Wish Upon a Cowboy

by Jennie Marts

  Zane sat beside her and solemnly nodded to the judge.

  “And it’s not just us. More are coming. We just found out about the proceedings, sir.” Bryn winked and smiled at Harper.

  More were coming? Who else knew her in this town? Besides those two? And Logan?

  The doors swung open again, but it wasn’t the tall cowboy who charged through them. It was Etta Perry, the woman Harper had helped at the grocery store, and she was followed by the young cashier who’d also been at the store that day. On their heels were Rachel and Josh, the mother and son who Harper had given her last five dollars to the first day she was in town.

  Each one stood and told the judge how they’d met Harper, and even though they hadn’t known her long, they knew what kind of person she was by the way she’d gone out of her way to help them.

  The judge listened, and so did Judith. Harper could see her pinched expression soften as she heard their stories.

  The judge looked to Judith after they had all had a chance to speak. “In light of these witnesses and what you’ve heard from Ms. Evans, are you sure you want to continue with these proceedings? It is Christmas, and I hate to see a family torn apart like this at the holidays. I can call for the boy to come in and talk to me, but I don’t want to put him through any unnecessary trauma if I don’t have to. What do you think, Mrs. Benning? Is there some way the two of you, his mother and his grandmother, can work together to come up with a solution?”

  Maybe he wasn’t so Grinchy after all.

  Judith peered from Harper to the group of people rallying around her, then turned back to the judge. “I think so. I’d like Floyd to have both of us in his life. But there’s still the matter of Harper’s residence. How am I supposed to turn over my grandson to her if she doesn’t even have a place to live? Where are they going to sleep? She doesn’t even have a car.” She pressed her hand to her chest, pink coloring her cheeks. “Not that I’m in any way suggesting they sleep in her car. I just meant that she has no way to even pick him up.”

  The judge studied Harper. “Is this true? Do you not have a place to live?”

  No, she didn’t have a place to live, not unless she wanted to take Floyd back to Kansas with her tonight. Which didn’t seem likely, since, as Judith so helpfully pointed out, she also didn’t have a mode of transportation. And now it didn’t feel right to take him away from his grandma the night before Christmas. Not when Harper had just seen the first crack in the older woman’s dragon-lady armor—the first inkling that gave her hope of them all having a relationship.

  Before she could answer, a deep voice spoke from the back of the room. “She does have a place to live, Your Honor. She lives with me. Well, not with me. She has her own house, but it’s on my ranch. She lives in the bunkhouse, which used to be a place for ranch hands to sleep, but now Harper has moved in and made it into a home. I’ve seen what she’s done with it, and she’s fixed up a bedroom real nice for Floyd.”

  She couldn’t believe it. Logan was here. And sticking up for her. She hadn’t even heard him come into the room. How long had he been there? And did he really mean it that she and Floyd could still use the bunkhouse?

  “Is this true?” the judge asked again. “Do you live at the Rivers’ ranch?”

  She turned and looked at Logan—looked at all the people who had showed up to help her—and something inside her broke, some steely, hardened part of her that realized she couldn’t do it all on her own. She had to trust other people, had to trust Logan. It was the only way she’d have a chance to get her son back.

  And maybe it was okay to let other people in, to accept help. Even Logan. Especially Logan.

  “Yes, it’s true, Your Honor.”

  “Then it sounds like it’s settled.” He looked to Judith, who gave a small perceptible nod. “I’ll leave the details up to you, but Ms. Evans does retain custody of her son, Floyd Michael Benning.”

  Harper pressed her hand to her mouth. She couldn’t believe it. She started to sink into the chair, but instead was grabbed in a bear hug by Bryn, as she was surrounded by the people who had come to her defense.

  “Thank you all so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the kind things you said about me.”

  “We meant them,” Etta said. Romeo’s small furry head popped out of the corner of her handbag and he gave a small yip, as if in agreement. “We all believe in you, dear.”

