Chapter 22
Hayden
Iremembered getting cold at some point during the night and curling up tightly against Diego.
By the time the light of early dawn began streaming through the window, I was wrapped in hunky cowboy blanket of muscle and warmth that drove away all thoughts of the frost clinging to the edges of the windowpanes.
I stretched slightly, careful not to move too much and disturb Diego’s embrace. His arm was heavy across my chest, his breath warm against my neck, and one of his legs was thrown possessively over mine. It was like being pinned beneath a very attractive, very affectionate bear.
Christmas Eve morning. I could hardly believe it.
The thought hit me suddenly. This time last year I’d been in California, miserable in Tommy’s penthouse, pretending to be happy about the designer watch he’d bought me that I later found out was a cheap knockoff. I remembered forcing a smile for an Instagram post while feeling hollow inside.
And now here I was, in a tiny apartment above my aunt’s diner in a town I’d never planned to visit, much less stay in, wrapped in the arms of a man who looked at me like I was something precious.
I turned my head slightly, studying Diego’s sleeping face. His dark lashes fanned against his cheeks, his expression peaceful in sleep. None of that cocky swagger or teasing smirk, just pure, unguarded Diego. My heart swelled with a feeling so intense it almost hurt.
I loved him. God, I really loved him.
Carefully, I slid out from under his arm, smiling when he made a small noise of protest before burying his face in my pillow.
I pulled on a pair of sweatpants and one of Diego’s t-shirts that he’d left here yesterday.
It hung loose on my frame, smelling like his cologne and his own unique scent that I’d come to love.
I padded to the small kitchen, intending to make coffee, but found myself drawn to the window instead.
Sagebrush was beautiful in the early morning light, especially on Christmas Eve.
Someone had strung lights along the storefronts across the street, and they twinkled against the dim morning sky.
A dusting of frost made everything glitter.
For the first time since I’d arrived, I didn’t feel that familiar ache for California or for home.
I didn’t miss the ocean or the bustle of the city or even the career I’d left behind.
Standing there, looking out at this tiny town that had somehow become important to me, I realized with sudden clarity that I was happy. Actually, genuinely happy.
I slipped my feet into boots, grabbed my coat, and headed downstairs.
I knew Dolly would already be in the diner, prepping for the Christmas Eve party.
The staircase led directly to the back entrance of the diner, and sure enough, there she was, humming “White Christmas” as she mixed something in a large bowl.
“Mornin’, sunshine,” she called without looking up. “Coffee’s fresh.”
“You’re a mind reader,” I said, crossing to the pot and pouring myself a cup.
“Not mind readin’, just knowin’ my nephew.” She glanced up, her eyes twinkling. “Nice shirt. Don’t believe it belongs to you. He let you borrow it?”
“More like I stole it,” I admitted, taking a sip of coffee. The warmth spread through me, chasing away the last vestiges of sleep. “He’s still passed out upstairs.”
Dolly’s eyebrows shot up, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “Late night?”
I felt heat rush to my cheeks but didn’t bother denying it. “Something like that.”
“Well, you seem happier this morning than I’ve seen you since you got here,” she said, returning to her mixing. “It suits you.”
I leaned against the counter, watching as she added cinnamon to whatever she was making. The kitchen smelled like vanilla and spices, comforting and homey. “I am happy,” I said softly, the words still feeling new on my tongue. “I think... I think I might want to stay in Sagebrush.”
Dolly’s hands stilled for a moment before she looked up at me, her eyes suddenly misty. “You mean that, sugar?”
“Yeah,” I nodded, surprising myself with how certain I felt. “I do. If that’s okay with you, I mean. I could help out more around the diner, maybe look for something else part-time too. And I was thinking about that empty storefront down the street—”
“The old Miller place?” Dolly asked.
“Yeah. I don’t know what I’d do with it, but maybe there’s something I know how to do that this town needs. And then I could—”
I didn’t get to finish because Dolly had wrapped me in a flour-covered hug, squeezing me so tight I could barely breathe.
“Of course it’s okay with me,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “This is your home if that’s what you want. You’re family and I’d love for you to stay. You can have the apartment as long as you need.”
I returned her hug, feeling something settle inside me. “I’m sorry I was such a brat when I first got here.”
