“Are you sure I’m not boring you?”
“Not at all. I’ve never been there. You’re giving me a great picture of the place.” The topic was interesting enough, but that special lilt in her voice was what he was after. He could listen to it all day. And all night, for that matter.
“Okay, then.” She told him about the huge light display at the Embarcadero, the ice skating rink, the tree lighting ceremony at Golden Gate Park and the two-story gingerbread house in the Fairmont Hotel. “I think that’s enough,” she said at last. “Besides, this is the last strand of lights.”
“Yep, we’re almost done. But I’m curious, since you clearly love your hometown, why didn’t you go back for Christmas, even if your folks weren’t going to be there?”
“I had friends who wanted me to come and stay with them. But just like I didn’t want to spend time in London when I could be here getting ready for my guests, I didn’t want to be in San Francisco, either. This ranch is the most important thing in my life right now.”
And he was part of that. Good enough. He looped the end of the strand around a branch so it would stay put. “Then I guess it’s important that you came up here with me, so you can get a really great view of it.” He raised the bucket to its maximum height and swiveled it so she was facing away from the trees. “Take a look. There’s your ranch.”
She gave a little gasp of delight. “It’s beautiful from up here. Can you see how gracefully the buildings are nestled in the trees?”
“Yep. You get a real appreciation of that from here.”
“Even better, the cabins I added flow with the rest of the buildings. They look as if they’ve been there all along. I planned it that way, but now that I see it laid out from this vantage point…it really works.”
“It does. You’ve done a great job.”
“You know how I’d like to commemorate this moment up here with you?”
A kiss? Did he dare hope? “How?”
“Take a selfie of the two of us.”
He quickly downgraded his expectations. “Sure, why not?”
“Could you please take it?” She held out her phone. “You have longer arms.”
“I’ll do my best. I’m no expert at this, though. I’ve done it maybe twice.” He pulled off his gloves, shoved them in his pocket and took her phone. “You’ll have to coach me.”
“First we need to get closer.” She moved in next to him, nudging the empty light boxes out of the way. Then she wrapped her arm around his waist and snuggled in.
He could do no less than put his arm around her waist and nestle her against him. Selfies rocked. “Now what?”
“Click that little symbol in the bottom right corner so the camera focuses on us.”
He managed that, and there they were in the frame, Taryn smiling and looking adorable in her hard hat, him looking…dazed and confused, but happy.
“Bring your head down next to mine so our cheeks are almost touching. That’s better.”
Certainly was.
“Now put your thumb on the shutter in the middle and smile.” She kept her smile in place while she said that, which had to be a learned skill. He couldn’t talk and smile at the same time.
A happy face was easy, though, when her warm body was tucked in close and her spicy scent tickled his nose. He tapped the button with his thumb.
“I don’t think that took. I didn’t hear the squeal-click.”
“Squeal-click?” He looked at her. “What’s that?”
She turned her head, which brought her very, very close. She swallowed and her eyelashes fluttered. “The noise it makes when…it takes a picture.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth.
“Oh.”
Her voice grew breathy. “You must not…take many pictures.”
“I don’t.” His heart thudded with almost painful intensity.
Then she slowly closed her eyes.
Yes. He had to tilt his head to avoid a hard-hat collision, but he was motivated. Once he had the angle right, the space between his lips and hers disappeared as if by magic. He touched down and she whimpered. He increased the pressure and she moaned.
Or maybe that was him. He lost track. Her lips parted, inviting him in, blocking out everything but the heat, the fire, and a high-pitched whirring noise….
CHAPTER TWELVE
So perfect. So right. Taryn surrendered without firing a shot. This. Oh, yes, this. Pete’s supple mouth, the arousing thrust of his tongue, the anticipation of—what the heck was that noise?
Oh. She drew back, gasping for breath. “Pete.”
His eyes fluttered open to reveal a gaze dark with passion. “What?”
“You’re…taking…pictures.”
He blinked, looked over at the phone, and lifted his thumb. The noise stopped.
She stared at him as hot desire slowly morphed into the urge to giggle.
He stared back. Then his eyes began to twinkle. “How many do you suppose I took?”
She grinned. “Hundreds.”
“Hundreds?”
“If you hold the shutter down it takes ten pictures per second.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Hundreds.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Of us kissing.”
“Yep.”
“I want to see one.” He tapped the phone. “Only eight hundred and twenty-seven? We kissed longer than that.”
“It seems longer when you’re out in the forest.”
He smiled. “You’re a funny lady.” His gaze held hers and gradually his smile faded. “No matter how long it was, I loved every second.”
“So did I.” Couldn’t very well deny it. He’d been there. He knew.
“I’d like to try it again sometime when we’re on solid—oops, someone’s calling you.” He checked the screen before handing it over. “Caitlin.”
She took the phone and put it on speaker. “Hi, Caitlin.”
“Hey, Taryn. Listen I know you aren’t expecting me until later, but my midday appointment cancelled. I’d like to come over and spend time getting acclimated, maybe set up some indoor shots while I wait for the lights to come on. Would that be okay?”
