She pulled down her T-shirt and extended one arm. “You’ve seen the kitchen and dining room with its cute little bay window. This door leads to the patio area.” She walked a few feet further into a larger open area. “Here we have the very spacious living room—at least it is with no furniture. There’s a tiny little office area over here with a built-in desk right next to the foyer. Here’s the bathroom.” She entered the bathroom through a door on one end and into the bedroom through a second on the opposite end. “And here is the only bedroom.”
He pointed to the fully inflated air mattress. “You’ve thought of everything. At least you won’t have to sleep on the floor tonight.”
“An airbed is essential.” She waved her arm at the bare room. “You’re looking at the extent of this girl’s idea of ‘roughing it’.”
He nodded, keeping all thoughts of what he’d like to do with her on that airbed to himself. “When the moving company gets here with your furniture tomorrow, give me a call. I’ll be glad to come over and help you get this place in order.”
She raised her face to him, her eyes wide. “Tex, are you sure? I could use the help but I know you must have things to do. You already took time out of your day to drive all the way over here just to bring me supper.”
He pulled on his goatee, debating whether she needed to hear the truth. “Honestly? When Mitch called me, I was already in the city.”
“Oh . . .” She seemed to deflate before his eyes. “Y-you weren’t on a date, were you?”
“No. I was doing some shopping.” Did he really want her to know he’d ached for some kind of human contact? That the solitude of living alone sometimes became downright unbearable? “Not that I wouldn’t have driven here tonight—but by coincidence, I didn’t have to.”
“Okay, then. If you don’t mind driving back here tomorrow, I’d surely appreciate the help. I could even pay you—”
He raised his hand to cut her off. “Don’t—that’s an insult, Nik. Give me a call as soon as the moving van shows up. We’ll have you settled in here in a jiffy.” He pulled out his phone. “I don’t know if you have my number. I had to get a new plan since we last spoke and it was entirely too much hassle to port the old number.” They spent a few minutes updating contact information and he slipped his phone in his shirt pocket. “Now, I really should get back before Captain Perry sends out a search party.” He loved the way her brow furrowed, obviously stumped by his comment. “He’s my stallion. If I don’t pay him his evening visit tonight I’ll pay for it tomorrow.”
Her head cocked adorably to one side. “What’ll he do? Kick you or something?”
“No, but he’ll ignore the hell out of me.” He shook his head. “It’s the damnedest thing. He literally turns his back on me, shifts his entire hind end around and refuses to look me in the eye. Takes him a day or two to get over it.”
The room filled with her sudden burst of laughter. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. I had no idea horses could be that temperamental.”
“Oh lady, you have no idea. I’ve had Cap for several years. My pop trained and raced him for me while I was in the Corps. He’s fast, extremely virile, and brings in some damn good stud fees. But when I first retired, I bought a beautiful Palomino mare named Nina. She used to nip at any female within arm’s reach of me.”
Niki’s face lit up. “Seriously? That must have caused quite a problem for a stud like you.”
Heat infused his face until he sent her a sheepish grin. “I finally brought her back to the original owner. I couldn’t risk the backlash of getting sued by some woman.”
“Did you still have her when we first met?” she asked.
“Yeah . . .” He looked at his boots. “It’s a good thing you never made her acquaintance. She probably would have taken a good chunk out of you.”
She cocked her head. “Instead of a nip? Why’s that?”
He shrugged. “She probably would’ve, that’s all.” How did he answer that? The simple fact was that Nina’s nips grew in proportion to Tex’s attraction to his female companion. Somehow, that horse sensed it. And he’d never been as attracted to any woman more than he had Nicole Reeves—not before nor since their first meeting.
She nodded and took a couple of steps toward him. “You need to be on your way. Thanks again for supper, Tex. And if you feel like coming tomorrow, I’d appreciate the help.”
