Monday, November 5, 2018

How would you like a cowboy at Christmas?

By Kristy McCaffrey


I'm so pleased to share my first Christmas-themed story as part of the collection A CHRISTMAS COWBOY TO KEEP.



Only 99 cents


The weather is cold, the atmosphere is festive, and the cowboys are hot. How do you keep a cowboy at Christmas?

Don’t miss this holiday collection of modern-day cowboys and the women they love, featuring the same USA Today, Amazon Bestselling, and Award-Winning authors from “A Cowboy to Keep,” which garnered 55 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars.

CHRISTMAS, LIBERTY, AND THE THREE MINUTE MAN by Carra Copelin
Daniel Dylan Layman is determined to show headstrong city girl Liberty Ann Hart that a country life in Mistletoe, Texas, is the perfect Christmas gift.

A CHRISTMAS CAROLE by Andrea Downing
Carrie Matheson and her son are trying to settle into a new life in Wyoming. Tate Schrugge is trying to ditch his Scrooge and play Santa to the young boy. But will there be a Dickens of a romance by Christmas?

THE PEPPERMINT TREE by Kristy McCaffrey
Lawyer Skye Mallory returns home for the holidays due to an unexpected inheritance, and cowboy Joe Carrigan stands in her way.

THE DEVIL’S CHRISTMAS KISS by Devon McKay
When Kristen Kelly receives a Christmas kiss from Cole Lawson, she doesn’t believe it means anything. But Cole sets out to make things right with the woman of his heart.

SLAY BELLS by Hildie McQueen
At a small-town Christmas festival sparks fly between Carmen Dias and Detective Jared Bowden, but a dead body and a pesky ex-girlfriend don’t exactly spell romance.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS by Hebby Roman
All Sofia Rossi wants is to re-connect with her estranged son. But can Gar McCulloch, a handsome cowboy who runs a juvenile rehab ranch, be the answer to her problems?

COUNTING DOWN TO CHRISTMAS by Patti Sherry-Crews
Wedding planner Melody Evans views happily-ever-after endings with a skeptical eye. Veterinarian Leland Jennings IV thinks Christmas is for kids. Can the holiday spirit bring them together?



An Excerpt from The Peppermint Tree
Joe scanned the crowded dance floor. Where was she?

A merry melee of couples crowded before him, tuxedos and gowns of various lengths all meshed together beneath a flashing disco ball.

He caught sight of Tina three tables over. He spun around and headed in the opposite direction, and spied Skye at the bar.

He came up behind her and leaned his mouth close to her ear. “You can’t keep avoiding me.”

She jumped. “My God. You’re so quiet. What are you? An assassin?”

“Just a cowboy. How about a dance?”

She didn’t exactly agree but didn’t resist when he placed a hand on her lower back and guided her to the dance floor. Once they infiltrated the throng of couples clinging to one another as they swayed to Frank Sinatra, Skye turned to him, her face a blank mask. He folded her hand into his and wrapped his other arm around her, enjoying her proximity. Spending time with her hadn’t unfolded as organically as he’d hoped, since she’d managed to avoid him for large chunks of the evening.

“Did seeing Anderson make you feel like you were at prom again?” he asked, trying to ignore the cleavage teasing his senses and the heady scent reminding him of wildflowers.

She shrugged. “He’s doing well, of which I’m glad, and his wife is very lovely.”

She wouldn’t look at him, her countenance as icy as a frozen lake.

“Am I missing something here?” he asked.

“I’m tired. I want to go home.”

“I was hoping to spend some time with you.”

Putting distance between them, she raised her chin and locked eyes with him. “Are you now? What a piece of work you are, Carrigan.”

Her anger ignited the small space between them.

“Why do you say that?” He pressed his hand against her back to keep her from walking away, because one thing was certain—she was about ready to bolt.

“I’m tired of being at your beck and call.” Her voice seethed in a furious whisper. “You rejected me all those years ago, and now you’re just stringing me along again. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t keep treating me like some consolation prize and expect me to put up with it.”

Taken aback by her outburst, he attempted to regroup. “I’m not stringing you along.”

“I can’t do this anymore.” She tried to leave again, but he held fast to her. “I can’t be your friend,” she bit out, her voice still lowered so as not to attract attention. “I’ve tried. It’s too difficult.”

The shadow of pain in her eyes brought him up short.

He’d had no idea how much he had screwed up until this instant.

He grabbed her hand and led her out of the ballroom as Brenda Lee started singing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” His grip firm, he wasn’t about to let her go.

Copyright © 2018 K. McCaffrey LLC


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2 comments:

Patti Sherry-Crews said...

Hi, Kristy! As always, it was great to work with you and the others again. And Christmas is so special! I loved seeing how each author captured the holiday spirit in their own ways and of course, the romances between cowboys and ladies added to the sparkle. Loved your story and the peppermint tree.

Kristy McCaffrey said...

Thank you, Patti!! What a fun opportunity to write a Christmas tale. And I loved yours as well, especially the ending. Happy Holidays!!