“And do what?”
“Rescue her the cowboy way. Ride out there on a horse and bring her back tucked in front of you. You have the advantage, son. Maximize it.”
* * *
ELLE PONDERED THE irony of her situation as she watched for headlights on the road. Maybe it wasn’t ironic, after all, but fitting. Supposedly she’d saved Trey’s life last spring, but by doing so, she’d apparently saved her own.
Without realizing it, she’d blindly followed a pattern stamped into her by her parents. They’d adjusted to constant moves by becoming detached from people and places. Or maybe they’d chosen their life paths because they preferred to stay detached.
She wasn’t like them. Trey had shown her that by jolting her out of a numbing lifestyle and making her feel again. She’d needed a dyed-in-the-wool romantic to accomplish that, and she’d found him.
But getting to him tonight had been more of a challenge than she’d anticipated. Honest to God, they needed streetlights on this road. She’d never driven in such total blackness. If Trey hadn’t answered his cell phone, her predicament could have been dire.
He had, though, and he should arrive any minute. She’d left her headlights on so he’d see her. Beyond the reach of those beams, she searched for evidence that he was coming in her direction.
Then her phone rang. Why the hell was he calling her? She pushed the connect button. “Where are you? I have my lights on. I shouldn’t be hard to spot.”
“I decided to warn you that I’m not coming in my truck.”
“What do you mean, you’re not coming?” She sounded panicky, but she couldn’t help it. Darkness surrounded her, not to mention snow, and she needed to be rescued, damn it!
“I’m heading toward you, but I’m riding a horse. I didn’t want to scare you.”
“A horse?” She wondered if this was a crazy dream. “What is it, a Clydesdale?”
“No, just a regular horse named Inkspot. We’re going to leave your truck here until tomorrow when it’ll be easier to see what we’re doing. Inkspot and I will take you to the ranch.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope.” And he rode into the beam of her headlights.
She stared at this broad-shouldered cowboy wearing a sheepskin jacket and a Stetson. He’d come to her rescue, not like the Lone Ranger, but like a knight in shining armor, mounted on a magnificent black-and-white horse.
Grabbing her duffel, she opened the door and climbed out as he dismounted. They met in the beam of her headlights, and she launched herself into his arms, knocking his hat into the snow.
He didn’t seem to notice as he gathered her close and kissed her. His mouth was cold at first, but it warmed up fast. And all the while, she was thinking that this was the man she would be kissing for the rest of her life, and that was beyond wonderful.
Although he couldn’t seem to stop kissing her, he managed to lift his mouth long enough to murmur a few words about needing to get her back to the ranch. Maybe that was so, but she had what she wanted right here.
Finally, he cupped her face and put some distance between her lips and his. “Seriously. We have to get back. It’s cold out here.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
“Trust me, you will. Let’s turn off your headlights and lock your Jeep.”
“Not before I say what I came to say.” Suddenly it seemed more important than anything else.
He went very still. “Okay.”
“I love you, Trey Wheeler. I’ve never been in love before, so I didn’t know what had happened to me, but you happened to me, and I’ve been an idiot, and—” She didn’t get to finish because he started kissing her again. But she’d said most of it, at least.
Moments later, he came up for air. “That’s the most beautiful speech I’ve ever heard.”
“There’s more.”
“And I can’t wait to hear it. But if we don’t get back soon, they’ll send out a search party, and that will louse up everyone’s Christmas Eve celebration.”
“I don’t want that.”
“Me, either.”
“But I just need to hear one thing from you before we go.”
“Anything. I’ll say anything you want me to.”
“Come on, Trey. You know what it is. You write songs about it.”
“Are you talking about saying that I love you? Isn’t it obvious?”
“Yes.” She laughed. “But that doesn’t mean a girl doesn’t want to hear those words when she’s driven all the way out here in the dark on Christmas Eve.”
He cupped the back of her neck with one gloved hand and gazed into her eyes. “I love you, Elle Masterson. I love you with everything I have, everything I am and everything I will ever be.”
“Oh.” Tears filled her eyes. “That’s...beautiful.”
“Not nearly as beautiful as the life we’re going to have together.” He brushed his warm lips over hers. “Starting right now.” In moments he’d locked her Jeep and hoisted her into the saddle in true hero fashion.
And although they rode off into the snow instead of into the sunset, Elle had no doubt they would have a very happy ending.
Epilogue
“GUESS WE WON’T have to spend Christmas Eve delivering a foal, after all.” Regan O’Connelli stripped off his rubber gloves and got to his feet.
