.

  “I’ll be here.”

  “You can come, Mama.”

  “I’m fine, baby. I’ll get you some hot chocolate ready.”

  Reid winked at her and let Zeke lead him through the kitchen. Zeke stopped when he saw the presents sitting on the table.

  “You can look at those when we come back,” Reid told him. Zeke nodded, and they set off to make their way to the barn. Once there, Zeke led him to the pony in the stall. A Shetland pony stood there staring at them with big brown eyes.

  “He’s pretty, huh Reid?”

  “That’s a fine pony, Z-man.” Reid told him.

  “Mama is going to let me ride him when it gets warmer outside. I can’t wait.”

  “I bet. I remember riding my first horse. I was about your age.”

  “Did my daddy ride when he was my age?”

  Reid’s heart ached at the mention of Zeke. He should be here with his wife and son on Christmas, not his best friend. “Yes, he did. We grew up together and learned to ride horses and bulls together.”

  “You are a real cowboy.”

  Reid laughed. “I told you, I have the hat to prove it. Let’s go in and see what I brought you.”

  “Okay. Can you carry me?”

  Reid took a deep breath and picked him up. He carried him inside the house. Lucy had coffee and hot chocolate ready.

  “I think he wants to see what I brought him.”

  She nodded while pulling Zeke’s outerwear off. “Let’s see what Reid brought you, baby.” She took her son by the hand, started for the living room, and then said to Reid over her shoulder. “Bring those into the living room, please.”

  Reid took his hat, coat, and gloves off and hung them in the laundry room then picked up the gifts, and followed her. He set the gifts down on the floor near the tree. He handed Zeke his, and then Lucy hers. She looked surprised but smiled at him.

  Before opening her gift, she stood and walked to the tree, pulled a wrapped box from under it, and handed it to him.

  “You didn’t have to get me anything.” He accepted the present with a hesitant smile.

  “And you didn’t have to get us anything,” Lucy said with a sly smile.

  Reid grinned. “Touché.”

  They watched Zeke rip the paper off before lifting the lid on the box. He squealed with delight when he saw the sheepskin coat just like the one Reid had. He put it on and grinned at Reid.

  “You have another one there, Z-man,” Reid said pointing at a second gift.

  Zeke sat down and quickly tore open the other one. Inside was a black cowboy hat like his daddy’s hat. Zeke put it on and Reid almost lost it. He cleared his throat in order to speak.

  “You look just like your daddy. I thought you could wear that one until your...head grew enough to wear his.” Reid looked over to Lucy and she had a tear rolling down her face.

  She smiled at him. “They both look great on him. What do you say, Zeke?”

  “Thank you, Reid.”

  “You’re welcome, Z-man.” Reid glanced at Lucy. “Open yours.”

  She nodded and tore open the package lifting the lid. She gasped. Inside was another sheepskin coat. She pulled it out and held it up. “Reid, this is too much,” she said.

  “No, it’s not. You need a new coat. I’ve seen yours. That one will keep you warmer.”

  “Thank you. Open yours now.”

  Reid lifted the package onto his lap and tore the paper off. He lifted the lid and stared down at the Stetson inside the box. It was perfect. He raised his eyes to meet hers. “Thank you. I needed a new one.”

  “If you don’t like it...”

  “I love it, Lucy.”

  She blushed when he continued to stare at her. “I’m glad,” she whispered.

  “Mama? Can we watch Toy Story?”

  “Of course, we can. I’ll make some popcorn. You go get the movie.” With an excited squeak, Zeke ran from the room. Lucy turned to Reid. “Will you stay tonight?”

  Reid had hoped she would ask. He walked to her and cupped her face in his hands. “Yes.”

  He pressed his lips to hers, and then deepened the kiss when she opened to him. He knew if he lived to be a hundred years old, he would never get enough of this woman. He just wished he knew how to make this work—to hold on to her.

  Zeke ran into the room and jumped on the couch. Together, the three of them watched the movie and after Zeke fell asleep, Reid carried him to bed and tucked him in then joined Lucy in her bed.

  Chapter Seven

  ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, Reid picked Lucy up to head into town for a party where he was sure most of the town would show up. He knocked on the back door and heard her call out for him to come in. He entered the kitchen and came to a halt when he saw her standing in the archway to the living room. His breath lodged in his throat. She looked stunning in a black dress and knee high black suede boots. His dick noticed too, making him take a deep breath to calm his desire. The dress hugged her like a second skin. It had a plunging neckline that showed her cleavage to full delicious advantage. A row of buttons ran down the front and he wanted desperately to slowly unbutton each one as he kissed every bit of skin they revealed.

  “Do you like my dress,” she asked him, with a sly smile on her face while turning once.

  “Like it? I’d like to peel it off you.” He walked to her and stopped a few feet from her because he wasn’t sure if he touched her, he’d be able to stop. “You look amazing.”

  “You look pretty good yourself, cowboy.”

