Chapter 40
“I really do have to leave.” Mila gave her husband-to-be another kiss as they snuggled in bed after making love one more time. “I’m not going to greet my family on Christmas morning in the clothes I wore last night.”
“Then give me ten minutes to shower and put something on so I can come with you. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Do you still think you’re dreaming?”
“Yes, ma’am. If you’d spent every Christmas of your life the way I have, you’d think so, too.”
Her heart wrenched. “It’s real.” She hugged him tight, wishing she could squeeze out all the bad memories. “I love you so much.”
“I can tell. I can barely breathe.”
“Sorry!” Laughing, she let him go.
He sucked in air. “You’re a lot stronger than you look.”
“I’m a ranch girl.”
He smiled. “Just what I always wanted.”
“Well, you’ve got one. Now go take that shower, cowboy, so we can head over.”
“Ranch girls are bossy.” Giving her a wink, he left the bed and walked toward the bathroom.
“I’ll text Claudie. We’ll grab breakfast while we’re there.”
“Sounds good.”
She watched him go. So powerful. So brave. So beautiful. Now that she knew what to look for, she could see those scars, even from a distance. His badge of honor.
Tears blurred her view. She’d cried after reading his notebook, but she’d worked hard not to cry since coming over here. Knowing him, he’d blame himself for her tears.
While he showered, she retrieved the clothes she’d carefully taken off last night after she’d crept into his dark bedroom. She’d slowly climbed under the covers, determined not to wake him.
Normally being in bed with a naked Cole turned her on, but last night she’d simply wanted to be there, to be close, to listen to his relaxed breathing as he slept.
The depth of his sleep had calmed her. Perhaps giving her that notebook had already helped. He’d tell her more about his childhood eventually. She had no doubt of that. But today wasn’t for raking the ashes of the past. Today they’d celebrate their joyous future.
While he dressed, she made up the bed.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Why not? It’s my bed, too, and it keeps my hands busy.”
He laughed. “I like hearing that. It also sounds like you might be moving in soon.”
“That’s my plan.”
“Will Claudie be sad?”
How like him to worry about that. “A little, but our office is there. We’ll see each other almost every day.”
“That’s true.” He fastened the snaps on a green Western shirt.
“That shirt looks good on you.” But then everything did.
He tucked it into his jeans. “It’s as close to Christmas colors as I have.”
She paused, her gaze meeting his. “I love that you even thought about it.”
“You want to marry me. If it makes you happy, I’ll wear the ugliest Christmas sweater ever made.”
If any other man had said that, she’d respond with a joke. But for this guy it was no laughing matter. Tossing a pillow on the bed, she crossed the room, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
With a groan, he drew her against his solid body and kissed her back, surrounding her with warmth, with love, with joy. She grew dizzy with the sheer force of it. She never wanted to leave the magic circle of his arms. She—
“Your phone’s ringing,” he murmured against her mouth.
She heaved a sigh. “Bet it’s Claudie.”
“Bet it is.” He loosened his grip.
Reluctantly leaving the shelter of his arms, she picked up her phone from the bedside table and tapped the screen. “Hey, Claudie.”
“Sorry if I’m interrupting something, but it’s already past ten. You two need to stop canoodling and get your asses over here.”
She glanced at Cole, who was grinning. “Be right there, Claud. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, lovebirds. See you soon.”
Cole’s grin widened. “Like I said, ranch girls are bossy. Let’s go.”
When they walked into the mini-hacienda minutes later, Claudie was making French toast. As soon as they ditched their coats, she handed them each a glass of orange juice. “Merry Christmas! It’s a beautiful morning!”
“The most beautiful Christmas morning of my life,” Cole said. “Mila asked me to marry her.”
“Oh, my gosh!” Claudie rushed to hug her and orange juice went everywhere.
“No worries, no worries.” She laughed it off. “I need a shower anyway. Let me do that real quick before we eat.”
“That works. I’ll keep the French toast warm. And congratulations, you two.” She beamed at them. “Fabulous news. A great Christmas present.”
Mila hurried to her room with its attached bath and left both doors open, hoping to eavesdrop on the conversation between Cole and Claudie. She was as surprised as Claudie that Cole had come right out with the news. Surprised and thrilled.
Since he’d been so open about that subject, what else might he tell her sister? But with the noise of the shower and her rush to get dressed afterward, she couldn’t hear a thing.
Turned out it didn’t matter. The minute she walked into the kitchen, Claudie announced that he’d told her about the notebook.
She glanced at Cole, who was pouring coffee while Claudie dished up the French toast.
“I thought it would be good for her to know. I’m not planning to pass it around. In fact, I’d be in favor of burning it.”
She nodded. “Might be a good idea.”
“But giving it to you unlocked a door for me. Now I can say it. My dad used to beat me. It’s a fact. And it’s not something to be ashamed of.”
“Definitely not. But Jordan doesn’t know, right? So—”
“I’m asking both of you to keep this to yourselves for now. Today’s not the time, for sure. Give me a chance to break it to her gently. She doesn’t need all the gory details. Nobody does.” His gaze locked with hers.
The significance of that statement was huge. He’d provided her with the gory details. No one else. The rest of the family would get a tamer version of his story.
She’d thought that when they made love, they were as close as two people could be. Not true. In making her the sole caretaker of his darkest secrets, he’d bestowed a measure of trust that took her breath away.
That reality stayed with her as they quickly ate breakfast before leaving to join the rest of the family gathering in front of the barn. Claudie poured coffee into three to-go mugs with snap-on lids.
