He’d agreed to play a role and today was center stage. And he knew how much Christmas—this hokey, ridiculous Christmas—meant to Suzanne. Plus, Cora and Burl were going to be there.

But there’d been a situation with one of the bulls, and he’d had to get the vet. Goddamn it. This was just the reality of being a rancher. Rain, hail, shine. Blizzard.

And yes, fucking Christmas.

He noticed her parents’ car was gone and breathed a sigh of relief. At least they’d gone on ahead without him and he could put off having to face Suzanne for a little while longer.

Yeah…no such luck.

He opened the cabin door to find her waiting for him. “And a Merry Christmas to you, too, Joshua,” she said, folding her arms, obviously angry.

But it was the disappointment lurking in her eyes that was hardest to take.

He held up his hands in a placatory manner as he drew closer. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

She sliced a hand though the air. “I don’t care for your lame-ass excuses,” she said, her voice low and tight, her jaw clenched. “Just go and get ready. They’re expecting us.”

Grady contemplated explaining but screw it. This was what he wanted, right? To push Suzanne away? He’d already let her far too close.

“Here.” She picked up a folded long-sleeve T-shirt that was sitting on the back of the couch. “Put this on. I gave it to you for Christmas. You’re welcome.”

Crossing to where she stood, he took the shirt, holding it up to inspect it. It was red with the word Ho emblazoned in white across the front and the number 1 just above it and to the left like it was a chemical symbol. He shook his head. “Ho one? Seriously?”

She unfolded her arms to reveal she was Ho two. “It matches mine,” she said, her voice steely. “We thought they were cute. Because we’re that couple.”

Yep. She was pissed. Grady’s hands tightened on the shirt. None of this was his doing, damn it. He wasn’t the one behind this ridiculous plan.

“My parents are wearing Ho three and Ho four. My parents, Grady.”

Grady shook his head at the shirt. It was a fucking travesty. “This should be against the law.”

“Your objection is duly noted. Now, can you please just put it on? I’m sorry I’m all out of paintings. Unless—” Her breath suddenly hitched and her expression morphed from spitfire angry to heart-wrenchingly anxious, her hand sliding to her throat as her teeth worried her bottom lip.

“No.” Grady shook his head quickly, shoving the shirt under his arm as he took a step closer to assure her.