Secret-Santa Cowboy: The Buckskin Brotherhood Read online

  “Don’t have to shovel. I’ll just put it in reverse and I should be able to back right out of the drift.”

  “That’s great.”

  He set down the flashlight by the door. “You might not want that kiss, after all. Just that short time out there and my jacket’s—”

  “I do want that kiss.” She wasted no time moving in and wrapping her warm arms around his neck. “I can handle a little chill.”

  “Okay, then.” He pulled her close. “Damn, you feel good. I’m going to miss you today.”

  “I’ll miss you, too.” She welcomed the press of his mouth, opening to him and inviting him to go deeper.

  He couldn’t resist. His tongue sought her familiar warmth and his body tightened in response. If he kept this up, he’d be hard and ready in two minutes.

  With a frustrated moan, he lifted his head. “If I don’t leave now, I’ll—”

  “Go.” She wiggled out of his arms and gave him a little push. “Get out of here.”

  He sighed and reached for the door. “See you tonight. With the tree.”

  “If there’s no wind, I’ll leave the door unlocked.”

  “And you’ll be waiting for me upstairs?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Fire licked at his privates. “See you then.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The power came on five minutes after Leo’s truck pulled away. Fiona glanced around. Between the light spilling down the stairway and the security lights set into the baseboards of the shop, she would have come face-to-face with him.

  And chances were excellent that the sexy, adventuresome lover she’d shown him tonight would have reverted to the tongue-tied, awestruck wimp he’d had dinner with at the Moose. She wasn’t about to let that transformation happen.

  She still couldn’t see out any of her windows, but now that the heat was on the ice would start to melt and the sun would finish the job. Snowplows rumbled down her street, scraping snow from the pavement. Soon the work crews would be out shoveling the walkways.

  Looked like businesses would be open, including hers. Normally everything closed on Sundays, but the town council had recently relaxed the rules for Christmas week.

  She’d be open from ten to five today. And she’d be meeting Beth and Eva for coffee at Cup of Cheer at twelve-thirty so they could hear about Operation Santa.

  Eva had the day off at Tres Beau Salon, but Beth and Fiona couldn’t afford more than a thirty-minute break this time of year. They’d agreed to eat their usual quick lunch at their respective shops first. But thirty minutes at Cup of Cheer wouldn’t be nearly enough considering the news she had to share.

  Climbing the stairs to her apartment, she walked into her bedroom and turned on the horseshoe lamp. She’d never look at it the same way again.

  Or the bed, or the sheets. She stripped them off and breathed in the heady aroma of hot sex and citrus cologne. Her core clenched. Oh, yeah, she wanted to hold onto this fantasy as long as possible.

  Tossing the sheets in the washer, she headed for the shower. It would be another two-shower day and that was fine with her. Oh. Her phone. She walked through her apartment naked, something she’d never done before, to retrieve it.

  She charged it in the bathroom so she could play Mannheim Steamroller while she showered and washed her hair. She’d never listen to their music the same way again, either.

  Technically she should be tired. Instead, energy flowed through her and she hummed along with the music. He would be back tonight. Tonight.

  Was this how life had been for Winifred Barton when she’d received nightly visits from her secret lover? But Leo wasn’t a secret. No doubt their relationship would be common knowledge at the Buckskin Ranch by the end of the day. From there the news would spread to the Babes, who watched over the men of the Brotherhood like proud aunties.

  But a rendezvous in the dark added mystery and an extra dose of erotic pleasure. Reading Miss Barton’s journal had opened Fiona’s eyes to the possibilities for spicing up an affair. Audacious outfits made no sense in the dark, but that saucy lady had hinted at various other ways she’d tantalized her lover. Racy Lace had some of those items.

  As she was drying off and singing along to Carol of the Bells, Leo’s text came through. She grabbed the phone eagerly.

  Made it back safely. Miss you already. Nick said Eva’s having coffee with you and Beth. Will you tell them?

  She texted right back. Yes. I’ll ask Beth if she has anything interesting that we could have fun with. Would you like that?

  You’re torturing me.

