A Cold Creek Noel

by RaeAnne Thayne

  What in heaven’s name just happened here?

  She wrapped her arms around herself. She had known he would be trouble. Somehow she had known. She never should have suggested he move into the foreman’s house. If she had only used her brain, she might have predicted she would do something stupid around him, like develop a very awkward and embarrassing crush.

  She spent most of her days here on the ranch, surrounded by her brothers and his few ranchhands, most of whom were either fresh-faced kids just out of high school or grizzled veterans who either were already married or held absolutely no appeal to her.

  The ranch was safe. It had always been her haven from the hardness of the world. Now she had messed that up by inviting a tempting man to set up temporary residence smack in the middle of her comfort zone.

  The man certainly knew how to kiss. She couldn’t deny that. She pressed a hand to her stomach, which still seemed to be jumping with nerves. The last time she had been kissed so thoroughly and deliciously had been...well, never.

  She sighed. It wouldn’t happen again. Neither of them wanted this. She had only to remember the stunned dismay in Ben’s eyes in that moment when he had come to his senses. He was likely still grieving for his wife, taken from him far too soon. And she...well, she had told herself she wasn’t interested in a relationship, that she was content here helping Ridge with Destry and training her dogs and the occasional horse.

  For the first time in a long time, she was beginning to wonder what else might be out in the big, scary world, waiting for her.

  * * *

  “I think he’s feeling better, don’t you?”

  Caidy glanced up from the dough she was kneading to see her niece sitting cross-legged beside Luke’s blanket. The dog’s head was in her lap and he was gazing up at the girl with adoration.

  “Yes. I think so. He seems much happier than he was even a few hours ago.”

  “I’m glad. I really thought he was a goner when I saw old Festus go after him.”

  Guilt socked her in the gut again. If she had kept a closer eye on Luke, he wouldn’t be lying there with those bandages and she wouldn’t be so beholden to Ben Caldwell.

  “I hope that’s a good reminder to you about how dangerous the bulls can be. That could just as easily have been you. I don’t ever want you to take a chance with Festus or any of the bulls. They’re usually placid guys most of the time, even Festus, but you never know.”

  “I know. I know. You and Dad have told me that like a thousand times. I’m not a little kid anymore, Aunt Caidy. I’m smart enough to know to keep my distance.”

  “Good. The ranch can be a dangerous place. You can’t ever let your guard down. Even one of the cows could trample you if you lost your footing.”

  “It’s a miracle I ever survived to be eleven years old, isn’t it?”

  Caidy made a face. “Smarty. You can’t blame your dad and me for worrying about you. We just want you to be safe.”

  And happy, she added silently. She wanted to think her presence here at the ranch had contributed in that department. If Ridge had been left on his own after Melinda left, forced to employ a string of nannies and babysitters, she wasn’t sure Destry would have come through childhood with the same cheerful personality.

  “What’s going to happen to Luke? You can’t train him to be a real cow dog now, can you?”

  Even without his injuries, she suspected Luke would always be nervous around the cattle. How could she blame him, especially when she could relate, in a sense? Not to fearing cattle. She had no problem with the big animals. Her fears were a little closer to home. This time of year, her heartbeat always kicked up a bit when the doorbell rang, even when they were expecting company.

  The memory of that fateful night was as much a part of her as the sprinkle of freckles on her nose and the tiny scar she had at the outside edge of her left eyebrow from an unfortunate encounter with the business end of a pitchfork when she was eight.

  “I’m not really sure yet about Luke,” she finally answered Destry as she formed a small ball of dough and set it into the prepared pan. “I’m guessing from this point on, he’ll just be a pet.”

  “Here at the River Bow?”

  “Sure. Why not?” They had plenty of dogs and didn’t really need another one that was just a pet. Sadie, too old to work, sort of filled that role, but she supposed they would make room for one more.

  “Good,” Destry said, cuddling the dog close. “It’s not his fault he got hurt. Not really. He was only being curious. It doesn’t seem fair to get rid of him for an accident.”

