His Christmas Cowgirl

by Alissa Callen

Garrett didn’t contribute. Instead he sat back in his chair. He hadn’t planned to deceive people about who he was. But over the past weeks he’d become used to being Garrett Ross, regular ranch foreman, instead of Garrett Ross, self-made rancher. He’d worked hard for his success and he hadn’t realized how his tunnel vision to achieve a financially secure future for him and Hal had come at a price.

  Hal was right. He had needed to leave the fast lane and to slow down. His anonymity in Marietta had allowed him to connect with real, genuine people, and be judged on a different level. He glanced at the group around him and relief slid through him. He was here tonight because of friendship, not because of how much money he was worth.

  His attention rested on Peta as she smiled at something Bridie said. Even though his beautiful boss was nothing but trouble, it was important that Peta too saw the real him. Despite his success, he remained a simple cowboy who liked nothing better than to trail cows on a good horse, the sun warm on his shoulders.

  Peta reached for the empty water jug. As she headed to the bar for a refill, the redheaded cowboy over at the pool table again pushed a younger cowboy toward her. Garrett tensed. Their antics appeared harmless but there was a calculating hardness to the redhead’s eyes that suggested he was using the younger cowboy to curry favor with Peta. At the last minute, the young cowboy’s nerve failed and he ducked behind the pool table. Garrett still came to his feet. He’d buy a round of beers and send a message to the redhead that Peta had someone watching her back.

  He joined Peta at the bar and didn’t miss the way she stiffened when she realized he stood beside her.

  “Hi, Garrett. It’s good you could make it.”

  “Thanks. Ivy might not reach my chin but I already know better than to disregard a direct order to come to dinner.”

  Amusement warmed Peta’s eyes. “You’re a quick learner.”

  Garrett placed his drink order and glanced at Peta as she waited for a water jug refill. “How did your photo afternoon with Hal go?”

  “Good. Hal said all the right things but I caught him dozing between the photos of France and Scotland. I don’t really blame him. I didn’t realize how many scenery shots I’d taken.”

  “He said he has the all clear from Dr. Wyatt to come home tomorrow?”

  “Yes, he does, but not until after lunch when he’s seen the physical therapist. I bet he didn’t mention that little detail?”

  “No, he didn’t. I had the impression he was all right to leave before breakfast.”

  A smile shaped Peta’s mouth. “I bet he gave such an impression. He’d do anything to avoid hospital food.” Peta’s water jug arrived but she didn’t move away. “I’ve arranged for a new hot water pump to be installed and I also called Simon. Patience will be relocated to her new home tomorrow.”

  Peta paused and he thought her next words would be that he’d be right to move back into the bunkhouse, but then her expression turned serious. “I was wondering, as Hal will be home, if it would be okay for you to remain in the ranch house? I talked Hal into staying with me but I don’t know if I can convince him to let me him help with things like getting dressed.”

  “No problem, I’ll be on hand to help out.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it. Hal’s as stubborn as he is wise.”

  Now was the moment where he and Peta should return to the tables. But for an irrational reason he wanted to keep their conversation going. “He sure is. It sounds like you had a productive afternoon.”

  She slid her fingers around the jug handle and her long, manicured nails clinked on the glass. She followed his glance toward her nails.

  “If anything, it was a quiet afternoon. And, just in case you were about to think I’m usually at home painting my nails and not being productive, I wouldn’t. Because if you were to think such a thought I’ll step away now and leave you to the eager brunette on your left who has been eyeing you off since you arrived.”

  Garrett smiled and fought the twist in his gut he’d been recognized. Even though it was years ago, his break up with socialite Jeanie had made the tabloid magazines. Since then there’d been further photos snapped of him by the paparazzi when he’d been out on dates.

  “Luckily for me, I wasn’t about to think such a thought.”

  Peta’s lips twitched. “Luckily.”

  It wasn’t long after they’d returned to their table, the food arrived. Conversation ebbed and flowed as steak burgers and thick, chunky fries were enjoyed. The brunette from over near the bar sent him a few suggestive glances and then struck up a conversation with a tall, blonde cowboy. His gut told him she didn’t know who he was, she was just out for a fun night and he’d arrived alone.

