âYeah, Red. I want you, too.â
Austin took a strand of her hair and rubbed it between his fingers. âPretty much from the moment we met, I knew we were heading in this direction.â
âYou did?â Heart pounding, Rose stared up at him, the flames in the hearth highlighting the intensity on his face. His brown eyes went almost black. âEven though I refused to go out with you?â
His mouth turned up at the corners. âI knew it would be all the sweeter. What comes too easily isnât cherished as much as what we have to work for.â
âAnd why did you persevere?â
âBecause I couldnât not pursue you.â He cupped her cheek in his hand. âI couldnât walk away from you. I couldnât stop wanting you.â
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the holiday season, Thunder Canyon style. What better time of year to see characters weâve come to know and love find their happy ending?
Austin Anderson first appeared in my book Taming the Montana Millionaire in Montana Mavericks: Thunder Canyon Cowboys, the last series. He was one of those secondary characters who can take over the story if the writer doesnât keep him under control. So it was great fun to create redheaded Rose Traub, a worthy heroine for the bad boy turned hero.
The themes of peace, joy and forgiveness are hallmarks of the season and the fabric of life in this tight-knit town. I love spending time at The Tottering Teapot, City Hall and Roots. Hope you do, as well.
Wishing everyone health, happiness and love in the new year. Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
Best,
Teresa Southwick
Rose Traub hadnât wanted to get naked with a man since moving to Thunder Canyon, Montana. That was kind of a problem if you wanted to get married, and she wanted it bad.
âRose?â
Austin Andersonâs deep voice scraped over her nerve endings and snapped her out of it. âHmm?â
âYou okay?â
âOf course.â She looked over at him, sitting in the driverâs seat of the old truck. The two of them had just finished delivering Thanksgiving dinners to the townâs invalids and people a little down on their luck this year. Theyâd left with the meals from DJâs Rib Shack and Austin had brought her back to pick up her car. âWhy would you think Iâm not fine?â
âYou got quiet. I was afraid tryptophan fumes from all those turkey dinners put you to sleep. Thatâs easier to believe thanâ¦â
âWhat?â she asked.
âThat I bored you into a coma.â
She laughed and shook her head. âYouâre great company, Austin, and you know it. Now youâre just fishing for compliments.â
âBusted.â Lights in the empty parking lot illuminated the interior of the truck and his grin was clearly visible. âSo youâre not sorry about being stuck as my partner today?â
âNope. It was fun.â
He nodded. âAny regrets about moving to Thunder Canyon?â
âNope.â
She was only sorry Austin didnât fit her male fantasy profile because he was, by far, the most interesting guy sheâd met. He was also very cute, in a Ryan Reynolds, sexiest-man-alive sort of way. If only⦠But wishing for what could never be was a waste of time and that was something she didnât have.
âAny regrets?â she mused.
Glancing out the truck window at mounds of white that had been plowed to the sides of the lot, she remembered the first snowstorm several days ago. It was beautiful but cold. Shivering, she pulled her knit hat more securely over her ears. âIâm not in Texas anymore. Living in the cold and snow is very different from reading about the seasonal range of temperatures online.â
âYou get used to it,â he assured her. âTake it from me, snow is a lot better when youâre inside with a big fire going.â
âIâve got a fireplace in my apartment. Iâll have to learn how to use it,â she said.
âIâve lived here my whole life, except for going away to college. That translates to lots of experience. So if you need any help with that fire, you know who to call.â
Was he suggesting something? Her heart skipped a beat, which was just plain stupid, and to read something romantic between the lines, more than a little pathetic. It was an involuntary reaction that smacked of desperation.
âI guess snow is the price one pays for living in the Montana mountains and I do love them. Thanks for showing me the ropes today, Austin.â She started to reach for the door handle. âI should probably goââ
âHowâs the new job?â he asked.
She looked back at him, grateful for the excuse to stay a little longer. âItâs good. Working for the mayor is great. Bo Clifton is enthusiastic and energetic. I almost feel guilty taking a paycheck for doing publicity and communications for his office because he makes it so much fun.â She met his gaze. âJust between you and me, this is the first job Iâve had that wasnât for my family. Donât get me wrong, I learned a lot at Traub Oil, but it feels good to know I have actual marketable skills and my family wasnât just feeling sorry for me.â