Chapter 12
COCO
The barn looks like something straight out of a Christmas catalog. Strings of lights drip from the rafters, hay bales stack around the edges like rustic couches, and the giant spruce glows in the corner. It’s simple yet elegant, tinsel sparkling as it catches light from all angles.
I step back and admire our work. “If this doesn’t scream Holiday Hoedown, I don’t know what does.”
Aspen whistles low. “You and Beau knocked it out of the park with that tree—and the hay and tinsel dance floor is brilliant.” She tosses a handful of the glittery strands in the air. They shimmer as they fall, catching in her hair like silver icicles.
My cheeks heat remembering where our brilliant idea led. Straight to Beau’s bedroom. The same place we’ve ended up every night after I close the bar.
“Things just fell into place.” I pick a few stray strands from my sweater and sprinkle them on the floor.
“Oh, I bet they did.” Aspen’s grin spreads slow and wicked. “You’ve been glowing for days. And don’t think I haven’t noticed the cowboy-sized smile following you around.”
“We’ve been… busy.” I glance across the room at Beau, admiring his backside as he rearranges hay bales.
“Uh, huh. And I’m sure all that decorating is what put that sparkle in your eyes.” She elbows me gently. “I’m happy for you, Coco.”
My chest tightens. “I didn’t think—” I pause, chewing on my bottom lip. “I don’t want to jinx this, but I never thought I could be this happy.”
“That’s how you know it’s real.” Her smile softens. “Tell him. I’m betting he feels the same.”
A shout from across the barn pulls our attention away. “Hey, Aspen. Where do you want the mistletoe?”
I wave her off to go do her thing. I glance at Beau, near the stall door. Just looking at him makes my insides flutter. He looks up, and his grin makes my heart pump faster.
“Hey, cowboy, got a minute?” I move closer, brushing hay and tinsel from my jeans.
“I was just about to ask you the same.” He says, pulling me through the doorway for privacy.
“You first then,” I say, unsure of how to put into words what I want to say.
“Ladies first, darlin’.” He lowers his voice to a sexy drawl. “You always come first.”
My pulse quickens, nerves tangling with anxious energy. I take a breath.
“I’m not a buckle bunny or groupie. I’m not the kind of girl who plays the field.
This is all new to me. I didn’t think it was possible.
” The words tumble out in a rush as I nervously twist and untwist a strand of hay between my fingers.
“What I’m trying to say is, I think I’m falling for you. And maybe it’s too soon—”
His expression softens into something so tender it nearly undoes me.
“I know I’m in love with you,” he says, reaching for me. “No thinkin’ about it.”
My breath catches. “Really? You’re sure?”
He nods. “As sure as I’m breathin’.”
I throw my arms around his neck, laughing as relief and joy spill out of me. “I know, too,” I whisper against his ear. “I’m madly, unregrettably in love with you.”
He nuzzles my neck. “I’ll never take your love for granted, Coco. Never break your heart. That’s my word.”
I rise on my toes, kiss him softly, and taste that promise. Everything around us fades in the distance—the chatter, laughter, Christmas music—then a loud whinny slices through the quiet.
We break apart, startled, and turn to see Duke watching from his stall, ears perked and eyes bright, his lips curling into a toothy grin.
Beau chuckles, brushing a thumb over my cheek. “Pretty sure Duke’s sweet on you, too.”
I laugh, breathless and giddy. “He is a charmer, just like my cowboy.”