Her Christmas Cowboy Read online

  “Oh, Jesus.” Trey pulled her close. He kissed her forehead and rubbed her back. This thing with the horse couldn’t have come at a worse time. Daisy was still raw over the shooting death of her partner in Pennsylvania but had appeared to come to terms with her guilt. Counseling had helped. Or, so he’d thought. Seemed the barn door hadn’t closed on that subject.

  “You haven’t jinxed me, right? I’d be your partner in a millisecond.” He closed his big mouth over his loose tongue. Had he said “partner” out loud? As in life partner? ’Cause that’s what he’d meant. His Christmas spirit had brought his feelings for Daisy front and center and he was finding it tougher to hold them back. The time had come for a serious talk.

  She tapped his chest with the palms of her hands and stepped away. “You’re being sweet, and I appreciate that. Now let’s eat those sandwiches. I’ve got to get back to the station.”

  Sweet? Trey gritted his teeth. Women always liked to use words like that, and he hated them. Sweet was almost as bad as cute.

  He wasn’t about to let her dismiss his confession so easily. He tucked two fingers under her chin and met her eyes. “I was being serious. About being partners.”

  Daisy’s eyes widened for the second time. “Oh.”

  He wasn’t sure if he should be annoyed that she hadn’t given his comment a second thought, or mad at himself for not making his intentions clearer sooner. “Now you know.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Let’s wash up and eat the food you brought.”

  *****

  Partners. The word and all its implications rang through Daisy’s head. Their relationship had taken another meaningful turn…and she liked it. She liked it a lot.

  Daisy sat beside Trey on the front steps of his porch after cleaning up for lunch because she didn’t trust herself to sit close to him inside his house. She might tear what little he wore straight off his body and drag her tongue over every hard surface of his skin. Hard. Surface. Yum.

  No. Then she’d be late getting back to work and her supervisor would write her up. As a rookie she couldn’t afford mistakes.

  She let her gaze wander over Trey’s naked chest and fall to the zipper of his cutoffs. She’d bet a billion dollars he went commando under those shorts. Tingles trickled along her shoulders, down over her breasts, and traveled to her center.

  Clearly, the man had no concept of his effect on her. When she’d pulled up to his house and saw him standing at the base of the steps to greet her in nothing but low-slung cutoff denims and work boots, she’d found it hard to breathe. Suddenly, Jack Frost and his Pennsylvania winter lost their appeal. Who needed snow when a smokin’ hot cowboy waited for her? Welcomed her? Wanted her?

  If she hadn’t come to Houston, she wouldn’t have met the handsome ranch hand who filled her dreams night after night. Trey had become her single compelling reason to work through her personal pain. That and the fact that she’d never give up police work. She’d find a way to succeed, one way or another. It was hard for a cop to be flexible, since theirs was a structured world, but she was trying her best to adapt to her new environment.

  Daisy took a bite of her chicken salad while Trey munched his roast beef. They ate in companionable silence while Big Blue grazed beyond.

  Trey took a swallow of bottled ice tea and then spoke. “Would you like to spend Christmas Eve together, here? Maybe help me trim the tree?”

  Daisy’s spirit lifted again with the invitation, though she tried to stay cool. She and Rose had already been invited to Christmas dinner with Trey’s family, and she’d promised to bring homemade pumpkin pie and oven-fresh bread. Rose was making apple pie and a side dish.

  Daisy hadn’t expected to spend Christmas Eve with Trey too, but she was glad he asked. “Sure. I’d like that.” The heaviness around her heart seemed to break free, and her mood lifted. She imagined the two of them in an embrace, making love beneath the twinkling lights of Trey’s Christmas tree, and realized she was…happy.

  It had been so long since she’d known the feeling it took seconds to realize what had come over her. She smiled and savored the moment. Trey made her happy. Spending Christmas with him was the best gift the season could bring.

  There would be no snowfall in Texas. Or winter’s chill. No downhill sledding, hot cocoa, or ice-covered boots. There might not be snippets of holly gracing the table, but there would undoubtedly be mistletoe. And with that final thought, Daisy leaned over and gave Trey a deep, gotta-get-back-to-work kiss.

