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

  Rather than volunteer the information, she’d waited to see where their relationship was headed, or if they even had one. “I grew up on a ranch not far from here until my parents divorced.”

  Comments Kenzie made during their conversations should have tipped him off to her upbringing, if he’d paid attention. With her knowledge of rodeo, ranching, and country life, he should have put two and two together instead of making ignorant assumptions.

  It must have occurred to her at some point during the last four months they’d known each other to tell him about her background. Realizing she carefully avoided discussing her father or her parents’ divorce, he suddenly wanted to know what really happened.

  “What made you change, Kenzie? What happened to the ranch? Why did you leave?”

  “When my parents divorced, my mom moved me to Portland, as far from the ranch life I loved as she could possibly get. Dad didn’t handle our leaving well and started drinking. When he died, we sold the ranch to pay off his bills and moved on with our lives.”

  “What happened to your father? You never talk about him.” Tate studied Kenzie as they mounted the horses and rode out on a trail behind the barn, past the fields of recently harvested wheat.

  “He died a year after the divorce,” Kenzie said, not making eye contact with Tate, focusing instead on the trail ahead.

  “I’m sorry, Kenzie. It’s incredibly hard to lose a parent.” Close enough he could reach over and put his hand on her leg, he gave it a gentle pat.

  The comforting gesture almost brought Kenzie to tears. Swallowing down her emotion, she changed the subject, asking Tate about his standings and how he thought he’d place in the rankings after the Round-Up.

  Tate knew she was trying to distract him from asking more questions and decided to let her for now. Someday, though, he’d get the full story out of her about what had happened to her father, why she was so wary of cowboys, and what made her leave behind ranch life.

  As they rode along the ridge behind the Montgomery’s ranch house, Tate breathed deeply of the hay-scented air and smiled. He would never have pictured himself riding out here with Kenzie and decided just to enjoy the surprise of her not only having a rural background, but also being a very good rider.

  “You look beautiful on a horse,” Tate said as they stopped to watch the sun start its evening descent. “Not many people ride with such grace and ease.”

  “Thank you.” She’d thought the same thing about Tate the first time she watched him ride a bronc. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

  “Do I look good enough for a kiss?” Tate gave her a come-hither smile, wanting to forget there were still unanswered question between them and enjoy the moment they shared.

  “Maybe.” Her eyes automatically focused on Tate’s inviting lips. His tempting smile brought out his dimples and rendered her incapable of doing anything but surrendering her mouth to his when he leaned over, kissing her long and deep.

  “Kenzie, I wish…” Tate started to say, but was silenced by another breath-stealing kiss. She tasted like every sweet thing he’d ever experienced, only better.

  After a few more kisses that left them both trying to gather their composure, Kenzie turned Goldie back toward the barn and they rode the rest of the way in silence.

  While they unsaddled the horses, they discussed plans for the coming week and agreed to meet at the parade the next morning in Pendleton. Tate tried to talk Kenzie into letting him pick her up, but she refused, saying it wasn’t necessary for him to drive that far when she was perfectly capable of driving herself.

  After returning to the house, they thanked Megan and Owen for dinner then walked out to their vehicles.

  Kenzie leaned against the side of her car and squeezed his hand, looking at him with regret.

  “I owe you an apology, Tate.”

  Surprised by her words, he stood unmoving. “For what?”

  “For not telling you about my past, for letting you think I spent my life living in town.” Her gaze dropped to her feet. “I didn’t lie to you, but I didn’t exactly tell you the truth, either. I’m sorry.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Tate was glad Kenzie brought up the subject. He’d been blindsided when she walked outside earlier, looking like she’d stepped out of one of his fantasies.

  “I was afraid,” she whispered, swirling the toe of her boot in the dirt.

  “Afraid?” Tate couldn’t keep his hands to himself any longer and pulled her into his embrace. “Of what, Dewdrop?” She relaxed against him as she let out her breath.

