Christmas With The Cowboy

“Uh-oh. Don’t look now, but Mr. Navy SEAL has his eye on you,” Lucy said.

“What?” She turned toward the door.

“He’s sort of lost out there in the crowd. Go save him,” Lucy said quietly.

Emma blew a soft raspberry. “Zach Norman does not need saving.”

“Everyone needs saving, Emma.”

“Fine. Whatever.” She started across the room, pausing at intervals to greet the staff.

Zach’s gaze followed her the entire time.

“I heard you’re staying until January,” she said when she was finally standing in front of him, looking up at all six feet five inches of solid muscle.

Zach offered a silent scrutiny, his expression shuttered.

“Well?” she prompted.

“Hi to you, too, Emma.” He nodded and stared at her. “Blinking reindeer earrings, huh?” His gaze moved to assess her holiday party outfit. “Interesting sweater.”

She glanced down at the knit vest with the ornament embellishments. “Ugly sweater contest.”

“I’m guessing you’re going to win.”

When Zach winked, Emma’s eyes widened with surprise.

Focus, Emma.

She pushed the hair back from her face, setting her jingle bell bracelet into motion. The sound was a welcome distraction.

“Nice bracelet,” he said.

She began to smile and then remembered that she was annoyed. The man had bested her. Again.

“So is it true? Are you staying?” she asked.

“Who told you?”

“The source is really not important.”

“I’m working for Travis.”

“You are so stubborn. You’ll work for Travis, though your knee says otherwise, but you refuse to even discuss RangePro.”

When Zach just stared at her, Emma almost backed down from the stormy gaze. Instead, she stood her ground and refused to look away.

“Could we call a truce on this whole RangePro thing? At least until the holidays are over?” he finally said. “I mean, isn’t this time of year supposed to reflect peace on earth? Goodwill to all men?” Zach paused. “Even me?”

Emma wilted at his quote from the Bible. Suddenly, she recalled the kid next door forced to return home to an apathetic mother for the holidays when he longed to stay at his father’s ranch for Christmas.

Ashamed of herself, she took a deep breath. Why was it the man brought out the cranky and uncharitable in her?

Big Heart Ranch staff continued to enter the restaurant, pushing Emma closer to Zach as they tried to make their way to the banquet room.

Emma stepped back, struggling to overcome with a smiling face and a positive attitude. “You’re right. I apologize.”

“A holiday truce, then?”

When Zach held out a hand, she nodded and stared at his hand, afraid to actually touch him. “A truce it is. The party is this way.” She started toward the back of the restaurant.

“Excuse me, Emma,” a woman said from behind her.

She turned. “Oh, Zach, this is Josee. One of our wranglers.”

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

“Zach, is it?” the pretty blond-haired woman asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Would you like to dance?”

“Pardon me?” Zach’s eyes widened as his gaze skimmed the dance floor.

“I wondered if you’d like to dance,” Josee repeated.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am. I already promised this dance to Emma.”

“Another time, then.” Josee smiled and looked from Zach to Emma with curiosity before she turned away.

“You didn’t promise me this dance.”

“I fully intended to.” Laughter filled his gray eyes. “Besides, isn’t this your favorite song?” he asked.

Emma cocked her head. “That’s ‘Jingle Bell Rock.’”

He held out his hand. The hand she’d avoided only minutes before.

“As if you really want to dance,” Emma mumbled.

“Are you going to turn me down in front of all these people?”

Emma glanced around at the speculative gazes turned their way. He had her and he knew it.

Leaving her no choice, Zach took her hand. “It’s a two-step,” he said. “Your other hand goes to my shoulder and then you step.”

“I know how to dance.” She hesitantly placed her left hand on his shoulder. “What about your knee?”