Country Frost (King Creek Cowboys #8)

Chapter 9

9

“ Y ou must not watch the news, Porter,” said Hal, Porter’s friend and attorney. “Another Porter Gann is suspected of being involved in an illegal adoption ring. The police haven’t been able to locate him.”

“That’s what I thought.” Porter growled beneath his breath and dragged his hand over his beard. “The reporters who called wanted to interview me about it.”

“Ignore your phone for now,” Hal said. “Law enforcement hasn’t contacted you, so they likely know who the guy is, they just need to find him. In the meantime, media attention has been turned your way.”

Porter blew out his breath. “They’re coming at me hard.”

“If they start showing up on your doorstep, let me know,” Hal said. “I’ll send cease and desist letters.”

“All right.” Didn’t sound like there was much he could do at the moment.

“I have more bad news.” Hal heaved a sigh. “There’s a social media shitstorm brewing, and your picture is circulating. A lot of crappy things are being said about you. ”

Porter pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know the first thing about social media. What do you recommend?”

“Do nothing,” Hal said. “If you involve yourself, it will only get worse thanks to trolls. The right man needs to be found, and then attention will be turned away from you. For now, hang tight.”

“Easy for you to say.” Porter looked at Ashley, who was lying down, her cat at her feet. His sister was scrolling on her phone, probably spending time on social media herself. “I appreciate you letting me know.”

“Keep me updated,” Hal said. “I’ll step in if it comes down to it.”

“All right.” Porter tried to calm the frustration burning beneath his skin. “Thanks, pardner.”

He disconnected the call and focused on his sister. “Hey, Ash. Why don’t you read that book we got at that store the other day?”

“Mmmm,” she mumbled, still focused on her phone.

“Ash.” He spoke sharper than he’d intended, but it got her attention.

“What?” She wrinkled her brow.

“Get off of your phone and do something else, like read.” He’d never gotten on her case before when it came to her spending time on her social media or texting her friends.

She sat up, moving Enya aside, her expression darkening. “What’s wrong with me being on my phone?”

He closed his eyes and counted to ten. When he opened them, he spoke in what he hoped was a reasonable tone. “Sorry, Ash. I just think it’s not good to spend so much time staring at a screen.”

Her expression lightened, but she still argued. “There’s nothing wrong with it. ”

“Just take a break and read your book, okay?” He glanced at the clock. “Leeann will be over in about two and a half hours.”

“I need to start prepping the lasagna now.” Ash stood and stuffed her phone into her back pocket, and the cat jumped to the floor beside her. “I’ll get it in the oven forty-five minutes before she’s supposed to get here.”

Relieved, Porter nodded. “Good idea. I’ll bring all the ornaments and lights we bought into the living room.”

“This will be fun.” Ashley headed for the kitchen, Enya padding beside her. “I’m going to set out the hot chocolate and marshmallows to make for when we decorate the tree.”

After she left, he shook his head. This raising kids business wasn’t for wusses, and he wasn’t sure where that put him. Leeann’s comments had made him feel a little better about his parenting, but he was still unsure about his abilities.

Thinking about her made him relax. He hadn’t realized his muscles had been so tense until now. He headed for the dining room, where he’d left the shopping bags from a week ago. They ate in the kitchen, so the big table seemed all but useless. He didn’t plan on entertaining, so maybe he could put the space to good use in another way.

His thoughts turned back to Leeann. If things worked out between them, maybe they would have use for a dining room.

Well, hell. He shook his head. The woman had him thinking about a future together, something he’d never done before. He’d always been content to be on the road, working the rodeo circuit, first competing and then farriering. A permanent relationship hadn’t been on the radar, much less raising a family.

Right now, he had to think about the case of mistaken identity and fending off reporters. Would they show up at his ranch? What would he do if that happened? And what was this crap about a social media shitstorm? He didn’t even know what that meant or what it entailed .

He spent the next couple of hours straightening the house and helping Ashley with dinner. He’d never been domestic, but he’d always liked his surroundings, wherever that was, to look decent—not like a bull had taken his horns to Porter’s belongings, scattering them every which way. He had his mom to thank for that, and she seemed to have rubbed off on Ashley, too.

“That smells great, Ash.” Porter walked into the kitchen from the barn, carrying an extension cord for the Christmas lights. He set the cord aside on a counter. “Need any more help?”

Ingredients for a salad lay on the kitchen island. She pointed to a tomato. “Can you cut that up?”

“Sure thing.” He pulled a sharp knife from the butcher’s block. His mom had used a tomato knife, but he’d never bought one. He put the tomato on a cutting board and started slicing it.

They’d just finished the salad when a knock came at the front door. “I’ll get it.” Ashley ran out of the kitchen as he washed his hands.

His gut tightened when he heard Leeann’s voice—just listening to her talk made him feel good.

“Hi, Porter.” Leeann walked into the room, her smile making the room even brighter. She set a plate of cookies covered in plastic wrap on the counter. “Smells great in here.”

