“Candy? You were serious?” he asked.

“Darlin’, if you can’t eat it, wear it out, or use it up in a few weeks, you don’t give it to a carnie. They have no place to put it,” she explained as she led the way to the wrapping paper and bows. “Is my cowboy going to help me wrap presents too? And after the big carnie Christmas party, we’ll go shopping again so I can buy presents for Jasmine and Gemma and your mama and even Ellen and Nellie. I’m so excited about Christmas that I could dance—”

“Oh, no, not here!” he said quickly.

She giggled and then said, “I was going to say dance a jig, not a belly dance.”

“Okay, but don’t expect me to help with wrapping. I’m all thumbs when it comes to wrapping, and tape comes to life and attacks me every time I get around the stuff.”

“Then I guess I’d better buy you those soft little black velvet handcuffs instead of duct tape for Christmas,” she teased.

“I’d rather use that fancy scarf thing you dance with,” he whispered so close that the warmth of his breath kissed that soft spot right under her ear.

She shivered. “You are cheating.”

“All’s fair in love and war, Madam.”

Chapter 14

Liz carried sacks filled with boxes of assorted chocolates and cookies along with tins of popcorn painted with Christmas scenes into the house. Raylen unloaded the Christmas tree into the living room and put all the new wire ornaments on the porch until he ran out of room and had to set up the rest on the lawn. Then he helped Liz tote in the rest of the sacks.

When they finished, the two empty bedrooms were filled with sacks, wrapping paper, tape, gift bags, ribbons, candy, and popcorn. She covered a yawn with her hand as she made her way back outside and noticed that it was two thirty in the morning. It had been a fantastic first date. She loved the food and atmosphere at Olive Garden and couldn’t wait to tell Blaze about it. Raylen had been so patient in Walmart while she wiped the shelves free of boxes of chocolates and tins of butter cookies and popcorn that he deserved a big gold medal on a velvet Christmas ribbon.

“All done!” He made it to the recliner where he plopped down.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You are very welcome. Shall we talk about those handcuffs now?”

She sat down in his lap and yawned again. “Rain check, please. I’m wiped plumb out.”

He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. “Thank God! I’m too tired to move.”

She drew her knees up and snuggled down into his chest. “Pop up the footrest and push back so we can rest.”

I wonder what sex in a recliner would be like. Oh, hush, I’m so tired a bout of hot sex would kill me dead. And besides, I think Raylen is already dozing.