Home For a Cowboy Christmas(24)

After dinner, the three cleaned the kitchen together before making their way outside to sit beneath the heaters and stare at the mountain. Dwight had a glass of bourbon while the girls had another glass of wine.

“I always forget how quiet it is here,” Vic said into the silence.

Emmy nodded. “There are times during the day when I’m alone that I swear I can hear my heart beating. I never thought I was caught up in the rat race in Denver, but this proves that I was.”

“Oh, I know I get caught up. Too easily, in fact. I should come back more.” Victoria met Dwight’s gaze and gave him a sad smile.

He reached over and placed his hand atop hers. “You have a life in Billings. A job. You do what you have to do. The ranch and I will always be here whenever you want to come and relax.”

Victoria made a sound in the back of her throat. “As if you let me relax. You put me to work.”

“Which relaxes you,” he replied with a grin.

She rolled her eyes. “I hate when you’re right.”

Dwight looked over to find Emmy smiling at them. “We’re on our best behavior in front of you.”

“I don’t believe that. I think this is how you are all the time.”

Vic raised her brows as she looked at Dwight. “She sees past your bullshit. One of the reasons I’ve come to adore her.”

“I’ve done nothing,” Emmy said. “Look at what you did for me. A stranger, no less. I’ve never known anyone with such a big heart.”

“I got to shop. That’s all it was.”

Dwight shook his head. “Now who’s dishing the bullshit.”

Emmy laughed and pointed at Vic. “See? I told you. You’ve got a huge heart. Seriously, though. You’ll never know how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me.”

“They’re just clothes,” Vic said with a shrug.

Dwight knew his sister was getting uncomfortable with the praise, but she needed to hear it. “It was more than clothes. Take the compliment, Vic. You deserve it.”

“And much more than that,” Emmy added.

Vic raised her eyes and twisted her lips. “All right. If you both insist.”

Silence returned as the three turned back to their thoughts. It was a comfortable quiet, though.

After a few moments, Dwight said, “This is nice.”

“The very best,” Emmy said in a soft voice.

Dwight looked at her, wondering what she was thinking. He felt his sister’s gaze and turned his head to her.

Vic gave him another knowing look. Then she said, “Being away from people is nice, but it can become isolating, especially if you’re alone.”

She was not so subtly telling him that he needed to start dating to find someone to spend his life with. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried. Though, in truth, he hadn’t tried all that hard. It was easy to put dating on the back burner when the ranch had plenty to keep him busy. On nights when he got lonely, he buried himself in a book or work. Before he knew it, years had passed since he had come to the ranch. Years of being alone, except for the men who worked for him and Vic’s occasional visits.

Then, out of the blue, Emmy had arrived. A beautiful woman who was undoubtedly appealing. If the timing were different, he might have let his attraction be known. But Emmy didn’t need a lover. She needed someone who could watch her back and ensure that those after her never found her. What kind of ass would he be if he put her in a position where she felt as if she had to be his lover to be protected?

The thought made him sick to his stomach.

“I think I’m going to turn in,” Emmy said as she got to her feet. “Good night.”

Vic smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“’Night,” Dwight replied and forced himself not to watch her walk away.

After the door had shut behind Emmy, Dwight figured he had to the count of five before Vic started talking.

He only got to two before she said, “I see the way you look at her.”

“Oh? How is that?”

“The wanting way.”

He shrugged without looking at Vic. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a woman.”

“Ewww. I didn’t want to know that.”

“Then you shouldn’t have pressed.”

“You know what I meant.”

Dwight blew out a breath before meeting Vic’s gaze. “Is she gorgeous? Without a doubt. But she isn’t here on vacation. She’s running for her life.”

“I know. That doesn’t mean there can’t be something between the two of you.”

“Of course there could be. Anything is possible. But I’m not going to put her in a position where she thinks she has to be with me.”

Victoria rolled her eyes. “She has a mind of her own.”

“She’s also been traumatized. What you saw when you frightened her is just the tip of the iceberg. She had a gun to her head, Vic. The guy was about to pull the trigger when Dalton arrived.”

“Emmy told me the whole story.”

Dwight frowned briefly. Even he didn’t know all of it. Dalton had told him the basics, which was really all he needed to know to do his duty.

“There’s no doubt that she’s scared and wary and wondering if each second might be her last. The thing is, big brother, chances don’t come around very often. You are isolated here. Mostly by choice, I know. But it’s a fact. Now you have an amazing woman in your home. She may not feel anything toward you. But what if she does? What if something develops?”