Page 50 of Between a Rock and a Hard Cowboy

Liar.

As he fired up the engine, he considered that if he got a tree, Eva would have to come over to help decorate it, because she’d of course want it to match the rest of the decorations for the Yule log night.

Yup. Stalker territory.

He pushed the thought out of his mind and drove toward the cabin. He had a gift to buy. The perfect gift, even if no-one would ever know who it was from.

But maybe he’d ask Eva about that tree before he got online…

ChapterTwenty-Five

The text vibrated Eva’s cell phone, pulling her out of work for the first time in what had to be hours.

Glancing up she realized two things. It was dark outside, when it had still been light last time she remembered looking up. And her neck and shoulder muscles were stiff. As were her hands and wrists.

Her stomach growled and she added another thing to her list of proof she’d worked for hours. She’d forgotten to eat dinner. But it had been worth it. She had most of the forms filed to create Linc’s gift. Now all she had to do was fund it. But that was a job for later. She needed to eat.

Putting the laptop aside, she stood and stretched. Muscles protested, just not as loudly as her stomach, which gave another grumble.

“Okay. I’m eating,” she said to the noisy organ.

Luckily, half of her lunch from Rosie’s, a huge club sandwich, was in the fridge. As was some leftover soup from the day before. Perfect. Soup and half a sandwich. That was even a decent meal, like real people who worried about such things might eat for a late dinner.

While the microwave did its thing on the soup, she stretched the muscles in her wrists and hands.

After theding, she carried her mug of soup and cardboard to-go box containing the sandwich to the table and sat. Which is when the second reminder that she had an unread text came.

Shit. That was why she set the notifications to sound twice. It took her a few minutes to function in the real world after being completely focused on the computer.

Her eyes were blurry from staring at the screen for hours. She squinted to focus them and read the text.

Do you think we need to put up a Christmas tree in the cabin?

She let out a snort. All of a sudden he was Mr. Christmas? In her opinion, the lodge was plenty decorated. Besides, they were hosting the Yule log night, whatever that entailed. Not Christmas morning. They didn’t need a tree to gather around and exchange gifts. That’s what the ten-footer in the Wilder living room was for.

No

She hit send and went back to her sandwich, half expecting him to reply with an argument and tried not to be disappointed when he didn’t.

Apparently, he wasn’t that into the tree idea after all. But she couldn’t wait to see his face when he opened his gift from her. Not that he’d know it was from her. And not because of the stupid Secret Santa must remain secret rule the Wilders made up. But because it would be safer for everyone if she wasn’t affiliated with this gift, which is why she’d gone above and beyond to hide her connection. Brilliantly, too, if she did say so herself.

Smiling, she reached for her soup and felt the pain in her right shoulder. Another computer related ailment.

With a sigh, she stood and walked to the bathroom. The tub was big and old and showed the wear of too many years, but the water was hot and plentiful and the tub was deep enough she could soak her shoulders and work out some of the stiffness.

There was still some residual soreness down lower, as well. The kind that flooded her mind with the memory of last night. A bath would only help that too.

Flipping on the water, her night was set. A nice long relaxing hot bath was exactly what she needed. Maybe she’d even turn out the lights and use those candles Poppy had left all over the apartment.

Eva wasn’t great at relaxing. Sitting and working was one thing, but it was hard to sit still and do nothing without a computer in front of her.

Although, she had to admit, the hot water felt nice. Relaxing. And the quiet of laying in the tub with her eyes closed gave her brain some much needed rest. She didn’t stream music. Or even those spa sounds Poppy favored.

There was nothing but peace and quiet… and the sound of the front door closing.

What the hell?

Her eyes flew wide as she sat up fast, sending the cooling water sloshing in the tub.

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