Nobody was at Hayley’s house when Badger took her home. Her mom had left a note that they’d gone to pick up pastries at the bakery and would be back by lunch time. In the note, she reminded Hayley that they’d be getting the tree and decorating it that afternoon.

Badger was just as glad not to have to interact with them right now. Making love to Hayley this morning had rocked his world and he didn’t know what to do about that. His life was up in the air, just like her brother’s. No man with a conscience would ask a woman to sign on when his future was a jumbled mess in his mind.

But as they stood in the kitchen after she’d found the note, he pulled her into his arms because he couldn’t be within five feet of her and not have the urge to do that. She didn’t resist, either. Chances were good she liked it.

He tucked her head under his chin. “Thanks for havin’ breakfast with me.”

She chuckled. “If we’re not careful, we’re going for breakfast will become code for having sex.”

“It already is as far as I’m concerned.”

“Want to stay and help with our tree?”

“I would, but this afternoon’s tree-cuttin’ day at Wild Creek Ranch. After that, Ryker, Cody and I scheduled one more practice for our jugglin’ act.”

“I can’t believe the talent show is tonight already.”

“I can’t, either.” He rubbed the small of her back. “Seems like forever since we talked to Ryker about it in the airport.”

“And the vacation will be over before we know it.”

“Let’s not think about that.”

“Okay.” She lifted her head and gazed up at him. “Do you regret anything?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Are you sure? It’s turned into a more complicated deal than I’d anticipated.”

“It has, but havin’ breakfast with you two mornings in a row was a bonus I hadn’t counted on. That makes up for any complications.”

“Think we can do it again tomorrow?”

He threaded his fingers through her silky hair. “I’ve been considerin’ that. Do you care if your family figures out what we’re up to?”

She sighed. “I shouldn’t care, but I’d feel kind of awkward if they know we’re enjoying more than breakfast.”

“So would I. And three prolonged breakfasts in a row starts lookin’ suspicious. We could try it again after Christmas, but not in the mornin’.”

“You’re right, damn it.”

“How about this? Tomorrow night after the candlelight service, we could say we’re takin’ a drive to see the Christmas lights around town.”

“That’s brilliant.” Her eyes sparkled sapphire-bright. “We’ve never done it at night.”

He grinned. “I hate disappointin’ you, but my moves don’t change after the sun goes down. Maybe yours do, though.”

“Not really. I—”

“Maybe you’re a shapeshifter.” He leaned down and nuzzled the side of her neck. “Or a vampire.” He nipped gently and then kissed her there.

“I’m just a flesh and blood woman.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “One who’s going to heat up unless you stop doing that.”

“I love that about you.” He cupped her ass and squeezed. “But I’m leavin’ before we get caught goin’ at it on your folks’ sofa.” Placing a quick kiss on her mouth, he backed away. “See you at the talent show. Save me a seat.”

“I will. Thanks for breakfast.”

“You’re welcome, darlin’.” He headed out the door before he changed his mind and kissed her again.

When he parked in front of the ranch house, a giant sled sat down by the barn. A chain saw and an ax were lying on it.

Ryker, April and Kendra were in the living room rearranging furniture when Badger walked in.

“Hi, Badger,” Kendra called out. “We’re making room for the tree.”

He looked at the space over by the front window that was now vacant. “You must be plannin’ on a big tree.”

“Always,” Kendra said. “You wouldn’t believe how many ornaments I have from the years when the boys used to make them in school.”

Ryker gazed at her with fondness. “You know you don’t have to keep every blessed one, Mom.”

“Of course I do. This is my happiness tree. Every ornament reminds me of Christmases when you’d bring home that special thing you made for our tree. At some point, I’ll let each of you have your pick, but not yet.”

“That’ll be fun.” April placed a lamp back on an end table and her jingle bell earrings tinkled. “My mom said the same thing. But we only have room for a small tree in that little house, so it’s just as well if we don’t inherit ornaments yet.”

Badger unbuttoned his coat. “How many trees are we gettin’?”

