Christmas At Love House: Bittersweet Interlude (Bull Rider #3) Read online

  She took his hand to move him into the room. “Take a seat on the bench. Maybe after brunch, honey. That’s a lot of sugar at one time.”

  He lifted his snowy palms. “Half a candy cane?”

  Velia laughed to herself. “All right.” He had his way of getting to her at times. When Velia and Kase moved more into the room, her cousin backed into the doorway between the mudroom and short hallway to the kitchen. “Torre, how are you this morning? Looking forward to your trip with Caulder tomorrow?”

  “I’m good but still tired,” Torre answered. “Jet lag. For sure, I’m looking forward to bull riding with Caulder.”

  “No one said anything about bull riding, young man.” Velia knelt to remove Kase’s boots and snowsuit before he fell on his bottom trying to himself. After finishing with him, she removed her own jacket and hat, hung the coat on one of the eight coat pegs along the built-in opened closet with low cubbies on the bottom for Kase, and their hats on the wire shelf to dry.

  “But, Velia, it’s in my blood now—like Caulder, I tell you. It calls me.” Torre followed her to the kitchen where a round oak table sat with six high-back chairs, an island, and a long, L-shaped granite countertop with many cabinets on the top and bottom. He removed a cup and chose a bold pod to make a single cup of coffee.

  “Torre, I saw that coming years ago.” Though McCutchen blood didn’t run in his veins, he was correct. Bull riding had hooked him when he was fifteen years old. Her brother Bobby didn’t know it, but Torre practiced bull riding on the side at every opportunity. Caulder had let that slip by accident. “There you go,” Velia said to Kase. “All warmed up now. You go to the bathroom then we’ll eat.”

  Crouching, Torre grinned at Kase but didn’t get a reaction other than a quick glance to the floor.

  “He’s a little shy at first. Give him some time.” Velia took her son’s hand. “Let’s go, my little bambino. We should get the girls up, huh?”

  Kase ran into the bathroom ahead of her, pulled his zipper down on his jeans, and did what he had to do like a little man.

  “You’re growing up too fast.” Velia’s mouth went into a pout while brushing her hair in front of the oval mirror over the single bowl sink. He’d be riding bulls before long. Not if she could help it, but living on the edge had to be in his McCutchen genes.

  ***

  Early the next morning, Velia woke when Caulder leaned on the bed to kiss her. “I have to leave soon, babe.”

  “Mmm, the bed is so warm. Is our boy still sleeping?”

  Caulder dropped to the bed and rolled on top of her. He nuzzled her neck and lowered his lips to kiss her breasts. “I took a quick glance in Kase’s room when I woke Torre,” he mumbled between kisses and suckles. Without warning, he jumped out of bed. “I don’t have time to play with you this morning.”

  Velia pushed herself up and finger combed her hair to get it out of her face. The glimmer from the fireplace gave a warming glow to the room. She glanced out the large window overlooking the back acreage. “It’s not yet daylight. You’re leaving this early?”

  Caulder zipped his bag and set it by the door. “The weather’s getting bad, and I don’t want to miss my flight, if it even takes off on time.”

  “Give Foley a hug for me. He looked so worn out in October.” She searched for her robe, which was nowhere to be found.

  Caulder picked up her robe from beneath the covers on their king-sized sleigh bed and held it out with a smug grin on his face. “Looking for this? We made love on this sexy thing last night.”

  He made the cute little smirk he was known for when trying not to be naughty, yet couldn’t help it. That ran in his blood, too. “A pleasant reminder. I’ll miss your warmth in this bed tonight, cowboy.”

  “Make sure to use the electric blanket then pretend it’s me cuddled around you.”

  “Funny man.” In her walk-in closet, she donned a pair of shorty PJs and camisole top before removing a thick, yellow terry robe from a hanger, and slipped into it. “I’ll save the other one so I smell you on it while you’re gone…you know, while I’m cuddled alone under the blanket.”

  “Yeah, baby, you do that.” He took her by the shoulders and brought her close to wrap her in his arms. “I’ll try to convince Foley to come back with me. What’s one more, right? He probably will, knowing Natale is here. I’m still not sure what’s up with those two. Did you know they were hooked up on Facebook?”