  “Of you. I was afraid you’d like me more because I was raised on a ranch. You think that type of girl fits into your life better than one from the city.” Kenzie spoke against his neck, with her head resting on his shoulder. “I didn’t want my background to matter.”

  “Kenzie, that’s ridiculous. I like you for you.” Soothingly rubbing his hands along her back, he kissed the top of her head.

  At first, her country roots might have made a difference, but then again, she’d attracted and held his attention for months without him knowing if she even owned a pair of blue jeans.

  Never mentioning his preference for a country girl, he puzzled over how she could have known he initially thought her city girl ways would never mesh with his lifestyle. That was before he got to know her and long before he came to love her.

  “Would you like me as much if I was afraid of horses, refused to get my shoes dirty, and had no idea how to drive a stick-shift?” Kenzie asked, still not raising her head to meet his gaze.

  Lifting her chin with his finger, he smiled at her, love filling his bright blue eyes. “I’d like you no matter what. I’m not gonna lie to you, though. The fact that you’re a great rider, can drive a stick, and right now have more muck on your boots than I do is kind of a turn on, Dewdrop.”

  Kenzie’s lips tipped up in a smile and he brushed his mouth against each corner then kissed her forehead.

  “Going forward, let’s be completely, totally, and thoroughly honest with each other. You already know all my secrets and I look forward to discovering the rest of yours.”

  “What makes you think I’ve got more?” Kenzie asked, kissing his chin.

  “You’re a complex and complicated woman of mystery.” Theatrically, he waved a hand in the air. “Of course you’ve got more. Just don’t hold out on me with the big ones, please. They’re a little hard to recover from.”

  “Deal.” She stepped back and held out her hand for Tate to shake. Instead, he wrapped her in his arms again, swinging her around and raining kisses on her neck, making her giggle.

  Lost for a time in a lingering kiss, he finally helped Kenzie into her car with a promise to see her the next morning in Pendleton.

  At the thought of spending the coming week with her, he wondered how he’d ever get any sleep, especially dreaming about Kenzie dressed in those snug fitting jeans.

  ><><

  Kenzie parked her car several blocks from the parade route and popped her trunk. She didn’t have a chance to get out before Tate was there, holding the door open and pulling her to her feet. He gave her a warm hug and a warmer kiss before turning her loose and stepping back to offer her an admiring glance.

  “Looking good, Dewdrop.” Tate spun her around to take in her dark jeans, boots, and summery blouse. The sparkle on her belt caught fragments of the sun’s rays and shimmered around them. “You make everything you wear look amazing but I’m telling you, Kenz, you could be a model for those jeans.”

  “Your idle flattery will get you nowhere.” Despite her casual tone, fiery cheeks gave away her pleasure at Tate’s comment.

  “I just tell it like I see it, and I really like what I’m seeing,” Tate said, taking the foldable stools Kenzie dug out of the trunk in one big hand. “What are these for?”

  “To watch the parade.” Kenzie shut the trunk and took Tate’s other hand in hers. “I realize you rough and tough cowboys don’t mind standing for hours on end
watching the parade, but I’d prefer to have somewhere to sit. These stools will put us up high enough we can see over the rest of the crowd.”

  “Good idea.” He steered Kenzie through traffic and across the street. Quickly walking to the parade route, they found a place to sit behind a row of folding chairs. “Just don’t tell the guys I had a seat for this thing.”

  “My lips are sealed.” Before she took a seat on one of the stools, she glanced at the crowd gathering around them.

  She tried not to shiver when she felt Tate’s presence behind her and his fingers brushing the hair away from her neck. His breath warmed her ear when he leaned close and she could smell the minty aroma of his gum.

  “Don’t seal them too tightly. I’ve got plans for those delectable lips later.” His low, suggestive voice made her shiver in delight before he placed a teasing kiss beneath her ear.

