Page 35 of Mistletoe Cowboy

It was two o’clock in the morning. Katy couldn’t sleep. She kept feeling the slow, soft hunger of Parker’s sensuous mouth against her lips, the warm comfort of his strong arms around her. She was restless.

She heard a buzz. She had her cell phone on vibrate so it wouldn’t wake Teddie. She picked it up and disconnected it from the charger. There was a message on it. Are you awake?

Yes, she texted back. Couldn’t sleep. You?

Same, he texted. Suppose you text me the Gettysburg Address? It might put me to sleep.

LOL, she texted back.

I had fun tonight, he texted. I don’t go out much.

Me, neither, she replied. I had fun, too. Teddie mentioned that my lipstick was smeared, she added before she could chicken out and not text it.

There was a big LOL on the screen. I had lipstick all over my face. Lucky that I live alone, he added.

She laughed to herself. Sorry about that, she texted.

I didn’t mind. But you might look for some type of lipstick that doesn’t come off. You know, just in case we can’t help ourselves one night . . . ?

I’ll go right to the store tomorrow after school and search for one, she replied.

And the clerk will go right out and tell the whole town what sort you bought, he teased.

She laughed. Oh, the joy of small towns.

They’re the backbone of the world, aren’t they? he texted back.

They are. I’m sorry you can’t sleep. Bad memories?

Oh, no. Delicious ones. I ache every time I remember those few minutes on your front porch.

Her heart jumped. She felt exactly the same. Delicious, she typed.

And addictive.

Definitely.

I have no plans to stop, he texted after a minute.

She felt warm all over. I don’t, either.

There was a long pause, during which she felt as if he was right in the room with her and she was hungry and thirsty, but not for food.

Going to try to sleep now. You do that, too, he said. Sleep well, angel.

She smiled. You sleep well, too. Good night.

Good night.

She turned the phone off, but she felt safe and warm and content. She closed her eyes and went to sleep with the phone under her pillow.

* * *

“Mom! Mom, we’re going to be late!” Teddie called from the doorway.

“Late?” Katy sat up in bed, looking all at sea.

“Late for school and late for work. Late, late, late!”

---