  Sighing, she cuddled into his embrace. She laid her cheek against his flannel shirt, inhaling the subtle woodsy scent of his new aftershave. “Sì, I knew. Sounds wonderful about Foley. I’m glad he’s doing better after that last surgery on his leg eight months ago. I’ll pull Natale aside to see if I can pry some information from her. Ever since your win in Las Vegas, Foley is all she talks about.”

  “Well, it was our idea to take her to World Finals.” He slid his hands up her back to bring her closer. Nuzzling his face against her neck, he whispered, “Come on, let’s get some coffee. It should be ready now.”

  “You hug me like that and leave? Humph!” She grinned, teasing him. “Is Natale up? Last night she said she was an early riser, but they were all up late.” Velia took his hand and they walked down the elegant stairway together in their log home. In front of the window on the first landing, she stopped a moment to look out at daylight peeking over the horizon of the forested landscape. A honey sunrise greeted her to a view of blowing snow and silhouetted trees. “It’s already snowing hard.” She peered over her shoulder. “Please be careful.”

  Caulder lowered his bag to the floor and came back to embrace her from behind, speaking in a low voice beside her ear. “Darlin’, it’ll be fine. I ride burly bulls for a living, I can do snowy roads. That’s why I now drive that humungous four-wheel drive pickup truck I just won.”

  “Let’s hope so. It isn’t your driving that concerns me, but those other drivers who aren’t bull riders.” A sneaky grin directed toward him, brought a smile to his face. At the bottom of the stairs she stood on the first step and wrapped her arms around his shoulders when he stepped off. “Oklahoma seems so far away.”

  “I’m not staying more than a day. Sign papers for my forty-five percent share of Foley’s stock contracting business, then fly home. I’ll be back before my Aunt Judy and cousins arrive.”

  “Please try to convince Foley to return with you since his parents are out of the country. He shouldn’t spend the holidays alone. Seems like everyone is out of the country this Christmas.”

  “Maybe we will be next year. I’d say we’re due for a second honeymoon.” Caulder held her tight in his arms. “I’ll miss you, love. Let me get Torre going and grab that coffee so we can get on the road.”

  “What about breakfast? Let me fix you two something. A frittata?”

  “We’ll grab food on the way. Give my little guy a hug for me if he isn’t up before I leave.” He headed for the kitchen but came back to hug her again. “I love you, honey.”

  “I love you.” They entered the kitchen together. “Ciao! Good morning, Torre. How did you sleep?”

  “Like a dead log. I hope we didn’t wake you last night. Sì, Alba will complain if she doesn’t get her beauty rest. We laughed at the movie we watched until our guts were sore.”

  “Didn’t bother me a bit.” Velia winked at Caulder who had kept her busy for an hour after retiring to their bedroom. She was amazed at how good her cousins’ English had gotten in their four years in the United States. She’d be sure they didn’t forget their Italian heritage, though.

  The holidays were still hard and none of them talked about their father. They had become free from him forever. Velia would never verbally admit it to anyone how she loathed the man.

  “Come on, Torre, let’s get going.” Caulder messed up his dark mop of hair and Torre grinned, not like the young man he was, but like the adolescent he used to be a short time ago.

  “I’ll get you back for that. I’m almost as tall as you now, sì?” Torre at
tempted to do it back but didn’t get far before Caulder lovingly cuffed him on the head.

  He used his automatic start to get his truck warmed up. “You’re not even close to my height, kid. Some say you’d have an advantage over me in bull riding. You know, since I’m so much taller than you. Don’t believe it.” Caulder hugged Velia. “Take care of yourself, baby. Don’t forget, my parents are right down the road if you need anything.”

  “Down the road? By the way the horse trots.” She raised to her tiptoes to kiss him. “Be safe, amore mio.” She turned to give Torre a hug. Barely nineteen, she had to look up at him at about five-foot, nine-inches tall now. “I hope you never get too big for my hugs, kiddo.”

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “As long as you don’t do it around the girls. Capisco?” He raised an eyebrow to reiterate his point.

  “Understood.” Velia squeezed him tight. “You two take care of each other.”

