my chest in an attempt to ease the tightness. I knew why I reacted that way. I was letting Tanner in, and that scared the living piss out of me.
“Timberlynn?”
Kaylee’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I snapped my eyes over to her. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Daydreaming, were you?” Kaylee asked with a soft smile. Her eyes silently asked if I was okay, and I gave her a simple grin in return.
“Something like that. Trying to guess what this surprise is you’re going to show me today.”
Kaylee’s faced beamed with excitement, then she looked at her phone. “If you’re ready to go, we should probably be heading out.”
“Sure, I’m ready.”
Stella looked at me with an odd expression on her face, but then it was gone in an instant as she stood and flashed that sweet smile of hers. It reminded me so much of Tanner’s smile, and it was hard to ignore the way my stomach dropped as I thought once more about how I had reacted last night.
“When you come back, we’re baking for the holidays,” Stella said.
I looked between her and Kaylee. Neither one of us was used to these sorts of activities. Kaylee’s parents were always out of town, and Lord knows my father was never around for any pre-holiday activities. My nanny had tried a few times to arrange for Christmas cookie baking and decorating with a promise from my father that he would be there. He never showed up, and after three years in a row of him being a no-show, and me growing old enough to know he didn’t give a damn about my feelings, I asked Rachel to stop planning them.
Kaylee winked at me, most likely knowing where my thoughts were.
“I’ve never baked for the holidays before,” I admitted.
Stella looked stunned. “Why not?” She seemed apologetic as soon as she said it.
I shrugged. “My father was a doctor and worked a lot, so we never got to the whole before-Christmas cookie baking.”
“Ever?” Stella asked.
“No, ma’am. Not once that I can remember.”
“But you had presents and such?”
I turned and looked at Kaylee. “Shall we go?” I knew it was rude, but with the way I was feeling about everything with Tanner, the last thing I wanted to talk about was my lack of happy childhood Christmas memories.
“Yeah, let me text Ty that we’re leaving and I’m taking his truck.”
Stella walked us to the back door where Kaylee had parked Ty’s truck.
“You girls have fun. Be sure to stop at Nelly’s for a piece of pie, at least, Kaylee.”
I wanted to groan. I’d only been here a week and I was positive I had gained ten pounds already. If I moved here, I’d have to rein in my eating some.
Kaylee chuckled. “I think I’ll save the calories for baking later!”
Stella laughed. “Have fun!”
Kaylee walked out first, and I had to catch my breath at the shock from the cold wind. “Holy shit!” I shouted as I ran past Kaylee to the truck. I didn’t see the small patch of ice and slipped. I was about to fall when strong arms grabbed me from behind.
“Whoa, be careful, or you’ll break your neck. And you’re too beautiful to die.”
When I was firmly on my feet, I turned to see Dirk Littlewood standing there, all six foot two of him. His dark hair was covered by a black cowboy hat that made those meadow green eyes of his flash with excitement. To say he was handsome was an understatement. Of course, Tanner was far more handsome, in my opinion. But Dirk had a forbidden look about him. He was good looking and he knew it, yet he didn’t act cocky. He truly seemed liked a gentleman. He was Brock’s age, twenty-nine I believed Kaylee had said, and seemed to be the only one in this little group not ready to settle down.
“Dirk, thank you so much. I didn’t even see that patch of ice.” My voice was unsteady from almost falling and busting my ass.
He winked. “It’s hard to see it sometimes. Just don’t go running around like that in the winter, and you’ll be fine.”
I laughed and was surprised at how nervous it sounded. I wasn’t the least bit attracted to Dirk. “How’s the bull riding going?” I asked.
He grinned so wide I returned one of my own. “You’re looking at the world champion.”
I gasped. “That’s amazing, Dirk! Congratulations.”
He tipped his cowboy hat at me. “It took Brock retiring for me to get my