  She sent him a smiley face. Then a face blowing a kiss.

  My phone doesn’t have emojis for what I’m thinking.

  Her skin flushed. Mine, either. See you at 8.

  Count on it.

  The text exchange powered her through her morning routine and a flood of last-minute Christmas shoppers. She ate a quick lunch of tomato soup and crackers. At twenty-five minutes past noon, she hung her Will Return clock face sign on her window and set the hands for one.

  Bundling up in a coat, scarf, hat, gloves and snow boots, she cut diagonally across the square toward Cup of Cheer on the opposite corner. The untrammeled snow from early morning was now a series of footpaths. A snowman sat in a cleared space near the gazebo.

  Halfway there, Beth called out for her to wait. Fiona paused as her friend hurried across the snow, her cheeks rosy from the cold.

  “How was it?” Beth tugged her furry hat over her ears. “Did you have a good time?”

  “Obviously you haven’t talked to Eva.”

  “No.” She frowned. “Did something go wrong?”

  Fiona laughed. “Something went right. Very, very right. I’ll tell you when we get there.”

  “Wow, I can’t wait to hear. Did Clark Smith turn out to be a fun guy?”

  “You could say that.” She waved to Eva, who stood by the front door of the coffee shop. “Hey, go grab us a table!”

  Eva gave her a thumbs-up and ducked inside. She was holding down a spot by the window when they came in. “Just get me a peppermint cappuccino. I’ll hold our spot.”

  Fiona nodded. “Will do.”

  Eva pulled off the stocking cap, revealing her trademark blue hair, and flashed her a big smile. “Way to go, by the way.”

  “Way to go?” Beth stuffed her gloves in her pocket. “What happened last night?”

  “Why don’t you give me your order, too? That way you can get the info from Eva.”

  Beth dug in her wallet. “I’ll have what Eva’s having.”

  “Put your money away. I’m in a buying mood.”

  “Okay, then.” Beth’s gray eyes gleamed with interest. “See you in a bit.” She hurried over to join Eva.

  A minute later a loud oh, my God made Fiona smile. Giggles and low murmurs followed. She glanced over her shoulder and gave them a wave. Wearing huge grins, they waved back.

  She turned toward the counter as the couple in front of her finished their order and moved over to the pickup window. “Oh, my goodness!” She smiled at Isabel, the shop’s owner, who was due to deliver her baby girl any day. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Isabel returned her smile. “I’d rather be at the shop accomplishing something than hanging around the house waiting for Cleo Marie to show up.”

  “Makes sense. How are you feeling?”

  “Large. Very large. What can I get for you?”

  “Three peppermint cappuccinos, please.”

  Isabel relayed the order and rang it up. “Henri’s already written in the journal Ben got at your shop yesterday.”

  “She has?” She handed Isabel cash and took her change.

  “She took a picture of her first entry and texted it to me. Dear Cleo Marie, Get the lead out, girl. I’m chewing nails waiting for you. Buckets of love, Gramma Henri.”

  Fiona laughed. “What fun.”

  “And what a loving thing to do. She’s my rock. My parents should have been here
by now, but all flights out of SeaTac are grounded by a massive storm.”

  “Aww, I’m sorry.”

  “They’ll make it eventually, but in the meantime, I have the Buckskin gang and the Babes.”

  “And CJ.”

  Isabel chuckled. “Poor guy’s a nervous wreck. Good thing he has the Brotherhood.”

  “Yep, they’re awesome.” Especially Leo. She glanced at the pickup counter. “Looks like my order’s up. I hope Cleo Marie makes her entrance soon.”

  “Thanks. Me, too.”

  Fiona put the three steaming mugs on a tray and carried them to the table. Her friends had their heads together, clearly enjoying a conversation they didn’t want overheard. They both glanced up when she arrived.

  “What a story, Fi,” Beth said. “I should have known there was something fishy when Ben handed the job to somebody we’ve never heard of.”

  “I knew the plan from the get-go.” Eva looked smug. “Nick told me all about it when he came home from the wrapping party at the Moose. But I wasn’t allowed to tell.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t.” Fiona passed out the drinks and pulled up a chair. “That would have ruined it, and he did an amazing job maintaining the disguise. I didn’t guess until he took off the hat and the beard.”

