Page 71 of Holly and Nick Hate Christmas
“Yep.” He swallowed. “Totally fine.”
Her hands were soft, smooth against his calloused ones, her touch surprisingly calming. A few more of his nerves dissipated, and Nick relaxed for the first time since landing in the saddle. Maybe this wasn’t so bad.
Maybe…none of it was so bad.
The trail guide pulled to the side of the trail and shouted at the back of the line. “All right, you guys, we’re about to cross a creek. Heads up, the horses might try to rush through a bit because the water’s cold this time of year.”
Nope. Definitely bad.
He dropped Holly’s hand as the family bunched together at the creek, horses nickering.
“How’s it going, Nick?” Thomas’s wide smile spread across his whiskered face as he leaned forward, bracing one arm on the saddle horn like he might star opposite John Wayne. “I haven’t seen much of you on the trail.”
He didn’t look like a father angry about his daughter suddenly being in love. Nick’s shoulders loosened. Maybe Thomas hadn’t heard yet—or maybe he wouldn’t mind if he did.
Axel took off his gardening hat, a devious grin lighting his face. “That’s because he’s probably back there snogg—”
“It’s going great!” Nick blurted the words. Another lie for the holiday season. Though, honestly, the ridewasgoing better than he’d anticipated. He was still in the saddle, wasn’t he?
Nick tried to scoot his horse away from Holly’s, just in case. Ryan’s gaze landed on his and held, but Nick didn’t have time to read his expression before the guide started ushering horses across. “You first, cowboy.”
“Babe! He called mecowboy!” Axel shouted at Chloe like they hadn’t all been right there as his horse splashed across the creek.
Chloe followed, praising his natural ability, then Grace and Thomas. The guide took both kids’ ponies by the reins and led them across, followed by Lydia and Ryan. Then he motioned for Nick to go, but Nick shook his head. “Ladies first.”
“I totally see through that effort there, but hey, chivalry is still chivalry.” Olivia splashed across with a wink in his direction.
Holly had been right—her sisters seemed to be approving of him. Not that it mattered, except maybe it would help Operation: Jack & Sally seem more convincing. Though if Nick were honest, having any of the sisters’ approval put a smile on his face.
“All right, Mr. Chivalrous.” Holly pulled her mount up next to his. “See you on the other side.” She nudged her mare with both heels. The horse jerked her head back, mane flying, before letting loose a loud whinny and taking off in a wild run across the creek bed.
Muddy water sprayed in an arc around Holly, who shrieked.
Nick’s heart stammered. Oh no. It was happening again.
“Holly!” He bolted into action, shoving his heels into Peanut Butter’s flank. The gelding nickered in a protest before grinding his hooves into the rocks and mud. Water splashed as the horse fought for footing on the icy bank.
Chest pounding, Nick dropped the reins and held on to the saddle horn with both hands as Peanut Butter jutted over the creek bed. Ice-cold water splashed onto Nick’s jeans, shooting an immediate chill through his legs and up his spine. Adrenaline surged. He had to get to Holly. Had to make sure she was—
Sitting safely on her horse. Blinking at him.
Oops.
Peanut Butter joined the group on the other side, flicking hisdamp tail. Nick’s gaze darted from Grace’s concerned frown to Chloe’s wide-eyed stare to Olivia’s barely contained smile begging to release from pursed lips.
Nick slowly picked up the reins as the Sinclairs stared. Even the trail guide seemed speechless at the overreaction. “Um.” The guy scratched the back of his neck. “That was…”
“Dude.” Axel exhaled the word as he moved his horse closer to Nick’s. He took off his straw hat and extended it toward him. “That was max cowboy. You totally deserve this hat, bro. I’m not worthy.”
Nick accepted the straw offering. Then, with a shrug, plunked it on top of his head. Why not? The afternoon couldn’t get any more embarrassing. At least he hadn’t fallen.
Then Peanut Butter reared.
He’d tried to save me.
I tucked the throw blanket around my legs and studied Nick’s profile out of the corner of my eye while we sat side by side on one end of the couch. Ryan and my dad attempted to hook up Kat’s old karaoke machine—much to Olivia’s amusement and no thanks to Mom’s not-so-helpful comments. Across the living room, Chloe and Axel were snuggled into the smaller sofa, while Kat kicked her legs up in Dad’s favorite recliner, clutching decaf coffee Mom had to dig out from the back of the pantry.
I gingerly reached over and touched the bruise on Nick’s jaw, half-hidden beneath the shadow of his growing beard. “Does it hurt?” I wasn’t worried about touching him, now that our relationship had been announced. In fact, the more caring I came across, the better for Operation: Jack & Sally.