  Destry was a sweet girl, compassionate and loving. Maybe too compassionate sometimes. Caidy smiled, remembering the previous Christmas when she had claimed she didn’t want any presents that year. Instead she only wanted cash.

  They all learned later she and some of her schoolmates were being scammed out of money and belongings...by none other than Gabi, the youngest sister of Trace’s new wife.

  She hadn’t been part of their family then, of course. She had only been a troubled, lost young girl abandoned by her heartless witch of a mother and trying to find her way.

  Trace had given both Becca and Gabi the loving family they all deserved—and Gabi and Destry had moved on and become best friends. That wasn’t always a good thing. Trouble seemed to find the two of them like a pack of bloodhounds on the scent.

  With the dog sleeping soundly now, Destry carefully set his head back down on the blankets, then rose and wandered over to the work island. “Need help rolling out the dough?”

  “Sure. I’m doing cloverleaf rolls for dinner this afternoon. You remember, you roll three small balls and stick them together. Wash your hands first.”

  Destry complied quickly and the two of them worked together in mostly silence for a few moments. Caidy savored these small moments with her niece, who was growing up far too quickly.

  She loved making dinner for her family on Sundays, when everyone gathered together to laugh and talk and catch up. Having all these new children—Alex, Maya, Gabi—only made family time together more fun.

  She would never be a gourmet chef, but she enjoyed creating meals her family enjoyed. Warm rolls slathered in her homemade jam were her specialty. She still used the recipe her mother had taught her in this very kitchen when she was about Destry’s age.

  Her life was pretty darn good, she thought as she worked the elastic dough in a kitchen that was warm and comfortable and already smelled delicious from the roast beef that was cooking. She had family and friends, a couple of jobs she enjoyed, a home she loved, a dog who was on the mend.

  She didn’t need Ben Caldwell blowing into her world, bringing that sweet, rare smile and those stunning kisses, making her feel as if something vital was missing.

  “Can I turn on the radio?” Destry asked after a few more minutes.

  “Sure. Something we can dance to,” she said, pushing away thoughts of Ben with a smile. A moment later, the kitchen filled with music—upbeat Christmas songs. Not really what she had in mind, but what could she do?

  Destry was singing “Winter Wonderland” at the top of her lungs and jigging from side to side when the door opened and Ridge came in, stomping snow off his boots.

  “It’s coming down pretty hard out there. You might be in for a chilly sleigh ride, kiddo.”

  Destry grinned. “Snow is perfect. What could be more fun? Aunt Caidy already said she would make some of her good hot cocoa and we’re going to mix up dough for oatmeal raisin cookies so we can put them in the oven right before we go. That way they’ll still be hot on the wagon.”

  “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.”

  “It’s going to be great! Thanks so much for agreeing to take us. You’re awesome, Dad.”

  “You’re welcome, kid.”

  He smiled at his daughter for a moment then turned to Caidy. She noticed with no small degree of apprehension the deceptively casual expression on her brother’s rugged features. “Hey, how
would you feel if we added a few more at dinner?”

  It wasn’t a completely unusual request. Ridge had a habit of inviting in strays. She took care of the four-legged kind, and he often focused on the human variety.

  “Shouldn’t be a problem. It’s a big roast and I can always throw in a few more potatoes and add more carrots. Who did you invite?”

  He shrugged. “Just the new vet and his kids.”

  Just the new vet? The man she happened to have tangled lips with in this very kitchen twelve hours earlier? The very man she was trying to shove out of her brain. She opened her mouth to answer but nothing came out except an embarrassing sort of squeak.

  “He was out shoveling when I cleared the drive with the tractor and we started chatting. I mentioned dinner and then the sleigh ride after and asked if they would like to join us.”

  She suddenly wanted to take the ball of dough in her hand and fling it at her brother. How could he do this to her? She had warned him not to get any ideas in his head about matchmaking, yet here he was doing exactly that.

