The Cowboy's Christmas Courtship

by Brenda Minton

  She had filled a kettle of water and placed it on the back burner of the gas cooking stove. When he walked in, the whole thing seemed a little too homey. Layla in the kitchen, her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, a smudge of dirt on her cheek. She had put out a few Christmas decorations, including a nativity on the kitchen table.

  He yanked off the yellow rubber gloves she’d given him to wear while he mopped.

  Yeah, way too homey. He shuddered and shoved the bucket into the utility closet next to the fridge.

  “Do you want tea?” Layla pulled two cups out of the cabinet. “And I have pumpkin muffins.”

  “Tea is good. I had a big breakfast.”

  She shrugged and dropped tea bags in the cups before filling them with the hot water from the kettle.

  “Thank you for helping.” She looked back at him.

  “No problem.” He reached for one of the cups. “You drink a lot of hot tea.”

  “It’s comforting. My mom used to...” She looked away. “My mom made tea for me. It was her way of making things better. When I needed to talk, she would make tea. When things were... When things got bad, she made tea.”

  He wondered if any of those talks had been about him. Layla smiled at him, her eyes soft, like a dusky evening sky. “Yes, we discussed you.”

  “I wasn’t going to ask.”

  “I know.” She nodded toward the table. “Have a seat.”

  “Are you going to...”

  She shook her head. “No, I’m not going to tell you what my mom said, or what I said to her. It wouldn’t do your ego any good.”

  “You haven’t exactly been easy on my ego.”

  “I don’t think it will hurt you if there’s one woman in the world who doesn’t fall at your feet.”

  He grinned as he sat down. Man, she was killing him. His ego was battered, his knee ached. And yet he was still smiling. How in the world did she do that?

  “We should go soon.”

  She looked up from her cup of tea, barely hiding a smile. “Go where?”

  He pointed at her. “Ha, good try. To the ranch. As if you didn’t know. I didn’t clean your house for my health. I did it so you would agree to bring your horse to the ranch.”

  “Her name is Pretty Girl, and I don’t need to take her to your place to work with her.”

  “We have a nice, cozy indoor arena.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of that.” She bit down on her lip and stared at the cup she still held.

  “You’re tempted. I can see it in your eyes.”

  “Yes, I’m tempted.”

  “Your house is clean. You got your laundry caught up.”

  “Right, I know. And thank you for that. It was nice, having help.”

  “So let’s go. Get your riding clothes on, and let’s head to the ranch. You might have noticed I’m pulling a trailer.”

  “I noticed that you take a lot for granted.”

  “It’s my special charm. I’m confident.”

  “Yes, you are.” She eyed his left leg. “How will you ride?”

  “It isn’t that difficult. The brace gives.”

  “Are you supposed to ride?”

  He stood, grimacing as he put weight on his leg. “I’ll be fine. Go get ready and I’ll load your mare.”

  Before she could stop him, he headed out the door. She’d either be ready when he came to get her or she’d be sitting at the table waiting to tell him she wouldn’t go.

  He was leading the mare into the trailer when Layla appeared in jeans, riding boots and a plaid jacket. Her white knit cap was pulled down over her head and her eyes glistened. From the cold or tears?

  “Ready to go?” He stepped down from the trailer and closed the back.

  “Yes.” She looked from him to the horse.

  “Layla?”

  She nodded. “Ready.”

  He watched as she walked around the front of the truck and climbed in the passenger side.

  Now he was starting to doubt if he was prepared for this, and he didn’t know why. It was starting to feel a lot like the way a guy must feel when something was about to tie him down. He’d always imagined he wouldn’t want that to happen to him.

  Neither of them spoke on the way to Cooper Creek. He reached to turn up the radio. “Do you like Alan Jackson?”

  “Of course.”

  “What about Gibson Cross?”

  Cross was a country singer who owned property in Dawson but hadn’t been around much in the past few years. “Yes. He helped, you know. With my parents’ funerals. He put money in my account.”

  He hadn’t expected this. Why hadn’t he really known her before? They’d grown up in the same town. They’d gone to school together. She’d tutored him in chemistry and introduced him to her best friend. And he’d known little about her, other than she kept to herself and sometimes she tried to cover up bruises.

  “That was good of him.” He cleared his throat. “He’s a good man.”

  “The Coopers helped, too.”

  He glanced her way and then back at the road. “Yeah, we’re good people, too.”

  Silence hung between them. He didn’t know what to say as he parked near the barn. Reese was getting out of Jackson’s truck. Great, he needed a big dose of brotherly love the way he needed a stomach virus.

  “Why did you groan?” Layla asked as she reached to open her door.

  “Brothers.”

  “You do have some.”

  “They’re always in a guy’s business.”

  She laughed at that. “Which is another reason to take off to parts unknown.”

  “Something like that.”

  “You have family, Gage. Be happy about that.”

  Okay, suddenly he felt like a heel. He tried to smile but couldn’t. “You’re right.”

  They were unloading the mare when Jackson walked out of the barn. He whistled when he saw the mare.

