* * *
SNOW SWIRLED AROUND Gideon and his employees as they rode up to the ranch, the dogs trailing along tiredly. It was almost dark, but the cheerful display at the far end of the property sent a murmur of appreciation through the weary group.
Gideon had rolled his eyes when Alaina put out white Christmas lights in June. Now he smiled, warmth washing over him at the sight.
Twinkling multicolored light strings decorated the porch roof and lighted evergreen swags adorned the railings. What must be battery-powered candles flickered a welcome in the windows and a brightly lit Christmas tree sat on one side of the door covered with shiny ornaments.
“Hey, and somebody brought the horses in,” Jeremy said, brightening even more. “I bet it was Alaina.”
“Does she know about the meeting, boss?” Nate asked worriedly.
“No, and don’t say anything to her.”
The others nodded. An underlying tension remained in Bannister about Alaina’s presence on the Double Branch. She might believe everything would blow over, but Gideon wasn’t convinced. He planned to address it at the next ranch association meeting.
Nate and the other hands were attending in support, though they all agreed it was just a few people involved. Unfortunately those few people had made Alaina feel so unwelcome she wouldn’t go anywhere near the town.
The dogs settled on piles of straw in the barn, waiting while Gideon took care of Brushfire and checked on the rest of the horses. Griz woke, looked at him and snorted in apparent disgust, likely hoping it had been Alaina visiting.
“Sorry, pal.” He gave the horse a carrot.
He put Danger, Jax and Ollie in the house and said hello to his mom as he ran a towel over each dog and encouraged them to lie in their beds by the fireplace.
“Are you ready for dinner?” Helene asked. “I have stew and corn bread ready.”
“Sounds great, I just want to check on Alaina first.”
Gideon kissed her and then walked down to the foreman’s cabin. The door opened before he could knock and he saw relief in Alaina’s eyes.
“Thank goodness you’re done,” she exclaimed, urging him inside and handing him a steaming mug of coffee. “You are done, right?”
“For now. I wanted to thank you for bringing the horses in,” he said before taking a long welcome swallow.
She shrugged. “It wasn’t much.”
“It’s a lot to me, and to the men.”
The Christmas tree Alaina had gotten on their trip to Bozeman stood by the staircase, arrayed with nature-themed decorations and silver balls. As Gideon looked closer, a feline paw reached between the stair railings to swat an ornament.
“It looks as if you had help with those decorations,” he said with a chuckle. The bone-deep exhaustion in his body was easing, just from seeing Alaina, and he would have loved to snuggle with her in front of the stove for the next several hours.
Soon, he hoped.
Alaina ran up the stairs and returned with the gray tabby who usually resided in the main horse barn. “Merlin likes to visit. I know the barn cats have warm places to sleep, but the wind was so strong I couldn’t bear to put him out.”
“He can stay whenever he likes. I’ll bring cat supplies over.”
A faint pink brightened her cheeks. “I already have a litter box and food for him,” she confessed.
He grinned. There was no doubt about it, Alaina was an animal charmer. He just wished that Yancy Felder had allowed himself to be charmed as well, or he wouldn’t still be causing problems.
Gideon was anxious to clear the air in town before speaking to Alaina about the future. Surely his friends and neighbors would help put a stop to what Yancy and his few supporters were doing.
He loved Alaina more than anything else in the world and would do whatever he could to make her happy.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL Thanksgiving video call with her family, Alaina settled down to work on the narrative for her ranch book project.
Everything was going well professionally. Her agent had sold a number of her wildlife photographs, in addition to the ranch book deal. She had even more choices now than she’d had before. But none of that seemed terribly important at the moment.
“Mrrreow,” Merlin trilled as he jumped onto her lap, nearly sending her computer to the floor. She put it to one side and cuddled him. The storm had finally passed, but he showed no interest in returning to his life in the barn.
“You’re leaving all your pest control responsibilities to the other cats,” she scolded him. “You’ll have to go back when I go out again. You can’t stay alone in the cabin.”
He yawned and put his head on her arm, purring loudly.
A knock on the door startled them both and he leaped away. It was Helene. She’d called during the storm with an invitation to the holiday meal, but Alaina had made an excuse, saying she needed to focus on her ranch book project.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Helene said brightly. “I know what you said, but I won’t take no for answer. You have to share our meal,” she said in a tone reminiscent of her pleas to attend the Founders Day celebration. “You had all that time during the storm to work. You can spend part of the day with us.”
