Page 38 of Her Cowboy Christmas

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“I’ll see you later!”

I shake my head.“I’ll wait and drive you to work.”

Blair nods and races inside.She’s only gone for a few minutes before she bolts back outside and jumps into my truck.

“Hurry!”

I pull out into traffic and drive to the bank.

“Thanks for the ride,” she says as I tug her in for a kiss.

“See you later.”

“Later.”

Then she’s out of the truck and rushing into the bank.I watch her go, then turn and drive home.I call Devon on the way, and he answers on the second ring.

“Hey, man.”

“Hey,” I greet him.“How’s it going?”

“Good.I was going to call you today.They’re releasing me in a week.”

“Did something happen?”

“Yeah, I overdid it in physical therapy, and I’ve been on bed rest since.”

He sounds pissed, and I’m sure he’s been a great patient all week.Devon is the type of guy who always wants to be doing something.When we worked together, he always had some project on the go.I don’t imagine he’s enjoying his hospital stay and forced retirement.

“Well, take it easy.I’ll be ready to pick you up whenever you head out here.”

“Thanks.”

“So you’re spending Christmas and the holidays in Virginia?”I confirm.

“Yep.I’ll be flying out to see you the first week in January.”

“We should wait to see what the doctor says.”

“First week,” he says firmly.

I roll my eyes.“All right, well, I’m ready.”

“Good, so how have you—shit.”

“You all right?”

“I’ve got to go.Nurse just came in to poke me some more,” he gripes.

I bite back a grin.“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Later,” he groans.

I hang up as I pull into the drive and hop out, rolling out my shoulders.I survey the horses, looking out over the pasture.They all seem happy munching on their hay, and I turn to head inside when my phone rings again.

This time it’s Grady, one of my foster brothers, calling me.

We were close growing up.He went into the military, too, but he chose the Navy.He returned to Silver Bell Hollow and the Naughty List Ranch to help out when he got out of the Navy.He’s been back for a few weeks now and is settled in the caretaker cabin on the property.

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