A Cowboy's Christmas Proposal. Cathy McDavid

sparing her from finishing her reply.

      How had she not noticed his ruggedly masculine features before and that his brown hair curled attractively at the ends? She had noticed his smile lighting up his entire face last night when she’d watched the TV news segment. And when she’d watched it a second time this morning. Nora had correctly predicted the positive response he’d have with viewers. Already today Molly had spoken to several potential clients requesting appointments.

      “Yeah, Lenny. It’s Owen Caufield.” They exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Owen voiced the reason for his call. “I have a good friend with a serious problem. I’m hoping you can put on your superhero cape and save the day.”

      Good friend? Surely Owen had used the term loosely as a means of encouraging Lenny’s cooperation.

      “Did I say she?” He shot Molly an amused glance. “But you’re right. My friend is a she. And to answer your second question, you’ll just have to see for yourself.”

      Molly listened, pretending to be immune to his semiflirtatious comments and fearing she failed.

      “Will something like that work?” After a long pause, Owen said, “Okay, good. The wedding’s at one. Can you get here early? That’ll give us time for a test run.”

      Still talking, he inadvertently brushed his hand across Molly’s knee. She almost jerked as his palm briefly made its presence known though the fabric of her jeans. If not for the tingling sensation radiating outward from her knee, he might never have touched her.

      “Thanks, man. I owe you one. Nope, that’s it. I’ll text you the address.” Owen disconnected the call. “He’s bringing a booster.”

      Molly sat up, quickly collecting herself. “What’s that?”

      “The short explanation, it’s a device that strengthens a mobile signal. It’ll enable your hotspot to handle streaming the wedding.”

      “They make such a thing?”

      “Lenny says boosters aren’t expensive. You might considering buying one for the future, if it works.”

      Owen grinned at her, his gaze roving her face and making Molly keenly aware they continued to share a very small space on the bench.

      Suddenly self-conscious, she rose. “I should, um, go.”

      “I’d better rescue Nora from the kids.” Owen also pushed to his feet. “She can’t be getting much work done.”

      “Thank you, Owen, for saving the day.”

      “My pleasure.”

      When he didn’t move, Molly tilted her head back. Way back. He was tall, she realized. Much taller than her. And he wore his height well, moving with grace and agility.

      “You’re proving to be more valuable than I anticipated.” She barely recognized the breathy voice as her own.

      “Now if I can just get the officiating weddings part down, I’ll be indispensable.”

      “You will. Get better at officiating,” she amended. What would she do if he really did become indispensable?

      “I have a good tutor. She’s tough but reasonable in her expectations. Mostly.”

      “I apologize if I got carried away this morning at practice and when the internet went down. I want things perfect.”

      “You’re launching a brand-new business, and you’re committed to its success. Add to that, you’ve been hit with one problem after the other. You’re understaffed, overworked, lost your regular minister and your internet service. I’d say you’re entitled to get carried away.” At her tentative smile, he said, “There we go,” in a low voice that slowed the madly spinning wheels inside Molly’s head.

      Most attractive men had the opposite effect on her, causing her thoughts to race a mile a minute. She couldn’t account for what made Owen different. She could account for the parade of red flags. She wasn’t ready for this, and she certainly wasn’t ready for a single dad of three whose life was in flux.

      “I’ll see you later.” Molly retreated a step.

      “If I’m not around when Lenny gets here, call me. You can stream me practicing the ceremony to test the equipment.”

      “All right.” The phone on the registration counter rang. Relieved, Molly hurried to answer it. Another person had seen the TV news segment last night and wanted more information on the ranch. When she glanced up after ending the call, Owen had disappeared.

      Just as well, she thought and went to the parlor where she began removing the vases of orange roses, making room for the white lilies due any moment. Molly had a standing arrangement to donate any leftover flowers to the Rio Verde Senior Living Center.