“Just Mom’s and ours this year,” Ryker said. “Normally we need more, but Cody and Faith already cut theirs and the rest want live trees they can plant later.”

“Are we usin’ that sled I saw?”

“Yep.” Ryker came over and grabbed his jacket from the coat tree by the door. “I was about to go hitch up Jake if you want to come.”

“Sure do.”

“April and I will be down shortly with the cider,” Kendra said.

Badger followed Ryker out to the front porch. “What’s the cider for?”

“It’s something we’ve done for years. We drink a toast to the tree before we cut it.” He pulled on his gloves as they walked toward the barn. “When we were kids, it was warm apple cider. Now it’s still warm, but it’s the hard stuff.”

“You have some cool traditions around here.”

“We do, but I’ll bet you had some, too.”

“Not that I remember. Goin’ somewhere else for Christmas is the only tradition that sticks in my head.”

“Your folks always went away for the holidays?”

“As far back as I can remember.”

“So where are they this year?”

“Biarritz.”

“Huh. For how long?”

“I think they’re comin’ back the thirtieth. They always have a big party on New Year’s Eve. That’s why I’ll be glad to stay here through the first. I’d be expected to go, and everybody would be askin’ about my plans.”

Ryker shook his head. “What a nightmare for you.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Listen, you’ll need work gloves for this. While I get Jake, go check in the tack room. Should be several extra pairs on a shelf to the right of the door.”

Badger found some gloves that fit and went back out as Ryker was hitching the big bay to the sled. “Couldn’t y’all just take a truck?”

“Maybe, although the chances of getting stuck make it not the best option. Besides, this is more fun.”

“I’ll give you that. I’ve enjoyed this ranchin’ experience, Cowboy. I’m obliged to you for invitin’ me here.”

Ryker glanced at him. “Have you enjoyed it enough to consider staying?”

“I’ll admit I’m leanin’ in that direction. But that decision would drive the last nail in the casket when it comes to my folks.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I am. If you’d heard them, you would be, too.”

“Have you mentioned this option?”

“No reason to. It’s not the option they want to hear about.”

Ryker shrugged. “Yeah, well, you know them and I don’t.” He gave Jake a pat and stepped away from the sled. “I did want to ask you about one thing, though, before my mom and April get here.”

“What’s that?”

“Rumor has it you bought Hayley a big ol’ engagement ring.”

“I guess Jim’s been talkin’.”

“No reason for him not to. He didn’t think it was a secret since you chose to ask her to marry you while Jim was driving the sleigh.” Ryker shoved back his hat. “But I’m asking myself why you did something like that.”

“Seemed like I needed to. Her momma expected it.”

“So what?”

“If I didn’t come up with a ring and propose, she’d think I wasn’t serious about marryin’ her daughter. The story would start fallin’ apart.”

“Okay, I suppose I get that, but it’s one more complication. Now you have to worry about getting the ring back.”

“No, I don’t. I want her to keep it.”

Ryker’s jaw dropped. “Keep it? Jim thought it looked really expensive!”

“I don’t need the money. And it looks good on her. The stone matches her eyes.”

“The stone matches her eyes.” Ryker said it slowly. “You’re falling for her.”

“No, I’m not. That would be stupid.”

“Yes, it would.” Ryker gazed at him. “Is she falling for you?”

“Why would she do that? I’m pretendin’ to be her fiancé because she’s not ready to get married and wanted a vacation without bein’ set up every five minutes.”

“That’s what I thought you said the day I picked you up at the airport.”

“Well, nothing’s changed. She’s happy with her job in Denver. If she decides she wants a man in her life, she needs to pick somebody from there.” A dull ache worked its way up the back of his neck. Much more of this talk and he’d have a full-blown headache.

“So the two of you are just putting on a show for her mother?”

“Right.”

“Apart from the ring you gave her that matches her eyes. The ring you want her to keep.”

His jaw tightened. “I’m not fallin’ for her, Cowboy.”

“I sincerely hope you’re not. Because if you do, I see a train wreck in your future.”