Home For a Cowboy Christmas(67)

Cady’s hand shook as she lifted it to Zane, who gripped it firmly.

“Good girl. Now, put your foot in the stirrup,” he directed.

Now that he had a hold of her, she knew he wouldn’t let go. Cady saw that his foot was out of the stirrup. She had to move closer to the horse to lift her leg high enough to get her foot into the loop. The instant she did, Zane pulled her up and turned her so that she sat across his lap.

She gasped to find herself within the confines of his arms. Very strong, very able arms. She glanced at him, but he didn’t spare her a look as he clicked to the horse, and they set out. When Brego began walking, she tightened her arms on her purse that she had situated in her lap and tried not to think about being so high off the ground.

“Easy. She’s adjusting.”

Cady shot Zane a glare when she realized that he was soothing the horse and not her.





Chapter 2


City people. Zane couldn’t stand them.

They came to Wyoming in droves, and it infuriated him. Companies were buying up huge swaths of land, cutting trees and putting up electrical grids and water plants. If anyone balked, these new players would say they were getting most of their electricity from wind turbines. Turbines that were eyesores in the once-stunning wilderness.

The woman was no different. Zane flattened his lips as he thought about Cady. Who came out to Wyoming in a pair of heels and dress pants? Her coat was laughable. She had no gloves, scarf, or anything to cover her head. It was like she was asking to die of hypothermia.

Zane knew the moment he saw the vehicle’s flashers that he would find trouble. He just hadn’t expected a petite blonde with blue eyes that reminded him of the summer sky. Though, he had to admit there had been real terror in her gaze when she saw Brego. He knew some people were afraid of horses, but he’d never encountered anyone until today.

He had pushed her hard to get on Brego. Probably too hard, if he were honest. But he didn’t want to get caught in the storm. Had she not taken his hand, Zane had been prepared to haul her up regardless. She had been out in the weather too long already. If the storm caught them, he wasn’t sure if she would make it or not, especially not wearing the right clothing.

The look she had given him when he calmed Brego made him want to smile. He’d had to bite his tongue to hold it in. She had spunk. He’d give her that.

Her breathing was ragged, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she gripped her purse as if her life depended on it. Zane glanced at her face, but she had it turned away from him.

“You’re going off the road,” she said in a tight voice.

“It’s the quickest way to my place.”

Her breath billowed past her lips in short bursts. “Th-the horse could step in a hole or off a mountain.”

Zane didn’t bother to mention that they were on a mountain, and there were no cliffs nearby. “Brego knows the way. So do I. We travel this often. Cady, you need to even your breathing. You’re going to hyperventilate.”

“I haven’t … done that … since fourth grade.”

He put a finger on her chin and turned her head to him. He hated that he enjoyed gazing into her eyes so much. They were such a unique blue. Not bright, not dark, but a fathomless color somewhere in between that sucked him in with one look.

“The cold is getting to you.”

She closed her eyes. “I’m tired.”

Zane pulled her tighter against him so she could share his body heat. “Try to stay awake.”

“I just wanted to go home,” she murmured. “It’s Christmas. Home to an empty house. Bastard.”

He frowned, unsure if she was calling him a bastard or if it was her confusion since her words were beginning to slur. He needed to keep her awake. The best way to do that was to keep her talking. “Where is home?”

“Austin.”

He should’ve known. Now that she said it, he recognized the Texas drawl. “What are you doing in Wyoming?”

“Business.” She snorted, though she kept her eyes closed. “Another bastard. Always making me take jobs he doesn’t want. N-not anymore. I’m going to quit.”

Zane smiled despite himself. “You might feel differently once you get warm.”

She shook her head, then leaned it against him. “You’re warm.”

“Cady,” he said, gently shaking her when she grew quiet. “Talk to me. What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a bloodsucking lawyer.” She issued a soft bark of laughter at that, then sighed. “That’s what everyone says behind my back.”

Zane wasn’t sure what to make of this woman. She could irritate him and then make him smile the next second. “I’m sure not everyone calls you that.”

“Everyone who isn’t a lawyer.”

He glanced at the sky. “I’m afraid you won’t get home for Christmas. The storm is supposed to be a big one.”

She shrugged. “Don’t want to be in the house by myself anyway. Bastard.”

That was the second time she had said that after talking about home. “Who’s the bastard?” It was none of his business, but damn if Zane’s curiosity wasn’t piqued.

“Jared,” she answered without hesitation. “Cheating bastard.”