An Early Christmas Gift. Susan Crosby

he?” Annie smiled. “He has impact on my decisions, because he often brings a different perspective to a situation, and I find that helpful. He doesn’t have the same emotional connection to this land that I do, which keeps him clearheaded. But he also amazes me, how he can work all day at the ranch and still help me out here. Austin has learned so much from him, too.”

      Jenny nudged Annie aside and took over planting the potatoes, which required more bending. “Maybe you could pour us some iced tea and we’ll take a little break.”

      “Okay. Can we talk about Win Morgan?” Annie asked over her shoulder as she walked away.

      Jenny jolted a little in surprise, then thought it over. She would love to confide in someone, but should it be Annie?

      A few minutes later they were sitting on the porch, hands washed clean of soil, sipping iced tea and eating oatmeal-raisin cookies.

      “Why do you want to talk about Win?” Jenny asked.

      “Mitch tells me that you used Win’s phone to call your dad.”

      “Only because he stopped to see if I needed help, and I haven’t switched to a satellite phone yet.”

      “He was being a Good Samaritan?”

      “That’s right. Why?”

      “Because almost every time I’ve seen him, he’s asked about you. And at Christmas, you avoided him.”

      “I’ve always found Win to be the strong, silent type.” Which was not really an answer.

      “People tend to romanticize the strong, silent types, but actually they usually have nothing to say,” Annie commented. “Win has things to say.”

      “It sounds as if you like him.”

      “I do. I think he’s a victim of his father’s bad press. But I think you like him, too.”

      Jenny stared into space for a few seconds. “I do.”

      “But?”

      “We had a summer fling that our parents weren’t aware of four years ago.” She bit into her cookie before she said any more.

      “Really? And how was it?”

      Jenny smiled. “Everything a girl’s first love affair should be.”

      “Made more exciting because your families would have hit their respective roofs.”

      “Probably. Until yesterday I hadn’t seen him in all that time.”

      “How was it?”

      “Look, Annie, I don’t want to put you on the spot by telling you things I don’t want you to share with Mitch, and I don’t want my brother to know.”

      “I’d keep your confidences. I have to tell you that Karyn has been curious, too, ever since you avoided Win here at Christmas. She plied me with questions I had no answers for.”

      Jenny felt as close to her two sisters-in-law, whom she barely knew, as her sister, Haley. “I think we should keep it that way. Nothing can happen between Win and me, you know?”

      “Why not?”

      “Our families—”

      Annie interrupted. “I don’t know about Win’s family, but yours love you, and they would accept him if he’s your choice.”

      “Accept isn’t the same as love and welcome.”

      “In time it could be that. You’ve got 150 years of bad blood to get past first.”

      “Well, that’s a snap, don’t you think?”

      “If you love each other, the fact your last name is Ryder and his is Morgan wouldn’t matter.”

      “Who said anything about love? Lust, sure, but—”

      A truck pulled into the driveway, one she would’ve recognized anywhere.

      “Looks like Win has come calling,” Annie said. “Are you going to hide?”

      She couldn’t let her sister-in-law think she was a coward. Nor did she want Win to think he had that kind of power over her. Plus she wanted to see him, so why would she hide?

      “Howdy,” Win said as he ambled to the porch, looking like the rancher he was, hat to boots.

      “Hi, Win,” Annie said. “Would you join us for iced tea and cookies?”

      Win gave Jenny a quick glance. “I’d be obliged, thanks.”

      “I’ll get another glass. Have a seat. But not in my rocking chair.” The screen door slammed behind her.

      Win didn’t hesitate. He sat on the two-person glider next to Jenny.

      “You doin’ okay?” he asked.

      Tiny tornados whipped through her body. “Yes, thank you.”

      “I take it your car is in the shop since it’s not here in the yard.”

      “Tex towed it to town. The damage was slight.”

      “Your folks ask why you used my phone?”

      “Of course.”

      “I’ll bet your dad wasn’t happy I abandoned you.”

      “I told him that was my doing, that I made you leave.”

      He eyed her thoughtfully. “I shouldn’t have left, no matter what you said. Thought about it last night a lot. I should’ve stayed.”

      Jenny squeezed her hands together until they hurt. She wanted to grab him by the shirt and pull him right to her and kiss him until he passed out from the pure pleasure of it.

      “I wouldn’t mind kissing you, either,” he said, leaning close and whispering.

      Annie came out the door, making plenty of noise first. “Here you go,” she said, passing Win a glass then holding the plate of cookies toward him.

      “Thanks, Annie. You make ’em?”

      “I did. I have to hide treats or Adam and Brody will eat them in one day. They haven’t figured out where I stash stuff. What brings you here?”

      “Food, as usual.”

      His arm was touching Jenny’s. She could even feel the definition of his muscles as he moved his arm up and down with each bite of cookie. He wasn’t even trying to keep his distance.

      “What do you need?”

      “My sister is looking to have a standing order with you, one I could pick up weekly.”

      “We could probably manage that, Win, although most of my product is going to restaurants and markets now. I’m increasing volume this season, however. Do you know what she wants?”

      “Not really.”

      Annie looked from Win to Jenny and back again and smiled. “Maybe Rose should give me a call, like she did before?”

      “I’ll tell her.”

      Annie yawned and stretched. “I need to lie down for a little bit, if you don’t mind, Jenny?”

      “Of course not. What should I work on next?”

      “If you could turn the dirt in the third greenhouse boxes, that’ll put us ahead of schedule. Nice to see you, Win.”

      Win rushed to open the door for her. Jenny took advantage of that to escape from the glider. She headed down the steps and toward the greenhouse.

      “Guess I’ll see you around,” Win said.

      What? He wasn’t going to follow her? Steal a kiss or two or three?

      She marched up to him. “Did you know I was here?”

      “Nope.”