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the sound of Lucille leaving. The front door shut. Chance’s heavy footsteps crossed to the center of the house. “You can come down now!” he called cheerfully up the stairs.
Aghast that he knew she had been eavesdropping, heat flooded her cheeks. Measurements taken, she walked back down, pocketing her pen. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to intrude.”
He gave her a look that said, “I’ll bet.”
Falling into step beside her, he accompanied her out onto the front porch. The air had the distinct damp chill of late November. Dark clouds gathered along the horizon, where the sun was setting in streaks of purple and gray.
“How is Braden doing? Were you able to steer him toward the Leo and Lizzie World Adventure train set?”
Surprised that Chance recalled the name of the toy, Molly grimaced. “Ah, no. Not yet.”
Concern etched his ruggedly handsome face. “Meaning you haven’t really tried yet?”
Molly only wished that were the case. Taking her first real break of the day, she perched on the railing edging the front porch. “Meaning, like with most men, subtlety doesn’t work on Braden. Nor does direct conversation.”
Chance took a seat opposite her, mesmerizing her with the blatant interest in his eyes. “So he still wants a live baby bull and a momma.”
“As well as a daddy bull.”
“Wow.”
She sighed, relieved to be able to talk about what had been bothering her all day. “Wow is right.”
His expression grew thoughtful. “What are you going to do?”
With effort, she forced herself to meet his probing gaze. “Honestly? I don’t have a clue.”
“I had a few ideas.”
Molly pushed to her feet. Feeling her pulse skitter, she turned her head to the side. “I think you’ve done enough,” she quipped, using sarcasm to hide her worry.
He accompanied her down the steps to her SUV. “Seriously. I think I might be able to dissuade him, given another opportunity. And since you have Thanksgiving Day off and so do I, and my mother is hosting her annual dinner at the bunkhouse, I was thinking you and Braden might want to come as my plus two.”
Aware the mood between them was quickly becoming highly charged and way too intimate, Molly unlocked her vehicle. “You’re asking me for a date?”
To her consternation, he didn’t exactly deny it.
“There will be a lot of people there. Three of my siblings and their significant others and or friends. And a few other family friends.”
Molly tossed her bag into the front passenger seat. “First of all, your mother and I get along so well because I know my place.”
His brow lifted.
“Furthermore, Braden and I have our own holiday tradition.”
He rested a muscular forearm on the open driver-side door. “You cook?”
Molly lifted her chin. “I take him to the buffet at the cafeteria in San Angelo.”
Sympathy lit his gaze. “Sounds...lonely.”
Lonely, Molly thought, was being a fifth wheel at the big family gatherings of friends. Knowing, you’d never enjoy the same.
She shrugged. “Crowded is more like it. But it’s not too bad if we get there at eleven, when it opens, and then Braden and I have the rest of the day to do whatever we want.” Which usually involved a family activity of their own.
Chance stepped back. “Well, if you change your mind, the invitation stands.”
Molly slid behind the wheel. “Thanks, but I won’t.” She looked up at him.
Whether Chance admitted it or not, she was out of his league socially, too. “And don’t worry about Braden. I’ll figure out a way to handle his misconceptions about what is possible for Christmas. And what is not.”
* * *
EXCEPT SHE WASN’T handling it, Molly thought the following day when they entered the popular San Angelo cafeteria. At least not as well as she or her son would like.
“I’m hungry, Mommy,” Braden complained as the line of customers inched forward.
Although she had been hoping to make this Thanksgiving really special for him, he’d been grumpy since waking that morning. “I know.” Molly inched up slightly, clear of the entrance. “It will be our turn soon. See?” She pointed to the lighted display cases up ahead.
Braden stamped his cowboy boot. “Don’t want to wait,” he fumed.
“I know.” Thinking he might be overheated, Molly knelt down in front of him and unzipped his fleece hoodie. She figured he would be fine once they sat down. Avoiding a meltdown before that concerned her.
“Can we go home now?” Braden persisted.
“Oh, you don’t want to do that,” a familiar low voice said from behind them. “I hear the holiday buffet here is not to be missed.”
Braden lit up like a Christmas tree. “Cowboy Chance!”
“Hi, buddy!” Chance held out his palm. Braden high-fived him.
Slowly, Molly straightened to her full height. To her dismay, she was ridiculously glad to see him. Especially looking so fine.
Like her, he had upped his game a notch. Slacks, a starched shirt, tie and tweed Western-cut blazer, instead of his usual flannel shirt and jeans. “Aren’t you supposed to be at your mom’s today?”
“Already made my appearance.”
Which accounted for his neatly combed chestnut hair and freshly shaven jaw.
“I’m tired,” Braden complained.
Molly inhaled the sandalwood and leather fragrance of Chance’s cologne, mixing with the usual soap and fresh air scent of his skin.
“Probably a little bored, too.” Chance winked. He reached into his jacket pockets. “Which is why I brought you these.” He pulled out a toy reindeer with a big red nose and a coordinating winter sleigh.
Braden beamed. “Rudolph!”
Molly gave Chance a look her delighted son could not see. “What are you doing?” she demanded sweetly.
Grooves deepened on either side of his mouth. “Working on that solution.”
Aware how easy it would be to fall for this sexy cowboy’s charms, Molly stiffened. “I fail to see how—”
He clapped a hand on her shoulder. “All in good time, my darlin’. All in good time. And—” he nodded at the space behind her “—you’re going to want to move on up.”
The line was indeed pushing forward.
Molly inched ahead. “I don’t remember inviting you,” she murmured so only he could hear, while her son energetically played with the reindeer and sleigh.
Chance leaned down to whisper in her ear. “That’s the good thing about having Thanksgiving here. You don’t need an invite.” He looked around, impressed. “Although given how crowded the establishment is quickly getting, it would probably be considerate of the three of us to share a table, rather than unnecessarily take up more chairs than we need.”
“You’re impossible.” Despite herself, she was glad to see him.
Braden tugged on Chance’s blazer. He tilted his head back so he could see his idol’s face. “Thank you for toys.”
Chance ruffled her son’s hair. “You’re welcome, buddy. It was my pleasure.”
To Molly’s surprise, it was hers, too.