Chapter Four

Tyler’s gaze raked her from head to toe and slowly back up again. Tingles broke out on her arms at his leisurely exploration. She forced back the urge to cover her exposed chest with her arms.

“Why are you being Santa?” she hissed, keeping her voice down.

Santa/Tyler shrugged. “Cord called, said he couldn’t get back in time. Buck was too big for the costume and Teddy had a gig with the band...so here I am.”

Beth narrowed her eyes. Between the pornographic costume and now Tyler as Santa, something was going on. “I smell something incredibly fishy in here.”

“Not me. I smell something wonderful.” He took two steps closer and leaned over to sniff at her neck. She jerked back but hit the door in the narrow confines of the room.

“Is that gingerbread perfume or something? You smell like a Christmas cookie.”

Beth sighed. “Yes. Mrs. Claus is supposed to smell like Christmas cookies.”

“Makes me want to take a nibble.” His eyes were on the dark shadow of her ample cleavage.

Heat burned her cheeks. He looked like he wanted to devour her. Her nipples peaked behind the material and she only hoped the cloth was heavy enough to hide her reaction.

The sack he’d had on his back dropped to the floor. “You don’t look like any Mrs. Claus I’ve ever seen.”

Beth yanked her top up higher. “They mixed up the costumes at the store and Susan couldn’t fit into this one, so I got stuck wearing it.”

Tyler laid one white-gloved hand on the door next to her head. His eyes smoldered with fire and hers widened at the naked desire he didn’t try to disguise.

“Santa is a lucky man,” he said hoarsely.

A tumble of confusing thoughts and conflicting emotions raced through her. His eyes told her exactly what he wanted to do to her. Her heart thudded and her breath quickened.

One gloved finger trailed along the white fur lined collar. The cloth felt odd against her bare skin and goosebumps erupted. Her insides began to jingle like the bells on his belt. Tyler lowered his head towards her and the book in her hands fell to the floor.

“Don’t,” she whispered, even as her eyes closed and she wet her lips in anticipation.

But the kiss didn’t come. She opened her eyes.

Averting his gaze, Tyler pushed away from the door. “Sorry, I got caught up in my role.”

He reached down and hoisted his sack to his back. Beth looked up, noting how he struggled to hold himself in check. The raw emotion in his eyes matched what she was feeling inside. It had been a long time since she’d been this turned on. She actually wanted to lock the door and make everyone wait while Mr. and Mrs. Santa got it on.

Unable to keep looking at him, she picked up the book she dropped, ignoring the hiss of his breath when she bent down. She knew he’d gotten more than an eyeful of her breasts. She spun around and faced the door, waiting impatiently for their signal.

Tyler shifted and the heat from his body seared into her. The heavy fur costume must really be hot.

“Tell me you got bright red garters on under that skirt,” he whispered next to her ear.

Beth couldn’t stop the grin and ducked her head. Tyler always had a weakness for stockings and garter belts. She’d amassed a huge collection while they’d been lovers. She nodded.

He moved even closer, his gloved hand tracing along the bottom edge of her skirt. “I bet this fur would tickle my nose,” he murmured.

The image of his lips at the top of her thighs and then higher flashed across her mind. Her mouth opened as her eyes closed and she fought down the urge to turn around and let him know how his words had affected her.

Cool air brushed the back of her thighs when he lifted the edge of her skirt, slowly exposing her rounded rear end to his view.

“So beautiful,” he muttered.

She leaned her forehead against the door. The sack hitting the floor echoed again, seconds before both his hands swept the skirt of her costume up.

Just the thought of him staring at the satin panties caused her temperature to spike even higher. This was so wrong. It felt dirty, and yet, turned her on more, like part of some kinky fairytale. She was a Mrs. Claus made for being undressed, and he was Santa ready to have his way with her.

His lips caressed the back of her neck and she trembled. He reached around, wasting no time before sliding his hand inside the low collar of her costume. Cotton covered fingers massaged her nipple and her breath caught. The odd sensation of a gloved hand on her breast made her whimper with pleasure.

“Mmmm, little holly berries,” he whispered along her ear. “All puckered up.” His fingers rolled her nipple making it pebble harder.

