Chapter 7
Callie
For our date, Nate and I walk through the Tacky Light Show on Christmas Circle. It’s a neighborhood that does a crazy amount of Christmas lights. At last count, it had over twelve thousand lights and hundreds of decorations.
Danny is with us. He’s strapped in a carrier on Nate’s chest. I love that Nate went out and purchased his own carrier, so he could hold him close.
I also love that he picked a date where Danny and Rudy could come along. We have steaming gingerbread lattes from the Mistletoe Mug, a small coffee shop in town. I love that little place. I met Angel who works there, and she’s the sweetest. I think we could become good friends.
He even got Rudy a puppuccino, and it was so cute to watch him lap up the whipped cream. The cream formed a white mustache on his muzzle that I snapped a picture of on my phone because it made me smile. I do that a lot whenever I’m around Nate and Rudy.
Tonight, we’re not the only ones who had the idea of seeing the Tacky Light Show. There are families milling about along with couples walking hand in hand, a slow murmur of amazement comes from the crowds.
Most of the homes are blaring Christmas carols at top volume, but no one on the street seems to mind. Snow crunches under my boots with every step. More than once, Nate takes my elbow to help me avoid an icy patch.
I’m wrapped up in a scarf and wool coat straight from Mary’s hall closet. I’m learning that Mary often keeps her kitchens and closets stocked with plenty of extra items. Anyone is welcome to the aprons, scarves, coats, and boots she always keeps around in various sizes.
The wool material of this coat and scarf is scratchy yet warm. Our breaths come out in little puffs of air as we talk, exclaiming over the various light shows from each house.
Even though Nate is being casual about it, I see the way he keeps checking on Danny to make sure he’s warm enough and that the winter chill isn’t getting to him.
“This place is magical,” I tell Nate when we see a house with a Santa’s Workshop theme, complete with little elves that run back and forth on a track. They load a sleigh with gifts while an animated Santa is nearby checking items off his list.
“Silver Bell Hollow is an incredible place,” he agrees. “It changed my life in all the best ways. I didn’t know this when I came to Naughty List Ranch, but I have two brothers. I was one of triplets. Mary was the one who figured it out and helped me connect with my brothers in Courage County.”
I nod. “And that’s why you live there now?”
“I went to stay for a summer and fell in love with the tiny town. Plus, it’s nice having my brothers nearby, even if I don’t see them very often.”
“Why don’t you see them very often?” We slow down so a couple of kids can skirt around us. They’re middle school boys teasing each other as they run down the street, enjoying their much-needed holiday break.
“They’re both big, rugged mountain men. They keep to themselves and live quiet lives in their own cabins.
Hunter has always hated socializing with people, and my other brother, Ford, used to be a lot more outgoing.
But after serving overseas in the military, he came home, and he hasn’t been quite himself since.
I think he runs some type of company now from his cabin, but I’m not sure. ”
We’re quiet for a moment, as I process all of the things he just told me. I can’t imagine having siblings. I’ve always been an only child.
Finally, Nate asks, “What about you? Do you have family in Asheville?”
I take a sip of my hot cocoa, but the sweet drink does nothing to dull the bitter taste in my mouth. “No, I’m an orphan. My parents passed away in my final month of high school. I graduated alone, and I’ve been that way ever since. Well, at least until I met Corey.”
Nate reaches for my gloved hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, “I don’t know your story. I don’t know what your life’s been like, and I don’t mean this question to come out the wrong way. But is Corey Danny’s father? Where the fuck is he? I can’t imagine being away from my baby at Christmas.”
I sigh softly and glance at Danny, but he’s sleeping comfortably against Nate’s chest. I try not to talk about this around him.
I know it’s crazy, but I worry that maybe he’ll absorb the words and understand his father’s rejection.
Still, since he’s sleeping, I explain, “He’s not around.
When we knew there were what the doctor termed abnormalities on the ultrasound, Corey made it clear that he was not willing to care for a baby that was different in any way. ”
Nate’s jaw tightens. “Where is he?”
I frown, not sure why it matters. “Why?”
“Because I’m going to kick his ass,” Nate says it so calmly, like he’s talking about the weather or ordering extra marshmallows on my hot chocolate. One extra ass-kicking for the bastard father who walked out on his son, please.
“You can’t do that,” I protest.
“Watch me. Who the fuck would walk out on such a precious little boy and his amazing mom?”
Tears come to my eyes, and I stop walking. I put a hand on his arm and look at him, feeling the way his corded muscles flex beneath my touch. “Thank you.”
I lean up and kiss him on the cheek.
He turns his head, and suddenly, we’re kissing again. It’s the same electric connection we shared in the kitchen, only now it’s burning even brighter. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, stroking mine until I whimper against him.
I can taste the peppermint from his hot cocoa and feel the softness of the carrier that’s holding Danny between us. It’s his soft snuffle that has me stepping back. When he starts to fuss, I say, “I should carry him now. He probably wants me.”
He passes Danny over, careful to support him in all the right ways. When he’s settled against me, I glance up, studying the way the snowflakes land on his beard and melt into it. “You’re a good man.”
He cups my cold face, his gloves soft against my skin. “I’m not a good man. I’m an obsessed cowboy who plans to make you mine.”
My heart skips a beat, but before I can process his words, someone in the crowd calls out, “Excuse me!”
I realize we’ve stopped in front of a lot of people, blocking their view of the latest house. I chuckle softly, nerves making me feel giddy and hopeful at the same time.
Nate takes my gloved hand in his as we resume our course down the tacky light show. He takes dozens of photos of me and Danny and Rudy.
“Wait, wait,” I tell him. “We need some with you in them.”
He grins at my suggestion. There’s an elderly couple nearby, so I wave them over. When they approach us, Nate holds out his phone and asks the woman to help us. Then he puts his arm around my shoulders, and the two of us smile up at his phone as she snaps several of us in different poses.
She passes the camera back, telling us what a beautiful couple we are.
I blush, and Nate doesn’t bother to correct her. If anything, he seems to beam at her indication that we’re together. When he said he planned to make me his, is that what he meant? Or was he merely talking about a fling?
I’m not sure what he meant, and I don’t want to ask. Instead, I keep talking on the way back to the ranch. I tell him about my favorite Christmas traditions with my parents like going ice skating every year and stringing popcorn and cranberries to decorate the tree with.
When we arrive on the porch, I turn to Nate. “Thank you for such a fun date. I promised Mary I’d help make some of her handmade ornaments for the winter fair.”
I don’t tell him that my commitment to help Mary with the ornaments is probably the only thing keeping me from inviting him back to my room. Would Mary be upset if I hooked up with Nate? I’m not sure, and I don’t want to risk losing my job.
He smiles. “It’s okay. I’m going to meet up with some of my ranch brothers.”
Mary opens the front door and glares at him, but there’s no heat behind her scowl.
He holds up his hands and steps back. “I’m going, I’m going.” Then he trains his gaze on me and says, “Tomorrow night’s our next date.”
I break out in a grin as I watch the handsome cowboy walk away. Even if it’s only for a night or two, I definitely want to belong to him.