A Snowbound Cowboy Christmas. Amanda Renee
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Название: A Snowbound Cowboy Christmas
Автор: Amanda Renee
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: Saddle Ridge, Montana
isbn: 9781474060486
isbn:
“I don’t see a brake pedal.” Emma leaned toward him to get a better look, giving him an inadvertent chance to smell her hair. There it was again. Almonds.
“It doesn’t have that, either. Snowcats are super heavy. By letting off the gas or pulling back on the control sticks, it slows to a stop. It does have a parking brake, though, if that makes you feel any better.”
“I’m surprised how warm it is in here. I expected to freeze.”
“These vehicles are designed for subzero temperatures. Even the windshield is heated to prevent icing. Providing there’s diesel to power it, you’ll stay nice and warm in this thing.”
Emma continued to ask questions until they reached the far side of the ranch, overlooking the town of Saddle Ridge.
“This is normally where I let everyone out to walk around and take some night photography shots. Since the snow is so light, I’m going to check in the back to see if anyone wants to get out.”
“I could stand to get out and walk around a little. I think I’m wearing every item of clothing I brought with me. I’m about ready to roast.”
“Just let me make sure the snow is hard-packed enough. I don’t want to chance you falling.”
Dylan unloaded his passengers out of the back door of the snowcat before returning to Emma. He needed a few minutes of distance to catch his breath. He had never had a woman in his cab before, let alone one who smelled as intoxicating as she did. He didn’t know what she bathed in, but it wasn’t the lodge’s complimentary body wash.
After his nerves had cooled, he tested the ground near Emma’s door and cleared the snow off the tracks so she could exit safely. When he climbed up to open her door, he saw she was sound asleep through the window. He didn’t have the heart to wake her. In hindsight, he probably should’ve waited until tomorrow to ask her to come out with them. He had assumed she traveled all night judging by the time she had arrived. Sandy told him she had fallen asleep before dinner. The woman was exhausted and sleeping for two. A fact he needed to keep reminding himself of.
* * *
EMMA WOKE TO the sound of Dylan climbing in next to her. The question was, what was he climbing into? Considering she was sitting upright, they weren’t in bed together. Although she could have sworn she had been dreaming just that a few minutes ago. She rubbed her eyes and forced herself to open them. Darkness surrounded them.
She reached out in front of her and met the hard steel of the snowcat. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She attempted to straighten her spine. “Did I fall asleep on your tour?”
“Technically, no. We were already stopped when you fell asleep.”
Emma checked her watch and then realized she’d forgotten to put it on today. “How long was I out?”
“Maybe a half hour. I told everyone you decided to stay inside because it was so cold. This probably wasn’t a good idea after the day you’ve had.” Dylan shifted to face her. “You need your sleep. At least you can stay in bed tomorrow.” He started the snowcat.
“Not quite. I have a conference call with my boss in the afternoon that I need to prepare for. I don’t suppose you could help a girl out and listen to my proposal before then?” Emma hadn’t given up hope yet.
Warmth quickly faded from Dylan’s face. “I don’t think so.”
“You know I had to ask.”
“I wish you wouldn’t. You could have yourself a nice little vacation while we’re snowed in if you would just accept that I’m not selling you the ranch.”
“And I wish it were that simple. Since we’re talking about being snowed in, what happens if a guest has a medical emergency?”
Dylan pushed both control sticks forward as the snowcat began to move. “We’ve had it happen before. We take the snowcat to the nearest paved road and the ambulance or sheriff’s department meets us there. If need be, we can drive this straight to the hospital, but we can’t drive it down Main Street at will.”
At least there was a way to get to the hospital. Emma shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She wished her daughter would settle down for the night. Then again, she probably sensed the movement despite the snowcat’s relatively smooth ride on the freshly fallen snow.
By the time they reached the lodge, the snow had begun falling heavily again. She’d be glad to get back to her room and into bed. She’d start fresh in the morning. And brace herself for the onslaught of her boss.
Dylan hesitated after he helped her out of the snowcat. For a brief moment, she thought he might agree to hear her proposal in the morning.
“Get a good night’s sleep. Do you need me to get someone to help you to your room?”
“Um, no. Thank you.” So much for wishful thinking. She’d try again in the morning. She’d come too far to give up now.
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