His other hand slipped between her legs from behind. Somehow he’d removed his glove from that hand because bare fingers caressed her skin. He traced a pattern along the edge of the elastic of her panties, torturing her with his touch. Then he slid the elastic aside, lifted it until one bare cheek popped free. He cupped the rounded mount in his hand and squeezed gently.

His hand under her skirt slipped from her rear end to sneak around and slide along the satin covering her front. He traced one finger on the damp outside of her panties and she couldn’t help shifting into his touch. Her breath came faster and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Her breasts were heavy and aching, and while his fingers tormented first one and then the other, she longed for his mouth on her.

He teased her, stroked her lightly, then harder, then lighter again, knowing exactly what she liked and where she liked it. When he gently eased the material aside and touched her, Beth’s knees buckled.

Tyler held her up, nibbled on her neck, pulled on her earlobe with his mouth and bit her lightly with his teeth, all the while rubbing between her legs, soothing the ache that was building, and giving her exactly what she’d been missing for the past two years.

All reasoning disappeared. All rational thoughts of right or wrong were flung aside. She hadn’t been touched intimately in so long, hadn’t felt this good in so long that she was powerless to stop now, even if she wanted to.

Her head spun and her body throbbed with her impending release. She moaned and twitched back against him, moving her hips in rhythm with the stroking of his hands. One long finger slid inside her and she cried out. Warmth washed over her and she rocked back against his hand as he stroked her inside and out. Within seconds he brought her to a shaking climax and pressed closed, holding her against the door as her legs trembled.

As her body convulsed, Beth bit down hard on her lip to keep the screams to herself.

“Easy there, Mrs. Claus.”

Tyler’s fingers slowed and soothed and then were gone. He squeezed her breast one more time and then took his hands from her body.

Beth kept her eyes closed tight and her head against the door. Her entire body burned with embarrassment. What the hell kind of woman lets something like that happen? He touched her shoulders, urging her to turn around but she struggled against him. Before he could force her to turn, three sharp knocks on the door brought them quickly back to reality.

They had to perform...for children! She covered her cheeks with her hands. Burning hot, they’d surely be stained red.

Beth fumbled with the door knob trying to get it open and bumped into Tyler’s front as she struggled. He cussed, and she glanced back over her shoulder.

He grimaced. “Santa has a hard-on.”

Having nothing to respond to that but a quick gasp, she yanked open the door and stumbled into the kitchen on her way-too-high heels.

Tyler reached for Beth’s hand as they walked through the kitchen to the strains of Here Comes Santa Claus. He studied her as they neared the doors to the main room. Her cheeks were stained bright pink and he knew it wasn’t the make up. He should feel like a heel for touching her like he did, taking advantage of the cramped space, but he didn’t. She could easily have swatted his hands away or told him in no uncertain terms to go to hell. Both of which he had fully expected. It was very interesting that she’d allowed him to do what he’d done. He frowned. Why had she? Wait...had he just been used?

He winced as the part of anatomy that definitely was not part of the childhood fantasy of Santa reminded him of how one sided that little interlude had been. Had he just been played? Had Beth taken the pleasure he’d offered, knowing there wasn’t any way she was going to have to reciprocate because they’d be on stage any minute?

He watched as she laughed at the children’s singing and waved to them as they walked through the room and began to mingle with the kids. As if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Shaking his head and forcing a hardy, “Ho, ho, ho,” he smiled at the children’s bright faces in the large room that had been transformed into Santa’s headquarters. The decorators had done an astounding job and Tyler felt a pang in his chest that he’d missed last year’s celebration. A mountain of gifts was stacked to resemble a Christmas tree and Tyler loved the looks on the kids’ faces as they realized the gifts were going to be for them before the end of the party.

Beth slipped her hand from his and began to hug children and speak to them. Susan and Teddy stood on a small stage singing Christmas carols. Tyler saw his brother’s face as he caught sight of Beth’s outfit. Thankfully, Susan was on it and elbowed Teddy, drawing his attention back to the singing. Around them, Cord, Buck, and Sara all mingled with the kids. Funny how Cord suddenly made it back when earlier he was absolutely certain he’d be tied up all afternoon. Flo would be in the kitchen again making sure the food was being prepared the way she wanted it.

