Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(71)

He’d heard her bedroom door close ten minutes ago. They’d been to bed together, they’d had steaming hot sex, not to mention the fact he couldn’t keep his hands off her no matter where they were. So why was he still sitting there?

Shotgun went to the door and whined.

“It’s time, isn’t it, old boy?”

The dog ambled down the hallway and stopped at the archway into the living room, his tail thumping against the floor. Finn could hardly breathe, his chest was so tight. Was that his Callie? The woman he’d flat-out fallen in love with?

Love!

Did he just think that word? He’d never imagined that he could love anyone after Lala had let him think she was dead and then betrayed him even further when he found out she was a spy. How did a full-grown man know he was in love in just two weeks? It didn’t make a bit of sense, but he didn’t want to ever imagine not having her in his life.

She turned around and their eyes locked somewhere near the Christmas tree. Everything about her was purely exquisite. There were no words, no compliments in the human language to describe her in that red dress with all that dark hair piled up on her head. Her lips were the same color as the dress, and thinking about kissing her until all the lipstick was gone sent him into semi-arousal.

“Well, don’t you look sharp for a rough old cowboy?” she said.

“I’m a wilted dead onion plant compared to a perfect spring rose when I stand next to you. I won’t stand a chance of keeping you on Salt Draw after tonight. The cowboys will be lined up from here to Gainesville just to kiss your hand,” he said.

She crossed the room and handed him her jacket. “That’s the craziest line I’ve ever heard.”

“I didn’t buy you a corsage, but Verdie told me what color you were wearing.” He pulled a long thin box from behind his back and held it out.

“This feels like a scene from Pretty Woman.” She smiled up at him.

“That was just a movie. This is the real thing and, darlin’, you are a hell of a lot prettier than any actress on the big screen,” he said.

“And she smells better, too, huh?” Ricky said.

“What is it in the box?” Olivia asked. “This is like Cinderella. When I grow up and get invited to a ranch party, can I wear your dress, Callie?”

“That box ain’t big enough to have a shoe in it,” Ricky said.

“Are you going to open it?” Finn asked.

***

Callie’s hands shook as she reached out to touch the deep red velvet box. “You won’t snap it shut and scare me, will you?”

“Why would he do that?” Martin asked.

Finn leaned forward just slightly and kissed Callie softly.

Olivia sighed, and all three boys shut their eyes.

Callie gently opened the box and gasped. “Oh, Finn, it’s beautiful.”

A dark red ruby dangled from the top of an open gold heart pendant surrounded by sparkling tiny diamonds.

“I figured it would be easier to put on than a corsage.” He smiled.

She lifted it from the bed of red velvet and handed it to him. “A little help, please.”

She couldn’t cry. It would ruin her makeup, and he’d think she didn’t like his present, but it took every bit of her willpower to keep the tears at bay. No one had ever given her anything like that. She only hoped that it was symbolic of him giving his heart as well.

“Well, now, that just flat-out sets off the whole outfit. Y’all get on out of here so me and these kids can make microwave popcorn and watch movies. We’ve got them all picked out, and we’re staying up until midnight. If y’all get in after that, come in real quiet so you don’t wake us up,” Verdie said.

“Yes, ma’am.” Finn helped Callie into her jacket.

“Good-night kisses.” She bent down in front of Martin.

“I want one, and I want you to leave a lipstick kiss on my forehead. I’m not going to wash it off, so it will make me have dreams of princes and castles,” Olivia said.

She gave them all a kiss and looped her arm into Finn’s. When they reached the porch, he scooped her up and carried her through the new-fallen snow to his truck, settled her into the passenger’s seat, and let his lips softly graze hers before he slammed the door shut.

“Oh, look how pretty the lights around the house are, and how the tree looks in the window. It’s like a storybook,” she said as they drove down the lane.

“Sometimes that scares me,” Finn admitted.

“Storybooks?”

“No, that everything is going so well. I keep waiting for the other boot to drop or for something to fall apart. I even worry that someday you and I will get into a great big fight and you’ll leave me. I don’t think I could stand it,” he said.

She laid a hand on his thigh. “This would seem too fast if we hadn’t known each other so well before now. I’m not going anywhere, not until you give me a pink slip.”

“That ain’t damn likely.” He grinned.

“Looks like this is our turnoff,” she said. “Oh, my sweet Lord, look at all those lights. I thought we had enough to blow the electric company, but they’re nothing compared to this.”

“Verdie says that River Bend and Wild Horse compete with each other for the biggest and best in everything. Wonder what next week’s will look like? I got a call from Tyrell Gallagher inviting us, but you were in your room getting dressed, and then I was so stunned that I forgot until now,” he said.