  Reid smirked. He was wearing a black dress shirt, jeans, and black cowboy boots. Nothing fancy...he wasn’t a fancy kind of man.

  “I have a feeling I’ll be punching a lot of men tonight because I don’t want any of them looking at you.”

  She put her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. She tugged on his bottom lip with her teeth. “Just remember, I’m coming home with you.” She kissed his jaw and whispered in his ear. “I’ll even leave the boots on when we go to bed.”

  Reid groaned. “Let’s just skip this thing and go to bed now.”

  Lucy laughed. “Nope. I haven’t been out in forever and Zeke is staying with his Aunt Cindy for two nights.”

  “Fuck. You shouldn’t have told me that.” He took a deep breath. Two nights, only it was his last two nights in town. “Are you ready to do this, darlin’?”

  Lucy frowned up at him. “Yes. I’m a little nervous.”

  “Why? People know we’ve known each other for years. They’re just going to get a hell of a surprise when I kiss you at New Year’s.”

  Lucy laughed. “You mean to tell me that I have to wait until midnight to get a kiss?”

  Reid pressed his lips to hers. “If you want, I’ll kiss you all night, baby.” He took her h
and in his. “Come on. Let’s get your coat and head out. I left the truck running to keep it warm.”

  “All right.” She handed him her coat and he helped her into it. When he lifted her hair from under it, he kissed the back of her neck and she trembled beneath his lips. He chuckled.

  “I want to kiss you from head to toe and everywhere in between, but we’ll wait until we come back.”

  “Teaser...how am I supposed to get through the night now, Reid?”

  “If I have to suffer, so do you. Let’s go.”

  THE BUTTERFLIES IN Lucy’s stomach were fluttering in a great flight as if they had somewhere important to go. She didn’t know why she was so nervous. It wasn’t like she and Reid were doing anything wrong, they were both adults, and single but walking into the party was going to be hard. She hated being the center of attention and she worried they would be. It had been over three years but she hadn’t been out with anyone since Zeke’s death, and here she was...with Zeke’s best friend.

  “Relax,” Reid said close to her ear.

  “I’m trying. I just hate the thought of people talking about me...about us.”

  “Darlin’, you don’t have to worry about anyone. What’s it matter? It’s no one’s business. For all they know, we’re just coming here together because we’re friends. You think they’re going to know we’ve been sleeping together or something. I don’t see a sign anywhere.” He looked closely at her forehead before pressing a kiss to it, making her chuckle.

  “No. I’m just...” She shook her head and grinned. “Oh, I don’t know. Let’s go.”

  Reid climbed out and walked around to help her out. He took her hand in his, and held onto her as they carefully walked into the town hall. Music emerged from inside, where the lights were low with an old disco ball spinning from the ceiling throwing different colored lights around the room. No one seemed to take notice of them at all.

  Reid helped her with her coat and then took his off too. He walked to the girl behind the counter, and handed them to her. The girl smiled up at him and gave him tickets for the coats. Lucy watched her flirt with him, and she wanted to scream at her to back off. She turned her gaze away from them glancing around the room. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. People crowded the dance floor, while others watched and chatted.

  Lucy jerked when Reid put his hand on her lower back. He led her toward a table. She inwardly cringed when she saw his parents wave to them from the table. She glanced up at Reid. “Are we going to sit with your parents?”

  “Is that all right? I think your parents are sitting there too, along with Zeke’s.”

  Lucy groaned when she saw her in-laws sitting there along with her own. Of course, they would since they all knew about her and Reid, and since they were all friends, it made sense. She just hadn’t considered the possibility. She stiffened as Reid pushed her toward the smiling group at the table. She felt him lean close to her ear.

  “They won’t bite. I might, but they won’t.”

  “You behave, Reid Callahan,” she muttered.

  Reid chuckled. “I will...for now.”

  Two hours later, she was laughing and having more fun than she ever thought she would. Many people had come over to her throughout the evening to hug her and tell her how happy they were to see her out on a date. Absolutely no one said anything about that date being Reid.

  He sat beside her with his arm along the back of her chair. Occasionally, he’d lean forward and whisper something in her ear. Most of the time, it was something naughty, making her blush. She was happy the lights were down low so no one would notice. She elbowed him a few times but all he’d do was chuckle. Damn man loved to tease.

  Reid stood and put his hand out to her. She gazed up at him and her stomach dropped. The man was just too sexy. She placed her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor as the band started playing the Dustin Lynch song, Cowboys and Angels. She put her hands on his shoulders but when he pulled her close, she linked them behind his neck and stared up at him. He smiled at her.

  “Are you doing all right, Lucy?”

  She grinned, feeling far more at ease than when they’d arrived. “I am. No one seems to care if we’re here together.”

  “Why would they? Zeke’s been gone over three years now, and you should be dating.”

  “Is that what we’re doing, Reid? Dating?”

  He shrugged glancing around as if he suddenly seemed self-conscious. “I suppose so. I don’t know what else to call it. Do you?”

