Mistletoe & Marriage: Snowbound Cowboy

Chapter Three

BOONE WASN’T SURE how to react to Amelia’s statement. True, he couldn’t sleep in the barn, but invading their personal space was a different story. He hadn’t signed up for this.

“Maybe the electricity will be back on by then.”

Amelia frowned. “I take it you haven’t lived in Montana long. This outage could last days.”

“I’m originally from West Texas. We don’t get many blizzards.”

“Well, we do. So unless you want to freeze, you better decide to camp out with us tonight. You can have the small room off the kitchen.” She led them back inside and pointed to the eight-paneled door across the room. “One of its walls is the back of the fireplace. It stays pretty warm in there.”

He hated doing this. “I don’t mean to put you out, ma’am.” He had no business being here in the first place.

“You’ll only put me out if I have to worry about you sleeping in that cold barn.”

He felt a strange feeling in the center of his gut. It’d been a while since a woman had been concerned about him. “I would have been okay. The animals are my responsibility.”

“Their stalls are pretty well insulated. And there’s another generator out there, but we don’t usually use it unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

He was surprised how well Amelia Hughes handled the emergency. If she was nervous about the situation, she didn’t show it.

“Seems you have everything under control,” he told her.

“I’m fine as long as we stay in the house and have enough food. And we do. Since the stove is propane, I’ll be able to cook.”

Boone stood at the counter, the only thing that separated the kitchen from the dining area, then past it was the living room with two overstuffed sofas angled toward a huge stone fireplace.

He looked up to see the exposed beams, then down at the polished hardwood floors. No doubt the place had probably been remodeled over the years. He found he liked the mixture of both the old and the new.

His attention was drawn back to the woman wandering around turning off unneeded lights. She smiled and he felt a funny tightness in his chest. Her green-eyed gaze locked with his, then quickly she turned away.

“How about I finish making us lunch?”

Boone nodded. “I could eat.”

“So could I,” Jesse chimed in. “I’m real hungry.”

She messed up her son’s hair. “You’re always hungry.”

The boy grinned. “That’s cause I’m growing.”

The twosome walked into the kitchen, and Boone found he enjoyed listening to the bantering between mother and son.

Something tugged at his heart as his thoughts turned to Russ. His friend would be happy at how well his boy had turned out. Now all Boone had to do was find a way to tell the kid’s mother about her son’s father.

As Amelia mixed the egg salad, she could feel Boone watching her. It had been a long time since a man had been in the Hughes house. Sad, but true. She hadn’t had time, or any desire, to attempt a relationship. Since Russ, she hadn’t let anyone get close to her. Not that men had rushed to her door. If one did, Kelley would probably be there to give him the third degree. Her big sister had always been Amelia’s protector. She’d also sat with Amelia during the rough times after Jesse’s father left. Later she’d coached her through labor and the delivery of her son. And she loved Jesse as much as Amelia did.

What would Kelley think about Boone Gifford? That he was handsome? Her sister didn’t get her head turned easily. Not when she worked side by side with ranch hands that drifted from job to job. She couldn’t afford to.

Neither could Amelia, but she couldn’t deny that she’d taken notice of Boone Gifford. She sighed. She had to keep reminding herself that he was a stranger. Thank goodness Kelley had checked him out.

Amelia handed out the sandwiches and poured the milk.

She sat down and glanced at the smile on her son’s face as he chatted with Boone. It was Jesse who’d suffered the most from his father choosing to desert them. With just women around, a boy craved male companionship.

She turned her attention to Boone. He wasn’t the kind of man either one of them needed. He wasn’t even from Montana, but West Texas, and she had no doubt he would be going back. No way was she getting mixed up again with a guy who was just passing through.

Jesse said something, and Boone managed a smile. Her attention went to his mouth and the tiny lines bracketing it, which only seemed to add to his rugged features.

Suddenly he looked up. She swallowed, feeling the strange tension in her stomach. This was not good.

