Home For a Cowboy Christmas(78)

She nodded and ran her hands over his chest. “Exceedingly so.”

“Is that right?”

“Very much so,” she said as she tugged him down atop her.

He braced himself on his forearms and stared into her blue eyes. “You’re the most unusual and amazing woman I’ve ever met. On top of that, you’re absolutely stunning.”

Her eyes softened as she smiled sweetly. “Keep talking like that, and I may never let you leave this cabin.”

“I’d be okay with that.”

He rolled to the opposite side of the popcorn bowl and brought her with him. They grew quiet as they lay in each other’s arms. Zane listened for the storm, but to his surprise, it had tapered off sometime during the day as they were otherwise engaged. When the storm passed, there would be no reason for her to stay.

Sure, they had said a lot to each other, but the truth was that they had different lives in different states. This chance encounter was simply that. It didn’t mean anything more. It couldn’t. He wouldn’t move from Wyoming, and Cady wouldn’t move from Texas. And why would they? They barely knew each other.

“You’re thinking.”

Her words startled him. “What?”

“I can literally hear your brain,” she said with a smile. “I bet if I looked at your face, you’d be frowning.”

Zane instantly smoothed his expression. “I might have been frowning.”

She laughed.

“Do you not think?” he asked.

“I did admit a few minutes ago that I overthink everything.”

“Do you mind if I ask what you’re thinking about?”

She was silent for a heartbeat. “I’m thinking how weird it is that I was irritated to be holed up here with you, only to find that today has been the most incredible day of my life. I’m not just saying that, either. It’s like a reset button was pushed. So much has become clear to me, and it isn’t just about my job. It’s about me in general.”

“I’ll admit, meeting you certainly has changed my way of thinking. I’ve dreaded this holiday for years, but you’ve made it special. You’ve made it something I’ve not only enjoyed but will also remember for the rest of my life.”

Cady lifted her head to smile at him. “Really?”

“Really,” he stated emphatically.

She smiled as she leaned forward to kiss him. “I’m glad you found me.”

“Me, too,” he said as he hugged her tightly.

They remained like that for several minutes. When Cady got up to get something to drink, Zane decided he should go check on Brego.

“I won’t be long,” he told Cady.

She lowered the water bottle. “I think I might jump in the shower.”

It felt natural for Zane to walk to her and kiss her before heading out. It wasn’t until he was in the barn petting Brego that he realized what he had done. He might have only met Cady a little over twenty-four hours ago, but he felt as if he’d known her for his entire life.

Once he was satisfied that Brego was fine, Zane walked back to the cabin. Snow flurries still fell, but the wind had died completely. By morning, the snow would have likely stopped. Zane could make an excuse to keep them there on Christmas day, but he didn’t want to do that to Cady. Not only would it be deceptive, but it was also unfair. She hadn’t asked to be trapped in Wyoming. She wanted to go home, and he would see that she got there.

He stomped his feet to get the snow off before going inside and removing his boots, hat, and coat. The shower was still on, so he tended to the fire and picked up the beer and water bottles from earlier, as well as the bowl of popcorn.

Zane was contemplating dinner when the water cut off. It wasn’t long before Cady came out in the sweats he’d loaned her earlier and a towel on her head.

She smiled when she saw him. “I feel better.”

“I’m going to jump in.”

“Everything okay with Brego?”

“He’s cozy and well fed,” he replied.

Steam still hung in the air of the bathroom. He let the water heat before he got in and washed his body and hair. He didn’t linger since the water heater wasn’t a large tank, and he didn’t want to be caught in a cold shower.

The instant he opened the door, a delicious aroma assaulted him. Zane walked out with a towel around his waist and looked into the kitchen. Cady’s blond locks hung damp around her as she hummed while chopping garlic.

“It smells great,” he said.

She glanced at him, then did a double-take when she saw his towel. “The least I can do is cook for you.”

“I certainly won’t complain.”

Zane put on clean clothes and hung his towel before joining Cady in the kitchen. He looked over her shoulder onto the stove to see that she had the iron skillet out with steaks on one side and potatoes on the other.

“What are you cooking?”

“Garlic butter steak and potatoes.”

His stomach growled in hunger at the smells. “Is it nearly done?”

“Depends on how you like your steak,” she said with a laugh.

“The rarer, the better.”

“Then they’re done.”

She had to use both hands to move the heavy skillet to another burner. Zane got out the plates and utensils while she finished turning the potatoes and let the meat rest. She plated his food, giving him the biggest steak and a large helping of the diced potatoes.