The Cowboy's Christmas Baby

by Cathy McDavid

  Potentially, also a good reason to look for another job, one that paid more. Until he went to work for his dad, leastwise. Or, a second job. He could always train horses on the side or give bull riding lessons. Ava shouldn’t be deprived because her father merely scraped by.

  “Jewel.” There was so much he wanted to tell her.

  She started for the truck cab. “Maybe we should leave any further discussion of child support up to the attorneys.”

  “Right.”

  Tanner secured the latch on the horse trailer. By the time he climbed into the truck, Jewel had already placed Ava in her car seat and was sitting behind the wheel. They drove to Powell Ranch in silence.

  Evening had long fallen when they passed Sweetheart Ranch. In the dark, the Christmas decorations twinkled merrily. Tanner barely noticed. Neither, it appeared, did Jewel.

  * * *

  TANNER’S HORSE SAW the rattlesnake before anyone else. A split second after the horse jerked sideways, huffing and puffing with fright, Tanner heard the distinctive rattling to his left.

  “Whoa, boy.”

  Pulling back on the reins, he looked down in the direction of the sound. The snake, coiled into a tight circle at the base of a rock, its tail vibrating, raised its head as if preparing to strike.

  “Watch it!” he hollered over his shoulders to the five riders behind him and pointed. “There’s a rattler by that boulder. Get off the trail now.”

  He swung his horse to the right. Four of the five riders followed him off the trail and down the slight incline. The last one stopped his horse to take a picture with his phone. The mare he rode wisely refused to get close and resisted all prodding on his part.

  “Hey, buddy.” Tanner reined to a stop and spoke firmly. “I strongly advise against that.”

  The man snapped a picture anyway before the mare took matters into her own hands, or hooves, in this case, and hurried away to join the others.

  “I thought rattlesnakes went into hibernation during the winter,” the man said, his face flush with excitement.

  “They do generally stick to their dens. But we’ve had a warm spell this week.”

  Tanner was annoyed with the man and strove to keep his voice level. The danger from the snake hadn’t been too great. More likely, the mare would have spooked and bolted and the man toppled off—potentially injuring himself or the horse or his fellow riders. The fact he’d signed a waiver before the trail ride didn’t mean Tanner would let him do anything foolhardy.

  Leading trail rides wasn’t his normal job. And Sundays were supposed to be his day off. But Sawyer had called in sick. The young wrangler had tried his hand at the recreational bull riding last night and taken a pretty bad spill. One of the other wranglers had shown Tanner the video he’d taken with his phone, having himself a good laugh at Sawyer’s expense.

  Tanner had grimaced. He knew from experience the poor kid was fortunate to have walked away with a few sprains and bruises. That bull had meant business.

  He’d have handled the ride differently. Put more of his weight into the lower half of his body. And raised his hand higher for better balance. But Sawyer wasn’t a professional bull rider. Merely a twenty-year-old adrenaline junkie without a lick of sense. Or maybe he’d been showing off for some girl. Either way, he was out of commission for the next couple of days and Tanner would be covering for him. He had another trail ride scheduled for later this afternoon.

  It could be worse, he supposed. The McDowell Mountain Preserve offered some pretty spectacular views of the valley and the distant cites of Scottsdale and Phoenix.

  The rides also afforded him plenty of opportunity to think. Today, his mind was on his conversation with Jewel after yesterday’s barrel racing. He wished the subject of Ava’s custody didn’t always circle back to the cheating scandal. He also wished he’d been competing. Seeing the bulls being unloaded had stirred a lot of memories. Tanner missed his former life with a longing he hadn’t thought possible. The bull riding and Jewel.

  Would he trade that for his brother’s happiness and health? No. Probably not. Darn, the question had been easier to answer before Jewel had reappeared in his life and he’d learned he was a father.

  Twenty minutes later, he led the group of riders onto Powell Ranch. At the hitching rail outside the horse barn, they dismounted, thanked Tanner and meandered off toward their various vehicles. He could hear one couple making plans to continue their visit to “the cowboy town” with a beer at the Poco Dinero.

