The Christmas Cowboy Hero

by Donna Grant

  Brice merely stared at him, but Caleb broke out into a wide grin. “Hot damn. I knew it! I’m all for it, Clayton, and not just because I love the ranch and want to stay here forever. You make Abby happy, and that’s enough for me.”

  Clayton swung his gaze to Brice. “What about you?”

  “Abby always denied it, but I used to hear her crying in her room at night. She was stressed about everything, and she was lonely. Everything changed when you came into our lives. I’ve seen a real smile on my sister’s face these last few weeks, and I’ve watched all the worries slowly melt away.” Brice hooked a finger in the belt loop of his jeans. “You don’t just make her happy, you protect her. As long as you keep doing that, then I’ll give you my blessing.”

  Clayton bowed his head to Brice. The unspoken threat hung between them, and Clayton had no doubt that if he ever stepped out of line, Brice would be more than happy to not just call him on it, but to take action, as well.

  “When are you popping the question?” Caleb asked.

  Clayton put his hand on the front pocket of his jeans where the ring rested. “Tonight.”

  “That’s why you hung up the lights,” Brice said with a grin. “Shane said it was for the annual party.”

  Caleb smiled as he shook his head. “I wish I could be there. Make it special for her. Abby deserves the best.”

  “That she does,” Clayton agreed.

  Brice elbowed Caleb. “If we go down and help Mrs. Justine now, she’ll let us into the sweets.”

  “Good. I’m starving,” his brother answered.

  Brice rolled his eyes. “You’re always hungry.”

  “So are you.”

  That’s when the elder of the brothers grinned. “Yeah. I know.”

  The two walked to the door, but they paused and looked back at Clayton.

  “Good luck,” Brice said.

  Caleb met Clayton’s gaze. “I’ll be proud to call you brother.”

  Clayton was taken aback at Caleb’s words. He saw a glimpse of the man the youngest Harper would become.

  Both of the brothers had shown courage, tenacity, and persistence over the last few weeks, alluding to the men they were becoming. It was a bit daunting to know that he’d had a hand in it, and while he was terrified of screwing up, he was proud of the changes he saw in the teens.

  Once they were gone, Clayton looked in the mirror again. He raked his hands through his hair, trying to get it to behave. Then he gave up and grabbed his hat.

  When he walked down the stairs, he heard Abby’s voice. Just hearing her made him smile. Whether she and her brothers knew it or not, they had become a part of the East family. His parents adored all three of the Harpers, and Clayton was very fond of the boys, as well.

  But he was utterly and completely in love with Abby.

  He reached the bottom of the stairs and made his way into the kitchen. It was the hub of the house, the place where everyone gathered at all hours of the day. And that was because of his mother and her amazing cooking.

  Yet it wasn’t his mother he was looking at now, it was Abby. The woman who held his heart had her beautiful, long, dark locks flowing freely down her back. He gazed appreciatively over her mouth-watering curves in the body-hugging, long-sleeved hunter green velvet dress that stopped a few inches shy of her ankles. She wore strappy black heels that added to her sexy look.

  Abby leaned to the side, revealing a slit that traveled up her right leg to her thigh. He went hard instantly. It was all Clayton could do not to throw her over his shoulder and take her upstairs.

  Then she turned and saw him. The smile that lit up her face made his heart catch. How in the world had a woman like her found her way into his life? When he thought about everything that had occurred just for them to meet, he couldn’t help but feel it was fated.

  She mouthed, “Hi.”

  He walked to her and put his hands on her hips. “You look too beautiful for words.”

  She beamed up at him. “And you look incredibly handsome.”

  “Mom, do you have everything covered?” he asked without looking away from Abby.

  “I do,” his mother replied.

  “Yep,” his father said around a mouthful of chocolate chip cookie.

  As one, Caleb and Brice popped meatballs into their mouths and said, “Mhm.”

  “Good,” Clayton said.

  Abby raised a brow. “Why do I think you did that on purpose?”

  “Because we’re going for a walk.”

  Her brows snapped into a frown. “Now? Aren’t there guests arriving?”

  Justine smiled and said, “Oh, I think I forgot to tell you we cancelled the party.”

  “Come on. Just for a little while,” Clayton coaxed.

  Abby smiled and playfully rolled her eyes. “As if I can say no to you.”

  He put his hand on Abby’s back and led her away. He glanced behind him, giving the others a wink before he helped Abby into her coat. He slipped his jacket on and took her hand as he walked her outside.

  “It’s freezing,” she mumbled.

  He chuckled. “Not for long. Trust me.”

  She followed when he tugged her hand. Clayton led her around to the back of the barn where Shane had hitched one of the horses to a small carriage.

  “Oh, my God,” she said with a delighted laugh.

  “It belonged to my great-grandparents.”

  Abby walked around it, touching and inspecting the carriage. “Are you taking me for a ride?”

  “I am,” he said and held out his hand.

  She bit her lip as he helped her up inside the carriage before joining her and covering her with the blanket. Then he gathered the reins, and with a little flick, set the horse into motion.

  “This is amazing,” she said, looking up at the stars.

  It was a clear, beautiful night. Clayton glanced at the half moon and nodded.

