Home For a Cowboy Christmas(10)

“Okay, I guess. Maybe a little small. It’s the jeans I noticed.”

“Was it only the length in the pants?”

Dwight tried to think back. “I believe so.”

“I’ll get a few different things. It’s not a big deal to return anything. How far are you from town?”

“About another twenty minutes.”

“I’ve got to head into a meeting in a sec. I gather she’s going to need some panties for the next few days. Don’t get her granny panties.”

He was appalled at the words. “Is there such a thing?”

“God, yes,” she said. “Get her a three-pack of cotton bikinis. Did she ask for bras?”

Dwight tried not to think of her breasts. “Yes.”

“Do I need to go over that?”

“I’m not an idiot. I have dated, you know. I can figure it out.”

Victoria laughed. “Let’s hope so. I’ll start shopping tonight and be there in a couple of days.

“You’re the best, sis.”

“And don’t you forget it,” she said with a smile. “Love you, big brother.”

“Love you,” he replied before disconnecting.

By the time Dwight reached town, he felt better about the entire situation. He pulled into the lot and parked. Inside, he grabbed a buggy and went straight for the women’s section. He pulled out the list, snapped a picture of it, and sent it to Victoria. Then he got the package of panties his sister had told him to. The bras were another matter entirely.

He’d had no idea there were so many styles and colors. It wasn’t as if he paid much attention when he walked past them. He went up and down the aisles, trying to imagine which ones Emmy would want.

His phone dinged, alerting him to a text. As if his sister could read his mind from miles away, she wrote: BEIGE AND BLACK BRAS ARE BASIC.

He sent a quick thanks and began looking for Emmy’s size in those two colors. There were still different styles to choose from, but the narrowing down of colors helped tremendously. Once he’d chosen those items, he hurried to pick up the other things he knew Emmy would need immediately.

Thirty minutes later, he was back in his truck and on his way home. He paused, realizing that it had been years since he had been in such a hurry to get back.





Chapter 5


Emmy stood in the doorway of the master bedroom and looked inside with Sam beside her. The same rock that accented her bathroom walls had been used to create the fireplace. Massive, exposed beams ran along the ceiling, creating depth and giving the room dimension. A cream rug with vibrant colors through its design covered the wood floor. The king-sized bed sat against one wall with its tall headboard and simple, off-white comforter.

But it was the wall of windows showing off the picturesque mountains that caught her attention. She moved slowly into the bedroom to the two chairs and small table set before the windows. The leather chairs looked comfortable, but she didn’t want to sit and put her back to such grandeur.

Having lived in Denver her entire life, she was used to mountains—or so she thought. This view was breathtaking.

She forced herself to turn away from the windows and looked for the door to the bathroom. Her mouth dropped open when she saw it. The floor had been covered in various-sized travertine tiles. One wall was wood with two darker wood vanities. The counters were a deep gray and black quartz with white rectangular sinks.

The shower was an open-concept design with rocks of various dark colors. There was even a rock seat in the stall, along with a rain showerhead above and two other showerheads on either side. She turned and spotted the freestanding soaking tub on the opposite wall with a leather chair next to it. And next to it was the hamper. Emmy glanced into the tub, thinking how great it would feel to relax in there with a glass of wine. Then her gaze moved to the shower as she wondered which showerhead Dwight preferred.

The minute that thought went through her mind, she grabbed the wicker hamper and carried it to the laundry room as Sam trotted beside her. But if she thought that would get her mind off Dwight, she was wrong. Lifting out each piece of clothing only made her think of him more.

Somehow, she got through it and tossed her load into the dryer as she put his in the washer. She turned it on, then quickly went back to dusting the other bookshelf. Sam lay down before the fireplace and rested his head on his paws as he watched her.

When she finished, she put away the duster and went to the sofa, sinking into it, surprised that it was so comfortable. Sam walked to her and stared until she patted the couch for him to jump up.

“I hope you’re allowed up here,” she told him. “If you aren’t, I’m blaming you.”

In response, the dog plopped down beside her and rested his head in her lap. Emmy ran her fingers through his soft fur. She loved dogs. She had always wanted one, but her schedule had never allowed it. She didn’t think it fair to leave a dog inside an apartment all day. Now, however, she was getting her fill of having a dog—and she feared she would never be without one again.

Her lids grew heavy. Emmy didn’t fight to keep her eyes open. She leaned her head back while continuing to pet Sam. She found herself comforted. As she lay there contemplating the peace she felt, she realized that it wasn’t just one thing. It wasn’t just the ranch. It wasn’t just Sam. It wasn’t just Dwight. It was a combination of all three, and it had somehow eased the huge stress ball she’d been carrying around.