A Cowboy's Christmas Read online

  A Cowboy’s Christmas

  The McGavin Brothers

  Vicki Lewis Thompson

  A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS

  Copyright © 2017 by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  ISBN: 978-1-946759-31-3

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Ocean Dance Press, PO Box 69901, Oro Valley AZ 85737

  Cover art by Kristin Bryant

  Visit the author’s website: VickiLewisThompson.com

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  But Wait, There’s More!

  Also by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Five days before Christmas, Badger Calhoun waited for his flight out of Denver International to Bozeman, Montana. He got a kick out of watching the ebb and flow of the holiday crowd in the gate area. After spending ten years in war zones, he treasured the ordinariness of it.

  A tall blond in a fur-lined parka stood by the windows. She typed something into her phone before slipping it in her shoulder bag. Then she glanced his way. He smiled. She smiled back.

  It wasn’t a huge smile, but there was enough friendliness to it that she might be willing to chat until time to board. He didn’t take such opportunities for granted anymore. Then a guy in a business suit beat him to it.

  Oh, well. He who hesitates and all that. But he kept track of their interaction. As suit-guy made his opening gambit, she crossed her arms and stepped back.

  Must have been a lousy line to get that reaction. Clearly the dude couldn’t take a hint, though. He moved closer, invading her personal space. She was trapped against the window, out of room. She looked in Badger’s direction and sent him a clear message. Help.

  Hoisting his duffle crammed with Christmas gifts, he headed toward her. “Hey, darlin’, I’m so sorry. They were out of Ghirardelli so I didn’t get you anything.”

  “No worries.” Her expression relaxed into that gorgeous smile again. “I’ll survive.” She looked over at suit-guy. “If you’ll excuse us.”

  Pink stained his freshly-shaven cheeks as he moved away. “Sure, sure. I didn’t realize…didn’t mean to…you weren’t wearing a ring, so I…”

  “She will be soon.” Badger hooked an arm around her waist. Her height made for a nice connection even with the bulky parka in the way. “Come on, you. I struck out on the chocolate but we can still grab a cup of coffee before we take off.”

  “Sounds great.” She snuggled against him as they walked away. “Thank you. What an idiot. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. But I didn’t want to make a scene when everyone’s in such a holly jolly mood.”

  “Understandable.”

  “My name’s Hayley, by the way.”

  He glanced down at her. Blue eyes. He was partial to blue. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Hayley. I’m Badger.”

  “Badger? Like the animal?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She smelled good, too. Spicy.

  “Did your parents actually name you that?”

  “No, ma’am. The guys in my squadron came up with it. It stuck.”

  “Air Force?”

  “Yep.”

  “Pilot?”

  “Does it show?”

  “Kinda. There’s a certain swagger.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  “Not particularly. The Southern accent softens the effect.”

  “That’s a relief.” He paused next to the coffee stand and let go of her so he could pull his wallet out of his back pocket. “What’s your pleasure?”

  “Oh, you don’t have to—”

  “I know, but I hate drinkin’ alone and I need caffeine to maintain my swagger.”

  She laughed. “All right. Thank you. I’ll take a small latte.” Her phone chimed. “Excuse me. I’d better respond to this.” She stepped out of line and retrieved her phone.

  By the time he approached with her latte and his black coffee, she was finishing up her text. “My mother.” She put away her phone. “She’s loading up the social calendar and I’m trying to rein her in. Never easy.” She murmured her thanks as she took the coffee.

  “You’re headin’ home?”

  “I am.” She glanced up at him. “Judging from that Southern drawl, I’ll take a wild guess you’re not.”

  “No, ma’am. Visitin’ an Air Force buddy in Eagles Nest.”

  “Eagles Nest? That’s where my parents live!”

  “No kiddin’?”

  “My dad’s a minister. The church transferred him about…let me think. Wow, they’ve been in Eagles Nest seven years. It’s a small town, so they probably know your friend. Who is it?”

  “Ryker McGavin.”

  “I’ve heard the name McGavin.” She flushed. “Probably from my mother, especially if Ryker’s single.”

  “Wouldn’t be Ryker. He’s spoken for, although he and April aren’t married yet.”

  “Does he have a brother?”

  “Four of them.”

  She sighed. “That’s why I’ve heard that name. My mother has a dossier on every eligible male within a hundred miles of Eagles Nest.”

  “So your momma’s a matchmaker?”

  “She has a black belt in it. Whereas I think that sort of connection should be made organically, not engineered like—wait, did they just call our flight?”

  “Don’t know. Wasn’t payin’ attention.”

  “I think they did. We’d better get down there.” She started off at a good clip.

  The lady could move. Good thing he’d put a lid on his coffee or he’d be wearing it. “Your momma’s trying to marry you off?”

