Cowboy Christmas Homecoming by June Faver

Author:June Faver
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2019-08-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“How about now?” Zach had hung Stephanie’s painting in the bedroom, where she could see it first thing when she woke up.

“It’s a little higher on the left…just a hair.” Stephanie gazed at the painting from across the room, nodding when he adjusted it slightly. “That’s perfect.” A wide grin graced her face. “Thank you so much for understanding how much this painting means to me.”

“Happy to make you happy,” he said. In truth, he longed to tell her how much he wanted to please her…to be her protector in every way. He was just glad they had been together when the Neeleys had entered her apartment and violently destroyed almost everything she owned. What would have happened if Stephanie had been there?

Would they have injured or killed her? He had no doubt that he might have lost her forever, the woman he loved.

He had seen too many people die. Now, when he had found this amazing woman and knew that his feelings were reciprocated, he had to hang on to her. She loves me.

All he had to do was keep her safe until all of the Neeleys had been rounded up and jailed. He swallowed hard. One down.

“What do you want for Christmas?” she asked.

“What?” He frowned, feeling confused.

She cocked her head to one side. “Christmas. You know…the baby Jesus? Holly? Mistletoe? Tall, pointy trees with lights? Presents?”

It hit him like a physical blow that it had been a long time since he had actually celebrated any holiday, let alone Christmas. An ache of longing enveloped him. He recalled the many Christmases he had celebrated with his parents and always with his cousins and his aunt and uncle.

But now, his father had passed away, as had his aunt, Big Jim’s wife. His mother had sold their home and moved to Fort Worth. There was nothing left of his life as he had known it.

Stephanie came closer, sliding her arms around his neck. “What are you so serious about?”

But he couldn’t find the words to tell her everything that was tearing his insides apart. “Um—thinking about the baby Jesus…and presents…we gotta have some presents.”

She lifted her chin, demanding a kiss, which he was happy to provide.

“Yeah, I’m all for presents. What can I get for you?”

“Mmm…surprise me.” She gave him a sassy wink.

“No hints?”

“You’re on your own, cowboy.”

“Well, I’ll surprise you then…but no complaints.”

She gazed up at him with an expression that made his heart melt. “You know that I will treasure any gift you might choose for me.”

Her earnest expression caused a tightness in his chest. “I better do good, huh?”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll love it.” She cocked her head toward the front of the house. “Come on. Let’s get the rest of my stuff put away. There’s not a lot, so it shouldn’t take much time.”

“Let me take you into town after we get things straight around here. We can grab dinner and a few groceries along the way.”

“I’m in.”

Sadly, it took no time at all to find a place for her belongings, mostly kitchen items that had not been destroyed.

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