Judy Christenberry - The Christmas Cowboy

“No!” Andrea managed to get out between coughs. “I’m fine.” She cleared her throat and took a drink. “You were saying, Jessica?”

“I think she’s a good choice, that mare. I rode her once or twice last summer. She’s very gentle.”

Hank nodded. “I think she’ll be good for Miss Jacobs.”

“Please, Hank, call me Andrea.”

He looked at her in surprise. “Don’t you think that’s a little too informal for a New York socialite?”

Jim fairly groaned, but Andrea seemed unaffected. She calmly said, “It may surprise you to know that though my family is well-off, I do work. And I can actually cook and clean for myself.”

“Really?” Hank tried for nonchalance, but he was actually intrigued. He thought she was a rich girl taken care of by daddy’s millions. “What do you do?” he asked in spite of himself.

“I’m a graphic designer for a small advertising firm.”

Hank could imagine that. Along with her real femininity and poise, she had an artsy quality about her, and wasn’t that a perfect education for a rich girl? Art school. He could see her now, going to class dressed in her designer clothes and carrying her sketches in a designer bag. No doubt she took a cab to school or had the chauffeur drop her off. No public transit for this girl.

“And you managed to get a month off from work?” he asked skeptically.

He could swear Andrea hesitated just a second before she replied, “I had some vacation time saved up.”

“Nice company.” He took a forkful of chicken casserole and thought aloud as he chewed. “I can’t even remember the last time I had a vacation.”

“Think of this next month as one,” Jim interjected. “You don’t have to deal with the herd.” He shot Hank a grin, and Jess laughed.

True, but he had to deal with Miss Jacobs. He wasn’t sure which was worse.

After Andrea took her first bite of the casserole, she looked at Jessica. “This is delicious.”

Jess smiled. “Thanks. I went to college for home ec.” She laughed.

“Actually, public relations,” Jim said.

“Sounds like the perfect preparation for your job.”

“Oh, I don’t usually cook. Hank’s and my older brother, Pete, married our chef. Mary Jo does a wonderful job of cooking. They’re on their honeymoon.”

“Yeah, she does,” Hank said. He looked at his sister, “You’re not so bad yourself, sis.”

“Thanks, Hank.”

When Hank had finished his dinner, he stood up to leave.

“You don’t want dessert?” Jess asked.

“You made dessert? Well, I might have some now that I think about it.”

She brought a cake plate from the counter and lifted the lid, revealing a chocolate cake.

“Oh, my, and I was thinking about refusing dessert, but like Hank, I’ve changed my mind.” Andrea smiled at Jessica.

“Good. I hope you like it, because you’ll probably get it again tomorrow.”

“I’m a chocoholic. You can’t give me too much chocolate. Are you a chocoholic, Hank?”

“No, Miss Jacobs, I’m not. I have no addictions.”

Andrea shot him a look, but Hank dove into his cake. He wolfed it down, then pushed away from the table. “If y’all will excuse me, I’m going to town.”

Andrea looked up. “So are we.”

Hank was startled. “Why?” he demanded.

“I need to do some shopping.”

“You brought three bags! Isn’t that enough clothes for you?”

“Apparently not,” she said with a smile, refusing to be offended.

“Women!” Hank said as he stomped out of the kitchen. “I wouldn’t be caught dead shopping.”

“I THINK THIS STORE will have exactly what you need,” Jessica said as they entered a large western clothing outlet in Steamboat Springs.

Andrea was surprised by how busy the town was for a weeknight. Every store was crowded. Some people looked to be tourists like her. In their fur jackets and Ugg boots they stood out from the regulars.

“Let’s start with jeans,” Jessica proposed as she led Andrea to the appropriate section.

Andrea followed, along with Jim. She’d helped the couple clean up the dishes and the kitchen after dinner in return for their help with her shopping.

Jessica picked out a few different styles and Andrea went into the dressing room to try them on.

When she emerged in one pair, Jessica and Jim nodded. “Perfect, Andrea,” Jessica said. “How do they feel?”

“Like sausage casing,” she said as she turned to view herself in the mirror. “And I’m the sausage.”

Jess laughed. “Then they fit just right.”

With Jessica’s help, she bought three pairs of jeans and a handful of western-style shirts, a ski jacket, long underwear and a pair of gloves. And boots.

“You need one more thing—a cowboy hat,” Jess said.

Andrea looked at her. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. But a hat’s a tricky fit. It has to be tight enough so it won’t fly off while you’re riding, but not so tight it’ll give you a headache. Jim will be more help there.”

“She’s right,” Jim said with a grin. “I’m the hat man.”

“I really appreciate it, Jim,” Andrea said. “You’re better at shopping than any man I know.”

“Maybe you don’t know many married men.” Jim laughed.

“I guess I don’t.”

When Jim took her to the hat section, she was surprised to see so many choices. She’d always thought one cowboy hat looked like another.

Jim gave her several to try, none of which apparently was right, then he led her around the aisle to another rack.

She heard a woman’s flirty laugh, followed by the rumble of a deep, sexy male voice. A voice she recognized.

Could it be?

She lifted her head so she could see from under the brim of the gray suede hat she’d tried on, and her eyes met a pair of brown ones shot through with topaz.

“Hank. What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn’t be caught dead shopping.”

He let go of the woman he’d been embracing and put a hat on her long blond tresses. “I’m helping a friend pick out a hat.”

“I see,” Andrea said. “Maybe you can give your opinion about this hat.” She indicated the one she wore.

“A good choice,” Hank grudgingly said. “Of course, it’s also the most expensive.”

The blonde he was with tried on a few more hats. Then she stepped close to him, slid her hands up Hank’s chest and around his neck. “Ooh! I love this hat, Hank. Can I have it?”

He pulled her arms down. “Come on, Lucy, it’s not appropriate for you.”

“You just don’t want to pay for it because it’s so expensive.”

“No, that’s not the reason.”

“Pretty please, Hank? The color looks good on me.”

Andrea had to stifle a laugh as she noticed the lavender hat with an ostrich feather in red and purple encircling the crown.

“Fine, I’ll get it for you.”

She couldn’t help herself. “Nice choice!” she called out.

The blonde smiled. “Thanks.” Then she whispered something to Hank. Despite Hank’s sharp no, she spoke up, anyway. “We’re heading out for a drink and some dancing. Want to join us?”

Andrea shook her head. “Thanks, anyway. I’ve got an early day tomorrow.” She wanted to remind Hank that he did, too, but she held her tongue.

It didn’t matter to her what Hank Ledbetter did with his nights.

She watched him walk away with the blonde draped around him. If she didn’t know better, she’d think that pang in her stomach was jealousy.

Andrea came down to the kitchen early the next morning. She hadn’t been able to sleep much in anticipation of her first riding lesson with Hank. She’d found Jessica already preparing breakfast, and lent a hand as they chatted.