A Cowboy's Christmas Proposal

Everyone rushed inside, Willa bouncing awake in Owen’s arms. They all crowded around the registration desk and stared at Molly’s computer with its ominous message in the center of the screen.

“Is losing the internet really such a big deal?” Owen asked, attempting to settle a now cranky Willa.

“Tasha and Wayne are planning to live stream their wedding.” Molly wrung her hands. “We assured them it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Nora shook her head dismally. “I swear, what else could go wrong?”

Don’t ask, Owen thought. He wasn’t as superstitious as many of his rodeo buddies but neither did he believe in inviting trouble.

* * *

IF MOLLY THOUGHT crying would help, she’d produce racking sobs on the spot. But after twenty minutes of her asking nicely, insisting firmly, pleading her case and reading from the guarantee the internet company had given her when the equipment was installed, the representative on the other end of the line had refused to budge.

They simply couldn’t get a technician out until tomorrow. Period. Sorry. Sunday was a bad day for losing internet service. They were shorthanded and had a truck in the shop for repairs. Mustang Valley was outside the general service area. The excuses went on and on.

“We can have a technician there tomorrow,” the man with zero compassion assured her.

A fat lot of good that did them, thought Molly.

“What time?” she asked.

“Between noon and six p.m.”

She started to argue only to clamp her mouth shut. Her energy was better spent finding an alternate means of streaming today’s wedding.

The representative gave her a confirmation number and then asked, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

He hadn’t helped her much in the first place. “No, thanks.”

Molly hung up just as the satisfaction survey started playing. They really didn’t want her feedback.

“What are you going to do?” Owen asked.

He stood on the other side of the registration counter. His children had gone with Nora to “help” her finish prepping the cabins for their newest guests.

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Do you have a mobile hotspot?”

“We keep one for backup. It’s not great. Cell phone signals this far north are unreliable.” She came out from behind the counter, dreading her next task. “I need to call the bride and groom, let them know they can’t stream the service.”

“Do you think they’ll cancel?”

“Not at this late date. But they and their long-distance family members will be disappointed.” She closed her eyes, wishing the throbbing in her temples would cease. “So much for the positive comments on our social media page and the TV news segment last night.”

“Wait. Don’t panic yet.” Owen took her hand and drew her with him to the bench against the wall. “I may have a solution.”

He pulled her down onto the seat beside him. She’d barely registered the sensation of his strong, warm fingers enveloping hers when he let go and pulled out his cell phone.

“There’s someone I know who might be able to help,” he said.

“Help how?” She stared at her hand. It didn’t look any different.

“He’s part owner of an IT consulting company in Phoenix and pretty savvy about this stuff.”

Owen had her attention. “He can fix our internet?”

“That’s what I’m hoping.” Owen swiped his phone screen and searched his contacts.

“Is he a former Waverly customer?”

“We rodeoed together.”

“And he co-owns an IT company?”

Owen tapped the call button and turned toward her, leaning in. “We’re not all big and dumb.”

“I...didn’t...”

Her heart gave the same silly little leap as before. Molly bit her lip. Fortunately, his call went through, sparing her from finishing her reply.

How had she not noticed his ruggedly masculine features before and that his brown hair curled attractively at the ends? She had noticed his smile lighting up his entire face last night when she’d watched the TV news segment. And when she’d watched it a second time this morning. Nora had correctly predicted the positive response he’d have with viewers. Already today Molly had spoken to several potential clients requesting appointments.

“Yeah, Lenny. It’s Owen Caufield.” They exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Owen voiced the reason for his call. “I have a good friend with a serious problem. I’m hoping you can put on your superhero cape and save the day.”

Good friend? Surely Owen had used the term loosely as a means of encouraging Lenny’s cooperation.

“Did I say she?” He shot Molly an amused glance. “But you’re right. My friend is a she. And to answer your second question, you’ll just have to see for yourself.”

Molly listened, pretending to be immune to his semiflirtatious comments and fearing she failed.

“Will something like that work?” After a long pause, Owen said, “Okay, good. The wedding’s at one. Can you get here early? That’ll give us time for a test run.”

Still talking, he inadvertently brushed his hand across Molly’s knee. She almost jerked as his palm briefly made its presence known though the fabric of her jeans. If not for the tingling sensation radiating outward from her knee, he might never have touched her.

“Thanks, man. I owe you one. Nope, that’s it. I’ll text you the address.” Owen disconnected the call. “He’s bringing a booster.”

Molly sat up, quickly collecting herself. “What’s that?”

“The short explanation, it’s a device that strengthens a mobile signal. It’ll enable your hotspot to handle streaming the wedding.”

“They make such a thing?”

“Lenny says boosters aren’t expensive. You might considering buying one for the future, if it works.”

Owen grinned at her, his gaze roving her face and making Molly keenly aware they continued to share a very small space on the bench.

Suddenly self-conscious, she rose. “I should, um, go.”

“I’d better rescue Nora from the kids.” Owen also pushed to his feet. “She can’t be getting much work done.”

“Thank you, Owen, for saving the day.”

“My pleasure.”

When he didn’t move, Molly tilted her head back. Way back. He was tall, she realized. Much taller than her. And he wore his height well, moving with grace and agility.

“You’re proving to be more valuable than I anticipated.” She barely recognized the breathy voice as her own.

“Now if I can just get the officiating weddings part down, I’ll be indispensable.”

“You will. Get better at officiating,” she amended. What would she do if he really did become indispensable?

“I have a good tutor. She’s tough but reasonable in her expectations. Mostly.”

“I apologize if I got carried away this morning at practice and when the internet went down. I want things perfect.”

“You’re launching a brand-new business, and you’re committed to its success. Add to that, you’ve been hit with one problem after the other. You’re understaffed, overworked, lost your regular minister and your internet service. I’d say you’re entitled to get carried away.” At her tentative smile, he said, “There we go,” in a low voice that slowed the madly spinning wheels inside Molly’s head.

Most attractive men had the opposite effect on her, causing her thoughts to race a mile a minute. She couldn’t account for what made Owen different. She could account for the parade of red flags. She wasn’t ready for this, and she certainly wasn’t ready for a single dad of three whose life was in flux.

“I’ll see you later.” Molly retreated a step.

“If I’m not around when Lenny gets here, call me. You can stream me practicing the ceremony to test the equipment.”

“All right.” The phone on the registration counter rang. Relieved, Molly hurried to answer it. Another person had seen the TV news segment last night and wanted more information on the ranch. When she glanced up after ending the call, Owen had disappeared.

Just as well, she thought and went to the parlor where she began removing the vases of orange roses, making room for the white lilies due any moment. Molly had a standing arrangement to donate any leftover flowers to the Rio Verde Senior Living Center.

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