Tyler loved the way the kids’ eyes lit when they saw him, or when he touched their cheeks. Even the older kids who tried to look tough seemed to melt when he winked at them. This Santa gig was pretty cool.

Beth was back at his side as Mrs. Anderson, the Director of the Children’s Home, approached them both.

She smiled and shook his hand. “Thank you, Santa. We’re so happy you could be here.”

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything. We were on our way back to the North Pole from a brief vacation in Hawaii and I knew I had to stop by the Double B.”

“How was Hawaii, Santa?” Mrs. Anderson asked, playing along.

He turned and slid his arm around Beth. “It was warm and sunny. You should see Mrs. Claus in her red bikini, quite a sight I have to tell you.”

Mrs. Anderson laughed. Tyler squeezed where his hand rested on Beth’s hip. He was surprised when she slid her own arm around his waist. In a flash, he could easily imagine Beth in the imaginary bikini, maybe with the same stiletto heels—now that would be a fantasy.

“Well, we don’t want to see Santa in a bathing suit right away,” Beth began with a pinch to his side. “He put on a bunch of weight sitting around all summer. After Christmas, I’m putting him on a strict ‘no cookies diet’.”

Tyler couldn’t resist. “Oh, but Mrs. Claus, you know I can’t resist your cookies.” He wiggled his very bushy white eyebrows.

Beth’s face flushed, but she didn’t have anything to say to that.

Mrs. Anderson seemed to sense there was something going on and grinned. “If you’ll excuse me Santa, I think I’ll go help the elves get the gifts ready.”

Though she moved away, Tyler didn’t move his arm from around Beth’s waist. He smiled and nodded to the kids but spoke to her out of the corner of his mouth. “Now what do we do?”

“I don’t know, you’re the boss, Santa,” she said.

“I know what I’d like to do.” He continued to wave and smile at the kids even as they talked.

“What’s that?”

He kept his voice low, only for her ears. “I’d like to take you back to the pantry, hoist you up on that shelf that’s about waist high, flip up that little excuse for a skirt and…” He waved to a little girl who blew him a kiss.

“Stop that! You have to be larger than life to these kids.”

Tyler looked at her pointedly. “Oh, trust me, sweetheart. Right now I am much larger than life.”

He waited for her to turn even redder but instead she smiled up. “Would you like me to get one of the reindeer for you?”

He growled.

Susan’s voice blasted from the microphone. “Santa? Would you and Mrs. Claus like to do some dancing for us?”

Tyler nodded. He’d never played the role of Santa before, but he’d watched Cord do it for years and knew the routine. He spun Mrs. Santa out onto the dance floor but only for a few seconds before they broke apart and both picked out a little boy or girl to dance with. The kids squealed as Santa jiggled to Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. The little girls stood on his black boots and hung on as he spun them around as if they were at a ball.

His heart ached, knowing some of these kids had never known the joy of a parent or dancing with a father. He related so easily to these kids who, for one reason or another, were being raised by people other than their parents. Some were true orphans, others were here because their parents had such severe addictions they couldn’t take care of them. Even though he and his brothers had Beth’s father and Flo and Sam, he always would wonder how life would have been if his parents had lived.

Several songs later, Santa was beginning to perspire in his hot suit. He looked pleadingly at his brother on stage. Teddy nodded in understanding.

The strains of White Christmas began and he turned to catch Beth’s eye. Holding out his hand, he bowed from the waist. “May I have this last dance, Mrs. Claus?”

She dropped a slight curtsy in front of him. “It would be my pleasure, Santa.”

He gently drew her into his arms and they began to waltz. Beth smiled widely and, although he knew it was for the kids, it warmed his heart to see her looking so happy. The dance could go on all afternoon and he wouldn’t have been tired of touching her.

Having her in his arms again was all he wanted for Christmas.

“You’re very light on your feet, even with that round belly,” she teased.

“There’s a lot of things I could do with this round belly,” he teased back, waggling his eyebrows at her.

