The Christmas Cowboy: (Sweet Western Holiday Romance) (Rodeo Romance Book 1) Read online

  “Kenzie…” His deep, rough voice made heat pool in her belly and her limbs feel languid. “I wish I didn’t have to leave tonight, Dewdrop.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to leave, either,” Kenzie admitted, taking a step toward him.

  That step was all he needed as assurance Kenzie would welcome his kiss. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her to his chest and pressed his lips to hers.

  Flames of heat engulfed him as he deepened the kiss and Kenzie’s very essence soaked into his soul.

  When he finally raised his head, they both drew in a ragged breath.

  “Tate, I… you…” Kenzie said, unable to form coherent thoughts, much less complete sentences.

  “Yeah, I know.” He rested his forehead against hers then playfully rubbed their noses together. “Thanks for coming tonight, Kenz. It meant a lot to me to have you there.”

  “Thanks for inviting me.” Firmly grasping Tate’s muscular biceps in her hands was the only thing that kept her standing since her legs refused to hold her after that kiss. “I really enjoyed watching you ride and meeting Cort as well as the Powell family.”

  “Huck’s bunch is pretty special.” Tate grinned, grateful Kenzie fit in so well with his friends.

  “You’ve got some really good friends, Tate. I’m glad for you.” She breathed deeply of his unique scent blended with the smell of horses and leather. Since he’d be on the road the rest of the summer with no hope of seeing him before fall, she wanted to memorize every detail about him, from his thick hair and electric blue eyes to his enticing, spicy cologne.

  “They are pretty great. It makes all this travel not quite so hard and lonesome,” Tate said, realizing he needed to leave or he was going to find it too challenging to say goodbye. “I’ll keep in touch. If it works to be in the same city at the same time, or even meet briefly in an airport, let me know. I don’t want to wait until September to see you again.”

  “Just keep me posted where you’re at and we’ll go from there,” Kenzie said, wishing her schedule wasn’t quite so hectic.

  Quite often, her travel plans came together at the last minute, when she was called to lead a pop-up meeting or fill in when another trainer couldn’t make it. Coupled with the meetings already on her schedule, her summer was going to be extremely busy. No matter how much she wished she could spend time with the cowboy standing beside her, she knew she wasn’t going to see him for a while.

  “Be safe, Tate, and keep showing them how it’s done. Your ride tonight was amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

  Tate picked his hat up off the bed, filled with a deep sense of accomplishment at her praise. It meant a lot to him to have his peers tell him what a good ride he had made, but for some reason hearing the girl who captured his heart say it meant even more.

  “It’s because my good luck charm was sitting in the stands cheering me on. Or maybe it was that sizzlin’ kiss before my ride.” A devilish grin filled his face. “You could jump in the truck and come along with us. Cort and I would enjoy having you.”

  Kenzie laughed then brushed at a nonexistent speck on Tate’s shirt, seeking any excuse to touch him one more time. “You and I both know that isn’t going to happen, but thanks for the offer.”

  “One of these days you might take me up on it.” Although his tone was teasing, the words were sincere.

  “One of these days I might.” Desperately wishing she’d met Tate long before her heart had been trampled beneath the boots of two-timing cowboys, she hated to say goodbye. Sorely tempted to throw caution, her career, and good sense to the wind and go with him, Kenzie knew she couldn’t.

  “Have a great summer.” He took Kenzie’s face in his hands and gave her one last, tender kiss.

  “You too.” She released a sigh filled with longing and regret. “Ride ‘em, cowboy.”

  As he swooped in for another kiss, his cell phone rang. Noisily smooching Kenzie on the cheek, he grinned. “I’ve got to run if I don’t want to ride in the back with the horse the whole way.”

  “Cort wouldn’t do that.” She walked Tate to the door and gave him a warm hug followed by another quick kiss.

  “You have no idea.” Tate tipped his hat to her as he stepped into the hall and quickly disappeared around the corner.

  Kenzie was still standing in the door when he poked his head back around the corner and blew her a kiss. “Take care, Dewdrop.”