  “Tate,” Kenzie whispered, feeling butterflies burst into motion in her stomach while her cheeks flamed with heat again. “Behave.”

  “What fun is that?” He looped his arm around her shoulders as he stood behind her. Not one to stay still for long, he soon gave Kenzie a kiss on her cheek with a promise to return soon. When he reappeared ten minutes later, he carried two steaming cups of coffee.

  “How’d you know I could use a caffeine jolt?” she asked, taking the cup he offered and sipping the dark brew.

  “Great minds think alike.” Tate sat down next to her. “Besides, we’ve traveled together enough I know you like black coffee in the morning to get your blood pumping.”

  Kenzie didn’t bother to tell Tate that seeing him, with his teasing smile and hinted promises of things to come, had her blood pumping more than a triple shot espresso.

  Instead, she calmly sipped her coffee while they talked before the parade started. Once it began, they clapped and cheered, waved and watched, enjoying the variety of entries.

  Afterward, they returned the stools to Kenzie’s car then walked downtown where they wandered through vendor booths and shops, including the town’s iconic western store.

  After grabbing a quick bite to eat, Tate looked at his watch. Kenzie promised to go with him to the concert that night featuring one of her favorite country artists. It wouldn’t start for several hours, so Tate thought about ways to pass the time.

  “Want to see my ranch, Dewdrop?” Tate asked as they glanced in a store window featuring a display of vintage saddles and boots.

  “Your ranch?” Kenzie asked, turning to look at him.

  “We’ve got several hours to kill and I don’t know about you but I’m only good for so many stores full of tourists elbowing me in the side. We could go out to the ranch, throw some steaks on the grill for dinner and be back in plenty of time for the concert,” Tate said, thinking he had devised a great plan.

  “Sure.” Pleased at the idea of seeing the Morgan Ranch, she nodded her head.

  “Do you want to bring your car and then you can ride back with me tonight?” Tate hoped Kenzie would say yes. Situated between Pendleton and Kennewick, a drive from the ranch and back again guaranteed he’d have more time with Kenzie after the concert if she agreed.

  “Okay,” she said as they walked back to where they parked. Tate gave her a kiss and held her door until she buckled her seatbelt, then hurried to his truck and led the way out of town and onto the freeway. Taking the exit for the Tri-Cities, he drove several miles before turning off the road onto a private lane.

  At the head of the driveway, Tate parked his truck in front of the large farmhouse, complete with a big porch and gingerbread trim. Painted a creamy shade of yellow with pale blue and white trim, the house looked neat and inviting.

  Tate held Kenzie’s hand as she got out of her car and looked up at the lovely house.

  “Tate, it’s wonderful,” Kenzie said, surprised by how much the place resembled the one she’d always fancied as the perfect house. Although the picture had only been in her head, the house in front of her was just how she envisioned the home of her dreams.

  “Come inside and I’ll give you the grand tour.” Tate took her hand and led her down the walk and up the front steps. As he opened the door, he was glad he’d taken time that morning to straighten up after himself. He had a housekeeper who came in once a week to clean. Tate was especially glad she’d been there the previous afternoon to dust, vacuum, shine, and polish.

  “Oh, my,” Kenzie said as they stepped into the foyer where a grand staircase descended in a sweeping curve. “This is amazing.”

  “My grandfather built this house for my grandmother. When I was a kid, I used to love sliding down the banister.” He ran his hand along wood smoothed from the fingers of his family.

  “I can just picture you sliding down this when you thought no one was watching.” She envisioned a young Tate with freckles on his nose, unruly hair, and an engaging smile.

  “I did it even when Pop was watching,” Tate said with a laugh, recalling good memories from his childhood. He escorted Kenzie into the formal parlor, then the dining room, his office, the kitchen, and a big space he’d converted into a media room with a large screen television and comfortable leather chairs. Directing Kenzie up the back stairs, he showed her the multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, saving the master suite for last.

