Country Bride (Country Brides) by Ava Catori Page B

have to ask him twice. Leaning into her, their heated breath between them, their lips came together sharing secrets and dreams.
    “It got cool outside,” she said, finally breaking free from the kiss.
    “Wyoming does that this time of year.”
    “It was chilly at home too, but we get lucky and still get a couple of nice days in the fall.”
    “I’ve been meaning to ask you, would you like to celebrate the holidays with me? You could go meet my folks, and then we could have a quiet night here.”
    “I’d love to spend them with you.”
    Falling into his arms, they spend the next hour catching up, snuggling, and then Kristin had to head out. Gathering Molly, she made the trip back to her own home, after making plans to see Ty the following day.
    “It’s been wonderful to see you,” she said, not wanting to leave.
    “Stay with me tonight,” he whispered. “We don’t have to do anything; I just want to hold you.”
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she admitted. “I should head home. It’s been a long day.”
    “You’re right, maybe another time.”

Chapter 10
    When the snow fell , Kristin wasn’t expecting it. It seemed earlier than she was ready for. Ty warned her it would snow randomly all year, though most of it came from the fall to the spring. Once it started, it could go until May, and they’d even get random summer snow. While most of the snow fell through winter, there was no way to know what the weather would be. There was a saying in Wyoming when asking about the weather, that if you wait five minutes, the weather will change. It was unpredictable most of the time, and always kept you guessing.
    At least it was a light snow . Kristin dug around the shed and found a snow shovel. If it was deeper, she’d have trouble driving into town. She had four wheel drive, but wasn’t used to actually needing it.
    It was official; it was the s eason to stock up on essentials. Molly rolled around in the fresh coating of snow on the ground, enjoying the change in weather.
    She’d been seeing Ty regularly, and when the holidays rolled around, they made plans to visit his parent’s farm. She was both nervous and excited to meet them. There was no way to know how they’d react, and she wondered if they’d have the same ruffled feathers learning she was from New Jersey. She didn’t see what the big deal was. On the east coast, nobody flinched if you were from another area, but out here, it was almost an insult that she was from the small, congested state.
    She wished people wouldn’t have expectations of who she would be. It was just an invisible line on a map; people were people no matter where you went. She never quite understood the reaction.
    With Christmas approaching them, Ty and Kristin talked about family traditions. She shared a story about how the houses in the neighborhood would all put lights along the curbs of her development. The entire road was lit up like a landing strip at an airport. It started with a few houses, and then more joined in. Soon the entire neighborhood was lit. One of her favorite past times was driving through the area, enjoying all the decorations and Christmas lights. One of the neighbors a street over always seemed to outdo themselves with an over the top display. It was gaudy, but she loved seeing it each year.
    He shared stories about his parent’s surprising him with a new saddle one year, a highly polished black leather saddle to replace the old brown leather one that he’d been using for years as a kid.
    Kristin made hot chocolate as they shared more stories of their youth. Curling up on the sofa with Ty, she’d never felt more comfortable. It was a natural comfort. She didn’t have to be something she wasn’t – he took her just as she was.
    They would spend Christmas Eve sharing an intimate dinner, and then spend Christmas Day at the farm with Mr. and Mrs. Addison.
    The days rolled by quickly, and on Christmas Eve, Kristin took a moment to call home.