  He was brushing down the last horse when Ethan approached. Tanner couldn’t help noticing the man’s limp was especially pronounced today.

  “Appreciate you taking the customers out today,” he said upon reaching Tanner. Wincing, he stretched out his bum leg and leaned an elbow on the hitching rail. “I know trail rides aren’t your favorite.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “That’s the thing. You do whatever’s asked of you. No complaints. I like that.”

  “You gave me a job and a place to stay when I needed them. I’m grateful.”

  Ethan leaned forward and rubbed his knee where the prosthetic joined his leg. “Looks like I’ll be having surgery soon. After the holidays.”

  “Nothing serious, I hope.”

  “I have some worsening nerve damage. It happens sometimes with amputated limbs. I’ve been having injections and doing physical therapy. They aren’t working.”

  Tanner had had no idea Ethan was suffering to such an extent—he didn’t talk much about his health issues. But Tanner was a little familiar with nerve damage, having known several bull riders with similar ailments, the result of being tossed or trampled by an angry eighteen-hundred-pound bull.

  “Sorry to hear that,” Tanner said. “Let me know if you need help with anything.”

  “Glad you brought that up.” Ethan grinned. “Doc tells me I have to step back a bit. Claims I’m putting too many demands on my bum leg.” He waited to continue until Tanner had untied the lead rope from the rail and they’d started toward the barn. “I’d like to promote you to head barn manager.”

  The announcement caused Tanner to stop in his tracks. Though his title was assistant barn manager, there wasn’t an official head barn manager. Ethan filled the job, along with his other responsibilities as co-owner of the ranch with his brother.

  “You serious?”

  “Very. Job comes with a raise.” Ethan named an amount that equaled a 20 percent increase. “I’m willing to bump that up a bit more after three months, if things work out.”

  “Wow.” It was a generous offer. “Thanks.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Can I think about it?” They reached the outdoor stalls where the trail horses were kept. Tanner returned the gelding to his stall, removing the halter before shutting the door behind him. “Jewel and I haven’t decided on Ava’s custody yet.”

  “Take your time. Like I said, I won’t be having the surgery until after the holidays.”

  “It means a lot to me. The promotion and your trust. The thing is...”

  “You don’t have to explain. You have a daughter now. She comes first.” Ethan gave Tanner’s shoulder an understanding squeeze. “We’ll talk again.”

  Tanner nodded, a surge of unexpected emotion filling his chest. “You’re a good friend. And a good boss.”

  “You’ve had some tough breaks, pal. Glad I can help.”

  Once Ethan left, Tanner returned to the bunkhouse. He was in dire need of a pick-me-up. While the automatic coffee maker brewed, he swept the kitchen floor. Housework was another domestic skill he’d mastered this past year and one he didn’t mind. The small bunkhouse required no more than an hour or two to whip into shape.

  Besides, the mundane work, like the trail ride earlier, gave him an opportunity to think. While he sipped his coffee and tackled the bathroom, he considered the job o
ffer from Ethan.

  There were a lot of pros. The increase in salary would enable him to pay more child support. That went a long way in making him feel like a worthy provider. He also liked his job at Powell Ranch and knew himself capable of handling increased responsibility. Lastly, he didn’t want to let Ethan down, not after everything he’d done for Tanner.

  Then again, he’d hate to accept the job only to leave Ethan in a pinch if he wound up joining Jewel in Oklahoma or on the rodeo circuit. There was also his potential position at his dad’s firm, assuming nothing materialized with the arena owners. On the other hand, should Tanner be sued, he’d be glad for his job at Powell Ranch—though Ethan deserved more than being a plan B.

  Tanner was returning the vacuum to the closet—his mind continuing to bounce back and forth—when his phone rang. He hurried to the kitchen table and saw Daniel’s photo filling the screen. Speak of the devil.