  “We heard you were in trouble, and we all wanted to help,” Rachel said.

  “But how did you hear? Who even knew I was here?”

  Bryn nodded toward Logan who was still standing in the back of the room. “He called me and told me to rally the troops. He said you were in trouble and needed us.”

  Harper swallowed. He had called in the troops? For her? After everything she’d done and all the things she’d said the night before? She excused herself from the group and made her way to where Logan leaned against the back wall of the courtroom.

  As she got closer, she spied a purple knotted bruise on the side of his forehead. “Oh my gosh, what happened to you?”

  He waved her concern away. His eyes were hard, with none of his normal teasing glints. “Nothing. A run-in with Ted and the flat end of a cast-iron skillet. I’m fine.”

  “Listen, Bryn told me what you did, how you called her. And I wanted to thank you.”

  “Don’t. I didn’t do it for you.” His voice was hoarse and gruff, and his mouth was set in a tight line. “I did it for Floyd because that kid is too great to have to go through losing one of his parents again. He doesn’t deserve to not have a chance to be with his mom.”

  She didn’t know what to say, how to respond. But she didn’t get a chance to.

  “Don’t let him down this time,” Logan said, then turned and walked away.

  Chapter 25

  Harper started to follow Logan, but stopped as Judith cautiously approached her. “Are you ready to see Floyd?”

  Yes. Yes. Yes. Her heart sang at the idea, but instead she looked down at her wrinkled appearance and shook her head. “I am ready, but I can’t show up like this. I don’t want him to see me this way. I slept in these clothes last night, and I’m pretty sure this stain on my shirt is from frosting, but I can’t say for sure. I would really like to wash the stink of that jail cell out of my hair and change into fresh clothes.” She looked around Judith’s shoulder. “I can see if Bryn or Zane can give me a ride back to the ranch.”

  “There’s no need. I can take you.”

  Harper jerked her head back. Who was this woman, and what had she done with Michael’s mother? “Are you sure? I mean, thank you. I would really appreciate that.”

  The other woman gave a slight shrug and offered her a tentative smile. “I guess it’s about time we got to know each other a little better. And after Logan’s glowing report, I’d like to see this bunkhouse.”

  * * *

  So they didn’t turn into immediate besties, but Harper felt like they made a little progress as Judith drove her out to the ranch, and Harper showed her what she’d done in the bunkhouse.

  The other woman seemed pleasantly surprised when they walked through the door. Harper had made some simple cinnamon-scented pine cones and left them in a bowl on the kitchen counter. Between the pine cones and the evergreen boughs she’d collected, they gave the living area a faint scent of Christmas. Judith complimented Harper’s attempts at festive decor and acted genuinely delighted with the small bedroom she’d created for Floyd.

  “He’ll love this,” Judith said, smoothing the star-covered pillow sham. “You’ve done a lovely job, Harper. Everything is so clean, and I can see you’ve gone out of your way to create little touches to make this place a home. I’m impressed.”

  Harper let out a breath. “Thank you. I’ve really tried.”

  “I can tell.” Judith pulled a paperback from her purse. “Now I’ll
entertain myself while you get showered, then we can get back to Floyd. I’m sure he’s anxious to see you.”

  Not half as anxious as she was to see him.

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later, Judith pulled into the driveway of her house. Harper had raced to take a shower, rub on some scented lotion, and dab on a smidgen of eye makeup. She’d taken less than four minutes to blow-dry her hair and throw on some fresh clothes.

  She felt like a person again, and her heart clamored in her chest at the thought of how close she was to seeing Floyd. And not just seeing him this time, but actually spending time together.

  On the way back from the ranch, Judith invited Harper to stay for lunch and suggested she take Floyd to the Christmas Celebration this evening and then back to the bunkhouse for the night. They could be together for Christmas and make plans from there.

