A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe by Vicki Lewis Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

friend would show up. More often it would be two or three.
    But a little while later, Harriet’s husband stopped in and they both left. Whitney put Meryl in charge of the counter and walked over to sit across from Rosie. “How was your Thanksgiving?”
    “Wonderful. I’ll bet you worked most of the day, didn’t you?”
    “I did, but no worries. I’m not martyring myself to the cause. I’ll close on Christmas. I just promoted Meryl to assistant manager, so now I have someone to cover for me when I’m gone.”
    “Good call. She’s a hard worker.”
    “And ambitious and intelligent. I lucked out with her. Anyway, she’s taking Christmas Eve Day and the twenty-sixth for me. I’ll drive down to Cheyenne to see my folks then.”
    Rosie nodded in approval. “Excellent. I’m sure they miss you.”
    “They do, and I miss them, but opening this new location is a terrific opportunity for me.”
    “You’re doing a fine job, too. Incidentally, I’m glad you and Ty rediscovered each other.”
    “He’s a great guy.”
    “I agree.”
    Whitney smiled. “I’m sure you do.”
    “I guess you’re aware of his background because it was printed on the calendar. I’m still not sure how I feel about that. It helps the cause, but I think it bothers him for strangers to know those details. He hates the idea of being pitied. All my boys do.”
    “Personally, I admire him for getting on with his life the way he has. I’m sure you and Herb were a part of that healing process.”
    “We were, of course, but he had a good foundation. His parents were nice people. We knew them slightly, and my boys went to school with Ty, so naturally Herb and I wanted to help.”
    “He’s lucky you were there for him.”
    “He knows that. At first he was mad at the world, but he’s mellowed out, thank goodness. That doesn’t mean I don’t worry about him.” She reached over and patted Whitney’s arm. “I’m thrilled you’re seeing each other. He told me you have plans to get together today and later this evening, so I assume you’re enjoying each other’s company.”
    “We are.” Her face grew warm.
    Rosie grinned. “Now that’s cute as all get-out. He turned pink, too, when I mentioned it. Anyway, that’s really what I came in to say, that I’m happy for both of you. I didn’t get a chance to tell you last night.”
    “Well, thank you.” She took a steadying breath. “But I’m not sure how much we’ll be seeing each other over the long haul, considering we live so far apart. A five-hour drive, especially in the winter, isn’t all that much fun.”
    “I know the situation’s not ideal, but these things have a way of working out if they’re supposed to.” Rosie’s gaze shifted to a spot over Whitney’s shoulder. “Hey, Janine! Saw you come in a minute ago. Recovered from all your dancing last night?”
    Whitney turned as one of Rosie’s oldest friends walked over to the table, coffee in hand. Whitney gave up her chair despite Janine’s protest.
    Meryl was due for her break soon, and Whitney wanted her to take it so she’d be back before one. Ty had shown up right on time last night and probably would again today. Although she’d called his plan silly, she could hardly wait to see him.
    Ever since he’d given her that heated gaze before walking out her door, she’d been riding an adrenaline high. She’d finished trimming the tree while sipping wine from the bottle. There’d been at least a third of it left and they’d washed the goblets.
    Then she’d put up her only other Christmas decoration, a ball of fake mistletoe. She’d chosen to hang it in the archway leading into her kitchen, but it didn’t really matter where she put it. Kissing Ty was a foregone conclusion whether she had mistletoe or not.
    She’d taken a hot bath in the vain hope that it would relax her. But who could be expected to fall asleep in a bed that probably would be occupied by a gorgeous cowboy in less than twenty-four hours?