Sleigh Bells in Crimson

by Michelle Major

  He hadn’t kissed her again, but she knew he wanted to—and thoughts of his mouth on her body filled her mind at the most inconvenient times. Like this morning when she’d been making a pitch to the local feed-and-supply store to offer discounts on pet supplies to anyone who adopted at tomorrow’s event.

  After showering and changing into jeans and a sweatshirt, she grabbed the deep purple down jacket she’d bought in town. Although the wind blowing against her face as she crossed to the barn was brisk, the bright sun made the morning feel not as frigid. Or maybe she was getting used to the cold, or beginning to appreciate the concept of “dry” cold, as the women at the bakery referred to Colorado’s climate.

  She let herself into the barn and headed for Cocoa’s pen, greeting many of the other animals along the way. The dog trotted over to the door, and Lucy let her out for a short walk up the driveway. Cocoa didn’t like to interact with the other dogs, so Lucy tried to give her extra attention each day. It seemed like her belly was getting rounder each time Lucy visited the barn, and Caden had told her that the puppies were due the following week.

  Lucy had never been around newborns of any kind and couldn’t wait for the tiny pups to make their arrival into the world.

  Cocoa sniffed at the snow, did her business near the edge of a snowbank, then turned for the barn.

  “Getting tired, Mama?” Lucy asked, and the dog gazed up at her with those big chocolate eyes that melted Lucy’s heart.

  She’d taken photos of Cocoa along with the other animals, although Caden had assured her he wouldn’t be adopting the dog out until after the puppies were weaned and she’d had some time to adjust to regular dog life.

  “Every time I see you with her it makes me wonder if you were a dog trainer in a former life.”

  Lucy turned from latching Cocoa’s pen to find Caden at the far end of the barn.

  “Highly doubtful,” she told him.

  “This place looks great.” He gestured to the strands of lights strung down the barn’s center walkway and the pink garland and trimmings she’d hung on the door of each pen.

  “I recycled my mom’s decorations,” she said, stating the obvious.

  “I don’t know why, but all the pink works in the barn.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” She stepped closer. “Are you nervous?”

  He stared at her for a long moment and she saw his throat bob as he swallowed. “About what?”

  “The adoption fair is tomorrow. Do you worry that your babies won’t find homes?”

  “They’ve got a home,” he said, his voice a low rumble, “for as long as they need one.”

  Lucy had never understood the phrase “ovaries clenching” until this moment. She blinked away tears and willed her heart to stop stuttering. The craziest part was that Caden wasn’t even trying to impress her with his sweetness.

  She’d certainly had guys turn on the charm—men like Chad who made a game out of seduction. Lucy had fallen for her share of pretty lines when she’d been younger and desperate for someone to call her own. But she liked Caden best when he was simply being himself.

  “Do you worry that they will find homes?” she asked when she trusted her voice enough to speak normally.

  Caden lifted a brow.

  “You’ll have to let them go,” she clarified, “and I know you love them.”

  He shrugged. “They don’t truly belong to me, and if I know they’ll be happy, that’s enough.”

  Will you let me go so easily? she wanted to ask but was smart enough to keep her mouth shut. Even though they’d forged a tentative friendship and attraction simmered under the surface every time they were together, she didn’t fool herself into thinking it was something lasting. Caden would not only let her go, he’d probably be relieved to escort her to the county line or whatever the equivalent of the ole heave-ho was here in Colorado.

  “It’s good to hear you say that,” she lied, “because I have a feeling a lot of people are going to be bringing home new family members for Christmas this year.”

  “If they do, it’s because of you.”

  She shook her head. “I only highlighted the work you’ve done with these animals.”

  He reached out and pulled her closer, dipping his head to press his mouth to hers. Her body tingled as she breathed him in and wound her arms around his neck. She loved that she could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest.

  “It’s you,” he whispered, his breath tickling her skin. “All of it is you.”

