Page 12 of Chloe's Christmas Cowboy: A Festive Second Chance Romance

Chloé immediately moved closer to the door, afraid that Bill might have other ideas about leaving now that they were on their own. “Goodnight Bill. Thanks again.” She tried to sound cheerful as he reluctantly made his way toward the door.

“Are you sure you’re okay being on your own tonight?” Bill murmured as he passed her at the front door.

“She’s quite sure.” Tyler’s voice boomed up at them from his position at the bottom of the steps. Neither had noticed him in the dark, but Chloé sighed with relief.

“I only meant...” Bill looked annoyed to see he was still around.

“We all know exactly what you meant,” Tyler growled. “Now, leave the lady alone.”

“Says he who’s still lurking around her front door.” Bill sneered.

“As we’re both going the same way I thought we’d walk together, at least as far as the fence. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about,” Tyler replied, nonchalantly.

Chloé felt a little nervous about what they were going to discuss – hoping it wouldn’t end in a fight – but she still felt a lot more comfortable once Bill had left her house.

She closed the door slowly, watching them walk off together. Both looked stiff and uncomfortable and it was obvious they weren’t just having a friendly chat. When Bill turned and pointed at Tyler, raising his voice she knew it was time to leave them to it.

She went into the kitchen and took the pie out of the oven. Meat and potato. There was enough for two and guessed that Bill was hoping to find her alone and share the supper with her. She felt a little bad for him. It was a kind gesture, but the thought of having him here all evening made her shudder.

Taking half the pie she went into the sitting room to eat it by the fire. She turned the lights on and sat in Aunt Brenda’s chair. As the room was toward the back of the house, she was relieved not to have to listen to the guys arguing – which she was sure they would. Their body language had told her that this was more than just a casual chit-chat.

Turning on the TV to drown out the silence of the house, she snuggled back into the chair and pulled a quilted throw over her legs while she finished the delicious pie. There was someone droning on about the weather, but she wasn’t really listening. She gazed back at the sofa, remembering Tyler sitting there earlier.

He was so handsome, and it was good to see that he wasn’t being arrogant about having inherited so much of her uncle’s property and possessions. She had to remember that she had the upper hand here, she was in charge – but did she really want that? He was right about being at her mercy, but actually she was also at his. If Tyler decided to move out, rent his house to someone horrid and take all the livestock somewhere else what could she do? Nothing. She wondered if he realized just how many cards he was holding. If he did, he hadn’t mentioned it.

She glanced up at the screen in time to see a map of her area. More snow was on the way, and they were certainly in for a white Christmas. That was nothing new around these parts, although they usually had the worst of the weather in the New Year, not beforehand.

With a sigh she took her plate to the kitchen and washed it. If she was going to get everything sorted out here and get back home before the big day she would have to move fast.

Her thoughts drifted back to the pokey apartment she’d left behind in Atlanta. It was a furnished rental so she didn’t have much there, and she’d already decided it wasn’t worth decorating it for Christmas. It was a shame, as she’d always loved bringing in the tree and decorating it in the sitting room here, and she’d adorn the rest of the house and hang garlands in every possible nook and cranny. Christmas was always magical here at Mile End – even when Uncle John was grumpy there were always friends and neighbors popping in to wish them well and join them for a drink or two. It was the only time of year that they did once Aunt Brenda had gone.

As she put the rest of the pie into the freezer she thought how empty it looked. When Aunt Brenda was alive they used to fill the freezer to the brim with all sorts of festive goodies – home-made mince pies, creamy gateaux, ice cream and all kinds of meats. There would be a Christmas cake on the go by now with lots of brandy being added to it at regular intervals, along with several Christmas puddings, again being laced with the contents of the drinks cabinet.

Even after her aunt passed away, Chloé would continue the traditions. The house would be filled with the scent of cinnamon, brandy and pine-needles. She looked around the bare, dusty room and felt a lump form in her throat. The whole house felt dead now, just like her family.

With a sigh she went into the sitting room, noticing that the fire was just a few smoldering logs now, and she switched off the TV and the lights before heading for bed. It was still quite early but she was tired and knew that if she sat around moping she would only make herself miserable.

Tomorrow would be a new day and she could decide how to proceed when she’d learned a little more about her options – and her feelings.

* * * *

“Just what is your problem?” Bill demanded as they walked away from the house.

“I don’t have a problem,” Tyler said calmly. “I’ve just inherited a house and a load of livestock, that’s all. Now all I need to do is liaise with Chloé about how she wants to proceed with the ranch.”

“I’d say you’ve got a massive problem,” Bill sneered. “You’ve got a house that stands on someone else’s land and a load of livestock you can’t afford to keep. Unless you’ve got a cool million stashed away somewhere – which I sincerely doubt – I’d say you’re right in the shit.”

Tyler frowned, not just at his words, but also at the condescending way Bill was pointing at him. He’d always been irked by this guy’s superior attitude and usually did his best to avoid him. It was a bit difficult to do that now that he seemed intent on sniffing around the place – and around Chloé.

“If the worse comes to the worse I can always sell up, I suppose,” he said, studying Bill’s reaction closely. “I’m sure there are plenty ranches and farms around here that wouldn’t mind a few more cattle or horses to add to their own.”

His eyes had become accustomed to the dark, and the snow afforded some light as the moon glinted off it as he watched his nemesis. He wasn’t disappointed. Bill’s eyes lit up and he stood a little straighter, slowing the pace as he immediately took interest.

“That might be the wisest option,” Bill said, nodding. “I told Chloé the same – her best bet is to sell up and get back to her job. She’s a high flyer now in the city – she doesn’t need to be tied down here, especially without her family.”

Tyler narrowed his eyes. “And what if she wants to be here? Have you considered that? Life’s not all about business, you know?” He’d thought as much; Bill wanted Chloé to sell up so there was no chance of them making a go of the ranch, despite the fact that it was actually doing quite well considering its size and the current state of the market.

Bill shook his head. “That’s just where you’re wrong,” he said scornfully. “Life is all about business. If you don’t have money you’ve got nothing. No home, no food, no life. If Chloé came back here now out of some misplaced loyalty to her dead relatives she’d be making the biggest mistake of her life. This place will never yield the kind of money she could make in the city. And, besides, she’s got a career out there; she doesn’t need to be cooped up here in the back of beyond with no friends and no money.”

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