Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Marta Perry

  Mick waved as the headlights illuminated the space around him. Maybe they were just covering the area, looking for stranded cars and happened to see him. Since he knew most everyone on the force, they might just want to make sure everything was all right.

  The Chevy Tahoe came to a stop beside him and, a moment later, the door opened.

  Mick recognized his old classmate Rhett Connors right away.

  Using his gloved hand to shield his face from the icy onslaught, he said, “Hey, Rhett. How’s it going?”

  “Well as can be expected.”

  Mick turned up the collar on his coat as the deputy drew closer. “How are the roads holding up?”

  “Gettin’ worse by the minute.” Keeping one hand on his Stetson to prevent it from blowing off his head, Rhett scanned the sky. “Sure wish I didn’t have to be out in this mess.”

  “Well, so far so good out here.” Mick poked a thumb toward the house. “Christa’s power’s out and her fireplace is out of commission, so my niece and I are helpin’ her pack up so we can head down to my place. I’ve got plenty of wood, so we should be able to ride things out just fine.”

  “That’s good to know.” The man lowered his gaze, leveling it on Mick. “I hate to tell you this, Mick, but I’m here on official business.”

  “Business? In this weather?”

  Rhett reached inside his heavy coat, pulled out an envelope and handed it to Mick. “Sorry, but someone’s filed a lawsuit against you. You’ve been served.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  An hour and a half after the power had gone out, Christa stood in front of the wood-burning stove in Mick’s living room, grateful to have heat again, and curious as to what was bothering the rugged cowboy. A scowl marred his handsome features on the short ride to his house, and he’d seemed annoyed as he added more wood to the fire.

  She shouldn’t be so hard on him, though. If she’d been forced to walk even a short distance in this weather, she’d be out of sorts, too. But given that he was already frozen to the bone, why had he been talking to that sheriff’s deputy for so long? A welfare check was one thing, but chitchatting in the midst of an ice storm was just plain dumb.

  Blowing out a breath, she tried not to take his foul mood personally. Mick probably wasn’t any happier about this turn of events than she was. Which would explain his eagerness to go out to his truck to charge his phone once they’d unloaded her SUV.

  In the dim light provided by the fire and a battery-operated lantern that had been positioned on the kitchen island separating the cooking and living spaces, Christa’s gaze drifted to the couch where Sadie lay on one end. Still wearing her coat and boots, she had one arm draped over the side so she could pet Dixie on the floor beside her. Evidently the cold didn’t bother them, while Christa couldn’t seem to get warm.

  Though they’d been without power at her place for only an hour or so, it didn’t take long for the temperature to drop inside. That’s what she got for deciding against new, energy-efficient windows. But no matter how hard she tried, no matter how logical it seemed, she couldn’t bring herself to let go of those old windows. The variations and bubbles in the glass held a charm that simply couldn’t be replaced.

  As Sadie’s eyelids began to droop, Christa checked her watch, surprised to discover that it was almost nine. She scanned the area around her. With only the sofa and a recliner, their sleeping options were fairly limited. Though, perhaps she and Mick could bring down the twin mattress from Sadie’s room once he returned.

  The door opened then, and Mick slipped inside, quickly shutting it behind him. “I need some coffee.” His voice was gruff, and he continued into the kitchen without so much as glancing her way.

  “How?” She started toward him. “No power means no coffee maker.”

  “I’ll improvise, all right?”

  Christa stopped in her tracks. Either the cold or exhaustion had gotten to him, because in the three years she’d known him, she’d never heard Mick use a sharp tone like that. With her boots riveted to the vinyl floor, she continued to watch him. Even in the low light she could see the exaggerated rise and fall of his shoulders.

  He turned. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped like that.” Then he went back to his mission, pouring water from a gallon jug into a saucepan.

  Christa tiptoed to the couch to check on Sadie. Despite Mick’s sharp words, she was sound asleep.

