Chapter 22
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of Year
New Year’s Eve
High Noon is packed with people celebrating. At ten minutes to midnight, the party is at its peak, and the band shows no signs of slowing down.
“I really wish you’d let me bring out my office chair so you can sit,” Casey grumbles to Amy.
“No way,” she says, rubbing her baby bump, quickly shutting him down faster than a busted jukebox. “I’ll wait my turn like everybody else.”
We’re standing at the end of the bar, waiting for a stool to open up for her. It’s been half an hour, and no one’s moved, all holding tight to their drinks, waiting to ring in the new year. Amy already shot down Casey’s idea of kicking someone out of their seat.
“What’s the point of being the boss if I can’t do things like drag out an extra chair for my wife?”
“I’m totally telling Shep you called yourself the boss,” I chime in with a wink.
Casey laughs. “Go right ahead. Maybe he’ll actually fire me this time so I can finally catch up on season three of Bridgerton.”
Amy scoffs. “Catch up? Like you haven’t binged it twice already.”
Casey shoots her a playful glare, and Amy and I both burst out laughing.
Over the past week, Shep and I have gone out with them several times. It’s given them a much-needed break from her parents and a distraction from waiting for the baby to arrive. They’ve both welcomed me with open arms and were ecstatic to hear I’ll be staying.
Casey helped Shep give me a tour of my new soundproof podcast studio tucked in the back of the honky-tonk. Gemma had all the equipment expedited and video-chatted with the guys to make sure they installed everything correctly.
“This Boot Scootin’ Bubbly is amazing,” I exclaim, taking a sip of my drink.
I passed the time waiting for a seat by ordering a cocktail from the hottest bartender in town. It turns out he can mix a drink after all.
I glance over to the other side of the bar, where Shep’s behind the counter, sliding a tray of whiskey shots to a rowdy group of ranch hands hollering their appreciation.
One of the bartenders was running late, and with the bar short-staffed, he jumped in as soon as he realized they needed an extra hand.
Casey and I were equally stunned that he offered to help out, but it warms my heart to see him taking small steps to be more social.
Amy frowns at her sparkling water. “I had a Boot Scootin’ Bubbly last New Year’s Eve, and Jake nailed the peach schnapps to lime ratio. Wish I could have one tonight.”
Casey drapes an arm around her shoulder and kisses her forehead. “Once the baby’s here, I’ll have Jake fix you one.”
“Hope she decides to make her debut soon,” Amy sighs, rubbing her belly. “There’s no more room left in here.”
“Our sweet pea will come when she’s good and ready.”
“I just wish she’d hurry it along so I can finally see her little face.”
“She’s stubborn, just like her mama,” Casey replies, leaning in.
As they share a tender kiss, I look over at Shep again.
This time, he catches my eye, a smile tugging at his lips.
He goes over to Jake, who’s handing out cocktails to a pair of women giggling like schoolgirls, and claps him on the shoulder, saying something in his ear.
After Jake gives a quick nod, Shep turns around, striding toward me with purpose.
As he comes around the counter to join us, he draws me into his side, giving me a kiss of our own that leaves me weak at the knees.
“Howdy there, cowboy,” I murmur.
“I missed you,” he drawls.
“It’s only been an hour, and I’ve just been a few feet away the whole time.”
“Yeah, and within the first twenty minutes, I lost count of how many guys I had to stare down for getting too close. It was fucking torture when all I wanted was to make sure everyone knows you’re mine,” he growls, nuzzling his nose into my neck.
Casey clears his throat. “You two should get a room.”
Amy shoots him a scolding look. “Leave them be. They’re in that gushy, can’t-keep-their-hands-off-each-other phase, and it’s adorable.”
Casey shakes his head. “I doubt Shep appreciates being called adorable.”
“Oh, he doesn’t mind. Do you, baby?” I give him a playful pat on the chest.
He winds his arm around me, drawing me close to whisper in my ear. “If it keeps a smile on your face, you can call me adorable anytime, darlin’.”
Shep waves down Jake, nodding toward a couple of rowdy guys lingering at the bar who haven’t ordered anything.
Jake nods back, and walks over, leaning across the counter to speak to them.
One of the men complains loudly, but a sharp look from Jake shuts him up, and the two finally push off from their seats and head to the dance floor.
Shep taps Casey on the shoulder, pointing at the empty stools. “Better snag those before someone else does.”
Casey claps him on the back. “Thanks, man. Really appreciate it.”