“Hmm, I do like a man with something to hang on to,” she said. He spun her out and then back up against his chest wishing he didn’t have on so much padding and could feel her breasts against him.

“I got something you could hang onto, Angel,” he whispered, pleased to see her face redden at his truthful words. No matter what she said, Beth wasn’t indifferent to him. That alone gave him hope. Maybe he had a sliver of a chance of making things right with her.

He smiled at the twinkle in her eyes as he danced her around the great room feeling like a fat Fred Astaire from the old movies Flo used to watch.

“It’s a good thing those dance lessons we took in high school paid off. Even though you grumbled about them every week.”

“I never grumbled.”

“Oh, ho, ho, I think Santa lies,” she said, not letting the kids hear.

Tyler spun her out and then twirled her around until he knew she was dizzy.

Just as planned, she clutched at him when he brought her back against him. “That’s what you get for calling Santa a liar.”

“Santa, that’s not nice,” she scolded.

Tyler looked into her overly bright eyes and flicked his gaze to the swell of her breasts. “Santa is always nice, Mrs. Claus,” he said loudly, then softer for her ears only he promised, “But he’s willing to be naughty if you want.”

She stiffened in his arms and looked away. For several minutes they danced in silence.

“I miss snow,” she said suddenly.

Tyler frowned, wondering where that had come from. The words of the song finally registered with him. Oh right, Teddy and Susan were singing 'White Christmas' in duet.

“You used to say the winters in New York were awful, and you couldn’t wait to get out of the cold.”

She shrugged. “I know, but this time of year there’s something magical about it.”

“Remember when we were kids, and you used to wish every year that it would snow on Christmas?”

That was obviously the wrong thing to say. She narrowed her eyes, looked away and put a considerable amount of distance between their bodies. When the song ended, she jerked away.

“Santa? Would you like to get started?” Susan’s voice carried across the room.

Tyler nodded and, before Beth could get too far, reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her back to his side. “Mrs. Claus, it would appear time for us to distribute some presents.”

She tried to pull her hand free but he held firm until she stopped struggling. The smile on her face was forced and didn’t meet her eyes. He shook his head slightly. There was no way he was going to make anything right with her if he had to watch every word he said. For a few minutes there, he’d had some hope, but now she was as cold as the snow she longed for.

Tyler released her hand as they reached the thrones at the front of the room.

Sara, who couldn’t be an elf this year if she tried, waddled over. “We’re going to have the kids come up and tell you what they want one at a time. Then we’ll lead them over to the present mountain and help them find their gifts.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Weston. Santa will be certain to remember you this year with something extra special.”

“Just make sure it isn’t this baby too early, that’s all.” She signaled to Susan for the first names to be called.

One by one, the kids climbed onto Ty’s lap. The older ones shook his hand and smiled shyly. After a few minutes of talking with Santa, they scampered over to Sara and the elves who helped them find gifts in the mound of brightly wrapped boxes.

When the last child had his gift, Tyler stood up and moved about the room. There were batteries to be installed and tiny parts to be assembled. Even some of the ranch hands like Sam were out there lending a hand. The grizzled old man’s eyes lit up when a little girl pressed her lips to his cheek.

Teddy was at the piano, a golden haired child on his knee, while Susan stood behind them and turned the pages for the carols. The young girl must have known how to play as she held her fingers daintily on the keys as Teddy looked on.

Sara and Buck stood arm in arm talking with Mrs. Anderson.

In the far corner, he caught sight of Beth opening the large book. Several kids scampered to sit at her feet. He watched her as she acted out each part, her eyes bright as she turned the pages. Six kids. They’d once said they would fill their home with kids and animals, at least six of each.

She lifted her eyes and met his gaze. For half-a-second, an old familiar look passed between them, and then it was gone. Tyler wondered if he’d just imagined it. His heart squeezed, remembering when she’d look at him like that every day.

He leaned in, wanting to get as close as he could to hear the soft tones of her voice.

“And this is Santa’s favorite part in the whole story.” She looked up and Tyler blinked. He’d been listening to her voice but not the story. He furrowed his brow. Her short red fingernail pointed to a line in the book.

