Her Christmas Cowboy (The Wyoming Cowboy #5) - Jessica Clare Page 0,68
he’d be at the party, as well as Caleb’s uncle, the town vet. It shouldn’t have been intimidating, but she wasn’t at this party as Libby’s schoolteacher. She was here as Caleb’s girlfriend.
That made everything different.
Caleb kept a hand at her back as she headed for the house, nervously clutching the present she’d brought. It had seemed like a clever—and cheap—gift, but now she worried that no one would find it funny but her. That they’d look at her sparkly dress and think she was showing off. That they wouldn’t like her. Oh god, what if Caleb’s family didn’t like her? She was a divorcée, after all, and some people thought that divorcées were broken, like there was something wrong with them if they weren’t married any longer. What if his family judged her and found her lacking?
A week ago she wouldn’t have cared. She’d have been hurt a little, but it wouldn’t have mattered overall. Suddenly, everything seemed to matter. She wanted Caleb’s family to like her. She wanted Caleb to be proud of her. She wanted to be a good girlfriend to him . . . even if it had only been a week.
How had it only been a week?
Caleb opened the front door and three dogs came rushing out, tails wagging. She tensed, worried for Donner, but his tail wagged with lightning speed, and for the next few moments, the dogs sniffed each other and licked by way of greeting around Caleb’s legs. “That’s enough,” Caleb said. “Everyone inside.”
The happy, wiggly flood of dogs immediately went back into the house, and Donner tried to follow. Caleb unhooked his leash and let him go, and he blended into the pack of dogs and disappeared inside. Amy watched him go, nervous. “You think he’ll be okay?”
“He’s fine,” Caleb said, ushering her into the house. “Come on.”
The interior of the house was warm and cozy. While it seemed large and imposing outside, inside it was inviting. The ceiling of the place was tall and arched, the roof peaked, and it made the house seem spacious despite the fact that the walls were thick and heavy. She could see a large fireplace in one corner of the living area, a wood stove against the opposite wall, and a large decorated tree in the center. There was a bright red rug on the floor and a TV mounted on the wall. A table had been set up with a paper holiday tablecloth and food and drink was set out atop it. The walls had wreaths and stockings interspersed with old photos of ranch life. Despite all the care taken to decorate, the living area was empty, and she could hear voices in the kitchen.
“Where is everyone?” Amy asked as Caleb took the present from her and set it down on a table near the door.
“Getting a drink, I imagine.” He shrugged. “Let me help you with your coat.”
She took it off and handed it to him, waiting for him to comment on her dress.
Caleb just stared, his gaze devouring her. She definitely felt overdressed, considering that Caleb was wearing dark jeans and an equally dark shirt. “Um, some of the parties I’ve been to in the past were a bit . . . dressier.” When he remained silent, it made her nervous. “Is this okay? Should I go home and change?”
His gaze flicked to hers. “No.”
“No, it’s not okay?” Her heart sank.
“No, you’re not changing.” He rubbed his mouth with a hand. “You look . . . nice.”
“Wow. You’re killing me with the compliments,” she teased, her feelings recovering a little. He couldn’t seem to stop staring, and that was gratifying. “I wore this for you.”
His gaze flicked to hers, and there was so much heat and intensity in his eyes that it made her breathless. He pulled her closer to him, leaning in to whisper. “Are you trying to make me hard in front of everyone?”
“Yes?” She fluttered her eyes innocently.
“It’s working.” He put a hand to her back and then pulled away as if burned. “Jesus . . . your dress . . . I don’t know where to touch you.”
Okay, this was definitely the reaction she’d wanted. She beamed at him. “Anywhere you like.”
He turned bright red at her words, the flush creeping up his face, and that made her smile even more. “I’m gonna have to save that thought for later.”
“Should I put my coat back on?” she teased, gesturing at it.