Bulletproof Christmas

by Barb Han

  She would do what she had to, a little voice said.

  Would their lives be better at Hereford? May would be here. She would be the closest they’d have to a grandmother since Rory didn’t speak to his family. Now she understood his reasoning and she wouldn’t try to push him into doing anything he’d be uncomfortable with. Besides, it wasn’t her business anyway.

  She couldn’t help but think it would be nice if the girls had grandparents in their lives, though. Having none was far better than someone who was abusive, don’t get her wrong. Since Rory clearly had been close with his sister when they were young, Cadence could urge him to locate Renee. Family was family and she’d take all she could get.

  Especially now that she was having a change of heart about living at Hereford. There was plenty of land on which she could build a house for her and her girls. She wanted her babies to have more than her and Rory. Growing up in a loving environment like Hereford would give them a safety net. The past few days had taught Cadence that she couldn’t guarantee she would be around.

  She didn’t want to think about that while she traipsed through the chilly woods again. Rory cut a path for them. He knew exactly what he was doing and where he was going at all times on Hereford.

  It might be cold outside but she and Rory had borrowed warm coats from the bunkhouse and only her hands were cold. She blew on them while rubbing them together to stave off the chill.

  Rory’s phone dinged, which was the signal that Dalton was nearing the pickup spot.

  “Let’s pick up the pace,” he urged.

  She followed in his footsteps to keep branches from smacking her in the face as they cut through the woods.

  The hum of an engine, the bright lights caused her to gasp.

  Nearing the road, seeing the headlights of her brother’s vehicle coming toward them, brought on another wave of nostalgia.

  Rory linked their fingers before jogging toward it.

  The thought of going home to the main house caused a surprising onslaught of emotion to crash down on her.

  And then it dawned on her. It was Christmas Eve and her father wouldn’t be coming home.

  Soon, everyone would know his final wishes.

  She put a hand on her belly as the passenger door opened and she slid inside the back of Dalton’s vehicle.

  “It’s good to see the two of you.” Stress deepened her brother’s voice. “Stay low and I’ll get us through security. I pulled a blanket out of the back so you can pull it over your heads. You’ll blend in back there and no one will be the wiser.”

  “Thank you, Dalton. For always looking out for me.” She might not have always appreciated her brothers nosing in her business and overprotecting her. Looking back, she realized that their hearts were always in the right place, even if some of their actions were misguided.

  Judging her brothers harshly for always having her back seemed overly sensitive now. The pregnancy had changed her perspective on life and family.

  She made herself as small as she could on the floorboard, working around the protruding bump without putting undue pressure on her midsection.

  “Comfortable?” Rory whispered, readjusting himself in order to give her more room. He took up a lot of space. He was a big guy.

  “It’s not far. I can make it until we get home,” she responded.

  Now, all she could do was hope they made it inside the gate safely. Of course, based on what Rory had said about the possibility of the place having traps set, that was only the first step. She had no idea what was waiting for them.

  * * *

  BEING AROUND CADENCE for the past few days reminded Rory of all the reasons he’d fallen for her in the first place, not the least of which was her spunk.

  As long as he kept his emotions under control, he figured the two of them would get along fine. But he and Cadence were gasoline and fire when they were together. That same spark made for great conversation and even better sex, both of which had to be tempered now that they were going to be parents of twin girls.

  As much as Rory knew better than to let the babies affect his judgment he was already getting attached. The thought of losing Cadence or his girls to some creep sent his blood pressure through the roof.

  Since learning he was going to be a father, he’d started thinking about the possibilities of getting more out of life. Could he have a wife and a happy marriage? Was a real family even an option for someone like him? Someone with his background?

  Hearing Mr. Butler’s words inside his head every time he thought about a future with Cadence wasn’t helping. Rory wasn’t good enough for her and it would only be a matter of time before she figured it out and left him.

  And once again, he reminded himself that his parents were the worst possible fit for each other because of their differences.

  Having grown up in what felt like a war zone, he’d vowed long ago never to allow that to happen if he ever had a kid. He was more resolved than ever to keep his feelings for Cadence in check and his eye on the prize—happy children.

  That would make her happy, too, in the long run. But then he also realized the irony of his trying to rationalize his feelings toward her. Was it too late?

  In walking away from her before he’d not only hurt her but he’d put himself through hell. He’d wanted to forget her, to put her out of his mind, but that had been impossible.

  Seeing the way she glowed when she talked about the babies wasn’t helping him keep perspective.

  People co-parented all the time without letting their feelings for each other run out of control, he reminded himself. He and Cadence could do the same.

  Couldn’t they?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Slipping onto the ranch and avoiding journalists seemed like a simple enough plan. Cadence was surprised at how easy it turned out to be. She was reminded of one of May’s most frequent sayings that most of the time the simple plan was the right one.

