Carousel Horse Christmas Read online

  Hurrying out to the kitchen once more Audrey smiled at her guest. “I’m sorry,” she smiled. “I’m not much good before my morning coffee.”

  “I understand,” the cowboy said. “I haven’t even been to bed yet.”

  “Please have a seat,” Audrey said. “I’ll make us a cup, and you can tell me why you’re here. I don’t know what’s keeping Lisa.” She added looking around the corner of the tiny apartment.

  “Is Lisa your roommate?” Holden asked, again taking a seat.

  “No, she’s my best friend, but when it started to snow last night, she just crashed in my spare bedroom,” Audrey said sliding the old fashioned enameled percolator onto the stove.

  “That was smart,” Holden said, “and you don’t think her car was damaged at all last night?”

  “Not that I could see, and we certainly didn’t feel anything hit.” She froze for a minute. “Your horse isn’t hurt is it?” she asked. “We were sure that when you raced off like that you must have been alright.”

  “No, Dash is fine,” Holden said. “Even with the whole mess, he just got a tiny nick on his ear,” he added running his thumb over the mark on the carousel horse’s ear that sat before him on the table.

  Audrey almost dropped the cups she’d pulled from the cupboard, but managed to plop then onto the counter with a clatter instead.

  “Audrey, what in the world are you doing making such a racket?” Lisa said slumping into the kitchen in an oversized T-shirt and sweats, her eyes barely open. “Yikes!” she yelped turning and racing back to the spare room.

  “I take it that’s Lisa,” Holden said, smiling his thanks as Audrey finally placed the steaming mugs of coffee on the table.

  “That’s Lisa,” she agreed, sliding onto a chair and looking at the cowboy. “So what happened last night anyway? Why were you out racing around the city on your horse?”

  “I was hauling a trailer through town and a driver rear-ended me. They were on their phone at the time.”

  Audrey shook her head. “I swear some people have a death-wish.”

  Holden sipped his coffee, “Distracted drivers are a problem.”

  “Was anyone injured?” Audrey asked.

  “No, not even the stock though I had to chase a couple of them down and hold them together until my brother could pick them up in another rig. I’ve been at the police station ever since.”

  “Pst Pst.” Lisa peeked around the corner trying to get Audrey’s attention. “Audrey,” she called in a stage whisper.

  “Excuse me,” Audrey said leaving the table and slipping out of sight. “Lisa, Mr. Bays came to see if your car was damaged last night.”

  “Audrey, what on earth are you doing letting a strange man into the apartment? You don’t know who he is. He could be a reprobate who steals women’s panties.”

  Audrey blinked at her friend, things clicking into place in her brain. She couldn’t ever remember inviting a complete stranger into her home before, but she’d felt from the moment she’d looked into his eyes that she was safe with him.

  “Stop being dramatic,” she hissed. “Come out here and make sure he knows your car is alright. It sounds like he had a terrible night.” Grabbing her friend by the hand she dragged her back into the kitchen. “Lisa this is Holden, Holden, Lisa,” she introduced.

  The cowboy rose to his feet nodding politely. “Please to meet you,” he said offering his hand.

  Lisa took the cowboys hand and tittered. “I can’t believe you were riding a horse on the freeway last night,” she blabbered.

  “It wouldn’t have been my first choice,” Holden said. “Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.”

  “Coffee,” Audrey said shoving a cup at Lisa who finally released the cowboy’s hand, taking the mug.

  “So what happened to the horses?” Audrey asked picking up the previous conversation as they moved back to the table.

  “My brother hauled them back to our ranch last night while I stayed here and dealt with the paper work and got the rig to a repair shop.” Holden finished his coffee and stood.

  “I’ll let you ladies get on with your day now. I just wanted to make sure that your car wasn’t damaged at all, and that you were alright.”

  “Thank you,” Lisa said, “but you didn’t have to do that.”