  She supposed she shouldn’t be so surprised. All three of her brothers seemed to think their mission in life was to set her up with some big, gorgeous cowboy. Ben wasn’t exactly a cowboy, but he had the big and gorgeous parts down.

  How was she supposed to sit across the dinner table from the man when all she could remember was the silky slide of his tongue against hers, the hardness of those muscles against her, his sexy, ragged breathing as he tasted her mouth?

  “You don’t mind, do you?”

  She would have laughed if she suddenly wasn’t feeling queasy.

  “No. Why should I mind?” she muttered, while in her head she went through about a dozen reasons. Starting and ending with that kiss.

  “That’s what I figured. You and Becca and Laura are always making way too much food. Inviting the vet and his family for dinner seemed like a nice way to welcome them to the ranch. And I figured his kids might get a charge out of going with us on the sleigh ride later.”

  Of all her three brothers, Ridge was the most taciturn. His failed marriage and the burden of responsibility that came with running the family ranch while the twins pursued other interests made him seem hard sometimes, but he also showed these flashes of kindness that tugged at her heart.

  “I’m sure they will. It’s bound to be something new and exciting for a couple of kids from California. They probably don’t have much snow where they’re from.”

  “Awesome!” Destry exclaimed. “I hope they’re good singers.”

  Right. Singing and Ben Caldwell. Two things she should avoid at all costs thrown right in her face. This should prove to be a very interesting evening.

  Chapter Seven

  “Do you think Alex and Maya will be there?”

  “It’s a good bet, kid,” Ben told his son as the three of them walked down the plowed lane through the gentle snowfall toward the ranch house. The snow muted all sounds, even the low gurgle of the creek, on the other side of the trees that formed an oxbow around the ranch.

  The cold air smelled of hay and pine and woodsmoke. He breathed deeply, thinking it had been far too long since he had taken time to just savor his surroundings. The River Bow was unexpectedly serene, with the mix of aspens and pine and the mountains soaring to the east.

  “I hope Gabi is there,” Ava said, looking more enthusiastic about the outing than she had about anything in a long time. “She’s superfunny.”

  “I’m sure she will be. Ridge said their whole family was coming for dinner and she’s part of the family.”

  He and his kids, however, were not. They were only temporary guests and he probably had no business dragging his children to their family dinner, especially after the events of the night before.

  He should have said no. Ridge Bowman took him by surprise with the invitation while they were out clearing snow and he had been so caught off guard, he hadn’t known quite how to reply.

  The kids would enjoy it. He had known that from the get-go. He was fairly sure he wouldn’t. He didn’t mind socializing. Brooke had loved to throw parties and some part of him had missed that since her death. But this party was obviously a family thing and he hated to impose.

  If that wasn’t enough, he also wasn’t ready to face a certain woman yet—Caidy Bowman, of the soft curves and the silky hair and the warm mouth that tasted like cocoa and heaven.

  That kiss, coming on the heels of his vivid, sexy dream about her, left him aching and restless. He hadn’t slept at all after he left her house. He had tossed and turned and punched his pillow until he had finally gotten up at 6:00 a.m., before the children, and started shoveling snow to burn away some of this edgy hunger. Mother Nature had dumped quite a bit of snow throughout the day, so he had plenty of chances to work it off.

  That kiss. He had wanted to drown in it, just yank her against him and tease and taste and explore until they were both shaking with need. Somehow he knew she would respond just as he had dreamed, with soft, eager enthusiasm.

  How did a guy engage in casual chitchat with a woman after he had kissed her like that without wanting to do it all over again?

  Despite the December chill, he unzipped his coat. He probably couldn’t do much about his overheated imagination, but the rest of him didn’t need to simmer.

  A couple of dogs came up to greet them as they approached the house and Jack eased behind him. Though his son saw plenty of strange dogs at the clinic, he was often apprehensive around animals he didn’t know. A large, untrained mastiff had cornered him once at the clinic a few years earlier, intent only on friendliness, but Jack had been justifiably frightened by the encounter and wary ever since.

