Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Mila was up long before Claudie the next morning. Technically they were both on Christmas break and didn’t need to respond to emails or check the Hearts & Hooves adoption site on a regular basis.
But she carried her coffee, apple, peanut butter toast and phone into the office anyway. After plugging in the lights on the five-foot Douglas fir in the corner and cueing up some Mannheim Steamroller on her phone, she brought up the website to tackle an update she’d been putting off.
Instead she found herself clicking on a recently created menu item, Behind the Scenes, featuring images of Laughing Creek’s new maintenance chief. She clicked through them slowly, savoring each one, enlarging them to study the detail.
One showed Cole carrying a couple of planks on one broad shoulder, a toolbelt riding on his slim hips. In another he was smoothing out a newly poured slab of cement on a blistering hot day. Sweat molded his white T-shirt to his chest as he labored, his Stetson pulled low over his eyes.
In a more recent shot he was in profile kneeling on the roof of the main house, the snow-covered Flint Creek Range in the background. He’d turned up the collar of his jacket to block the November wind as he nailed down some loose shingles.
She zoomed in to study the slope of his nose, the squint lines at the corner of his eye, the set of his strong jaw covered with his trademark bristle. So soft against her skin. Her body clenched with longing.
She’d saved her favorite for last — Cole on Sparky, the rehabilitated chestnut Luis had given him in late September, checking the fence line. Enlarging the shot made it pixelate a little, but she could still make out his happy smile.
From the moment Luis and Rio had started training that horse, Cole had shown an interest in the big gelding. He’d found excuses to hang around while her brothers had gradually turned the chestnut from a wild creature into a well-mannered companion.
Luis had waited for Cole to indicate he’d like to have the horse. When he’d finally inquired about the price, Luis had only asked for a handshake.
According to Luis, it had been the most energetic handshake in history. And the most silent. Cole had been struck speechless by the gift.
When Deck the Halls was interrupted with the ping of a text, she had a hunch who’d sent it. Her heart rate picked up. Sure enough.
Good morning. Looks like I’ll be one of the designated drivers tonight. Want to ride in with me?
You know I do. I’d totally forgotten that party.
He responded with a smiling emoji wearing a cowboy hat, followed by another message. I’ll text you when I’m almost finished with the gate hinge. If it’s not too late, we could grab lunch in town.
Love to. Will you be working alone out there?
Why do you ask?
I might take Sol for a ride. I could come check on you.
I’d love the company.
Then I will. See you then.
Can’t wait.
The simple exchange made her shiver with eagerness. Pictures were nice, but she’d rather interact with the real thing.
“Aha!”
Mila jumped and turned in her chair. “No fair sneaking up on me!”
“How else could I confirm that you’re in here mooning over that cowboy?
I was feeling guilty thinking you were working and then I saw him.
” Claudie pointed toward the screen. “You’re welcome, by the way.
Adding that section to the website was my idea.
” She took a sip from the mug in her hand. “I took the pictures, too.”
“That’s what made me worry that you liked him. Great pictures.”
“He’s a good subject. Very masculine. Not your pretty-boy type. I appreciate him aesthetically, but he doesn’t get my panties wet.”
“Well, I’m grateful. I would’ve hated to have to fight you for him.”
Her sister laughed. “I’ll bet you would have hated it. We’ve established I’m a better fighter.”
“The hairclip fight? That must have been—geez, seventeen years ago.”
“See? It stuck in your mind, too. That was our last real fight and I won. I have the hairclip to prove it.”
“Still? I never see you wear it.”
“My tastes have changed since then.”
“If you don’t like it anymore, why keep it?”
“Because I fought hard for it.”
“I remember. I ended up with a bloody nose. That’s when I gave up.” She gazed at her beautiful, fierce, creative and sentimental sister.
Claudie had on her usual winter morning outfit, flannel pjs and the bathrobe their dad had given her at least ten Christmases ago. It was permanently stained from various projects and one end of the sash was charred from the time she’d caught it on fire. Nobody dared suggest she get rid of it.
She waved at the screen, which had now gone dark. “I assume you’ll be going with him to the party tonight.”
“I am. In fact, he just texted that he’s volunteered to be a designated driver, so if you want to ride with us, you’d better text him and say so before his back seat fills up with our brothers.”
“Abso-fudging-lutely.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket and tapped rapidly on the screen. “I’m dying to see how you guys navigate this gathering.”
“To be honest, I’d forgotten about it until he texted me just now.”
“You forgot the Raccoon Christmas party?” She looked up from her phone. “Girl, you never forget a major holiday event!”
“Yeah, I know. Surprised me, too. We cooked up this plan so I could legitimately be at his place while I made the additional item I’m adding to his secret project. I thought I’d be working on that tonight.”
“Or not. Why work when you could be doing the horizontal Electric Slide?”
She flushed. “It’s not a total smokescreen. I will be making something.”
“It’s called whoopie, sis. But I’m afraid you’ll be getting a late start. That party always runs well after midnight.”
“I know.” She let out a sigh. “And I look forward to it all year. Normally I’d be excited, but after last night—”
“I get it. Brand-new boinking is more compelling than a party with your nearest and dearest. On the bright side, he’ll probably bring his fiddle. That’ll be a treat.”
“For him, too. He used to play in a band, so sitting in with the Rooty Toots is fun for him. I need to remember that.”
“Don’t worry. He’s likely as impatient with this party routine as you are. I can’t remember if you danced with him at the wedding or not. I can’t picture you two out on the floor, so I think not.”
“Only line dances. Mostly we were on the bandstand.”
“I predict that will change tonight. Just remember to keep it PG.”
“Claudie, for Pete’s sake. Have you ever known me to do otherwise?”
She grinned. “No, but I’ve never known you to forget the Christmas party. We’re in unchartered territory, hermana.”