  With a fortifying breath, Christa joined Mick in the kitchen. “Hey.” She set a hand on his back.

  He looked down at her, his green eyes filled with an ache that made her heart go out to him. He’d been trying so hard to take care of Sadie, his cattle, even Christa, yet the cold had all but sucked the life right out of him.

  “Sadie’s asleep,” she said. “Do you want to leave her on the sofa?”

  Using a long-tipped multipurpose lighter, he ignited the gas burner beneath the saucepan. “The couch folds out into a bed.” His voice was softer now. “You and Sadie can sleep there, or you can take the recliner.”

  “Where are you going to sleep?”

  “In my bedroom.”

  “Upstairs? It’ll be freezing up there.”

  “I’ve got a subzero rated sleeping bag. Besides, I like to sleep in my own bed.”

  Christa knew good and well he’d be sleeping in the living room if she wasn’t here. Yet even after all he’d been through tonight, he was forgoing a warm space for her. His gallantry warmed her almost more than the stove.

  She hated to add more to his already overflowing plate, but better to get things done now so he could relax. “Would you mind taking care of the bed while I get Sadie ready?”

  “No, this water’s gotta heat anyway.”

  Christa scooped up the sleeping child and moved to the recliner to take off her coat and boots while Mick pulled out the bed and added sheets, pillows and the down comforter and blanket Christa had brought.

  Once the bed was ready, she settled Sadie beneath the covers before joining Mick in the kitchen. After ditching his coat, he’d prepared the coffee maker as usual, except he was pouring the hot water from the saucepan into the filter a little at a time.

  “Smart idea.” She moved alongside him, noting the battle-weary look on his face. “You’ve had a rough day.”

  “I’m a rancher. I can handle rough.” He added the last of the water and watched it drip into the carafe as the aroma of coffee wafted around them. “But that deputy didn’t stop by just to be friendly. He was here on business.”

  Business? But Mick was still standing here and hadn’t been arrested. “I don’t understand.”

  “He served me with papers.”

  “For what?”

  He glanced toward the couch then cleared his throat. “Sadie’s grandparents, Kyle’s parents, want custody of Sadie. They’re claiming I’m unfit to raise her.”

  Fiery heat prickled through Christa as her blood began to boil. “You’ve been nothing but wonderful with Sadie.”

  “But I’m a single guy.”

  “So was my dad.” Her hands fisted, what little nails she had digging into her palms. “And he raised me just fine.”

  A hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “You might want to keep your voice down, so you don’t wake Sadie.”

  She slipped off her coat and tossed it over the back of a chair. “Needless to say, I have a very strong opinion on this.”

  “You don’t say?” He picked up the carafe. “Why don’t I explain things over coffee.”

  He poured two cups then joined her at the table. “I’m pretty sure Kyle’s parents are upset because they thought they were going to be raising Sadie. You should have seen the looks on their faces when they learned Jen and Kyle had appointed me as Sadie’s guardian.”

  She clutched the cup in her hands, savoring its warmth. “I’m impressed they had the forethought to do
that. Most people don’t even consider that sort of stuff.”

  Still wearing his insulated overalls, he wrapped his calloused fingers around the oversize mug. “Kyle was adamant because he didn’t want his folks to have any influence over Sadie’s life.”

  “But they’re her grandparents.” She blew on the steaming liquid. “Did he have a falling out with them or something?”

  Mick took a swig before setting his mug back on the table. “Do the names Chuck and Belita Sanderson ring any bells?”

  “Yes.” She thought for a moment. “Isn’t he some big wig in the energy industry? Served in Congress or something?”

  “Yep. And they’re one of the wealthiest families in Texas.”

  “So, they could certainly provide for Sadie financially.”

