The Texan's Surprise Return

by Jolene Navarro

  “Oh, no. Are you okay?”

  “I relived the incident. I mean, I think I did. I still don’t really know what happened, but I remembered my thoughts. What was going through my head. I had it all wrong.”

  She laid her hand over his. “Was it horrible?”

  “That’s not what brought me back. My brain hadn’t been telling me to get back and finish the job in Colombia. My last thoughts before the explosion had been to get back to you. I had decided that would be my last job. I know I had said that before. This time I was coming home to you to stay. My place, my home, my heart is with you. I love you and I want to be the man you need.”

  A heavy pressure squeezed her chest. “What?” He couldn’t be saying what she thought she was hearing. “Xavier—”

  “Hey,” her father yelled. “The boys are hungry. How about we go in and get some lunch?” The toddlers cheered, and he lifted Sawyer over his shoulder. “I’ll take them in and you two can finish up your talk.”

  Her father looked happier and more carefree than he had in years. Her gaze stayed on them until the door closed behind the foursome.

  She was afraid to look at Xavier. Things had changed too fast. Her world was shifting faster than she could keep up. Could she trust this new reality?

  “Selena, I love you.” He grabbed her hand and led her to the trees. “That last negative pregnancy test before I left. I told you it was for the best. I didn’t mean it. I was lost, afraid and stupid. I just wanted you to smile again and I didn’t think I could give you the happiness you deserve. I’m still pretty sure you deserve better than me, but I want the chance to show you how much I love you.”

  He pointed to the trees. “There’s a reason for these trees. I wanted to do something for our first Christmas together as a family. Something that would last through the years. Years I want to spend with you.”

  She swayed as her blood rushed through her heart. Could she trust what she was hearing? The trees. He had planted Christmas trees with the boys. “I can’t believe you planted them today.”

  “Elijah helped.” His strong hand cupped her neck, the rough skin on his thumb gently caressing the area next to her ear. “I failed you. All you ever wanted was a family, a place where children could grow up. A place you could make into a permanent home.” He nodded to the trees. “I’ll be here each year with our family to decorate these trees. The roots will go deep as our boys grow.”

  “Oh, Xavier.” She was so afraid to grab him. There had been so many times in her sleep he had seemed real enough to touch. She’d reach out to hold him, feel his warmth, but he would vanish before she could touch him.

  “I’m going to be here for every memory going forward. I didn’t understand that until I was in Colombia. Missing you so much it hurt.” He wrapped her in his arms. “You had to be hurting even more and I—”

  “I closed you out. Pushed you away.” This time, she held him close. She closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat.

  This man had the power to make her feel safe. He also had the power to hurt her. Could she trust him again?

  “Preciosa, you were hurting, and I left you alone. I failed you. But I’m here now,” he whispered. “I remember you. I remember our love and the heartache. The day you told me the fertility treatment had failed. You were crying so hard, I was scared. I just wanted you to be happy.”

  “You told me that it was for the best that there was no baby. I didn’t understand why you would say that. I thought you wanted children as much as I did.”

  “I did. I was stupid and thought if I could make you think it wasn’t the end of the world you’d smile again. I’d have done anything to make you smile.” His arms tightened around her. “I’m so sorry. I thought those words would help remove the burden you had placed on yourself. I didn’t know what to say. Please forgive me.”

  “This is all too much. Just this morning you were leaving. Now you have all your memories and you’re here planting trees.” Had the temperature dropped? Her hands were cold and tucking them into her jacket wasn’t helping.

  Stepping back, he nodded to the little Cypress trees. “I know they aren’t real Christmas trees, but they are close. I planted the trees with the boys to represent our new future together as a family. I love you, Selena. I have from the first time I saw you on the beach.”

  Needing space, she turned from him and looked at the trees that her sons had helped plant. Xavier said he wanted to be here, but... It’s what she dreamed of, but fear was her weakness.

  Coming up behind her, he pulled her against his chest. His warmth surrounded her. The stubble along his jaw was rough as he kissed her temple.

  “Xavier, I’m just—”

  “Shh. Don’t say anything. I know it’s sudden and you might have your doubts. You have every right not to trust my words. But I promise, I’m not going anywhere. Christmas soon. I have some ideas about the future, but for now, let’s enjoy the holiday and focus on the boys. I know they’re just words but let me show you how much I love you. Please, give me a second chance with your heart.”

  She needed to trust God and live fearless.

  She turned in his arms and pressed her cheek against the steady rhythm in his chest. “You’ve always had my heart. It was my faith that faltered. What about the children you help? How can you—”

  “There are other ways to help. I was running from myself, my legacy. Trying to prove I was good enough. I didn’t have anything to prove. I’m not my father. I’m your husband, and that’s good enough for me. God will show us the rest.”

  His lips pressed against her temple, and then he lifted her chin with his finger. “I love you.” His lips gently caressed hers.

