Cody’s gaze, hazelnut ringed in pine, was strong and steady like the evergreens his family grew on the homestead. She’d spent a decade trying—and failing—to forget how safe, how happy that gaze made her feel. Just like she’d failed to forget what his deep belly laugh sounded like, failed to forget the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. And she’d failed to forget the way she could tuck so perfectly under his shoulder when—

Stop. When she had traded in her red leather Laredos for red soled Louboutins, Sarah promised herself she would not look back on what almost could have been.

She straightened, blew out a soft breath and asked “Is Christmas the only thing bringing you back to Texas?” Sarah knew her voice was rife with a little too much breezy unconcern to be believable. Dammit, she wasn’t fooling anyone.

Except maybe the kid. Cody’s son. He flashed her a grin and that tugged at Sarah’s heart in a way she never would have expected.

“I wanted to spend some time with my folks. Dad had a stroke a few months back and now they are talking about letting the place go,” he said.

“I’m sorry about your dad. Aunt Jo mentioned his stroke the last time I talked to her but she didn’t share any specifics with me,” Sarah said. “I can understand if the homestead is too much for him, for them, to manage now.” Although she’d miss knowing the Hayes family was there if they sold the place.”

“Yeah, I just want to make sure they are positive about selling versus hiring on some help for a bit,” Cody said. “And I wanted my son to see the homestead, maybe climb a tree or two.”

“And see the old treehouse?” Sarah asked. Kid heaven her Aunt Jo used to call it.

His gaze crinkled as he smiled and said “Yeah, maybe that too.”

“He’ll like that,” Sarah said. Because the treehouse Carl Hayes built and added on to over the years was filled with memories of smiles and childhood secrets whispered in the night while sleeping under the Texas stars.

“So.” Cody’s voice cracked. He shifted his weight from his left foot to his right in a subtly stilted rocking motion. “Is this a flying visit for you? Or are you staying through Christmas?”

“I’ll be here for a couple weeks. Probably through the new year. You?”

He nodded. Cleared his throat. “Just through the honeymoon.” He shifted on his feet again. “His mom’s, I mean. It’s a ten-day cruise.” Cody pulled Davie into his hip. The boy was wilting with weariness. “Then I’m takin’ Davie back to his mom’s in L.A., and I’ll be off to work again.”

She smiled. A deep Texas twang wound through his words as they talked. It didn’t take long once you got here. She remembered the same thing happening to her and her sisters every time they visited their Aunt Jo. The Jayne girls seemed to go home with a bit of ya’ll in their voices, and a boot scoot in their steps.

“Still leading the no strings attached life?” Sarah watched him closely, saw the tiny wince that pulled at the corner of one eye.

Cody looked down and tousled his son’s hair. “I’ve found I like some strings.”

Sarah sucked in a quick breath. Direct hit. “I’m glad.” She forced a smile.

“What about you?” Cody asked. “Are you still chasing the bright lights in New York?”

“Of course. It’s home.” Sarah tried to ignore how much his voice made her feel like she was home. She tried to ignore the butterfly flutter that churned in her belly as he automatically soothed his tired son. Tried to convince herself she didn’t regret walking away from the possibility of this, of him growing into a man who would one day open his heart to a family of his own. “Bright lights, big city girl. That’s me.” Sarah hoped she was the only one who heard the lie in her voice.

“I’m glad.” He grinned. “It’s important to follow your dreams.” His lips widened into a full-fledged smile.

Those lips. His smile. Kicked up at the corners kissable. Nope, nope, nope. Not going down that road again. Sarah held her own smile in place by sheer force of will. “Happy life?”

“Yeah. I’m getting there,” Cody said. “So, what have you been up to in the Big Apple?”

“I opened a little shop in SoHo. Designer Redos. My store specializes in bringing classic designer goods back to life.” Sarah smiled when she thought back to the magic she found in making old things new again. “The boutique also carries one-of-a-kind accessories made by local artists.”

“I’m glad you found something so perfect for you,” he said.

“Dad,” Davie said, a slight trill of panic in his voice. “I got to go. Now.” His stage whisper had a hiccup at the end, as he glanced sideways at Sarah who pursed her lips together to smother her grin.

Cody’s gaze swung to his son who was bouncing from one foot to the other. “Okay buddy.” Cody looked back at Sarah and added, “It was good to see you.” They headed towards the restroom signs on the other side of the baggage area but Cody turned and faced her again before they’d gone more than a dozen steps. “Stop by the homestead if you have time between now and Christmas. We’d love to have you.”

“Sure.” Sarah forced an upbeat tone as she watched the pair turn and walk off. Her mouth curled into a genuine smile when she noticed the boy and the man had the same devil may care swagger in their steps.

Just as they disappeared around a corner, the conveyor belt started a mechanical chug again. Suitcases, bags, and boxes started spewing from behind the black curtain that hid the airport’s baggage drop. “Finally.”

Sarah waited impatiently for her checked luggage to appear. She just wanted to collect her bags, pick up her rental car, and be on her way so she could get to her Aunt Jo’s and lick the wounds the bright lights, big city, and its citizens—one citizen in particular—had inflicted.