  Being home brought so many memories crashing down around her. Cadence exhaled slowly as she heard the garage door closing. Facing Hereford without her larger-than-life father was hard. A band tightened around her chest. For a split second, she wanted to escape. Until she saw his old pickup truck in the bay next to them.

  She smiled as she remembered spending a good chunk of her childhood sitting next to him while he drove on the property. He’d tell her to scoot next to him and instruct her to take the wheel just before putting his hands high in the air.

  Air from the open windows had blasted her, whipping her hair around as she squealed and gripped the steering wheel.

  “It feels good to be home,” she said, pulling the rest of the blanket off.

  “This is where you should be,” Dalton said. It felt so right to hear those words.

  “How much time do we have before the reading?” she asked her brother.

  He checked his watch. “Ten minutes.”

  Rory smiled at her. Without much fanfare, he pressed a kiss to her lips. It was tender and sweet and was more intimate than making love in a strange way.

  “You’re going to be okay. Dalton and your family will make sure of it,” he said and then slipped out of the vehicle.

  “Wait a minute. You’re not coming inside with me?” she asked and then it dawned on her that he was going to check the perimeter and do what he did best...track people.

  “I know exactly who I’m looking for and I won’t be far,” he promised before turning to Dalton, who was standing off to the side. “I owe you and Dade an apology for seeing your sister behind both of your backs. I hope you know that I’ll do right by her and our children.”

  “Children?” Dalton asked with shock in his voice.

  “She’s pregnant with twin girls,” Rory informed him. “I have every intention of being the father they need.”

  “I never questioned it,” Dalton
said, and she saw Rory exhale out of the corner of her eye. “Just so you’re aware. We were given clear instructions from Ed Staples. Our father requested your presence at the reading.”

  Rory’s jaw fell slack and his eyebrows knitted. “What reason could there possibly be for me to be there?”

  “Those were the instructions. I have no idea the rhyme or reason. You know my father,” Dalton said with a shrug.

  “Did he call for other ranch hands?” Rory asked.

  “Not to my knowledge and we would’ve received word before we sent everyone home,” Dalton stated.

  Leave it to her father to throw a fast-pitch when everyone was expecting a curveball.

  “I’d rather be outside, watching the perimeter,” Rory admitted.

  “There’s some kind of stipulation that if you don’t show, the envelope is not to be opened. Ed said he’ll have to destroy it,” Dalton said. “Aren’t you at least a little curious about what our father wanted to say to you?”

  Rory stood there for a long moment. There was so much emotion playing out in his features that she could only imagine what was going on inside his head. Her father had been a mentor to Rory. By Rory’s account, her father had saved his life. By contrast, Cadence was in danger and that would weigh heavily on Rory’s mind. Although he would never speak it aloud, he would never forgive himself if anything happened to her. He was already giving himself a hard enough time for the pregnancy and feeling like he’d backed Cadence against a wall by not being there for her.

  “Can the reading start without me?” he asked.

  “I believe so. It shouldn’t hurt anything if you’re late,” Dalton said.

  “I promise I’ll be there,” he said to Cadence before slipping out the door.

  Rory was a pro. He tracked dangerous men for a living. This was no different.

  So why had her nerves tensed?

  “Are you ready for this?” Dalton asked with a glance toward her stomach.

  “I’m not going to lie. It’s hard to be at Hereford without Dad,” she admitted, and there was so much relief in finally saying that out loud to one of her family members.

  “Holidays are making it tougher,” he agreed with a nod.

  “It won’t be the same without him,” she said. “It doesn’t even feel like Christmas. Between the pregnancy and...everything that’s happened, I haven’t done anything to feel in the holiday spirit. I doubt there’s anything I could do this year to make it feel normal.”

  “Same here.” Dalton paused in front of the door leading into the main house. “I’m thankful the rest of us are together, though.”

  He made a good point.

  “It might not be the same without him but we have a lot of new family members to look forward to spending the holiday with.” Dalton glanced at her stomach with a smile.

  “Look at how much has changed in less than a year,” she said. “We have a brother and sister we never knew about. And don’t even get me started about all the love that’s come into everyone’s life.” She tried not to think about the fact that she was the only single Butler now. Besides, she was thrilled her siblings had found true love and life partners. It didn’t bother her not to be married. Being around all that love made her realize what she was missing in her life, what she would never have with Rory... Stability. He would always have a need to take off and live off the land. Whereas, she wanted a nice house on the ranch and plenty of space to bring up her daughters while being surrounded by the same love she’d known as a kid.

  “This past year has taught me how important family is. I guess I’ve always taken it for granted that we’d be here for each other. Are you still thinking about staying on in Colorado?” he asked.

  “How’d you know that?” The only person she’d admitted that to was Rory.

  “After all the time you were spending there, it seemed like the next logical step for you,” he admitted.

  “Not anymore. I’d like to build a small house for me and the girls right here at Hereford, where we belong.”

  “Sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all day,” he said with a genuine smile before opening the door to their family home.

