One Hot Christmas. Katherine Garbera

out to see Calamity Sam strut his stuff?”

      “Sort of. Mostly I just craved a little fresh air.”

      As she drew closer, Pete lowered his voice. “Ben said you know about the surprise.”

      “I do. The woman I called in Sheridan mentioned that Ben made saddles, and I knew that had to be the reason he was here.”

      Pete gazed at her. “Do you think Sarah has guessed?”

      “No.”

      “That’s a relief. Ben and I mostly came out here to discuss how to get the saddle into the house without her noticing.”

      “Did you figure it out?” She had wondered about the logistics.

      “I think so. I’ll keep Sarah busy in the bedroom while...wait, that didn’t come out right.”

      Molly grinned. “Whatever it takes, Uncle Pete.”

      He looked a little flustered. “What I meant to say was that I’ll distract her and keep her out of the living room for the ten minutes it’ll take for a couple of guys to carry the stand and saddle into the house.”

      “We moved it to the front of the tractor barn first thing after we left the dining room,” Ben said.

      “And I finally got to see it,” Pete said. “I was blown away. I’ve seen some gorgeous saddles, but this one...you made something very special, Ben.”

      He flushed. “Thanks.”

      “As long as Molly’s out here, you should take her over to get a look.”

      Ben looked at her, his expression carefully neutral. “Would you like to do that?”

      She smiled, enjoying the fact that they had their own special secret. “Of course!”

      “You have never seen such a beautiful saddle in your life, Molly. Anyway, I need to get back. I forgot to check the supply of Scotch in the liquor cabinet. Usually I’m the only one who drinks that, but lately Alex has taken a liking to it.”

      Then he turned to Ben. “My apologies. I shouldn’t throw out names like that. You’ll need a scorecard to keep everyone straight tonight, but for the record, Alex Keller is Jack’s brother-in-law. He and Jack’s wife Josie are brother and sister.”

      “And Alex is married to Tyler, who is Morgan’s sister,” Molly added.

      “Exactly.” Pete nodded. “Stick close to Molly, Ben. She’s been studying this stuff all week and she has it down cold.”

      “I’ll be sure to do that.” Ben’s tone was carefully nonchalant.

      “See you two later, then.” Pete’s long strides carried him back toward the house.

      Ben glanced at her, laughter dancing in his brown eyes. “So, Molly, would you like to see that saddle?”

      “Yes, Ben, I would love to.”

      “After you.” He gestured toward the narrow path leading to the tractor barn.

      As she walked ahead of him, she wondered what sort of scenario was going through his mind and if it was as X-rated as the one going through hers.

       11

      BEN DECIDED HE must be living right. From the minute he’d turned away from the fence to find Molly standing several yards behind him, he’d been trying to figure out how he could get her alone. Pete had handed him the perfect excuse.

      But he wasn’t going to mess things up by saying anything incriminating while they made their way to the tractor barn. Noise carried in the crisp air, and ranch hands were in the barn cleaning out stalls while some of the horses exercised in the pasture. The tractor barn was empty as far as he knew, though.

      They couldn’t be noisy in there, either. The place echoed like crazy and he figured that sound could possibly be heard in the horse barn. He didn’t want anyone showing up to investigate.

      Once they reached the tractor barn, he opened the door for her and she slipped inside. They couldn’t stay long. Her red coat was a beacon that could be glimpsed for miles.

      He followed her in and called out. “Anybody here?” The echo came back to him. No response, though. He turned back toward the door, but there was no locking mechanism on the inside.

      “What are you doing?” She moved close, almost touching him.

      He breathed in her scent and his body responded immediately. “I’m looking for something to wedge the doors shut.”

      She left his side to prowl around. “There’s a small workbench over here with a few tools on it.”

      “Perfect.” He located a couple of wrenches and jammed one under each of the double doors. “That’s just in case.”

      The interior of the barn was dim, but her smile lit it up. “Anyone would think you had plans to do something secretive in here.”

      “Anyone would be right.” Unbuttoning his coat as he walked, he closed the gap between them. “You put in your contacts. Anyone would think you were hoping something like this might happen.”

      She laughed breathlessly. “Anyone would be right.”

      “We can’t stay long, so we have to make every second count. Unzip your coat.”

      She pulled off her gloves first and tucked them into her pockets. Then she glanced around as she unzipped the puffy coat. “I don’t see much in the way of a welcoming spot.”

      He chuckled. “Except you.” He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her to the back fender of the first tractor in the row.

      “Ben!”

      “Shh. This place is an echo chamber. No matter what happens, don’t yell, okay?”

      “That could be a challenge.”

      “You’re up to it.” He pulled off one of her boots. “Unzip your jeans.” He did the same.

      “You seem to have this all worked out.”

      “I do.” He freed his cock, which was ready for action. “My brain’s been focused on the problem ever since Pete suggested I bring you in here to look at the saddle.”

      “Apparently other parts of you are focused on it, too.”

      He glanced up and discovered she was ogling his equipment. “I’ve had this problem all day long. You just didn’t know about it.” He took off his coat.

      “You’ve been aroused all day?”

      “Yep. Every time I looked at you I wanted to drag you into a dark corner and have my way with you.” Reaching around her, he spread his coat on the fender, lining side up. “That’s how you affect me.”

      “That’s very flattering.”

      “That’s very tough on my package. Now hang on to my shoulders, wrap your legs around my waist, and lift your cute little tush.” When she did, he slid the coat under it.

      “I have a feeling you’ve done this maneuver before.”

      “Never in a very cold tractor barn.”

      “Then maybe you shouldn’t have taken off your coat.”

      “I plan to be plenty warm in a minute, and you need it.” He set her back down so he could pull off her jeans and panties and work one of her legs completely free.

      Her breathing sped up as she positioned herself on his coat, wiggling her bare fanny against it. “Kinky.”

      “Sorry. You’re not staying there. Hang on to me.” His heart was pounding by the time he slid both hands under her bottom and lifted her off the fender. “Wrap your legs around