  She knew it was the two of them together. How could she not believe in the magic of Christmas when everything she’d ever wished for seemed to be coming true?

  Lucy had never been one for delayed gratification, but her years of loneliness and disappointment almost felt worth it if they’d led her to Caden.

  “I have to run into town,” she said, breaking the embrace before she did something stupid like whip off all her clothes in the middle of the barn. “I’m picking up coupons for a free initial vet visit from Dr. Johnson’s office.”

  “Megan donated vet visits?” Caden rubbed a hand over his jaw, the sound of it making Lucy want to moan. Who knew stubble was such a turn-on? “I’ll remember to thank her.”

  Lucy crossed her arms over her chest, thinking of the petite blonde veterinarian she’d met yesterday and how the woman had been so effusive in her praise of Caden’s work with unwanted animals in the area. “Thank her from a polite distance.”

  “Are you jealous?” Caden asked, laughing softly.

  “No,” she muttered. “You are free to frolic with whomever you choose.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and pretended to adjust the wreath hanging from one of the stall doors. “There’s nothing between us.”

  “I disagree.” Caden came up behind her, nuzzling his face into the side of her neck. “There’s way too much between us.” He nipped at her earlobe and her knees went weak. “Although I wish there was nothing.”

  She turned her head to glance at him as disappointment coursed through her. “You do?”

  “No jackets, no shirts or jeans.” He trailed kisses along the side of her neck. “Nothing but skin on skin and you in my bed.”

  “Oh,” she breathed and sagged against him. If she’d been wondering how Caden felt about her, that pretty much summed it up. Every inch of Lucy’s body felt like it was on fire and she stumbled a step when he moved away.

  “You’re the only woman,” he told her, tapping a finger to her nose, “with whom I want to do any frolicking. Remember that, Lucy.”

  A moment later Chad called to him from the barn’s entrance and Caden walked away.

  Lucy turned back around, gripping the wooden posts on the door of Cocoa’s pen. The dog whined and gave her an almost-sympathetic look.

  “I know,” Lucy whispered. “Men. Canine or human, they’re trouble. Every one.”

  * * *

  Despite what he’d told Lucy, nerves skittered through Caden’s stomach as the first cars pulled up the driveway and parked in front of the barn the following morning.

  “It’s like a caravan of adopters,” Erin said next to him. Lucy had recruited Erin, David, Katie Crawford from the bakery, her husband, Noah, and a few other women she’d met in town in the past couple of days to volunteer at the event. Some of them had dogs on leashes while others were tasked with introducing the cats and bunnies to prospective families. “I can’t believe she put all of this together in a week.”

  “It’s amazing,” he agreed.

  Erin nudged him. “You mean she’s amazing.”

  He glanced down at the grinning schoolteacher. “Yeah,” he admitted, “that’s what I mean.” There was no use denying it. He was falling for Lucy. After their interlude in the barn yesterday, he’d seriously contemplated lifting the self-imposed ban he had on kiss
ing her in the house.

  He’d told himself that if he kept things platonic when they were together anywhere near a bed, that would keep both of them safer. But Caden didn’t want to be safe with Lucy. He wanted to claim her and make her his, and he was pretty certain his heart had leaped eons ahead of his body on that count.

  She’d managed to find her way past all the walls and defenses he’d erected. He wasn’t sure how long he could continue to resist the attraction that drew him to her like a magnet against steel.

  Then his phone rang, his dad calling from New York City. Garrett sounded like a lovestruck schoolboy as he’d told Caden about the trip. Caden wanted his dad to be happy, but he still didn’t believe that was possible with Maureen. The fallout of another blow so soon after he’d started to recover from Tyson’s death could be devastating for Garrett.

  As much as Caden wanted Lucy, his needs were nothing compared to protecting his father. He owed everything to Garrett. How could he put that aside because of his own desires?

  “You look about as welcoming as a nest of wasps.”

