by Kim Redford
Chapter 36
Ivy teetered on the edge of midnight between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, between city and country, between past and present. She wanted to tip over the edge and grasp the other side with both hands…but not alone.
She glanced over at Slade. No, not alone.
He drove out of Wildcat Hall’s parking lot, which was packed with vehicles of all makes, models, and sizes. He hit Wildcat Road and headed toward Steele Trap Ranch II, moonlight turning the pavement into a silver ribbon as if gift-wrapped for this special occasion.
“I feel guilty we didn’t stay to see our Honky-Tonk Christmas through to the end,” she said.
“We didn’t have much choice.”
“But—”
“After we won ‘Couple most likely to soon be dancin’ down the aisle,’ it was all going to be downhill from there.”
She rolled her eyes. “They practically kicked us out.”
“Everybody knew you needed a break, so give yourself one, too.”
“It’s just that I like to complete what I start.”
“Alicia was happy to take over for you. Jack and Eden needed no help. Craig and his cowboy band know what they’re doing.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Bottom line, you got the ball rolling, and that’s what counts. Let the others do their jobs now.”
She leaned her head back against the seat, sighing in relief. “You won’t get an argument from me.”
“Good.”
“We won everything, didn’t we? The trail drive. The cattle rustlers. The Honky-Tonk Christmas.”
“Yeah…but we won the most important thing on the dance floor.”
She glanced over at him. “What’s that?”
He smiled at her, then looked back at the road. “How soon do you want to go ‘dancin’ down the aisle’?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m asking you to marry me. I figure I’ve been asking you to marry me since the moment I met you.”
“You’re asking me here and now?”
“Should I pull off the road and get down on a knee?”
“Don’t be silly.”
“I’m not. I’m as serious as I can be.”
She looked at him, realizing this was it. He’d popped the question in his pickup truck on Wildcat Road. On one hand, it wasn’t at all romantic, but on the other hand, it was just perfect. He was country…and now, so was she.
“It needs a lot of thought?”
She chuckled, leaning over and planting a kiss on his cheek. “It needs no thought at all. I’ll marry you. And if you want, we can dance down the aisle together.”
“Tell you the truth, the dance is optional, but the marriage isn’t.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Good. I got you a ring.”
“Really?”
“Morning Glory said if I was getting you jewelry for Christmas I better make it an important piece.”
“How important?” She smiled, enjoying teasing him.
“It’s the next step after the belt buckle.”
“That’s pretty important.”
“Better be. It’s a lifetime commitment.” He glanced at her. “I’m serious. It’s all or nothing.”
“Do you think I can’t commit to you?”
“Your family does appear to have a few commitment issues.”
“That’s all in the past…at least, for me.” She smiled, feeling her words go deep and lodge inside her.
He glanced at her again. “In that case, you get the ring.”
“When?”
“At the ranch house…our home now.”
“It’s sort of half a house.”
“Now that I’ve got a good reason, I’ll get right to work on it.”
“I can go quite a while on that bedroom and bath alone.”
“That’s where I’m taking you the minute we get there.”
“The bath?”
“No. The bed.”
“I might need some help getting out of this outfit.” She smiled to herself, imagining him taking his time undressing her. “There’s a corset, stockings, layers of petticoats, and—”
“Stop. You had me at corset. Any more and we won’t make it home.”
“I guess you’ll just have to find out the rest for yourself.”
“Can we play dance hall darling and her daring gunslinger?”
She swatted his arm, laughing. “I can see you’re determined to torment me tonight.”
“Trust me, I’m just getting started.”
“That’s just it. I do trust you.” And she was suddenly serious, because she did trust him—with her life and with her heart.
He reached over and squeezed her hand again. “You won’t regret trusting me. I’ll never let you down.”
“I’ve got your back, too.”
“Let’s go dancin’ down the aisle soon.” He turned off Wildcat Road and drove under the sign for Steele Trap Ranch II.
He slowed down across from Fernando’s favorite pond and pointed at it. “Looks empty, doesn’t it?”
“I’m sorry to say there’s no big, black bull relaxing in it.” She felt a deep loss at the sight. “Storm’s going to be terribly disappointed because he didn’t make it back to the ranch.”
“It’s not Christmas Day yet.”
“I know, but it’s too close for comfort now.”
“Everything’s gone so well,” he said. “I guess we can’t have it all.”
“I guess not, but so many people are counting on him.”
“We’ve done the best we can do. It’s all up to Fernando now. He’ll make it back in time for Christmas…or he won’t.” Slade drove on up the road, leaving the empty pond behind them.
“Home,” she whispered, almost to herself. “I’m really finally home.”
“That’s right.” Slade stopped in front of the ranch house, where lights illuminated the rock walls and big windows, giving the building a warm, cozy, inviting appearance.
“It’s beautiful here.”
He turned to her. “It’s not the house, the land, the cattle, the horses…or even Fernando. What makes this place home is us. As long as we’re together, we’re home.”