“Mom!”

“What?” She turned to her son.

“I asked if Boone and me can play cards.”

“Honey, Boone isn’t here to entertain you.”

“It’s not a bother,” Boone said, then turned to her son. “First, we need to help clean up.”

Amelia watched as her son picked up his empty plate and followed Boone to the sink. The big, tall cowboy took up too much space in the kitchen, making her feel crowded and edgy. And a lot more. She stood, too, but kept the needed distance between her and the man. Boone Gifford was a stranger and he would be leaving soon.

She needed to remember that.

The afternoon dragged on as the snow continued to fall. Boone had played card games with Jesse to keep the boy occupied. Amelia kept busy going around the house, closing off rooms to conserve the heat. She’d brought out candles and extra bedding from upstairs. When Boone had offered to help her she put him off. Instead, she began chopping vegetables for supper.

“Jesse. I think it’s time to put the cards away.”

“Ah, Mom, I’m winning.”

“You’ve been playing for the last hour. I need your help to prepare for tonight.”

Boone glanced over. As the afternoon turned toward evening, she seemed to grow nervous. Was it only the threatening storm, or was it him?

“Your mom’s right.” He got up from the table. “Besides, I need to check the animals.” He headed to the coat hook, pulled on his sheepskin-lined jacket and wrapped the scarf around his neck.

“Boone, would you mind bringing up Izzy’s food?”

“Sure.” He reached down and petted the dog. “You want to go with me, girl?”

The large animal walked to the back door and waited.

Boone tugged his hat low on his head and pulled on his gloves. He went out the back door noticing the snow had slowed but not the wind. He grabbed hold of the anchor rope he’d rigged earlier and began to traipse through the knee-high snow toward the barn.

Inside, he stomped off the clinging snow before he fed and watered the horses, then retrieved the dog’s food and headed back.

Izzy finished her business and didn’t have any trouble finding her way to the house. Boone set the food in the mud room, then went to his truck and got his duffel bag.

Back on the porch, he found a bundled-up Jesse waiting.

“Mom said I can help you carry in some wood.”

“Good. I can use a strong helper.” He glanced toward the window, not surprised to see Amelia. He nodded to her and went to load up the boy’s small arms with split logs. Once inside, they stacked it neatly beside the fireplaces. After three trips, he decided they had enough to get through until morning.

Amelia had been working, too. She had a pot of homemade stew simmering on the stove, filling the kitchen with a heavenly aroma. He carried his duffel bag into the small room off the kitchen where he found the double bed already made up with snowy white sheets and two heavy blankets.

Amelia appeared at the doorway. “My grandfather stayed in here during his long illness. Gram Ruby never changed the room back to her sewing room.”

“I won’t disturb anything,” Boone told her as he set his bag on the cedar chest at the end of the bed.

“It’s okay,” Jesse said as he walked in. “’Cause when I’m sick I get to stay here. I even throwed up all over the blankets.” He made a face. “It was gross, but Mom didn’t even get mad.”

Boone hid a smile. “That’s good to know.”

“Jesse, why don’t we let Boone get settled in?” She motioned for her son to come with her.

The boy obeyed, but paused at the doorway. “Can we still play cards later?”

“If it’s okay with your mom.”

The boy swung around to Amelia, looking for the okay.

“We’ll see, Jesse. Come on, you can help me with the bread.” She looked at Boone. “Supper will be ready about six, unless you get hungry before that.”

“I’ll be there at six.” He looked at Jesse. “Why don’t you come and get me, so I don’t miss your mama’s stew?”

When the boy smiled he could see a strong resemblance to Russ, but the physical likeness was where it ended. Did he have a right to burst in here and intrude on their lives? Yes, the boy needed to know that his father had cared about him and wanted to come and meet him. He had to at least tell the kid’s mother, then she could decide what to do. What would Boone’s announcement do to Amelia Hughes?