“It’s good to have you in the neighborhood, Nik.” He extended his arms and she walked into his embrace. He hugged her tightly, maybe longer than he should have. But damn it felt good. And not just in the hottest-sex-he’d-ever-had way, either—although the night they’d accidentally been locked inside Red’s club had certainly hit an all-time high for him. But in a way that warmed him—starting in his heart and spreading to encompass his entire chest and torso. She reminded him of home, of belonging—had him wondering what his mom and pop would think of her. Eventually, he let her go, clearing his throat as he stepped away. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Nik.”
She walked him to the door, blinked several times, as though trying not to cry. It nearly killed him when she crossed her arms tightly against her chest and bit down on her trembling lower lip.
He paused and leaned over to get eye level with her. “Hey, listen—if you don’t want to stay here in this empty apartment tonight, you are more than welcome to stay the night at my place. It’s a one bedroom cabin, but I do have furniture, a well-stocked fridge and pantry, and a big comfy couch you can crash on. Or we can deflate that air bed of yours and bring it along.” He raised both hands. “No strings attached.” She looked around her empty apartment, and for a moment he thought she’d cave.
Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her chin and shook her head. “Thanks, and I appreciate the offer, Tex. But I think it’s time to pull up my big girl panties and do this. I’ll be fine.”
He nodded, admiring her determination. “Alright then, you have a good night, Nicole.”
“You too, Tex.”
“He lifted his phone from his shirt pocket and waved it at her. “Call me.”
She graced him with a smile that sent a sparkle to her beautiful green eyes. “I will, and thanks again.”
He spent the drive back to his cabin replaying every moment he’d ever spent in her presence, from the night of the Halloween party at Red’s club nearly three years ago, until now. They had only spent two evenings together but he’d spent many more lusting after her anytime she was near. Once their best friends became a couple, they saw each other frequently. His last sighting of her at Meagan and Mitchell’s wedding marked the final in a long line of missteps with that lady.
Tex pulled up at his cabin and headed straight for Cap’s stable. The big guy gave him several impatient whinnies, swinging his huge head back and forth, as though chastising him for being late.
“I know, I know! Sorry Cap, but I couldn’t leave a lady in distress, could I? I’m sure you can relate to that.” He poured a scoop of sweet oats into his horse’s feed bucket and filled his trough with fresh water. He spent a little more time brushing Cap’s coat than normal before leaving him to enter the solitude of his cabin.
Tex showered, made the mistake of recalling his and Nicole’s last encounter, and found himself so hard he had to finish with a shockingly cold shower. Afterward, he stretched out on his sofa, wishing like hell Nik had taken him up on his offer to spend the night with him in his cabin.
He closed his eyes, imagining her as she looked before he’d walked away tonight. Damn it all—tomorrow couldn’t get here soon enough.
Chapter 3
Niki stood in the center of her new apartment and stared at the results of all her and Tex’s hard work. The truck had arrived at 8:00 a.m. this morning and after sending off a text to her ‘neighbor’ thirty miles to the north, he’d arrived forty minutes later, armed with breakfast, coffee, and the strength of three men. Within two hours, Tex had reassembled her bed and placed all the furniture where she wanted it. By noon, they
’d emptied all the boxes and loaded them into the back of his truck for disposal.
He approached her and crossed his muscled arms across his chest. “It’s looking good, Nik. I think you’ll be very comfortable here.”
She nodded, already feeling more at home surrounded by her own things. “I can’t believe we’re nearly finished.” She swiveled her head to look up at him and smiled. “This would have taken me two days working alone. I owe you big for this.” The old Tex would have flexed his arms and made some smart-ass remark about what she could do to repay him. This Tex just smiled and waved off her comment.
“You don’t owe me a thing. I told you, I’m here for you as a friend. And this is what friends do for each other, right?”
She smiled, accepting his comeback. “They also do nice things in return for each other. How about I return the favor with a home-cooked meal, Mr. Broussard?”
His head cocked slightly to one side. “I knew you baked but I didn’t think you liked to cook.”
“Are you kidding? I love to cook.” She pointed to her new kitchen. “Nothing says ‘home’ like breaking in that brand new stainless steel range.”
