Rather than mulling over what might have been, he embraced the blessings he’d received, let go of the past, and joined in the conversation while Kenzie finished preparing the meal.
“You really didn’t need to cook for us,” Tate said, helping set the table.
“I know. I wanted to.” Kenzie gave him a warm, private smile.
Thankful she was a decent cook despite the fact she spent more time gone than at home, Kenzie liked having a reason to be in the kitchen preparing something special.
The men sitting at the table appreciated her efforts and made her glad she’d decided to cook dinner instead of going out to eat again.
Lavished with compliments on the meal she prepared, Kenzie listened to their friendly banter as Tate and Cort helped pick up after dinner. They acted as if they rarely ate a home-cooked meal. Like her, the majority of their meals were eaten on the go.
Once the dinner dishes were finished, the two men turned on the news while Kenzie dug through her storage closet for a game the three of them could play.
“No way, man. Look at you.” Cort chuckled as a teaser for the morning news show aired. Kenzie hurried around the corner so she could see the television. A glossy photo of Tate filled the screen.
“Tune in for a special interview with local rodeo cowboy Tate Morgan. He’ll tell us all about his experiences on the pro rodeo circuit and his plans for next year, following his injuries at the finals.”
“Tate, I had no idea.” She sat next to him, wondering when he’d talked to the television station. “Are you really going to be on the morning news?”
“Yep. Want to come with me?” Tate asked as he took Kenzie’s hand in his. He liked the idea of having her there for support.
“Are you sure I wouldn’t be in the way?” Kenzie didn’t want to intrude on something that was clearly very important to Tate.
“Dewdrop, you could never be in my way.” He kissed her temple. “Please, will you come? I’d really like for you to be there.”
“Make him beg a little more.” A big grin creased Cort’s face as he sat by the fire.
“I don’t want to make him suffer too much,” she said, squeezing Tate’s hand. “I’ll be there.”
“Now, tell her what time you have to be at the station.” Cort raised an eyebrow at his friend.
Tate glared at Cort. “I was getting around to it.” He turned to Kenzie. “I have to be there by five-thirty that morning.”
“Okay.” Kenzie shocked Cort with her ready agreement to rising at an early hour.
He gazed at her with a dubious expression.
She pointed an index finger at him. “Ha! Bet you thought I wouldn’t roll out at that time of day, didn’t you? I’ll have you know, Mr. McGraw, I’m an early riser.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Cort ducked his head, trying to look chastised around his broad grin. Although Tate mentioned Kenzie wasn’t quite as citified as they originally believed, he still couldn’t picture her as a girl who took on the day bright and early in the morning. She always looked too polished and professional to be a crack-of-dawn country girl.
“Don’t mess with her, Cort. You’ll lose every time,” Tate warned, kissing Kenzie’s cheek.
“Speaking of messing with me, that autographed photo you gave me at the vendor show was way too impersonal. I demand a new one.” The look she gave Tate dared him to argue.
“How about I just sign my autograph somewhere more personal?” Tate nuzzled her neck.
Kenzie squirmed and smacked lightly at his good arm. “Behave yourself.” The teasing comment had made her blush, especially since he made it in front of Cort. “Where did you get your photo taken? It’s really very nice.”
“Cort’s sister is a photographer. She does rodeo photography along with senior photos, that sort of thing,” Tate explained. Cort nodded his head in agreement.
“She does excellent work.” Kenzie shot Tate a jaunty grin. “She even made you look halfway appealing.”
Cort laughed and a round of good-natured joking ensued. When the guys finally quieted down, they played a card game before everyone decided it was time for bed.
Early the next morning, the sound of deep voices talking and doors shutting interrupted Kenzie’s dreams of Tate. Hastily scurrying out of bed, she wrapped herself in a warm robe, shoved her feet into slippers, and hurried out to the living room to see what caused all the commotion.
Tate stood near the couch trying to fold Cort’s bedding.
