A Cowboy Under My Christmas Tree

A Cowboy Under My Christmas Tree Read Online Free PDF

Book: A Cowboy Under My Christmas Tree Read Online Free PDF
Author: Janet Dailey
if you’re prepared, you manage. Out our way, we all help each other.”
    “That’s great.” For a second or so, Nicole imagined herself out on the range, or wherever his ranch was, hanging out with Annie and his mom and dad and golden retriever.
    Wait. Wrong dog, she told herself. Cowboys had—what was the name of that breed?—it came to her. Blue heelers. If he had one, she’d bet anything the dog followed him everywhere.
    She realized the waitress was impatiently looking their way and picked up the menu.
    “I’m starving,” she announced. “Let’s order.”
    “Me too. Good idea.”
    The waitress came over before either of them even signaled and took their order for two cheddar burgers, then disappeared.
    Sam’s hand moved toward the design he’d set on the table, but Nicole stopped him before he could unroll it.
    “Thanks for bringing it,” she said, “but I thought up a new design. Bob and the guys are jigsawing it at his workshop tonight.”
    He acknowledged the update with a smile. “That was fast.”
    “Gotta get it done. By the way, I forgot to ask if you can do more than basic carpentry.”
    “Some. Although I’m no expert,” Sam admitted. “I picked up what I know from my dad. He restored the interior of our ranch house, got it back to how it looked at the turn of the century. ”
    “That’s amazing.”
    Sam nodded. “The original house made it through more than a hundred Colorado winters. Built to last.”
    So are you, Nicole thought. He was leaning back in his chair, his arms folded over his broad chest. She liked the thoughtfulness in his tone and the warmth in his dark blue eyes.
    “It was like going back in time when he was done,” Sam said. “Huge beams, log walls. He uncovered the original fireplace too—native rock.”
    “Wow,” Nicole said, distracted again. “I can just imagine it.” A roaring fire, going strong. Sam, getting comfortable on a long cowhide sofa in front of it. The alehouse seemed a lot warmer all of a sudden.
    Sam nodded. “Once the snow’s up to the eaves and the back roads get blocked, a cord of wood goes pretty fast.”
    “I bet. There are some Manhattan apartments with fireplaces—not mine, though. I live in a fifth-floor walk-up. But I probably wouldn’t use it much even if I had one. I get so busy this time of year.” Nicole shook her head. “Holidays in the city are just crazy.”
    More customers had come in, waiting in line, taking off coats and craning their necks to see if there were any open tables. Some headed for the bar. Piped-in music began to play over the din.
    “That’s New York, I guess.” He smiled. “I have to say I’m enjoying it so far.”
    Nicole was glad to hear it. “You mean you don’t miss Colorado snow?” she teased.
    “Nope. Not yet.”
    “Well, if we get any, Manhattan streets usually get plowed pretty quickly. Around here snow isn’t what you would call scenic after the first day. So, um, how long are you staying?” Nicole meant the question to sound businesslike, but she wasn’t sure it did.
    “Until New Year’s.”
    She wanted to ask him who’d put him up, but she couldn’t bring herself to be so nosy. The thought that he would be leaving in less than a month was unsettling. It wasn’t like she could hire him for the next job, not when her goal was to join the staff of a large store—
    Sam tapped on the table to get her attention.
    “Hey, that reminds me—you ever go to Times Square on the big night and watch the ball drop?”
    “No. It’s too crowded and I’m too short to see anything.” She couldn’t help looking at his big shoulders. He was more than strong enough to carry her on them. Nicole imagined ringing in a brand-new year with Sam Bennett instead of sitting at home in her bathrobe watching the revelry on TV with her cat. Whiskeroo just was not a party animal.
    “If you change your mind—” Sam ventured.
    “Thanks, but I doubt it,” she said quickly. They would probably have a
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