  As the warmth of companionship and shared laughter wrapped themselves around him, Garrett relaxed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a night off or been in such good company.

  It seemed all too soon when Peta declined Payton’s offer of dessert and pushed back her chair. Her blue eyes touched each one of them.

  “Thanks so much to everyone for coming. It’s been way too long since we were all together. And for anyone without Christmas plans its open house again at Bluebell Falls for Christmas lunch.” She stifled a yawn and reached for her jacket draped over the back of her chair. “Sorry to be the first one to leave, but I’m still on French time and need to call it a night.”

  The group came to their feet and kissed and hugged her in farewell.

  When she turned to him, he gave her a nod. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Will do.” Her tone and expression remained businesslike.

  As he sat in his seat he saw the redheaded cowboy again shove the young cowboy toward Peta. This time the young cowboy swaggered over to her as she crossed the room. Garrett’s hand tightened around his beer but he didn’t lift the bottle to his lips.

  “Easy Garrett,” Ethan said, from across the table. “Peta’s more than a match for one wet-behind-the-ears cowboy.”

  Ethan spoke the truth. The young cowboy didn’t have a chance to speak before Peta leaned in close and whispered something that caused his cheeks to redden and him to stumble toward the pool table. Peta kept walking, her head high and her stride sure and even.

  Garrett didn’t miss the way the redheaded cowboy focused on the swing of her hips. The cowboy put his drink on a nearby table and, after a quick look about, edged his way around the crowd to make following Peta appear less obvious.

  Cordell leaned forward in his chair and caught Garrett’s gaze. “Give her five minutes. If that redheaded cowboy doesn’t slink back in here by then, we’ll all go. He’s obviously not a local and has no idea what he’s about to walk into.”

  Garrett glanced at Rhett and Ivy who both nodded.

  “Trust me,” Rhett said with a grin, “her sharp tongue is worse than her head lock. That cowboy will wish he never wanted to get up close and personal with my sister.”

  The minutes stretched and just when Garrett decided to go off-plan and see what was happening between Peta and the cowboy, the redhead appeared. Expression sour, he shouldered his way through the crowd to the bar for a drink. Probably a double going by his taut jaw.

  Rhett shook his head. “Peta, one. Cowboy, zero. He won’t be making a play for her again.”

  Garrett stared at the saloon door. The redhead might have returned to lick his wounds, but Garrett wouldn’t be convinced Peta was okay until he saw her. Hal would have his hide if anything happened to her on his watch. He ignored the tug of jealousy that suggested his motives for looking out for Peta didn’t entirely stem from his responsibilities as ranch foreman.

  Ivy touched Garrett’s arm. “Relax. Finish your beer and have a dessert. You need to give Peta at least half-an-hour start. Believe me she won’t appreciate you proving you don’t think she can take care of herself by following her any earlier. See…” Ivy dipped her head to where a smiling Kendall talked on her phone. “Kendall’s called her and she’s fine.”

  Garrett looked around
and saw agreement on everyone’s faces. He nodded. They all knew his boss better than he did.

  He finished his second beer for the night and enjoyed a slice of chocolate pie. Even the food in Marietta tasted better. Simple, home-cooked, and without pretense. He’d leave here with his hunger satisfied unlike when he left the fancy city restaurants that were part of the moneyed world he’d thought he needed to prove he’d made it.

  He lasted twenty-five minutes before he said his good-byes. He promised to meet at Grey’s again after the Bluebell Falls roundup and to come into town for the Christmas Stroll. When Ivy hugged him she’d slipped a fancy envelope into his shirt pocket.

  As he strolled to his truck parked outside the bank on the corner of Main Street, he slid open the thick, cream envelope. In the bright moonlight he read his name on the gold embossed wedding invitation. He swallowed and returned the invitation to his shirt pocket. It shouldn’t mean so much that Ivy and her friends had so readily accepted him.

  The full moon lit the way home on Highway 89. When the flat valley floor gave way to the rolling hills he slowed for the turn off into Bluebell Falls ranch. He passed through the large wooden arch flanked by stone walls. The golden aspens left pale voids against the darkness of the pine trees as he wound his way deeper into the ranch.