“What’s going on?” Surprised the men were up when it was barely five in the morning, she couldn’t imagine what forced them out of bed when they had no pressing plans for the day.
“There’s a storm coming in and Cort wants to get on the road home before it hits. He’s going to drop me off at the ranch on his way back to Boise.” Tate held out his good arm to Kenzie.
As she pressed against his broad chest, she soaked in his warmth and masculine scent. She would sorely miss having him around all the time. Aware that Tate had to go home eventually, she wasn’t ready for it to happen. She’d hoped he would stay until after Christmas.
“I’ve got the TV interview tomorrow, so I’ll be back. If you don’t object, maybe we could take Pop out to lunch,” Tate said.
At Kenzie’s slight nod of agreement, he stroked her back and kissed the top of her head, smiling at her disheveled appearance with hair tumbling every direction.
Soft and all womanly curves in his arms, he could hold her the rest of the day and night and never grow tired of it.
The very last thing he wanted to do was leave, but Cort was right. He couldn’t stay at Kenzie’s forever and he really did need to go check on things at the ranch.
“I’d like that,” Kenzie whispered, trying to talk around the lump in her throat. She wasn’t one normally given to outbursts of emotion, but this morning she wanted to stamp her foot and cry.
Christmas was just a few days away and she hoped to spend all the time between now and then with Tate.
“Can I make breakfast for you guys before you go?” Kenzie asked as Cort hurried inside, bringing a blast of cold air with him.
“No thanks. We’ll grab something on the road.” Cort took Tate’s bag with his equipment out to his truck then returned to give Kenzie a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for taking care of this troublemaker, Kenzie. I’m extremely glad you two are back together. Have a Merry Christmas.”
“Thanks, Cort. You too, and drive safely.” Kenzie walked to the door with the two cowboys. “Let me know you made it home in one piece.”
“Will do and thanks for the hospitality.” Cort went out the door to give Tate a moment to say goodbye to Kenzie in private.
“If I don’t get out there, he’s likely to wake up everyone by honking the horn on that truck.” Tate gave Kenzie another long hug and kiss, leaving her flustered. “I’ll be back before you know it, so don’t forget about me.”
“That would be impossible, cowboy.” She buried her face in his neck and memorized everything she could about being in his arms. “I’ll miss you.”
“Not as much as I’ll miss you.” He kissed her one last time. “Go on back to bed and spend the day doing something just for you. I’ll call you later to see how things are going.”
She sniffled, but nodded her head. Tate opened the door and started toward Cort’s truck. Cort waved one last time before giving Tate an impatient look.
Kenzie ran to the kitchen and grabbed two tins of treats she’d packed to give away. Hurrying outside, she made a beeline for the big pickup. As Tate slid into the passenger seat, she handed the cookies over him to Cort.
“Something for the road,” she said, patting Tate on the leg and giving him another quick kiss. “Be safe out there.”
“We will. Now, get inside.” Tate kissed her cheek before she stepped back and he pulled his door shut. Cort drove off as Kenzie stood outside in the freezing temperatures watching them go.
Sleep would be impossible with her emotio
ns spinning around, so she worked out, took a shower, and dressed. She’d just sat down to eat breakfast when Tate called to let her know he’d arrived at the ranch and Cort was back out on the road.
“I miss you already.” Husky and low, his voice made warmth spread through her.
“You’ll be so busy getting caught up on ranch stuff that you won’t even remember who I am.” She tried to keep her tone teasing although she missed Tate more than she would have imagined possible. When he left her house, he took a huge piece of her heart with him.
“I’d have to be in a coma for that to happen, and I’m pretty sure even then I’d dream of you,” he said, making her smile. “I’ll be there bright and early tomorrow to take you to the TV station.”
“I’ll be standing in the door holding a welcome sign.” Kenzie thought she just might do it, too. “Did you know you left your suitcase here?”
“Yeah. We were about ten miles out of town when I remembered it was still in your guest room. There’s nothing in there I need right away. Enjoy your day. Relax and do something fun, pamper yourself a little.”
