True-Blue Cowboy Christmas by Nicole Helm Page B

was weird to work side by side with him, silently cleaning. He was so…big and…hot.
    Come on, Summer. Be an adult. “You have quite the artist on your hands,” she quipped, probably far too cheerfully as she tried not to notice the easy, almost relaxed way he cleaned up the glitter. As though this was just part of his day. It probably was, but it was hard to reconcile this rough, strong cowboy with a man who read his daughter bedtime stories and, according to Kate, hand made her a fairy queen costume.
    â€œYes, I keep hoping if she focuses all that imagination into art , she’ll stop taking off on me and scaring years off my life.” When Summer didn’t say anything, he sighed. “It’s okay. You can tell me I’m too uptight. It isn’t exactly news to me.”
    â€œI-I mean, I understand. You want to keep her safe. I think that’s admirable.”
    His eyebrows lifted. “You do?”
    â€œWell, I mean, I might go about it a little differently. But I’m me, and you’re…you.”
    He cocked his head. “Thanks. I think?”
    She chuckled and shook her head, handing him the box of feathers. “Anyway, I should head out.” Because if she stayed, she might be tempted to give him more compliments. Which wouldn’t be such a bad thing, but she had a feeling she might be a little transparent, and she didn’t want to make things weird.
    â€œWould you like a ride back to Shaw?”
    â€œNo, thank you. It’s a short walk.” And she needed to get her head together. Somewhere away from this different side of Thack she was seeing.
    â€œIt’s cold and getting dark.”
    â€œI don’t mind it.” Which was true, but more, tonight she needed it. Some time in the dark cold would give her space to get her thoughts together, to figure out what to do with a complicated attraction to a very, very complicated man.
    * * *
    Thack couldn’t stop himself from watching Summer as she walked away from the house. It was probably creepy, but the idea of her walking in the dark woods bothered him. She should be more careful.
    But that wasn’t any of his business. Summer Shaw was no concern of his outside his home. Where she’d spent the day somehow making his life… Easier wasn’t the right word. Lighter , maybe?
    More colorful , certainly. Not just because she dressed like a rainbow, but in the way the air… He really needed to stop reading Kate so many fairy stories. He was starting to believe Summer might be a little bit fairy herself.
    The front door squeaked open, and Dad stepped out onto the porch.
    â€œDinner ready? I’ll—”
    Dad blocked the door. “Few minutes yet.”
    â€œOkay, so what’s Kate do—”
    â€œPut in the movie. Told her we could eat on TV trays.” He folded his arms over his chest. “We need to talk.”
    â€œAbout?”
    â€œYou.”
    Thack turned away, back to the railing and the view of trees and the flash of Summer’s colorful clothes disappearing deeper and deeper into the dusk-heavy woods between their properties.
    Dad took a step next to him. “She’s a pretty girl.”
    â€œToo young for you.”
    Dad snorted. “You’d be surprised.”
    Before Thack could lose his lunch over that comment, Dad clapped him on the shoulder. “Sweet girl. Good to your daughter.”
    â€œAnd, thanks to you, an employee.”
    Dad shrugged. “So what?”
    He wasn’t going to argue with Dad about whatever he was trying to suggest. So Summer was young and pretty and good with Kate? He didn’t have time in his life for a woman. He most especially didn’t have time in his life for that woman. He might not know her well, but it didn’t take much knowing to suspect that she’d bring all kinds of complications into his life.
    Not to mention Kate was already attached, which meant he couldn’t