  Ella rushed to the kitchen and wrapped Cadence in a warm hug. May followed, as did the newest Butler sister, Madelyn. Cadence embraced her soon-to-be sisters-in-law, Carrie, Meg and Leanne. Her new brother, Wyatt, wrapped an arm around her and gave her a quick peck on the forehead followed by a protective look. “No one’s getting through here while I’m around.”

  Wyatt fit right in with Dade and Dalton, she thought.

  Ed Staples, the family’s attorney, padded into the kitchen next. After a hug and a greeting, he glanced up at the clock on the wall. “It’s midnight. Time to get started if everyone’s ready.”

  That meant it was Christmas. For a long moment, no one spoke.

  Cadence got lost in memories of waiting up with her brothers and sister every Christmas Eve. When the clock struck midnight, they would gather in the main living room, scattering around the Christmas tree. May was there right alongside them with a tray of freshly baked cookies and glasses of milk. Their father would hand out presents and she could see the gleam in his eyes so clearly even now. It was the one time he went overboard and treated them to a stack of presents. He was like a kid himself for that brief time when he helped put together train sets or Hot Wheels tracks and then beamed as he sipped coffee and watched each of his kids with smiles plastered on their faces. They’d stay awake until the sun came up and then crash until supper.

  She might not have her father anymore but she had those memories. In an odd way, remembering him made it feel like he was still present and it comforted her.

  An instant later, it was like everyone in the room had the same idea at exactly the same time. Synchronicity.

  “Merry Christmas,” Cadence said to her brother Dade, who had moved next to her before embracing her in a warm hug.

  “Merry Christmas, little sis,” Dade said before they both moved on to pass holiday greetings onto someone else. Ella and Madelyn hugged and a few tears were shed.

  Eventually, everyone filed into the main living area and took seats. Cadence glanced around, wishing Rory was there, too. There was no telling what dangers he faced outside and a thought struck her that something could’ve happened to him.

  He might’ve encountered Dex or one of the others.

  A tree branch scraped across the window, causing her to gasp. Others froze.

  It was easy to see that everyone was on edge.

  “Thank you to everyone for being here,” Ed said. “I know your father would hate to miss a gathering like this and especially on Christmas.”

  “He always did like a good party,” Ella agreed, and those who knew him best chuckled at the fond memory. It was true.

  “And he loved to be the center of attention. Although, he’d never admit it,” Cadence added.

  Heads nodded and smiles brightened everyone’s faces. She glanced at Wyatt and Madelyn before realizing they had no memories of their father. How sad was that? To grow up never knowing who their father was. She could help them in that department if they’d let her.

  Ed held up a yellow legal-sized envelope and opened the clasp. On a sigh, he said, “Let’s begin.”

  The ticking clock made Cadence’s pulse kick up. Where was Rory?

  She focused on Ed, trying to block out the fear that something had happened to him.

  “To my family,

  “First of all, I’d like to wish y’all a Merry Christmas. I’m sorry that I won’t be there this year to join you for presents and our traditional meal.”

  Shocked gasps echoed throughout the large space.

  “How on earth is this possible?” Cadence asked under her breath, but others said similar things. “Could he have known all along that he was being targeted for murder?”r />
  Ed gave a noncommittal shrug. “He never said anything to me about it.”

  When she really thought about it, it was the only thing that made sense. He’d left letters for most of the others that had given them the closure they needed to be at peace with their complicated relationships with him.

  But one part didn’t add up. Her father had never been the roll-over-and-die type. Why would he let a murderer prance onto the property and shoot him in cold blood?

  Logic said he might not’ve known how or when exactly it was going to happen. But had he expected it? Had he seen it coming somehow?

  Once the room quieted down again, Ed continued reading.

  “I’ve never been a sentimental man, but I have loved every one of you in my own way. My biggest regret in life is that I wasn’t a good enough father. It’s my final hope that you can find forgiveness in your hearts for a foolish man who learned what was truly important a little too late in life.”

  Ed paused, clearly becoming emotional. He mumbled an apology before continuing.

  “To each of my six children I leave equal division of the ranch and my assets with the exception of a million dollars in cash and the main house, both of which go to May Apreas. Her faithful years of service, kindness and generosity have gone well above and beyond the call of duty. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, May.”

  Smiles wrapped everyone’s faces who’d been touched by May. The gifts to her were so well deserved.

  Ed explained that rights to the main house would revert to the children following May’s death.

  “To Dade. I was the hardest on you and could never figure out how to fix it. You are so much like me that it scared me. I didn’t want you to make the same mistakes I did. My failed attempts to build a bridge of communication recently are not your fault. They belong to me. I failed you, not the other way around. I am sorry. Forgiveness for my sake is too much to ask. So, do it for yours. It’s taken a lifetime for me to figure out that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves, not the other way around. I hope you can be free of the same burdens I carried that kept me from being able to let everyone know how dear y’all are to me. How proud I am of each one of you.”