Wild West Christmas: A Family for the Rancher\Dance with a Cowboy\Christmas in Smoke River by Jenna Kernan & Kathryn Albright & Lynna Banning

Author:Jenna Kernan & Kathryn Albright & Lynna Banning
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-01-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Garrett paced outside the bakery. Seemed Kathleen stayed longer every night. The holidays had everybody in a frenzied state. Even the animals could sense the difference. Finally the light from the kerosene lantern dimmed and then went out. When she stepped onto the boardwalk, she didn’t seem surprised to see him. Maybe she was beginning to accept his presence in her life. He hoped so...even if all it meant was he could help out with Lily. Josh would have wanted that. Garrett didn’t for one minute think she’d let him into her life if it wasn’t for her daughter. That door had closed long ago and now there were too many secrets that stood in the way.

Her eyes drooped with fatigue. He’d offer to carry the cake she held, but with his lack of grace he’d likely ruin it. Instead he took her scarf, which was looped over her forearm, and slipped it over her head and around her neck in the way he’d seen her place it. When his fingers skimmed her throat and jaw for a second, a tingling sensation raced up his arm. He swallowed, trying to ignore it. Instead he concentrated on the fact that her acceptance of his touch was a testament to her exhaustion—and that was all.

He took the key from her hand and locked the bakery. “You’re tired.”

“I started early. Judge Perry is having a party tonight. I’ve already carried over two large platters.”

“This the last?”

She nodded, then smiled up at him. And he found he just couldn’t let her carry that load.

“Let me.” Carefully he took the platter from her and they started down the boardwalk. “My folks will be there.”

“The largest ranch in the area? They should have a voice in whatever plans are being hatched.” She looked over his suit. “You must be going, as well.”

“We share equally in the decisions.” He hesitated, unsure if Kathleen was ready to hear his next thought. “You could come, too.”

She shook her head. “I haven’t seen Lily all day.”

Her dedication to her daughter—it warmed him from the inside out. He’d heard comments—people thinking she was crazy and not a good mother because she’d left her family and a world of support to come here and take a job. Something had happened to spur her to make that choice. He hoped someday to learn the reason. For now, he realized she’d completely missed his subtle hint. Whatever happened on the ranch would affect Lily.

The tinny sounds of the piano spilled out of the saloon. Some raw language, too.

“I’m glad Lily didn’t hear that,” she murmured.

“I wish you hadn’t,” he muttered.

The corners of her mouth tilted up. “I knew what I was coming back to, Garrett. Clear Springs has its rough edges, but all in all, it’s home—more home to me than on the coast.”

Another expletive burst from inside the saloon.

“I’d like to muzzle that Russell,” Garrett growled. “He shows up at quittin’ time like a lot of the miners. If he’s smart, he eats something at the restaurant for supper before stopping in the saloon.

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