Cowboy Unwrapped Read online

  “Are you saying I’m out of shape?” Finn propped his elbow on the table and lifted his hand in a challenge. “Arm-wrestle this, pony boy.”

  Cade left his chair. “My pleasure, suds stud.”

  “Suds stud?” Chelsea snorted. “I need to remember that one.”

  Jake wondered if they’d actually arm-wrestle. He wouldn’t mind seeing that because he suspected Finn could take Cade. Finn had an air of steely determination, almost an edgy quality, whereas Cade was more easygoing.

  “No arm wrestling at the dinner table.” Rosie gave them a warning glance. “You know the rules.”

  “Yeah,” Jake said. “Some of us are still eating, here.”

  “Oh, sorry.” Cade sat again. “Wouldn’t want to get in the way of that.”

  Jake smiled before he took another bite. Now that his hunger was mostly satisfied he could savor the taste. “I need to make this at the firehouse. I keep meaning to get the recipe from you.” He glanced at Rosie. Short and blonde, with a little extra padding here and there, she was the most beautiful woman he knew. And talk about steely determination. She had it in spades.

  “She doesn’t use a recipe anymore, son.” Herb, the person Jake considered his dad for all intents and purposes, was a wiry guy who could do the work of men half his age.

  “Herb’s right,” she said. “I could make tuna casserole in my sleep. Probably have a time or two. But I’ll try to come up with some directions for you. It would be a great firehouse meal. I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “Most of the stuff you made for us would go over great at the firehouse. We look for good food that’s not too expensive.”

  “Which is especially important if they all eat as much as you,” Cade said.

  “Some eat more.” It wasn’t true but he’d said it to get a reaction out of Cade.

  “They do?”

  “Oh, yeah. Once a week a semi backs up to the firehouse to unload our groceries. We make our salad in a wheelbarrow and our spaghetti sauce in a sterilized oil drum. In order to cook the pasta we build a fire under an antique bathtub.”

  Cade stared at him. “That’s amazing.”

  Jake kept a straight face as long as he could but finally burst out laughing, which set off everybody else.

  Cade blew out a breath. “Well, it could be true. After watching Jake put away food I was willing to believe it.”

  “I’ve always loved seeing my boys eat.” Rosie beamed at them. “Who’s ready for German chocolate cake?”

  Jake left his chair and went over to kiss her cheek. “You made my favorite.”

  “Of course I did. You haven’t been home for Christmas in years. We need to celebrate.”

  Everybody else seemed happy with the prospect of cake, too, but Jake was touched that she’d remembered how much he loved it. He’d never known his own mother but whenever he imagined what she might have been like, he pictured Rosie. A guy couldn’t do any better than having a mom like her.

  He helped her dish it and, as they were passing out plates, Herb looked over at Cade. “How come the Christmas lights are out? They were on at dusk but I noticed they’re out now. Do we need to check the connections?”

  “Nah, the connections are fine.” Cade flicked a glance at Jake. “We decided to make a few changes in the morning and since no one will be driving up tonight, Finn and I wanted to save the electricity for now. Everything will be operational for Christmas Eve.”

  “Okay.” Herb seemed unconcerned. “I leave that to you boys. I’m sure it’ll look great.”

  “It will.” Cade tucked into his cake.

  Jake was glad he’d bought the smoke alarms as gifts and the cords and lights could be slipped into the mix without making a big deal of it. But he had more than Christmas lights on his mind. Before they’d all finished their dessert, he brought up the subject that had been nagging him since making the plan with Amethyst. “I’m looking for a sleigh to rent or borrow. Do any of you know of one?”

  Cade paused, his fork halfway to his mouth. “What, now you’re Santa Claus? Although if you keep eating like that you’ll eventually fit the part.”

  “I invited a woman for a sleigh ride tomorrow afternoon.”

  Silence descended on the table as all attention swiveled in his direction.

  He hadn’t worked through this very well. He’d blame the shock of seeing Amethyst in the hardware store, but now he realized that he couldn’t ask for a sleigh without offering more of an explanation.