“Oh, Slade, I do love you so.” She reached over, tugged him toward her, and kissed his lips.
He lifted his head, looking at her with a smile. “It’s about time I heard those words from you. I love you, too.”
“Let’s get up there to that big bed of yours.”
“Our bed now.”
Chapter 37
Christmas morning, a phone ringtone woke Ivy from a deep, satisfied slumber. She cuddled closer to Slade’s warm body, feeling wonderfully happy. He’d been true to his word the previous evening in slowly, carefully unwrapping her as if she were the best Christmas present ever, and then he’d given her the best of all gifts—love. She held up her left hand to the early morning light slipping through a slight gap in the drapes. She was almost dazzled by the sparkle of an emerald and diamonds in the ring on her left finger.
Slade grumbled as he sat up and grabbed his phone.
“Look out your front window,” Oscar said, chuckling as Tater barked excitedly in the background.
“This better be good,” Slade growled back.
“It’s the best. Now take a look, get dressed, and get out here. All hell’s about to break loose.” And Oscar was gone.
“What was that?” Ivy asked, yawning.
“Merry Christmas.” Slade leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss. “Oscar. Something’s up.”
“What?”
“Don’t know.” He walked over to the front window, pulled open the drapes so sunlight brightened the room, and looked outside. He blinked hard, grinned big, and turned to her. �
��You better come here.”
“I’d hoped to sleep in with you today.”
“Come on. It’s worth it.”
She sat up, grabbed his big robe, slipped it on, and walked over to him. She leaned against his side as he put an arm around her.
“Take a look.”
She sleepily peered out the window and gasped at the sight. A big, black bull strode determinedly up the lane. He turned toward the pond, walked across short, golden grass, and eased into the water up to his belly. He lowered his head, drank deeply, and when he lifted his head, a green lily pad sat rakishly over one ear.
“Fernando made it home for Christmas.” Slade chuckled in pleasure. “Wait till Storm finds out.”
“Nothing could make her happier. I’m so happy, too. Fernando looks like he’s all dressed up for Christmas with that green lily pad hat.” Ivy hugged Slade excitedly before she danced across the room. “Did Oscar get the exact time?”
“Let me see.” He hit speed dial.
“Where are you?” Oscar growled.
“Did you get the time?”
“Yep. 09:23:18.”
“Thanks. We’ll be right down.” He disconnected as he looked at Ivy. “We’ve got the exact time, thanks to Oscar.”
“Great. Do you suppose he was up all night waiting for Fernando?”
“Wouldn’t doubt it. Tater, too.”
“They’re the best.”
“You bet.” Slade called another number and engaged speakerphone.
“Merry Christmas!” Sydney said.
“Merry Christmas to you too. Is Storm awake?”
“It’s Christmas morning. She’s been up since before dawn.”
“I’ve got good news.”
“Really? Are you truly calling to tell us Fernando made it home?”
“He’s relaxing in his favorite pond as we speak.”
Sydney let out a cowgirl yell of excitement. “Let me get Storm.”
“Uncle Slade,” Storm said breathlessly, “you wouldn’t be kidding me, would you?”
“Not about something as important as Fernando. Merry Christmas.”
“I knew he’d make it.” Storm gave a loud yell like her mother’s. “Everybody’s got to know. Did you get the time?”
“Oscar got it.”
“I’ll dress and come right over. Fernando needs me.”
“I don’t want to worry you, but after all this time, he may not be in the best shape. I haven’t been down to check on him.”
“I won’t worry. He’s Fernando, the biggest, strongest, smartest bull in the whole wide world.”
“That’s right.”
Ivy gave Slade a thumbs-up as she listened to the touching exchange. Now this Christmas was absolutely perfect.
“I’ll call Jack and let him spread the news.” Slade gave Ivy a smile as he grabbed his jeans.
“He’ll want to interview me and Fernando,” Storm said, “so I’ll wear my new pink hat and jacket.”
“Sounds good.”
“Gotta go.” And she clicked off.
Ivy walked over and hugged Slade again. “This is going to get big, isn’t it?”
“It’s already big. Now it gets bigger.”
“I’ll put up photos on Instagram. I can’t even imagine the number of likes we’ll get.”
“Plenty.” He hit speed dial again.
“I’m awake,” Jack growled, “and enjoying a cup of coffee with a lovely lady. This had better be good. Wait! Do you mean to tell me—”
“He’s cooling his feet in the pond right now.”
“Well, I’ll be. And this started out to be nothing more than a publicity stunt. Goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks.”
“I’ll let Hedy know the exact time, so she can announce the name of the winner. Some lucky person is going to be very happy.”
“I bet.”
“And just so you know, KWCB has the exclusive on Fernando.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“Y’all have been on it from the get-go, so you deserve it.”
“Let me get hold of the gang. We’ll be there in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
“Another thing,” Slade said. “What do think about contacting Jennifer Sales? She’s been supportive of Fernando and Wildcat Bluff on her news reports from the beginning.”
