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

brother. "You boys have two volumes, loud and louder."
    "True, but you were talkative yesterday." Ty's eyes darkened to a stormy green. "What's going on?"
    She wiped her hands on a dishtowel, glanced out the window at the snow-covered meadow and sparkling river in the distance. "It really is beautiful here."
    "Now I know something's wrong. Tell me what's going on, kiddo."
    "Nothing."
    "Don't say nothing when there's something."
    Ty knew her too well. Of course he did. He was all she had. He'd been there when she'd started her period. When she'd nearly failed Pre-calculus. When she'd been dumped three days before the homecoming dance. When she'd gone against his judgment and kept dating one of his cowboy co-workers only to find out the jerk was cheating on her.
    But Ty hadn't been there with the others, especially the Darbys.
    Would he have seen through their lies and fake smiles? She toyed with the towel, twisting the fabric.
    "Tell me."
    "It's Nate." Rachel didn't know where to begin, but she knew what to leave out—that she thought her brother's boss was a tasty piece of eye candy and she'd gone from freezing to feverish in seconds when Nate rubbed her hands. "He talked to Carson Scott about my selling gingerbread at his tree farm this weekend."
    "I know Carson. Nice guy."
    "Nate said you could get tables and a pop-up tent out of storage for me."
    "Sure, but—" Ty scratched his head "—this sounds like a great opportunity. How come you're not bouncing around with a big smile on your face?"
    She ran her teeth over her lower lip. "Nate's driving me to Bozeman this afternoon so I can buy baking supplies."
    "Still not getting why you look like a barn cat who missed out on the last mouse instead of one with an overflowing food bowl."
    Not missed out, had the mouse stolen right from her mouth. "Nate's going out of his way to help me."
    "He's that kind of guy."
    "You trust him, right?"
    "Completely." Ty's gaze softened. "I know you got burned bad in Phoenix, but folks here are different."
    "Accepting Nate's help feels… weird. Wrong." She wrapped her arms over her stomach. "I want to do this on my own."
    "You've been doing great on your own, but everyone needs help sometimes." Ty placed his hand on her shoulder. "Nate's a good guy. Honest. Smart, too. I thought turning the Bar V5 into a working dude ranch would destroy it, thought about quitting, but turns out Nate was right. He's the one to ask if you have a question about business."
    "You sound certain."
    "I am. I trust him with my life and with you."
    Rachel knew her brother wouldn't lead her astray, but she couldn't help question Nate's motives. He made her feel warm and safe and smile in spite of herself. No one made her feel like that except Ty, but he was her brother. Nate was a businessman. A nice guy, maybe, but she couldn't shake her misgivings. He reminded her of a firecracker, something to ooh and ahh over and watch explode from a safe distance so she didn't get burned again. "I guess I wouldn't have found out about the Christmas tree farm without Nate."
    "That's right." Ty pulled her in for one of his bear hugs. "Everything will be fine, kiddo. Let Nate help you. I have a feeling if you do, you'll make enough money for a lease deposit."
    Rachel wanted to believe Ty. But people didn't offer help without wanting something in return. Repaying her brother was one thing, but he could invest in more promising ventures than hers. This had to be about more than gratitude and gingerbread.
    Not sex.
    Someone wealthy and handsome like Nate could get any woman he wanted. A hardworking baker wasn't high on the trophy wife list. He wanted something else. The question was what.
    And would whatever Nate Vaughn wanted be more than she was willing to give?

     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    The next afternoon, Rachel stood outside the Main Street Diner with Nate, a folder full of order forms pressed tightly against her chest. Something was ringing. She looked around toward the jingling