  Lucy’s voice broke into his thoughts and he realized she’d taken Erin’s place next to him. “I know they’re your babies,” she said, “but it’s time to find them good homes. Put a smile on that handsome face, cowboy, and dust off your charm. It’s showtime.”

  He watched her walk forward and greet the families emerging from cars. She was a natural with people, but he felt the old fear about being judged a punk kid who’d only cause trouble rise to the surface. What if he scared people off or they didn’t appreciate the animals he’d rescued?

  His gaze snagged on a couple climbing out of a minivan at the end of the row of cars. The woman, who looked to be in her midthirties, opened the back door and took the hand of a small girl in a pair of rainbow-patterned leggings, a fur-lined puffy pink coat and long braids. The girl seemed reluctant to move forward, eyeing the barn like it was some kind of medieval torture chamber.

  Something shifted in Caden’s chest, and all his nerves disappeared as he remembered the old Border collie mix that had come to greet him the first time he’d visited the ranch.

  The ancient ranch dog had ambled up to him, sniffed at his skinned knee, then nudged his hand with a wet nose until Caden bent to pet him. “If Otis likes you, you’re in,” Tyson had said, already having decided that Caden was meant to be his brother.

  Having never been “in” before, Caden didn’t realize what that meant, but the dog’s unequivocal acceptance had actually allowed him to believe he might be worth choosing.

  “Mind if I borrow this one?” he asked David, grabbing the leash of the rescue dog David was holding instead of waiting for an answer. The pale yellow Lab at the end of it walked at his side as he approached the small family.

  “Welcome,” he called. The girl moved behind her mother’s legs and the dad gave him a tight smile.

  “Great setup you’ve got here,” the man said.

  “Y’all looking to add a furry friend to your household?”

  The couple exchanged a look. “I’d like a dog,” the man said after a moment. “I’ve always had one, but my wife isn’t so sure.”

  “I got bitten when I was a child,” the woman said tightly. “Dogs aren’t my thing, and Macy is afraid of them.”

  “Because you’ve taught her to be,” the man said under his breath.

  The woman’s shoulders stiffened and the little girl gripped her leg. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into this.”

  “Because, Jen, a kid needs a dog,” the man insisted.

  “Does she look like she wants a dog?” Jen shot back.

  “Dogs aren’t for everyone,” Caden agreed easily. “But sometimes all it takes is the right animal for the right family.”

  He bent and gave the Lab next to him a gentle head scratch. “Sage here is a great example. She’s hoping to find a good home today, but she’s a special dog.”

  “I really don’t want a big dog,” the woman offered.

  “I do,” her husband shot back.

  “Why is she special?” the girl asked, peeking around her mother’s legs.

  “Well, now,” Caden said conversationally, “she wasn’t exactly taken care of properly at her last home. Sage likes to get in water, but her owner didn’t dry out her ears and she got a real bad infection in them. She can’t hear anymore.”

  “That’s sad,” the woman murmured, her attention on the Lab.

  Caden lowered himself to kneel next to the dog. “She doesn’t mind much, but she’ll need a fenced-in yard and to be on a leash when she’s outside so she doesn’t get lost.”

  “We’ve got a fenced-in yard,” Macy offered.

  “Do you, now?” Caden rubbed the dog’s side and Sage immediately flopped onto her back to expose her belly. “Sage also likes to be petted. Some dogs have a lot of energy, but not her. She’s only three, but sometimes I call her the breathing footstool. She likes a slow walk around the block or a short hike, but mainly she wants to be loved.”

  “I love her,” the little girl whispered and crouched down to pet the dog.

  “Macy,” her mother said in an exasperated tone, “this is the first dog you’ve seen. I haven’t even agreed to adopting one.”

  As if sensing the trio needed to be won over, Sage rolled to her feet. She licked the little girl’s face, then moved to the woman, plopping down on her butt and gazing up with a look of pure canine adoration.

  “She likes you,” the husband said.

  Jen looked unconvinced but tentatively lowered a hand to give the dog an awkward head pat.