  “But are you going to keep him literally in the dark?” Eva wrapped her hands around her mug. “Nick told me that was the agreement, but—”

  “I don’t see how you can keep that up.” Beth leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Men are visual creatures, if you know what I mean.”

  “He says he’s okay with it, and when I can’t see him, I’m…” She dropped her voice, too. “I’ve never been this uninhibited with a man. It really works for me.”

  Eva nodded. “Then stick to the program. At least for the time being.”

  “I plan to. I feel like I’m channeling Winifred Barton, in a way, although sexy nightwear makes no sense in the dark.” She turned to Beth. “I’d like to check out some of your other fun stuff, maybe tonight after you close.”

  “Absolutely. We’ll make a private party of it.”

  “What a great idea, Fi,” Eva said. “Would it be okay if I came over, too?”

  “I’d love having both of you there. I’ve never tried to be a temptress before. I could use some advice.”

  “You must be doing a decent job so far. Nick says Leo’s on cloud nine today.”

  “So am I.” Her cheeks heated. “I can’t stop thinking about him.”

  Beth’s forehead puckered. “Do you picture his face? Because I would think—”

  “I don’t picture his face.”

  Her friends cracked up.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean it that way. I think about… well, okay, maybe I do think about what you think I’m thinking about.”

  Beth wiped tears from her cheeks. “I think you’re going to be our entertainment for the holidays, Fi. I’m so looking forward to watching how this unfolds.”

  “That makes two of us.” Eva leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Listen, slight change of subject. Adele, the funeral director, came in for her hair appointment this morning and we got to talking about Winifred. I might have a clue about her secret lover.”

  Fiona sucked in a breath. “Awesome.”

  “Last Christmas Day, someone put a holiday wreath on Winifred’s grave. Adele spotted it on the twenty-sixth when she went back to work.”

  “Sounds like a clue to me,” Beth said. “The last entry in her journal was on Christmas Day.”

  “I thought of that, too.” Eva gazed at her. “In my mind, that Christmas was the end of their affair. Unless she just got sick of keeping the journal.”

  “I think we all know that’s unlikely.” Excitement tightened Fiona’s chest. “I’ll bet he’s still alive. That was the first Christmas after she died. What if he does it again this year?”

  “That’s what Adele wondered.” Eva took a sip of her coffee. “But since she has no idea about the journal or the secret lover, it’s just idle curiosity on her part and she’s not going to stake out the gravesite on Christmas.”

  “But I might.”

  “Are you kidding, Fi?” Eva’s eyes widened. “You’d spend Christmas in a graveyard?”

  “Only a tiny bit of it. Assuming this is her secret lover, he doesn’t want to be seen and he’s elderly so he might not like to drive at night. That leaves dawn and dusk. I could go over at sundown. If he’s been there, I’ll know to arrive before dawn next year. If there’s no wreath, I’ll wait to see if he shows up.’”

  “Good thinking,” Eva said. “Since they were evening lovers, my bet would be dusk.”

  “Makes sense,” Beth said. “I’d go with you, except Jared and I are—”

  “I wouldn’t dream of interfering with your Christmas plans. I’ll handle this.”

  “I’ll be having dinner with Nick and the rest of the Buckskin gang.” Eva held her gaze. “Now that you’re with Leo, you’ll probably be invited.”

  “I didn’t think of that.” She shoved down an attack of nerves. “I’ll burn that bridge when I come to it. But I plan to be at the cemetery at twilight.”

  Beth finished off her cappuccino. “What if he shows up? Will you talk to him?”

  “I don’t want to intrude on his private moment, but once I know who he is, I think we should give him the journal at some point.”

  “You should be the one to give it to him,” Eva said. “You’ve done all the digging into back issues of the Gazette.”

  “I agree.” Beth nodded. “Besides, he might be embarrassed that someone’s been privy to those intimate moments he shared with Winifred. You don’t have to tell him all three of us read the journal.”