“But I don’t have anything to contribute,” Alaina protested, albeit half-heartedly.
“We don’t need anything except your company. Libby is here with Deke, but I can’t cook a Thanksgiving feast for less than twenty people. Food will be coming out of our ears.”
“What about Nate and the other ranch hands?”
“Their families are local. Please come.”
A home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner sounded better than the lasagna Alaina had in the fridge, so she put on her coat and went with Helene.
Alaina stepped into the main house and looked around, instantly imagining it decorated for Christmas. It was a perfect canvas for the bright, welcoming warmth of the upcoming holiday. Not that she had anything against Thanksgiving; it would be wonderful to decorate for that, as well.
You’re getting ahead of yourself, her brain warned.
“Great, Mom talked you into coming,” Libby exclaimed. “The food is almost done. I can’t cook, but Deke claims to know his way around a stove, so I sent him to help in my place.”
Alaina grinned. She knew Gideon’s sister planned to propose to Deke this trip and was looking forward to seeing the deputy sheriff’s reaction to Hurricane Libby.
Gideon nodded a greeting and went back to dozing on the couch. She knew he’d been out working since before dawn, so she and Libby sat by the fireplace and talked quietly, trying not to disturb him.
Libby was philosophical that the early winter had shortened her team’s dig time at the hot spring, even before they could confirm the value of the site.
“My biggest concern is that Dragon’s Tooth is relatively close to Victor Reese’s spread. Once we’re there a lot, he might realize what we’re doing. I don’t want news leaking out early.”
“Victor is the rancher who lets his cattle stray onto the Double Branch to graze, right?” Alaina asked.
“That’s right. He’s okay, but he might say something in town about students digging.”
“You can stop worrying, I bought Victor’s ranch a month ago,” Gideon said, startling them as he sat up. “He’s retiring to Arizona where his son and daughter live.”
Libby blinked. “How did you swing that?”
“The money is from a trust fund that Grandpa Colby created to buy ranches in the area. I’m the trustee, but the land won’t be part of the Double Branch unless I’m able to purchase it later.”
“Then who does it belong to?”
“All of us. You, me, Flynn, Mom and Grandma Claire. I didn’t want to mortgage the Double Branch, so I tapped the trust fund. Under the rules Grandpa set up, I’ll r
un the ranch and profits will go back into the fund until any expenditures are recovered.”
Libby’s jaw dropped. “But that’s more work for you.”
“It’ll be fine. Nate is moving over there and he’ll be the foreman.” Gideon’s jaw tightened. “I’ve named it the Westcott Memorial Ranch. I considered calling it the Westcott Wolf Preserve, but cooler heads prevailed.”
Deke had come in and he whistled. “Westcott Wolf Preserve? You aren’t serious. Your great-grandfather would spin in his grave.”
“Dead serious. I’m sick of the attitude around here. Don’t forget there are a few things he disliked more than wolves.”
A look passed between Deke and Gideon that made Alaina uneasy. Surely he wasn’t still uptight about the issues she’d encountered in Bannister.
“Come and eat,” Helene called from the dining room.
The meal was delicious, but Alaina had trouble enjoying the food. She was too concerned about what Gideon might be thinking. He was a good man and she didn’t want him to overreact to an issue that would probably go away on its own.
Or was he thinking enough about the future that he wanted it to be resolved for both their sakes?
* * *
WHEN THE OTHERS settled down to play a word game, Deke let Libby drag him out for a walk.
The storm had ended in time for crews to plow the roads and allow holiday travel. He was on call in case a problem cropped up, but with any luck, he’d have the rest of the evening to spend with Libby and her family.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Libby asked, gazing at the stars.
Deke had trouble looking at anything except her face, but he nodded. “Yeah, though there’s a nice glow from Alaina’s cabin, as well.”
Libby laughed. “We love it. Mom said that she could see Alaina’s Christmas lights even during the blizzard. She wants to decorate the main house, but the light strings from Great-Grandma’s day are so old they’re a fire hazard. I’ll get more in town and bring them the next time I come. We’ll have a decorating party.”
“Gideon won’t mind?”
“He won’t object to anything Mom wants.” Libby stopped and pulled him around to face her. “Okay, we need to talk.”
“Isn’t that what we were doing?”
