Home For a Cowboy Christmas(87)

“The city girl who hadn’t minded the cowboy,” he murmured. “At least, for a time.”

He briefly closed his eyes as he blew out a breath. Then he grabbed his bag and got out of the truck. As he walked around the cabin, he saw the smoke from the chimney. He clenched his teeth. The last thing he wanted to deal with was some hunters who had inadvertently gotten onto his land and decided to make themselves at home in the cabin.

Zane threw open the door, ready to demand that whoever was there get out when his gaze landed on a familiar petite blonde, her blue eyes locked on him.

“Cady,” he said, feeling as if he’d just been kicked in the gut. He dropped his bag, shock causing him to blink to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. “What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you, cowboy. You took your sweet time.”





Chapter 12


He was there. Cady fought not to run to him and throw her arms around him. His stunned expression told her nothing as he stood in the open door. She shifted her feet nervously. The instant she’d heard the truck, she had gotten to her feet, waiting anxiously for his arrival.

“I was out,” Zane said offhandedly.

“Somewhere nice?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Austin. Looking for you.”

She was so shocked, she could only stare at him. Then she rushed to him and threw her arms around him. He caught her, holding her tightly as his mouth descended on hers. They kissed as if they had been apart for years instead of days.

Zane kicked the door shut behind him and tore off his coat. He lifted her so that she could wrap her legs around his waist. Cady knocked off his Stetson as he walked to the sofa and sat on the edge. He ended the kiss and pulled back to look at her.

She ran her hands down his face. “You went to Austin?”

“You came here?”

“I had things I needed to tell you.”

He quirked a brow. “Oh?”

“I did promise to tell you why I’m scared of horses.”

“You did.”

“And you promised to tell me your story.”

He shifted her so that she sat sideways and could lean against the arm of the sofa. “I suppose you know who I am, who my family is?”

“I do now.”

“I should’ve told you.”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I was with someone once. I fell pretty hard for her, and it was only after I learned of her cheating that I found out she was only with me for my money.”

“It made you distrust women,” Cady said softly. “I understand that. I would do the same.”

His gold eyes held hers solemnly. “That’s my story. As simple as it is.”

“There’s nothing simple about that. She deceived you on multiple fronts. That is a lot for anyone to take.”

He linked her hand with hers. Cady looked at their entwined fingers.

“Your fear?” he prodded.

She smiled and lifted her gaze to his. “I was thirteen. A friend, Amy, had several horses and had a party one weekend. The girls stayed over, but the boys left at midnight. There was this new kid in school, and I liked him.”

Zane chuckled. “You wanted to impress him.”

“I did. When he asked if I could ride, I said yes, knowing I’d never sat on a horse before. A girl I didn’t get along with heard me and dared me to get on one. At that point, I was stuck. I couldn’t get out of it without looking a fool and admitting that I’d lied—which is what I should’ve done.”

“Instead, you got on the horse, didn’t you?” he asked with a smile.

“Amy took pity on me and got one of the oldest horses they had. Getting up on that tall horse took everything I had, but I did it. All would’ve been fine, but the girl I didn’t get along with knew I lied, and she wanted to prove it. After I was on top of the horse, she slapped his back leg, and he took off running. There hadn’t been a saddle, so there was nothing for me to hold onto. All I remember is the wind in my face and screaming. Next thing I knew, I was on the ground.”

“I’m really not liking the girl who did this. What’s her name? We should pay her a visit.”

Cady laughed and kissed him. “It’s fine.”

“It isn’t. You could’ve been seriously injured, or worse.”

“I know. Trust me. After my parents made sure I was safe, I got a stern lecture from them as well as Amy’s parents. We all did.”

Zane brought their hands to his mouth as he kissed the back of her hand. “Yet you still got on Brego.”

“Because of you. I knew even then that you’d never let anything happen to me.”

“I wouldn’t. I won’t,” he vowed.

Cady licked her lips and glanced away. “I don’t know what this is between us. What I do know is that it felt wrong being away from you.”

“It did,” he said with a nod.

“We’ve both been hurt. It would be easy to walk away and close ourselves off to any possibilities. But I want to see where this goes. I want to know if this could be a forever love.”

He ran the back of his finger down her cheek. “I feel alive when I’m with you, and I know that I would rather be with you than anywhere else. In a few days’ time, you’ve captured my heart and soul. You’ve given me a glimpse of what life could be, and I want more. With you.”