  “No reason to. My idea was to approach him between Christmas and New Year’s.”

  Beth looked at her. “You think you know who it is, don’t you?”

  “Yes, but I might be on the wrong track. And the person who left the wreath could be one of her women friends who remembers how she used to decorate that beautiful Victorian for the holidays.”

  “She sure did.” Eva’s face lit up. “I was going to surprise you guys but I can’t stand the suspense. When you come over on the twenty-third, you’ll be treated to so many vintage decorations. They were stored in three of the boxes Nick lugged down from the attic.”

  “Oh, right, we’re getting together on the twenty-third.” Leo had driven that event right out of her head.

  Beth smiled. “Think you can make it? Or will you be otherwise occupied?”

  “I can make it. I just—”

  “Don’t worry, Fi. We’ll wrap up early.” Eva gave her a wink.

  “Look, I don’t want you to change the plans for me.”

  “Why not? The Brotherhood’s having their traditional guys-only celebration at the bunkhouse that night, but these days, they’re all eager to get back to the women in their lives. That includes Leo.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The first major blizzard of the winter meant snow removal by tractor and shovel was the order of the day at the Buckskin. Leo relished the hard labor. It didn’t keep him from missing Fiona, but it relieved the tension missing her produced.

  The long day ended with a cherished tradition—a snowball fight in the meadow behind the fire pit. The teams had been established years ago—Matt, Jake and Rafe, aka the Cow Patties, versus CJ, Nick and Leo, the Horse Apples. Seth had been the somewhat impartial referee for snowball fights, and like most referees, he’d taken a fair share of abuse.

  Garrett had volunteered to handle the job, but Leo had his doubts that kind, soft-spoken Garrett could deal with it. He’d kept his opinion to himself as Garrett reviewed the rules with Matt, captain of the Cow Patties, and CJ, captain of the Horse Apples.

  When they returned to their respective bunkers, Leo took Garrett aside. “You don’t have to do it. You can have my spot on the Horse Apples and I’ll referee.”

  Garrett smiled. “But I want to referee
.” He’d weather-proofed his Stetson and tied it on with a length of rawhide, copying everyone else’s method of protection.

  “Just warning you. We’ll question your calls. We gave Seth all kinds of grief. But he was used to it. You—”

  “I was Seth’s replacement so it makes sense for me to take over this job.”

  Matt leaned on the shovel he was using to heap more snow on his team’s bunker. “Hey, Leo, no bribing the ref.”

  “Just letting him know what he’s in for. I offered to take it, instead.”

  Matt nodded. “Noble of you, Leo. But seeing as how I have seniority, if anybody is taking over for Garrett, it’ll be me. If you’d rather be a Cow Patty, buddy, I’ll ref.”

  “Hey!” CJ called over. “Nice try, Matt. The Cow Patty captain making the calls? I think not. You—”

  “I’m taking the job.” Garrett raised his hand and silver flashed in the fading sunlight. “I have possession of Seth’s whistle and I know how to use it.”

  “Alrighty, then.” CJ went back to stockpiling ammunition. “Better get to work, Matt. It’s gonna take a lot of balls to win this thing.”

  “Big balls, baby-daddy,” Jake called over. “And we’ve got ’em.”

  “We start in one minute!” Garrett’s shout projected authority.

  Impressive shout. Leo had never heard Garrett raise his voice. Maybe he had the moxie to take command, after all.

  “Players, take your positions!”

  Leo crouched behind the four-foot mound of snow they’d created and glanced at Nick. “Didn’t know he could sound like a drill sergeant.”

  “I’m guessing there’s plenty we don’t know about Garrett. Matt wants to initiate him into the Brotherhood tomorrow night.”

  “Yeah?”

  “He thinks we should bring him in before Cleo Marie is born, so he can be an official uncle, too.”

  “I vote yes.”

  “Good. I’ll tell Matt.”

  “On my mark. Three, two, one.” Garrett blasted the whistle.

  Ears ringing from the whistle and the yelling, Leo grabbed snowball after snowball, firing them across the clearing as heads popped up behind the Cow Patty fort.