  He changed into a lower gear and peered through the windshield. He could have sworn he heard hoofbeats. A horse and rider topped a gentle rise. Without hesitation they galloped down the other side. Long, blonde hair lifted in the wind as Peta leaned low over Scout’s neck.

  Garrett stopped and silenced the truck engine. Scout’s hooves thundered as though it were a herd of mustangs coming toward him. It wasn’t the mare’s speed that caused him to frown, or the fact Peta rode a skittish horse at night, it was the way she rode.

  He’d been wrong. So wrong. A woman who rode like she’d been born in a saddle was no glamorous socialite. She rode like someone who’d spent a lifetime trailing cattle and who had riding in their blood. He passed a hand over his face. No wonder Hal had been amused at Garrett’s decision to leave Peta behind when they’d trail the cattle down from their summer pastures. She rode like a woman who’d be an asset on any roundup, a woman who’d not appreciate being left behind.

  Peta saw his parked truck, slowed Scout and headed his way.

  He lowered his window. No longer were Peta’s lips a seductive red. Instead her face appeared makeup free. She lifted a hand to brush her hair out of her eyes and the long, crimson nails that reminded him of the world he’d left behind, were gone.

  Something shifted deep inside his chest. The woman riding toward him was the woman in the family photos on the mantelpiece. His first impression had been false. His boss was a hands-on cowgirl whom he’d misjudged over the past two days and who he’d now be working with side by side until at least Christmas.

  But instead of relief sliding through him, his blood chilled. Peta Dixon was more trouble than he could handle. His attraction to her ran hot and deep. She intrigued him in a way he’d never felt before. She’d stirred emotions he’d long suppressed that had no place in his workaholic world. Nowhere in the grand plans he’d made as a lonely and hungry child, not knowing when his mother would be home, had he planned to feel.

  Peta reined in Scout. “Hey.”

  With her wind tousled hair and dressed in faded ranch clothes, he’d never seen her look more beautiful.

  He cleared his throat. “Hey. Nice night for a ride.”

  “It is.” She smoothed a hand along Scout’s copper neck as the restless mare sidestepped and snorted. “I just needed to clear the cobwebs from my head.”

  “Everything okay when you left Grey’s?”

  “Let’s just say my inner-diva doesn’t appreciate being told that going back to a drunk cowboy’s pickup and making out will be the best offer I’ll receive tonight.”

  “Your inner-diva had every right to stamp her foot.”

  “She did.”

  “Does she appear often?”

  Peta’s eyes narrowed. “Only when people misjudge me.”

  He nodded. “That would be me. I owe you an apology. I thought you weren’t the type to get your hands dirty. I know better now.”

  She shortened her reins. “Good, because I misjudged you, too.”

  He kept his expression casual, fighting his concern she’d discovered he was more than a regular ranch foreman. “How so?”

  “I thought you were arrogant and overbearing, but your apology proves I was wrong.” She turned Scout and smiled over her shoulder. “See you tomorrow. We’ve got a ton of work to do.”

  “Will do.”

  The pounding of Scout’s hard hooves drowned out his words. Tension locked his jaw. He’d be working alongside Peta far beyond tomorrow.

  When silence surrounded him, he made no move to start his truck. He’d learned to shut down his emotions to survive and to insulate himself from hurt. But for the first time the instincts that had driven and protected him whispered that it could already be too late.

  Peta affected him like no other woman ever had.

  Chapter Five

  ‡

  “See, that wasn’t so hard,” Peta said, with a smile as Hal finished the last of his hospital breakfast.

  Hal pulled a face. “Make sure you let Sam know I’m coming home this afternoon. The first thing I plan on eating is his chili.”

  “Sam’s missed you, too. He says no one laughs at his jokes anymore.” She moved Hal’s breakfast tray onto a nearby table. “He’s convinced you’ll starve on my salads and girly food, so he’s organized man-food runs over to you and Garrett.”

  “Garrett?” Hal’s faded blue eyes brightened. “I thought you were sending him back to the foreman’s house?”