  He cleared his throat. “I made a quick run into town before dinner so I could pick up a few...things.”

  “It’s Christmas.” Rosie waved a hand as if to relieve him of giving the details. “We all have secrets. But who’s the woman?”

  “I ran into her when I was in town. Amethyst Ferguson.”

  Rosie’s gaze sharpened. “You dated her in high school.”

  “For a while.”

  “You know she’s a professional singer now.”

  “Yes, I know. Now, about this sleigh, I remember we used to hitch Navarre up to a wagon.”

  “And a couple of times to a toboggan.” Finn exchanged a grin with Cade.

  Jake ignored him. “I thought he could probably pull a sleigh.”

  “He could,” Herb said, “but there’s the slight problem of not having a sleigh for him to pull.”

  Cade put down his fork. “You know, that takes cojones, bro, inviting a woman on a sleigh ride when you’re not in possession of one. I’m impressed.”

  “Do you know of anybody who has one?”

  “Nope, can’t say as I do, but I’m still impressed.”

  Jake figured there was no point in asking Finn and Chelsea. They didn’t live here anymore. In desperation, he turned to Rosie. “Mom, do you know of anyone around here who has a sleigh?”

  “Not at the moment, but if you need a sleigh, I’ll find you one.”

  3

  LUCK BLESSED JAKE with a clear sky the next morning. If a snowstorm had blown in, which was always possible in December, reconfiguring the lights would have been impossible. As it was the task wasn’t simple, especially wearing gloves. Cade and Finn had woven a complex tapestry of dangerous cords and substandard lights.

  Cade had apologized for his screw-up and had tried to take the blame, but Finn had insisted on sharing it. He, Cade and Damon were the triumvirate who’d called themselves the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood in the early days of the foster program. Their loyalty to each other ran deep.

  Jake respected that. He’d arrived at the ranch later and, although every guy was now considered part of the brotherhood, the bond wasn’t the same as the one shared by the first three. When those boys had come to the ranch there had been no tradition, no sense of belonging to something greater. They’d had to create that for themselves.

  His buddies at the fire department had a unique connection because they faced life-and-death situations every day, but again, it wasn’t the same. Firefighters could choose to quit and sever that connection. The kids who’d been brought to the ranch after the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood had been established could thank Cade, Finn and Damon for creating a positive and lasting identity for all of them. Once a Thunder Mountain brother, always a Thunder Mountain brother.

  They’d nearly finished reconfiguring the lights when Rosie walked out onto the porch. She’d pulled a knit cap down over her ears and held her coat closed instead of zipping it, which meant she was making a brief visit. “I think you boys can quit, now. It’s not as if the Pope is coming for a visit.”

  Jake had to laugh. She still called them boys, probably always would.

  “But Lexi will be here.” Cade arranged the net lights more evenly on a bush. “That’s enough motivation for me.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be very impressed.
That’s more lights than we’ve ever had on this house. But you need to finish up. I’ve found Jake a sleigh.”

  Jake glanced up, a three-pronged plug dangling from his gloved hand. “That’s awesome! Where is it?”

  “The Emersons have one, but it’s too wide to fit in the back of a pickup. Their ranch isn’t that far as the crow flies, so it makes more sense to ride over and get it, anyway. It may not be in the best of shape, so I suggest you take Cade or Finn with you.”

  “We’ll all go,” Cade said. “It’ll be fun.”

  Jake gazed at her. “What do you mean, not in the best of shape?”

  “It hasn’t been used in years. They offered to sell it to me for fifty bucks, so I said fine. I’ve always wanted a sleigh.”

  “Um, if it’s only fifty bucks it could be falling apart.” Jake didn’t want to sound ungrateful but he also didn’t plan to take Amethyst out in a sleigh that could collapse any minute.

  “I asked them and they said it’s functional.”

  “But if they haven’t used it in years, how do they know?”

  “That’s an excellent point.” She shivered and stomped her feet. “But I called everyone I could think of and this is the only one I found. If you’d rather not take a chance on it, I’ll call them back and say never mind.”