  “Yep. Sounds crazy in this day and age, doesn’t it? But she’s a wedding planner and I swear she started planning my nuptials on the delivery table. When I was five she tried to dress me as a bride for Halloween. I won that battle, though.”

  “What did you go as?”

  “Catwoman.”

  He grinned. “Nice.”

  “I loved that costume.” She handed her ticket to the woman at the entrance to the jet bridge. “Why put on a frilly white dress when you can wear a black leotard and a mask?”

  “Beats me.” He presented his phone to be scanned before following her down the sloping tunnel to the plane. “Where are you sittin’?”

  “Ten-D. You?”

  “Eight-C. Not far.” But they couldn’t continue their conversation two rows apart even if they were both on the aisle.

  She must be single, otherwise her momma wouldn’t be playing matchmaker. He’d make sure to get her number before she left baggage claim in Bozeman.

  Badger. What a name. Hayley took her seat and exchanged a smile with the dark-haired woman sitting next to the win
dow. The middle seat was vacant but wouldn’t stay that way. Flights were usually packed these days and especially so in December.

  Her row-mate went back to her book and Hayley gazed up the aisle to Eight-C. Only the back of Badger’s head and part of one broad shoulder were visible. His dark blond hair curled ever so slightly. It would be fun to touch. She hoped he’d brought a hat and a heavier jacket than the one he had on. He wasn’t dressed for Montana weather.

  If a person believed in the hand of Fate, and Hayley sort of did, this meeting with Badger felt predetermined. She’d noticed him in the gate area the moment he’d walked in. He was very good-looking—laughing eyes, strong nose and chin, broad shoulders, narrow hips.

  And tall. She’d tried to be open-minded about dating men who were shorter than she was. But the minute Badger had pulled her against his side and they’d fit perfectly, she’d sighed in delight.

  And bonus, they both understood non-verbal cues. That first exchange of smiles had been easy to read. You look nice. Let’s talk. His immediate response when she’d signaled for help had thrilled her to her toes.

  Pretending to be his girlfriend to get rid of that clueless jerk had been a fun adventure. She was sorry it was over. The pushy guy was in first class and hadn’t looked up when they’d walked by.

  Nearly everyone had boarded when the last few passengers straggled in, probably people on standby. A twenty-something woman with red hair shorter than Badgers came down the aisle.

  Despite the time of year, she wore a tank top which allowed her to show off her colorful tattoos. Twisting back toward a sulky man behind her, she complained loudly about how much she hated middle seats.

  Then she stopped beside Hayley. “Take pity on me and scoot over one. I’m claustrophobic.”

  Hayley looked her in the eye. “Then think of this as behavioral therapy.” She stood and moved into the aisle.

  “But the middle seat makes me nauseous.” She adopted a lost puppy expression. “I’m serious. I might throw up. And when I hurl, it goes everywhere.”

  The flight attendant came up behind her. “I’ll have to ask you to take your assigned seat, please. We’re ready to depart.”

  “But I don’t want—”

  “I have a solution.” Badger appeared behind the flight attendant. “I’ll be happy to take your middle seat, ma’am. You can have my aisle seat up yonder.”

  The young woman turned and lifted her gaze. “Seriously?”

  “If it passes muster with the flight attendant.”

  “Fine with me.” The attendant looked relieved. “I’ll make a note of it. Just take your seats quickly, please.” She murmured her thanks as she scooted past Badger and headed back up to the front of the plane.

  Badger swept a hand toward his seat. “Eight-C. It’s all yours.”

  “Epic. Thanks.” She edged past and did a little victory dance before taking her seat.

  Hayley gazed at him. Considering his white knight tendencies, he wouldn’t accept her aisle seat even if she offered. “You do realize you’ll be squished.”

  He laughed. “After shoehornin’ myself into a cockpit for ten years I do believe I can handle it.” He slid into the seat and buckled up. “At least I’m not gettin’ shot at.”

  “Still.” She settled in and refastened her seat belt. “That was a gallant gesture.”

  “Don’t go givin’ me too much credit. I saw an opportunity to sit by you. That’s more self-servin’ than gallant.”

  “I’m flattered.”

  “Good.” He leaned back in his seat.

  He filled the space. His shoulder brushed hers and if he moved his left leg even the slightest bit, their knees would touch, too. He only took half of the armrest, though. Considerate.

  She kept her hands in her lap for fear arm to arm contact would blow her circuits. Infatuation was setting in fast. She breathed in the subtle aroma of his pine scented aftershave. Sure did beat spending ninety minutes sitting next to someone loaded with attitude.

  She glanced at him. “Does it feel weird to be a passenger instead of the pilot?”

  “Yes, ma’am, it surely does. But flyin’ myself from Atlanta made no sense. And my arms would get tired.”

