A Cowboy for Christmas

by Sara Richardson

  By the time he walked over to her SUV, Sierra still hadn’t gotten out. Instead, she sat in the driver’s seat gabbing on the phone while at the same time reapplying her lipstick. He hoped that wasn’t for his benefit.

  He politely tapped on the window but she held up a finger and then proceeded to pull a compact out of her purse so she could powder her nose.

  Ty stood back and watched. Huh. He had no idea powdering your nose was really a thing.

  Sierra checked her face in the rearview mirror one more time and then slid the compact back into her purse. Still on the phone, she pushed open the door and got out of the car, giving Ty a dazzling smile that somehow both apologized for the delays and promised she’d be worth the wait. Only he wasn’t waiting for anything. She was pretty, he couldn’t deny that, but her whole look came off too manufactured for his taste—the styled hair, the heavy amount of makeup, the expensive clothes and car, and that horrible perfume. Once again, his thoughts drifted to Darla. Her preferred a woman who didn’t have to try that hard.

  “I know. It was hilarious. You should’ve seen it!” She switched the phone to her other ear and beckoned him to the Tumble Inn’s main entrance. “I wish I would’ve recorded the expression on his face. I’ll bet someone else did. I’ll try to track down a video and send it over.”

  Being the gentleman that he was, Ty held the door open for her and let her go inside first. Too bad he had to follow her.

  The Tumble Inn was packed, given that there weren’t many other places to take your date in Topaz Falls on a Saturday night. There had to be at least half of the thirty or so bachelors they’d auctioned off tonight milling around with their dates. Darla had closed the Chocolate Therapist for the auction, so that left a choice between the country and western bar in town or one of the more intimate restaurants on Main Street. He had to admit, he was glad Sierra hadn’t opted for one of those places where it would be just him and her in a quiet romantic atmosphere. Talk about awkward.

  “Thanks, Suze,” Sierra sang into the phone. “Make sure you tell Daddy it was money well spent. A charitable contribution, if you will. I’ll talk to you soon.” She clicked off the phone and dropped it into her bottomless purse. “Sorry about that. I had to talk to my finance manager about the donation.”

  Or about the way she’d snubbed his brother up onstage. He was surprised to realize it had bothered him to see Rhett get smeared like that. Maybe he did have a soft spot for his older brother after all. “You really went all out to make a point didn’t you?” Ty asked, leading her to one of the only open tables near the bar.

  “Men like Rhett need to learn a little respect.” She slung her purse down on the table—it took up half the surface area—and settled herself on a stool. “I don’t expect much. But I do expect a mutual consideration and respect. Your brother didn’t offer either.”

  Ty had to grin at that. “I wouldn’t say that’s Rhett’s strength.” He took the seat across from her and signaled a waiter.

  Chris, one of the younger riders in town who also moonlighted as a waiter, hurried over. “Hey Ty. What can I get you two?”

  He pretty much ordered the same thing every time he came, but he gestured to Sierra. “Ladies first.”

  “I’ll take a strawberry margarita on the rocks.” She seemed to appraise Chris. In fact, she seemed to do that with every man who walked by. “Extra sugar on the rim, pretty please,” she said with a bat of her eyelashes.

  It took a Herculean effort for Ty not to roll his eyes. Extra sugar. Why wasn’t he surprised? “I’ll take a Corona.”

  Chris gave them a nod—and gave Sierra a grin—before disappearing.

  As soon as he walked away, the woman leaned in to the table and refocused on Ty. “Your fiancée is super pretty,” Sierra said. Her earnest blue eyes put a genuine stamp on the words. “I hope she knows that I’m not out to get between you two.”

  Would it even matter to Darla if Sierra did want to get between them? Probably not. “I doubt she’s worried.”

  Chris swooped in and plunked down Ty’s beer on the table before presenting Sierra’s strawberry margarita with a bow. “Hope you enjoy,” he said, backing away.

  “Oh, I definitely will,” she cooed.

  Ty tried to hide his expression behind his beer bottle. There’d been a time he’d flirted that way too, so it wasn’t like he could judge.

