Read Online Winter's Embrace by Kathleen Ball - Free Book Online Page A

nice looking cowboy, with sandy colored hair in
need of a trim and gorgeous, light blue eye outlined with a darker blue. Talk
about a hunky cowboy, this one appeared to be all muscle.
    “It’s fine, really.” Setting her cup down, she approached
the man and extended her hand. “I’m Winter and of
course you can help yourself to coffee. I don’t want to upset any routines
y’all might have.”
    Something fluttered inside her when he smiled. His
smile was a bit crooked but it added to his movie star good looks.
    “It’s a pleasure, ma’am. I’m Henry Stobbins and I appreciate you letting me and Crabby access to the coffee. We had a
coffee maker in the tack room in the barn but a neighbor had his barn burn down
because of a coffee maker and now the boss wants us to come in here.”
    “It’s on the counter, help yourself .
I’ll try to make sure there’s coffee made at all times.”
    “So you and Stone are getting hitched soon?” Henry
asked as he poured himself some coffee.
    “Did Stone tell you that?”
    He smiled again. “No it was my little friend, Rachael.
We all take turns watching her now and then. Well, I won’t take up your time,
ma’am.”
    “We are most certainly not getting married and its Winter , call me Winter.”
    Taking his cup with him, he walked to the door then
turned. “Probably wishful thinkin ’
on Ray’s part. Can’t say that I blame her. It’s
a pretty name, Winter . It was nice to meet you.” He
shot her another dreamy smile before he left.
    Wow the
total package. Good looking, polite and he likes Rachael. There had to be a
flaw. He was taller than Stone, with wider shoulders. Those were pluses, not
flaws. He probably talked to fence posts or something. She bet that was it all
brawn and beauty but no brains.
     
    * * * *
     
    Most days Stone didn’t know what to expect. One moment Winter stared at him with longing and immeasurable
promises. Then she’d give him the look of the devil for something he supposedly
did. Contrary, that was the word for her. Roping her was constantly on his
mind, but his confidence of it ever happening began to waiver.
    At least Rachael was happy. She followed Winter around everywhere and Winter treated her with love
and patience. For that he had a reason to be grateful.
    Riding his horse toward the barn, anticipation filled
him. He would see Winter soon. He wondered what type
of greeting he would get today. Some days it was all he could do to keep from
laughing. She’d always been quiet in the past, but now she didn’t hold back a
thing.
    He urged his horse on. She’d fall for him. What’s not to like? His smile vanished
when the house came into sight with Caleb’s truck parked right next to it. Damn
whippersnapper. Who did Caleb think he was, coming around while he was out?
    Jumping off his buckskin, Spirit, he handed the reins
to his old-time hand, Crabby. “Thanks. How long has that young buck been here?”
Stone nodded toward the house.
    Crabby scratched at his gray overgrown beard. “Make
that two. Both Caleb and Colt are here. ‘Bout an hour I’m thinkin ’.”
    Stone nodded to him.
    “You gonna run them off? I
don’t want to miss it if you do.”
    “No, I’ll probably politely let them know that Winter is my woman.”
    Stone started toward the house but he could hear
Crabby mumbling something about, “she don’t know
that.”
    Crabby had a point, waiting her out hadn’t worked.
Maybe if he laid claim to her. Rachael already had her softened up and the
holidays were happy times. Stone smiled, feeling confident that Winter would be his by nightfall.
    He wasn’t quite ready for the little scene he walked
into. The Christmas tree was up, and decorated. Christmas music blared out of
the stereo and Winter danced in Colt’s arms while
Caleb twirled Rachael around. Longing and jealousy filled him. The fire in the
fireplace, the music, the smell of pine and gingerbread, the laughter, it
should have been his and only his.
    They