“You’re probably exhausted,” he said, looking doubtful. “Why don’t you let me take you out to eat instead?”
She raised both hands to her ponytail, removing and replacing the band for the twentieth time that day. She’d passed on applying make-up that morning, deciding she didn’t want to look like she was trying to impress him, especially when faced with hours of manual labor. “But then I’d have to make myself look presentable. Besides, this way I can scope out the best grocery stores around here.” She tilted her head to search his gaze. “Got any suggestions?”
“I’d have to be crazy to pass up home cooking, so if you want to cook, I’d appreciate it. There’s a locally owned chain store right around the corner. I usually find whatever I need there.”
They were back in an hour and putting the last of Niki’s groceries away. She made him sit at the kitchen island while she prepared and stuffed two chicken breasts. Once everything was in the oven she handed Tex a fresh bottle of beer and they moved to the living room. She curled up on one end of the overstuffed couch she’d brought from her parents’ home with a bottle of water. “How’s the family? Is Haley still seeing that Marine?”
Tex smiled at the mention of his baby sister. “Ben’s not active anymore, but I guess you could say that. They were married a few months ago.”
“I hadn’t heard—that’s good to know they’re still together.”
“Yeah, they’re stupid happy, you know? I’ve never seen two people so into each other and so sure about what they want out of life. They both finished school and have started their careers. Last I heard they’re looking into buying a home.”
“And your parents?”
“Still crazy about each other and keeping busy. I haven’t seen them in a while. I’ll be going there for Thanksgiving next week though.”
“Thanksgiving . . .” She hadn’t even thought about the holidays. Now that she did, she dreaded them.
“Do you have any plans?”
“I haven’t even thought about it.” She’d cringed at the early onslaught of Christmas advertising on TV—switched channels if she could get to it fast enough. “I—I guess I’ve tried not to think about it.”
“Shit.” He wiped his hand over his goatee and sent her the sympathetic look she’d seen so much of the last few months. “I’m sorry, Nik. It’s your first holidays without your parents.”
She blinked several times hoping to keep the flood of emotions from pouring forth. “It’s just that my mom—she loved the holidays. Did them up right, you know?” She wiped tears from the corners of both eyes. “She especially loved Christmas … didn’t stop decorating until she’d covered every inch of the house.”
He crossed one foot over his knee and gave her a sympathetic smile, revealing a single dimple. “Let me guess, multiple trees?”
Niki swallowed the lump in her throat. “No less than three.” She smiled back at him through tears. “I remember a few years when every room in the house had trees.”
He chuckled. “I’m trying to imagine them in the bathrooms.”
“They were tiny tabletop trees in the two bathrooms, but they were trees.” She pointed to the door leading to the patio. “You saw them. All of those large green plastic boxes you stacked in that storage building for me? Those are all filled with Christmas decorations. I suppose I’ll have to pick and choose. This place isn’t nearly big enough to hold all of those decorations, but I wouldn’t know how to choose. Part of it on display without all of it being on display—I don’t know. It wouldn’t feel right. And I could never get rid of anything. Mom . . .” Niki lowered her head. “Mom went crazy decorating the house last Christmas, too. Sometimes I wonder if she knew, Tex. I remember my trip home so well. I walked through the door and my senses were immediately overwhelmed. I stood there, taking in all the smells—from the real tree in the living room, to the cinnamon apple candles she had burning all over the house, to the cookies baking in the oven.”
Niki closed her eyes, letting the memory wash over her. “And the entire house awash in red, green, and gold decorations, and dripping with tinsel.” She laughed and shook her head. “That woman adored her tinsel, no matter how many times I told her I thought it was tacky. She said a tree wasn’t a tree without it—red, gold, green, or silver—but never blue. Mom can’t stand the color blue in any Christmas decorations. I mean she couldn’t stand it . . .”
* * * *
Her smiled faded, and it hit him then—how alone this poor lady must be feeling right now. How completely adrift from everything she’d ever known. With both parents gone, she had no place to call home anymore, no anchor, and no place to go. He could help her with that, if she’d let him.