  Swallowing another sip of the strong brew, Mick shook his head. “Kyle wasn’t worried about that. He had plenty of his own money. Money that now belongs to Sadie. I don’t plan to touch it, except maybe for her college.” He stared at the flames flickering behind the glass on the other side of the room. “Kyle was an only child. And growing up, he always had nannies and such, until he was old enough for his parents to send him off to a private school.” Facing her again, he continued. “He hardly ever saw his parents unless it was convenient for them. Kyle said he promised himself that if he ever had children, they would know they were important and that he loved them and wanted to be with them.”

  “Can’t say that I blame him. I mean, why even bother having a child if you don’t want them around?” She took her first sip.

  “To have somebody to take over the family business, carry on the family name.”

  “That’s rather archaic.”

  “Not when you’re a billionaire, I guess.” He lifted his cup. “Kyle had the paperwork drawn up the day after Sadie was born.”

  “I guess that shows just how adamant he was. Not to mention how much he loved his daughter.”

  Mick’s countenance fell once again as he stared into his cup. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, Christa. The Sandersons are used to getting their way. I wouldn’t put anything past them.”

  Unable to stop herself, she reached for him, and instantly regretted it. His hand was warm, his grip almost desperate as it swallowed hers, infusing her with a determination to do anything and everything to see that Sadie remained in his care.

  Trying to avoid those green eyes that seemed to be pleading with her to make things right, she said, “The first thing you need to do is talk to your attorney. Although that means waiting and I know that’s something you probably don’t want to do. I don’t either. So for now, I guess we’ll do the only thing we can.”

  “What’s that?”

  She dared to meet his gaze. “Pray.”

  * * *

  Hints of daylight peered through the blinds as Mick made his way downstairs the next morning, in need of coffee. While he’d managed to stay warm enough during the night, sleep was evasive. He felt as though he’d been caught in a stampede. His body ached from trekking through the ice and wind while his mind had been under assault with a glut of what-ifs.

  With Christa and Sadie still asleep, he tiptoed into the kitchen in his sock feet and quietly added water to the saucepan he’d used last night. He’d need to talk to his lawyer ASAP, because he would not let Jen and Kyle down. Yet no matter how tightly he clung to that, he couldn’t help wondering what would happen if a judge decided Sadie would be better off with her grandparents. Granted, they’d only been together for three weeks, yet Mick couldn’t imagine life without her. She’d been a breath of fresh air in his otherwise mundane existence.

  This wasn’t about him, though. He set the pan atop the stove, twisted the knob and ignited the burner with a lighter. If Sadie wanted to be with her grandparents, he’d have no choice but to let her go. However, given the way she’d pulled away from both Chuck and Belita whenever they decided to pay her any mind, Mick doubted that would happen. She barely knew them. Still, what if she was forced to live with the Sandersons?

  “It’s morning!”

  Sadie’s proclamation had Mick eyeing the sofa sleeper across the room. “Mornin’, princess.”

  She was sitting up, her hair going this way and that, her smile as big as ever. At least she’d slept well.

  Beside her, a comforter-covered Christa groaned, momentarily silencing his torment. He was thankful she’d been here last night. Without her to talk to, he might have gone out of his mind. There weren’t many people in Mick’s life he could confide in. Just Jen and Bum, an older rancher who lived down the road and had become a mentor after Mick’s father passed eighteen years ago. Now Jen was gone.

  He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. Having Christa on his side meant a lot.

  Her dog popped up from the floor then and promptly licked her face.

  “Really, Dix.” Christa pulled the covers over her head.

  “Dixie!” Sadie cheered.

  “Don’t encourage her, Sadie.” Christa’s voice was muffled.

  “But she likes to give kisses.” Sadie climbed over Christa to pet the dog.

  “She’s probably ready to go outside, too.” Christa dragged herself upright, her hazel eyes colliding with Mick’s. “What does it look like out there?”

  “Don’t ask me, I just woke up, too. But as of a couple of hours ago, it was still coming down.”

  “And how would you know that?” She yawned.