  “Don’t do that,” Cade said. “We’ll make it work. I’ve always wanted a sleigh, too.”

  “Then you’d better finish the lights and get over there. At the very least it’ll need to be cleaned up and Amethyst will be here before you know it.”

  Jake glanced at the angle of the sun. “You’re right. Thanks, Mom.”

  “You’re welcome. If the sleigh doesn’t work there’s a toboggan in the barn. I seem to remember some people hitching a horse to that once upon a time.” She winked and went back into the house.

  “Nix on the toboggan idea,” Cade said. “You can’t make out with a woman on a toboggan.”

  Finn brushed snow off his gloves. “Might be a safer bet than a fifty-buck sleigh.”

  “That’s what I’m thinking.” Jake blew out a breath. “It’s liable to be a piece of junk.”

  “Maybe not.” Cade came over and clapped him on the shoulder. “Think positive, bro. Maybe it’s a gem that’s taking up space they want for something else.”

  “Or maybe the wood’s rotted out and the mice have made a nest in the upholstery.”

  “One way to find out. I have a feeling we can rehabilitate this sleigh.” Cade glanced up at the Christmas lights strung everywhere. “Are we done here?”

  “You tell me. You’re the one trying to impress your ladylove.”

  Cade nodded. “I think it’ll do. If you two put the ladders away I’ll start saddling the horses. I’m betting you’re both out of practice.”

  “I can saddle a horse just fine,” Jake said. “How about you, O’Roarke?”

  “Never lost my touch. But if Gallagher wants to show off his horse whisperer technique, that’s fine with me. Saves me the effort.”

  “Then I’ll get started on that.” Cade adjusted the fit of his Stetson and headed down to the barn, his boots crunching through the snow.

  Finn collapsed one of the extension ladders with a loud clang before turning to Jake. “You know why he’s putting so much emphasis on the decorations this year, right?”

  “Haven’t a clue other than he wants Lexi to think he’s a holiday illumination genius.”

  “It’s more than that. Christmas would be the perfect time for Lexi to propose and the more magical the setting, at least in Cade’s mind, the more likely she’ll pop the question.”

  “I see. Makes some kind of crazy sense.” Jake was well aware of the interesting dynamic between those two. Cade had asked Lexi to marry him a year and a half ago and she’d gently turned him down. So Cade had put her in charge of proposing. “I hope she does it.” He collapsed the other ladder and picked it up. “I’ve never seen a guy so eager to get married.”

  “I don’t know about that. I’m pretty damned excited about marrying Chelsea. Can’t wait for April.” He picked up his ladder and they both started toward the barn.

  “You don’t mind the monkey suit and all the fuss?”

  “Not really. Chelsea’s family is pretty casual, so it won’t be stuffy and formal.” He looked over at Jake. “Any chance you can come?”

  “You know I’d love to. I have to figure out the finances and then see if I can wrangle time off.”

  “I understand. I don’t expect a lot of the guys will make it up to Seattle, but I’m hoping some do.”

  “At least now I’ve met Chelsea. She’s terrific.”

  Finn laughed. “You don’t have to tell me. Like I said, can’t wait for April.”

  Jake pondered his two brothers and their anticipated marriages as he and Finn put away the ladders and helped Cade finish saddling up the horses. Both guys clearly wanted that kind of permanence. Jake had no such long-range plans.

  He was eager for some private time with Amethyst, but he wasn’t thinking beyond that. She was perfect for this stage of his life. Before their hot night in Jackson Hole, he’d dated a few women who had been nice but needy.

  His job asked a lot of him. He loved the sense of accomplishment it gave him, but he didn’t want to be emotionally responsible for someone on top of the demands at work. With Amethyst he didn’t have to worry about that. She was focused on her career and didn’t need anyone to take care of her.

  That included her approach to sex. She asked for what she wanted more frankly than anyone he’d been with. He loved that about her. This sleigh deal might or might not work out, but tonight after the festivities, he’d—

  “Hey, Fireman Jake, you gonna get on that horse or not?”

