Home For Christmas (A Copper Mountain Christmas) by Melissa Mcclone

polka dotted socks. She walked toward him, her lopsided ponytail bouncing and a wide smile on her face. "Nothing that more ice, a couple anti-inflammatories, and breakfast can't fix."
    He wasn't sure how Rachel managed to look beautiful and adorable at the same time, but she did. "Thanks."
    She rested the tray against her hip and handed him an ice pack. "Put this on your ankle."
    He did, never taking his gaze off her.
    Forget keeping Hansel at the ranch. Nate wanted Gretel in a bad way.
    "Take it easy today." Her voice slid over him, soft and sweet. "Stay in bed."
    Hell, he wanted her to set the tray on the dresser then slide in bed and spend the day with him, limbs and tongues tangled, without the cute clothes. That would give him all the answers he needed.
    She gave him the tray. "I made you a cheesy scramble with hash browns, molasses toast and a strawberry-banana smoothie."
    Nate didn't know what smelled better—breakfast or her, a mix of vanilla, something floral, and sugar plums.
    He was losing his mind.
    Cabin fever must have set in during the last, oh, sixteen hours. Either that or wanting to have sex with his best friend's sister had re-wired Nate's brain.
    She leaned toward Nate. Touched his forehead. "Are you okay?"
    No. But he could fake it. "Hungry."
    "Let me know if there's anything you need."
    Nate wanted her, but he knew that wasn't what she meant. "Company would be nice."
    Way to go, Vaughn. Why not light ten sticks of dynamite to see what might happen? Or ask to see her breasts?
    She nodded. "I'll be back once I pull the gingerbread out of the oven, okay?"
    He nodded, even though none of this was okay. Ty would never be okay with Nate having sex with Rachel.
    Crap. He stared at the food on the tray, his appetite completely gone, then up at Rachel. His chest tightened.
    If he kept this up, he would destroy his relationship with Ty.
    Change the Bar V5 forever.
    Nate couldn't do that.
    I've seen you choose your work over women every single time.
    Ty's words echoed through Nate's head. He'd done that, and he would do the same thing again this time. Put the ranch above his personal needs. Above Rachel.
    Nate needed to push all physical attraction and desire for Rachel away. No testing and tasting between friends. Or their sisters.
    He might want to, but he couldn't. Wouldn't. Not worth the risk to her, to him, to the Bar V5.
    Maybe if Nate told himself that enough times, he might start to believe it.
     

     
    By the time the storm passed two days later, Rachel knew all about Nate leaving the Bar V5 to go to college, business school, and into venture capital, to his return, falling in love with the ranch and never wanting to leave. The worst part was she wanted more. More talking. More sharing. More Nate.
    With a sigh hanging on the chilly morning air, Rachel made her way to the barn along the shoveled path.
    Nate's openness to questions surprised her. He didn't act smooth or gloss over his mistakes. His honesty gave her hope about guys, and she appreciated the way he listened to her. Ty only heard a few of her words before suggesting fixes and dismissing concerns. Nate waited until she finished, no matter how long she took to get something out then gave an opinion only if she asked. Talking with him felt different, like shopping with him had felt different. Not so much side-by-side buddies hanging out, but more like they were… together.
    But he hadn't made a move or asked her out on a date. She couldn't be sure if he was just being super-friendly, her Christmastime BFF, and was going to let her down slowly from her obvious crush.
    At least her crush was obvious to her.
    Nate acted oblivious, but she didn't know if that was on purpose or not. She wasn't sure what to hope for, except she didn't like the status quo.
    In spite of her cold-weather gear, her teeth chattered. She carried a container of fresh-from-the-oven scones, a jar of jelly, and container of butter. Yesterday, he'd mentioned how his mother used