Free A Cowgirl's Christmas by C. J. Carmichael Page A

Court asked her if she was sure, and she nodded. He returned the gesture, then urged Pinstripes forward so they were downwind of her and Sapphire.
    “Happy trails, Hawksley. Until we meet again.”
    Then he released a cloud of ashes into the air. The wind caught them and scattered them, lifting them so high Callan wouldn’t be surprised if they made it all the way to the peaks of the Gallatins.
    Tears came to her eyes, even though she didn’t want them, even though she was biting the inside of her cheek so hard she could taste blood. Why should she feel sad about losing a father who had never really loved her, or accepted her as his own?
    She wouldn’t, damn it. She just wouldn’t.
    She wheeled her horse around and headed for home, pushing the pace harder than was good for the horses, yet needing to challenge herself, and yes, challenge Court, as well. Back at the barn, she could tell he wasn’t happy by the way he narrowed his eyes when he looked at her. But he said not a word as they groomed their mounts and cleaned the tack.
    Not until they were done did he finally speak. “I know you’re upset. But that wasn’t fair to the horses.”
    He was right. Damn it. But she wouldn’t apologize. “Well, then, I guess you’re glad you won’t have to put up with me any longer.” She started for the house, but Court stepped in front of her. She remembered the maneuver he’d pulled on her in the bar and tensed, but he didn’t touch her.
    “We need to talk. We can do it out here in the wind and the cold. Or you could invite me inside and make us a pot of coffee.”
    She considered her options. Saying no was her favorite. But that would be postponing the inevitable. It had already been a crappy day, with little prospect of improvement. So why not get this over with?
    “Okay.”
    He seemed surprised. Perhaps he’d been expecting more of an argument.
    “Okay,” he repeated, stepping aside and walking with her to the back entrance where they removed their boots and jackets then washed up before entering the main house.
    The aroma of the bacon her sisters had cooked for breakfast still clung in the kitchen and the dish rack was full of the extra glasses Mattie had washed after lunch because they wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher. Reminders that just a few hour ago all her family had been here.
    But now they’d returned to their regular lives and routines.
    She was the only one who couldn’t go back, because her normal life had changed forever.
    Mattie had washed out the coffee maker, too, so it was a simple matter to put on a fresh pot. While they waited for that, Callan pulled out a tray of baking Mrs MacCreadie had brought over yesterday.
    They sat at cross corners on the island, and each of them reached for a gingersnap at the same time. Callan quickly withdrew her hand, waited for him, then selected her own cookie. It was moist and spicy, creamy and sweet. She glanced from the cookie to Court and found him watching her.
    Those blue eyes. They were rather disconcerting.
    She’d underestimated one thing about him. Today he’d proved he could ride a horse. But it took a hell of a lot more than that to run a ranch like the Circle C.
    “I’d like to make you an offer,” he said, resting his arms on the island and leaning in her direction.
    She waited.
    “Live in this house. Keep working on the Circle C. Give it one year.”
    She eyed him suspiciously. “What’s in it for me?”
    “After one full year, I’ll deed half the ranch back to you. You and I will continue to run the place. Fifty-fifty partners.”
    She choked, coughed. Had to get up for some water. “Why would you do that?”
    “It seems like a fair compromise, respecting Hawksley’s wishes but also your rights as a legal daughter who has spent all her adult life on this ranch.”
    She considered the offer. She would effectively be signing up for a lifetime business partnership with this man - man whose capabilities she knew very little about. “A