Page 118 of One Night Only
I already have an idea what it is from the shape of the box, but as I unwrap the paper and see the Stetson logo, I hurriedly open the box to see my very own cowboy hat.
“Oh, my God. I love it so much!” I cry, pulling it out and putting it straight on my head. It feels luxurious and fits surprisingly well, and as I look up at everyone, they all cheer.
“Boots and a hat,” Phil says. “We’ll make a cowgirl outta you yet.”
I laugh. “Unlikely. Horses terrify me.”
“Yeah, you should’ve seen her in the stables yesterday,” Millie laughs. “You’d think she was walking through a maximum-security prison full of murderous psychopaths.”
“Okay, in my defense, the closest I’ve ever gotten to a horse is?—”
“Me!” Dallas interjects.
I turn my head slowly, offering him an unimpressed look.
With a smug grin, he glances over at his brother, holding his hand in the air, which Austin high fives with a murmured, “Yeah, that was pretty good; I’ll give you that one.”
I roll my eyes, looking back at Millie. “Those things arehuge!”
“Yeah, like me…” Dallas murmurs so only I can hear him.
I elbow him, forcing a smile to Joy and Phil. “Thank you. I love my hat.”
“You are so welcome, sweetie.” Joy gushes, and I notice a sheen in her eyes as she watches Dallas and me while Phil continues playing St. Nick.
After gifting Phil and Austin identical Hermès belts, I cast Dallas a dubious glance, and while everyone is talking amongst themselves, he sheepishly admits to me that he forgot all about Christmas shopping and ended up panic purchasing everyone’s gifts at JFK before his flight home to Texas. Honestly, the man just gets more and more adorable.
Once all the gifts were unwrapped, Phil and Austin headed out to do some work because apparently ranching doesn’t get holidays off. Millie went for a nap. Joy and Dallas settled in to watch a Christmas movie in the den, and I excused myself and headed out onto the porch to call Tess and Bron and my parents on FaceTime. This is my first Christmas without them, and I’m not going to lie, seeing all four of them in Mom and Dad’s living room made me a little homesick, but I’ve loved being here with Dallas and his family for Christmas. In a way, here almost feels like home.
As I sit on the porch steps, decompressing after the chaotic call with my family, my head suddenly aching over the sound ofTess and my mother fighting to talk over one another, I look out over the expanse of the vista. Nothing but fields of golden grass. It’s a beautiful place, so far from the craziness that is New York City, it’s like another world.
The door to the house opens behind me with a light creak, and I smile, expecting Dallas. But when I turn to glance over my shoulder, I’m surprised to see Joy walking out carrying two glasses of red wine, winking at me conspiratorially.
“I thought you’d like a sneaky wine.” She smiles.
I take it from her. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
Joy looks at the step beside me. “Mind if I sit?”
“Please.” I shift over a little and she sits herself down in the space next to me, sipping her wine and releasing a contented sigh as she smiles out over the peaceful panorama.
“I love it here,” I say softly after a few silent moments.
“Our own slice of heaven right here on earth,” Joy whispers.
I look at her from the corner of my eye, taking her in. She’s beautiful, so much like Millie.
“Did you call your folks?”
I nod, sipping my wine. “Yeah. Just got off the phone and needed a minute to unwind.” I cast her a wry smirk. “They’re… a lot.”
“Dallas told me.” She chuckles. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
“I think you and my mom will befastfriends.”
“We’d love to have them down here,” Joy says. “Any time. There’s plenty of room.”
“I fear my mother’s voice might spook the cows,” I murmur, only half-joking.
