The Cowboy's Christmas Bride by Patricia Johns

Author:Patricia Johns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarlequinUKLtd
Published: 2016-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

It rained for the most of the night and when Dakota awoke the next morning to the sound of voices, her body ached from the previous day’s work. She rolled out of her warm sleeping bag, fully dressed, and pulled on her jacket, zipping it up with a shiver. As she unzipped her tent and stepped outside, she sucked in a deep breath of cold morning air.

That kiss last night had happened—something she’d questioned a couple of times before morning. She and Andy had done the rest of the patrol together and, after rubbing down their horses, Andy had paused with her in the darkness.

“What’s that old rhyme? If wishes were horses...?” His voice was low and soft in her ear.

“Beggars would ride.” She finished the line.

His hand brushed against hers, his fingers moving lightly down hers, ever so close to entwining them together.

“Ever wish you had a do-over?” he asked quietly. “Ever wish you could go back and make a different choice and see how your life would have turned out?”

Dakota thought for a moment then slowly shook her head. “I wouldn’t be the same woman I am today.”

He nodded slowly. “That’s a good thing, to live without regrets.”

“What about you?” she whispered.

“I guess that leaves me a beggar who dreams of riding.” He touched her cheek with the back of his finger. “Good night, Dakota.”

What had he meant by that? She had a feeling he had a few unfulfilled wishes of his own. Heaven knew she did. But wishes weren’t enough for ambitions or for the heart—and old nursery rhymes strove to teach the children that very truth. Wishes got you nowhere. Hard work, on the other hand, produced something.

When she’d crawled into her sleeping bag, she’d lain there for a long time, remembering the feel of his lips on hers. She’d never imagined kissing Andy Granger would feel quite so sweet. His first kiss had made her feel safe, and the second had awakened feelings inside her she’d thought were dormant. The memory warmed her in spite of the damp weather.

But the cocoon of night had evaporated and morning came as it always did. The rain had stopped, but everything was drenched and the sunrise looked more like a silver haze than the actual start of a day. Harley had managed to get a smoky fire started, but it wouldn’t last long if it started raining again. Fog rolled along the scrub grass, the cows looking like shadows in the mist. Dakota’s breath hung in the air and she rubbed her hands together against the chill. She looked around the camp and spotted Andy with the horses under a tarp. He hoisted the saddle up onto Romeo’s back.

“Morning,” Andy said. “How’d you sleep?”

“Not great,” she admitted.

“My fault?” he asked, warm eyes meeting hers.

She felt the blush rise in her cheeks but before she could answer, he added, “We’re starting early today, before the rain hits us.”

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll be ready.”

He turned back to buckling straps and adjusting the saddle.

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