“What club is that?”
“Whine and Cheese. Like wine only with an H.”
“I get it. Cute. This little town has a lot of charm to it.”
“I can already see that. If I were into small towns, this would be great, but I’m used to a big city.”
“Me, too. Besides, like I said on the plane, my mom and I would come to blows over this wedding thing if I relocated to Eagles Nest.”
“But we can soak up the ambiance while we’re here.” His forehead was going numb but he was having a good time watching her blue eyes sparkle in the Christmas lights. He hated to leave. He’d warm up once he got back in the truck.
“I think I’ll enjoy soaking it up this year more than I ever did before. I owe you.”
“Nah. It’s fun for me.”
“I hope so.” She moved closer. “Don’t look now, but I think the living room curtain just moved.”
“Your momma’s spyin’ on us?”
“I guarantee it’s not my dad pulling back that curtain. He’s strictly live and let live.”
“So I gathered. He’s a great guy. You’re lucky.”
“I know. But if she’s watching out the window, you should probably kiss me.”
Oh, yeah, life was good. He smiled. “Gee, do I have to?”
“Shut up. You liked the mistletoe kiss. I could tell.”
“I loved the mistletoe kiss. I was hopin’ you might want to try that again sometime.”
“I wouldn’t mind.” She gazed up at him. “And it would be what Mom’s expecting to see.”
“Then let’s give our audience what they want. But first I need to set the stage.” He unzipped her parka.
“What are you doing?”
“We need more body contact. We’ll stay warmer that way.” He unbuttoned his coat.
“We won’t, either. We’ll freeze our—”
“Come here.” Sliding his hands inside her coat, he pulled her close and lowered his head.
“You’re insane.”
“You need to put your arms inside my coat, too.”
“You’ve obviously never made out in cold country or you’d know this isn’t a good idea.”
“I haven’t made out in the cold, but I saw a movie where two people got naked to keep from freezing to death.”
“We’re not getting naked.” She slipped her arms inside his coat and snuggled against him.
“More’s the pity.” He closed the gap and claimed her sweet mouth. The flavors were two of his favorites, whipped cream and pumpkin pie.
But that didn’t explain the jolt of pleasure that traveled along his nerve endings as he began to explore with his tongue. She might have sassed him about the way he’d approached this kiss, but her mouth was hot and eager.
Thanks to eliminating some layers, he enjoyed the sensation of her breasts cushioning the space between them. And he discovered that her heart was thumping as fast as his. When her tongue thrust into his mouth, he grew bold enough to cup her ass and pull her in tight so she’d know exactly how she was affecting him.
She moaned and wiggled closer. Good sign. He delved deeper with his tongue and their rapid breathing fogged the air. Maybe it was still cold outside. He couldn’t say.
He lost track of his surroundings as he immersed himself in her kiss and the heat pouring from her body. He needed her, and she was giving every indication of needing him, too.
Reaching under her sweater, he searched for the back clasp of her bra.
Gasping, she broke away from his kiss and backed up a couple of feet. “Badger!”
He sucked in air. “What?”
“You can’t unhook my bra in the driveway of the parsonage. It’s just not done.”
“Then let’s move to the neighbor’s driveway.”
She stared at him and then she began to smile. “You really are insane.”
He took a shaky breath and smiled back. “You told me to kiss you.”
“So I did.”
“Do you think that kiss will satisfy your momma?”
“I should hope so.”
“Did it satisfy you?”
Her gaze was hot as she zipped her parka. “Not by a long shot.”
“Then maybe we can continue this another time.”
“I don’t see how that would work.” She shoved her hands back in her pockets. “At least not the way we’ve set up our visit.”
“You know what? If we were actually lovers, we would have figured this out. We wouldn’t have come here for Christmas without a plan for bein’ alone at least sometimes.”
“That’s a very good point. Will it make anyone suspicious if we haven’t factored that in?”
“Do you want to factor it in?”
She blushed. “I’d like to consider it as an option.”
“So would I, darlin’. So would I.”
“Maybe we’re dealing with the power of suggestion. We’re supposed to be hot for each other, so now we are.”
“I don’t think so, but we could test it. I’ll just have to kiss you again tomorrow.”
“Might not have a chance.”
“I’ll make a chance.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “See you then.” Climbing in the truck, he closed the door and drove away. He was at least a mile down the road before he remembered to turn on the heater.
Chapter Six
Although Hayley would have loved to walk around the block to settle down after that lollapalooza of a kiss, her parents would worry if she didn’t come back in right away. She took several deep breaths, slipped inside and hung her parka on the coat tree.
Her mom, the spymaster, sat in her easy chair wearing her reading glasses and pretending total absorption in a book. Hayley would almost buy it if the book weren’t upside down. Her dad, who’d received intel from the spymaster, leafed through a journal from one of the many organizations he’d joined. His reading material was right-side up.
She returned to her seat on the couch and folded her hands in her lap. “I hope Badger and I didn’t break any house rules or shock your neighbors just now.”
Her mom glanced up, innocence personified. “Were you doing something shocking out there?”
“Maybe. Depends on how strict you two are these days. I remember getting lectured about that very thing once upon a time.”