  He smiled at her, and just like that Daisy found her Christmas spirit.

  Chapter Three

  Text messages:

  Trey: Bring your pretty face and appetite to my place @ 4 PM Christmas Eve. Wear riding clothes and boots. We’re taking Big Blue up to the ranch.

  Daisy: Sounds like fun, cowboy. See you then. Xox

  *****

  In her lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt, stretchy jeans, and cowgirl boots, Daisy had to admit she liked her casual new lifestyle.

  As she pulled her Jeep into the parking area at Trey’s place she remembered her outfit last year. She’d worn stiletto heels with a slinky green cocktail sheath, clutch bag, and faux emerald and diamond chandelier earrings for a Christmas Eve party at an upscale restaurant with her colleagues. Though she’d held her chin high and looked her best for the event, she might as well have well been invisible to much of the crowd. Despite Internal Affairs clearing her of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of her partner during an armed robbery, her coworkers had been less forgiving. Cops were expected to take control of a scene. They weren’t supposed to choke under stress. Flinching was not allowed.

  There’d been more frost inside that party room than the weather outside. She’d stayed less than half an hour and submitted her resignation the day after Christmas. By the following spring she’d landed a spot with the Houston Mounted Patrol, said good-bye to the friends she’d grown up with, and moved-in with her sister. That summer, Trey Woods prepared her—a greenhorn—for police equestrian training.

  The warmth of the Texas evening matched the reception Trey gave her when he opened his front door, looking ready to ride in denim and boots, and walked outside to greet her. The air was so clear she could almost see across the state, and the country scents of grasses and hay, rich soil and clean air filled her with anticipation. She glanced over at the barn, where the doors had been propped open, and heard Big Blue whinny from his stall as if greeting her too.

  Trey took quick steps in her direction and sent her a dazzling smile. Daisy never got tired of that welcoming, handsome face. Trey knew everything there was to know about her career-ending disaster and shame, and he cared for her anyway. He was strong and kind, patient and steady. She couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be over the holidays than with him.

  Wait. Had she really just had the thought that Trey was enough? What about snow? Ski trips to the Pocono Mountains with friends she’d known since grade school? Cups of hot chocolate by the hearth?

  Trey’s smile warmed her more thoroughly than a blazing midnight fire.

  She moved forward to meet him on the lawn, holding the pumpkin pie she’d baked for Christmas dinner. “Hey,” she said simply, not letting her mouth spill her conflicting holiday musings.

  Though she’d confided her dark past to Trey, she kept most of her feelings of homesickness to herself. Separating from the only home she’d known had added layers to her emotional pain, but there was no use longing for something she couldn’t have—at the moment, at least. And she wouldn’t dream of insulting Trey by implying that Christmas in Texas couldn’t measure up. She almost laughed at the thought. Texas not measure up? A proud cowboy like Trey would never believe that.

  He kissed her hello and carried the pumpkin pie to the porch. Daisy followed but stopped to admire the completed construction and the walnut-colored stain and sealer he’d applied to bring out the fine wood grain. A set of matching wicker rocking chairs sat side by side near a softly lit bay window. Shady L
ady lay on one of the seat cushions and lifted her M-striped head when their boots knocked the floorboards with their approach.

  Daisy gave the cat a scratch behind the ears and then ran her fingers over the arm of the chair. “It’s perfect,” she said, and meant it. Trey had created an idyllic spot on the outskirts of Breezy Meadows Ranch.

  He seemed pleased by her compliment. “We can sit out here after supper, if you like. Shady Lady won’t mind.”

  He held the pie container in one hand and reached to open the door for her with the other. A large pine Christmas wreath dotted with pinecones, dried flowers, sprigs of baby’s breath and wrapped with red plaid ribbon graced the front door. Daisy took a moment to admire the beautifully woven adornment, which looked to be artisan-crafted.