“Don’t you know that Bumbles bounce?” he recited, and the kids laughed.

She finished the story, but once again Tyler wasn’t listening. Memories washed over him. So many little things...his favorite story, her Christmas wishes. Their lives were intertwined; they shared a past. How was he going to move on if all that was really gone?

His chest was heavy and tightened. Was this how Beth felt when she came home and he was gone? Tyler swallowed, hard. He’d always known it would be hard on her, but until this moment, he didn’t really understand that scary feeling of loss—everything that had been left behind, discarded, and faded in a pile of broken dreams.

He glanced down at her soft blonde hair, wanting nothing more than to run his hand over the glistening strands. I have to make it up to her. He couldn’t even think about what he’d do if she wouldn’t give him a second chance.

“Chow’s on!” LoneStar owner, Bill, rang jingle bells from the dining room, signaling the buffet was ready. The kids raced towards the doorway. He held up his hand to make them stop running and form an orderly line. They obeyed immediately.

Slapping his hands together, he addressed the children, “Go for it.”

They ran into the dining room, giggling and laughing.

“I heard there’s enough food in there to feed a third world country,” Sara said, picking up someone’s doll that had been set aside.

“Good, then we won’t have to worry about you going hungry,” Tyler teased and received a smack in the arm.

“I may be hugely pregnant, but I can still take you.”

Tyler laughed and followed the kids into the formal dining room. The table was laden with every kid food imaginable, tamales and tacos, empanadas and barbecue, and there would be plenty of cookies after this for dessert. Flo stood next to Sam helping fix plates and clean up minor spills. Their adored housekeeper was in her element, and Tyler watched her eyes fill with warmth and tenderness. Nothing made Flo happier than filling bellies with food.

He laughed at Beth as she forked barbecue into her mouth.

“A little hungry Mrs. Claus?”

She glanced up and shrugged. “I love Flo’s food.”

“I know, here.” He held out a large forkful and she shook her head but he insisted. “Go on, you know you want it.”

She leaned forward and took the fork between her lips. Tyler couldn’t help but enjoy the sight of her bright red lips closing over his fork. Sauce trickled down her chin and, without even thinking, he leaned forward and lapped it off with his tongue.

“Oooh, Santa is kissing Mrs. Santa,” one of the kids exclaimed.

Tyler grinned and glanced to the side. “Santa loves kissing Mrs. Claus. Want me to do it again?”

The kids cheered and encouraged him. He took her plate out of her hands and set it along with his on the table. Though her eyes warned him not to, he ignored her. She wouldn’t make a scene in front of the kids. He pulled her into his arms and dipped her dramatically over his arm the way Teddy had under the mistletoe.

Pressing his lips to hers, he tried to make the kiss funny for the kids. They giggled as he smacked loudly, rubbing his mouth back and forth over hers. She kept her mouth closed tight.

Her eyes were anything but warm and welcoming as he swung her back on her feet.

“Santa you got lipstick all over you,” another little girl yelled on a giggle.

Without making eye contact, Beth handed him a napkin. He wiped his mouth, his heart sinking even lower in his gut at her indifferent reaction.

An hour later, Tyler watched the last of the children parade out the door. Flo and Sam had put all the leftover food and some other goodies in the bus for them, and Mrs. Anderson now stood thanking them both.

He turned to see if anyone forgot anything and a jolt coursed through him as if he’d stuck his finger in an outlet. Beth was bent over in front of his throne, picking up scraps of paper and ribbon. The bright red panties were like a flag to a bull. His body jerked into awareness, and he couldn’t stop the groan that emitted low in his throat.

As he watched helplessly, she stood up and tossed some decorations into the garbage bag. He crossed the room and plopped down onto his throne. Catching her hand, he tugged until she tumbled onto his lap.

“Why don’t you tell Santa what you want for Christmas?” He placed his gloved hand on her thigh and tried to reach up under her skirt, but she swatted his hand away. She struggled to climb off. He held her firm.

“Come on Ty, the kids are gone, let go.”

He frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I want to get out of this tacky costume.”

“I’d be more than happy to help you out with that.” He wiggled his eyebrows but she only frowned once more and struggled harder against his hold.

