Free A Cowboy's Christmas Promise by Maggie McGinnis Page A

mister.”
    He cleared his throat. “Let’s see. I’ve always wanted to learn how to whitewater raft.”
    “Seriously? You live out here and you’ve never done that?”
    “Never found the time, I guess.”
    She made her eyebrows bounce up and down. “It’s not that you’re…scared?”
    “Nope. I actually think it would be a rush. Have you ever done it?”
    “No. And I have no plans to start now.”
    “Scared?” He mimicked her teasing tone.
    “Smart. There is no way that stupid little helmet is going to protect you if you go crashing down those boulders at fifty miles an hour.”
    “Just stay in the boat.”
    “Says the guy who’s never tried it.”
    He watched her as she made the turn closest to him. “So what’s something
you
wish you could do?”
    “Whistle.”
    He laughed aloud. “You can’t whistle?”
    “Not a note.”
    “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who doesn’t know how to whistle.”
    “Well, congratulations. Now you have. I keep hearing you whistle, and I’m suffering from intense jealousy.”
    He paused, trying to tear his eyes from her lips. “I’ll teach you.”
    Daniel saw her shoulders startle, probably at the way his voice had gone all deep and husky without him meaning for it to.
    Her voice was a little heated as she replied. “I’m a tough student.”
    “Is that a challenge?”
    “No?” Her cheeks flamed. “Maybe?”
    “Well…you’ve never had me as a teacher.”
    Then there was a long pause in which he could hear only Apollo’s hooves dragging on the stable floor in slow, rhythmic steps.

Chapter 8
    “Here. Take a break for a minute.” Daniel stood up and reached for Apollo’s reins. “I’ve got him.” He tied the reins to a ring outside the stall, and Apollo hung his head. “We’ll give him a couple of minutes.”
    Hayley swallowed hard after she handed him the reins. Suddenly, she wasn’t feeling nearly so tired.
    She sat gingerly on the hay bale where he’d thrown a blanket, determined to keep things light. He probably hadn’t meant to sound like he was inviting more than a whistling lesson. She’d probably heard him wrong.
    He sat down beside her and his thigh bumped hers. She didn’t move away.
    She took a deep breath, not looking at him for fear she’d just lose all sense of reason and kiss him or something.
    What was
with this ranch?
    She finally dared to turn her head, and found him eyeing her curiously. He chuckled softly. “You okay?”
    “Yup. Good. Sure. Fine.”
    “Really.”
    “Yup.” She stood up, not trusting herself to sit beside him. Despite the fact that the man had been on the job since early this morning, and despite the fact that he worked with animals all day long, he smelled way too good. Like cinnamon and soap.
    He reached out a hand, pulling her back down beside him. “Settle. I don’t bite.”
    There was a long silence as they stared at each other, heat building between them where their hands were joined. His thumb stroked the back of her hand, leaving arcs of tiny flames wherever he touched.
    Oh, no.
    “You sure you’re okay?” His voice was soft, deep, amused. It made her want to lean into him, to feel his lips on hers.
    Instead, she shook her head slowly.
    “You’re supposed to be a cowboy.”
    He chuckled as he squeezed her hand and gently pulled her closer.
Oh, God. He was going to kiss her.
“Cowboys are overrated. Trust me.”
    Before she could answer, his lips touched hers, sending fireworks and warm honey to every nerve ending in her body, but just as she was about to melt into an embarrassing puddle, Cole’s voice snapped them apart as he strode through the door at the other end of the barn. Thank God Apollo stood between them and Cole.
    “Good morning, varmints! And you horses, too!”
    He came closer and stopped short, glancing suspiciously from Daniel to her, then smiling broadly. “All right, you two. Go get some sleep. I’ll take over now.” He grabbed Apollo’s lead from the ring and