  “She’s been certified as a therapy dog,” Caden told them. “Her temperament is perfect for kids.”

  Sage lowered her front paws and basically draped herself across the woman’s feet. “She’s pretty sweet,” Jen murmured.

  “Can we adopt her, Mommy?” Macy asked.

  Jen shared a look with her husband. “I don’t know...” She broke off as the dog let out a loud fart.

  “She smells like Daddy,” Macy shouted, earning a laugh from her mother and an eye roll from her dad.

  “Of course,” Caden said, “there are other dogs available. And we have cats and bunnies if a dog isn’t right for your family.”

  “What do you think, honey?” the man asked.

  The woman shrugged. “She smells like you. If that isn’t a sign...”

  Macy gave a loud whoop of delight. Jen stared at Caden. “I can’t believe we’ve been here less than five minutes and now I’m adopting a dog. I don’t know anything about dogs.”

  “I know plenty,” her husband assured her.

  The woman’s eyes widened. “What happens when you’re at work?” she asked her husband.

  “She’s well behaved, but I can recommend a great dog trainer if you want some extra help with her,” Caden said, handing the leash to Macy. “It’s important that you all feel comfortable handling her. Especially because she’s deaf.”

  “I’d like that,” Jen said, nodding.

  “Sage is a very lucky dog,” Lucy said from behind Caden. “If you all would just head inside, our volunteers can help you get checked out and start you off with a bag of supplies and Sage’s records.”

  The husband clapped Caden on the shoulder as he walked by. “Thanks, man. I never thought she’d agree to this.”

  “Give me a call if there are any issues or you need help during the transition. We’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”

  The man gestured to his wife and daughter. “It already has.”

  Caden had been so focused on Sage meeting the small family, he hadn’t realized the driveway was quickly filling with more cars.

  “You did it,” he said, pulling Lucy in for a hug and dropping a kiss on the top of her head.

&
nbsp; She grinned up at him. “I watched that whole exchange. How did you know Sage was the right dog for that family?”

  “The woman looked terrified and her husband was like a kid on Christmas morning. I could tell he’d want a bigger dog, and Sage is about as gentle as they come. She’s perfect for a mom without much experience, but Labs still have the ‘cool’ factor to make the man happy.”

  “You have a pretty awesome ‘cool’ factor going on yourself,” she said but ducked away when he would have lowered his mouth to hers. “We’re on the job, cowboy. Back to work. You’ve got a barn full of animals to match.”

  The rest of the day flew by in a blur. Caden knew that a big part of the reason the event was so successful was Lucy’s marketing efforts. Her photos of the animals were intimate and personal, the total opposite of normal shelter mug shots. She’d made individual identification cards for each animal, highlighting what made them special.

  She’d been at the ranch only a week but had managed to capture the spirit of what he wanted to accomplish through rescuing the unwanted pets and finding them new homes.

  Of course, Caden was also scared as hell that she’d captured his heart, something he hadn’t thought possible for himself.

  But every moment he spent with her was a revelation, tiny scraps of his defenses peeling away with each smile she gave him.

  By the end of the day, the only animals left were the ones that belonged to him—a couple of barn cats, Cocoa and Fritzi, the therapy rabbit, plus her bonded mate, Julius. In fact, he had a waiting list of prospective adopters looking for animals. He’d referred several families to the local humane society, but a few insisted that he be the one to match them with the right rescue animal.

  It was a daunting task, but Caden had been getting calls about unwanted animals that needed to be rehabilitated and rehomed on almost a weekly basis. He didn’t have room for all of them, but if he could develop a pipeline of families waiting to adopt, that would certainly help him continue to save more animals.

  As the last of the volunteers left at the end of the day, he got ready to do his evening chores. He said his goodbyes, weirdly touched at how invested the people of Crimson were in his little rescue operation. He knew this community was special, although he’d kept himself at arm’s length from most people after the fiasco of falling for his brother’s girlfriend.