Timothy Lindquist, head trainer for the Marley Stables, sighed. “Sorry to bring you out here for a false alarm, Doc. I thought for sure she was in labor. The boss has high hopes for this one, up to and including the Triple Crown, so I can’t take chances.”
“I completely understand. But my fiancée will be very happy not to spend Christmas Eve alone.”
Timothy grinned. “Same with my wife. She knows how important this foal is, but she still grumbled when I informed her that this was the night.”
“Not from what I see, but I’d keep an eye on things if I were you.” Regan picked up his bag.
“Don’t worry. I will. But coming down here every few hours is a hell of a lot better than spending the night in the barn. Thanks, Doc.”
“You bet.” Regan shook the trainer’s hand. “Call me if you notice any changes.”
“Got your number in my phone. Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you.” Regan left the barn and glanced up at the clear sky. No snow in sight. Too bad.
In Virginia, you never knew if you’d have snow for the holidays or not. Jeannette was hoping for a white Christmas, and it didn’t look promising. But she’d probably trade snow for having him around tonight. He’d told her he’d probably be gone for hours, maybe all night.
On the drive home he pulled out his phone to call and let her know he was on his way. He was in the habit of doing that. Then he thought better of it. Since it was Christmas, he’d surprise her. That would be more romantic.
But now that he had his phone out, he could call his sister Cassidy in Wyoming and wish her a Merry Christmas. So far she seemed to love apprenticing as the housekeeper at the Last Chance, plus she got to see Tyler and Morgan a lot, and Cassidy adored her big sisters.
With seven siblings, plus his parents, Regan had to space out his holiday calls. He’d contact both Tyler and Morgan tomorrow, when he had more time. He wanted all the details on the wedding, especially Tyler’s performances with Watkins and Trey Wheeler.
Talking to Morgan would take a while, too, because it would undoubtedly include a long conversation with his niece Sarah Bianca. He smiled. He was crazy about that little redhead.
Cassidy answered right away. “Regan! Merry Christmas! I can’t talk long, because we have this huge party going on. I’ll text you about it later.”
“Great! So you’re having fun?”
“Are you kidding? I love it here. Love, love, love it. You should move out to Jackson Hole, Regan. Nick keeps saying he needs a partner in his vet business.”
Regan laughed. “Yeah, he mentioned that when I was there last summer, but Cass, I have a partner, remember? Drake wouldn’t appreciate having me bail on him, and I wouldn’t, anyway. He’s my best friend.”
“I know.” Cassidy sighed dramatically. “But it would be so cool if you were here, too. You and Drake could both come!”
“’Fraid not. His folks live here, and they helped us build our practice. Then there’s Jeannette. Her family’s here, too. I guarantee she wouldn’t want to move to Wyoming.”
“Well, bummer. Promise you’ll come out for a visit soon, okay? Bring Jeannette. Maybe once she sees the place, she’ll be hooked.”
“I’ll see what I can figure out, sweetie.” But he didn’t know when he’d work in a visit to the Last Chance. He and Jeannette were deep into wedding planning. He’d suggested Jackson Hole for their honeymoon, and she’d made a face.
“Gotta go, brother of mine. Mary Lou needs me. Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, Cassidy. Love you.” As he disconnected, his chest tightened with longing. He could imagine how festive the ranch house was tonight.
But he couldn’t be in two places at once, and he had a hot woman waiting in the town house they’d rented temporarily until they decided for sure where they wanted to buy. He was almost there. She’d be so excited to see him.
As he turned down the street, he noticed Drake’s SUV parked in front of the house. Huh. Then he chuckled. Drake had dropped by with his last-minute gift. Typical of the guy. Drake bragged about his Christmas Eve shopping marathons. Jeannette had probably offered him a beer.
Regan parked in the street instead of pulling into the drive. This would be fun. He’d surprise them both, and then the three of them could have a Christmas Eve drink together. Perfect.
Pleased with how the evening was turning out, he strode up the walk, climbed the steps and unlocked the front door. When he walked in, he expected to see both of them sitting in the living room, but it was empty. Maybe they’d gone back to the kitchen, although it was really quiet back there.
Then he heard a sound he knew quite well, one that he’d become fond of in the past six months. The wail drifting down from their upstairs bedroom was unmistakable. Someone had just given his fiancée an orgasm. And the odds were excellent that it was the same person who drove the SUV parked outside.