  “No. But actually this is only our first date.”

  “True, but we’ve spent a lot of time together. Time I wouldn’t change for the world.”

  “But you’re going to be leaving.”

  “I have a farm to go back to, Lucy.”

  Lucy nodded. She had to be realistic because she’d always known he’d be leaving. He was just here to spend time with his family for the holidays after all, but it didn’t make it any easier. Her heart was going to break when he left. She wanted him to stay, but knew she couldn’t ask him to. The music stopped and the DJ announced it was almost midnight. Everyone started counting down with the clock...five...four...three...two...one.

  Reid cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. She moaned and he deepened the kiss. He raised his head slowly, staring into her eyes, and then smiled.

  “Happy New Year, darlin’.”

  “Happy New Year, Reid. What do you say we go home?”

  He nodded and took her hand in his. He led her to the coat clerk, helped her put her coat on and after shrugging into his, they walked outside to see snow coming down heavily. Lucy glanced up at the streetlights. The snow was so thick that it made the lights appear blurry. She shivered against the cold and a bit out of fear. Reid wrapped his arm around her.

  “I’ll get us there, don’t worry.”

  “I know you will.”

  Reid helped her into the truck and she watched him walk around the front then climb in. He winked at her, and then pulled out of the parking lot to head to her ranch. It took longer than usual due to the snow accumulating on the roads. She glanced over to him and smiled. He raised an eyebrow at her.

  “It looks like you’re stuck with me tonight.”

  Reid chuckled. “I wouldn’t call it being stuck with you, since I had no intention of going home tonight anyway.”

  Lucy grinned and glanced out the window at the snow falling around her house. God help her! She wanted this man so badly her heart ached. She watched as he climbed out of the truck and walked around to help her out. He took her hand and led her inside the house.

  “Do you want me to make a fire,” he asked helping her out of her coat.

  “No. Just make love to me,” she whispered turning in his arms and pressing a kiss to his mouth.

  Reid grinned as he took his coat and hat off. She draped the coat over a chair, and set his hat on the table before taking his hand to lead him to the bedroom. In the hallway, he tugged her to a stop and pushed her back against the wall. She stared up into his eyes.

  “I want you. Here. Now,” he said before taking her lips in a deep kiss.

  Lucy moaned and pulled at the buttons on his shirt. He pulled it out of his jeans, pulled it over his head, and dropped it to the floor. His hands ran up her thighs and lifted her dress up around her waist. One hand moved to her panties and he dipped his hand inside, his finger moving between her folds making her whimper.

  “You’re wet, darlin’. Have you been thinking about this?” His words were a whisper against her ear.

  “Yes,” she moaned, giving herself up to his caress.

  Reid’s lips moved across her cheek to her lips but instead of kissing her, he took her bottom lip between his teeth and ran his tongue along it inside her mouth. Lucy fisted her hands in his hair and pulled him closer. She felt him smile against her lips before deepening the kiss and sliding his tongue into her mouth. She gasped as his finger moved between her slick, wet folds while his thumb st
roked against her clitoris. She could feel she was nearing her orgasm and began to tense up when he suddenly removed his hand and dropped to his knees in front of her. She groaned with excitement when he ripped her panties from her and put one of her legs over his shoulder. She watched as he leaned close to her and ran his tongue through her curls.

  “Reid...” She moaned as he continued his onslaught. She bucked against him when his teeth gently scraped against her tender flesh. His hands wrapped around her butt and pulled her closer to him. Her stomach quivered and she screamed as she came. Reid stood and kissed her mouth. She tasted her arousal on his lips. She heard his zipper go down right before he spread her legs and then he thrust into her. Hard. Lucy wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Her hips moved in rhythm with his. He never removed his lips from hers when she came again and he followed her over the edge, groaning into her mouth as he came. He raised his head, leaned his forehead against hers, and took deep breaths. She smiled.

  “That was hot,” she said and then laughed.

  Reid let her down but her knees almost gave out. He caught her and leaned her against the wall. He zipped his jeans, picked her up, and carried her to the bedroom. There he stripped her out of her remaining clothes, except her boots because she’d promised to leave those on. She lay back on the bed and watched him undress, enjoying the show as he uncovered sexy muscles and by the time he’d uncovered what she wanted to see most, he was already fully aroused and eager for her again.

  Reid crawled up the bed covering her body and made maddeningly slow love to her. The New Year was starting out better than any other had. Now if she could just figure out a way to get him to stay with her and Zeke, her world would be complete. With her head resting on his heaving chest and basking in the afterglow of the best lovemaking ever, Lucy let sleep pull her under.

  TWO DAYS LATER, WHEN Zeke came home, he begged Reid to take him to the barn to see his pony. Reid had decided to postpone leaving because he wasn’t looking forward to leaving Lucy behind but also, because he wouldn’t have had a chance to say good-bye to Zeke if he left as planned. He would have to leave soon though even if he didn’t want to. He had too much to do once he got home.