  “How’d you know Darla was the one?” Sierra stirred the straw around her drink.

  It was the natural question for her to ask, but for some reason it caught him off guard. The one. He took his time thinking through their history so he could pinpoint the exact moment he’d fallen for Darla. It didn’t take long. “I knew after I kissed her.”

  But it hadn’t been their first kiss. The first time they’d kissed they’d both had too much to drink and Ty had walked her home from a party at Lucas and Naomi’s place. That time he’d kissed her once on her doorstep and they’d ended up inside, but it had been strictly physical. He’d sensed she’d needed a release as much as he had, so he hadn’t hesitated to take her to bed. Those kisses hadn’t reached deeper. Not like the one at the calendar photo shoot. The one that was supposed to be fake, but somehow turned into the most real expression of what he felt for her.

  “We’d kissed before, but this kiss…it hit me like a shock wave.” He hadn’t expected the rush it had brought, especially because he’d been so irritated with Ginny. But when he’d touched his lips to Darla’s everyone else—everything else—faded except for her. And that was when he knew. She was the only thing that really mattered. For a few brief seconds, she’d wrapped her arms around him and it felt so right. Complete.

  Ty blinked Sierra back into focus, but she was staring at something over his shoulder, her eyes narrowed. He turned around and looked toward the doors. Oh. It seemed Rhett and his date had gotten the same idea they had.

  “Why would he come here?” Sierra demanded, rifling through her purse until she found her lipstick.

  “There aren’t many other places to go,” Ty reminded her, nursing his beer while the woman desperately applied at least five coats of bright red lipstick.

  “No that’s not why.” She stashed the makeup back into her purse. “He came to spy on us. Look, he’s staring right at us.”

  His brother did seem to be interested in what was happening at their table, but he and his date went straight to the bar instead of heading over. “I wouldn’t worry about it. He knows I’m engaged.” Rhett was probably just pissed that Ty won something for once. That he’d raised more money than an NFL football player.

  “We have to dance.” Sierra hopped off her stool and rushed over to his side of the table.

  Ty set down his beer. “Huh?”

  “We have to dance.” She pulled on his arm. “Right now. We have to dance.”

  He pulled away. “Dancing’s not really my thing.” Unless it was with a certain chocolatier…

  Sierra went all diva on him, posting her hands on her hips and tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Darla promised us all that our dates—which we paid a ton for—would show us a good time.” She grabbed his hand. “That means we dance.”

  Damn, Mateo owed him for this. After one more swig of beer, he allowed himself to be dragged over to the dance floor where only a few couples two-stepped to some older Garth Brooks song he’d never liked.

  Trying not to scowl, Ty assumed the position—his hand very lightly on her hip and their hands clasped together. He started to move—not gracefully—but at least he could keep the beat. “Why it so important for him to see you having a good time with me?” he asked, watching Sierra watch Rhett.

  “Because it’ll drive him crazy.” She inched herself closer to him. “The same way it drove me crazy waiting all day for him to call.”

  Ah. “So you like him.” That’s why she’d gotten flustered when Rhett walked in. It wasn’t that she wanted to teach his brother a lesson. She wanted to make him jealous so he’d be interested in her a
gain.

  “I guess I do,” she said angrily. “Unfortunately.”

  Ty two-stepped her around so she couldn’t see Rhett anymore. He’d never been one for giving advice, but his current predicament had given him a fair amount of wisdom. “If you like him, why don’t you just tell him?”

  “I can’t tell him.” Sierra moved her head as though trying to see past Ty. “What if he doesn’t feel the same way?”

  That outcome sucked. He knew that for a fact.

  “Oh no!” Sierra squealed. “He’s coming over here. Rhett is coming over here.”

  “Well what did you expect?” Ty muttered. His brother never backed down when he was being provoked.

  “I need to use the bathroom.” She let go of his hand and disappeared into the crowd, leaving him to deal with Rhett by himself.

  This ought to be fun.