Amelia tugged her son’s arm. “We’ll see you at supper.” She stepped back, leaving the door open to help circulate the sparse heat.

Boone sat down on the bed and lit the candle on the nightstand. The daylight was quickly fading. He pulled off his boots, rubbing one foot over the other. Once he’d stimulated warmth back into his toes, he lay down and rested his head against the feather pillow.

He couldn’t help but think back to six months ago. It had never been his dream to work as a roustabout on an oil rig off the coast of Galveston, Texas. And that was where he’d met Russell Eldon.

Boone hadn’t cared much about making friends, only about making money to buy back the ranch he’d lost. Russ wanted to give something to the child he’d abandoned, and he couldn’t stop talking about it.

Sharing close quarters, Boone had listened to Russ’s story. How at twenty-one he’d gotten a girl pregnant. In a panic, he’d taken off, even before he knew if she had the baby or not.

About a year ago, Russ had learned that he had a son. For the past months he’d worked on the oil rig to make fast money so he could help with support before he came to meet his child. Jesse Hughes.

It wasn’t to be. Last summer they’d been evacuated when a hurricane headed for the platform, but the last helicopter crashed and they all ended up in the gulf.

A shiver went through Boone as he recalled that awful night. The rough waters that kept pulling him under. The excruciating pain in his injured shoulder. His struggle to stay conscious. Through it all, he kept hearing Russ’s voice, telling him not to give up. The guy had been there with him, keeping him afloat until help came.

Boone shut his eyes, seeing Russ’s face as the rough waters took him down, all the time knowing it should have been him who died that night.

If Russ hadn’t had to rescue him, Jesse wouldn’t be without a father.

Chapter Four

THROUGH THE FOG Boone heard a feminine voice whisper his name. A rush of sensations drifted through him, and his body stirred with longing. He groaned, wanting the dream to go on. Then came the gentlest of touches, and warmth shot through him.

She spoke his name again and he blinked, aching to see her, praying reality would be even better. When he opened his eyes, he saw Amelia Hughes’s face in the dim candlelight.

She smiled shyly. “Hi.”

“Hi,” he returned.

Her gaze was guarded and she stepped back from the bedside. “Sorry to wake you, but you said you wanted us to let you know when it’s suppertime. Jesse wasn’t sure what to do when he found you asleep.”

He wiped a hand across his eyes, taking time to ease his racing pulse. “Thanks, I’m glad you woke me.” He swung his legs off the bed and sat up. “I don’t usually fall asleep on the job.” He checked his watch to see that two hours had truly passed.

“It’s probably the boredom,” she said. “There isn’t much to do trapped in the house.”

He definitely hadn’t been bored since coming here. The brisk chill in the room made him realize he wasn’t going anywhere, not for a while, anyway. He noticed Amelia wore a long sweater that covered her all the way down past her shapely hips. On her feet were heavy, wool socks.

“How’s the wood holding out?”

“I’ve been keeping both fireplaces going, but even after closing off the upstairs, it’s still chilly. We’re managing for now, but tonight the temperature is predicted to drop well below freezing.”

Boone pulled on his boots, trying not to think about the intimacy of her watching him. He stood and walked toward her. At six foot three, he towered over most women, but Amelia was also tall. He liked that. She tilted her head back slightly as her emerald eyes met his gaze. Suddenly his mouth went dry. There wasn’t much about this woman that he didn’t like. She was definitely trouble.

“I’ll bring in more wood.”

“It can wait until later,” she said. “I don’t want your supper to get cold.”

He wasn’t used to anyone worrying about him. “Okay.” With a nod he followed her into the warmer kitchen. The table was adorned with candles and three place settings.

“Hi, Boone.” Jesse came over and took his hand, leading him to the seat at the table. “Mom made stew for supper. It’s my favorite.”

Amelia placed her hands on her hips. “Hey, I thought you liked my macaroni and cheese best.”