  “Somebody had to make sure the fire kept going. Speaking of that.” Still wearing his jeans and Henley from yesterday, he started toward the woodstove.

  “Couldn’t shut down your brain, could you?” Tossing the covers aside, Christa swung her legs over the side of the bed.

  “Nope.” The aroma of burning wood drifted into the space as he opened the door on the stove. He grabbed three logs from the dwindling stack beneath the window, glad he had plenty more on the porch.

  “Me either.” Christa stood and stretched, looking far too cute in sweatpants, a big, bulky sweater and fuzzy socks.

  “By the way, I got an alert on my phone around four that schools are closed.” He latched the door on the stove.

  “As if there was any doubt.” Rubbing the dog’s head, she sent Mick a sleepy smile. “Thank you for allowing me and Dixie to stay here.”

  “I couldn’t very well leave you with no heat.”

  “This coming from the guy who slept in a room with no heat.”

  “Ah, I was warm enough. Heat rises, remember?” He pointed toward the ceiling. “My room is right up there.” It was a thousand other things that had prevented him from sleeping.

  The canine that always seemed to be smiling trotted toward the door.

  Christa followed, let her outside, then stared out the window. “I don’t know if it’s snow or sleet, but something is still falling from the sky. It sure is pretty.”

  “I want to see.” Sadie bounded off the bed.

  Mick intercepted her, scooping her into his arms before joining Christa.

  “Oh…” The wonder that filled Sadie’s green eyes when she took in the wintry scene warmed his heart, steeling his determination to make sure she remained in his care.

  Turning his attention outside, he couldn’t help but smile. Beneath a canopy of thick, gray clouds, a layer of white spread over the ground like frosting on a cake. Midway between the house and the cow pond that doubled as his favorite fishing hole, the big live oak dripped with icy leaves, while loblolly pine branches bowed under the weight of their sparkling needles at the water’s edge.

  “Amazing how a little ice can transform a dull, dormant landscape into something so pretty.” He looked at Christa. “However, I sure am glad we put our vehicles under my carport.”

  “No kidding. It would take forever to get all that ice off the windshields. And I’m planning to head into town
later this morning to check on the store. You know, after it’s had a chance to warm up some.”

  “To a balmy twenty-eight degrees?”

  Looking up at him, she said, “I thought it was supposed to get above freezing today.”

  “Not according to this.” Removing his phone from his pocket, he pulled up the weather forecast and showed it to her.

  “That says tomorrow’s high is only thirty-four.”

  “Last time I checked, that’s above freezing.”

  She sent him an indignant glare.

  “Don’t look at me. I had nothing to do with it.”

  Dixie rejoined them, so he let Sadie down to play with her before heading to the kitchen to make the coffee.

  “All I know is that I’m going to have to make sure Sadie is bundled up good when we head out.” He swapped out the filter from last night and added a couple scoops of coffee.

  “Head out where?” Christa followed him. “To play?”

  “No, to fix the tractor.” He poured the boiling water over the filter a little bit at a time. “Cows are going to need more hay, so I have to change out that battery. Good thing I have a new one in the barn.” He just wished he’d have taken care of it sooner and saved himself a lot of trouble.

  She glanced over her shoulder to check on Sadie. When she turned back, she lowered her voice. “What are you thinking? You can’t make Sadie walk two miles in this weather.”

  “I know that. We’ll take the utility vehicle. Course I’ll have to leave it in the pasture until I can retrieve it later, but the tractor cab is heated.”

  Steam rose from the coffeepot, filling the room with its inviting aroma.

  “I can’t believe you’re considering having her go with you to put out hay.”

  He emptied the pan and set it aside. “What else am I supposed to do? Ranchers don’t get bad-weather days. My cattle are my livelihood and they need more hay. I can’t ignore them any more than you can ignore your store. Sure, it’s not ideal, but Sadie lives with me now, so I’m just going to have to find a way to make it wor—What’s that?”