  Unsure of his brother’s mood, he answered with an upbeat, “Hey, how’s it going?”

  “Fair to middling.” Daniel sounded chipper. A good sign.

  They chatted for a few minutes about Ava and their Christmas Day brunch at the golf resort. Daniel and his family were planning on attending and were looking forward to meeting Ava. Another good sign.

  “How are you and Rosalyn doing?”

  Obviously the wrong question to ask. Daniel grumbled under his breath before answering.

  “Not great. She says she’ll stay through the holidays, for the kids’ sakes. After that, she’s thinking we should take a break. Whatever that means.”

  “I’m sorry, man.”

  “Me, too. I hate this disease, hate the meds, hate the side effects of the surgery. They’ve turned me into someone I don’t recognize anymore. I’ve made Rosalyn and the kids miserable, and I hate that, too.”

  “None of this is your fault, bro. You’re trying your best.”

  Even as he said it, Tanner was struck with doubts. Not to minimize Daniel’s condition, but he sometimes used it as an excuse not to try harder or in a bid for sympathy.

  The next instant, Tanner berated himself for being unfair and a poor excuse for a brother. He wasn’t battling brain cancer, and he was in no position to judge.

  “Listen,” Daniel continued, “I’m hoping you’ll do me a favor.”

  “Name it.”

  “Can you take me Christmas shopping? For Rosalyn.”

  “When and where?”

  Daniel also hated being unable to drive and relying on others to transport him where he needed to go. But between his slowed reaction time and significant loss of mobility in his right leg, not to mention the dizziness and drowsiness caused by his meds, he wasn’t allowed to get behind the wheel. They’d hoped, with enough physical therapy and exercises designed to reteach his brain, he might one day be able to drive again and ride a horse. That hope had been dashed at his last doctor’s appointment. Climbing onto the back of a bucking bull was completely out of the question regardless of the circumstances.

  “How about today?” He named an upscale department store not too far from his home. “They’re advertising a holiday jewelry sale. Rosalyn loves emeralds. Thought I’d buy her a pair of earrings.”

  An extravagant gift and one Daniel likely couldn’t afford. Tanner gave his brother kudos for trying and hoped Rosalyn would recognize and appreciate the effort.

  “See you in an hour,” Tanner said before disconnecting.

  Maybe he could pick up some presents for Ava while they were out. The store must have a children’s department. What did one buy a nearly five-month-old baby? His mom would have an idea. Tanner decided to call her from the store.

  Getting Jewel a Christmas gift also occurred to him during the drive to Daniel’s. A year ago, he’d have already bought her one. Now, he hesitated.

  It was nearly four o’clock when Tanner arrived at Daniel’s house. He had only a few minutes to visit with Rosalyn and his niece and nephew, who were all excited about having a new member of the family and insisted on seeing pictures despite Daniel rushing Tanner out the front door.

  Tanner didn’t linger. Rosalyn was clearly stressed, something her enthusiasm about Christmas Day and meeting Ava failed to hide. Her smile appeared forced, and she’d lost even more weight. When Daniel went to kiss her goodbye, she turned her head and presented her cheek. Tanner pretended not to notice, ruffling his two-year-old nephew’s hair and tweaking his four-year-old niece’s nose.

  “You behave for your mom,” he told them. “Santa’s watching.”

  Daniel struggled to get into Tanner’s truck, refusing to accept help and using only his cane for support. When his right foot caught in the door, preventing it from closing, he swore under his breath and wrenched his foot free. They rode in silence for a while, until the storm clouds brewing on Daniel’s face fully retreated.

  Things went a little smoother at the store. Daniel was able to find a pair of earrings Rosalyn was sure to love, and Tanner had to agree they were pretty. With his mom’s assistance, Tanner narrowed his gift choices for Ava to a plush doll, a pair of purple-and-pink footed pajamas and an activity toy with farm animals.