Looked like those walking to the barn were armed with the same to-go mugs along with scarfs, gloves and hats.
Cole glanced at her as they neared the base of the steps. “Don’t come up.”
“Don’t you want company up there while you….” She trailed off before she gave Claudie too much info.
“Of course, but I’d rather have you out there where you can see. It’s for you, too, you know.”
“But I’ve already—”
“Not quite. I added a couple of things.” He smiled. “Go be my audience, mi amor.” He planted one on her and bounded up the stairs.
“Be careful on those steps!”
Claudie chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry. He’s so high on love he could probably fly up there. C’mon, let’s go see this surprise.” She tugged on Mila’s arm. “I want a good spot.”
“In a sec.” She waited until he was on the landing before walking away. “I can’t believe he told you about the notebook.”
“I can’t either. He didn’t reveal much, just that it was his way of dealing with the beatings. I don’t want to read it, but clearly it means a lot to him that you did.”
“It also meant a lot to me. It filled in the missing pieces.”
“And prompted you to propose?”
“He’s the one, so why not?”
“Why not, indeed. I’m over-the-moon happy for you, chica. Who are we telling?”
“Nobody until at least after the surprise and we’re back to the regular Christmas routine.”
“Gotcha. Hey, look, Rio’s wearing reindeer antlers on his Stetson. That’s new.”
“And Luis and Jordan have matching Santa hats. So cute.”
“Mom’s wearing one, too. Lookin’ festive, Mom!”
“Let’s make sure we’re front and center.” Mila tried to figure out the best place to stand. “I think—”
“Ladies and gentlemen!” Cole’s voice boomed out over the sound system. “Please direct your attention to the front of the barn!”
She turned toward the loft and crossed her fingers as a motor began to hum. Would the revolving stage revolve? It had to. Except it wasn’t. She held her breath, and slowly it began to swivel.
Soft murmurs turned to gasps and then shouts and applause.
“Presenting…the Beaver Bunch!”
She stared at the display. He’d inserted her little Christmas tree into it! It sparkled away, making the Santa hats even more appropriate.
A guitar riff signaled the beginning of a tune that hadn’t been on Cole’s playlist when she’d listened to this group. Much to everyone’s delight, the Beaver Bunch played and sang Feliz Navidad.
Halfway through, Cole came back on the mic. “Everybody join in!”
And they all sang. The Damsels began to dance and soon everyone joined them, dancing, singing and clapping to the music.
When the song ended, the cheering was nonstop along with cries for Cole to come down and take his bows.
He arrived grinning and flushed. He was immediately surrounded and peppered with questions. Was that the only song? Was it a permanent installation they could enjoy all year? Could it be decorated for Fourth of July?
“Play us another one!” Rio called out.
“Yeah, we need to hear it again!” That was Monty, followed by a chant of we want more, we want more.
“Okay one more.” Cole glanced her way. “Want to come up this time?”
“Yes.” She matched her stride to his as they hurried back to the stairs. “You’re a hit.”
“Not me. Those critters. And the Santa hats.”
“You used my tree.”
“Just what that display needed.” He followed her up the steps.
“Where did you find that version of Feliz Navidad? I heard a fiddle in there.”
“You can locate almost anything online if you look long enough.”
“What are you playing next?”
“I found a good version of Run, Run Rudolph. I want to keep it upbeat. Danceable.”
“Could you see everyone dancing?”
“A little bit. I have a peephole I can open but the view isn’t great.”
“Well, we were all dancing, and singing, and watching those cute beavers do their thing. You knocked their socks off.”
“Good.” He ushered her through the door, hurried over to the control box and grabbed the mic. “Thanks for your patience, folks. I’d like to introduce the members of the Beaver Bunch. Rufus is on fiddle, Buster’s on the washboard and Shorty’s on the washtub bass.”
Cheers and whistles drifted up from below. Made her smile to be up here enjoying the reaction.
“Hey, Rufus!” Cole addressed the fiddle player. “How about playing Run, Run, Rudolph for the folks?”
“You’ve got it, boss!”
Rio’s shout of he talks! made her giggle. “They’re having so much fun with this.”
“So am I.” Cole hit another switch. When the tune began, he walked toward her. “We might not have many chances to be alone for the rest of the day.”
“I think you’re right.”
He drew her close. “That means I have two minutes and thirty-seven seconds…no, more like thirty now, to hold you and wish you Merry Christmas.”
She nestled against him. “I’ll bet you’ve never said that to anyone.”
“You’re the first.” He let out a happy sigh. “You dazzle me, Mila. I can’t believe we’re getting married.”
She smiled. “According to Luis, when you’re standing at the altar, it’ll hit you.”
“Can’t wait. And speaking of that….” He paused, his gaze searching hers. “I have a request.”
“Anything.”
“Can we get started on babies now?”
“You want to?” Joy spread like warm honey through her veins.
“I do. I’m excited about it, and besides, my little sis is getting ahead of me.”
“Well…since you mentioned it, I did happen to come up with a good name last night.”
“You were thinking of babies, too?”
“Can’t help it. You inspire me.”
“What’s the name?”
“Justice.”
His breath caught. “Perfect.” His voice grew husky as he leaned down. “We’ll start tonight. I love you so much.” He kissed her slowly, taking his time, as if they had hours instead of less than a minute.
His kiss tasted of sweet surrender, telling her without words that he was holding nothing back, laying all that he was at her feet. She responded in kind, placing her heart and soul in his hands. She was in safe keeping. And so was he. So was he.