Fruitcakes and Other Leftovers & Christmas, Texas Style Read online

  “What do you mean?”

  “If I win, you marry me and I get to keep these.” The red thong she’d given him dangled from one tanned finger.

  “But—”

  “And if you win, I marry you and I still get to keep these.”

  “But that’s the same outcome no matter who wins.”

  “I know.” Before Winnie knew what was happening, Trace set the M & M’s aside and pulled her into his arms. “I’m marrying you, Winnie Becker. One way or another. Now or later. But I’m hoping for now. Right now. Just as soon as we can grab a preacher.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t like being without you. We’re good together. I like falling asleep with you in my arms at night, and waking up to you in the morning. Because I can’t think about anything else. Because I don’t want to. Because I lust for you, and most of all, because I love you.”

  The knowledge sang through her head and sent a spurt of joy pumping through her. “Say it again.”

  “I don’t like being without you—”

  “The last part.”

  “I love you?”

  “That’s the one.”

  He grinned. “I love you. I’ve been scared and hardheaded and really, really stupid. But I’m hoping you’ll forgive me because I do love you, and I plan to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.”

  “What about Colorado?”

  “I don’t want Colorado. I want you. The rodeo was just something to hold on to because I didn’t have anything else.”

  “I don’t want you giving up anything for me.”

  “Darlin’, I’d give up everything for you. But it’s not like that. I’ve been scared these past months because deep down I didn’t know if I still had what it took to make it in bull-riding. Hell, I don’t anymore. It takes desire, and the only thing I’ve got a craving for is you, and maybe a little piece of land and some breeding stock of our own.”

  “A ranch?”

  He nodded. “A home right here. Yours and mine. So what do you say?”

  She eyed the thong. “I say you get to keep that.”

  “Hot damn!” He lifted her in his arms and spun her around with a loud whoop. “Let’s go find a preacher.”

  She laughed. “What about the dominoes?”

  “You already said yes.”

  “To getting married.” She pulled away and eyed him. “Which can wait until tomorrow since it’s already late and Preacher Wilkins is probably eating his supper right about now.”

  His gaze caught hers. “So what did you have in mind for now?”

  “Well.” She slid her arms around his neck and nestled closer into his warmth, his love. “You ever play strip dominoes?”

  “Can’t say that I have, darlin’, but I’m sure anxious to give it a try.”

  LATER THAT EVENING, Essie Calico watched the lights flick off at Ezra’s old place, Trace’s pickup still in the driveway. She smiled, set her binoculars to the side and reached for the telephone.

  “Houston, we have liftoff…”

  HARLEQUIN DUETS

  ISBN : 978-1-4592-5058-1

  FRUITCAKES AND OTHER LEFTOVERS

  Copyright © 1999 by Lori Copeland

  CHRISTMAS, TEXAS STYLE

  Copyright © 1999 by Kimberly Raye Rangel

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, Is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

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