  “My mom made that for me.” Trey’s gaze flicked in explanation to the gold-glittered pinecones at the bottom of the wreath where the oversized bow had been tied.

  “It’s gorgeous.” Daisy’s insides did a little dance when she remembered she’d be meeting Trey’s parents and the rest of his family for the first time over Christmas dinner. No pressure there.

  Trey led the way inside the house to the living room with its hardwood floors, open concept dining room and stainless chef’s kitchen. The smell of something yummy roasting in the oven made her mouth water. Daisy had been here many times over the months they’d been dating, and made herself at home on the couch while Trey brought the pie to the kitchen. The Christmas tree stood by the picture window, ready for decoration, opposite the fireplace Trey had built with river rocks before his rodeo accident.

  He returned to the room moments later. “The ham is in the oven. I made cornbread to go with it. How about we take Big Blue to the ranch and then come back here for supper? There’s something I want to show you.”

  They made their way to the front door, and he grabbed his Stetson from the hat rack on the way out. Inside the barn, Big Blue was saddled and ready to ride.

  “You’ve been busy,” Daisy said. She hadn’t given their trip to the ranch much thought but suddenly wondered what Trey had in mind. As far as she knew, the ranch was deserted save for a skeleton crew to care for the animals.

  Trey led the stallion out of the barn and mounted with an easy slide over the saddle. He held out his hand to help her up and then offered a wry grin. “Remember the last time we rode double?”

  Daisy nodded. His fractured back wouldn’t support him, so he’d leaned against her while they rode through the fields to visit his house for the first time. Despite his injury, it was then she wondered if Trey was The One.

  “You sure Big Blue won’t mind?” she asked.

  Trey continued to offer his hand, so she grabbed hold, slid into the tight space behind him, and wrapped her arms around his solid chest. The press of his back against her breasts sent warm tingles to her belly.

  When she laid her head against his shoulder and breathed his unique, familiar scent, contentment filled her. Trey had a way of soothing and arousing her at the same time, creating a heady emotional mix she’d learned to crave. She let out a satisfied sigh.

  Trey gave a flick of the reins and they trotted toward Breezy Meadows Ranch in utter silence, save the sound of the stallion’s hooves on the dusty path and the rustling of birds in the trees. When they reached the ranch, Trey led Big Blue inside the corral and tied his reins.

  “Wait here,” he said, after securing the opening. He made his way toward the stable where she’d taken her first riding lesson—she’d been so scared of horses he’d started her out on a saddle tied to a gate. Daisy smiled at the memory and turned back to watch Big Blue inside the enclosed space. Watching the spectacular creature now, she couldn’t imagine ever being afraid of a horse again.

  A soft equine chuff sounded behind her, along with the unmistakable clomp of hooves against hard-packed earth. Daisy turned to see Trey leading a beautiful gray quarter horse from the darkness of the stables into the fading daylight. Trey met her eyes and smiled at her like he’d swallowed the sun.

  Daisy blinked. Her brain couldn’t register what she knew her eyes had seen. It took her seconds to understand why—she was viewing Trey with the horse out of context. The last time she’d seen a mare like that was…

  Oh! Recognition flared.

  “Musket!” She shouted the horse’s name and ran forward to greet her. Daisy wrapped her arms around the horse’s neck and then stroked her pretty face. She stared over at Trey. “How…?”

  Trey was still grinning. “Musket is one of ours. She’s back for the holidays until she resumes police training. If things don’t work out, and she remains skittish around noises or crowds, she’ll stay home for good. You can see her whenever you want.”

  “Breezy Meadows donates horses to the mounted police?”

  “Sure. It’s a tradition.” He gave the mare a pat.

  Daisy tapped the toe of her boot into the dirt and fought back tears.

  Trey continued. “You don’t say much about it…but I know you miss home. I’ve never lived anywhere else but here, and can only imagine how hard it must be to carve out a whole new life in a strange place. I thought seeing Musket for Christmas might cheer you up.”

