Home For Christmas (A Copper Mountain Christmas) by Melissa Mcclone Read Free Book Online

Ty's concerns better.
    "You can see why I'm wary if anyone offers their help, right?"
    "You've got to realize some offers are sincere." He noticed her slight shrug. "Mine is."
    Her gaze jerked up to meet his. "Because of Ty."
    "And you." Nate meant that. Sure, he wanted Ty to stay, but Rachel was a smart woman with a world of talent. Nate liked having her at the ranch.
    Not that he was going to start anything or beg, but yesterday's lunch had been the best off-season meal in years, comparable to summer meals that took a kitchen staff to prepare.
    Another shrug.
    This was going to be a harder sell than he'd imagined. "You were screwed. It's easy to see why you're reluctant. But hear me out about the tree farm."
    "I'm listening."
    "This morning I spoke with Carson Scott. We grew up together. He owns a Christmas tree farm. This weekend is his biggest of the year. Big crowds. Well, big for Marietta. They'll be offering sleigh rides to customers. Sage Carrigan, who owns Copper Mountain Chocolates, will sell hot cocoa. I told Carson about your gingerbread. He said you could set up a stand. Sell cookies and your houses."
    "You talked to him about me?"
    Nate couldn't tell from her tone if she was interested or angry. "Your product seemed a good fit."
    "A perfect fit, except…" Those adorable worry lines above her nose returned telling him her brain was trying to figure things out. "I'll need tables, a pop-up tent, lots more supplies to make gingerbread."
    Smart women with a workable plan had always been a turn-on. "Sounds like a yes."
    "If I can figure out the logistics. Where to get all the stuff I need. How much to bake."
    "No worries," he said. "We use tables and tents in the summer. Tell Ty what you need and he can pull them out of storage."
    "Only if you let me rent them."
    Nate wanted to list the reasons she didn't need to pay, but realized she wouldn't use the tables for free. Fine. He could play this her way. "Sure, if you pay me in baked goods."
    "Deal." She bit her lip, making him wonder what she tasted like. Sweet or a little spicy? "I'll need to borrow Ty's truck. Baking supplies will be cheaper in a bigger town."
    "Bozeman has a Costco. I have a membership."
    "Nate—"
    "I have things to buy there myself." So what if he'd shopped there two days ago? He could find something to buy in the warehouse, whether he needed it or not. This was for Ty, even if the idea of spending the afternoon with Rachel appealed to Nate on a gut level. "Make a list of what you'll need. I'll drive you after lunch."
    That wariness returned to her gaze. "Don't you have work to do?"
    "I have five guys who can cover for me. The winter is our slow season. The priorities are keeping the driveway plowed, the paths shoveled, the animals fed and watered, and the utilities working. We fill the time with maintenance and upgrade projects."
    "Okay, then." She stood, wiped the snow off her legs. "I'd better get busy."
    "What about your snowman?"
    "Later. I have work to do if I'll be away this afternoon."
    Nate laughed. Same work ethic as Ty, only Rachel was better looking and smelled nicer. "You're so much like your brother."
    "That's the best compliment you could give me." Her bright-as-Christmas-tree-lights smile made Nate feel warm and fuzzy. "Even if he can be a pain in the butt."
    Ty had tried Nate's patience a time or two, but agreeing with her didn't seem wise. His loyalty was to his best friend and partner. Even if the woman in front of him heated him up better than a cup of coffee.
    "Thank you for talking to your friend," she added. "This could be the break I needed."
    "I have another idea if you're interested in hearing it."
    She opened her mouth then closed it. "How about on the drive?"
    "You've got yourself a deal."
    And though she didn't realize it, she had herself a business partner, too. A silent one.
     

     
    "You were quiet during lunch."
    "It's hard to talk over all you cowboys." Rachel put the last plate into the dishwasher then faced her