Christmas Kisses with My Cowboy - Diana Palmer Page 0,85

as if she were romantically challenged.

“Not in my world.” Faith had approximately six free hours over the next seven days. “Plus, it was just a kiss. There was mistletoe, or holly, but it was raining out and he drove up in his shiny SUV like a hero coming to save the day. We got lost in the moment.”

“Then you don’t care that Noah is tearing down the road,” Gina said, looking out the window.

All three women gathered around the window right as Noah hopped out of his not-a-patrol-car car. He walked over to one of the pickups and rested his arms—his very defined arms that had been wrapped around her—on the hood while he talked to one of the volunteers.

He wore a pair of button-fly jeans, which he filled out to perfection, and a blue and white button-down with the sleeves rolled up, giving it a casual vibe. In place of his usual Stetson was a Santa hat. Even squinting, he was too far away for her to decipher what it said, but even the sight of him had her head buzzing with anticipation.

“Just a kiss, huh?” Shelby laughed, because Faith’s face was pressed so close to the window, the glass was fogging over.

Faith didn’t answer. She couldn’t because Noah took a case of bottled water from the back of his SUV and carried it over to the nearest tailgate. Then he hopped up into the bed of the truck and—sweet baby Jesus—proceeded to bend all . . . the . . . way . . . over to pick up the bottles.

His arms bulged under the weight and his shirt clung to his shoulders, exposing each and every muscle as it tightened. But what had her mouth going dry was that the best backside in the great state of Texas was on display for her viewing pleasure. Shamelessly, she watched as he repeated the process.

Three times.

“Oh my,” Gina said. “I see your problem.”

“Yeah.” Shelby led them outside to the porch swing, getting comfortable for the show. “I wish we had some popcorn.”

Cody hopped up in the truck and both brothers worked together to finish loading the bed to the brim with water for Saturday’s event. A few more guys came around to help out. When finished, the group kicked back and cracked open a couple of cold drinks.

The men continued laughing and talking. About what Faith hadn’t a clue, but there was something off about the way Noah held himself.

“Does Noah look all right to you?” she asked.

The two studied him for a moment and Gina snapped her fingers. “He’s smiling. That’s what’s wrong.”

Shelby laughed but Faith couldn’t help but notice how he kept looking at his watch, rubbing the back of his neck. Then he looked up, spotted her, and frowned, and suddenly all the earlier flutters fizzled and soured.

“Where’s the wine?” Faith asked.

“Where’s your heart?” Shelby asked quietly.

Oh, it was gone. It had taken one look at Noah and rolled over in surrender. And he was checking his watch as if he’d rather be anywhere than there.

“It’s so new, I don’t trust it,” she admitted. “I’m afraid that if I say it out loud, it won’t happen. Things don’t work out for people like me.”

“Oh honey.” Shelby put her arms around Faith. “People like you deserve the best. Plus, it’s Christmas.”

“I understand,” Gina said, with lonely commiseration in her eyes. She, too, had given her heart to someone who overlooked it for something flashier. Only, Gina had to interact with him every day and pretend that her heart wasn’t shattered.

Faith pulled Gina into the hug and all three of them fell backward onto the swing, laughing.

“Too bad the third brother slept with my sister,” Gina said. “Because I want a Tucker under my tree this year.”

Faith did, too. She feared she wanted Noah Tucker for a lot longer than Christmas.

Chapter Ten

Noah was doing his best to listen to Logan, but the truth was he couldn’t take his eyes off Faith. She was sitting on the front porch swing in a pretty soft blue sweater and jeans, her hair hanging long and loose around her face, laughing with her friends. And something in his brain glitched.

The last person he’d seen swinging in that seat was his mama. After she passed, none of them could handle sitting in her favorite spot without her. But Shelby looked right at home. And he couldn’t help but think that Faith did, too.

Things had definitely changed at the Crossing. Cody had grabbed on