Page 35 of Knot what I want for Christmas
Hollie
“It’s Christmas Eve Eve,” Annie announces, skipping into my room the next morning, “and I have plans. So get your ass out of bed, chica, and come have some breakfast. Dad’s making pancakes.”
“Your dad is a saint,” I say. “Do you think he’d move to Rockview and become my own personal chef?”
“Nope,” Annie says, spinning on her toes and skipping straight out of the room again. “Be downstairs in 15 minutes.”
My spirits are feeling much brighter this morning, and I emerge from my bed with a big smile on my face. I think that’s probably partly to do with all the beautiful scenery here on Big Sky Ranch. And to be clear, when I say scenery, I’m talking Alphas. I can’t help thinking about the tree chopping, the bale throwing, and the horse grooming. Plus, my conversation with Nash keeps floating into my head. I’ve never met a man like that before – straight-talking and yet sensitive. And Tucker – he makes me laugh in a way I haven’t done for months. And then there’s Clay. I still haven’t made my mind up about him. But Iremind myself as I head for the shower and decide I ought to select the coldest setting: I’m not here to gawk at Alphas. I’m here to spend time with my best friend. A best friend who’s waiting for me downstairs.
Once I’m dressed, I set off out of my door to find Dolly the dog and Kenny her shadow, the rabbit, both sitting on the landing.
“Well, hello there,” I say to them both. “Good morning to you and a happy Christmas Eve Eve.” I bend down and tickle first Dolly under the chin and then stroke along Kenny’s ears. They both clearly enjoy the attention. Dolly’s tail starts wagging furiously, and I continue to tell them both how beautiful they are as I oblige them with further chin scratches.
That is until I hear a loud cough behind me and the smell of pine fills my nostrils. I curl back up and spin around to find Tucker standing right behind me with his trademark grin plastered across his face. I realize that’s because I’m wearing my tight jeans today and, folded over like that, I just gave him a very clear view of my ass. If the smile on his face is any indication, he seemed to appreciate it.
“That’s one way to brighten my morning,” he says with a wink.
“I agree,” I tell him, pretending not to understand. “What more could you want than a greeting from these two?” I point at the rabbit and the dog.
“They’re cute,” he agrees, “but neither has an ass like yours.”
I don’t know whether to slap him round the face or burst into a fit of giggles. I decide to adopt a fake outrage.
“I assure you,” I tell him, “my ass is nowhere near as cute as Dolly’s or Kenny’s. It’s not fluffy, for starters.”
“Good to know,” Tucker answers. “Where are you heading to? You lost?”
“Nope,” I say. “Heading down for breakfast. Mr. J’s made pancakes this morning.”
“Then I think I may have to make a little detour,” he says.
We walk down the stairs together and I try my best not to inhale his fresh pine scent or notice how in sync our steps seem to be or recall how good his arm felt wrapped around my waist when we were dancing.
“How did you sleep?” he says.
“Like a log. It’s so quiet out here. The traffic in Rockview’s insane. There’s always a siren blaring or a horn blasting. I didn’t realize how noisy it was until this visit.”
“Yeah,” he says. “It’s one of the things I like most about this place – open space, the tranquility – so damn peaceful.”
“Don’t you miss excitement?” I say.
“Trust me,” he says, “trying to herd several hundred head of cattle gives me all the excitement I need.”
“So you’re a real cowboy,” I say.
“You bet, sweetheart. One hundred percent.”
This time I do giggle, which has my best friend swinging around and staring at me as we walk into the kitchen together.
“Where did you spring from, Tucker Parker?” she asks him with a suspicious look.
“Had to go get something from the attic,” he says, patting his jacket pocket.
“Hmm,” Annie says, obviously not quite convinced by his explanation.
He takes a seat with us at the kitchen table. “Then I heard about pancakes,” he tells her.
“There may not be enough for you,” Annie says.
