Free Secluded With the Cowboy by Cassie Miles Page A

horseback and search the forests until they spotted the perfect Christmas tree. Not too short or tall. The branches needed to be symmetrical.
    She loved that tradition. But not this year. “We can’t go roaming through the forests. Not while Nate’s lurking around.”
    “Not to worry,” Dylan said. “I have a plan.”
    Curious, she followed him back to his office. “Another surprise? You’ve been busy this morning.”
    “You inspire me, darlin’.”
    As he sat her in one of the leather chairs facing the desk, his hand lingered on her shoulder. A gentle touch. A sweet reminder. She felt herself being drawn into the familiar pattern of their life together.
    Dylan called a number on his cell phone. At the same time, he turned his computer screen around so it was facing her. After a brief consultation on the phone, he tapped a few strokes on the computer keyboard. A shaky picture appeared.
    “It’s a live feed,” Dylan said. “I sent a couple of the ranch hands out to find you the perfect tree.”
    Though nothing could be as good as their previous tree-chopping adventures, this was a decent substitute. She jumped to her feet and gave her husband a hug. “You’re a genius.”
    “Not really.” He gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’m just a thoughtful, sensitive guy with a great big heart.”
    “And a great big ego to match.”
    He turned the cell phone to speaker. “Talk to me, MacKenzie.”
    “Sure thing, boss. This tree’s about ten feet tall.”
    “Have one of the other guys stand next to it so we can compare.”
    Nicole squinted at the image on the screen. “It’s lopsided. And too skinny.”
    “We’ll keep looking,” MacKenzie said. “There’s a whole forest to choose from.”
    “Turn the camera around,” she said. “I want to see who my Christmas elves are.”
    “Don’t call me an elf, ma’am.”
    “Of course not.” She recognized the other men with MacKenzie. One was Larry. The other had the nickname of Dirty Tom, though she’d never found out why. It was probably best she didn’t know. “Thank you, guys. I appreciate this.”
    “Keep to the south sides of the hills,” Dylan said. “Those trees get more sun.”
    The camera jostled as the cowboys mounted up and rode through the lightly falling snow. After fifteen minutes of directing them, Nicole still hadn’t spotted the right tree. But she was enjoying the search.
    “This was a great idea, Dylan.”
    “Just because we’re stuck inside the house, it doesn’t mean we can’t find the best Christmas tree.”
    He was sitting beside her, looking pleased with himself. A half grin lifted the corner of his mouth. The laugh lines at the corners of his deep-set eyes crinkled.
    “When you came down to your office,” she said, “I thought you’d be locked inside all day. Taking care of business.”
    “I’ve got my priorities straight. My number-one project is titled Make Nicole Happy.”
    “I’m even more important than the cattle?”
    “You’re my little lost dogie that strayed. I need to bring you back to the herd.”
    Being compared to an orphaned calf wasn’t exactly a compliment, but she appreciated the thought.
    The office door whipped open, and Carolyn strode into the room. “We’ve got trouble. Take a look out front.”
    Peering through the window, Nicole saw a news truck with a satellite dish on top. The television news crew had been stopped at the gate by the cowboys guarding the house. Even from this distance, she could see a woman reporter with microphone in hand.
    “I’d better get out there,” Carolyn said, “before that pretty reporter convinces one of our guys to talk.”
    “Give them the two-word response,” Dylan said. “No comment.”
    “Thanks for the advice, baby brother, but I know how to handle the media.” She tossed her head, and her black ponytail flipped back and forth. “This might be a good opportunity for publicity.”
    Nicole couldn’t imagine anything more humiliating than media