  Holden’s eyes shifted to Audrey who smiled. “I felt I did,” he answered simply picking up his hat. “If you find you have any damage after the snow clears give me a call.” He finished dropping a card on the table and turning toward the door.

  Rising Audrey moved to open her front door. “I hope everything works out with your trailer,” she said walking him out. “Good luck.”

  Holden smiled, tipped his hat and stepped out into the hall and walked away.

  “I still can’t believe you let a strange man into the apartment,” Lisa said as soon as Audrey turned around, even if he was drop dead gorgeous.”

  “I guess I wasn’t thinking,” Audrey said. “I had been sleeping just seconds earlier you know.”

  “Well I guess I can forgive you this time, but you’d better hang on to his card, or I’ll never forgive you.”

  “Why would I do that?” Audrey said picking up the card and reading it. “Heavenly Hope Horse Ranch,” she read, turning the card over in her hand.

  “Because he’s dreamy,” Lisa said as the alarm clocks in both bedrooms began to ring.

  Chapter 4

  “Aunt Linda what are you talking about?” Audrey asked at noon as she tried to eat a sandwich. “I don’t know what you’re asking?” she quickly shifted the cell phone to her other ear. “No, I haven’t decided if I’m coming up for the holidays. Yes, I do love all of you, but I’m very busy.”

  She was silent for a few minutes listening to her aunt as she headed into the venue of her next event; a four star hotel she’d used several times before.

  “Alright, alright, I’ll be there,” she finally said. “Yah, love you too,” she finished clicking off and stepping from the frigid outdoors into the plush hotel and its welcoming warmth.

  “Audrey, where have you been?” James asked hurrying toward her. “I’ve been arguing with the chef for half an hour already. Please go sweet talk him into cooking a simple chicken dish.”

  Audrey laughed. Her day had been full of surprises, some good and some not so good. “I just told Aunt Linda I’ll be home for Christmas,” she confessed to her right hand man.

  “Is she dying again?” James asked kindly.

  “No, as a matter of fact, she said she’s moving to Florida if I can’t bother to come home now and then.”

  James laughed, “You know she has your number right?”

  “I do,” Audrey agreed. “So what’s left to do?”

  “Just the menu. The chef is being difficult, and he does not like me.”

  Audrey patted his arm. “But you’re such a charmer.”

  James snorted. He was extremely efficient, but when it came to working with difficult people, he didn’t have the patience that Audrey did.

  “I’ll take care of it. Can you deal with the last three parties this month on your own?”

  “Done,” James said. “Now please; chicken,” he finished pushing her in the direction of the hotel kitchens.

  “No, I do not make this menu,” Chef Andre said his thick French accent making the pronouncement even more dramatic.

  “Andre, it’s just chicken,” Audrey said. “You’re a genius with chicken.”

  “Yes, I am,” Andre said, crossing his arms over his ample middle. “This is boring,” he added with a sneer.

  “What will it take to get you to make this dish?” Audrey asked. “Think about how easy it will be.”

  “I will need a horse party for my daughter,” Andre said, a gleam entering his eye. “This you cannot do.” He waved a finger at her challengingly.

  Audrey raised an eye brow letting a slow smile creep over her face. “Watch me,” she said, pulling the card Holden had left from her
pocket and stepping into the hall.

  “Hello, is this Holden Bays?” Audrey said after punching the number into her phone. “This is Audrey Alberton from this morning. You know the girl who slammed the door in your face.”

  A rough chuckle echoed over the line. “Did you find something wrong with the car?” Holden asked. He’d been sound asleep when the phone buzzed and now understood how his early morning visit had startled the young woman on the other end of the line.

  “No, Lisa’s car is fine,” Audrey said. “I’m calling about something else.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “I have an event here in the city in two days, and the chef is refusing to cook what the clients want. The only way he’ll agree is if I give him a horse event for his daughter’s birthday. I thought of you, though I don’t really know what you do?”

  “That depends on what she wants. My brother and I have a small spread, but we’ve got several horses gentle enough to let kids ride.”