He steers Amy toward the bar, helping her onto the stool, and she sighs in relief once she’s settled.
“That was mighty kind of you,” I tell Shep.
“Just doing my job, kicking freeloaders from the bar.”
“Well then, you better order me another Boot Scootin’ Bubbly so I don’t end up on the chopping block too.” I hold out my empty glass.
He leans in, nibbling my earlobe. “Brat.”
I place my free hand on his chest, batting my lashes. “Someone’s got to keep you on your toes, Daddy.”
The fire in his eyes is unmistakable, making me wish we were alone so he could have his way with me.
The past week together has been absolute bliss.
We’ve had breakfast with Casey and Amy at the diner, delivered fresh pastries from the local bakery to the homeless shelter, and checked on the animals twice a day.
My favorite thing is when we’re holed up in the cabin just the two of us, getting to know each other both in and out of the bedroom.
Shep’s new fascination is watching me edit my podcast episodes, and he even went back to watch my old ones.
He’s still uncertain what a hype-girl is, but he’s been supportive regardless.
He had Casey help him create an account on the streaming platform so he could leave a comment on every episode he watches.
I’ve read every one, and a few are cheeky, but it’s endearing how supportive he is.
It’s a daily reminder of how lucky I am to have him.
In hindsight, losing CoreFuel Labs as a sponsor turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
It taught me the importance of partnering with companies that value work-life balance and appreciate what I contribute.
I’m learning to set clear boundaries and vet potential sponsors more carefully, and thanks to Shep, I’m learning to accept that it’s okay to turn down opportunities that aren’t in my best interest.
Gemma’s technically still on vacation, but she’s reached out to a few potential companies to fill the sponsor spot CoreFuel Labs left open.
Twisted Temptations responded and said as long as the ad spots we have scheduled in the coming month perform well, they’re committed to an ongoing partnership with us.
Lucky for me, that means more toys for Shep and me to play with.
Up next: red heart-shaped nipple clamps and fuzzy handcuffs for their Valentine’s Day collection launching in February.
As the band launches into a slow country ballad, couples begin drifting to the floor.
“Let’s dance,” I tell Shep.
He shakes his head. “I’m too rusty.”
“It’s not the two-step. You just have to hold me close as we sway back and forth. But if you’d rather not, maybe I’ll ask one of the ranch hands you were serving earlier,” I tease, taking a step away from him.
He growls, tugging me back into his chest. “The only man you’re dancing with is me, woman.”
“I suppose you’ll do.” I wink, motioning to an open space near the stage. “Lead the way, cowboy.”
Shep takes my empty glass and sets it on the bar counter before taking my hand in his and guiding me onto the dance floor.
He slides his other hand around my waist, drawing me in until our bodies are flush.
His breath is warm against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
The man has captured my heart in a way no one else ever could, and there’s nowhere I feel safer than in his arms.
“See, isn’t this nice?” I muse.
“There’s nothing better than holding you,” Shep states.
I rest my head against his chest as the music drifts around us. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
The room pulses with anticipation as the band announces it’s almost midnight and counts down from ten to ring in the new year.
My gaze meets Shep’s, his hand grazing my cheek.
There’s no doubt this is where I’m meant to be, and I silently thank whoever scammed me into showing up at Shep’s doorstep—the place where it all started.
As the countdown reaches zero, cheers erupt all around. Shep’s lips find mine, giving me a kiss brimming with hope and the promise of a new beginning that we’ll share together.
He draws back just enough to hold my gaze. “I love you, Noelle. I love you so damn much.”
My breath catches, my eyes glistening with tears. “I love you too, Shep.”
“You mean it?”
I hook my fingers in his collar, tugging him closer. “More than anything. You’re mine just as much as I’m yours.”
“Say it again,” he demands.
“You’re mine, cowboy, and I love you.”
A spark of ownership flashes in his gaze. “I love you too, Sunshine. Always.” I’ll never grow tired of hearing those words.
I rise on my toes to kiss him again, smiling against his mouth.
Our path to love hasn’t been conventional.
It blossomed in a mountain cabin during a snowstorm, where I quickly fell for a grumpy cowboy almost twice my age.
Some might call it reckless, others delusional—but for me, it’s a holiday miracle.
It’s a gift to be with someone who will stand by me during the most difficult of times and make every moment together extraordinary.
I’ll never take it for granted, knowing what we share is rare, and no matter what our future brings, I’ll always be dreaming of the next Christmas with the cowboy I love.