High Country Christmas - Joanna Sims

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her junior-year internship at the ranch. And her opinion hadn’t changed now that she had taken a summer job at Bent Tree to earn tuition money for her last semester of classes in the fall. Tyler was everything a cowboy should be.

      They both decided on sweet teas and steaks. Tyler ordered the filet mignon with caramelized onions for her and the restaurant’s famous cowboy coffee steak for himself. While they waited for their main course, they shared a plate of baked brie.

      “Oh, sweet baby Jesus...” London said after her first bite of the cheese-filled pastry. “The almond butter should be illegal.”

      “My mom orders this appetizer every time we come here.”

      “I love your mom. She’s such a cool person.” London dipped another piece of baked cheese into a small bowl filled with huckleberry port sauce.

      “I know she likes you, too,” Tyler said. “You know... I’m sorry about the circumstances, but I’m not sorry that we’re finally having our first date.”

      “I wouldn’t really call this a date,” she objected.

      “What would you call it?”

      “Two people eating food at the same table.”

      “Well...” Tyler took a drink before he continued. “Then I’m happy that you’re eating your food at the same table with me.”

      And he was. He was really happy to finally be sitting across the table from her. He was also proud. They had walked in the restaurant and every male eye was immediately on London. She just drew that kind of attention without even trying. Her height, her hair, her naturally pretty face... She stood out. And it was more than just her beauty that made her noticeable. It was also the self-assured way she carried herself. She wasn’t cocky. She was comfortable in her own skin, unpretentious and confident. The looks and the attitude were a potent combination. He could admit to himself that he’d been hooked since the get-go. A lot of women in the area considered him to be a great catch, especially since he was in line to take over Bent Tree Ranch when his father retired. But London had always been able to resist his credentials and his cowboy charm. Would she be here with him tonight if they hadn’t had to come into town on a separate mission? No. Yet it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the fact that she was here. It was a place to start.

      Their steaks quickly followed the appetizer. London devoured her filet; she hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she started to eat. Her plate was spotless, not one caramelized onion or piece of steak left behind. She wiped her mouth with the cloth napkin and then covered her plate with it. She leaned back, hands on her stomach, and groaned.

      “I can’t believe I just ate that much food. You must think I’m a real piglet.”

      “I appreciate a woman who isn’t afraid to eat in front of me on a date,” Tyler said, still working on his steak.

      London felt so full and content that she decided just to let the date comment go. “Trust me...when I’m not working like I am on the ranch, I don’t dare eat like I just did. All of the women on both sides of my family are overweight. I can’t ignore the fact that I’ve got fat genes.”

      After their meal, they both agreed that it was time to head back to the ranch. It was another quiet trip from Helena to Bent Tree. They didn’t feel like listening to music and they didn’t feel like talking. As darkness fell, they were both caught up in their own thoughts. It wasn’t until they turned onto Bent Tree’s private drive that they both realized the whole ranch was awaiting them at the end of the road.

      Tyler pulled over and stopped the truck. “I’m not quite ready to deal with everyone at the ranch. Are you?”

      “Actually, no. Not really.” London shook her head. “What do you have in mind?”

      “If you’re up for it, there’s something I’d really like to show you.”

       Chapter Three

      Tyler drove a little farther up the gravel road and then turned right onto a dirt road that was overgrown with brush. Slowly, they made their way through large dips in the road and tall grass until they came upon a locked gate. Tyler left the headlights of the truck on and aimed at the gate. He jumped out of the cab, picked his way through the tall grass and then unlocked the combination lock. It took some brute strength and determination, but Tyler managed to push the gate open wide enough for the truck to drive through.

      Once they were safely through the gate, he locked it securely behind them. And then they forged deeper into a part of the ranch she had never seen before. London loved an adventure and it felt as if Tyler was taking her on one now. She loved how dark it was. The only light around them was from the full moon overhead and the truck headlights. She had no idea where they were going and she didn’t care. It had been a really long time since she had felt this excited and filled with anticipation.

      “I’ve always wondered where this road went,” London said to him.

      “I’m taking you to a special spot.” He glanced over at her. The light in the cab was dim, but he could see that she was smiling, genuinely smiling, for the first time that day.

      They headed farther down the darkened path until they reached a fork in the road. Tyler turned to the left, driving the truck up a steep hill.

      “Keep looking up there.” Tyler pointed ahead. “You’ll see it in a minute.”

      At the top of the hill, there was a small plateau where Tyler stopped the truck. Straight ahead, two giant cedar trees were growing side by side.

      “Do you see it?” he asked.

      London leaned forward and squint her eyes. With the help of the headlights, she could see a staircase that led up into the twin cedar trees.

      “A tree house?” she asked excitedly.

      “That’s exactly what it is.” Tyler leaned closer to her, opened the glove box and grabbed a flashlight.

      “I used to have a tree house when I was a kid! I love them!” When he leaned closer, she caught the scent of his skin. It reminded her of the night that they had made love, and her body naturally responded.

      “Me, too.” He opened the driver’s door and got out. “But I doubt you’ve seen one like this before. Wait here for me while I check it out. I want to make sure it’s safe for you.”

      London could track his movements as he climbed the staircase and entered the tree house. A soft yellow glow from a lantern being lit illuminated the interior. This wasn’t just a makeshift tree house thrown together by amateurs. This was a tiny house built high up in the cedar trees by expert hands. She couldn’t wait to get in there and see it for herself.

      “Is everything okay?” she asked when he returned. She already had her seat belt off and she was ready to go.

      “It’s safe. You want to come check it out?”

      London pushed the passenger door open. “Just try and stop me!”

      The area surrounding the tree house was relatively clear. The root system and the wide canopy created by the ancient trees prevented plants and grass and other trees from growing nearby.

      “This is so cool.” London followed Tyler up the narrow staircase that wound up the tree to a small deck. “How come I didn’t know this was here?”

      “It’s really only for the family.” Tyler opened the front door of the tree house, let her walk through first and then followed.

      London felt as if she had walked into a magical world, secretly tucked away, like a hobbit house hidden in a hillside. It was a real house, complete with a small kitchenette, a cozy living room with a fireplace and a spiral staircase leading up to a second floor.

      “What do you think?” Tyler made sure the front door was secured.

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