  This time it was Audrey’s turn to chuckle, “Andre’s daughter is turning forty-five this year. I think all she really wants is a fancy BBQ with horses in the background.”

  “That sounds easy enough, but it’s the middle of winter.”

  “Oh, her birthday isn’t until April,” Audrey said. “I just need to know there’s a place to have it. How far are you from the city?”

  “About two hours.”

  “Sounds perfect. Are you still in town?”

  “Yeah, I’m staying until the truck is ready then I’ll head home.”

  “How about we meet up for dinner tonight and iron out the details then I’ll come check out your place later this week.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Holden agreed. It would be nice to see the pretty woman again.

  Chapter 5

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Holden called into the phone. “Handley what are you talking about?”

  “The sleigh,” His brother’s voice was crackling over the line, but he was sure he’d heard the word sleigh.

  “What sleigh?” he asked rubbing his eyes that still felt full of sand.

  “That’s what I’m trying to say. Did you order a sleigh?”

  “No, and I would have told you if I had. Are you saying there’s a sleigh at the ranch?”

  “Yes, I came out of the house this morning, and there it was sitting in the front yard.”

  “Send me a picture,” Holden said. “Maybe I’ll recognize it.” His phone buzzed in his hand, and he knew the pictures had been sent. “Oh and I may have booked the ranch for an event in April. I’m meeting with a young lady about it at dinner.”

  “Long as I don’t have to dance with any old women, I’m cool.” Handley said, a hint of humor in his voice. “When is it anyway? Do I need to get things cleaned up?”

  “She said April,” Holden shot back. “I’ll let you know later.”

  “Alright big brother,” Handley said. “See you when you get home,” he finished ending the call.

  Holden opened the picture on his phone and smiled at the pretty sleigh sitting in his front yard on a blanket of fresh white snow.

  The body of the contraption was red and had intricate gold curly cues etching the high rolled back and curved front. While its black runners were long and wound into a swirl at the tip.

  “I don’t know where you came from,” Holden said, “but you’re as pretty as can be.”

  Tossing his phone on the bed Holden climbed from the rumpled sheets and headed for the shower. He had a date.

  ***

  Audrey sat at the table and checked her phone for the third time. She’d text the place and time for their meeting to Holden and hoped he’d be there soon. It wasn’t that the man was late, but she’d arrived early and after a long day of running from place to place making sure everything was in order for her events to go off without a hitch, she was starving.

  Audrey’s eyes fell on the basket of bread in the middle of the table but she resisted the urge to take a piece. She’d missed lunch dealing with a fussy customer, and now she was ravenous.

  She’d just decided to order a cup of coffee when the cowboy stepped into the restaurant his blue eyes scanning the tables, and a bright smile gracing his face as he saw her.

  Waving Audrey returned the smile and cringed as a waiter hurried over to see what she needed.

  “Coffee please.” She said with a blush just as Holden reached them.

  “Make that two please,” he said his eyes still on her. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” he continued slipping into the chair.

  “No I was early,” Audrey admitted. “It’s a habit I’ve never been able to break.”

  “Doesn’t sound like a bad habit to me.”

  Audrey smiled then groaned as her stomach grumbled.

  Holden chuckled. “Miss lunch?”

  “Yes,” Audrey admitted. “It’s been a crazy day.”

  The waiter returned with their coffees, and Audrey thanked him then smiled as Holden offered the basket of bread. “I slept through breakfast and lunch,” he admitted.

  In mere minutes the two of them had finished off the bread as they sipped coffee not talking at all.

  “So what’s the party you need horses for anyway?” Holden asked after he’d finished his last roll.

  “I’m a party planner,” Audrey said. “one of my parties is at this very hotel and the chef didn’t want to prepare the meal requested. He said he’d only do it if I could find him a horse party for his daughter,” she said emphasizing the words ‘horse party.’