Her dad put aside his journal and nudged his glasses into place. “Yes, well you were seventeen and I was a lot more worried about appearances back then. I’ve loosened up.”
She grinned at him. “Good to know, Dad.”
“I think it’s lovely that you two are so passionate.” Her mom laid her book on her lap. “And tasteful about it, too. Some young couples can’t keep their hands off each other even though other people are around.”
“Well, we are both over thirty. Let’s hope we’ve developed some restraint.”
“That kiss didn’t look very restrained.” Then her mother blushed. “Sorry. I only took a quick peek.”
“It’s okay, Mom.”
“It’s just that I’m so happy for you. I meant to ask this before, but have you met his parents?”
“Not yet.”
“Has he told them about you?”
“No, but—”
“Really? Not a word?”
“Isn’t it better to deliver that kind of info in person? Don’t you think that’s better, Dad?”
“Mostly, but if you wait too long they might not be too happy.”
“Oh, we won’t.” Spin it girl, spin it. “But it was logical to start with you guys because of the Eagles Nest connection.”
Her mother nodded. “To think that you had this town in common. What are the chances?”
“Kismet.”
“I know. So romantic. Still I wish I knew more about his side of the family. I mean, if we’re going to be related, it would nice to—”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy to tell you.” Or not. “I don’t know all that much, myself. It’s like we’ve been enclosed in thi
s bubble of bliss, oblivious to the rest of the world.”
Her mother sighed. “Just like your dad and I were. Remember, Warren?”
“It’s called being snowbound, Virginia. We couldn’t get out and nobody could get in.”
“Yes! It was a bubble of snow! Every young couple should be lucky like that. By the time they dug us out, we were engaged.”
“If we hadn’t been your dad would have come after me with a shotgun.”
She laughed. “Go ahead and joke about it but you wanted to get married as much as I did.”
He smiled at her. “Yeah. Best decision I ever made. But, since Hayley and Badger aren’t snowbound, and we’re in the digital age, let’s find out some basics about his parents.” He picked up his phone from the lamp table next to his recliner.
“Dad! That feels like snooping.”
“I agree and I promise not to let Badger know I looked this up. But since your mother brought up the subject, I’m curious.” He spoke into the phone. “Find information on Thaddeus Livingston Calhoun the second in Atlanta, Georgia.”
“This seems wrong. Mom, doesn’t this seem wrong?”
“No, dear, it’s a great idea.”
“But—”
A melodious woman’s voice stopped her cold. Information located.
“Let’s see what it says.” Her dad began to read. “Thaddeus Livingston Calhoun the Second, fifty-eight, is a senior partner in the law firm of Calhoun, Lipcott and Gervais. He’s married to the former Stella Louise Jorgenson, fifty-six. They have one son, Thaddeus Livingston Calhoun the third, thirty-three.”
Her dad clicked off the phone and set it back on the lamp table. “That’s enough. At least we know they’re gainfully employed. Or rather, Thaddeus is.”
All of it was news to Hayley. During the flight, she’d been so focused on preparing Badger for her family that she hadn’t asked about his, not even whether he had siblings. Evidently he was an only child born to what sounded like highly educated and likely affluent parents.
Her dad glanced at her mom. “Does that help, Virginia?”
“It does, but now I have so many questions. Hayley, you said he’d been in the service for ten years so that means he didn’t enlist until he was twenty-three. Do you know what he was doing between high school and enlisting?”
“I, um, no, I don’t. Not really. Like I said, we haven’t spent nearly as much time together as couples who live in the same city.”
“I wonder why he didn’t become a lawyer like his father?”
“I’m sure it’s because he loves to fly. But you won’t ask him that, right? Because we don’t want him to know Dad looked up his parents on the internet.”
“I suppose not. It is better if we let him tell us of his own accord.”
“Absolutely.” And her mom would make a dash for the computer the minute she had a private moment. “That includes anything else you might find out online.” She must have a lot of her mother in her, after all, because now she was tempted to look him up, too.
“Okay.”
“I won’t announce that I looked up his folks online,” her dad said. “But I’d be surprised if he didn’t expect me to research both him and his parents. That’s what people do these days.”
“I know, Dad.”
“You should do the same.”
“Maybe. But I’d rather hear these things from him.” Besides, she’d only be satisfying her idle curiosity by researching him. After the holidays, she had no plans to see him again.
“You’re in love.” Her dad’s gaze was filled with kindness and understanding. “You want to respect his privacy. I get that. I’m not in love with him and my darling daughter is considering marriage after only spending a few weekends with the guy.”
“Quality weekends.”
“I’m sure they have been. I trust your judgement and your instincts, but obtaining a little basic info like finding out who his parents are eases my mind somewhat.”
“I’m sure it does.”
“Don’t get me wrong. He made a great first impression and I can see how you two would get along. Christmas is a traditional time for couples to get engaged and you may decide to do that. But I would advise making it a long engagement so you can be sure you know each other before you take that big step.”
“Very good advice, Dad.” And that was why he was good at what he did. She had a new respect for his ability to be warm and welcoming while also intelligently assessing a situation and watching for potential issues. It was what she tried to do in her work with senior citizens. She’d learned a lot from her dad, more than she might have realized.
