“That’s exactly why I’ll hurry.” He headed for the oak staircase set against a wall of stone near the entrance, then turned back. “Almost forgot.” He took long strides over to the bar in the kitchen, tugged the bluebird out of its sack, and proudly set it on the bar. He crushed the sack and tossed it in the trash.
She watched as he took the stairs two at a time with his long, strong legs. When he disappeared from sight, she turned to focus on the open floor plan of his beautiful home. She looked up at the high ceiling in the octagon shape of the outside. Wood slats filled the ceiling between exposed beams, and a contemporary steel ceiling fan hung from the center. The walls were gray brick with floor-to-ceiling windows framed with pale oak. A cordovan leather sectional couch sat on a colorful geometric pattern area rug that covered a wood floor in the center of the room.
Everything in the house looked so lovely that she decided to take off her dusty red boots and leave them by the front door so as not to track dirt into his home. She leaned against a wall, tugged off her boots and socks, and set them in a corner. Then she ventured deeper onto the house.
On one side was a kitchen fronted by a long wooden bar with a black-and-gray granite countertop and stainless bar stools covered with black-and-white cowhide. Oak cabinets and stainless steel appliances finished off the area. Across from the kitchen rose a large natural rock fireplace with a simple oak mantel. A single Christmas stocking that appeared to have been knitted by hand of red and green yarn hung by its lonesome in the center of the mantel. In one corner of the expanse of windows across the back wall rose a cedar tree trimmed with vintage glass ornaments and a blond angel on top.
Misty adored his home—classy and warm and inviting all at the same time. She decided to clean up a bit in the powder room. As she walked over to the door under the staircase, she decided she’d never again leave home without her handbag. Of all the times when she could have used so much that she normally carried, she had nothing except her lip gloss. It’d just have to do.
She opened the door and closed it behind her. Another beautiful room with oak cabinets and a black-and-gray granite countertop accented with a stainless steel sink, large mirror framed in oak, and a crystal and steel vanity light above the mirror. Red-and-green fingertip towels with Frosty the Snowman were laid out for seasonal fun.
She selected a cabinet and found an unopened toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as a small comb and brush. Thank goodness for planning ahead for guests. She quickly took advantage of all the amenities, washing and brushing till she felt more her usual self. She glanced in the mirror and added a little lip gloss. She didn’t need any color in her cheeks because they were pink from the exertions of the day or simply the nearness of Trey.
She walked out, feeling much more refreshed after everything. She could hear the shower running upstairs and knew Trey would soon be down to join her. She stopped in front of the wall of windows and looked out over the ranch. She could see a red ribbon in the distance that must surely be the Red River. It was a beautiful, peaceful sight.
She stepped from there to the Christmas tree. She reached out and touched one of the ornaments. The red-and-green swirls looked familiar. She looked closer and felt her breath catch in her throat as emotions started to rise. She’d had a Christmas ornament just like this one so very long ago. Tears stung her eyes. She felt her breath catch in her throat. She smelled smoke.
Misty whirled around and put her back to the tree. But it was too late. Everything had been too much for too long. And it’d finally caught up with her. She didn’t want to be here, not now, not when she suddenly felt so fragile. She needed to be alone so she could recover in privacy. But it was too late.
She stumbled blindly to the couch with her eyes filled by tears, no longer seeing the room. Memories were crowding in on her, overwhelming the present. She’d held them so long at bay. She’d been so careful. She’d never allowed herself too much of anything. Aunt Cami had understood. They’d carefully negotiated the perils of Christmas.
But now Trey and Wildcat Bluff had pushed past her defenses, knocked down her carefully constructed walls, and lured her into wanting more than she ever had before.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she curled into a small ball on the couch, hoping against hope that she could have her cry out before Trey came back downstairs. She desperately didn’t want him to see her true self instead of the person she’d presented to him.
Above all, she wanted to flee.
Chapter 28
Trey bounded down the stairs. He’d showered off the stink and dirt of the fire. Fortunately, he hadn’t sustained any injuries. He’d pulled on a Frosty the Snowman T-shirt, comfortable jeans, and leather loafers. He felt good. And he was all set to enjoy Misty’s company.
“You ready for some good home cooking?” he called as he came down the stairs.