The Cowboy's Christmas Family. Donna Alward

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      “If we get a big dump of snow, Duke says they can drive the team down Main Street instead. So far there’s only about an inch on the path. The idea is to leave from the library, go past the bridge down to the park, turn around and come back, and then have hot cocoa and cookies and story time inside. You’re good with kids. Are you up for a sleigh ride and storytelling?”

      It sounded magical. Maybe too magical. Still, the idea of bundling up the boys and taking them on a wagon ride with jingling bells and carols...maybe she couldn’t have piles of presents under the tree, but they could still enjoy the season.

      “Someone would have to stay at the library to make the cocoa and set out the cookies.”

      “Pauline’s offered to do that. She has it all planned out. Sleigh ride at two, cocoa at two forty-five, story at three.”

      Maddy smiled again. “She is always so organized. She’s a good chair for this event.”

      “I hear you’re the one who did up the proposal last year,” Cole said, his voice a bit softer. “You planned to be on the committee, didn’t you?”

      “Yeah.” She looked up at him. “Hey, if I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that sometimes things don’t work out exactly as you planned.”

      “I’m really sorry about that, Maddy.”

      “Me, too. It is what it is.”

      Cole hesitated, but she could tell he wanted to say something. “What is it?” she asked. “You might as well say it. You won’t hurt my feelings. I’m past that.”

      His gorgeous blue eyes held hers. “I was just wondering how you’re managing, that’s all. It’s none of my business, I know that.” He raised his hand as if to say, tell me to back off if I’m overstepping. “It’s just... I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Well, I do, but I know how you feel about pity and charity.”

      Embarrassment slithered through her stomach, crept up her chest and neck in the form of a blush. “We’re getting by, so don’t worry about that. In the new year I’m going to sit down and make some decisions, I think. But we’re not cold and we’re not starving, Cole. There are others out there a lot worse off than we are.” Who was she to complain? Her children had clothes and food and love and a roof over their heads. More than anything, Maddy had learned that the rest was just gravy. Window dressing. She knew she needed to spend a lot more time being thankful and less time being bitter.

      “Maybe you could use some extra cash for Christmas?”

      “What do you mean?” She frowned. “I considered looking for some extra retail shifts in town for a few weeks, just during the busy time. But by the time I factored in child care...it didn’t seem worth it.”

      “What if you could take the boys with you and didn’t have to pay for day care?”

      She laughed. “What employer would go along with that?”

      He leveled his gaze at her. “I would.”

      “You?”

      The idea of working for Cole Hudson was so strange and, frankly, made her stomach flip over nervously. “Cole, if this is some make-work project to, I don’t know, make you feel good or something...”

      Something flitted through his eyes, but then she wondered if she’d imagined it, it was gone so fast. “It’s not,” he assured her. “Tanner and I are on our own until the twenty-third. I’m a terrible cook and Tanner’s unreliable, frankly. I can’t eat fried steak every night for three weeks. I was thinking that I’d like to hire someone just until then, to come in and do some cooking and light cleaning every other day or so. Without Dad, Tanner and I are putting in some extra hours. Not having to do the wash or make dinner at night would be awesome.”

      “You want a housekeeper.”

      “I just thought, since you’re part-time at the library, and with Christmas coming up, it might work out well for you. I’ll pay ten bucks an hour, for four hours every other day.”

      The annoying thing was that he was right and the temptation of the money was great. Still, it was a pity job, wasn’t it? And that grated.

      She wasn’t sure she had room for pride right now. Forty dollars a day times, what, eight days? That was three hundred and twenty dollars. She could buy the boys’ presents for sure, and have leftover to catch up on bills. How could she say no to that?

      He tapped her hand, bringing her attention back. “Hey,” he said. “I can probably hire a student who’s home for Christmas to do it. But I thought of you. And you can bring the boys with you. I don’t mind.”

      “You’d want me to tidy up, do laundry, do some cooking?”

      “That’s it. It would be helping us out a lot, and maybe giving you some fun money at the same time. Win-win.”

      “I never saw myself as a housekeeper,” she muttered. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’m not too proud for it. I just...well, damn, Cole. My life has just done a one eighty in the last few months. It’s like I hardly recognize it anymore.”

      Cole put his hand over hers. “It’s okay. When something so unexpected happens, so life altering, it takes a good while to adjust to a new normal.”

      The knot of tension eased inside her. His hand felt warm and strong over hers, and his words were exactly what she needed to hear. Rather than looking at her life as a chaotic mess, it was a search for a new normal. She’d get there. She just had to be patient.

      “When would you want me to start?”

      He laughed. “Tomorrow? Three days and I’m already sick of Tanner’s cooking and the laundry’s piling up.”

      She checked her watch, realizing that time had flown and she truly did have to pick up the boys soon. “Would mornings be okay? I usually work afternoons at the library, and on my days off I’d still be able to get the boys home for a good afternoon nap. You have no idea how much that helps their temperament.”

      “Mornings are fine. I’ll leave the front door open, but I’ll try to be in around...nine? I’ll show you around, get you set up. Then you’re done by one.”

      “Sounds good.” She pushed out her chair and reached for her coat. “I really should get going, though. The day care gets miffed if parents are late. But thank you for the tea. You were right. It was nice to just get out and sit for an hour or so.”

      “It was my pleasure. And thanks for helping me out.” He stood and took his jacket off the back of his chair. In moments they were bundled up against the cold and headed for the door.

      To her surprise, he walked her back to her car, too. The snow had started, just light flakes drifting lazily, and Maddy hoped they didn’t get much. She had to drive out to Cole’s in the morning, and without winter tires. Maybe the first thing she should do with Cole’s money was have them installed.

      He shut her door for her and waited until she’d started the car before stepping back. Maybe she should feel crowded or patronized by his behavior this afternoon. But she didn’t.

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