Page 4 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

“Not sure,” Charity said with a shrug. “Find a better spot, and we can relocate it. It’s a reminder of what family means—moving it wouldn’t change those facts.”

Dustin nodded as he glanced around. No better location shouted out, so he laid the frame to the side for a moment and turned to other topics. “Uncle Frank called.”

“Again?” Charity headed back behind her desk, twisting the computer screen enough he saw the ranch calendar pop up. “Things are quiet for the next while. Maybe you should invite him out for a visit. He might actually spill what’s on his mind face-to-face.”

“Brilliant woman.” Dustin grinned. “Already issued the invite.”

She stuck out her tongue. “You remember we have plans for tonight with Fern and Cody?”

“I do.” He eased a hip on the desk. “I do, I do, I do.”

Charity laughed. “You keep practicing like that, and when our wedding finally arrives, you’ll reel your vows off a half dozen times and your brothers will never let you hear the end of it.”

Which was the utter truth, but he didn’t care one bit. They’d been engaged for what felt like half of forever. “Still can’t get over the fact I proposed in July and when we started looking two months later, the following summer was already booked solid.”

Which was why Charity and Dustin had quietly set the date that had been well over a year out.

A year that was now six months and counting…

“We can never tease Tamara’s sisters for adding a wedding venue to their dude ranch.” Charity’s eyes danced with mischief.

“Waiting a little longer probably was a good idea, regardless. Gave the media more time to forget about us.” Dustin stood. “I need to get back to work, or Ashton will forget he’s mostly retired and start giving me punishment chores.”

“Mostly retired? Is that even a thing for someone like Ashton?” Her lips quirked for a moment before she pulled her expression into a serene smile. “He’s sixty-nine this year. You think he’d be ready to take more time off.”

Dustin enjoyed a hit of amusement as well. “Cee, you’ve got a dirty mind. I know what you were thinking a second ago.”

She pressed a hand to her chest and let her jaw drop as if shocked. “I’m not a twelve-year-old boy, amused at the mere mention of…numbers.”

They grinned at each other as Dustin stepped closer and leaned into her. “Nice try. Still got a dirty mind.”

She linked her arms around his neck and widened her eyes. “You like my dirty mind.”

“Damn straight.”

He pressed a slow, lingering kiss to her lips, bodies pressed tight as everything right in his world shone bright.

“Ahem.”

They jerked apart at the exaggerated cough from the door.

Charity’s cheeks flushed as one of the hands shuffled forward, a shit-eating grin on his face as he extended a folder toward Charity and winked at Dustin. “Tucker asked if you were done distracting the office manager, could you get your ass out to the arena? He’s waiting for you.”

“Nearly done,” Dustin drawled, zero regrets in his tone.

“You’re terrible. Go.” Charity waved him off with a laugh.

Dustin tipped his hat at her, grabbed the family picture, and sauntered off to work, his happiness tank filled to the brim.

2

Aiden took the steps two at a time, racing up to the main area above the fire hall and nearly barreling over Brooke Klassen at the top. The visibly pregnant leggy brunette quavered as he caught her by the shoulders, steadying her with an apology. “Sorry about that.”

“No harm,” she said, eyeing him up and down, confusion growing. “What are you wearing?”

The only way to make it through was going to be to smile as much as possible. “Like it? See, there's this contest...”

Brooke shot a hand up to stop him. “Say no more. Mack mentioned it in passing, but I didn't realize everyone in town was going to lose their minds.”