  This was where she belonged. Where he belonged. “I love you, too.” Then she deepened the kiss. He was hers again.

  This Christmas she would have her family all around the tree. It was a gift she had been too afraid to even ask for.

  Epilogue

  Rain drummed against the metal roof of the ranch house as wind rattled the windows. Xavier pulled the curtain back to study the night sky, then checked the news again. The storm was hitting hard, but it was predicted to clear out within the next hour.

  It had been a cold, wet Christmas Day. He glanced over his shoulder. His nieces had the boys absorbed in a game they had received for Christmas. Selena was laughing with Belle and Jazmine as they put away the dishes Elijah was washing.

  With his intel, the team had been able to go in an extract the young boy. He touched the green envelope on the counter. He had read the letter from Brenda Davies to the point of having it memorized. She thanked him for helping get her nephew out of Colombia safely. He could still get the job done without going himself.

  “Did you wrap the pipes? It looks like it might freeze,” Riff hollered from the living room where he and Miguel were watching TV. “We can get that done before we leave.”

  “I got it covered,” Belle said, then laughed. “Get it? Covered?”

  Selena groaned. “So lame. Do bad jokes run in the family?”

  The branches of the giant oak beat on the side of the house. All the kids stopped what they were doing and ran to the sliding glass door in the living room. Oliver went to his mother and held his hands up. “Hold you.”

  She picked him up, and then Selena and Belle joined the kids and looked out into the stormy darkness. “Maybe y’all should stay over,” Belle suggested. “We can extend Christmas till tomorrow.”

  That got the kids excited.

  “Or maybe we should leave now before it gets worse,” Selena offered.

  If the storm didn’t move on soon, Xavier’s plans would have to be put on hold. Maybe that was better. Tonight was too soon. It hadn’t been that long since he’d decided to stay. But he knew what he wanted. There was no doubt in his mind that this was where he belonged.

  Drying his hands
on a dish towel, Elijah bumped him, shoulder to shoulder. “No second thoughts, right?” he said, his voice pitched low so no one else would hear him.

  “We can’t do it with the storm.” Xavier looked down at the weather report on his phone.

  “Sure, we can. I can handle a little rain.” He tossed the towel and leaned his hip on the edge of the counter. “What about your plans for the ranch? Have you been able to talk to Trent and Beto?”

  He nodded. “They’re interested. Belle’s set aside time to meet with them and show them the property. I think it would work, Elijah. This can be a safe place for some of the victims that have nowhere to go. We’ve got the cabins and—” He dropped the curtain and looked at Elijah. “Sorry. You already know all this.”

  “I think it’s a great idea. Not sure how we’re going to fund it, but if God has the plan, it’ll happen. You’ve got our support. Belle and I talked about selling parts of the ranch. We’re sitting on a fortune with the coastal frontage, but we don’t want just anyone moving in.”

  Their conversation was cut short when Jazz held up a bag of marshmallows and some chocolate. “Hey, guys, our bonfire got rained out, but we can move to the screened-in porch for hot cocoa and Christmas cookies.”

  Selena grabbed the tub of leftover cookies. “Buelita’s already out there listening to the rain.” She turned to Xavier and Elijah. “Want to join us?”

  “We’ll be right there.” Elijah fixed Xavier with a hard glare. “This is your time. I’m going to the barn, so there’s no turning back.” He stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jacket and grinned like an idiot. Then he headed out the back door, through the porch and across the field to the barn that was visible from the back of the house.

  Selena managed to get everyone settled in a circle as she passed out the drinks and cookies. Cassie wanted to read the boys their new picture books.

  It hit him again, for the umpteenth time. This was family, home and love. All the good stuff Selena brought into his life.

  He walked to the far side of the porch and looked up at the sky. The rain had stopped, and he saw a sliver of moon peek between the clouds.

  A hint of doubt danced down his spine. What if she wasn’t ready? He was still a stranger to her. If he moved too fast, he could lose everything. He dropped his head and rolled his neck. God, I’m handing this over to You.

  A hesitant touch claimed his attention. “Xavier? Are you okay?” Selena asked. “I’m sorry. We should have done a quiet dinner at our house instead of at the ranch.”

  “No. This was great. We had Christmas Eve in town. This was perfect.”

  Her loose bun was coming undone and a few dark curls fell around her face. There was concern in those huge amber eyes. “But the memories from the past Christmases with your father—”

  He leaned in and placed a fingertip over her lips. “The past doesn’t have any power over me anymore. My present is wherever you are. And our future is sitting behind you, surrounded by family. All those little ones. The next generation will have roots that give them the freedom to fly. For them, the ranch is a safe place to grow and land when they need it.”

  Tears glistened in her eyes. “I’m so proud of you. I hope the plans for making this a sanctuary for those in need works. It would be an amazing legacy.”

  “You and the boys are my legacy.”

  “Mama, look!”