  “Your horse, Layla?”

  She nodded. “Yes, she’s mine. She’s the only one I have left.”

  “She’s nice.” Jackson walked around the horse. He ran his hand over her back, nodding his appreciation.

  “Thank you.” Layla took the lead rope from Gage.

  “We’re going to work her a little.”

  “While you’re at it, work that gray for Dad. He needs a good hour under the saddle.”

  “And the chestnut gelding?” Gage closed the trailer.

  “Yeah, if you have time. He always tries to buck when you get him in the arena.”

  “Good to know.” Gage opened the double doors at the end of the barn and Layla led the mare through. He watched as she tied the horse, then he went back to the truck for her bridle and saddle. He’d loaded it, knowing she would want her own tack.

  When he walked back in, Reese had joined Jackson. The two were discussing Layla’s mare. He was surprised she didn’t try to sell the animal to Jackson. But he knew she didn’t want to part with the horse. That was evident in the way she brushed the horse, spoke to it, touched it.

  Something about that made him itch a little. He’d never had a hard time parting with anything. But then, he hadn’t parted with anything he really cared about. Not a loved one, a favorite horse, not even his first truck. He liked his life unencumbered. He craved the open road and new places. He loved riding bulls because it kept him on the road.

  It was easy. Load up the truck and go.

  He could do it today if he wanted. No one would question him. But his gaze landed on Layla, and everything changed.

  He told himself it was because he still had a lot of fences that needed mending. If God really had given him another chance, he needed to make the most of it.

  That’s what was keeping him here. Or
at least that was the story he was sticking with.

  Chapter Ten

  Layla slid off the back of a pretty gray mare that Gage had asked her to ride. She smiled as she reached to pat the horse’s face. Super sweet. She loved the mare. She loved riding in the Cooper arena. And she had to admit, it had felt good putting her mare in one of the large stalls in the stable.

  “Having fun?” Gage walked up to her, leading the gelding he’d been riding. He was limping more than usual, and she gave a pointed look at his leg. “I’m fine. And you’re having a good time, so don’t ruin it by lecturing.”

  “I think we should be done.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s getting late.”

  “It’s only one o’clock.” He pulled the reins of the gelding tight when the animal nudged at him. “Let’s go have lunch.”

  “Lunch?”

  “At the house.” He inclined his head toward the exit. “Let’s get these two brushed and turn them out to pasture.”

  “What about my mare?”

  “She’s fine in the stall. She’s munching on hay and acting pretty pleased with herself.”

  Layla walked next to him, leading the mare, who was practically resting her head on Layla’s shoulder. “I’m sure she is happy. As long as she isn’t too happy here. She does have to go home with me.”

  “She wouldn’t want to stay here. Too many men.”

  “When are you leaving, Gage?” she blurted out. As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to pull them back in.

  Gage shifted to look at her. “In a hurry to get rid of me?”

  “A little.” She smiled as she said it, but maybe she meant it, just a little. She didn’t want to get attached to him. Maybe the sooner he left, the better.

  “Probably after the first of the year.” He tied his gelding and flipped a stirrup over the saddle to undo the cinch. “I can’t ride until the doctor releases me. Unless I decide to ignore him.”

  “What will you do when you get tired of riding bulls?”

  He looked at her as he pulled the saddle off the horse’s back. “What’s this? Twenty Questions?”

  “I’ve known you my whole life, and you’ve always been Gage Cooper, megaflirt and bull rider.”

  “Great. They should put that on my gravestone—Gage Cooper. He was a happy man.”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “I didn’t mean it quite like that.”

  “I hope it’ll say more than that. I’m not going to be young and immature forever.”

  “So what will it say?”

  He shrugged. “I guess, Gage Cooper, One Good Guy.”

  “That’s perfect.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad you approve. But that isn’t what you mean, is it? You want to know if I’m going to grow up, get a job and settle down?”

  He looked sad, just for a minute, then he wasn’t. He smiled and laughed, the way he always did. But she wasn’t fooled.

  “Gage, you are a good person.”

  He led the horse to the end of the barn, opened a door and turned the animal loose, sending him off with a light swat on the rump to get him moving before he closed the door. He limped back down the aisle to where she had tied the mare she’d ridden. She looked up from brushing her.

  “I’m not the good one, Layla. I’m not Reese, or even Jackson. Travis is a great husband and he’ll be a great dad. I’m not the kind of guy who settles down. I always feel like I need to be moving on to the next adventure.” He stepped close and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, sending shivers down her spine. “And you are worth marrying.”

  Her heart quaked a little at the soft words, the soft look in his eyes. “Gage, don’t.”

  “What do you want, Layla?”

  “I want to survive raising my brother.” She smiled and shrugged. “I used to want more, but life changed. There aren’t many men who want to date a woman raising her younger brother. I love Brandon and I can’t put him second.”

  “You shouldn’t. But someday you should put yourself first.”

  She nodded. His hand was still close to her ear. He stroked her hair and then backed away.

  “You asked what I want. I want to win the world title, and then I want to come home and work at Camp Hope.”