  Judith turned off the car but reached to touch Harper’s arm before she got out. “I want to make this work, Harper. I’m not ready to say goodbye to Floyd. He’s become part of my life.” She let out a soft breath. “In fact, he’s given me back my life, and I don’t want to lose him. I know you think I’ve been awful to you, and I probably have been, but Michael was my only child, and I was devastated when I lost him. I know it was an accident, but I didn’t have anyone else to blame except you. I’m sorry for that. And for keeping Floyd from you. I didn’t know you, and I was selfish. I wanted him to myself, and I was trying to do what was right for my son’s son. He’s the only part of Michael I have left, and I love him too.”

  Her words hit Harper square in the heart. She’d been so focused on her own grief at losing Michael that she probably hadn’t tried to connect like she should have with his mother. Judith also had to have been devastated. “I’m sorry too. I should have reached out more after Michael died, made a better effort. I don’t really know you either. But I’d like to change that.”

  “Me too.”

  It was a tentative treaty, but if they could work together, the end result would be good for all of them. Harper had been so close to her own grandmother that she wanted Floyd to have that as well. And it wasn’t going to happen with her mom.

  Her son deserved to have a family, which included both her and Michael’s mother. If she were honest, Harper could also use a little family.

  Judith opened the front door, and Harper spied Floyd at the kitchen table playing a board game with a cute elderly lady.

  He looked up as the door opened, and his face lit with excitement as he scrambled out of his chair and ran to her. “Mom!”

  Harper sank to her knees and pulled her son close, covering his head and cheeks with kisses. Her throat swelled so she couldn’t say anything, could only hug her boy to her chest.

  “Harper, this is Mrs. Ida May Phillips. She’s my neighbor and was most likely Logan’s Sunday school teacher at one point or another.”

  “I surely was.” The white-haired woman pushed up from the table and came toward Harper. She had a hot-pink cast on her left hand but reached out to shake with her right. “I’m pleased to meet you. Floyd has told me so much about you.”

  “Thank you. I’m pleased to meet you too. And thanks so much for watching him this morning. I really appreciate it.”

  Ida May waved a hand away. “It was no trouble. Floyd’s a good boy. You’ve done a good job raising him.”

  “Gosh, thank you. I appreciate that.”

  “Judith tells me you’re currently without a car, and I happen to have one sitting in my garage that you’re welcome to use.”

  “Oh no, I couldn’t.” Why in the world would this perfect stranger offer her the use of her vehicle?

  “Sure you could. The car’s just sitting there.” She raised her casted arm. “I fell and can’t drive for the next few weeks anyway. Someone might as well be using it. And it would please me to know I was helping you and Floyd.”

  Small towns were a funny thing. And the sense of community Harper had seen in Creedence in the short time she’d been there was beyond belief. She’d spent so much time convincing herself she couldn’t depend on anyone else that she didn’t know how to handle this outpouring of support. First, the folks that showed up at court, then Judith softening, and now Logan’s Sunday school teacher offering her a car to use. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to let other people into their lives.

  Harper let out her breath and let go of her pride. “Thank you. I would very much appreciate the loan of your car.”

  Ida May’s face broke into a grin. “It’s settled then. I’ll get the keys from my purse.”

  “You’ll stay for lunch, Ida May?” Judith asked. “I’m making spaghetti. It’s Floyd’s favorite.”

  “That sounds delicious. And I’ve never been one to turn down a good meal.”

  “You’re staying too,” Floyd said to Harper. “Right, Mom?”

  “Yep, I’m staying. Then I’m taking you to the Christmas Celebration, and you’re spending the night with me tonight. How does that sound?”

  “Awesome.” He threw his arms around her in another hug, but then his shoulders slumped and his excited expression fell. “Except I told Grandma I would go to the candlelight service with her tonight.”

  “Our church does a candlelight service every Christmas Eve,” Judith explained.

  “Well, why don’t we all three go? Together?”

