Page 25 of Cowboy Friend Zone for Christmas

“I know of a place where they serve exactly what I’m hankering for.” Flint’s voice grew testy. “Laura Lee told me about it.”

“Laura, the elf, eh?” Ames’s demeanor grew equally testy. “Wasn’t aware you two were breakfast buds.”

“Not sure why you care,” Flint retorted.

“I don’t. Just thought you’d made it pretty clear you weren’t into women who jingle when they walk,” Ames shot back.

Nash fully expected them to start tearing into each other like savages after that, but Flint merely burst into guffaws. “You’re right. I’m not. But this particular Jingle Bell seems to be into you, bro.” After dropping that bomb, he took a few steps back, holding up his hands in defense. “Don’t shoot the messenger. I don’t start gossip. I just repeat it.”

Noelle erupted into giggles. “Why did I always assume it would be so cool to have a brother?”

“Bet you’re extra glad you’re an only child now,” Ames growled, red-faced, dropping into a boxing stance and bouncing towards Flint on the balls of his feet. “The rest of y’all go on ahead. I’m gonna hang back and teach this little gossip a lesson.”

Nobody except Flint moved.

He danced nimbly out of the way, lifting his fists to circle his brother like a buzzing bee. “In case anyone is interested, the place Laura told me about is called Peppermint Palace.”

“Of course it is.” Ames sent his first punch straight for his youngest brother’s nose. Everything in this town is slathered in icing and dunked in sprinkles.

Flint ducked away from his fist. “Little slow this morning, gramps.” He smirked as he continued his story. “I have it on good authority that they originally tried to name the place Ho Ho Hotcakes, but they got turned down by the city council.”

Looking like he was trying not to laugh, Ames sent another punch his brother’s way. This one lightly grazed the edge of Flint’s jaw.

Flint’s gaze glittered with suppressed excitement. He was clearly enjoying the ruckus he’d started. “Oh, and before I forget, Laura specifically invited us to join her and Lucy at Peppermint Palace this morning. Told ‘em it was a go and said all four of us would be there.” He glanced at his watch, brazenly daring Ames to do his worst during his momentary inattentiveness. “They’ve been waiting for five or ten minutes already.”

Ames lowered his fists in disbelief. “Exactly how long have you known about this breakfast rendezvous, Mr. Chicken and Waffles?”

Flint straightened his Stetson. “Since last night.” He looked proud of the fact he’d kept his secret that long.

“And why are we just now hearing about it?”

“Because I didn’t want to get beaten up before bedtime for setting you up on a date with Laura.”

“You did what?” Ames made another swipe for his brother, but Flint took off running.

“This way to Peppermint Palace,” he hollered over his shoulder. “First Avenue and Main if we get separated.” He whooped and dug his heels harder into the pavement when Ames sprinted after him.

Nash and Noelle followed at a much slower pace. Every few steps, another giggle escaped her.

“I’m glad you think this is funny.” Though Nash could understand why someone else might see the humor in the situation, the way his brothers were acting had him genuinely worried.

“It’s roll-on-the-floor worthy. Cowboy comedy is most definitely your brothers’ thing.” She pressed the heel of her hand to her side. “Even when they’re not trying to, they make me laugh so hard my side aches.”

“Actually, I think they’re bored out of their minds.” It was his fault for allowing their brotherly pity for his condition to extend into this long of a hiatus from their own successful rodeo careers. “If I don’t change up our routine at Castellano’s soon, they’re going to tear each other limb from limb. They need a bigger challenge. Something more physical.” Something that would raise a sweat and make them tired by the end of the day.

He wasn’t ready to cut them loose and send them back to the competitive circuit — not because he begrudged that their bodies were whole and that they stood a good chance of breaking all his personal best records…eventually. He just hated the idea of splitting up their family. After the death of their parents in his late teens, he’d seen to it that his younger two brothers had finished high school. Then they’d headed off to the rodeo together, made money together, and returned to Dallas to run a ranch together. During their biggest struggles, they’d always had each other. He never wanted that to change.

Noelle’s expression grew thoughtful. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’m not sure yet. All I know is they’re like restless bulls. They need something more challenging to sink their teeth into.”

“After their latest antics, I can’t deny that.” She stepped closer to him to loll her head affectionately against his shoulder. “Do you think Flint really set Ames up on a date?”

“Probably.” As naturally as breathing, Nash slipped his bionic arm around her and tugged her closer. It felt good holding her, so good that he was in no hurry to stop. “I’m betting there’s more to it, though. It’s Flint we’re talking about here. Knowing him, he’s angling to ask out Laura’s sister or something.” Unfortunately, neither of his younger brothers had enjoyed the benefit of a mother figure to guide them through that segment of their lives. When it came to romantic relationships, they were like ships without sails drifting on a choppy sea. Yeah, they got plenty of attention from the ladies, but they didn’t seem to know what to do about it.

“Small town,” Noelle reminded in a stage whisper, tugging his hand away from her waistline.

“Right.” Though he dropped his arm, he added, “You started it.”

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