“That would be fine. We just finished lighting some of the bigger trees. We’re planning to do some decorating in the barn, but—”
“Here’s an idea. Let me take some video of you decorating the barn. People love seeing a work in progress.”
“Um, okay. Just me?”
“How about you and that good-looking foreman of yours?”
Pete rolled his eyes.
“I’ll check and see if he’s up for being in the video.”
“Excellent. I can be out there in about twenty minutes or less.”
“See you then.” Taryn disconnected the call and glanced at him. “You okay with being in the video I put on my website?”
“Might as well add to my film credits.”
“Oh?”
“My dad and Kendra already previewed Monday night’s video, and there are several seconds of me helping Josh play the kazoo.”
“I’m not surprised. That was a very video-worthy moment.”
“I guess. Anyway, we’d better get a move on if she’ll be here in less than twenty minutes.”
“Yep. I’d like to tidy up the living room and maybe you could cut some pine branches for the barn decorations.”
“Will do.” He gazed at her. “Please don’t delete those pictures, okay?”
“I can’t keep eight hundred and twenty-seven of them.”
“I know. But I’d like a chance to scroll through them when there’s time.”
“Um, okay.” She’d allowed herself to be caught up in the moment. Now she had to figure out what the heck to do about it. She’d kissed him. With gusto.
“Best bucket truck experience ever.”
“It’s my only one so it has to be my best ever.” One steamy kiss. She could still dial it back, right?
“Take my word for it. Doesn’t get any better than
this.” He turned away and reached for the controls. The bucket slowly descended.
Time to change the subject. “I wonder if Caitlin will want the horses to be in their stalls.”
“She might. More interesting that way. Should I round ’em up and bring ’em in?”
“No, let’s wait until she gets here. She might want to shoot you rounding them up.”
“I doubt it. Nothing special about herding horses from the pasture to the barn.”
She smiled. He had no idea that he created a stirring visual when he was out there working with those magnificent animals. “It might be special to a person sitting in a busy office and dreaming of a guest ranch vacation.”
“That’s a good point. I have a tough time imagining what that would be like. I wouldn’t last a day.”
Which was a huge part of his appeal. A man who’d chosen a rugged outdoor life and demanded a certain amount of personal freedom was sexy. A video of Pete wrangling beautiful horses would help sell this place, especially to women. Until Caitlin’s casual remark about her good-looking foreman she hadn’t thought of that.
When Pete maneuvered the bucket back into the bed of the truck, the ride ended, almost as if they’d arrived at the station after a journey. Not a bad analogy, either. Now that he was helping her out of the bucket and back into the cab, their passionate kiss while suspended forty feet above the ground didn’t seem quite real.
She’d come down to earth. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that breakfast had been hours ago. “Even though Caitlin’s due any minute, we still need to eat lunch. I’ll make sandwiches and coffee. Just come up to the house after you cut a few branches and we’ll grab a bite.”
“I will.”
She took off her hard hat and laid it on the dash next to his as he pulled up in front of the house and put the truck in neutral. “Just let me hop—” But she was wasting her breath. He was already out the door and coming around.
He opened her door and held out his hand.
“Honestly, Pete, you don’t have to do this every time.” But she put her hand in his because he was right there, smiling at her.
“What if I like doing it?” He steadied her on the way down.
“That’s what you always say, but—”
“I do like it.” He closed the passenger door. “It’s my way of being respectful. See you soon.” Walking quickly around to the driver’s door, he climbed in and drove toward the barn.
The low growl of a vehicle navigating her dirt road announced Caitlin’s arrival. A classic Jeep Cherokee, its white sides mud-spattered, approached.
Caitlin pulled in, shut off the engine and climbed out. Her purple knit hat was the same one she’d had on Monday night, but instead of leaving her brown hair loose, she’d plaited it into two braids that hung past her shoulders. “How’d the tree-trimming go?”
“Like clockwork.” Except for a kiss that nearly made her phone explode.
“I’ll leave my Jeep here while I unpack my gear, then move it out of the way.”
“Need any help carrying?”
“That’d be great.” Her running shoes crunching on the gravel as she started toward the back of the Jeep. “If business keeps up like this, I’ll be able to hire an assistant, but for now, it’s just me.” She glanced at the decorated arch and wagon wheels. “Nice job. Bet it’s pretty when the lights come on.”
“I’m insanely proud of it. Especially considering Pete and I had so little time to pull it together.”
“Pete’s your foreman?”
“Right.”
“Has he agreed to be in the video?”
“Yep.”
“Good. He’s a photogenic dude. I got a tight shot of him Monday night and I’m hoping he’ll give me permission to use the clip on my website.” She opened the back of the Jeep.
“Can’t wait to see it.”
“I brought my laptop. I can show it to both of you while I’m here. If you could grab the laptop and my tripod, I can get the rest.”
“Be glad to.” Taryn helped carry her gear into the house. “I was about to fix some lunch and make coffee.” She unzipped her parka. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’ve had lunch, but coffee would be awesome.” She slid her large backpack off her shoulders and set it by the door. “Beautiful living room.” After shoving the purple hat in the pocket of her jacket, she took it off and hung it next to Taryn’s on one of the hooks by the door. “Would you be willing to make a fire to add ambiance?”