  “They won’t hurt you, Jack. See, both of their tails are wagging. They just want to say hi.”

  “I don’t want to,” Jack said, hiding even further behind him.

  “You don’t have to, then. Ava, can you carry the bag with Mrs. Michaels’s salad and toffee while I give your brother a lift?”

  She grabbed the bag away from him and hurried ahead while he scooped up his son and set him on his shoulders for the last hundred yards of the walk, much to Jack’s delight. It wouldn’t be long before the boy grew too large for this but for now they both enjoyed it, even with his son’s snowy boots hitting his chest.

  In the gathering dusk, the log ranch house was lit up with icicle lights that dripped from the eaves and around the porch. People on the coast would pay serious money for the chance to spend Christmas here at a picturesque cattle ranch in the oxbow of a world-class fly-fishing creek.

  Several unfamiliar vehicles were parked in the circular driveway in front of the ranch house and that awkwardness returned. If not for his children’s anticipation, he probably would have turned on his heels and headed back to the cottage.

  Ava reached the porch before they did and skipped up the stairs to ring the doorbell. As Ben and Jack reached the steps a woman he didn’t know with dark hair and a winsome smile answered. “You must be the new veterinarian. Ridge mentioned you and your family were joining us. Hi. I’m Becca Bowman, married to Trace. Come in out of the snow.”

  He walked inside and went to work divesting the children of their abundance of outerwear: coats, gloves, hats, scarves and boots. Becca gathered them all up and set them inside a large closet under the curving log staircase.

  “Are you Gabi’s mom?” Ava asked, sitting on the bottom step to slip out of her boots.

  “I’m her big sister actually. It’s a long story. But I guess in every way that matters, I’m her mother.”

  An intriguing story. He wondered at the details but decided they weren’t important. Becca had obviously stepped up to raise her sister and he couldn’t help but find that admirable.

  “Where is Gabi?” Ava asked eagerly.

  “She and Destry are around somewhere. They’ll be so excited to see you. They’ve been waiting impatiently for you to get here for the past hour.”

  Ava beamed with an enthusi
asm that had been missing for far too long. Maybe staying here at the ranch near a friend for a few weeks would be good for her. Maybe it would finally help her resign herself to their move to Idaho, to the distance now between her and her grandparents.

  “Last I saw them, they were playing a video game in the den. Straight down that hall and to the left.”

  Ava took off, with Jack close on her heels. He thought about calling them back but decided to let them figure things out. Kids usually did a much better job of that than adults.

  “I think dinner is nearly ready,” Becca said to him. “Come on into the great room and I’m sure one of the boys can hook you up with something to drink.”

  She led him into a huge room dominated by a massive angled wall of windows and the big Christmas tree he had seen glimmering from outside as they approached. Where was Caidy? he wondered, then was embarrassed at himself for looking for her straight away.

  Her brother Ridge headed over immediately with a cold beer. “Hey, Doc Caldwell. Glad you could make it.”

  At least one of them was. “Thanks.”

  “Have you met my brothers?” Ridge asked.

  “I know Chief Bowman. Fire Chief Bowman,” he corrected. He could only imagine how confusing that must be for the town, to have a fire chief and police chief who were not only brothers but identical twins.

  “You’ve deserted us at the inn, I understand,” Taft Bowman said.

  He winced. The only thing that bothered him worse than being obligated to Caidy was knowing he had checked out prematurely from the Cold Creek Inn. “Sorry. We were bursting at the seams there.”

  “Oh, no worries about that. Laura’s already booked your rooms through the holiday. She had to turn away several guests in the past few weeks and ended up contacting some of them who wanted to be on standby. They were thrilled at the last-minute cancellation.”

  He had expected the immensely popular inn would do just fine without his business. “That’s a relief.”

  “She’s been saying for a week how she thought your kids needed to be in a real house for the holidays. She was thrilled when Caidy talked to her about having you stay here. As soon as she hung up the phone, she said she couldn’t believe she’d never thought of the foreman’s cottage out here.”