Page 36 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

She waited until they were alone. Once the children had gone to bed, Tamara stood and paced to Caleb’s chair.

The report he was supposedly reading had been held in front of his face for the last fifteen minutes without him moving an inch. She caught hold of the papers and tugged them from his fingers.

He lifted storm grey eyes to hers, one brow rising.

She held out hand. “Come with me.”

He didn't say anything when she led him out the door into the cool night air. If it had been later in the year she would have taken him all the way out to the base of Heart Falls—an excellent spot for important conversations—but for here and now, this would do.

Caleb chuckled softly as she guided him onto the porch swing and covered them both with a thick blanket. “It's a hell of a lot warmer inside.”

“Serious conversations need serious privacy.”

“We're having a serious conversation?”

God, she hoped so.

Tamara twisted far enough she could lay a hand on his cheek, his five o’clock shadow rough against her palm. She met his gaze straight on, steady and true, and kissed him softly.

Caleb reacted instantly, surrounding her with his arms and cradling her close, kissing back with a sweet intensity that relieved at least some of her fears.

He hadn’t gone cold and silent inside, thank God.

She pulled back, smiled at him, then linked their fingers together as they cuddled shoulder to shoulder under the blanket. Staring out into the yard instead of looking at him in case that made it easier for him.

“I love you,” she started, because it was the right place to begin and because it was utterly true. “And I don't mind that you’re a man of few words.” She smiled at his low snort of amusement. “But I know the difference between you having nothing to say and you holding back for some reason.”

Beside her, his body tensed and his grip on her fingers tightened the slightest bit.

“I’m not the only one.” She breathed slowly. “Waiting to tell Sasha isn't working,” Tamara shared bluntly. “I think the uncertainty is causing more damage than good.”

He swore softly.

Tamara squeezed his fingers reassuringly. “We made the decision to delay talking to her for all the right reasons, but this isn't an everyday, ordinary experience.”

“Damn right,” Caleb complained.

She twisted on the seat so she could face him. “Add in, we each have our tendencies. No matter how much older I get, or how much smarter I think I've become, I still like to meddle.”

His lips twisted before Caleb dipped his chin slowly. “And I like to brood.”

Her shoulders lifted in an easy shrug. “Broody you is damn sexy at times, but as far as here and now goes, you’re too distracted. The children don't see why, but they sense it. Sasha especially is trying to figure out what's wrong.”

“And there's nothing. So she’s feeling the worry and concern I was trying to save her from for a far worse reason.” Caleb shook his head. “Time to fix it.”

Tamara laid a hand on his knee. “Tomorrow morning? Give her the weekend to think about what we share and let it sink in before she has to go back to school?”

Caleb nodded. This time he leaned closer, tucking his fingers under chin and lifting her face. “Thank you for being so smart. Thank you for loving me.”

His expression filled her heart to the brim. “Of course. Anytime.”

They tagged Sasha the next morning before she could head out to the barn for her chores.

With her little brother well entertained at his Uncle Luke’s, and Emma visiting her friend, the three of them settled at the kitchen table with cups of coffee for Tamara and Caleb, and tea for Sasha.

Worry filled her eyes as she glanced between the two of them. “Is something wrong?” She looked straight at Caleb. “Are you sick? Cancer, or something that you're not telling us about?”

“Oh, pumpkin. No. Nothing like that.” Caleb caught her fingers, shaking his head. “Other than being a bit of a fool, I’m fine.”