A Cowboy Christmas Read Online Alexa Riley

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Erotic, Insta-Love, Virgin Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
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All day I stay glued to her side. I want everyone in Mittenville to see the two of us as a united front. When she goes over to talk to someone, I make sure I’m right there with her. Anytime someone asks me a question, I turn to her and let her answer. By the time it’s all finished, I’ve said maybe a dozen words, but my little star has talked nonstop.

“Thank you for allowing us to have your barn on the tour,” Mary Beth says, and I can tell it’s like swallowing dirt to get the words out.

I don’t respond to her but instead turn my full attention to Sabrina at my side. Mary Beth knows damn well who to thank, and I’m going to make her do it.

“Of course, thank you, Sabrina, for all your hard work.”

“You’re welcome.” My woman is shy with the compliments, but I hope to get her used to them one day.

“Maybe next year we can have your home on the tour?” Mary Beth turns her attention back to me, and her fake smile is back. “I think people would love to see what I can do with the⁠—”

“I’m gonna stop you right there.” I hold my hand up to cut her off. “Next year I’ll be happy to be on the tour again⁠—”

“Fantastic. You know it’s never too soon⁠—”

“With the Anise family home.” Sabrina stiffens beside me, and Mary Beth blinks in confusion. “I’m going to have a grand opening there next year after the repairs are made. It would be good for the community to know the real history of that house and all the good it’s provided.”

“Oh, well yes.” Mary Beth presses her lips together in a tight line. I know she’s warring with herself between how much money adding the Anise house could bring in and keeping her grudge against Sabrina. Eventually money wins out. “I think that would be amazing.”

“Sabrina will be the one running everything again,” I say, and Mary Beth’s shoulders sag.

“But—” Sabrina starts to speak, but I squeeze her hands in mine, silencing her.

“Thanks for coming,” I tell Mary Beth, and without waiting for her to leave, I pull Sabrina behind me to the big house.

“Booker, we need to talk.” Sabrina has to walk quickly to keep up until we are in the house and I’ve locked us inside.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I’m already kicking off my boots and hanging up my hat. I’ve been so good and kept my hands almost completely to myself these past few days. Of course I took Sabrina on a few more horseback rides, but other than that, I’ve been a saint. Now that this whole tour mess is over, I’m done waiting.

“You told Mary Beth I would be in charge of the Anise house. I don’t think I can do it.” She looks so sad. “It would be too hard to be there knowing that it was sold out from under us. That my grandpa lost everything because of my awful father.”

“Little star,” I say softly as I cup her face in my hands. “You think I would sell that house out from under you?”

“What?” Her eyebrows pull together in confusion.

“I bought it, Sabrina. I bought it a long time ago, even before the auction happened. I had them go through the motions just so the people in town would think it was fair, but as soon as I got the deed, I signed it over to your grandpa. It’s his house, Sabrina, free and clear. He can live there as long as he wants to. And if he wants to turn it back into a halfway house or hotel, or just live there with Reba for the rest of his life, he can.”

“You bought it?” She sounds stunned as tears build in her eyes.

“What’s the point of having all this money if I can’t do something good with it?” I wipe away the tears and then kiss her soft lips. “If I can’t make the woman I love happy.”

“Booker.” My name catches in her throat.

“I love you, Sabrina.” I brush my thumb over her bottom lip. “The first time I saw you, I wanted you so goddamn bad, but all I could do was wait for the right moment. While I waited, I made sure you and your grandpa were taken care of. I love you, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to make you happy.”

A smile breaks across her face. “I was in love with you before all this, but now? I can’t even process what you’ve done for me and my grandpa. I love you, Booker.”

“That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear.” I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t want your love because I gave you the house. I wanted it because your heart wouldn’t let you choose anything else.”


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