Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy - Diana Palmer Page 0,107

or just ogle his guest. Who would’ve thought him bringing a woman into the café would’ve caused such a stir? Was he really such a loner?

And Veronica had been great with everyone; her interest in their lives was not feigned, but completely genuine, and it showed. A number of people had given him a thumbs-up behind her back or an encouraging wink, which was totally embarrassing. They were all going to be disappointed when they realized he and Veronica were just friends. He stared at her as she finished her coffee. Dammit, he was going to be disappointed if that’s all they ever were.

“What’s wrong?”

Ted started, as she looked him right in the eye.

“Nothing, I was just . . .” He wasn’t stupid enough to share his revolutionary thought. She’d probably go running out the door and back to L.A. before he finished the sentence. “Thinking we should get a move on. I’ve got to take a shift at the gas pumps at lunchtime, so I’ll need to get back.”

“Sure!” She immediately pocketed her phone, and stood up to put on her jacket. “I can’t wait to see Avery.”

He helped her with her coat, and then put on his own before waving good-bye to Yvonne and heading back out onto Main Street. The snow had hardened into a firm crispness that made walking on it far easier than the night before. Veronica looped her arm through his and he slowed his pace to accommodate her shorter strides.

“It’s so beautiful here.” Veronica sighed as she looked around and then out at the towering black peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. “It makes you forget that you’re soon going to be cut off from civilization, and praying every night that the power stays on.”

“I hear you.” Ted chuckled. “I’ve got my own generator, if that makes you feel any better. And I kind of like it—the isolation and the quietness that descends when the gold country tourists can’t get to us. It’s like we’ve stepped back in time.”

“And the hotel is a saloon and the sheriff is gathering a posse to go after some bandits?” Veronica grinned at him. “Who would’ve thought you could be so romantic?”

They reached the hotel, which was four stories high, and much bigger than it looked behind its old, faux western façade. Ted had spent his childhood running in and out of the place so he had no hesitation in taking Veronica through the kitchens.

Keeping hold of Veronica’s hand, he went up the steep backstairs and emerged two stories higher, slightly winded. The sound of laughter reached him from along the narrow corridor and he headed for the open door.

Avery Hayes stood in the middle of the room with a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other. She was talking to January Morgan who had her small son, Chase William, with her.

“I don’t want to throw flowers.” The little boy stuck out his lip. “I want to ride my pony.”

Ted paused in the doorway and kept quiet as he waited to see how the bride-to-be and her new sister-in-law handled the stubborn three-year-old.

“You know, I’d love it if you could do that.” Avery sat down beside him and sighed like she really meant it. “But as it’s winter, we’re holding the wedding inside, and not out at the ranch. I don’t think it would be fair on Muggs. He might get scared with all the noise and the people.”

“I wouldn’t let him be scared,” Chase William insisted.

“I’m sorry, honey, but horses aren’t allowed inside hotels,” January added firmly. “Mr. Hayes said so. Wouldn’t you just like to throw the flowers? I know you’d be really good at it.” She paused. “Unless you’d prefer baby Elizabeth to do it?”

“She’s too small!” Chase William protested.

“But she could do it if Daddy or I carried her, and then you could just sit in the row with Grandpa, and not have to do anything, or have anyone look at you, and think what a big, grown-up boy you are.”

“Masterful,” Veronica whispered in Ted’s ear as a hundred different expressions crossed the little boy’s face. “That’s TC Morgan’s wife?”

“Yup, January. She’s awesome.”

Chase William turned back to Avery who had been waiting patiently despite the fact that she must have a million things to organize.

“I’ll do the flowers.”

“That’s so good of you,” Avery said admiringly. “I can’t think of anyone who could do a better job.” She looked up at January who winked. “Then, that’s settled. We’ll see you here on