He went to her, wanting to wrap his arms around her and bring her close, but he didn’t know if that was appropriate with his kid sister there. She’d done her best to push them together from the beginning, and he wasn’t complaining, but damned if he knew what to do.

Leeann came up to him and in for the hug, surprising and pleasing him all in one. He squeezed her close, her jacket cold against his arms. She looked up at him and smiled as he released her.

He helped her out of her coat and draped it over a hook on the hat rack by the back door. His and Ashley’s jackets and a couple of Porter’s western hats also hung there.

“I’m still cold, but I’m warming up.” Leeann rubbed her hands together. “Feels good in here.”

“Meet Enya.” Ashley carried the big cat to Leeann and held her out to her. “She’s a chocolate lynx-point Ragdoll cat.”

“She’s beautiful.” Leeann took the cat and stroked her. “What a sweet girl.” She set the cat down and moved closer to Ashley. “Anything I can do to help?”

“Everything is ready.” Ashley grabbed a pair of oven pads and handed them to Porter. “Time’s up.”

Heat blasted his face as he opened the door and grasped the pan with the pads. After some convincing earlier, Ashley had agreed to let him handle the heavy dish. He pushed the oven door shut with his knee as he brought out the pan.

The sauce and cheese bubbled as he set it on the hot pad she had put on the counter. “Looks great, Ash.”

Leeann nodded. “Smells delicious.”

Ashley turned to the island, where she had set out plates. “You can put the lasagna and salad onto your plate, and we’ll eat at the kitchen table, Leeann. We don’t use the table in the dining room.”

“My stomach is growling, Ashley.” Leeann loaded and then carried her plate to the table, which was already set with forks, paper napkins, and glasses of lemonade.

They seated themselves at the table, Enya hopping up into the fourth seat, where she curled up.

“Amazing.” Leeann pointed at the lasagna on her plate with her fork. “You are a fabulous cook, Ashley.”

His sister glowed from the praise, and he wondered if he told her often enough how much he appreciated her efforts in cooking for them both. He hoped so .

“She always does a fine job.” He cut a piece of lasagna with his fork. “If it wasn’t for her, we might starve.”

Ashley laughed. “It’s not that bad. Porter does know how to heat up a TV dinner.”

He eyed her. “Telling all my secrets?”

“Of course.” She flashed him a grin and turned to Leeann. “What did you do today?”

Leeann swallowed her bite. “I put together promo materials for the book signings, checked my social media accounts, and wrote a chapter to my third novel.” She shrugged. “All-in-all, I think it was a productive day.”

Conversation over dinner was fun, and the females laughed over the previous day’s snowball fight when they’d ganged up on Porter. He tried not to smile as they giggled, but he slipped up, and they teased him about it.

After they’d eaten, loaded the dishwasher, and put away the food, Porter made the hot chocolate while Leeann and Ashley took the cookies into the living room.

They were laughing and talking when he walked into the room behind them, carrying three mugs of hot chocolate piled with mini marshmallows.

“Porter has really lightened up since meeting you.” Ashley waved a cookie as she spoke. “He was kinda grumpy sometimes. He seems happier now.”

They looked guilty when he sat the mugs down on the coffee table. “I’m grumpy, huh?”

Ashley grinned. “Nope. You smile more.”

“I don’t smile.” He tried to look stern. “It’s not cowboy-like.”

Leeann burst into giggles. “Do that again. It’s so cute.”

He gave her his best glare. “Cowboys aren’t cute,” he said, reminding her of her earlier conversation with her sister.

Ashley snorted, laughing harder.

“This tree isn’t going to decorate itself.” He dug into one of the shopping bags on the couch and brought out boxes of multi-colored Christmas lights.

Porter opened one box, plugged in the lights, and started stringing them around the tree before connecting a second, a third, and a fourth.

While laughing and talking, Leeann and Ashley gave commentary as he worked, and he shook his head. If he and Leeann ended up together, these two would be the death of him.

The lights twinkled as they hung the ornaments.

“These are so pretty.” Leeann carried one to the tree that looked like a gingerbread man.

“This one’s my favorite.” Ashley hung an ornament of a snowman with a top hat. “Look, it’s Showbe.”

“Minus the pine needle hair.” Leeann picked up an elf decoration. “I think you need to do another show for us.”

Ashley posed as if she held a microphone, her head held regally. “A command performance by the queen.”

Porter bent over the box of decorations and picked one before handing it to Ashley. “You’re the princess.”

“And you are all my loyal subjects.” Ashley hung it on the tree. “After we finish with the tree, can we go into town and drive around looking at Christmas light displays?”

“I don’t see why not.” Porter glanced at Leeann. “Would you like to go? You could take your car home, and we can pick you up there to drive around and look at the lights.”

“That would be fun.” Leeann’s smile warmed his insides. “I’ve seen some wonderful displays all over town, including several in my neighborhood.”

“We’ll take off when we’re finished here.” Porter ate a green-and-red cookie in the shape of a tree and gulped down some of his hot chocolate, which had cooled.

Porter hadn’t remembered a more enjoyable Christmas holiday since childhood .

