Page 70 of Flippin' Cowboy
“I’d say you were an evil genius and I like the way you think,” Winnie replied. Her disappointment vanished, replaced by delicious anticipation.
The Soiled Dove’s spa pavilion was a roofed, octagon-shaped brick structure located twenty-five yards from the house. It dated from the 1920s and enclosed the inn’s private hot spring, with men’s and women’s dressing rooms in partitioned sections on either side of a large tiled pool.
A few years after Caroline Snowberry retired and sold her business, Prohibition forced the saloon to shut down.
The Bonhams then converted the business into a modestly successful spa-hotel and built the pavilion over the spring. Pipes ensured a continuous flow of fresh hot water into the pool. Wide steps led down into the pool, and submerged tile benches along the pool’s perimeter were perfect for soaking neck-deep (if you were Winnie) or shoulder-deep (if you were the much taller Nick).
While decrepit, the pavilion was in better shape than the house had been. Thanks to the hot water, it was also warm and humid inside, which made it feel positively tropical.
With many pauses to kiss and playfully grope each other, Nick and Winnie undressed each other before sliding naked into the steaming waters in the large, tiled pool.
It was very decadent. And best of all, when Nick pulled her onto his lap, Winnie could make all the noise she wanted.
Which was good, because Nick played her body like a finely tuned instrument. He drew forth wave after wave of pleasure until she floated in the warm, sulfurous water, utterly boneless with satisfaction.
Much later, while they were enjoying a picnic of assorted finger foods and champagne at the pool’s edge, Nick said, “You know what? I think this is going to be the best Christmas I’ve had since I was a kid.”
Winnie groaned. She wasn’t ready to leave this private paradise, but the clock was ticking. “Speaking of which, Mom and Summer are going to think we crashed into a ditch somewhere if we don’t show up with those groceries soon.” She leaned over and languidly kissed Nick. “But it’ll be worth it. Our holiday dinners are always amazing. You’ll see.”
“I can’t wait,” Nick said. “Between your parents’ Sunday dinners and your sister’s cooking at The Yummy Cowboy, I already know it’s going to be a memorable meal.” He waited a beat, before adding with a crooked grin, “Especially the mashed potatoes and roasted yams.”
She chuckled and caressed his jaw, feeling the soft scrape of the dark bristles against her palm. “I’m so glad that you and Kegan are here to celebrate with us.”
∞∞∞
Snowberry Springs Ranch
Christmas Day
“I got Spider-Man pajamas!” Kegan crowed from a nest of shredded wrapping paper. “And a new Spider-Man storybook!”
“Don’t forget to thank Winnie,” Nick told his son with a smile.
“Thank you, Winnie!” the dark-haired little boy said with a wide, gap-toothed grin as he hugged the large, brightly colored book to his chest.
Next to him, Jayden unwrapped his own present. “I got a Spider-Man book, too!” he shouted, grinning from ear to ear as he brandished his prize. “And it’s a different one! Thank you, Aunt Winnie!”
April and Abby sat quietly to one side, paging quietly through their own gift books from Winnie, one about dinosaurs and the other a child’s guide to astronomy.
A realistically modeled Tyrannosaurus rex rested in April’s lap, while Abby cradled a new astronaut Barbie in the crook of her elbow.
Like every Christmas morning that Winnie remembered, today’s “Presents & Brunch” at the ranch house was a cheerfully chaotic affair.
Mom and Summer had set up breakfast buffet-style on the kitchen counters and island. After everyone had eaten, Dad and Spring pushed the living room furniture to the edges of the room to make room for everyone to gather there. The kids sat on the carpet near the Christmas tree, while the adults sat on the sofa and chairs and sipped coffee.
“I think Winnie should be the next person to open a present,” Autumn announced.
Nick immediately rose and fetched two wrapped presents from beneath the tree, and dropped them on Winnie’s lap. One was a large, squishy package, and the second a heavy, medium-sized box.
“I hope you like them,” he said, sounding almost shy.
She went for the squishy package first, and discovered a large, extremely plush, fake-fur blanket for her couch.
The box contained a dozen varieties of gourmet popcorn kernels in small jars. Her face grew hot at the reminder of how their TV viewing nights usually ended.
“I love it!” she said sincerely, and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
Someone wolf-whistled, probably Dad. Her parents liked Nick and they enthusiastically welcomed that he and Winnie were now a couple.