  At the last minute, he chose a leather wallet for Jewel, satisfied it didn’t say, I still care for you and want to resolve our problems so we can be together, which was how he felt. Given the choice, he’d be buying her a pair of earrings, only his would match the diamond engagement ring she’d returned to him through his parents and that he’d kept.

  Packages in hand, Tanner and Daniel headed for the store exit. Daniel’s mood had improved during the shopping excursion, his expectations for the earrings high.

  Tanner had lower expectations where the wallet was concerned. Until Jewel learned the truth about Daniel bribing the judge and not Tanner, they wouldn’t—couldn’t—resolve their problems.

  Rather than ask his brother to come clean and start another argument, Tanner tried a different approach.

  “Knowing what you know now, would you have acted differently?”

  “What do you mean?” Daniel hedged.

  “Not tried to bribe that judge. Heck, you won, anyway.” While Tanner had been banned from competing.

  They left the store behind and entered the crowded mall, walking slowly toward the bank of glass exit doors. Daniel’s leg had started to bother him, and he limped painfully.

  “That really eats at you, doesn’t it?” he grumbled.

  “Yeah, it does. I sacrificed a lot for you. And all for nothing.”

  “I’ve apologized. Plenty. What more do you want?”

  “To tell Jewel the truth.”

  They both stopped and glowered at each other, mindless of the people forced to navigate around them.

  Daniel’s features turned dark and threatening, and he wobbled unsteadily. “You’ll ruin everything for me.”

  “I’ll ruin everything? I’m not the one who set this entire catastrophe in motion. Any consequences are your fault. But somehow I’m the one constantly making sacrifices and constantly paying the price.”

  “And I’m the one with brain cancer.” He gripped his cane with such force his knuckles paled.

  They were both silent for a moment, their respective tempers simmering but not waning.

  “This isn’t a contest about who’s lost the most,” Daniel said after a moment.

  “But I didn’t need to lose anything. You shouldn’t have approached that judge, and Dad shouldn’t have asked me to take the fall for you.”

  “You volunteered.”

  “After you pleaded with me and he pressured me.”

  “I didn’t think it would turn into such a big deal.”

  Neither had Tanner. His mistake. “I lost the woman I loved, Daniel. And I may lose custody of my daughter. Jewel could potentially use the cheating attempt against me.” The attorney Tanner had retained, the
one recommended by Bridwell and Associate’s legal counsel, had given him that piece of less-than-glad tidings the other day.

  Daniel fought to maintain his balance. “And I could lose my wife and children.”

  “Not because of me,” Tanner insisted. “And maybe not if you told Rosalyn the truth.”

  “Poor Tanner. You’re just a helpless victim that everyone takes advantage of.” Daniel’s razor-sharp tone cut deep.

  Tanner’s, too. “You made a bad decision last year in Vegas. And you’ve followed it up with more bad decisions and dragging me down with you. Me. The guy who’s always had your back.”

  “Did it ever occur to you that I wasn’t thinking clearly?”

  “That’s the only reason I agreed to take the fall for you and why I’m convinced Rosalyn will understand. It’s also why the arena owners won’t win if they come after us.”

  For a moment, Daniel appeared to soften. The next instant, he shook his head and trudged forward, dragging his right leg.

  “Too risky.”

  Tanner chased after him. “Come on, Daniel. Be reasonable. At least think about it.”

  Daniel ignored him. Ten feet later, he nearly collided with a trio of shoppers absorbed in conversation and not looking where they were going. In his attempt to avoid them, his bum leg failed him, and he almost fell. He would have if not for Tanner grabbing his arm and holding him steady.

  “Leave me alone,” Daniel snapped and shook free.

  Tanner let go and watched as his brother vented his frustrations on the double glass exit doors, beating on one with his fist.

  He’d have liked to vent some of his anger on the glass door, too, and would have if he wasn’t certain someone would call security.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  JEWEL TROTTED TEDDY BEAR toward the arena gate where Ronnie stood waiting to confer with her after their lesson. The big gelding breathed heavily, his flanks expanding and contracting with each step. Like before, he’d given his best.