  “Are you trying to piss me off?” his brother demanded, shoulders raised, chest all puffed out. “You shouldn’t be dancing with another woman like that when you’re engaged.”

  “Try telling Sierra that.” Though they hadn’t done anything inappropriate. Ty had managed to keep at least a foot of space between them the entire time. “Trust me, I’m definitely not the one who’s trying to piss you off.” That goal belonged only to Sierra. He was simply lucky enough to find himself stuck in the middle. “I’m engaged. Remember?”

  “How could I forget? That’s all Mom has been talking about. The wedding and someday having grandkids. You’d better get on that, by the way. She won’t be happy until you have a whole basketball team.”

  “Darla and I haven’t talked about having kids yet.” Ty took in the anger on his brother’s face. So Sierra wasn’t the only thing Ty had won recently. He’d also won their parents’ favor, and Rhett hated it. “You can’t handle that I’m the one getting attention for once.”

  “For once?” His brother got in his face. “What a crock. You want to know why they’ve never gone to watch you ride? Probably because it terrifies them, genius.”

  Oh, sure. Like he was supposed to believe that? His parents were ranchers—nothing terrified them. His mom had once shot at a grizzly bear in the yard to scare it away. “You play football and they’re not afraid to watch you.” Rhett had battled multiple injuries. He’d even had to be carted off the turf more than once.

  “I get pushed around and beat up,” Rhett said. “And a lot of times I do the beating up, but watching me tackle someone is a hell of a lot different than watching you get whipped around and bucked off by a bull. Every time you go out and compete there’s a chance you could die in that arena.” He looked at Ty, his face sober. “Football isn’t like that.”

  Ty stood stock still, couples still dancing around them. Was his brother saying their mom worried about him or that he worried about him?

  “She’s always been more protective over you, being the youngest and all,” Rhett continued. “And she knows she can’t protect you out there. None of us can.” For once his brother actually had some emotion in his voice. “Hell, I bet if Darla were honest about it, she’d say the same thing. Especially after losing her first husband and all.”

  The words cut into him. “Yeah. I know she worries.” So much so that she wouldn’t consider a real future with him. But his parents? He found it hard to believe they’d never come to one of competitions because they were worried. “I guess I’ve forgotten how much of a risk it is.” He thought of riding like a job. Something he worked at and prepared for day in and day out, and sometimes it was easy to forget that he was competing in the most dangerous and extreme sport in the world.

  “Maybe you should start thinking about it,” his brother said quietly. “Especially now that you’re getting married.”

  “Maybe I should.” He’d never considered retiring early. The rodeo world was the only place he’d ever felt like he fit. It was his life—his community.

  Rhett squinted at him in disbelief. “You’d think about giving it all up if Darla wanted you to?”

  “Yes.” The answer came straight from his gut. He didn’t even have to think about it. If he thought it would make a difference, he’d make this rodeo his last ride.

  “I figured you were the one who’d lucked out by finding her,” his brother said. “But I guess she’s pretty lucky to have you too.” Before Ty could thank him for the rare compliment, Rhett eyed his date, who still stood over by the bar with her arms crossed and her right foot tapping. “I’d better get back to Kelly. Have fun with Sierra,” he muttered.

  Ty grabbed his shoulder before he could walk away. “I’d rather not have fun with her, and she likes you, by the way.”

  “Is that your idea of a joke?” His brother shook off Ty’s hand. “You saw what she did to me up there. She definitely doesn’t like me.”

  “That’s why she did it.” For being such a ladies’ man, Rhett also seemed clueless when it came to women. “If you stop being an idiot, I’ll bet you could easily make this up to her.”

  Sudden interest lit his brother’s eyes. It seemed Rhett liked Sierra too. “Really? You think?”

  “Sure. Why didn’t you call her?” he asked, even though he likely knew the answer.

  “You know how it is.” The mask of confidence fell off his brother’s face. “Can’t seem too eager. You gotta play the game.”

  “Playing games doesn’t seem to be working out for you.” Mainly because Sierra seemed to be better at it than Rhett. “Just get to know her. Don’t analyze anything. Why don’t you bring your date over here? The four of us can hang out. I can help distract her while you and Sierra talk.”

