Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
“She’ll be okay,” I assured him. “Her appetite is low, but it’s mild indigestion. And she’s the only case so far.”
Tanner inclined his head. “I figured as much. I’m anxious to move the cattle, but it’s smart to wait till the new herd has acclimated a bit. How about you? Have you acclimated?”
I cocked my chin. “Uh…yes. Thank you.”
“Good.”
C’mon, Axel. You can do better than that. Talk to the guy. Say something, anything. Don’t be so fucking awkward.
“I’m no stranger to this work, though. Been doin’ it a long time.”
Okay, that sounded dismissive and ungrateful.
I opened my yob to smooth out my rough edges, but Tanner beat me to it.
“How about Phoebe? Does she like school?”
“Uh…yeah. She’s doing well,” I replied, heat flooding my face.
Thankfully, I doubted he could tell that I was blushing like a nun in a sex shop—for no reason whatsoever, I might add.
“Glad to hear it. Has she been on a horse yet?”
“Uh…no. She’s been on a pony, but she’s still pretty small and…” I stopped puttering around the stall, looking for things to do and finally met Tanner’s gaze. “Phee wants to dance. It’s all she talks about lately. Wants to be a ballerina.”
“Good for her.” His eyes sparked with pure sunshine. “What do you know about ballet?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
Tanner snort-laughed. “I can’t help you there, either. But Vicki probably can.”
“Who’s Vicki?”
“Vicki the Vixen. She owns the soup cantina next to Moody’s bookstore in Christmas Town.”
“Oh. Right.”
Christmas Town.
“Vicki’s a hoot,” he continued. “And once upon a time, she was a Vegas showgirl.”
“Uh…”
He snickered good-naturedly. “Hey, I know what you’re thinking—skimpy sequined costumes with fishnets and feathers. All true, but Vicki was a real dancer. I’m pretty sure she knows tap, jazz, and ballet.”
I inclined my head, ready to change the subject and say my good-byes. It would be awkward ’cause I couldn’t seem to avoid making shit awkward lately, but I was still coming to terms with a fierce and totally inappropriate attraction.
And sharing tight confines in a horse stall with a man whose mere scent made my dick twitch was daunting as fuck.
But something stopped me. Maybe it was the fact that Tanner made an effort where one wasn’t expected or needed. He was just…a good guy.
I could ignore that he was nice to look at and be polite. It wasn’t my default setting, but I could try.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said woodenly. “What exactly is Christmas Town?”
“What’s Christmas Town?” Tanner widened his eyes comically. “It’s only the coolest little place on the whole West Coast. An entire village dedicated to all things holiday, all year long.”
I wrinkled my nose in distaste. “All year? That sounds awful.”
“It’s actually pretty awesome. I swear. Every shop in Christmas Town has a theme.” He casually leaned against the stall door. “Let’s see…there’s a toy store called Elves R Us, Donner’s Diner, Vicki the Vixen’s Coffee Café and Soup Cantina, and Moody’s Marvelous Bah Humbug Bookshop. Your kiddo would love it.”
“Probably, but I doubt I would.”
“What’s the matter?” he taunted. “Axel the badass cowboy vet wouldn’t dare to be seen in the land of candy canes, reindeers, and the big ol’ guy who loves to ho-ho-ho?”
“Fuck off,” I grumbled without heat.
“You know they’re looking for a new Santa. You’re bigger than the current one, and you’d probably fill out the suit a little better.”
“Very funny.”
I petted Buttermilk’s neck and moved toward the gate. I didn’t unlatch it. Instead, I fussed with my sleeves, pulling the fabric over my forearms and buttoning them to give my hands something to do. It wasn’t exactly cold in here, so no doubt I’d end up repeating my efforts in reverse in a couple of minutes.
Tanner chuckled. “I have my moments. If you’re thinking about going, I could tag along and give you a tour of the town.”
“Why?”
“Why not?” he countered. “The parade is a big draw around here. Everyone dresses up and walks down Holiday Lane. There’s a pumpkin decorating contest, bobbing for apples—red and green for Christmas, of course, and a haunted house. Most of the ranch will be there, including the guests at the lodge.”
Tanner was standing close to me now, his biceps brushing my shoulder as he reached for the latch. Heat radiated from him like a fireball. I covered the hitch in my breath with a cough.
“I’ll think about it,” I replied, extending my arm to unlatch the gate, unthinking.
He got there first, and I couldn’t stop my momentum.
Honest, I’d only wanted to escape. I hadn’t meant to touch him.
Not now. Not while he was inches away, crowding my space and stealing my oxygen.
No, that was me. I was the one standing too close. I had to step away. But the pull was stronger than ever—like a current I couldn’t fight.
Tanner swayed closer, so close I could smell peppermint on his breath and a masculine musk that ticked a box I’d ignored for decades. I didn’t have to hide anymore, but that didn’t mean I could act on attraction. This was wrong.