Page 26 of Cowboy SEAL Christmas

Monica tossed her brush at Becca, and Becca jumped out of the way, laughing.

“This wedding of yours has made you lose your mind,” Monica said, pointing an accusatory finger toward the sleigh in the back.

“Sex was only a suggestion. I guess you could also take up knitting.”

“There has to be some middle ground between ill-advised sex andknitting.”

“Maybe. Although Montana is pretty isolated. I’m not sure what middle ground you’re going to find.”

Well, she’d findsome. Because sex with Gabe was not an answer to any of her problems. Or his. Ever.

If she was picturing broad shoulders again—this time shirtless, like she’d seen them this summer—well, no one had to be the wiser.

Chapter 7

“If you don’t stop making out with your damn fiancée, I’m leaving without you,” Gabe announced, probably more irritably than he should have and for no good reason.

“You can’t leave without me. I’m the bachelor in the bachelor party,” Alex called from where he and Becca were huddled in the next room, doing who knew what.

“I don’t think Pioneer Spirit is going to close down before we get there,” Jack said, seated all cozy with Rose on the couch.

Gabe narrowly resisted scowling at the both of them.

“I want a full report,” Rose said, since she owned Pioneer Spirit. She’d taken a leave of absence, letting her head waitress run things while she was pregnant. “Crowd size. How’s the new hire doing. If anyone is hassling my waitresses,” Rose said.

“Why are you asking me for a report? He’s your lapdog,” Gabe said, gesturing at Jack.

“You were just down there this morning,” Jack said. “I think Tonya warned you that any more checking in would result in you being bodily blocked from the bar until the baby is six months old.”

“I am the boss, not Tonya.” Rose crossed her arms over her chest and scowled, but Gabe had a feeling she’d be dealing without any reports.

The front door swung open, and Colin bolted inside, Monica following at his heels with a box in her hands. She leaned back on the door, clearly struggling with the weight in her arms.

Gabe scowled, marched over, and took the box from her. Christ, it was heavy.

“Thanks,” she offered. “Just some supplies for our little party,” she said, unwinding the scarf from around her neck.

Since he didn’t want to watch the staticky strands of blond hair swirl around her face as she took off her winter gear, he peered in the box. “Are thoseboardgames?”

Becca and Alex finally emerged from the other room.

“We’re having an old-fashioned sleepover. So don’t you three dare stumble in here drunk later. It’s the bunkhouse for you.”

“I hope someone won’t be stumbling drunk,” Monica offered, hanging up Colin’s already shed winter gear along with her own.

“I’m the designated driver,” Jack said, unwinding himself from Rose and getting to his feet. “I took the nine-month alcohol-free pledge.”

“You’ve got him so whipped, I don’t know how you live with yourself.”

“I guess the same way you live with that piss-poor attitude of yours,” Rose replied sweetly. “Maybe a little whipping would do you some good, Gabe.”

Gabe just grunted.

“Do I really have to stay with the girls?” Colin whined, looking hopefully up at Gabe.

Gabe patted his dark head. “Sorry, kid, twenty-one and over for this party. But do me a favor and play with the dogs. They’ll be needing some male companionship.”

Colin grumbled, but soon enough, he was sprawled out on the rug with the two ranch dogs, happily scratching their stomachs while Jack and Alex pulled on their winter coats.

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