“You better sit still or Santa will have something harder than a candy cane.”

She glared. “That’s your problem.”

He lifted one eyebrow. “Ouch.”

She shrugged and tossed her short hair. Unable to stop himself from remembering what she felt like in his hands, Tyler’s gaze drifted to her chest. He caressed her bared thigh. “Don’t you have anything to say about what happened in the pantry?”

She gave him the coldest stare he’d ever seen and brushed his hand away. “Thanks. I was out of batteries.”

Tyler frowned. Why was she talking about toys? Then, as the meaning sunk in, his jaw dropped in shock and his hold slackened. She scampered away without a backward glance.

****

Beth pulled the door to the LoneStar open and hurried inside. The Bar and Grill was semi-empty, which was exactly why she came when she did. Sheriff Ralston sat at the bar drinking coffee and chatting with Bill, the owner. Both men turned and smiled as she stepped closer.

“Hey, Doc Beth. What brings you here this afternoon. The patients getting to you? Need a drink?”

Beth grinned. “Nope. Been pretty quiet, even with Grant gone.” She turned to Bill. “I decided it was time for Bill to have his Christmas gift.”

The bartender’s eyebrow shot up. “A gift for me?”

She unzipped her coat and pulled out the two kittens, holding them up for him to see. “These two need a home and”

Bill’s eyes lit up like the lights on the River Walk at Christmas, but he didn’t reach out to touch them. He looked scared as his eyes darted to each little grey face. “I don’t know, Beth. You know how hard it was for me to lose Dusty. I’m not sure I’m ready…”

Beth walked around the bar, opened the half door and moved to his side. She held one kitten out and he automatically reached for it. “These guys were abandoned. I’ve hand nursed them since they were about two weeks old. They need someone who won’t just turn them into barn cats.”

Bill lived above the LoneStar by himself. His old cat Dusty had died the summer before, and Beth knew these kittens were exactly what Santa needed to bring the town’s favorite bartender this year. She watched as he held the tiny fur ball up to his face and studied the kitten. “Well, maybe one of them would be okay.”

Beth shook her head and shoved the second kitten towards him. “Nope. They’re a package deal, my friend. Inseparable. Two brothers and I’m not about to break up the family.”

She grinned and tossed a glance over her shoulder at the sheriff who was smiling. Beth picked up the coffee pot and refilled his cup then grabbed one for herself. “So, what’s new, Conrad?”

She walked back around to the other side of the bar and settled onto the stool next to the large man. A few years older than she, Conrad had gone to school with her sister Diane. Personally, Beth always thought he was a bit full of himself, but he definitely was the right man for the job he held.

“Oh, you know. Murders, gang violence, armed robbery. The usual happenings in Sweet Meadow.” Conrad grinned and sipped his coffee.

Beth grinned. “I see you’re just exhausted from all that pressure.”

Conrad laughed. “Hey, you try dealing with the Calkins. I had another domestic disturbance out there this morning at four A.M.”

Beth shook her head. “Those two have been fighting since the fourth grade. Lord knows what possessed them to marry one another and have kids.”

The sheriff nodded. “There’s times like that when I’m grateful to be single, ain’t that right, Bill?”

Bill had his head down but smiled from ear to ear. “I suppose,” he muttered.

Beth’s insides warmed as she watched the other man study his new pals. She sipped her coffee and set it down. “You two are full of it. I know darn well that if a busload of eligible women rolled into town, you’d be the first ones in line.”

“Behind Cord you mean.” Bill smirked.

“Yeah, behind Cord,” Beth agreed. “Of course, then there’d be Teddy, who would be there for entirely different reasons.”

“That one doesn’t need a busload of women to show up, somehow they find him. Pulls them out of the dang woodwork I swear,” Conrad complained and pushed his cup away. “Well you two, thanks for the break, but I can’t let this town think the sheriff is off on another break. Who knows what trouble could erupt?” He picked up his hat and stood. “By the way, Beth, how’s Tyler doing? Heard he was home for the holidays.” His gaze into her eyes was steady.

She lifted her chin. “He’s fine, no problem. It’s…fine.”