  Caulder followed Torre to the door. “I love you,” he repeated before going out. “More than anything.”

  In reality, she hated to see him leave, but since he owned part of Foley’s business, finalizing paperwork had to be taken care of before the year ended. Velia was proud of him for doing this for Foley.

  Their future income wouldn’t be a problem since Caulder was also co-owner of his dad’s stock contracting company—McCutchen Bucking Bulls. They’d be all set when he retired, which usually came early in a bull rider’s life. She watched through the frost-edged window until he was out of sight. When Caulder forked over a huge check, he had told Foley he looked out for his own future. Of course, that was something he didn’t like to talk about, but time moved fast and the body of a bull rider aged quickly. Regardless, being part owner was a great idea, benefiting both he and Foley.

  Natale entered the kitchen.

  “Good morning,” said Velia with a big smile toward her cousin. “Did we wake you?”

  “Not at all.” Natale went straight for the coffee pot on the buffet—a family heirloom that sat across from the largest of the windows in the kitchen. Once the coffee was poured, she added cream into her mug and stood at the black and gray granite counter beside Velia.

  Velia pushed long hair over Natale’s shoulder. “You’ve grown into a stunning young lady, sweetie. I can’t believe you’re about to graduate high school in a matter of months. I’m glad you, Alba, and Torre came to visit us early for the holidays.”

  “Coming here is like a tradition now.”

  Velia brought a loaf of raisin bread to the oak table they’d purchased from an Amish dealer—the table, a lucky find that was a close match to the many cupboards. She motioned for Natale to have a seat. “I’m hoping Foley will come back with Caulder and Torre to hang around here a couple days. Maybe he’ll stay for Christmas if we can talk him into it.”

  Natale zoned out for a moment, her eyes nearly glazing over. “I think he’s coming.” She took a sip of coffee and stared into space, but a smile quirked her lips. “I had a big crush on him when I was fourteen. He was cute.” A look of seriousness replaced the smile. “Is he really doing okay? He doesn’t say much about his accident.” Natale sat and folded her legs up in the chair. “For a while I used to check the PBR website to see how he was doing, but they didn’t mention him too much after a time.”

  “The family wanted privacy while he recuperated. He’s doing well, and still cute. As you know, Natale, he will not ride again, at least not for competition at the professional level, but he rides on his own ranch.”

  “I know he does…I mean…”

  Velia shook her head. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea or not. Personally, I think he should count his blessings and make money with his bulls. He continues to travel the circuit, so we get to see him whenever his bulls are in the show.” She cocked her head and peered at Natale, not about to let this opportunity go. “What do you mean, you know?”

  “Perhaps, I’ll meet you at a show when he’s there. It has to be hard for you sometimes, to know the dangers Caulder lives with week to week. Do you ever get used to it?” Natale got up to get the cream cheese spread from the refrigerator and a knife from the drawer.

  Velia observed her on the way. My, my, she has grown up pretty. “Well, about how I get used to Caulder riding and the danger involved with his job… I’m on high alert during every show, but he does what he loves. Riding is something he has to do. After three near back-to-back championships, there’s no way Caulder’s ready to quit, so I have no choice but to get used to it.” Velia sighed and picked up a knife to slice the raisin bread. “Why are you avoiding my question about Foley?”

  “I don’t…know. Well, we connect on social media and email. We talk on the phone at times.”

  “Hmm, how come?”

  “He likes me, Velia. I like him a lot.” Natale diverted her eyes. “But you already know that.”

  “It was a suspicion that you still did. He’s five years older than you, Natale.” Well, in a way he was, at least chronologically. Mentally, though, was debatable.

  “Are you mad?”

  “No, honey, I’m not mad. Just curious. You’re eighteen years old now, considered an adult, but…” She’d let the subject drop. With her long, dark hair and brown-green eyes, she looked more like Velia’s sister than cousin. Her fit and toned body was attractive. American boys liked her Italian features.

  In fact, many boys from school offered to tutor Natale in English when she began school here. Caulder had warned her about those teen boys, too. Velia grinned to herself. He’d know what they were like. Velia’s brother Bobby fell into the father role or favorite uncle or cousin easily where the three were concerned. “You’ve sure become Americanized,” Velia stated when Natale took a seat back at the table.