  Catching the kiss, Kenzie smiled and held her hand to her heart as she backed into her room and closed the door, thinking September was a long, long time away.

  Chapter Six

  A glance at his watch confirmed seventy-eight days, eighteen hours, and twenty-six minutes had passed since he last set eyes on Kenzie.

  By now, Tate should have forgotten about the beautiful girl, her scent should have stopped invading his senses, her presence should have vanished from his dreams.

  Instead, she consumed his thoughts.

  Every dark-haired, tall woman dressed in a suit Tate encountered as he traveled made him do a double take, just to make sure it wasn’t Kenzie.

  They stayed in touch through phone calls and text messages, but she’d been as busy with her travel schedule as he’d been with his.

  In mid-July, she attended Dew’s annual convention for its consultants, monopolizing more than a week of her time in Omaha.

  While he rode in rodeos across the Northwest, he missed seeing her when she spent a few days at home before flying to a series of meetings on the East Coast.

  Tate competed in Wyoming and Montana while she was in the south, ramping up consultants for a strong fall and holiday season.

  With the Labor Day weekend behind him, Tate was finally home for a few weeks, anxious to ride in the Pendleton Round-Up. He’d participated in the Horse Heaven Round-Up in Kennewick, followed by the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days, taking his dad to both events.

  He also entered the Lewiston Round-Up in Lewiston, Idaho. Tate rode well but didn’t earn a high score.

  The previous evening he returned to the ranch from Lewiston. He spent the day catching up on happenings at the ranch. Thanks to Monte and his crew, the place ran like a well-oiled machine.

  The only thing that would make his life any sweeter was to have Kenzie back. She left for a series of trainings in Utah and Colorado the day before he returned home for the Big 4 Rodeos. Because of her sincere dedication to those she coached, she worked closely with a group of consultants trying to achieve leadership levels before the end of the year.

  As he showered and shaved, Tate mentally counted the hours until he could see her again. She promised to be home in time to watch him ride at the Pendleton Round-Up next week.

  Swiftly donning his favorite blue shirt and a pair of newer jeans, Tate called to check on his dad before he headed to Owen and Megan Montgomery’s house for a barbecue.

  Between the three rodeos he participated in the past three weeks and getting caught up at his ranch, Tate looked forward to an evening to relax with Owen and Megan and their friends.

  Tomorrow was the official kickoff of the weeklong Pendleton Round-Up festivities. Tate attended every year since he could remember because his dad always liked to watch the festivities. He wondered if Kenzie ever attended the famous event.

  Tate waved to some of the hands across the ranch yard as he pulled away from the house. He thought about how impractical it was to consider a long-term relationship with the driven career woman.

  One, if not both of them, were always on the road, gone for days and sometimes weeks at a time. It was insane to try to rationalize how a future together could work, but Tate had thought of little else since he arrived home.

  The more he got to know Kenzie, the more convinced he became that she was the girl for him. Even with her fancy city girl clothes and career, he couldn’t picture any other woman fitting into his life, fitting him as well as she did.

  As impossible as it seemed, she had engaged every one of his senses, sometimes into overdr
ive. She made him laugh and smile, challenged his mind, and encouraged his dreams.

  He hoped after the Round-Up they’d have a few days to spend together before one of them had to take off again. If they planned to have any kind of relationship, they really needed to be together, at least occasionally.

  Talking on the phone or texting couldn’t compare to face time, and that’s what Tate really wanted.

  Face time, lip time, heart pounding wildly against heart time.

  Mindful that those thoughts would cause his temperature to spike and his mind to wander, Tate directed his attention to his rodeo career.

  Right now, he was at the front of the standings with a solid shot at taking the world champion title. He’d never experienced so many good rides as he had since meeting one very beautiful business executive. He was certain a large part of his success was due to Kenzie, or at least the effect she had on him.

  With his thoughts circling back around to the lovely go-getter, Tate drove down the Montgomery’s driveway and parked his truck with a few others in front of the big ranch house.

  He wandered around to the side yard. Owen stood at the barbecue while Megan hurried over to him, balancing their baby, Aiden, on one hip.