  “And you thought of me?” Holden’s blue eyes seemed to caress her face as she nodded.

  “Well I don’t usually get requests for these types of things,” Holden admitted. “Give me some details. My brother’s already in on it, but we need to understand what to do.”

  “I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Audrey said studying the man’s square jaw and even smile. “Honestly I’m pretty sure that Andre just wants a chance to show off his BBQ skills. I’ve worked up a simple plan, but things could change before the party in April.”

  “Change; seems that’s the one constant in life.”

  The waiter returned with more bread and salads for both of them.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. We haven’t ordered yet,” Audrey said.

  “Complements of Andre,” the waiter said with a grin. “He insists you trust him as he has something special for the lovely couple.” The young man made quote marks with his finger around the last two words as he left with a smile.

  Audrey felt a warm blush spread over her face. “Oh dear. I think Andre may have gotten the wrong idea,” she apologized.

  Holden chuckled, a warm friendly sound that engulfed Audrey making her face glow even more.

  “I think it’s sweet,” the cowboy said. “Maybe he thinks a pretty young woman shouldn’t be eating alone.”

  Audrey looked up meeting his blue eyes, and her heart kicked up a beat at his words. Had this extremely good looking man just complemented her?

  Holden raised an eye brow, wondering if he’d embarrassed Audrey. She truly was a lovely young woman. There was something soft and becoming about her. Her dark eyes were full of intelligence, and her lips were prone to smiling. He noted the way her light brown hair fell over her shoulders, and he was happy to be sitting with her.

  Audrey studied her salad not sure what to say as the awkward silence stretched out.

  “I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” Holden’s voice was soft, the tone making Audrey lift her eyes meeting his gaze.

  As their eyes met something seemed to zing between them, a deep meaningful connection springing into life.

  “Soup,” The waiter’s voice broke the magic of the moment and together Audrey and Holden chuckled while the waiter placed a piping soup before them and whisked away the remains of their salads.

  “So this party you’re doing for the chef is in April,” Holden commented tasting his soup and smiling with satisfaction.

&
nbsp; “Yes, is that a bad time?”

  “No, it’s just a shame it’s not this winter. Apparently someone decided we needed a sleigh at the ranch.”

  “You’re kidding,” Audrey leaned forward. “Who?”

  “I don’t know. My brother told me today when he called. Said he got up this morning and there it was.”

  Audrey gaped, “Does this kind of thing happen often?”

  Holden chuckled, “No normally people just drop off stray kittens or unwanted dogs.”

  “That’s so sad.”

  “It’s also made us create a whole other side of our business. We now offer fostering for pets until we can find them forever homes. It was my mom’s idea, and we keep it going. Well my sister does most of it. She works with a nonprofit on it.”

  “I’d like to see your place,” Audrey offered honestly. “Do you think I can come out this week? I’ll be heading out of town for Christmas, so I need to do it before that.”

  Holden pulled out his phone and clicked on the calendar. “How about Tuesday?” he asked. “I can work you in then.”

  Mimicking his actions Audrey pulled up her planner checking her bookings.

  “Tuesday looks good. I’m booked up from Thursday onward though.”

  “Perfect,” Holden grinned, just as the waiter returned with a chicken dish that smelled like a gift from the gods.

  Chapter 6

  “You had a date!” Lisa squealed when Audrey returned to her apartment that night.

  “What are you even doing here?” Audrey said closing the door and glaring at her friend who was sitting at the table with her cookie tin wrapped in her arms.

  “The landlord is painting the hallway in my apartment, so I’m staying here for a few days. It’ll be fun.”

  Audrey looked at her friend a slow smile spreading across her face. “I’m sure it will be, but why do you think I was on a date?”

  “James called and said you were meeting some cowboy.”

  Audrey rolled her eyes. “That man cannot keep a secret,” she said, “but it was not a date.”

  “Um hm.” Lisa hummed taking a bite of an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. “So was it the hunky cowboy from this morning?”