“Oh, wow. Now I can’t wait. How soon before he trots it out?”
“Christmas Day.”
“You’re killing me, here. I thought for sure you’d come back with a vivid description. I’m already keeping one secret. Why not go for two?”
“Describing it is not the same as seeing it in action.”
“Aha! It moves!”
“Forget I said that.”
“It moves, Dad would love it, and Cole’s unveiling it on Christmas Day. Please tell me it’s not a Santa robot. That would be creepy.”
“Dad would hate a Santa robot.”
“You’re right, he would. Hmm. I suppose it could be a fancy new gate. Gates move and Dad loved his gates, but I can’t imagine what you’d be making to enhance it. Maybe hang a wreath on it. Am I getting close?”
“No.”
“Good, because a fancy gate is a bad idea. We don’t need more gates and we’re not replacing any Dad put up, that’s for sure. Is it like those reindeer that move and light up, the kind you put in the yard?”
“No and stop guessing. You’ll never guess it anyway. Not in a million years.”
“You’re actually not going to tell me? You said you would.”
“I did not.”
“Yes, you did. When I asked what you thought he’d created, you said we’ll see. So who’s the we in that? You and me, that’s who.”
“It’s just an expression. Honest, Claud, you don’t want me to tell you. It will ruin the moment when you get to see if for real.”
“O-kay.” She let out a groan. “If you’re not going to spill the beans on his secret project, you at least have to tell what it was like knocking boots with him. Come sit.” Claudie grabbed her hand and tugged.
She planted her feet. “I’m not gonna.”
“Pretty please. I’ve been living like a nun for months, and I?—”
“Your choice.”
“Exactly. Inspire me. Tell me it was amazing, life-changing, made you feel like a woman.”
“I felt like a woman before I went up there.”
“Because you had the hots for him, that’s why. I haven’t had the hots for a man in so long I’ve forgotten what it’s like.”
“You were giving Cole the eye when he first arrived. I thought maybe we’d end up fighting over him.”
“So did I. There’s lots to like about that cowboy. I figured I could work up some enthusiasm. Then I saw the sparks fly between you two and realized I was just trying to talk myself into flirting with him.”
“Your guy’s out there. He just hasn’t shown up yet.”
“If you say so. Is Cole your guy?”
The question startled her. “It’s too soon to tell.” The cautious answer popped out of her mouth like candy from a vending machine. We’re cautious people.
But her automatic response hadn’t been truthful. She’d known from the day she’d first laid eyes on Cole Sterling that he was her guy. If Claudie had wanted him, they would have been in for one helluva fight.
Chapter Nine