  The man had the uncanny ability to sense what she needed. All day at work, she was required to mask her emotions and could hardly mourn the loss of her equine partner in front of her coworkers. Being the only woman on the mounted patrol, and a rookie, at that, was challenging enough. She had to be tough on the job every minute of every shift. With Trey, she could simply be herself, and he seemed committed to helping her reshape her broken life.

  Trey moved closer and ran a finger over her cheek, capturing a tear that had fallen despite her effort not to cry. “Ready to ride?”

  Kindness was an aphrodisiac. Daisy slipped the Stetson from his head, leaned into him, and kissed him hard and deep. She wrapped the hand holding his hat around his neck and pressed her body tight to his, reveling in the intimate act of his thoughtfulness. Gentleness was in short supply in her line of work. Compassion a luxury. By day, her emotions had to be tamped down, hidden, rejected. By night, with Trey, she could release them from their prison and just…be.

  The humid afternoon air and the friction of their bodies shot molten adrenaline through her system. She raked her fingers into the long hair at the base of his neck, wanting to make love to this exceptional man until exhaustion forced them to sleep.

  Trey kissed her back with a fierce need she could taste on his lips and feel in the grip of his hand on her hip. Then Musket bumped the side of her head, causing them to break the kiss.

  Daisy stumbled a little and laughed. “I think she’s jealous.”

  At the sound of her laughter, Big Blue ambled over to the fence and watched them with seemingly casual interest. Trey gave Daisy’s arm a squeeze, took his hat, and then moved toward the stallion. “Race?”

  Daisy laughed again. “You’re on, mister. Quarter horses are fast.”

  She mounted Musket and met Trey outside the corral. Without another word, they galloped side by side across the meadow and into the twilight.

  Chapter Four

  The painted blue sky turned watercolor gray as night descended over the meadow. Daisy and Trey trotted back toward the stable for Musket to be watered, brushed, and fed. When they finished, Daisy gave the mare a farewell hug before returning her to her stall.

  “Merry Christmas, sweet pea,” she whispered. “It was wonderful to see you again.”

  Musket swished her tail and moved her head as if she understood.

  Big Blue walked the two easy miles to Trey’s at a leisurely pace after their exhilarating hard ride, and Daisy and Trey walked beside him the last half mile for a cool-down. The falling temperature and rising full moon formed the perfect climate for Daisy’s pensive mood. She hooked her arm around Trey’s and marveled at the way her life had changed. Was she happy in this moment? Yes.

  Still, she had a huge decision to make regarding her future and
the unexpected chance she’d received. The possibility of returning to her home state of Pennsylvania and resuming life as a patrol cop in a new district thrilled her. She could live out her life among old friends and let her wounds finish healing in familiar surroundings. A year ago, she’d have given anything for that option. But…a year ago, she didn’t have a relationship with Trey.

  Her throat constricted. She tightened her hold on his arm with the reminder she’d have to let him go to restore traces of her former life. Would living without him be worth the trade?

  Texas was like another world for an Easterner like her. Everything was different here and she still hadn’t adapted. She liked Texas a lot; it was unarguably a great state. Her sister lived here, her job with the mounted police was a great opportunity, and falling in love with Trey had been a deeply emotional surprise. Their dates were always fun and the sex was phenomenal. But did he love her too? He’d never said, though his actions in and out of the bedroom had certainly been caring.

  But could she call Texas home? The word implied stability, and nothing here was certain. She lived in temporary housing with her sister, had a tenuous assignment with a future equine partner, and no romantic relationship commitment. Should she take a huge chance and try to put down roots in sandy soil? Or return to the solid familiarity of Pennsylvania in a community that needed an experienced officer?

  “You’re quiet all of a sudden,” Trey said.

  Except for the crickets, katydids, footfalls and sounds of horse’s hooves, the country night was still. She must have given him a vibe about the decision weighing on her mind, because Trey was usually comfortable with silence. He freed his arm from hers, rubbed a hand down her spine, and made little circles with his fingertips on the small of her back. The intimate gesture raised goose bumps over her skin, yet warmed her from the inside.

  “I’ve been thinking,” she said. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”