Free Her Mistletoe Cowboy by Alissa Callen Page A

can’t say the same for Zane Nash’s barn at Hollyhock Creek Ranch. The windstorm that brought my tree down that Kendall wants for the bonfire destroyed his old barn.” He dipped his head toward a pile of wood that lined the opposite wall. “But he’s been kind enough to give me the barn lumber so I can match it to the original wood.”
    Ivy barely glanced at the pile of lumber. “Rhett … about the bonfire … are you fine with the idea? Payton and Kendall are on a mission to make sure it happens.”
    “Don’t I know it? Peta has joined the campaign and has already called to lock in a date.”
    “I feel bad for forcing you into this. If you really don’t want to hold a bonfire, I’ll talk to them.”
    “It’s fine.” He fought to keep his voice casual. She couldn’t know how much her willingness to go to bat for him pushed aside his loneliness. Just like how last night he’d enjoyed her quick wit and laughter so much so that even in the short drive from her house to his cabin, he missed having her by his side. “Apart from the fact I’d never send you to fight my battles, it’s a good idea. I’ve been so focused on getting this place in order I haven’t been at all hospitable.”
    “So you really are okay with it?”
    “Yep.”
    Ivy’s pursed lips indicated she still didn’t believe him.
    “It really is fine,” he continued. “Kendall needs something to look forward to. I’ll hold a bonfire so she can have some fun and have a break from looking after Dad.”
    Ivy’s eyes searched his. “You don’t talk about your father? Is he ill?”
    “Not according to his doctor.” Even to his own ears, Rhett heard the bitterness underscore his words. “There isn’t physically anything wrong with him.”
    “Perhaps he’s missing your mother?”
    “I wish that was the case. But he doesn’t talk about her. He doesn’t have a photo of her anywhere in the house.” Rhett stared into his coffee that was as black as his thoughts. “He’s always been a difficult man, and it has been his way or no way. Peta has a second-hand girl’s name because he wanted a boy. And even Kendall has a recycled boy’s name, despite me being born first.”
    “He does sound like a strong character.”
    “You got that right. And my mother was a saint. I have no idea how they stayed together.”
    Ivy offered him the open shortbread container. “Perhaps she saw a side of him no one else did?”
    “Thanks.” Rhett selected a piece of the golden shortbread. “She must have.”
    Silence settled around them as they ate. But the guilt within him soured the sweetness of the treat crumbling in his mouth. He glanced at the woman less than an arm’s length away and the emptiness inside urged him to talk. Ivy had lost her family and then her grandparents. She would understand the unyielding grip grief held on him.
    He spoke again. “When she died she made me promise not to give up on him.”
    “And have you?” Ivy’s grave gaze never left his.
    He took a long second to speak. “No. But then I haven’t been son-of-the-year either.”
    Ivy set her mug on the floorboards and wriggled to the edge of the hay bale so she was closer to him. Her knee brushed his and he caught the scent of vanilla. “It’s Christmas, why not start now?”
    He frowned. “Start now?”
    “Yes. Go and see him. Kendall said last night when we walked her to her car you haven’t been around to the Marietta house for a while.”
    “I’m busy and even if I wasn’t, all we do is argue and upset Kendall.”
    “I’ll come with you. I mightn’t be able to provide the distraction you need for Christmas Day but I can be one now.”
    “A distraction, huh?”
    “Yep.”
    He wrapped his fingers around his coffee mug even as he stared at her full lips. If he didn’t keep it together, in another five seconds she’d find out exactly how much of a distraction she’d been since he’d turned to see her standing in the snow.
    “It won’t be