  “I was.” She resisted the urge to fidget. Hal never missed anything. She couldn’t let him know how much her nerves tightened at the thought of Garrett staying in the main ranch house for longer. “Mom’s ground floor rooms will be easy for you to get around on your crutches and Garrett will be close by if you need help.”

  Hal’s whiskered chin jutted. “Which I won’t.”

  Peta smiled. “You can take that up with Garrett.”

  For once she was thankful for her temporary foreman’s strong-will and self-assurance. He’d make sure Hal didn’t overdo things once he was home.

  “I see. It’s two against one already.” A smile threaded his words and his chin lowered. “So I take it you and Garrett haven’t had a conversation about the roundup?”

  “Not yet, why? That’s on my list for when I get back this morning.” She hesitated. “It could be a good thing we haven’t had that talk as Garrett has… grown on me. Yesterday I might not have been so willing to listen to what he had to say.”

  Hal grinned. “You’re not the only one to have changed their mind. If Garrett hasn’t sat you down and discussed the roundup it means he now knows the real you. He didn’t think you’d want to be involved.”

  She frowned. “Not be involved?”

  Hal chuckled. “I know. But go easy on him. The women he usually hangs out with wouldn’t know the difference between a cow and an elk.”

  Peta didn’t smile. Just like Garrett’s self-possession when wearing a suit, here was something else that didn’t add up. A ranch foreman didn’t usually spend time with girls who weren’t cattle savvy. Had he once been a city boy?

  She leaned forward in her chair. “Hal… who’s Garrett… really?”

  Unfamiliar caution clouded Hal’s eyes. In all the years she’d visited the barn to hear his stories and to enjoy their close friendship, she’d never seen him troubled. The deep rut between his grey brows said he was more than troubled now.

  He reached for her hand. “Honey, Garrett Ross is like a son to me. No matter how old he grows, he’ll always be the smart-mouthed kid I took a gamble on and who has never let me down. He’s been many things but the real Garrett is the cowboy you’ll be working alongside at the roundup. There’
s no one else I’d trust you or Bluebell Falls to.”

  She squeezed Hal’s calloused hand. His answer created only more questions than it answered but she wouldn’t ask anything more now. The hollows below his cheekbones had become more pronounced.

  “That’s good enough for me.” She kissed his whiskered cheek. “Get some rest. I’ll be back to get you this afternoon.”

  Hal didn’t let go of her hand. “Garrett needs to be here as much as we need him to help out. He had a little… trouble in Wyoming. The longer we can keep him at the ranch the better.”

  Last night at Grey’s the pretty brunette hadn’t been the only woman to run her fingers through her hair when she thought Garrett had looked in her direction.

  “Let me guess… woman trouble?”

  “Something like that.” Hal slipped his hand from hers. “Now you get on home. Scout will be wanting another ride. It wasn’t her fault I ended up in the dust when she spooked at that fool cowboy’s drone. The dang flying contraption hummed like a swarm of angry bees.”

  *

  Peta left the Marietta hospital and, after filling two sacks with groceries, she headed home. Her smile grew as she cleared the town limits. Hal would soon be back at the ranch. Bluebell Falls hadn’t seemed the same without his cheery presence. His affection and humor had filled a huge void in her life. No matter how demanding or disapproving her father had been, Hal would always hug her and say, “Good job.”

  It had warmed her heart when Hal had said Garrett was like a son to him. Childless Hal deserved so much more than just the three Dixon children’s love. She stared through the windshield at the rugged mountain that already sported a white glint of snow. She followed a line from the tallest peak, down the granite face to the forested slopes and then to the rolling foothills. Somewhere amongst the shimmers of fall gold, Garrett would be working on her ranch.

  She tapped her short nails on the steering wheel. She couldn’t believe he’d considered leaving her behind for the roundup. But then her crimson nails hadn’t exactly screamed working cowgirl. She couldn’t blame him for forming the wrong impression about her. At least now the air was clear between them. Last night they’d acknowledged they’d misjudged each other and could move on. Her first impression too had been inaccurate. Garrett wasn’t arrogant or overbearing. Instead he was a man who her friends respected, a man capable of gentleness and humor and a man who could admit he was wrong.