  They rode in silence for a spell. Abby then leaned her head on his shoulder. “There’s nothing in the world that can top the day I’ve had.”

  “Is that so?” he asked, hiding his grin.

  Her head jerked up as she looked at him with wide eyes. “It’s like I stepped into a movie or book. The house with all the decorations, the Christmas music, the presents—that seem to multiply overnight under all the trees, I might add—and let’s not forget the amazing smells that constantly come from the kitchen. And now this. It’s been magical.”

  “There’s more to come.”

  She shook her head. “This is all I need. Being surrounded by friends and having my brothers experiencing such a delightful Christmas.”

  He looked at her and smiled before giving her a quick kiss. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

  She was about to reply when she looked ahead and narrowed her eyes. “Are those lights?”

  “Yep.”

  “Way out here?”

  “Yep.”

  She swiveled her head to him and stared at him a moment. “Are we going there?”

  “We sure are.”

  Abby didn’t say anything else as the distance closed. She kept her gaze straight ahead, looking at the lights, but Clayton was dying to know what was going through her head.

  He hoped she said yes to his proposal, but he was prepared for her to decline. There was no doubt in his mind that she cared for him, and he was willing to give her as much time as she needed to realize that he wasn’t going anywhere. He’d ask her a million times if that was what it took.

  When they finally reached the area, he pulled back on the reins to halt the horse and looked over his handiwork. He had to admit, the area did have an enchanted look about it.

  Strung between three trees were dozens of Christmas lights. In a circle around the trees were four cordless heaters he’d bought specifically for this. And in the middle of it all was a wool blanket laid out on the ground with several pillows of various sizes. There was a bucket of champagne and two glasses.

  “Clayton,” she said in a whisp
er as she gazed at the setting.

  “It’s all for you, darlin’.”

  When she turned her gaze to him, there were tears shining in her eyes. “It’s stunning.”

  He wrapped the reins around the brake and jumped down before holding out a hand to her. “Come see.”

  She didn’t need to be told twice. He helped her down, and they walked to the blanket. Abby looked up, smiling at the lights. He watched her, awed by how the little things meant so much to her. He was thankful the heaters were putting off enough warmth so she wouldn’t be shivering. His woman had a distinct dislike for the cold.

  “The lights would’ve been enough,” she said as she faced him. “But the heaters, too?”

  “I couldn’t have your teeth chattering.”

  “You’re amazing,” she said and threw her arms around him.

  He caught her, holding her close. “Only because of you.”

  They remained locked in each other’s arms for another minute before he pulled back and tugged her down onto the blanket.

  “Even the blanket is warm,” she said with a laugh.

  He shrugged but was smiling inside. “Heated.”

  She threw back her head and laughed as she tucked her legs against her and leaned on one hand. “How long have you been working on this?”

  “All week.”

  “Sneaky, but I heartily approve. No one has ever done anything like this for me.”

  “I’d like the chance to do it often,” he said.

  She looked at him. “Is this your way of telling me you want to date me?”

  “It’s my way of saying I love you, and I want you in my life.” He rose up on one knee, but it took him two tries to get the ring from his pocket because his hand was shaking. With his heart beating a million times a second, he held the ring out to her. “Abby Harper, I didn’t know how much my life would change after meeting you, but I thank God that it did. I’m a better man with you by my side, and I can’t imagine life without you. Will you marry me?”

  Chapter 35

  Was this really happening? Abby pinched herself to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

  Her blood was rushing so loudly, she could barely hear. And that’s when Clayton rose up on one knee. She gasped, her stomach aflutter when she watched him fish the ring out of his pocket. As she listened to his declaration and words of love, all she could think about was how she felt with Clayton.

  Safe. Needed. Beautiful.

  Loved.

  “You love me?” she asked.

  He smiled, laughing softly. “Very much. Did you hear the rest?”

  “I didn’t know you loved me. I mean, I know I love you, but you never said anything,” she replied.

  His green eyes crinkled at the corners. “Neither did you.”

  “I was scared.”

  “Me, too. I thought you might run off.”

  She shook her head. “I couldn’t.”

  “And the rest of what I said?” he asked hopefully. “Will you marry me?”

  Abby was mortified as she realized he’d been on his knee, holding the ring during their conversation. She shifted onto her knees and touched his face. At that moment, it was like she was cocooned in love, Clayton’s love.

  “Yes,” she answered.

  He yanked her against him, his mouth taking hers in a savage kiss full of desire, need, and hope. She clung to him as he shifted them until she was on her back. Despite her trying to keep kissing him, he pulled back.

  “Ah, woman, what you do to me.”

  “Then why did you stop?” she asked breathlessly.

  “For this.” He leaned to the side and took her left hand before slipping the band onto her finger.

  Abby held up her left hand and gazed at the ring with the lights above her.

  “It belonged to my grandmother and her grandmother before her,” he said.

  She stared in wonder at the ring. It was as if it had been made just for her. The delicate rose gold eternity band had graceful diamond-set scrolls that gave it a timeless, elegant look she loved.

  “If you’d rather a new diamond, I can get that for you,” Clayton said.