  “Americanized?” Her gaze lifted to Velia and she held up the tub of cream cheese. “Because I like this on raisin bread? Eh, wait until you see me eat junk food.”

  “You don’t eat junk food and still look like that.” Velia slid her plate over for a helping of cream cheese, too.

  “I run, Velia…train for marathons or for fun. That’s how I stay fit.”

  “It shows.” Out the window overlooking the back into the wooded area, the snowfall was nearly blinding. “The weather’s looking treacherous out there. I hope it’ll be okay for Caulder’s cousins and aunt to fly in from Arizona, not to mention Caulder getting to Oklahoma and back.” She took out her phone to call him, but her call went to voice mail. He must’ve been out of range.

  “How many people are we expecting for the holidays, Velia? Good thing you have such a big house, and magnificent kitchen. Sì?”

  “Oh, sì, Caulder built this with family in mind. Our whole extended families included. That’s why you all have your own bedroom when you come to visit, separated by the Jack and Jill bathrooms, of course.” She stretched her arms way out to the side. “If everyone comes who was invited, let’s say it’ll be a lot of company. We’ll have to add two leaves to the dining room table. Typical Italian family, eh?”

  Alba appeared in the doorway, holding Kase’s little hand in hers. “Buongiorno. He woke up and came into my room.” She stood in flannel pajamas; her chin-length bob, messy and in her face. Her eyes matched her brother and sister’s.

  Kase ran toward Velia. “Ciao, mamma.”

  Velia bent forward to put a kiss on his cheek. Inhaling fabric softener from his freshly washed sheets, she squeezed him tight. “Good morning my little, darlin’.”

  “Is Dad gone?” he mumbled, climbing onto his booster seat at the table.

  “Daddy is gone, honey.” Velia poured apple juice into a cup and turned to the girls. “He’s so used to Caulder being here in the mornings, he doesn’t know what to think without him.” She nodded for Alba to take a seat at the table. “Can I get you something hot to drink? Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate? You two aren’t used to this cold weather anymore living in California. Our home is nice and cozy inside.”

  “Herbal tea? I ca
n get it, Velia. I’ll find it, but that raisin bread looks delizioso.” Alba, sixteen-now, headed for the antique china cabinet, a gift from Caulder’s grandmother Garnet. She grabbed a mug, then went to get a teabag, which was set in a short wicker basket on the countertop.

  “The raisin bread is good. I made it yesterday from mio madre’s recipe. You sit. Let me do for you. You’re my guest.” Velia gave Kase a piece of raisin bread and he managed to stuff too much into his mouth. “We’ll decorate the tree later. Thanks, girls, for helping Caulder get the lights on that big, old thing last night. The vaulted ceiling is high, but the tree appears so much bigger in the house.”

  “I’ve never seen a tree that big in a house,” said Alba with a chuckle afterwards. “Well, at the winery there is a huge one in the wine tasting room. I never saw log walls before, either, like you have here.”

  “These walls are part of the log house design, sweetie. Not upstairs though, as you know.” Velia laughed. “My brother loves Christmas and I’m surprised there isn’t a huge tree in each room out there in California.”

  “Give him time!” Alba took a seat beside Kase. “I love you, little guy.”

  Kase giggled. “Ti amo, Alba.”

  “Aw, thanks! What a sweet little bambino.” Alba brought out her phone to take a selfie of her and Kase.

  Velia eyed them out of the corner of her eye. Kase had no problem posing for a camera, and seemed pleased at getting attention from both girls. “Please don’t put that on social media, Alba. I try to keep him out of the limelight as much as I can.”

  “I won’t, Velia. Sorry.”

  “Not a problem, hon. He isn’t camera shy. Maybe because his mom is a photographer.” Velia rolled her eyes at herself and chuckled. “Since it’s just us girls, I thought we’d grab Caulder’s mom, and have pedicures. Kase will be happy to accompany his grandpa in the barns.” She winked at her son.

  “Me, Mom?”

  “Yes, darlin’.” Velia gave a proud smile, happy she had something to do with getting these kids to the United States four years ago and into a normal life. She needn’t worry about their future.