Page 28 of Christmas with Three Cowboys

“Melissa, hold on.”

I run blindly out of the stables as a steady snow begins to fall. The skies are grey, draped in thick clouds and the cold air pierces my lungs with every frantic breath. My cheeks burn, my lips tingle from the memory of his kiss. I wanted it. That’s why I feel so damn guilty.

I wanted it.

And just like Ethan said, I went in for seconds, too.

What was I thinking?

I forget all about my ride with Isabella.

I barely notice the winter cold and the twinkling Christmas lights hung around the ranch house windows as I rush back inside. I head straight upstairs and decide to hide in my room until it’s time to start prepping for dinner. I’m staying put, between these four walls, and taking deep, controlled breaths until the panic passes.

7

Melissa

To my relief, dinner is mostly quiet.

The guys are too tired after a day of hard work in the snow, prepping the livestock for a full winter. I focus on cooking and the cleaning that follows the meal, avoiding eye contact as much as I can. Darla leaves me be, probably because she’s also exhausted from driving back and forth to the doctor in Long Pine.

By midnight, I’m showered and tucked in bed, trying to sleep.

I toss and turn, restless as my own past comes back to haunt me. I mull over the bad decisions that landed me in jail. So many regrets. So many things I cannot take back. The future is straight ahead, yet I keep looking over my shoulder and wondering what I could’ve done differently.

“Dammit, Melissa,” I whisper to myself and turn over, dragging the covers with me.

Then, there’s a knock on the door and I sit up, my heart suddenly racing. A second knock pulls me out of bed and I tiptoe toward the door. My pulse races as I turn the knob and pull the dooropen. I think my heart stops beating altogether at the sight of Colton, Ethan, and Mitch standing in the doorway, the dim hallway lighting throwing dark shadows across their handsome faces.

“We need to talk,” Colton says.

I stare at him with a mixture of disbelief and confusion. “It’s midnight,” I whisper.

“It can’t wait,” he replies.

Panic is quick to set in. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong,” he says. “We just need to talk.”

“Can we come in?” Ethan asks.

I nod slowly before I even register my body’s own motion. Stepping back, I let the three men walk into my room. Ethan carefully and quietly closes the door behind them while I look at them, wondering what is going on.

Mitch is quiet, but his eyes never leave my face. They say so much in the absence of words—they say things I dare not even think, let alone say aloud. On the other hand, Ethan begins to slowly move around me, one cautious step at a time, while Colton takes a deep breath and gives me a warm, reassuring smile.

“I want you to stop worrying about what happened at the stables today,” Colton said.

“You know?” I gasp, then give Ethan a stunned look. “You told him?”

“We don’t keep secrets from one another,” Colton says. “Don’t be mad at him, Melissa. Ethan did the right thing.”

I nod at Mitch. “So, I’m guessing Mitch knows, too. That’s why the three of you are here at this ungodly hour?”

“We just need you to listen to what we have to say,” Colton insists.

My blood is boiling. I don’t know what to do. Can a person die of shame? Because that’s what it feels like. I’d welcome death if it would ease my embarrassment and guilt.

“Deep breath,” Mitch gently says. “You’re going to be okay. I promise.”

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