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The night sky was fully dark and the atmosphere quickly became one of excitement as, over the loudspeakers, the master of ceremonies and the newest Texas Cattleman’s Club president, Case Baxter, led the countdown to the lighting of the tree. Everyone in the crowd counted with him.
“... Three, two, one!” Raina shouted along with the rest of the crowd, then she joined them in the oohs and ahhs of delight as the switch was thrown to bring a multitude of colored lights to life in the massive tree that now dominated downtown Royal. Tearing her eyes from the tree, Raina looked up at her son, whose face was a picture of enchantment. A deep sense of contentment filled her. She might not own the world, but it sure felt like it when she could still put a look like that on her little boy’s face.
A choir began to sing “Joy to the World,” and bit by bit the crowd joined them. Nolan had a surprisingly pleasant tenor, Raina discovered as he unselfconsciously added his voice to the singing. As the song wound to its end, the mayor of Royal took the microphone and thanked Case Baxter and the Texas Cattleman’s Club committee for sponsoring the tree lighting ceremony, and he concluded by wishing everyone the very best for the season and inviting them to support the retailers who’d set up stalls around the square.
Raina turned to Nolan. “Thank you. I really mean it. I’m sure he’ll remember tonight for a long time to come and that’s because you helped us out.”
“Only too happy to oblige y’all,” Nolan answered. “Say, do you have to race home right away? How about a churro and some hot chocolate from one of the stalls over there?”
“Yummy, churro!” JJ crowed from on top of Nolan’s shoulders.
“Manners, JJ!” Raina admonished. “What have I told you?”
“T’ank you, man,” JJ dutifully responded.
Nolan laughed and Raina felt her heart skip a happy beat at the sound.
“His name is Mr. Dane, not man, JJ,” Raina gently admonished.
“I think you should let him call me Nolan. Mr. Dane sounds so stuffy.”
Raina nodded her head. “I’ll try but I can’t guarantee it. He can be pretty stubborn when he decides on a word.”
Through the crowd, she spied Liam Wade. The rancher was clearly in demand with the ladies and looking none too thrilled about the prospect. A group of very determined looking mommas with single daughters in tow had circled him like a wagon train, ensuring he had no easy way out. A chuckle escaped her lips, prompting a question from Nolan.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, just poor Liam. He’s one of Royal’s most eligible bachelors,” she said, pointing him out in the crowd, “and one of Royal’s most reluctant at the same time. I think he’d be happy if he never had to leave his ranch.”
Nolan chuckled in sympathy. “Yeah, I guess when you have an operation like the Wade Ranch you’re pretty self-contained. I can see why he wouldn’t want to leave, especially if he gets mobbed whenever he sets foot outside his property line.”
“Sure, but everybody needs somebody, don’t they?” Raina countered without thinking.
* * *
Raina caught Nolan looking at her—a strange expression on his face as if he was weighing her words. Did he need somebody? His eyes lingered on her mouth and she fought not to lick her lips in nervous reaction. But it made her wonder: What would his lips feel like on her own? She immediately shoved the thought away. Here he was with her son on his shoulders and she was thinking about him kissing her? What was wrong with her?
Nolan shifted his gaze. “And what about you? Don’t you need somebody, as well?” he asked.
She felt color flood her cheeks. “I have JJ,” she said, her voice staunch. “He’s all I need.”
Nolan made an indeterminate sound and guided Raina toward one of the stalls off to the side. He swung JJ down to the ground and rolled his shoulders a few times before marching up to the counter and placing an order. Had she upset him by saying that JJ was all she needed? It was hard to tell. And besides, she reminded herself, it shouldn’t bother her if it had upset him. She wasn’t in the market for a relationship. Even so, it didn’t stop her watching him as he picked up the tray with their hot chocolate and churros and led them over to a seating area that had been set up to one side.
“Don’t let it all get cold,” he warned gently as he set the tray down on the table in front of them.
“Thank you so much for this,” Raina said, transferring some of JJ’s hot chocolate to a sippy cup she’d pulled from her bag. “Sorry, I just like to be on the safe side with drinks when we’re out. I know he’s probably old enough to do without—”