“I’ll give your suggestion some consideration.” A trip to the spa sounded tempting. “Let me know if you hear from Cort.”
“I will. The big storm he predicted looks like it’s going to miss us, but he still might hit part of it before he gets home.”
“He’ll be fine,” Kenzie said reassuringly. “Now, go take care of your ranch business, cowboy. I’m sure they’re all glad to see you.”
“Bye, Dewdrop.” Tate disconnected the call. He wanted so badly to tell her he loved her, but decided to bide his time. He had something very special planned for that particular moment.
Chapter Eighteen
Unable to focus on anything but how much he wanted to be with Kenzie, Tate drove back to town late that afternoon. He knew he’d see her the following morning since she’d promised to go with him to the television interview, but he’d been so lonesome for her, Monte practically kicked him off the place, telling him to go see his girl.
Tate drove one of the ranch trucks with an automatic transmission so he wouldn’t have to work the clutch in his pickup.
Excited to surprise her, he stood on her front step and rang the bell. He listened to her footsteps hurry toward the door.
When she opened it, the smile on her face forced him to catch his breath.
“Hey! What are you doing here?” Kenzie asked, kissing his cheek then stepping aside so he could come in out of the cold.
Curiosity got the best of her when he stared at her, his good hand still behind his back. She tried to look around him, but he turned so she couldn’t.
“What are you hiding?” she asked, her eyes warm and inviting when he stepped inside and nudged the door shut behind him with his boot.
“I couldn’t help but notice you’re missing a very important component of proper Christmas décor.” Tate sounded all knowing and official.
“What could I possibly be missing?” Kenzie glanced behind her and swept her arm toward the living room that did look particularly festive, thanks in part to Tate. “I’ve got a poinsettia, a beautiful Christmas tree, garlands, pine boughs, sugary treats, and a blazing fire. Did you bring me some chestnuts to roast? If you did, I’ve got no clue what to do with them, so you’re out of luck.”
Tate chuckled then raised his arm and held a bunch of mistletoe over their heads. “It seems to me this is the most important decoration of all.”
“Possibly.” Kenzie reached out and looped her arms around Tate’s neck, pulling his head down to hers. Gentle and teasing at first, their kiss soon gained momentum until he dropped the mistletoe on the table near the door and she pressed as close against him as his thick coat would allow.
With a quick breath, she unfastened the snaps on his coat. She slid it off his shoulders, over his injured arm, until it dropped to the floor.
He tossed his hat on the little chair Kenzie kept by the door while a groan escaped his throat. Tate took in every feature of her face, the mouth-watering summery fragrance surrounding her, and the softness of the hot pink sweater she wore. Her favorite color currently matched the shade of her flushed cheeks.
Slowly lowering his head to hers again, Tate wrapped his good arm around her waist and backed her toward the living room without breaking the connection of their lips.
“I missed you,” he whispered against her mouth as he guided her to the couch.
When her knees connected with the edge, she sank down on the soft cushions, still holding onto Tate.
He went down with her, ravishing her neck with sizzling kisses that made her whisper his name in a throaty tone, sending blood surging through his veins.
Several passionate kisses later, Tate lifted his head and melded his hot sapphire gaze to her sweet molasses-colored eyes.
“Tate, I think we better… um…” Kenzie tried to remember what she was going to say as Tate once again captured her lips. His hand crept under her sweater and lightly traced the most sensational circles on her stomach and sides. Unable to think or speak, she was glad they were on the couch because she knew her legs would have given way beneath her several kisses ago.
“We better what?” Tate asked, finding the exact spot beneath her ear that made wild shivers race from her head to her toes.
Afraid things were about to go too far, Kenzie pushed against Tate’s chest.
“Stop,” Kenzie finally managed to say, abruptly sitting up and bumping Tate. He held his side and tried to swallow back the pain, although a grunt escaped. “Oh, Tate, I’m sorry.” She placed her hand to his side.