The boy nodded his head. “I like that, too. I like everything you make.” He turned to Boone. “Mom’s the best cook. She makes pies for the diner in town. Everybody loves them.”

“Jesse,” she warned. “Stop bragging.”

“I’m only saying what’s true, Mom. Even Mrs. Hoffman at church said so. She told my teacher, Miss Claire, that Mom’s a good catch.”

Amelia gasped. “Jesse Thomas Hughes you’re not supposed to listen to other people’s conversations.”

“But I didn’t, Mom. They were talking right to me.”

Boone tried hard not to smile as a blushing Amelia came to the table. She avoided his gaze as she placed the soup tureen in the center, then went back for the basket of rolls.

She sat across from Boone. “Enjoy this meal, because if this storm keeps up, no one will be eating anything but canned soup.”

“Are we going to be snowed in for Christmas?” The boy looked worried. “And what about Izzy’s puppies?”

Amelia spooned up a bowl of stew for Boone. “She’s not on her own, we’re here to help if she needs us.”

Boone took the warm bowl. “Thank you.” He looked at Jesse. “I think she can handle it.”

“Have you ever seen puppies born?” Jesse asked Boone.

“No, but I’ve helped with calves and foals. Believe me, mamas know what to do.”

Jesse gave his mother a curious look. “Mom, did you know what to do when I was born?”

Even in the dim light, Boone watched another blush cover Amelia’s face. “Well, not everything, but I had Aunt Kelley and Gram Ruby with me. And the doctor, of course.”

Still looking bewildered, the boy picked up his spoon. “Do I get to help Izzy, too?”

Amelia placed a napkin on her lap. “Well, I’m not sure.”

“It depends on Izzy,” Boone jumped in. “She might just want to do it all by herself.”

“Is that why Mom put a big box in the closet?”

Boone nodded. “So Izzy can have some privacy.”

Before Jesse could ask another question, Amelia spoke up. “Let’s say grace so we can eat.”

Jesse took his mother’s hand, then held out the other to Boone. It had been a long time since he had much to pray about, but maybe it was time he started. He took the boy’s hand, then reached across the table for Amelia’s. For a second he allowed himself to think about a home and family.

Amelia liked the feel of Boone’s large hand. Too much. The man was little more than a stranger. That alone sent up warning signals. She definitely couldn’t let herself romanticize the situation. She let that happen once, not again. She had a lot more at stake this time than to be foolish enough to allow some good-looking cowboy turn her head.

She glanced at her son as he talked with Boone. It didn’t take much to get a five-year-old’s attention. Especially since all he’d ever wanted was a father.

“Are you going to be here for Christmas, Boone?”

“Not sure, son. I’m hoping to be back in Texas by then.”

“What about your job?” Amelia asked.

His gaze shifted to her as he raised his spoon. “It’s temporary. I’d always planned to head back home someday.”

“Texas,” Jesse said. “Do you have kids there?”

Boone shook his head. “No family to speak of. Not anymore.”

The boy’s eyes rounded. “Then why not stay here? You can work for Mom and Aunt Kelley.”

“Jesse,” she said in her best warning tone. Her son had to stop this. “You know we only hire hands during calving season.”

“But, Mom…”

Boone stepped in. “It’s a nice offer, son, but I’m going to buy my own ranch, in Texas.”

“Oh…” Jesse didn’t hide his disappointment.

Amelia felt a twinge of the same. She glanced at Boone to find him watching her. Her breathing grew heavy as she locked on his mesmerizing gaze. This was crazy. She’d only just met the man and suddenly she was wanting him to stay around.

Boone turned back to her son. “You see, Jesse, I’ve been wanting one particular place for a long time, and now I have a chance to buy it.”

The boy looked thoughtful. “Hey, you could buy a ranch in Montana.” He turned to his mother. “Right, Mom?”