She pulled back, patting my cheek with a flour-dusted hand. “You weren’t yourself. But you are now and that’s what matters.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist. “Now, is this decision entirely about a certain cowboy, or have you actually fallen for our little town?”
I laughed, taking another sip of coffee. “Both, I think. Diego’s definitely part of it, but... I don’t know. Something about this place feels right. Like I can breathe here.”
“And what does Diego think about all this? Is he planning to stick around too?”
“He says he is,” I replied, remembering our conversation from last night. “He told me he’s tired of drifting, that he wants to put down roots. With me.”
“Well, I’ll be,” Dolly shook her head in wonder. “Lucas told me that boy was allergic to commitment. Said he never stayed in one place longer than a season. But I guess love changes people.”
Love. The word still made my heart race, even though we’d said it to each other multiple times now.
“It does,” I agreed softly. “But I think he was ready for a change. Maybe we both were.”
Dolly smiled, returning to her mixing bowl. “Well, I for one am thrilled. Having you around these past weeks has been the best Christmas gift I could ask for. And having you stay...” She trailed off, blinking rapidly. “Well, that’s just the cherry on top.”
I felt my own eyes getting misty. “Thanks, Aunt Dolly. For everything.”
“Now don’t you go gettin’ all sentimental on me,” she warned, though her voice was thick with emotion. “We’ve got a Christmas Eve party to prepare for, and these cinnamon rolls won’t bake themselves.”
“Need help?” I offered.
“You can start by taking these to the dining room.” She handed me a tray of freshly baked muffins. “The early birds will be here any minute. If I closed this place on Christmas Eve, there would be a riot.”
I carried the tray to the front, inhaling the sweet aroma. The diner was empty this early, but I knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long. The massive Christmas tree Diego and I had decorated stood proudly in the corner, colorful lights twinkling among the ornaments.
As I arranged the muffins on the counter, I found myself staring at the spot where we’d kissed yesterday, right under that silly mistletoe. The moment everything had changed for good. The moment I’d stopped running.
The bell above the door jingled, and I looked up to see Mabel McQuinn bustling in, wrapped in a festive red coat with a matching scarf.
“Mornin’, Hayden!” she called cheerfully, unwinding her scarf. “Thought I’d stop by for some coffee before heading back to help the boys with last-minute preparations.”
“Morning, Mabel,” I smiled, grabbing a mug. “Coffee’s fresh. Dolly’s got cinnamon rolls in the oven too.”
“Perfect.” She settled onto a stool at the counter, accepting the coffee with a grateful nod. “So, I hear congratulations are in order.”
I paused, coffee pot still in hand. “For what?”
“You and Diego,” she said, eyes twinkling. “News travels fast in Sagebrush, honey. Especially when it involves public displays of affection under mistletoe.”
I felt heat rush to my face. “Right. That.”
“Don’t be embarrassed,” she chuckled. “It’s about time that boy found someone worth staying put for. And between you and me, he’s been half in love with you since the moment you walked onto the ranch.”
“He has?”
“Oh, honey,” Mabel shook her head, smiling. “The way he looked at you that first day… I would’ve had to be blind to miss that.”
“Really?” I asked, feeling my cheeks warm further at the thought of Diego watching me when I wasn’t looking.
“Trust me, I know that boy better than most,” Mabel said, taking a sip of her coffee. “Been watching him mope around the ranch for months, never letting himself get too comfortable. Then you showed up, and something changed in him.”
I smiled down at the counter, tracing a pattern in the wood grain with my finger. “He’s pretty special.”
“So are you, honey,” Mabel said with such conviction that I looked up in surprise. “Don’t you forget that.”
The bell jingled again as another early customer walked in, and I busied myself pouring more coffee. By the time I returned to Mabel, she was nibbling on a muffin.
“So, you staying in Sagebrush then?” she asked casually.
“News really does travel fast,” I laughed. “I just decided this morning.”
“I have my sources,” she winked, glancing over my shoulder and waving at Dolly. “A very reliable source.”
I shook my head, amazed by the fact that Dolly could relay my life’s choices from fifteen feet away, without a sound, in less than thirty seconds. The woman was a menace. “Yes, I’m staying. I told Dolly I might look into that empty storefront down the street.”
