She tugged on his hand. “Hold still a minute.”
“You’re gonna?”
“Yes.” Holding onto his shoulder, she rose up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “There you go.”
Looking into her dark eyes, he savored the moist imprint of her lips. Made his skin tingle. He looked into her eyes and the last of his tension melted away. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“I had a feeling.”
“Did you now?”
“Christmas wasn’t very fun for you as a kid, was it?”
His breath caught. “No.”
“Luis said this is the first Christmas Jordan has celebrated in a long time.”
“Same here.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
His throat tightened. “Thanks.” If only it could be that simple. If only having Mila and her loving family could miraculously slay his demons. But they had no idea what they were up against.
“Ready to tie on the feed bag?”
“So ready.” As they walked the rest of the way to the Raccoon, he waited for his tension to return. Considering that Clem had put Santa hats on his critters, he’d likely gone all in on the rest of the place.
Sure enough, there was a big ol’ silver and gold wreath on the front door. He opened it for Mila and followed her in. The noise level from the lunch crowd nearly drowned out the music from the sound system, soft guitar versions of old carols.
A huge Christmas tree trimmed in gold and silver ribbon with gold and silver-colored musical/themed ornaments stood on the bandstand. Maybe the unusual nature of it kept him from wincing. He’d never seen one dressed up like that.
Clem had continued the gold and silver color scheme throughout the dining area and the bar. Glittering gold and silver angels hung from the rafters and silver vases holding frosted sprigs of evergreen sat on each table.
The absence of traditional red and green soothed him in ways he couldn’t explain. He let out a sigh.
“I had the same reaction,” Mila said. “The only red in the whole place is those Santa hats on the raccoons. There’s something so peaceful about these decorations.”
“Maybe it’s the music.”
“I’m sure that’s part of it. That much will change tonight when the Rooty Toots get up there.” She turned toward the slim redhead coming toward them. “Hi, Julie. Congrats on becoming dining room manager.”
“Thanks! I’m happy about it.”
“Got a table for two?”
“Sure do. Hey, Cole, haven’t seen you in here in a while.”
Cole smiled at her, impressed that she remembered his name. “Keeping busy out at the ranch. Congrats on your promotion.”
“Thank you. You’re coming tonight, I hope, and bringing your fiddle.”
“I am.”
“Folks love hearing you play.”
“I’m glad. It’s fun for me, too.” Wow, here he was in the middle of a venue decorated for Christmas and having a normal, relaxed conversation. It gave him hope.
Once they were seated and had placed their order, Julie left. Mila leaned toward him, her dark eyes sparkling. “She asks me about you all the time. Definitely has a crush going on.”