  “Seriously?” Rhett studied him as though searching for an ulterior motive, but Ty didn’t have one. He simply wanted to hang out with his brother.

  “Seriously. You’d better hurry up and invite your date over. She looks a little steamed.”

  Rhett grinned. “Sorry for leaving you out in the woods earlier. You’re not so bad.”

  Ty smiled back. It was the closest they’d ever come to a bonding moment. “Sorry for telling you I didn’t want you here,” he said, reaching out for a handshake.

  Rhett stared at his outstretched hand. “That was true though.”

  “Yeah, but I shouldn’t have said it.” Instead of a handshake he pulled his brother in for a man hug and gave him a noogie on the head. “And it’s not true anymore. I’m actually really glad you’re here.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Darla climbed into the front seat of Everly’s SUV and let her shoulders slouch. It had been a day. Truthfully, the last ten hours had felt more like a year. Finding out she was pregnant, and then freaking out when Ty was late, and having to stand up on the stage like everything in her life was smooth sailing had scrubbed the energy clean out of her.

  “Ready to go spy on Ty?” Everly asked next to her. Why was it that pregnancy seemed to give her friend a lovely glow and a charismatic energy while Darla only felt dog tired, on the verge of nausea, and a little fatter than normal? “I guess, but you might have to keep kicking me under the table so I stay awake.”

  “Oh I know.” Her friend steered the SUV out of the nearly empty parking lot. “I’m so tired all the time. And I have to pee a lot too. Are you having that problem?”

  Darla tried to think, but a fog had settled over her mind. “I don’t know. I mean, I had no idea I was pregnant, so I wasn’t exactly looking out for the symptoms.” She’d blamed the tiredness and stomachaches on the stress of throwing together a huge event in only a few weeks.

  “I know you’re still in shock.” Everly gave her hand a pat. “But I’m so excited. We’re going to be able to go through pregnancy together! It seems less terrifying going through it with someone else.”

  “Definitely.” Except Darla wouldn’t call herself terrified. Surprised and overwhelmed for sure, but that glow in her heart could only mean it had been a desire she’d suppressed for a long time. A dream she’d let die with Gray that was now coming back to life.

 
Everly turned into the parking lot at the Tumble Inn. It was so crowded they had to park in the dirt overflow lot, which was covered with snow. “I’m sure it’ll be hard keeping the news from Ty,” her friend said as she cut the engine.

  Darla inhaled a deep, silent breath. “It’s not for much longer. And we’re breaking up tomorrow, so I won’t have to spend time with him.” Or his family. The thought of hurting them made her heart ache, but it was for the best. This whole charade had already gone too far. When she told Ty about the baby, she would also tell him to make sure his parents knew they could see the baby whenever they wanted. No matter what her and Ty’s relationship looked like, she would keep them involved. They would be the best grandparents.

  Darla and Everly climbed out of the SUV and clung to each other as they navigated the icy parking lot. Once inside, they shed their coats and found a small table for two on the outskirts of the crowd.

  “I’ll go grab us a couple of ginger ales.” Everly laughed. “How silly is that? Ordering two ginger ales at the bar.”

  Darla had to laugh too. “I guess I should start stocking ginger ale at the wine bar.” It would be a long time before she’d drink wine again.

  “At least we can still eat chocolate.” Everly looked relieved. “I’d give up wine over chocolate any day.”

  “Yes.” Thank God for chocolate.

  Everly scurried away to the bar, which gave Darla the chance to scan the rest of the place in search of Ty. She spotted him on the dance floor, but he wasn’t with Miss Six Grand. Instead, Ty was dancing with Rhett’s date and Rhett was dancing with Sierra—and it looked like the two of them were getting pretty close.

  Darla watched the four of them, staying near each other, occasionally chatting and laughing about something. It seemed like something had changed between him and his brother. They smiled easily at each other, and even the two women looked friendly. They looked like two couples on a double date—a fun double date with everyone enjoying themselves, and Darla had never felt more like an outsider.