“Miller’s old place? That’s been empty for years. What would you do with it?”
I hesitated, not having fully formed the idea myself. “I’m not sure yet. Nothing fancy, just something the town might need.”
Mabel’s eyes lit up. “Lord knows we could use more shops in this dusty old town. The tourists at the ranch would love it too. Most everyone has to drive all the way to Amarillo for anything that isn’t from the gas station.”
The idea took root a little deeper in my mind. I’d spent years trying to break into high fashion and acting, but maybe what I really needed was something simpler, more practical. Something that normal everyday people enjoyed.
“I’ll think about it,” I promised. “It’s just an idea for now.”
The diner was starting to fill up, regulars trickling in for their morning coffee and breakfast. I moved around behind the counter, filling cups and taking orders, falling into the rhythm of the place with surprising ease.
Every so often, my mind would drift upstairs to Diego, still asleep in my bed, and a warm contentment would wash over me.
“I’ll take over from here, sugar,” Aunt Dolly said, stepping up beside me. “You go back up to your man.” She gave me a good once over. “You’ve still got your pajamas on, anyway.”
I glanced down at my outfit and laughed. I’d been so caught up in the morning rush that I’d completely forgotten I was still wearing sweatpants and Diego’s shirt.
“Go on now,” Dolly insisted, shooing me away from the counter. “That handsome cowboy of yours is probably wondering where you ran off to.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, feeling a little guilty about leaving her with the morning crowd.
“I’ve been running this diner since before you were born,” she reminded me with a wink. “I think I can handle a few breakfast orders. Besides, it’s Christmas Eve. Go enjoy it.”
I didn’t need to be told again. I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, waved to Mabel, and headed back upstairs, taking the steps two at a time.
When I pushed open the apartment door, I found Diego sitting up in bed, his hair adorably mussed, looking slightly disoriented. The sheet pooled around his waist, leaving his chest bare. My heart did that ridiculous flutter thing it always did when I saw him like this.
“There you are,” he said, voice still rough with sleep. His eyes traveled over me, a slow smile spreading across his face when he recognized his shirt. “Looks better on you than it ever did on me.”
“I doubt that,” I replied, crossing the room to sit on the edge of the bed. “I just went down to get some coffee. Didn’t want to wake you.”
Diego reached out, his warm hand settling on my thigh. “You okay? You’ve got a look.”
“A look?” I echoed.
“Yeah,” he nodded, studying my face. “Like you’ve been thinking big thoughts.”
I laughed softly. It was scary sometimes how well he could read me already. “I have, actually.”
“Wanna share with the class?” He tugged me closer until I was sitting next to him, his arm wrapping around my waist.
I took a deep breath. “I told Dolly I want to stay in Sagebrush.”
Diego went very still beside me. “You did?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed, suddenly nervous. “I mean, if you were serious about staying too. About us.”
The smile that broke across his face was like the sun coming out after a storm. “Dead serious,” he said, pulling me into a kiss that left me breathless. When he pulled back, his eyes were shining. “You really want to stay here? In Sagebrush?”
“I do,” I nodded, feeling more certain with each passing second. “I was thinking I might look into that empty storefront down the street. Maybe open something. I don’t know what yet, but—”
I didn’t get a chance to finish my thought as he pulled me in for another kiss. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me onto the bed on top of him. As I sunk down on top of him, I felt his thick cock grinding against me through the sheets.
“Someone’s excited,” I grinned, looking into those warm brown eyes of his that I loved.
“I’m always excited when you’re around.” He kissed me again, his hands drifting under the waistband of my sweatpants and grabbing my ass. “God you’re fuckin’ perfect.”
“I don’t know about that,” I groaned, leaning into his touch.
He caught my gaze, staring at me with the most serious expression I’d ever seen. “I do,” he said, leaving no room for argument. “You are perfect in every way.”
My cheeks burned, but I loved the praise. “You’re not too shabby yourself,” I added. “More than I’ve ever dreamed of, actually.”
He smiled wide. “You’re gonna make me blush, Freckles.”
I reached down, grabbing his cock under the sheets, the heat seeping into my skin as he groaned with pleasure. “I plan to do a lot more than that, cowboy.”