  “Camp Hope?” That surprised her. The camp located outside of Dawson catered to inner-city youth three weeks each summer, three weeks to low-income rural children and two weeks to military families.

  “You might not know this about me, but I have a degree. I’m a test away from being a licensed social worker.”

  “Social worker?”

  “Family services. Low pay, long hours, not a lot of glory.”

  Everything she had ever known about Gage Cooper changed in that moment. He became a person she had never expected.

  “I’m impressed,” she finally managed to say.

  “Don’t be. I’ve been out riding bulls, putting money in the bank. Other people are working the long hours and taking the grief for the job they do.”

  They turned the mare out to pasture and headed for the house. The day had warmed up as forecasted, close to sixty degrees. Layla slipped out of her jacket as they walked.

  “What made you choose social work?”

  “Natural choice, I guess.” He motioned with his hand at the house, the farm. “I grew up here. I have everything. And my parents filled this house, and our lives, with kids who wouldn’t have had anything if it hadn’t been for my parents and their ability to love. My folks realized the important fact that love doesn’t run out. You can love one kid or a dozen, and love them all. That’s pretty impressive.”

  Where had her fun-loving Gage Cooper gone? She looked at him, saw his face and his smile. But now she knew he had more layers than she’d ever guessed.

  His hand reached for hers and she let him hold it. She squeezed back and he chuckled a little. “Don’t go all soft on me, Silver.”

  “Why do you say that?” She lifted her chin a notch to show that she wasn’t going soft.

  “The look in your eyes, like you just discovered my secret. I’m still Gage. I’ve never had a committed relationship, other than with my family. I’m still going to leave in a month.”

  They kept walking.

  When they entered the kitchen of his family home a few minutes later, they were greeted by Angie and Myrna Cooper. Gage hugged his grandmother and kissed his mom on the cheek. She wrinkled her nose and stepped away.

  “You smell like horses.”

  “You married a cowboy and you still haven’t gotten used to it?” Gage laughed and kissed his mom’s cheek a second time. “What’s for lunch?”

  Layla stood off to the side watching them, wanting. She shook her head to break free from what she wanted. Family. She’d never wanted family more than she did right now. She wanted it for herself and for Brandon. She wanted a house that looked and smelled like Christmas.

  There was even a little tree on the counter, a tiny tree with tiny decorations.

  “Layla, I bet you’re starving.” Myrna Cooper motioned her into the room. “Don’t let Gage keep you in the barn, honey.”

  “Oh, I didn’t mind. It was wonderful.”

  Myrna’s brows arched, and she looked from Layla to Gage. “Was it really now?”

  Gage shot his grandmother a look. Then he grabbed a pitcher out of the fridge.

  “Tea?” he asked.

  “Please.”

  As he poured, his mom pulled lunch meat from the fridge, then cheese, mayo and a bowl of grapes. “Layla, do you like smoked turkey?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Layla eyed the sink. “May I wash my hands?”

  “Of course. While you do that, I’ll make your sandwich.”

  Layla turned as Angie pulled slices of bread from the
loaf and put them on plates. “I can do that.”

  Angie looked up from making the sandwiches. “Of course you can, but I don’t mind. Relax, Layla. You deserve a day off.”

  A day off. She tried to remember the last time she’d had such a thing. Then Gage was at her side, sharing the sink. He was responsible for today, for the way she felt relaxed for the first time in so long. He had helped her to forget the harsh realities of her life.

  As they sat down to eat, Gage’s phone rang. He got up and left the table. Myrna Cooper started a conversation about Christmas plans. Layla listened as she continued eating. They talked about the meal, gift giving, who would be there and who wouldn’t.

  “Layla, why don’t you and Brandon join us this year?” Angie asked, repeating an invitation she’d offered more than once before. “I know you think it would be too much, but with this crowd, I promise two more people won’t put us over the limit.”

  Both ladies were looking at her, waiting. She considered it. But the idea of being surrounded by their family on Christmas Day seemed like too much.

  Angie patted her arm. “You know, we’re all family in God’s eyes. Besides, we would love to have you with us.”

  “I’ll think about it.” She was still unsure, but knew Brandon deserved some Christmas memories that included more than the two of them eating turkey and watching old movies.

  “That settles it, then.” Myrna Cooper clapped her hands together, then she was off on the topic of rings. She showed Layla the engagement ring from her fiancé Winston. As she held her hand up, the light caught the brilliant gem and it sparkled.

  “We plan on being married in May, Winston and I. I hope there are more weddings this summer. There’s nothing like a good wedding to keep a community alive.”

  “Myrna.” Angie shook her head.

  Layla looked from one woman to the other. They were giving each other looks, and Myrna seemed far too pleased with herself. Layla felt a bit apprehensive because everyone knew Myrna loved to involve herself in the lives of her grandchildren. Especially their love lives.

  “I love diamonds.” Myrna positively glowed as she looked at her ring. “Are you a diamond kind of girl, Layla? Or maybe you favor pearls. Yes, I think that’s it.”