  She grinned. “Guess so. Is Atlanta home, then?”

  “Born and raised.”

  She started to ask if he’d brought a warmer jacket for his Montana Christmas vacation, but the noise as the plane took off made talking difficult.

  Once they were airborne, he shifted in his seat and looked over at her. “When we were gettin’ coffee you said something about your momma fillin’ up your social calendar. Any chance we could meet for drinks while we’re both in town?”

  “That would be great.” His eyes were a warm brown. This close, she could see little flecks of gold. “But first I need to find out what elaborate matchmaking schemes Mom’s cooked up. She’s a cagey one. She’ll say we’re going to lunch with one of her friends and then what do you know? The friend’s son discovers he’s free for lunch, too. What a coinkidink.”

  “Sounds like a nightmare.”

  She liked the way he said it. Nahtmare. She’d never met any Southern gentlemen before and had always assumed they’d look like Colonel Sanders. “I go through it every Christmas. It’s my longest visit of the year which gives her plenty of room to maneuver.”

  “But why would she try to hitch you up with some guy from Eagles Nest when you don’t live there?”

  “That’s part of the plan. I’ll fall for one of her choices and relocate.”

  “Wow, that’s…outrageous.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Have you told her she’s barkin’ up the wrong tree?”

  “I have, but she doesn’t hear me. She won’t relax until I’m walking down the aisle. And she’s convinced I’ll never find someone when I’m with senior citizens all the time.”

  “Are you?”

  “Quite a bit. I work in elder care, but I do have a social life. I date. I think she’s starting to panic because I’ve turned thirty.”

  “Lord-a-mercy, that’s getting’ up there, all right.”

  She laughed. “How old are you?”

  “Older’n you. Your momma would have a conniption knowin’ I’m still runnin’ around loose.”

  “Probably. She and my dad married when she was twenty-two and he was twenty-five. In her mind, those are good ages to be settling down.”

  “People are gettin’ married later these days.”

  “Intellectually she knows that, but I’m not kidding that she’s been anticipating this since I was born. She used to have an envelope stuffed with clippings from various wedding magazines but now she’s got it all on her computer.”

  “I’m surprised you haven’t had a showdown.”

  “Oh, we would have if I lived there. She’d drive me bat shit crazy in no time and I’d blow. But at Christmas, about the time I’m ready to scream, the vacation is over. I fly back to Denver, drink an entire bottle of wine, and I’m good until the next year.”

  “You could threaten not to come home for Christmas.”

  “Yeah, well, no, I couldn’t do that. She’s impossible but she’s my mother. I love her. And my dad’s a hoot. I don’t know how he puts up with her. I figure they must have great sex but who wants to think about their parents having sex?”

  “Not me.”

  “Exactly. Oh, and my baby brother Luke always comes home for Christmas, too. I can’t miss that.”

  “How much of a baby is he?”

  She laughed. “Not so much anymore. He’s about your size. He’s two years younger than me and refuses to believe I used to give him noogies.”

  “So basically you’re sayin’ it’s worth the stress of your momma’s matchmakin’ to be home with your family for the holidays.”

  “It is. I guess. But I swear she’s escalating the campaign. It seems worse every year. Or maybe I’m less tolerant.”

  “I can see how you would be, now that you’re thirty
and all.”

  “You know, that could have something to do with it. And each year I have more empathy for the poor guys she drags into this circus. They all act as if they’ve been ambushed. Which of course they have. She always makes the initial meeting seem like an accident.”

  “Hm.” He leaned back in his seat.

  “You probably think I should take a stand, huh? Put an end to this craziness?”

  “That’s not exactly what I was thinkin’.” He chuckled.

  “What?”

  “I just got this hare-brained idea.” He turned his head and gazed at her. “You probably wouldn’t go for it.”

  “Try me.”

  “What if you showed up with some guy who’s swept you off your feet? Wouldn’t that bring the bachelor parade to a screechin’ halt?”

  She stared at him and her heart rate picked up. “Some guy meaning you?”

  His brown eyes gleamed. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “But how would that make sense? You’re from Atlanta and I’m from Denver. You’re visiting your Air Force buddy, not coming to meet my folks.”

  “Do you travel for work?”

  “Sure. Conferences, mostly.”

  “Then here’s our story. We crossed paths while we were on the road. We bonded over the connection to Eagles Nest. Romance ensued. I’ve had more free time so I’ve hopped on flights to visit you. Christmas was the perfect opportunity to break the news because we were both comin’ here anyway and you wanted to tell them in person.”

  She stared at him. “Assuming I’d consider such a thing, have you been out of the Air Force long enough for that story to hold water?”

  “I’ve been back a little more than two months. That should be fine.”

  “Really? Two months isn’t very long.”

  “Long enough. Especially for a guy who’s learned that life is mighty short.”