The Cowboy's Secret Santa: Christmas in Alpine Valley, #3

By Kali Hart

The Cowboy's Secret Santa: Christmas in Alpine Valley Book 3
A Cowboy Curvy Woman Holiday Romance

This Christmas, join five best friends as a friendly dare to draw Secret Santas leads them all to find their true loves.

Shea

When I draw Cody Mason's name in the town's Secret Santa event, I'm less than thrilled.
No amount of begging will get me out of this best friend dare.
I'm forced to spend time with the rude, smug, and closed off cowboy who's also incredibly sexy and knows it.
He's infuriating.
His only redeeming quality is that he's really good with his animals.
And he's a really great kisser.
Stupid mistletoe.
It'd be easier to hate him if only I didn't want him so badly.
I can't be falling for the man I swore to loath for the rest of time.
Santa, is this a Christmas joke or is this something real?

Cody

I've had it bad for Alpine Valley's veterinarian since the first time she stepped foot on my ranch.
But I've been put through the ringer when it comes to women.
I'm not putting myself out there again.
It's easier for Shea to think I hate her.
If only I could keep my hands, lips, and other parts of my anatomy from giving away my secret.
One mistletoe-induced kiss is all it takes for my walls to come crumbling down.
But she isn't so quick to believe my sudden change of heart.
Santa, help me prove to Shea that she's the only woman for me.

Come to Alpine Valley this Christmas and follow five best friends as a dare to participate in the town's Secret Santa event leads them all to true love. These books are sweet and steamy short instalove romances with older heroes and younger curvy woman. NO cliffhangers. NO cheating. Guaranteed HEA.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie M. Wallick
• Release date: Nov 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798223191100

Book preview

1

SHEA

This can’t be right, I mutter, staring at the name on the holiday decorated cardstock. Maybe I need an eye exam because there’s no way in hell I drew Cody Mason’s name for the Secret Santa event. Out of everyone in Alpine Valley, he’s the one I can’t stand the most. I go out of my way to avoid the arrogant cowboy at all costs. Except, like today, when I’m called out to his ranch to help his animals. It’s not their fault their owner is a cocky jerk.

I’m going to kill Lily, I grumble, shoving the name back into the gift bag. It topples over and the contents spill out. At least Wilma thought to include white peppermint chocolates to help ease the sting. She reassured me before I left the community center earlier that there was no re-draws.

I didn’t think much of it.

But I was in a hurry to get out to the Mason ranch to check on Honey Comb, the mare who sprained her ankle last week. I figured I drew some little old lady’s name and could shower her with baked goods, which would be a win-win for me. I love Christmas goodies. Hell, I love food.

I’m not baking a damn thing for Cody.

And Lily, my bestie who dared the rest of us to participate in this Secret Santa thing, is going to get cookies burned black for this.

Why didn’t I wait to check the name? I ask myself through gritted teeth.

You always talk to yourself, or is this a new thing? Cody’s voice instantly makes my pulse double and my shoulders tense. I forgot my window was down, but the damn thing keeps fogging up. I rolled it down so I could watch for Cody. I’m embarrassed at how distracted I was.

How’s Honey Comb?

Better, he says, his blue eyes sparkling. Cody Mason has exactly one redeeming quality: he loves his animals. He lights up every time he talks about his horses, or dogs, or even the barn cats. I’d never in a million years admit it out loud, but it makes him look incredibly sexy. She’s hardly limping at all anymore.

That’s good news.

I wait for the thank you, Doc that never comes. After several long moments of awkward silence, I groan and cut the engine. That flash of sexy is lost to familiar irritation.

What’s that? Cody points to the spilled gift bag on the passenger seat. You bring me a present, Doc?

You wish. I roll up my window, blocking out his face and annoyingly sexy voice before I stash everything back into the Secret Santa bag. I set it on the floor of the passenger seat, carefully out of view. I might not have read the rules yet, but I know how this works. I’m not supposed to let the jerk know I drew his name before Christmas.

I thought you could check on Blitzen while you were out here, Cody says, his mischievous smile giving way to a grimace. He hasn’t eaten in a couple days, and I’m worried about him.

I resist the urge to rest my hand on his bicep in comfort. Though I can’t stand Cody, I’m irritatingly drawn to him. I bet we’d have some crazy hot hate sex. Which is why I fight to keep my hands to myself at all costs. I’d never forgive myself in the morning if I slept with the arrogant cowboy. I’ll take a look at him after I exam Honey Comb, I say about his Australian shepherd.

Thanks. The word is muttered so quietly