“Serves me right for my amorous mood.” He caught his breath as he leaned back into the couch cushions. “My apologies. You just looked so tempting, I couldn’t quite help myself.”
She gave him a disbelieving stare and rose from the couch. “I’m wearing a chunky sweater and jeans. How could that possibly be tempting?”
“On you, a gunny sack and rubber boots would be tempting.” Wickedly grinning, he followed her to the kitchen. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest, kissing her neck. “You feel so good, Kenzie. Was it just this morning Cort made me go back to the ranch? It seems more like months.”
“I missed you, too.” Kenzie gave him a gentle hug, mindful of his healing ribs. “How about I make some hot chocolate and you can tell me all about what’s going on at the ranch? How’s Monte and the guys? Did they put up any decorations? How are the horses? When do you think calving season will start? You never did say what you’re doing here.”
“My, you’re full of questions, aren’t you?” Tate kissed her neck one more time before taking the cup of hot chocolate she handed him and following her back to the couch.
They sat and talked for a while. When the afternoon shadows gave way to evening, they decided to go to a popular Mexican restaurant for dinner. Kenzie offered to warm up her car, but when she opened the door, the beginnings of an ice storm greeted her.
“Looks like we’re staying in.”
Tate stepped behind her and they watched little pellets of ice ping off windshields and walkways. The last ice storm to hit the area left a thick layer of ice coating everything, making the roads completely treacherous for two days.
“I guess I won’t drive home tonight.” Pleased at the prospect, Tate was glad the weather kept him trapped with one very beautiful, very tempting woman. He was open to any excuse to stay with her and Mother Nature helped him out quite nicely.
“Absolutely not.” She closed the door and hung her coat back in the closet.
“I bet in another ten minutes the roads will be slicker than…” Tate cut himself off at Kenzie’s raised eyebrow. “Well, they’ll be slick.”
“Agreed.” Kenzie took his hand and led him back to the kitchen. “Since we aren’t going out to eat, you can help me make dinner.”
“I thought I was a guest and now you’re putting me to work.” Tate watched her bend over to dig in the
freezer section of her refrigerator. He enjoyed the view entirely too much and missed a question she asked.
“Earth to Tate.” Kenzie grinned at him over her shoulder.
“What’s that, Dewdrop?” Tate asked shamefaced, although he didn’t lift his gaze from her jean-clad derrière.
“I said if you’d rather sing for your supper, you can sit here and entertain me with your repertoire of holiday tunes.”
“I’ll pass. Hand me the green stuff, I can make the salad.”
Periodically looking outside, Tate was glad he drove into town to visit Kenzie. There was no way he would have attempted the drive from the ranch in the morning on the ice-covered roads. Kenzie’s apartment wasn’t far from the news station and that early in the day the streets should be empty.
After giving each other a long, involved kiss good night that left them both struggling to walk away, Kenzie went to bed thrilled Tate had returned so soon.
If he missed her even half as much as she missed him, they were going to have to make some decisions about the future of their relationship. It was fine to play house while Tate healed from his injuries and remained out of action for the most part, but what happened when his ribs healed and he no longer wore the cast on his arm?
Determined to worry about it another day, Kenzie went to sleep dreaming of a future with her handsome cowboy.
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Extra early the next morning, Tate rose to discover Kenzie had once again washed all the clothes he’d inadvertently left behind when he forgot his suitcase. He pulled out his favorite bright blue shirt, emblazoned with the names of his sponsors. A pair of jeans, boots, and his hat would complete the outfit.
A knock on his door reminded him that he had a full day ahead and would spend it all with his best girl.
He opened the portal and grinned at Kenzie. She stood in the hall smelling so heavenly, his heart began to race as he inhaled her familiar fragrance. Her hair was damp, but she wore a pair of black slacks and satiny green blouse that set off the rich color of her hair and eyes.
The Christmas Cowboy: (Sweet Western Holiday Romance) (Rodeo Romance Book 1) Page 22