  A king-sized bed, covered in a light gray and cream striped comforter, dominated the room. Pale gray walls and antique bird’s-eye maple furniture caught Kenzie’s attention. Although the room was simple in its décor, it was inviting and surprisingly neat.

  “That furniture is gorgeous.” She stepped farther into the room, running her hand over the top of the dresser. The artistic lines of the piece drew her admiration.

  “It was a wedding gift for my grandmother,” Tate said, pleased Kenzie seemed to cherish the same things that were important to him. “Pop said his dad had it special made for his new bride.”

  “That’s a wonderful story and legacy.” She turned to find Tate staring at her with an odd look on his face. Rather than contemplate what put it there, she wandered back out the door and down the big stairs to the front entry.

  Tate watched Kenzie walk from the room, trying to pull his thoughts together. Seeing her in the master suite made him realize how much he wanted her there permanently — in his life, in his house, in his arms, in his bed.

  Hastily shaking his head to clear his wayward thoughts, he hurried down the stairs, leading her back to the kitchen where they began preparations for dinner.

  Later, they sat outside at a table on the back porch, eating steak and baked potatoes while discussing plans for the upcoming week of festivities.

  Kenzie wasn’t surprised when Tate said Cort, Huck, and a few other friends would be staying with him.

  “Will Mara and the kids come with Huck?” she asked, taking another bite of tender beef. It had to be one of the best steaks she’d ever eaten.

  “No, they don’t travel with him much. It’s too hard on the kids.” If he planned to pursue Kenzie and make her a part of his future, he wouldn’t keep traveling. Not if she waited for him at home.

  Tate joined the rodeo circuit just for fun but when he did so well at it, he decided to pursue it as a career. Although he loved to ride, he was getting tired of the travel, tired of the women chasing him, tired of never feeling settled.

  After experiencing the best year of his career, Tate entertained the idea of making the following year his last. If his relationship with Kenzie continued the way it was currently headed, he’d have every reason to retire from rodeo sooner rather than later.

  Recently, he noticed a big change in her attitude toward him. She no longer seemed to be keeping him an arm’s length away. With a little more effort on his part, he might break through all the barriers she’d erected around her heart.

  Aware that her cheating former fiancé had done a number on her, he still couldn’t comprehend why she was so against dating a cowboy. He supposed she’d get around to telling him someday.

  For now,
though, he planned to enjoy every minute of being with her while their schedules cooperated.

  Once they finished dinner and washed the dishes, they headed back to Pendleton for the concert. The two of them visited with people they both knew as they enjoyed the performance then returned to the ranch. Tate asked Kenzie to come in for a while but she declined, walking to her car.

  From their early morning parade watching to the end of the concert, Kenzie enjoyed every single minute of her day spent with Tate.

  He made her feel special, cherished, beautiful, and like she was the most important thing in his world. She’d never felt like that with anyone before and something in her heart whispered she never would again.

  “Thanks for an amazing day, Tate.” She gazed at him with a soft light in her warm brown eyes, hoping he knew how much he had come to mean to her.

  About to fall into her dark eyes, lit with an inner spark, Tate knew if he did he had no hope of finding his way back out. Tenderly wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her slowly and thoroughly until she trembled against him.

  When he lifted his head, he watched a dreamy look pass across her face before she slid into her car.

  “I need to get home,” she said quietly, frantically grasping at her unraveling composure before she lost all her good sense. When Tate shut her car door and leaned down for another kiss, she reached through the open window and brushed her hand along his jaw.

  “Thanks for hanging out with me today,” Tate said, not ready to tell her good night, but knowing she needed to leave. If she didn’t head down his driveway soon, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to let her go. “If you don’t have plans tomorrow, I’m picking up Pop and taking him to church, then out to lunch. You’re welcome to join us.”

  “I’d like that.” Kenzie looked forward to meeting Tate’s father. “Where should I meet you?”