Her mom sighed. “It is good advice. But I’m dying to plan their wedding, Warren.”
He laughed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Badger had always been vulnerable to jet lag. It prompted him to wake up at six in the morning. Still very dark outside.
He couldn’t fault the accommodations, though. Cody’s old bedroom was cozy and the mattress was extra-long so his feet didn’t hang off the end the way they usually did in most beds other than the one in his room at his folks’ house.
He tried to go back to sleep, but eventually he couldn’t lie there another second. Dressing quickly, he skipped shaving and went down the dark hallway, through the living room and into the kitchen.
Kendra had anticipated that he’d be awake early. She’d set up the coffee pot so all he had to do was turn it on. A loaf of bread sat on the counter along with an unopened jar of peanut butter and a table knife so he could make himself some breakfast.
He switched on the coffee, put bread in the toaster, and grabbed a banana from the bowl of fruit in the middle of the small kitchen table. He sat there to eat it until the toast and coffee were ready.
The gurgling coffee pot was the only sound in the room. He’d never been surrounded by so much stillness and it was a little spooky. His parents’ house was in Buckhead, an exclusive area, but traffic noise still penetrated the hedges enclosing the opulent estate where he’d grown up.
Once he’d finished and cleaned up his mess, he put on his borrowed jacket, unlocked the front door, and stepped outside. He counted it an act of bravery because he knew it would be ass-freezing cold out there.
He did it anyway. He’d always heard that ranches woke up at dawn, and he wanted to see that for himself. Since it wasn’t dawn, yet, he should be able to watch the entire show.
Shivering despite the borrowed coat, he sat on the porch steps and waited. Eventually a sliver of light had appeared on the horizon, but the wreaths still glittered over the double doors on both barns. He’d brought his phone so he pulled it out of his jacket pocket and tried to capture the magic of those wreaths.
He’d guess the wreaths were hooked into an outlet designed for security lights. For the holidays, though, the space was reserved for a bit of fantasy, instead. Mounting those wreaths would have taken some effort and a very tall ladder. He admired the enthusiasm for the season.
A truck chugged down the dirt road toward the ranch. Badger’s phone said it was seven-thirty, still full dark, and here was someone arriving, presumably to work. These ranch people were dedicated.
The driver parked in the area near the house. Badger walked over to introduce himself and satisfy his curiosity about who would voluntarily show up at this hour ready to work. The military kept this kind of schedule but soldiers didn’t have a choice.
A tall, lanky man climbed down from the truck. He wore boots, jeans, a blue plaid flannel shirt and a sheepskin coat like the one Badger had borrowed. His hat looked worn, but at least he had one. As the cold prickled Badger’s scalp, he envied that cowboy his hat.
The guy spotted him and called out. “Hey, there. I’ll bet you’re Ryker’s Air Force friend.”
“How could you tell?” He was getting used to the puffs of fog that appeared during an outdoor conversation.
“Couldn’t be anyone else. You’re the only guest staying at the ranch this Chri
stmas. I see you borrowed Cody’s jacket. He should’ve given you a hat, too.”
“I don’t think Ryker asked him for a hat.”
“We can remedy that situation.” He stuck out his hand. “Welcome to Wild Creek Ranch. I’m Jim Underwood, Faith’s dad.”
“Badger Calhoun.” The guy had a calloused working man’s hand and a firm grip.
“Come on down to the barn, Badger. There’s always been a spare hat in the tack room. Bet it’s still there.”
“I’d be mighty grateful to borrow it until I can buy my own.” He fell into step beside Jim.
“Faith and Cody should be along any time now to start feeding. You met them, yet?”
“No, sir. Just Kendra and the Whine and Cheese ladies.”
Jim chuckled. “What did you think of that bunch?”
“They’re a hoot.”
“Aren’t they, though. A Christmas rap song for the talent show.” Jim shook his head. “You never know what they’ll get up to next.”
“I saw it. They’re doin’ a decent job.”
“They could do a prize-winning job and I wouldn’t know the difference. But I’ll get a charge out of watching them, anyway.”
“Are you here to help Cody and Faith feed the horses?”
“No, I need to do some repair work on the harness for the sleigh.”
Badger perked up. “A sleigh like the one in the Jingle Bells song?”
“Like that, only this is a two-horse sleigh. I came across it when I attended an auction. After a bunch of texts between Kendra and me, I convinced her the ranch needed an extra revenue stream during the winter months.”
“You give people sleigh rides?”
“That’s the idea.”
“I’ve always wanted to find out what that’s like.” He wouldn’t mind inviting Hayley for a sleigh ride.
“Then we’ll have to set one up for you.”
“Is the sleigh in the barn?”
“Yeah, but not this barn. There was more room for it in the new one. The hat I was thinking of is in here, though.” He slid aside a wooden bar holding the double doors closed, walked into the barn and flipped on the lights. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.”
All along the aisle, horses poked their heads out to gaze at Jim and Badger. One, a handsome butterscotch Paint on the far end, whinnied and tossed his head.
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