  Abby shook her head. “It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

  “Just as you are.”

  She pulled him back down atop her. “You were meant for me. And I for you.”

  “Yes. I know that no matter what the future holds for us, we’ll get through it together. And I’ll reassure you every day that I’m not going to leave you.”

  That made her smile. He wasn’t angry about her fears. He acknowledged them and was willing to work with her. Few men would have done such a thing.

  “The abandonment issues I once had don’t have such a strong hold over me anymore,” she told him. “I don’t even know when they stopped having control, only that the fear is like a tiny voice now instead of the roar it once was.”

  Clayton ran his hand along her cheek as he looked down at her with love shining in his eyes. “I’m going to love you forever, Abby Harper. I’m going to love you so fiercely and so hard that you’ll never doubt us for one instant.”

  “You stole my heart, but you gave me a love so pure and wonderful that you mended everything that was broken inside me. With you, I can do anything.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. “Merry Christmas, darlin’.”

  “Merry Christmas.”

  Abby was near to bursting she was so full of joy. And this was just the beginning of a life of love and wonder before her. A life with the man who was her warrior and hero—Clayton East.

  Epilogue

  Four months later …

  “It’s time, Abby,” Brice said.

  She turned from the mirror and smiled at him and Caleb, who stood in the doorway. “You two look so handsome.”

  At her words, Caleb beamed and tipped his cowboy hat at her while Brice fidgeted with the buttoned collar of his shirt. The three of them had never left the East ranch. Once she and Clayton had returned on Christmas Eve, there had been a huge celebration for their engagement.

  Her brothers became quite the cowboys over the next few months. Both rode a horse like they’d been born to it, and their happiness extended to other parts of their lives. Their grades were great, and they both had begun to hang with different friends, but their attention was on the ranch. They willingly did their chores every day without having to be told.

  “Abby, you look beautiful,” Caleb said as he walked into the room.

  She looked down at her wedding dress. Though she hadn’t cared about having one, Clayton and Justine had insisted that she get something. Surprisingly, she’d found the perfect one. The vintage lace dress matched perfectly with the ambiance of the wedding set at the ranch.

  The gown had long, lace sleeves and a bodice that hugged her figure before the lace dropped in an A-line skirt to the ground. The veil was actually Justine’s from her wedding. Never before had Abby felt so beautiful or special.

  With a brother on each arm, Abby walked from her room, down the stairs, and out the back of the house just as the sun was setting. The yard had been turned into a scene right out of a fairytale. Flowers dripped from everywhere.

  There was a huge tent that had tiny lights strung across the top to mimic the spot where Clayton had proposed. But that was for the reception. Now, her brothers walked her toward an archway of flowers and more tiny lights where Clayton waited.

  His blond hair was still long at her request, and his pale green eyes were locked on her. His smile was sexy as he gave a nod of approval when he saw her. His black suit fit him to perfection. She would have to find other reasons for him to wear it, because it looked stunning on him.

  And then she was standing before him. Her brothers handed her off, each of them kissing her cheek before going to their seats. Clayton took her hand in his as he gave her a little squeeze.

  “My God, woman. You put the stars to shame, you shine so brightly,” he whispered.

  “You’re wearing that su
it again. I can’t stop staring.”

  “I’ll wear it every damn day then,” he said with a wink.

  She never took her eyes off Clayton as they exchanged vows and wedding rings. Before she knew it, Clayton was kissing her. The loud cheer that went up had both of them smiling—and remembering that they weren’t alone.

  “You’re mine now,” Clayton said as he pressed his forehead to hers.

  “I’ve been yours.”

  His crooked grin made her stomach flutter. “Let’s get out of here and start our honeymoon.”

  “We can’t,” she said with a laugh. “And we need to walk down the aisle to the reception.”

  “You’ve got an hour, Mrs. East. Then I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here.”

  She was smiling when they turned to face their guests. Hand-in-hand, they walked down the aisle to start their new lives. Abby didn’t know what the future held, but she knew whatever came, it would be worth it being loved by—and loving—Clayton East.

  Her hero.

  Her cowboy.

  ALSO BY DONNA GRANT

  THE SONS OF TEXAS SERIES

  THE HERO

  THE PROTECTOR

  THE LEGEND

  THE DARK KING SERIES

  DARK HEAT

  DARKEST FLAME

  FIRE RISING

  BURNING DESIRE

  HOT BLOODED

  NIGHT’S BLAZE

  SOUL SCORCHED

  PASSION IGNITES

  SMOLDERING HUNGER

  SMOKE AND FIRE

  FIRESTORM

  BLAZE

  THE DARK WARRIOR SERIES

  MIDNIGHT’S MASTER

  MIDNIGHT’S LOVER

  MIDNIGHT’S SEDUCTION

  MIDNIGHT’S WARRIOR

  MIDNIGHT’S KISS

  MIDNIGHT’S CAPTIVE

  MIDNIGHT’S TEMPTATION

  MIDNIGHT’S PROMISE

  MIDNIGHT’S SURRENDER

  THE DARK SWORD SERIES

  DANGEROUS HIGHLANDER

  FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER

  WICKED HIGHLANDER