“Time for the star.” Ashley handed Porter the gold star when they were finished decorating, and he fastened it to the top of the tree.

They stood back and admired their handiwork.

“It’s beautiful.” Ashley looked at Leeann. “I’m glad you helped us decorate.”

“It was fun.” Leeann hugged her. “Thanks for asking me.”

Ashley hugged her in return and stepped back. “Let’s go.” She grabbed her jacket from where she had left it draped over a chair. “I want to see the light displays.”

Porter and Leeann exchanged looks, and she smiled at him.

Hell, if her smile didn’t make him want her more than ever.

They bundled up, and then Porter drove behind Leeann on the way into King Creek. She parked the car she had borrowed from her sister and joined them in his truck.

“It’s cold out there.” She held her hands in front of the heater. “I can’t imagine living where it’s cold all the time during winter like you did in Montana.”

“A lot colder,” Ashley said from the back seat.

Leeann told Porter where to drive, and they admired the displays.

“That one is my favorite.” Ashley pointed to the yard that had lit-up reindeer and snowmen, as well as Santa on a ladder, putting a star on top of a tree.

They drove all over King Creek. When they went down Main Street, lights were draped along the streets. Twinkling wreaths hung from each post, and garlands and lights glittered in every business’s window along the way.

“If only we’d have a white Christmas.” Ashley's voice was wistful. “I like the weather here most of the time, but the holidays don’t feel the same without snow.”

“I grew up here, so this is normal for me.” Leeann looked over her shoulder at Ashley. “But I always thought it would be cool to have a flurry coming down on Christmas Eve and wake up to a white winter wonderland the next morning.”

“Maybe you can go with us to Montana one Christmas,” Ashley said.

Porter shot a glance at Leeann, who was looking at Ashley.

Leeann smiled. “I’m sure I would love it if that were to happen.”

He turned his gaze back on the road. That little imp was scheming for a future between them. Instead of concerning him, he found he liked the idea a lot. But that was getting way ahead of where they were right now.

Next, they passed some of the town’s churches, which were decorated for the season. One had a beautifully done nativity scene with the Star of Bethlehem above it.

They headed to Leeann's when they had seen most of the light displays in King Creek. Porter parked in front of her home, and he glanced in the back seat to see that Ashley was asleep, her head against the window.

He walked Leeann to her front door, once again wishing he could go in and spend a little alone time with her. He didn’t regret having Ashley in his life, but sometimes, he would like to have Leeann to himself for a while.

She unlocked the door and turned to him, the porch light illuminating her beautiful features. “Thank you and Ashley for a lovely evening.”

He held her gaze as he cupped the side of her face. “One of these days, we’re gonna have to have a night alone, just the two of us.” He searched her gaze, seeing that she felt the same way. “I don’t begrudge having Ashley, but I would like time with you.”

“When it happens, it happens.” She leaned into him, pressing herself against his length. She was so soft and so close, and his body’s natural reaction made him grateful it was dark and that his sister was asleep. “I enjoy spending time with the two of you, but yes, I’d love to have you to myself for an evening.”

She placed her hand on his chest. “I found out from a friend at work that there’s a winter festival next weekend up in Flagstaff. Would you and Ashley like to go?”

“If it means I get more time with you, I wouldn’t miss it.” He brushed his thumb over Leeann’s cheek. “I’m sure Ash would like it too, and it will get her off her phone.”

“And she’ll love the snow.” Leeann smiled, and for a moment, it took his breath away.

“I want to kiss you like I did the first time, hard and rough.” His voice came out low and gravely as he spoke. “I don’t want to hold back.”

“But you have to in case Ashley wakes up,” Leeann whispered. “I want the same thing, but we can wait.”

“It’s not easy.” He growled beneath his breath. “You make me want things I’ve never wanted before.” He put his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. “You drive me crazy.”

“I try.” Leeann’s voice held a hint of amusement, and he raised his head, their gazes connected. “I like keeping you on your toes.” She gripped the lapels of his jacket in her fists. “But know that you drive me crazy, too.”

He pressed his hand against her lower back and kissed her firmly. Not hard like he wanted to, but enough to let her know how much he desired her, and in so many ways.

When he broke the kiss, her shallow breathing told him she was just as affected as he was.

“Goodnight, Leeann.” He took her chin between his fingers. “Think of me when you go to bed tonight.”

“Oh, I will.” She seemed to be drinking him in like he was doing with her. “I hope I’m the last thing on your mind when you drop off to sleep.”

“You will be.” He kissed her again, her lips so warm and soft beneath his. She tasted sweet, of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.

He raised his head. “Go on in now, honey. I’ll leave when I hear the lock.”

“Good night.” She looked at him again before sliding inside, closing the door behind her, and shooting the bolt home.

Porter stared at the door for a long moment. Leeann was driving him out of his mind. He’d never felt like this, never wanted so much with a woman as he wanted with Leeann.

He blew out his breath and headed down the steps to his truck. This was one thing he never expected to find in King Creek.