A Snow Country Christmas. Linda Miller Lael

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СКАЧАТЬ that your assumption works both ways.”

      Raine stroked the cat’s head and Mr. Bojangles gave a rusty purr. “I’m afraid you’re right and I was just pulling your chain. People are too complex to reduce to stereotypes. I don’t understand a lot of them, but I think I know more good ones than bad ones. It makes me glad Daisy is growing up in Mustang Creek.”

      “I’ve looked at some land in this area,” he heard himself confessing. “I haven’t found the right combination of house and location, but I have done some research.”

      She stopped petting the cat, her attention arrested. Mr. Bojangles sent him a lethal stare for interference in the petting process, clearly understanding the interruption was his fault. “Really?”

      “It’s beautiful country,” he said noncommittally. “I have a vacation home in Bermuda, but while it’s nice to have sun and sea, I get bored after about two days. I’m thinking about leasing it out or selling it, and building one here, or better yet, buying a place with some history behind it. There’s more to do in Mustang Creek than lie on a beach with a drink in your hand.”

      Raine looked thoughtful. “I’m the same way. I’ve tried it once or twice, but I can’t sit and do nothing for very long. I don’t find it relaxing because I feel I should be doing something.”

      “We have that in common then.”

      “Why do I have the feeling that’s about the only thing we have in common? Aside from a love of green chilis, of course.”

      “Not true,” he told her, and gestured toward the TV. “We both like the John Wayne movie we just watched. We both like Mountain Winery merlot. We both would kill for Bad Billy’s lemon ice cream. Mr. Bojangles clearly loves us both...the list just goes on.”

      “You were doing pretty good until the Jangles part. He’s really picky. I can tell he hasn’t made up his mind yet. He doesn’t trust men that easily.”

      They weren’t talking just about the cat, and he knew it. “He just needs to get to know me better. Let me prove how trustworthy I am.”

      “You want to prove yourself to a cat?”

      “Well, he’s a really big cat. I’m kind of afraid of him.”

      There was merriment in Raine’s eyes. “His girth is part of his charm, or so I tell the vet when he starts on me about Jangles’ diet. Luckily, I feed him, so he adores me.”

      “He has impeccable taste.”

      “I doubt you’re really afraid of him and I suppose he must like you to come out from under the tree and sit this close.”

      “I respect his opinion, one male to another.”

      “That’s a good way to handle him. Otherwise Jangles might boss you around.”

      Mick had to raise a brow. “Maybe like his owner.”

      “Oh, come on, no one owns a pet. Have you really never had one?”

      “I always wanted a dog, but it never worked out.”

      She only believed him—he was sure of it—because of his matter-of-fact tone. He wasn’t shallow enough to ever complain about a privileged childhood but his mother hadn’t approved of animals in the house, so they didn’t have any. End of story. He’d begged for a dog and the answer was no.

      “That’s too bad. You missed out. But it’s not too late to get one now.”

      “These days it’s a timing issue. Once I was out of college, I immediately joined a firm that sent me to Japan for three years. When I came back to California, I started my own company, and trust me, with the hours I kept I didn’t have the time for a dog and still don’t.”

      “You need one.” Raine said it firmly as if the whole matter was decided. “Buy the land, build your house, and you’ll have no shortage of dog-sitters to pitch in if you’re out of town. I can be one of them. Daisy would be thrilled, and Samson is used to other dogs from being at the ranch so frequently. When it comes to the land, do you want real Wyoming?”

      It was a generous offer about the dog, and an impulsive one, but he already had the impression that despite Raine’s wariness around him, she made a habit of following her instincts most of the time—not in an impractical way, but just acting from the heart. “Yes, that’s the plan. Real Wyoming. Solitude and a stunning view. A place where I can sit and read, maybe write something that isn’t a memo just for a change of pace, and relax on the front porch with a glass of wine or a cold beer and watch the sunset. I’m at a place in my life where I’m starting to realize that being driven has its perks, but working every second of the day isn’t necessarily good for you.”

      “Write something? Like the great American novel?” She was looking at him like he’d sprouted a second head.

      “Believe it or not, Ms. Artist, I do have some imagination.” He didn’t add that he could easily imagine her soft, warm and naked in his arms, but it was getting harder to banish those images from his mind.

      “I have no trouble believing that, actually. Excuse me, Jangles, your new friend and I have someplace to go.” She gently scooted away from the cat and stood. “I’ll get your coat, Mr. Boardroom. Time for a scenic Christmas Eve jaunt.”

      “Now?” He glanced at the clock, which had wands for hands and glass slippers in varying colors to represent the hours. Which made him think she’d designed it. It looked like, if he could read it correctly, it was nearly eleven o’clock.

      “As good a time as any, right? Snow falling, the mountains in the backdrop and winter magic in the air... I want to show you something. No, now I need to show you something.”

      He had absolutely no idea what she was talking about, but was willing to play along. “Okay, I’m game.”

      “You might be when you see what I’m going to show you. I’ll drive.”

      “Drive? Where—”

      “Let’s go.” She opened a hall closet and took out a coat, then disappeared to return with his, pulling on fluffy white mittens as he did up his buttons. “This is perfect.”

      Mystified, he said, “I’ll take your word for it. Care to give me a hint where we’re going?”

      “I’m a show-not-tell kind of girl. You’ll find out.”

      Two minutes later they were in the car, driving toward a destination unknown.

      * * *

      The place looked as she remembered it the day she put it up for sale, but was also lit by the moon now that the snow had subsided to flurries, and she spotted the twinkle of a star or two as the clouds moved overhead in the brisk December wind.

      Maybe fate had smiled on her twice this night.

      Raine took in the weathered structure before them and tried to stifle a pang over the prospect of it being torn down. She warned herself that a man like Mick Branson probably wouldn’t want the dilapidated wreck, and she could hardly blame him for that, but the setting was incredible.

      “If СКАЧАТЬ