  “Tate, we’re so glad you could come.” Megan stretched up to kiss his cheek. “We haven’t seen you in half of forever.”

  “Thanks for the invite.” Tate tickled the baby beneath his chin, eliciting a happy gurgle.

  When Aiden held out his arms, Tate didn’t hesitate to take the baby from his mother. Aiden stared up at him with wide eyes, babbling in his own language. The baby plucked at the button on Tate’s shirt pocket and waved one little fist in the air.

  “He’s sure grown since I last saw him,” Tate commented to Owen as he walked over to where he flipped burgers on the grill.

  “Like a weed.” Pride was evident in both Owen’s eyes and voice as he looked at his son. “You ought to try that whole settling down with a wife and having a baby thing. It’s a lot more fun than anyone lets on.”

  “Huh,” Tate said, not willing to say anything that might sound incriminating. Despite his best intentions, he couldn’t stop from asking about Kenzie. “Speaking of a wife, has yours heard from Kenzie lately?”

  Owen grinned and nodded his head. “As a matter of fact, she has.”

  “She has?” Tate asked, shifting the baby from his right arm to his left. Aiden grabbed a handful of Tate’s collar and pulled while pumping his legs.

  “Yep. Just a few minutes before you arrived.” Unable to contain his mirth, Owen chuckled.

  “And?” Tate asked, wanting more detail. Baffled by what Owen found funny, Tate gave his friend a questioning glance.

  “She seems to be fine.” Owen looked toward the house and tipped his head that direction. “Why don’t you see for yourself?”

  “See for myself?” Tate turned as Kenzie walked out the back door carrying a large bowl of potato salad.

  At least Tate thought it was Kenzie.

  This woman had on jeans that fit her to perfection, scuffed boots, and a summery cotton blouse. A curtain of dark hair fell in waves around her shoulders and down her back.

  Tate nearly dropped the baby as he watched her walk across the yard and set the bowl on the picnic table. Owen grabbed Aiden as Tate moved away, eating up the distance separating him from the woman he loved.

  “Kenzie?” Tate asked, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him. “Is it really you?”

  “Yep, cowboy, it’s really me.” Her brown eyes twinkled and her smile lit her entire face as she grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently.

  About to make a scene in front of a yard full of guests who would never let him live it down, Tate ushered her inside the house. Megan looked up at the slamming of the screen door and pointed toward the office where Tate dragged Kenzie and shut the door behind them.

  Yanking off his hat and tossing it at a chair near Owen’s desk, Tate crushed Kenzie to his chest, burying his hands in her luxurious hair and breathing in her enthralling perfume.

  “Baby, you have no idea how much I missed you,” Tate said in a raspy whisper, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions that slammed through him upon seeing Kenzie. Convinced he had to be dreaming, he ran his hands up and down her arms, memorizing the feel of her soft skin against his work-roughened fingers.

  “Maybe half as much as I missed you.” Thrilled Tate seemed happy to see her, Kenzie was inordinately pleased his first thought was to hold her instead of ravaging her with mind-boggling kisses.

  Before she could wonder if he would get around to kissing her, he tilted up her chin and melded their lips together with such heat and longing the connection scrambled her thoughts and made her knees wobble.

  “Tate,” she whispered, leaning into him, absorbing his warmth, breathing in his masculine scent. Not wanting to admit it, she had counted the minutes until she could see the handsome cowboy again. She’d missed his smile, his seductive voice, and his incredible blue eyes as well as his quick wit and good-natured teasing.

  “Let me see you.” He pushed her back far enough he could get a good, long look. The girl who haunted his thoughts, danced through his dreams, and kept him on his toes the past several months didn’t appear at all like he remembered. That woman was all business with her tailored suits, tidy upswept hair, and moderate heels.

  The country girl currently gazing at him with passion sparking from her eyes and laughter lingering around her very kissable mouth looked relaxed and comfortable in worn jeans and boots with her hair hanging loose. If he stared too long at her snug-fitting jeans, there was a good chance he’d lose the ability to hang onto what little sense he had left.