  All the kids stood up and went to the railing, looking through the screen. Even the adults stood to look out into the night. Miguel was the only one who hung back, a smirk on his face.

  Selena turned and gasped. “Who—”

  Taking her hand, Xavier kept his gaze on her face. She was staring, mouth open, at the lettering formed by tiny white lights that he, Elijah and Miguel had done early that morning.

  “What does it say?” Lucy asked.

  “Did Santa do that? Who’s it for?” Rosie had her fingers intertwined in excitement.

  Xavier’s heart pounded so hard against his chest, it was hard to breathe. He couldn’t tell what Selena was thinking.

  He dropped to one knee and reached for Selena’s left hand. He took the ring out of his pocket and held it up to her. Tears were streaming down her face. His lungs seized. Was she happy or upset?

  He blinked and looked at the barn. In white Christmas lights, he had asked “Will You Marry Me?” But something was missing. He frowned. The next word, in colored lights, should be blinking, but it just looked like a weird loop.

  “What’s that dangly thing at the end?” Buelita asked.

  Miguel laughed. “I think that was supposed to be a g.”

  A loud whack filled the night and then the lights came on. Colorful blinking lights that read “again.”

  Maybe he should have done this privately. Their whole family was staring at them now. “Selena, I know it’s been hard the last few years. It’s made us both stronger and I know without a doubt what I want. I want to start every morning with you. I want to be by your side as we watch our boys grow. I said we could take our time, but time is not going to change how I feel about you. I want to repeat my vows to you. I know that I’m not perfect, but we’re perfect together.”

  “Oh, Xavier.” She crossed her hands over her chest. “All I ever wanted was you, and a family together.” She glanced through the screen at the illuminated proposal, then back at him. “Yes. I want to start the New Year with you as my husband.”

  He took her hand and fingered her old wedding band.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I had another band made to go with your old wedding ring. It’s to symbolize the new life we’ll have together, built on the hope we had when we said our vows the first time.” He took it out of his pocket and held it up.

  “Oh, it’s gorgeous.” A tear landed on his hand as he slipped the ring onto her finger.

  “I know that technically we’re still married, but will you stand with me and repeat our vows?”

  “Yes. Yes. Yes. The sooner the better.”

  The audience they forgot laughed. Once Selena looked their way, the tidal wave of well wishes and backslaps was unleashed. Elijah stepped onto the porch and the kids jumped him.

  Everyone had an opinion, which they put forth the rest of the evening. Xavier kept an arm around Selena’s shoulder all night. He had his wife back and he wasn’t letting her go.

  “Do you think Pastor Douse will lead our renewal on New Year’s? I want to start the year strong with my bride.”

  “I would love that.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Thank you for making this the best Christmas, from start to finish,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “Good cheer to all.” He waved a hand toward the family. He turned to her and put both arms around her. “I love you so much. Merry Christmas.”

  And it was a very merry Christmas, one of many to come.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed this story, look for

  The Texan’s Secret Daughter from Jolene Navarro.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from His Christmas Redemption by Danica Favorite.

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome back to the Diamondback Ranch. In The Texan’s Secret Daughter, I had another secret. I couldn’t wait to tell you that Selena’s husband was alive. I couldn’t wait to get Xavier on the page. I knew it would be a tough journey.

  Winning back someone’s love and trust is not easy and it shouldn’t be, but with God, Selena and Xavier were able to reclaim the lives He had meant for them.

  Then there were the triplets. I had so much fun doing research into the lives of two-year-old triplets. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

  On a serious note, I want to acknowledge the work that inspired Xavier’s career choices.

  The heartbreaking truth is the work Xavier does is very real and needed. It was inspired by a group called Op
eration Underground Railroad led by Tim Ballard. With the work groups like this do around the world, children are finding liberation.

  Thank you for visiting my fictional coastal town of Port Del Mar (Port by the Sea). This is the second book in the Cowboys of Diamondback Ranch. If you missed the first, you can read Elijah and Jazmine’s story in The Texan’s Secret Daughter.

  Many blessings,

  Jolene Navarro

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

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  His Christmas Redemption

  by Danica Favorite

  Chapter One

  Lance Drummond had never expected to find himself on his ex-wife’s doorstep. But he’d also never expected that his entire future would hinge upon her. At least not since their divorce. After all, they’d divorced for a reason. Not his reasons, but when someone told you they didn’t want to be married to you anymore, and counseling wasn’t working, the gentlemanly thing to do was to let that person out.

  Besides, wasn’t there a saying that if you loved someone, you should set them free? He’d set Erin free, but sometimes his heart told him he was the biggest of all fools. Not just in letting her go, but for still wanting her in the first place. He’d had reasons of his own to want out of the marriage. But where he came from, when you made someone a promise before God and your family, you kept it. He might not have a great relationship with God these days, but he still didn’t think it was a good idea to break the promises you made Him. So here he was, knocking on the front door of a woman who’d given up on him, needing her help and not sure how to ask for it.