“I’d planned on it.”
“Then we’re on the same page—fireplace blazing, tree lit, comfy furniture to cradle the weary bones of stressed-out city dwellers.”
“Exactly! I knew you were the right person for this job.”
Caitlin smiled. “I did, too.” She crouched next to her backpack. “Is it okay if I turn on some lights? I’d like to take some preliminary stills.”
“Have at it. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” She went in, started the coffee and quickly pulled out sandwich fixings.
Ten minutes later, she came out of the kitchen with a sandwich and a mound of chips on each plate just as Pete walked through the door.
He greeted Caitlin before turning to her with a grin. “How’s that for timing?”
“Impressive.” She set the plates on the game table. “Caitlin has Monday night’s video on her laptop. I vote we all get our coffee and watch the video while you and I eat.”
“Works for me.” He took off his jacket and hat. “I just need to wash up.”
Moments later they gathered at the table and Caitlin accessed the video on her laptop. “There’s a section of this where you’re prominently featured, Pete. You and little Josh.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“It’s cute as hell. Makes me laugh every time. If you’re willing to sign a release, I’d like to use it on my website to promote my work.”
“Um, yeah, sure. If it’s okay with Gage and Emma.”
“They’re fine with it.”
“Then so am I.”
Taryn picked up her sandwich, intending to eat it as she watched. Then she put it down again, unwilling to chance missing something.
Caitlin had done a fabulous job of capturing the spirit of the event. She’d added hushed Christmas instrumentals to the opening scenes as the crowd arrived and climbed the hill to the A-frame. The element of secrecy and excitement built to a crescendo as Deidre mounted the ladder and the caroling began.
Close-ups of everyone on the balcony were blended with wide shots of Eagles Nesters belting out those songs with gusto. Then the mood changed as the tender melody of Silent Night filled the clearing. And there was Pete, making sure that Josh could participate.
The little boy was so into it. He blew spit everywhere and waved his arms, smacking his obliging uncle several times in the face. Taryn laughed right along with Pete and Caitlin.
The video ended, as it should, with more close-ups of Faith, Cody, Kendra, the baby in Kendra’s arms, and the proud grandfathers, Quinn and Jim. Those folks were the stars of the show.
That said, Pete and Josh’s segment was her absolute favorite. Josh was cute, no question. But the image of Pete, his expression alight with love, was unforgettable.
Caitlin was right. The guy was photogenic. And she had eight hundred and twenty-seven pictures of him on her phone.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sure enough, Caitlin wanted footage of him wrangling those horses. Pete couldn’t see the advantage of a video like that, but Taryn was on board with the idea, too. She wanted it to be all him, too. She wouldn’t be part of it.
After lunch they headed outside. Caitlin glanced over at him as they neared the barn. “How do you usually do this?”
He shrugged. “Nothing much to it. We get lead ropes from the barn, attach ’em to a couple of horses, take those in, go back for two more, and so on. Like I said, not very exciting.”
“What if you rode one of the horses bareback and used
him to round up the others?”
“Not really necessary. They like us. They usually come right over. If you’ll excuse me a minute, I’ll go get those ropes.” When he returned, the two women were talking up a storm.
Taryn faced him. “We’ve scripted a more dramatic scenario, something that will be fun to watch.”
He nudged back his hat. “Don’t know how you can make a simple chore dramatic.”
“It would be if you rounded them up like Caitlin suggested. You could start by walking out there, grabbing a handful of Honey Butter’s mane and vaulting onto his back.”
“But there’s no reason to—”
“It’ll look amazing, Pete,” Caitlin said. “People who’ve never been on a ranch will love a video of that. Oh, and Taryn mentioned seeing you do it, so I know it’s in your repertoire.”
“I was just goofing around.” Showboating for Taryn. Served him right that she’d want him to repeat that stunt for the cameras. If anyone in his family saw this video they’d laugh themselves silly. He’d never hear the end of it.
“Then please go goof around.” Taryn’s gaze sparkled with excitement. “Ham it up. If it convinces a whole lot of people to make reservations, that’ll be great for both of us.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Like he could refuse her anything, especially when she looked at him like that. She also might have a point. He’d never worked on a guest ranch before.
At the Lazy S, he and his dad had sold healthy, well-trained horses, not a fantasy of Western life. Yet that was exactly what Taryn was selling. The bed they’d put together on Monday was proof of that.
He handed her the lead ropes. “What’s supposed to happen once I get them organized?”
“I’ll stop filming,” Caitlin said. “Because you’re right. Clipping lead ropes on them and leading them into the barn isn’t particularly exciting. If you could take your time rounding them up, maybe make it look harder than it is, that would be wonderful.”
“So essentially I’m putting on an act.”
“To some extent.” Taryn looped the ropes over her arm. “A big part of hospitality is presenting good theater. You’re entertaining people who come expecting a certain experience. If you give them that experience, they’re happy. They come back, they spread the word to others, and the location thrives.”
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