Hours later the house was quiet as Boone stretched out on the double bed, staring out into the darkness, trying to sleep. But the words that Amelia Hughes spoke earlier were still swimming around in his head:

Boone’s place is in Texas, and ours is here in Montana.

He knew it shouldn’t bother him, but it had. He’d never had much as a kid.

Years ago, Hank and Jolene Gifford hadn’t been much more than day laborers until they scraped enough money together to buy some land of their own. With their old truck loaded up, their son and all their worldly belongings, they arrived in West Texas and their first home.

Many nights, he’d slept in the bed of the pickup until the house was built. His mother took a job in town to help them survive as his father ran a small herd. Boone had worked hard as a boy and continued as a man, building the family ranch.

Their hard work finally paid off until the day he lost both his parents in an accident. He couldn’t run the place without his dad.

Now at the age of thirty, he was getting a second chance. Nothing was going to keep him from his dreams this time.

He stood, went to his duffel bag and found the manila envelope tucked under a pair of his jeans. He knew what was inside without even looking. All Russ Eldon’s personal effects. Everything his friend had wanted to give his son.

Boone sighed. Coming here wasn’t supposed to be so complicated. He’d planned to hand over everything to Amelia Hughes and just leave. Instead he was trapped here in her home, and he was feeling things for the woman he had no business feeling.

He needed to get out of here and fast.

That same husky soft voice called his name again. Boone looked toward the doorway and saw Amelia. Holding a hurricane lantern, she stood shadowed in the dim light. Her dark hair was slightly mussed and she had a blanket bundled around her trim body. Her gaze was questioning.

Boone drew another breath, trying to fight the urges she invoked in him. He zipped the bag and went to her.

“Is there a problem?” he asked.

“I think we’re going to need more firewood.”

He suddenly became aware of the chill. “Maybe you should turn on the heat, too.”

She released a breath. “I’m just worried that the generator won’t hold out.”

He nodded. “How’s Jesse? Is he warm enough?”

She smiled. “He’s fine and sound asleep. How are you doing in here?”

“It’s not bad.” Hell, it was cold.

She smiled at his lie. “Okay, we turn on the heat. But I’ll need to close the vents upstairs.”

“I’ll help you.”

He followed her through the kitchen, checking on Jesse as they went. The boy was layered with blankets on the sofa. He followed Amelia up the steps to the second floor where she opened the door at the top.

Amelia felt the drop in temperature immediately. “Oh, burr, it’s freezing.”

“Colder than a witch’s…” Boone began. “It’s darn cold.” He stood behind her and held up the lantern. “Go back downstairs, Amelia. I can handle this.”

She turned, nearly bumping into him. “But I know where all the registers are.”

With a nod from him, she headed into her grandmother’s bedroom. They worked quickly to shut off the vents, then moved on to Jesse’s room. Next, they went into hers. This had been her childhood bedroom and not much had changed since then. It seemed strange to have Boone here. There hadn’t been a man in here ever, not even Jesse’s father.

She knelt down next to her twin bed, and worked the iron grate, but it wouldn’t budge. “Stubborn thing.”

Boone appeared, shinning more light. “Here, let me try.”

Before she could get out of the way, he leaned over her, and his hard chest brushed against her back. She felt his muscles strain as he fought the stubborn lever and won.

He didn’t move away, and strangely, Amelia didn’t want him to.

“Where to next?” His voice vibrated against her ear. “Your sister’s room?”

“Kelley doesn’t live in the house anymore. A few years ago she moved into the foreman’s cottage.” She stopped her rambling and took a breath to relax. It didn’t help. Was she so starved for a man that the slightest contact set her off?

With this man, yes.

He finally moved back. “Then I guess we’re finished,” he said. “We should head downstairs.”

Still on her knees, she turned to face him. In the dim shadows, they were close in the confined space. Dangerously close.

Suddenly she heard her name called. “Mom! Mom! Where are you?”

She broke eye contact, got to her feet and hurried into the hallway. “I’m coming, Jesse.”