  After admiring her from head to toe, he returned to her head where he ran his fingers through the silky strands of her hair. “I’ve never seen your hair down before, Dewdrop. It’s gorgeous, just like you.”

  “Thank you.” She relished the feel of Tate’s hands in her hair. It was one thing to dream about being with Tate and fantasizing how he’d react to seeing her with her hair down, dressed like a country girl. It was something else entirely to experience his satisfied reaction.

  He pulled her against his chest, wrapped his arms tightly around her, and held on for a few minutes, knowing he’d found the one woman meant to be there.

  “I thought you were going to be gone for almost another week,” Tate finally said, inhaling the floral aroma of her hair. She smelled so luscious he could hardly think straight.

  “I was, but when I realized you were actually home and not off to some other rodeo, I begged one of the other trainers to take over my Colorado classes. I’ve covered for her twice this summer, so she was willing to repay the favor.” Drawn into Tate’s hot blue gaze, she rubbed her hand along his smooth jaw.

  His skin was taut, tan, and begging for her lips to press a hot kiss against it. She resisted the urge and instead laced her hands behind Tate’s neck, drawing nearer to him. “I got on the first flight headed for Pasco and arrived home just a couple of hours ago. When Megan told me you’d be here tonight, I got here as fast as I could.”

  “I’m so glad.” He kissed her until they both fought an insatiable desire for each other.

  Kenzie finally drew back and smiled. “We better get out there or Owen will start asking questions, quite loudly, about what we are doing in here.”

  “True. He’s got those overprotective, cavedweller tendencies, you know.” He placed his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side, stealing another kiss as they walked outside.

  Casually strolling over to where Megan and Owen stood talking by the barbecue, Aiden held out his arms to Kenzie. She picked him up, blowing on his neck and making him laugh.

  Tate watched her for a moment, realizing she seemed to like kids. Since he someday hoped to have a few of his own, he was pleased to see the loving way she interacted with Aiden. Kenzie looked at ease as she held him while talking to Megan. Unfamiliar feelings flopped around
inside Tate’s chest at the sweet picture she made with a baby in her arms.

  Later, sitting side by side on a bench at the picnic table while they ate, Kenzie asked Tate if he wanted to go riding with her after dinner. He readily agreed and helped clean up the dishes so they could head out to the barn faster.

  “Owen said you can ride Buster.” Kenzie approached a stall in the barn and held out a carrot. A beautiful palomino mare nuzzled the treat then nodded her head at Kenzie. “Goldie gets excited to go out for a run,” she said, putting a bridle on the horse and leading her out of the stall.

  “Yours?” Tate asked as he saddled Owen’s horse. The discovery that there was much more to Kenzie than he knew left him edgy and confused. Part of him was thrilled his city girl had a country side. The other part of him was thoroughly disappointed she hadn’t told him before now.

  Never, in a million years, would he have pegged Kenzie as a girl who would ride a horse, let alone own one. Curious what else she’d kept from him, he was of a mind to be mad at her. And he would have been, except he was too happy to see her again.

  “Yep. I bought her as soon as I moved back. Megan and Owen are kind enough to let me keep her here. Megan and some of the hands ride her so she keeps in shape between my sporadic visits.” Kenzie adjusted the cinch on her saddle. “I bet you didn’t know this city girl corporate trainer had a little bit of country in her.”

  “No clue,” Tate admitted, fighting down his irritation. How, in all the things they’d discussed the last several months, did the topic of her having country ties never enter the conversation?

  Incorrectly assuming Kenzie grew up in Portland, Tate realized he should have asked more direct questions about her past. “I guess your love of country music should have been a hint. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve been holding out on me, Dewdrop. Those cowboy boots aren’t new and those jeans are obviously worn in all the right places. The way they fit, you’re seriously making it hard for me to look at anything else.”

  “I haven’t always been a city girl.” Kenzie blushed at Tate’s comment. She knew she should have been upfront with him from the start. She hoped if he really got to know her, he’d eventually find out she spent the first fourteen years of her life on a ranch, she loved horses, and was really a country girl at heart.