“You’re coming with me to my folks’ house for Thanksgiving.”
She blinked once and faced him. “Tex, no … you don’t have to feel sorry for me.”
He raised his hand. “I won’t hear another word about it. My mom and dad would love to have you.”
Her eyes brightened just a little. “Will Haley and Ben be there?”
“Absolutely—at least for part of the day, anyway. They may have to make the rounds at his family’s place in Lake Coburn. Haley will be excited to see you.”
“Then I accept, but only if I can contribute to the menu. Find out what I can bring.”
He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’ll do you one better and let you ask her yourself.” He raised one hand at the look of panic on her face. “Relax. Mom’s a good cook but she’s not much of a baker. If you offer to bring a dessert she’ll be thrilled.” Tex walked to the back door for better reception before making the call. He explained the situation to his mom, hoping she didn’t have a problem with it.
Angie Broussard waited until he’d finished before speaking. “Matthew, are you asking to bring a date to our Thanksgiving dinner?”
He stared at Niki, still seated on the couch, and still looking alone in a world too big for her. “She’s a friend, Mom.”
“Look son, you know I love you, but it could get tricky trying to figure out what to say to a stripper or a pole dancer.”
Tex stepped out onto the patio and wiped his free hand down his face. “Well damn, I guess I have that coming to me, too, but it’s not like that at all. As a matter of fact, Haley knows Niki.”
“Haley’s right here. Let me ask her if she knows someone named Niki.”
“Niki Reeves,” he said, waiting for his mom to relay the message to his sister. His sister’s whoop of excitement had him grinning.
“Oh my God! He’s seeing Niki again? Let me talk to him.” Tex waited through some shuffling on the opposite end of the connection, had to pull the phone from his ear at his sister’s delighted squeal. “You’re bringing Niki here for Thanksgiving?”
“Yes, unless you scare her off. It’s a friendly invitation.”
The phone exploded with her laughter. “If you didn’t scare her off with your caveman antics when you first met, nothing will. I can’t wait to see her again.”
“She wants to talk to mom—see what she can contribute to the meal.”
“Okay, but listen up, big brother. If you’ve got another chance with this girl, don’t you dare screw it up. I want her as a sister-in-law, do you hear me?”
“I hear you, squirt. Now put Mom on the phone, will you?”
Tex stood watching and listening as Niki introduced herself to his mom over the phone and settled on what she could bring to the Thanksgiving meal. Her face lit up when Haley hi-jacked the phone from his mom again. Niki spent a couple of minutes catching up with his little sister before handing the phone back to him, obviously appeased for the moment.
“Here you go. I think your Mom wants to speak to you again.”
He put the phone to his chest. “Did you get everything straightened out?”
Niki’s face stretched wide with a smile. “I’m baking the pies.”
“Okay.” He put the phone to his ear. “Mom?”
“Hey, son. Your sister says to tell you if you screw this up she’ll castrate you herself. Apparently she thinks Niki Reeves is exactly the kind of woman you need in your life.”
Tex watched as Niki peeked in the oven to check on their meal. No make-up, hair pulled back in a ponytail and probably exhausted, she was still the sexiest and most beautiful woman he’d ever known. The last two days spent in her company had shown him an entirely different side of her. One he wanted to see a hell of a lot more of.
“Tell little sister I’m working on it, Mom. I’m working on it real hard.”
* * * *
Tex knocked on Niki’s door at 5:00 a.m. to pick her up the morning of Thanksgiving. She pulled the door opened and stepped aside. It took him a moment to catch his breath at the sight of her. She’d worn make-up and gathered her shoulder length hair into a loose knot on top of her head. A pair of jeans and a clingy, deep red, V-neck sweater never looked so good, especially matched with a pair of brown, knee-high leather boots. “Damn—I look like I crawled out of bed five minutes ago and you . . .” He stopped himself, afraid to sound like he was coming on to her. “You look beautiful, Nik.”
Romancing the Holidays: Twelve Christmas Romances - Benefits Breast Cancer Research Page 70