A Snowbound Cowboy Christmas. Amanda Renee

this message gets through. Will try calling again later.

      Providing no one from her office called the lodge directly, which she doubted they would, her white lie would go unnoticed. She pressed send, shut off her phone and tossed it on the table. Between yesterday’s conference calls with their investors on the project and this morning’s call from her boss when she landed, she’d had all the pressure she could stand. She needed time to work on her strategy. The ranch was still grieving Jax’s death and there was a fine line between being aggressive and being obnoxious. Judging by Sandy’s reaction to her in the dining room, her presence wasn’t a welcome one. And she totally understood where they were coming from. Dylan wanted to protect his livelihood and she wanted to protect hers.

      Her daughter thumped against her lower left rib. “Easy, butter bean. You’re going to leave your mommy black and blue before you’re born.” Emma rubbed her belly. “We’ll be home soon. Once I close this deal and get my promotion, your future will be secure and I can spend the rest of my pregnancy shopping for your arrival. I can’t wait to meet you.”

      Despite the discomfort, her pregnancy had already gone faster than she had imagined. A little too fast, considering all she had to do. There were only eight weeks left and she hadn’t even started working on the nursery. She had no one to rely on except herself. Until this deal closed, she couldn’t afford to ease up. Raising a baby alone was hard enough. It was even harder in a big city, and she refused to let her daughter down.

      She had managed to pick up a few outfits during her business trips. Traveling hadn’t given her much of a chance to shop, but she loved the idea of buying her daughter dresses from all over the world. It was something she wouldn’t be able to do once she got her promotion. She had mixed emotions about not traveling anymore. As much as she loved it, she found it exhausting.

      Making plans with friends had become a rare luxury over the years. She’d lost touch with many of them and looked forward to reconnecting with them once she had a more normal schedule. Many had families of their own and play dates with her daughter beat traipsing across the globe any day. But unless she got to work now, none of that would happen. She focused her attention on her laptop screen and began reviewing her notes.

      An hour later, Emma stood and stretched. Her skin felt grimy from the flight and she wanted to slip into something less bulky and hot. She peeked into the bathroom. It wasn’t lavish by any means, but it was spotless. And that suited her just fine.

      Emma had just finished showering and dressing when she heard a knock on her room door. She opened it, startled to see Dylan holding a miniature decorated Christmas tree.

      “This is a surprise.” Emma had heard of waving the white flag, but never waving a Christmas tree. Nonetheless, she appreciated the effort. “How sweet!”

      “All of our guests get a tree during the holidays. Normally they are in the room before they arrive, but since we hadn’t booked this room before your unexpected visit, we hadn’t bothered. Everyone deserves a little Christmas cheer.”

      Even her. He hadn’t said the words, but they were certainly implied. So much for assuming he had done something just for her. Not that it mattered.

      “Thank you.” Emma took the tree from him and sat it on the worn oak dresser. “I’m hoping to be home by Christmas. You don’t really think we’ll still be snowed in then, do you? That’s a week away.” Not that she had any big plans. Her mother always said it was a kids’ holiday and once she became an adult, they didn’t do much to celebrate it. However, she still didn’t want to spend her rare day off stuck in No-Man’s-Land, Montana with the Grinch.

      “I certainly hope not. But it has been unusually cold this year and this is our second snow storm of the season. Let’s not even think about the possibility. I’m sure you’ll be back home before you know it. Anyway, that thing lights up.” Dylan crossed the room like he owned the place—which he did—and eased between her and the tree. The slight brush of his body against hers caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end. Of course, he probably wouldn’t have touched her if her belly hadn’t been in the way. She had never felt more unattractive in her life. He wiggled the dresser from the wall to access the outlet and bent over, allowing her the perfect view of his backside. At least that brought a smile to her face.

      “There you go.” He moved the dresser back into place and admired the tree as if he’d been the one to invent the electric light. “Now you’re all set.”

      Dylan tilted back his hat. “I don’t know if anyone had the chance to tell you our meal schedule around here. Breakfast runs from six to eight, lunch is at noon and dinner at six. Breakfast and lunch are buffets and we serve dinner family-style, where everyone eats together. Although I’m sure you already know what our lodge has to offer. While it’s not sushi and escargot, I assure you it’s stick-to-your-ribs good food.”

      “Great.” Emma had never been fond of the whole meat-and-potatoes thing. After wining and dining corporate clients in some of the finest restaurants in the world, her taste buds had been spoiled. She tried to muster some enthusiasm. “I look forward to it.” She was already hungry and at this point, she couldn’t afford to be picky.

      “I notified the staff that you may have some extra needs.” Dylan jammed his hands into his pockets and glanced around the room. Was it possible that Mr. Surly was nervous being alone with a pregnant woman? Emma privately laughed at the thought. “We’re not a fancy resort with a twenty-four-hour kitchen, but our head chef said he’d make you some pre-prepared snacks that you will be able to heat up very quickly in the microwave down there. Just tell him your preferences. I know it’s not the greatest, but we haven’t had too many pregnant guests stay here. We’re a little unprepared. I’m sure pre-baby vacations were part of your luxury resort spa, weren’t they?”

      “They were.” Emma would give anything for a little pampering. “I appreciate the extra effort you’re making on my behalf, but it’s not necessary. I don’t want to put anybody out.”

      “You’re not putting us out.” There was no disguising Dylan’s double meaning. “The staff is good about keeping the walkways clear at all times, but I’ve asked them to be vigilant with the ice melt. So, if you do go outside, you won’t slip and fall. They will continually recheck it during the day, especially in the mornings.”

      “Thank you.” Emma thought about her company’s plans for the ranch. It included heated walkways, ensuring guests could safely walk from one area of the resort to the other.

      He tugged his hat down low, shielding his eyes. “I’m just being hospitable. After all, this is a guest ranch and you’re a guest.” He turned his back to her and strode to the open door. “Let my staff know if you need anything.”

      Before she could respond further, he was gone. Despite his gruffness, she found his gesture endearing. Not that he’d ever admit to it being more than his job. Because they both knew he could have sent anyone up with a tree or forgotten about it altogether. Either way, she was there to convince him to sell the ranch, not make friends.

      * * *

      DYLAN KICKED HIMSELF for going to her room. The only reason he had was because she’d looked exhausted earlier and he wanted to make sure she was all right. That was his job as the ranch owner. He could’ve insisted an employee drop off the tree and report back to him. The thought had crossed his mind, but he vetoed it because Emma had managed to make quite a few enemies on the ranch. It was hard enough adjusting to life without Jax. Everyone had begun to breathe again when he told them he wasn’t selling Silver Bells. Now her presence brought up myriad speculations. He’d spent the better part of an hour reassuring everyone he hadn’t changed his mind. He didn’t have extra time for that, but he’d had to make the time. Instead, he needed to focus on finding another investor in the ranch if he wanted to keep rooves over his employees’ heads. It irked him that Emma was there. Now he felt responsible for her while they were snowed in and she was one more aggravation he didn’t need.

      It was almost noon when Dylan hopped on one of the ranch’s snowmobiles and headed toward the stables. Nothing cured