Cowboys for Christmas Read Free

of light off her spotless clean windows.
    From somewhere out in the lake came the lonely wail of a loon.
    Relief spilled through Dan. The culprit had been the light flaring off one of the ranch windows.
    Maybe some wildlife or maybe a couple of loons flying low enough to the ground made JJ see some movement.
    She’d be relieved when he told her that there was nothing to be afraid of. Just thinking of getting back to her and spending the rest of the afternoon and evening in bed with her made Dan painfully aware of his attraction to her. It was time to get back to JJ and show her how much he needed her in his life and in his bed.

    * * * * *
The next day...
    A flash of light, followed by the ear-splitting crack of thunder, made JJ jump in the garden where she'd been rototilling. She shot a quick glance at the sky and anxiety burst through her at the swollen black clouds on the southern horizon right over the lake.
    Oh, crap. A storm .
    She'd been outside all morning, enjoying the warm sunshine and fresh air while trying to finish tilling the garden so she could surprise Dan when he returned from his daily trek checking on the cattle. It appeared her surprise wasn't going to happen.
    A sudden gust of wind blew JJ’s cowboy hat off her head and tore through her hair like manic fingers. She took a step toward her hat to retrieve it, but another bright flash and shattering crack made her swear in fright. Screw the hat — she’d look for it later. With trembling hands, she grabbed the nearby tarp, covered the machine and tied it down with some rope.
    Wow, storms came up pretty quick out here.
    JJ headed toward the ranch house and cast a glance at the lake. Usually the water looked inviting, but now whitecaps rode giant angry dark-blue waves. The roar of the waves as they crashed against the rocky shoreline made her heart beat faster.
    Goodness, everything was so loud now compared to the earlier quiet she'd been loving. She’d been so intent on finishing the garden she hadn’t even noticed the approaching storm.
    In the nearby forest, branches creaked, cracked and dropped to the ground. Gusts of wind made the nearby pine trees dance and groan. Giant raindrops spattered JJ’s face and she ran for the nearest entrance to the ranch house, suddenly worried for Dan's safety.
    Dan had left earlier this morning to check on a herd in their west pasture and he wasn’t expected back until later tonight. Yesterday, she’d experienced her first outdoor sex adventure with him and after he'd explained that what she’d seen was most likely her sparkling windows and a couple of loons, she'd relaxed and they’d spent the rest of the day in bed, having sex.
    Supper had been at midnight, followed by some more lovemaking and joking about the missing cake leftovers. Dan had been out the door early this morning, while JJ had been asleep.
    After a quick shower and some breakfast, she'd ventured outdoors to do the rototilling. Now, with the storm coming in, that would have to wait.
    More flashes of lightning sizzled overhead, chasing JJ onto the wraparound porch at the front of the ranch house. A crash of thunder rattled the glass panes as she entered the building.
    Another crack made her cry out as she slammed the door behind her.
    Sudden silence followed, and she cursed as a moment later shards of rain pelted the windows.
    The shrill of the phone on the living room table made her jump. Spears of fear suddenly raced through her.
    It was dark in the hallway and as JJ entered the living room, she flipped on the lights. She cringed as wind bombarded the windows with such a ferocity that she swore the glass would break.
    “Moose Ranch, JJ speaking,” she answered in a shaky voice.
    “Hey, sweetheart, you sound stressed. Is everything okay?” Concern etched a familiar man's voice and relief made her sigh.
    Brady. Thank God!
    “I’m fine. Just got caught in a storm and I’m a little out of breath. How’s it going?” When are you coming home