He pulled a small jewelry box from the bag. “So I can’t blame her if you don’t like it.”
She blinked seeing the store name on the box. “Oh, Jarrett, you shouldn’t have done this.”
He smiled at her. “You haven’t even seen it. Maybe you won’t like it.”
She gave him a stern look. “Of course I will.” She opened the box to see a sterling-silver chain with a round charm engraved with BJ’s name and his date of birth.
She glanced at him. “I was wrong, I don’t like it. I love it. Oh, Jarrett. It’s perfect. You couldn’t have gotten me anything I wanted more.”
He released a breath. He’d bought women gifts before. Why did he care so much about this one? “I’m glad.”
She took it out of the box. “Will you help me put it on?” She gave him the necklace and turned around. Moving aside her rich brown hair, she exposed her long slender neck to him. Somehow, he managed to fasten the clasp, but she was too tempting not to lean down and place a kiss against her exposed skin.
He felt her shiver, but she didn’t move. He slid his hands around her waist, pulling her against him. He whispered her name and after a few seconds, he turned her in his arms. “This isn’t a good idea. In fact it’s crazy. You just had a baby, and I shouldn’t be thinking…”
“Oh, Jarrett.” She shook her head. “I don’t see how…I’m having enough trouble trying to handle my life. You’ve seen me at the worst times, and you have to be tired of rescuing me.”
“Maybe I like rescuing you.” He didn’t let her go. He had no business wanting her. He was all wrong for her. But all he wanted was to be with her.
“I want to be self-reliant.”
“We all like to be. But there are some things that are fun to do with someone else, someone special.”
He dipped his head and captured her mouth. His arms circled her and he pulled her close as he deepened the kiss, tasting the addicting sweetness that was only Mia.
With the last of his control, he broke off the kiss, and pressed his forehead against hers. “You’re big trouble, lady.”
Before she could say anything, the clock chimed. Midnight.
“Merry Christmas, Mia.”
Even though the air was brisk, the day promised to be bright and sunny. A perfect Colorado Christmas, Mia thought as she fingered the charm on her necklace.
She glanced across the SUV at Jarrett. Christmas Eve had already been wonderful and this morning had started out close to perfect, too. Jarrett had showed up with a box of jelly donuts and they’d shared breakfast together. Just the three of them.
It could give a girl ideas. Ideas she had no business thinking when she should only be thinking about her son.
Although the man was definitely making this holiday memorable, especially when he’d insisted on taking her and BJ out to the ranch today. Were they a couple? No. She shook away that crazy thought.
“We’re here.”
Jarrett’s voice drew her attention as he turned off the main highway and drove under an arch announcing the McKane Ranch.
Mia felt the excitement as a large two-story house came into view. She smiled at the snowman in the front yard, then her attention went to the wraparound porch and the dark shutters that framed the numerous windows.
Jarrett bypassed the driveway and went around the house. “We’re pretty informal here,” he said. “I don’t think the front door has been opened in years. Everyone has always used the back door.”
That would never be allowed in her parents’ home. The service entrance was only for the hired help. “Sounds like my kind of place. I bet you had fun growing up here.”
His smiled faded. “Ranching is a lot of work. One of the reasons I left and went away to college.”
He parked next to Joe and Sylvia’s car at the small porch that overlooked the barn and corral. “So now the place belongs to Trace.”
He turned off the engine. “After our parents died, I was happy to sell him my half.”
She smiled. “You can still come back whenever you want, and the best part is seeing your family.”
There was a long pause, then he said, “There was a long time when I wasn’t exactly welcome. But a few years ago, Trace and I became partners in a natural gas lease. The money helps him keep the ranch and not worry about having to run cattle. And I can invest in business ventures. Anyway, then Jenna came along, and somehow I ended up calling by more and we sorted some things out.”
Mia was surprised by Jarrett’s admission. “Well, I’m glad you and your family have reconciled your differences.”
He nodded and turned toward the house. “Oh, look, here comes the welcoming committee.”
Kira and Trace stepped onto the porch. “Welcome and Merry Christmas.”
Mia got out and the cold breeze brushed against her cheeks. “Merry Christmas,” she called back.
Trace came down the shoveled steps and greeted his brother first, then walked around the car to her. “Welcome, Mia.”
“Thank you for inviting us. Your place is beautiful.”
“We think so.” He glanced at his brother. “There’s plenty of time before dinner so you can leave BJ with us while Jarrett shows you around.” He pointed toward a group of bare trees. “The cottage is just over there, if you’re still interested in seeing it.”
Mia turned around to see a small white structure about fifty yards from the house. “Oh, yes. I’d love to.”
Jarrett got BJ from the back seat while Mia handed a large poinsettia plant to Trace.
When Jarrett’s brother started to protest, citing the no-gift clause, she quickly said, “It’s from BJ.”
With a smile, she retrieved a salad and a pie and carried them into a huge country kitchen with maple cabinets and granite countertops filled with food. Several mouthwatering aromas surrounded her, making her hungry.
Nola and Sylvia were already there helping Kira with the meal. “Just put those things down, if you can find a spot for them.”
Kira beamed as she came up to Jarrett and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then looked down at the carrier. “I’d love to get my hands on this little guy, if I could.”
“Sure,” Mia told her. “He loves being held.”
It took only seconds before Kira had BJ in her arms. “Now you two run off and see the cottage. We can handle things here.”
Jarrett came up beside Mia. “They seem to be trying to get rid of us.”
“Not at all, but I would love to have this little guy around more.” Kira smiled down at the baby