  A smile curved Judith’s lips, and she gave Harper a small nod. “I’d like that. And the Christmas Celebration is at our church, so I’ll just meet you there and we can go into the sanctuary together.”

  “Sounds perfect,” Harper said. “Now what can Floyd and I do to help with the spaghetti?”

  * * *

  Logan had been staring into the lights of the Christmas tree for the last twenty minutes. He didn’t know why he’d turned them on in the first place. He sure didn’t feel very Christmassy.

  His thoughts were so jumbled over what to do about Harper that he hadn’t given much thought to what he would do for the actual holiday. He couldn’t get ahold of his dad, and Quinn was spending it with Rock’s family this year. They were only going to be at the next ranch over, and his sister had invited him to join them, but right now all he wanted to do was crawl into a hole and lick his wounds. He didn’t feel much like spreading Christmas cheer, more like having a Christmas beer.

  A knock sounded at the door, and he looked up to see Bryn standing on the porch holding a covered dish. He waved her in.

  “Hey there,” she said, pushing through the door and crossing to the kitchen to set the dish on the counter. “We had an extra shepherd’s pie at the diner, so I brought it over for you. I wasn’t sure if you’d have anything to eat now that…”

  “Now that Harper’s gone? You can say it. It’s obvious she isn’t here.” He’d followed her into the kitchen and held up the coffeepot. “Pot’s fresh—well, mostly. I was gonna fix a cup. Want one?”

  “Sure.” She waited for him to pour them each a cup, then sat back down with him on the sofa. “How are you? Really?”

  He shrugged. “Terrible. If you want to know the truth.”

  “I wasn’t expecting you to lie to me.”

  “No, that’s more Harper’s scene.”

  Bryn took a sip of her coffee. “Did she actually lie to you about having a son or the jail thing?”

  “No, according to her, she just omitted the facts.”

  Bryn chuckled. “That sounds about right.”

  “Why wouldn’t she just tell me?”

  “Why do you think?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Have you asked her? Have you even talked to her? Called her?”

  “No. She called me. Last night, I guess. She left me a message.”

  “What did it say?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I can’t bring myself to listen to it. I can’t decide if I want
to hear her voice.”

  “Do you want me to listen to it? Or we could listen to it together?”

  “Yeah, I guess.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped the screen to play the message on speaker.

  Harper’s excited voice filled the room. “Logan, hi, I know you’re still in practice, but I couldn’t wait to tell you that I found the error you’ve been looking for with the cattle. And you’re not really out twenty thousand dollars. I know I shouldn’t have been in your office, but I followed the kitten in here and saw your calculations on your desk, and don’t be mad, but I just took a quick peek to see if I could spot the issue. And I found it! It was in the price per pound. You switched two numbers around, and the beef price is really a dollar fifty-four per pound, not a dollar forty-five like you’d written. That nine-cent difference equals almost twenty thousand dollars. I’ll show you when we get home, but I had to call and leave you this message. I’m so, so happy for you. Okay, can’t wait to see you. We’ll celebrate with the leftover frosting. Bye.”

  Bryn raised an eyebrow and offered him a teasing grin. “I’ll have to ask her later about the frosting.”

  But he wasn’t paying attention. His brain was processing Harper’s message. Jumping up, he ran into the office, shuffled through the papers on his desk, and brought the market report back into Bryn. He held it out to her. “What does that say the price of beef is?”

  Bryn scanned the page. “A dollar fifty-four per pound.”

  “Holy crap. She’s right. Harper’s right.” He shook his head, still in awe of the news. “She found the mistake. She really did it.” He sank down onto the sofa. “Why would she do that? Why would she help me?”

  “Because she cares about you, you big lug.” Bryn whacked him in the leg with the paper.

  “Did she say that?”

  “No. Not out loud. But it’s obvious by the way she looks at you. And with the way you two acted the other day when we were making pies, it was no secret you all like each other.”