Page 11 of Cameron

That had sounded like fun, but only if Samantha was sitting next to him. And he doubted she would have time for that, but then again. Maybe she would ride out with the wedding planner.

Glancing at the paperwork, he smiled at her. “Thanks for your help. If I have any questions, I’ll get back to you.”

The first thing he was going to do was send this information to Tucker. Then he would sneak into town and speak to the feed store. Maybe he could make it back before the sleigh ride.

As he walked back across the lot, he saw Samantha hurrying toward the house. He caught up with her.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Hey, you,” she said, turning those gorgeous brown eyes to him. He so wanted to pull her to him and kiss the tip of her upturned nose. This morning she wore a jacket over her sweater, and her jeans were tucked into snow boots.

“Where are you in a hurry to?”

“I’ve got to get everything ready for the sleigh ride this afternoon. I’m missing a driver. Edward isn’t here. I don’t know where he is.” A frown crossed her face. “Weren’t the two of you going riding this morning?”

“Yes, he was a no-show,” he said. “Hey, I can drive a team of horses if you need me to,” he said.

Her big brown eyes lit up with a sparkle that went straight to his heart.

“Would you? I mean, if Edward returns, he could step in, but otherwise, we’re short a driver. I could do it, but I’m setting up hot cocoa and cookies for a snack.”

Damn, she wouldn’t be there beside him, but this would help her out, and he wanted to make her life easier. But where was Edward?

“Of course,” he said. “As long as you save me an extra cookie and some cocoa with you.”

A big smile filled her beautiful face and it was so tempting to reach down and kiss those soft pink lips.

“It’s a deal,” she said. “Be at the barn at two o’clock.”

He glanced at his watch. “I need to run to town. Will that give me enough time?”

“Yes,” she said, gazing at him with a quizzical glance. “Do you need something we don’t have?”

“No, I have to run to the bank,” he lied.

What was he doing? This job had caused him to lie more than ever, and he didn’t want to do this. But he couldn’t tell her he was spying on her suppliers to find out if Edward was lying. Because that would only bring her pain.

“If you happen to see Edward in town, tell him to get home. He’s needed. Sometimes he likes to hang out at the Bear Claw, a local bar. Now is not the time for that,” she said.

He was now also going to the Bear Claw to ask questions of the bartender.

“I better go so I’ll be back in time,” he told her. “Is there anything you need me to pick up in town?”

She bit her lower lip, and he knew she was too polite to ask.

“We’re good, but thank you,” she said. “Be careful. If it starts to snow, the roads will become slick really quick. You Texans don’t know how to drive in snow,” she teased.

What could he say? He had very little experience driving in snow.

“No, we don’t,” he said. “See you soon.”

Turning, she walked away and he couldn’t help but notice the soft, gentle sway of her hips. Edward didn’t deserve to have such a sweet sister. Edward didn’t deserve the good life he had.

After backing out his rental car, Cameron headed toward town. The drive was beautiful and he couldn’t help but like thesleepy little mountain town. He found the seed store and went inside.

“Can we help you?” an older man asked.

“Yes,” he said. “I’m from the Burnett Dude Ranch down in Texas and I’m here for a wedding out at the Mistletoe Inn. We’re thinking of buying some property up here and I was wondering at the cost of cattle feed?”