A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe Read Online Free PDF

them on her plate.
    “Excellent.”
    “Yes, I did it, but at this rate I’ll starve to death. I think I’ll use a fork for the meal and practice later. I have the general idea.” She peered at him. “Unless you’re some kind of stickler who’ll be offended.”
    “I’m a stickler when it comes to contract law and not much else. By all means, use a fork.”
    “But you won’t, will you?”
    He shrugged. “I’m used to eating with chopsticks. It’s fun for me.”
    “Then by all means, go for it.” She served herself a generous portion of each dish, plus a spoonful of brown rice. “Who taught you how to use them?”
    “My mom.”
    The abbreviated response told her not to ask any more questions. The short bio on the calendar had mentioned that he’d lost both parents at fourteen, so it had likely been an accident of some kind. She understood how one tragic moment could change someone’s life.
    She and Ty didn’t know each other well enough to delve into those dark recesses. But his mother had taught him well. He could manipulate those chopsticks as if he’d been born with them in his hand.
    He picked up a clump of rice and held it effortlessly in midair. “The new location seems to be doing great.”
    Change of topic. That was fine with her. She nodded as she finished a bite of the excellent orange chicken. “It is. Ginny had high hopes that the town would be a good market, and it’s turned out that way.”
    “I’m sure you had something to do with that.” He popped the rice into his mouth.
    “I hope so. I’ve always loved coffee shops. They’ve been gathering places for centuries. I feel as if I’m carrying on an important tradition.”
    “You definitely are. I’ve used Rangeland Roasters for meeting both clients and friends. It’s a no-pressure spot to hang out.”
    “I know!” She warmed to her favorite subject. “I brought in some universal games like checkers and chess. My customers love them! And while they play, they drink coffee, so that means more revenue. Good for them and good for the shop.”
    “Besides that, you make them feel at home. You remember names and drink orders.”
    “Oh, that’s easy.”
    “For you, maybe. Some people have a really tough time recalling names and personal details. Their brains are busy with stuff like quantum physics.”
    “Or contract law?” She knew he was smart, but she didn’t have a grasp on what kind of smart.
    “Thinking about a case doesn’t keep me from remembering everyday things, especially if they’re written down somewhere or I have a clear picture in my head.”
    “Photographic memory?”
    “That’s what the tests say.”
    That fascinated her. “Tell me how it works.”
    “I can’t speak to how it works with others, but for me, if I need to remember something, I take a mental picture of it. That can be a page of case law or the items on this table.”
    “Perfect recall.”
    “If I concentrate, pretty much.”
    “Amazing. What a talent.”
    He smiled and shook his head. “Maybe, but I can’t take credit for it. I was born that way.” He hesitated. “So was my mom.”
    She accepted that admission as the gift it was. He trusted her enough to tell her something personal. All things considered, this date was off to a great start. “That’s a nice legacy.”
    “That’s what my foster mom said a long time ago. She was right, but then, she usually is. I guess you’ve met her.”
    “Rosie? Oh, yeah. She pops in at least once a week. Usually she orders a Mocha Madness, but every once in a while she’ll have a Crazy for Caramel instead. She keeps telling me I need to get a liquor license so I can serve Baileys in her coffee.”
    He laughed. “She does love that combo. By the way, she and Herb, plus a couple of my brothers and their girlfriends, are out dancing tonight. We’re invited, but I didn’t make any promises.”
    “Oh!” Maybe she wouldn’t have him all to herself, after all. He’d come to Sheridan to visit