  Cade’s voice cut into his libido-driven thoughts. Damn. Caught daydreaming about Amethyst for the second time in two days. He glanced up at Cade, who was mounted on Hematite, the black horse he’d trailered to the ranch summer before last. Finn was already up on Isabeau, Rosie’s mare.

  Jake, however, stood beside Navarre, Herb’s gelding, while staring into space like an idiot. “Yep. Sorry. Just thinking about something.” He swung into the saddle.

  “More likely someone.” Cade chuckled as he led the way to the Forest Service road. From there they’d cut across snow-covered open range to the Emerson place. “From what I remember about Amethyst Ferguson, I don’t blame you. I wasn’t at the high school Christmas concert where she sang ‘Santa Baby’ but I heard about it.”

  Finn laughed. “Didn’t we all. Were you there, Jake?”

  “I was.” The road was deserted so they were able to ride three abreast with Cade in the middle. It felt great to be back on a horse again, especially with two of his brothers along. “We’d stopped dating two weeks before that concert. Bad decision on my part.”

  “You broke it off?” Cade glanced at him in disbelief. “I gave you credit for more brains than that.”

  “Nope. I was young and stupid. I thought she’d looked at another guy in a provocative way. She denied it, but I had that idea stuck in my head and refused to let the whole thing slide. The truth is, she was too hot for me back then.”

  “But not now, apparently,” Finn said.

  “No.” Jake smiled. “Not now.”

  Once they hit open country, they picked up the pace a little, but not much since obstacles could be hidden under the snow and the air was still pretty damned cold. Jake wouldn’t want to race through this landscape and create a wind chill effect, but a trot was invigorating. He’d picked up a second job at a stable in Jackson Hole because they were willing to work around his shifts, but he wasn’t there to ride. Mostly he mucked out stalls and groomed the horses.

  As they approached the Emerson ranch, he could see the sleigh sitting out in front of the
barn. From here it didn’t look too bad. The red paint job had faded and the runners were dull and rusted in spots, but the sleigh might be salvageable.

  He glanced at Cade. “What’s that luggage rack thing hanging off the back?”

  “I guess that’s where you put your picnic basket. If you’re going for a sleigh ride you might take along hot cocoa, some cookies, maybe.”

  “I would do that,” Finn said. “Sounds cozy.”

  Jake didn’t think the rack looked sturdy enough to hold anything. “So what do you think of the sleigh itself?”

  “A new coat of paint and some rust remover and it’ll be a beauty,” Cade said.

  “I wouldn’t know,” Finn said. “Sleighs are not my area of expertise.”

  “Not mine, either,” Cade said, “but—”

  “Hold it.” Jake brought Navarre to a halt. “I thought you knew something about sleighs.”

  Cade shrugged. “What’s to know? It’s a wagon on skis.”

  “Yeah, well, that would be the critical difference, wouldn’t it? What if those runners are all messed up? What if they somehow malfunction and throw Amethyst into a ditch where she breaks something important like her neck?”

  “Settle down, Fireman Jake. I would hope you’re not planning to charge down the Forest Service road like you’re running the Iditarod.”

  “Well, no, but—”

  “Then we don’t have a problem. All you need is a sleigh that will take you at a sedate pace from the ranch to the Forest Service road and from there to a little side lane where you can drink hot cocoa and make out. Am I right?”

  Jake sighed. “Yeah.”

  “Then no worries. That fifty-buck sleigh will fulfill that mission. Let’s find Emerson and close the deal.”

  Twenty minutes later Jake sat on the hard bench seat with the reins in his hands and Navarre hitched to the sleigh. He suspected there was no upholstery because the mice had actually made a nest in it and Emerson had ripped it out before they arrived. The red paint on the seat hadn’t faded at all.

  The rest was more pink than red. The sleigh looked a lot shabbier up close and he heartily wished he’d suggested a different entertainment to Amethyst, but it was too late, now. Cade had paid the rancher fifty dollars and the sleigh now belonged to Thunder Mountain.