“I’ll do it,” Jack said. “I know her. She’s not just a pretty lady. She’s smart as a whip. If she can, I bet she’ll step out of the studio long enough to make a trip up here for an interview. If not, she might send somebody. If none of that, I’ll send her our video to use on her station.”
“Great,” Slade replied. “See you in a bit.” He looked out the window again, and sure enough, Fernando was still in the pond.
“News will spread fast now.” Ivy slipped on jeans and a red sweater she’d left there, then topped those clothes with one of Slade’s flannel shirts and rolled up the long sleeves.
He quickly pulled on clothes, watching her the entire time. “As much as I’m glad to have Fernando home, I’d planned to spend our morning in bed.”
She grinned, seeing the heat in his eyes and returning it with a hot look of her own. She raised her left hand and flashed her engagement ring. “We’ll have plenty of time later.”
“Good thing. I’ve had about as much as I can take of stuff coming between us.”
“There’ll always be stuff, but we’ll have the rest of our lives together.”
He walked over, enfolded her in his arms, and held her tight for a long moment. “That thought is all that’s holding me together right now.”
“Come on.” She picked up her phone, so she could catch Storm and Fernando’s reunion for Instagram. “Let’s go welcome Fernando home.”
As they walked out the front door hand in hand, she looked up at a beautiful blue sky with a few fluffy, white clouds on a mild winter day. It was the perfect weather for the perfect day…and a perfect walk on the ranch.
When they reached the pond, Oscar and Tater were patiently waiting a respectful distance from Fernando.
“How’s he look?” Slade asked, also keeping his distance from the massive bull.
“Far as I can tell, good.” Oscar spit to one side. “But he’s edgy.”
“No wonder.” Slade stepped closer, but Fernando swung his big head and snorted in irritation.
“Don’t make him mad,” Oscar said in warning. “We’ll never get him in his barn, or at least not without a lot of trouble.”
“I bet he’s waiting for Storm,” Ivy said. “That’ll put him in a better mood.”
“Feed is more likely to do the trick.” Oscar took off his hat and rubbed his bald head.
Slade agreed. “That, too.”
And as if the mention of Storm’s name brought her to them, a pickup pulled up, a door opened, and she jumped out. “Fernando, you’re home!”
As Storm ran toward the bull, Slade caught her and brought her up short. “Go slow. He’s had a rough time of it. Most likely he’s not in the best of moods.”
Lula Mae and Sydney stepped down from the pickup and walked over to the pond with big smiles on their faces.
“Merry Christmas,” Lula Mae said. “Storm never doubted, and here he is right back in his favorite spot.”
“He’s all decked out for Christmas. Just like me.” Storm pointed at Fernando. “Look at his green hat.”
“Wonder how he got that lily pad on top of his head,” Sydney said.
“He looks so handsome.” Storm glanced up at Slade. “Are you sure I can’t go close to him?”
“Wait a bit. Jack and Eden are coming. Once the news gets out, others, too. He might get testy.”
“I bet he’s hungry.” Storm reached out toward Fernando. “I’ve got your Christmas oats i
n the truck.”
Fernando turned his head and looked at her, patience in his dark eyes, then he went back to contemplating the horizon.
When a pickup came roaring up the road and pulled to a stop, Jack, Eden, Nathan, and Ken jumped out, carrying recording equipment.
“I almost can’t believe it,” Jack said. “But there he is, big as life.”
“I’m so excited we’re the ones who get to announce on air that Fernando is back on his ranch.” Eden gave a big grin all around. “Storm, please come a little closer so we can get you in the visual with Fernando. And of course, we want you to say a few words.”
As Wildcat Jack, Eden, and Storm moved closer to the pond, Fernando glanced toward them but made no move to leave the water. Nathan and Ken started recording and live streaming to the world.
Ivy raised her phone to capture this special moment, realizing that she was now part of this loving Steele Family, and she couldn’t have been happier about it.
“I always knew Fernando would be home for Christmas,” Storm said, looking into the camera with a sincere expression. “He’s the biggest, smartest, handsomest bull in the whole wide world.”
“How do you feel about him being back?” Eden asked.
“Happy.” Storm glanced at Slade. “It’s just that Fernando is all I wrote on my Christmas list this year.”
Slade stepped into camera range. “You want Fernando for Christmas?”
Storm bobbed her head up and down, pink cowgirl hat catching the morning sunlight. “Uncle Slade, do you think he could come live with me? He needs me…and well, I need him, too.”
Ivy felt Storm’s words tug at her heart. Maybe the big bull had been lonely in his own barn and pasture except when Storm came to visit him. She stopped recording, stepped up, and put a hand on Slade’s arm. “I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
He glanced down at her, then looked over at Lula Mae and Sydney. “What do y’all think of this idea?”
“That’s all she asked for this year,” Lula Mae said. “That’s how much he means to her.”
“It’d just require moving him from one ranch to the other,” Sydney added. “It’s doable.”
“We could fix up a barn and pasture for him,” Lula Mae said in encouragement.