“Well, if it doesn’t go fine, you let me know.” He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I’d be more than happy to straighten that boy out.”

Beth blushed, although she had to admit, it felt good to know so many people were on her side. She swung around on her bar stool. “How’s Marshall doing?”

Conrad paused in mid-stride and pointed his finger at her. “He’s fine and healthy, and we don’t need any strays finding their way to my place this holiday season. So put that idea back in that pretty little head of yours.”

She laughed. “I was just asking, that’s all. Just asking.” Last year a straggly German Shepard had found his way to her. Firemen have Dalmatians and the police have German Shepherds, so she’d reasoned it made sense that he had to go to the sheriff. Fortunately, Conrad had agreed, eventually.

Beth sipped her coffee and watched the kittens behind the bar tumble and chase each other.

Bill wiped down the counter in front of her. “How’s Grant doing?”

“Good, I think.” She set her coffee cup down. “I haven’t talked to him as much as I thought I would. He must be busy with the family. I was worried, a little, at handling everything myself, but things are pretty calm.”

Bill poured her more coffee. He reached behind him and pulled out a container of homemade cookies and set a couple on a plate next to her. “Eat these—but quietly. If the health department ever catches me serving Flo’s homemade cookies, they’ll have my license.”

Beth took a big bite of a bell-shaped treat loaded with homemade frosting. “She meant for you to have them at your place, not the bar.”

“If I had them at my place, I’d weigh five hundred pounds. Does she forget I live alone?”

Beth frowned. Poor Bill. All these years, he’d never met anyone. Conrad, too, for that matter. Two more great guys. Why couldn’t she have fallen in love with either of them? At least they knew where home was and wanted nothing more than to stay in Sweet Meadow.

“I heard Tyler’s thinking about staying put, not leaving after Christmas.” Bill rinsed glasses in the small sink behind the bar.

The knife in her heart twisted harder and she caught her breath. “Yeah, that’s what he’s saying, but I don’t think so. He’s not interested in staying here; all he ever talked about was getting away and never looking back. Heck, Bill, he never even came home last Christmas. When Cord tried to call him, he wouldn’t even answer his phone.”

Bill shrugged. “That was bad. Don’t know what it is about him. Me, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

She nodded. “Me either.” But part of her felt guilty. There was certainly a time when Tyler’s dream and hers were the same. They couldn’t wait to grow up and get out of town. There was more to life than Main Street, Sweet Meadow. She’d wanted the same thing as Tyler: to find out what life was like if you weren’t part of the Double B, weren’t part of the most influential family in this part of the state.

The problem was, she’d had her turn out in the world. At Cornell, she’d been a complete stranger to everyone. It didn’t matter who her family was or what her last name was; she was just another veterinarian student. Even most of her professors wouldn’t have known her if she bumped into them at the store. She’d found out firsthand how cold and lonely life could be. Coming back home, where you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing someone you grew up with or someone’s folks or someone’s grandparents, was like a warm blanket wrapping around you. She never knew how much it meant until she’d lost it.

She picked up her cup of coffee and finished it off. Susan was right. If Tyler had stayed and wanted her to go with him, she would have had a really tough decision. If she’d gone with Tyler, would she have been so homesick that eventually she would have been forced to choose between home and him? What choice would she have made? She’d like to fool herself into thinking it would have been love conquerors all, but was that really what would have happened? Would she have grown to resent him for making her pick one or the other?

She’d never know...because he never let her make that choice. He’d made it for her and that was the worst part of the entire mess. She drained her coffee, glanced at the time on her cell phone and sighed. “I gotta get back. Thanks for the coffee and cookies.”

Bill picked up one of the kittens. “Thanks for these guys, Beth. You know I’ll take good care of them.”

She winked and walked away. “Let me know if you need anything. Probably see you Saturday night.”

Her phone vibrated as she pushed the door open and stepped outside. A text message from Cole, Mare in labor.

She ran the rest of the way to her truck, mentally checking off what she’d need and assuring herself it was all there in the back so she didn’t need to stop home first. A quick text back and she was flying down the road toward the Pritchard ranch.