She gave him an impatient look. “I don’t know how to build up to something serious, so I’m just going to say what I want to say. I love you, and I know you love me. Let’s get married next summer after I graduate from college.”
Deke stared. He was head over heels in love with Libby, but they hadn’t begun to resolve their problems.
“You’re right, I love you, too,” he said finally. “But there are too many reasons why we shouldn’t be together. The difference in our ages and my job are two of the biggest. You can’t deny being uncomfortable that I’m in law enforcement.”
Libby made a scoffing noise. “What kind of person wouldn’t worry about her husband taking risks? So, yes, you’re older than me, and, yes, you’re a deputy sheriff, but a much greater age gap didn’t keep Alaina and her husband apart. Life is uncertain. My dad didn’t die in the line of duty and Alaina lost her husband in an accident. If the past year has taught me anything, it’s to grab on to what’s good and never let go.”
“But we don’t know if Site A will turn out to be worth excavating,” Deke argued. “I can’t let you make a commitment you might regret.”
“Listen to what I’m saying,” Libby said firmly. “You aren’t allowed to use the I’m-older-and-more-experienced argument with me, now or ever.”
“Can I say something?”
“As long as it isn’t too dumb.”
Deke was exasperated . “If I don’t agree with you, you’ll say it’s dumb.”
She kissed his chin. “You’re cute, so maybe I can forgive you for saying something not so smart.”
It was hard to think straight with her looking at him like that. “You were the one who told me that Alaina sacrificed being a wildlife photographer to marry her husband.”
“She never regretted it. And you can’t compare us. We’re two different people. I want you to know, beyond any doubt, that it doesn’t matter if an archeological site is conveniently located nearby. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I want kids and I don’t want to wait too long to have them. Is that how you feel?”
“Um, yeah, but—”
“No buts, unless you want a large family. We’ll have to negotiate if you’re hoping for more than two.”
A smile grew on Deke’s face. Libby was a woman who knew her own heart...a heart he wanted with every atom in his body. How could he resist her any longer?
“Two will be perfect. And I accept your proposal,” he said, gathering her close for a kiss. They might still face family opposition or other challenges, but together they could get through anything.
* * *
GIDEON WALKED ALAINA to her cabin later that evening carrying the leftovers that Helene had insisted on sending.
“Your mom sure made a mountain of food,” she said.
“She and Grandma Claire usually cook the Thanksgiving meal together in Shelton. I go when the weather isn’t too bad, but it wouldn’t have been possible this year with the early snow.”
Alaina made a face. “On Tuesday I found out my parents and brothers had gotten plane tickets to Bozeman. They were going to surprise me, but the airline canceled their flight at the last minute. I admit to being relieved.”
“If it was a question of needing beds, they could have stayed at the house. And heaven knows Mom made enough food.”
“And let them drive you crazy? Not a chance. Supposedly my parents can’t come at Christmas, but I wouldn’t put it past them to finagle a trip to Montana, regardless.”
Maybe for their daughter’s wedding?
Gideon had to restrain himself from saying it aloud. Alaina was the light that had been missing from his life. Just having her there had helped ease the absence of his stepfather, though they’d still encountered a few tough moments...like when Libby and Deke had announced their engagement.
In the midst of accepting everyone’s congratulations, tears had begun pouring down Libby’s face and she’d sobbed something about wishing Dad were there.
“You look sad all of a sudden,” Alaina said.
“I was thinking how much my stepfather would have enjoyed today. He was a sentimental guy.”
“Would he approve of his daughter marrying Deke?” Alaina asked as she opened the cabin door.
Gideon thought about it while he carried the box of leftovers into the kitchen and began handing Alaina the various containers to put in the fridge.
“Dad would have approved,” he said finally. “And it’s funny, there was a moment when I could have sworn his arm was around my shoulder while Libby made her announcement. That’s how he used to hug me, but...” Gideon stopped, feeling ridiculous.
“I don’t believe the people we love are ever truly gone,” Alaina said seriously.
“Your husband?”
“I still feel him sometimes. Not the way I used to, but occasionally.” She cocked her head and smiled. “Maybe he’s come back as a wolf.”
Gideon didn’t know if that was reassuring or not, and he knew it wasn’t just the air in Bannister that needed clearing. As much as he hoped Alaina cared for him, Mason Wright remained a ghost between them. Gideon didn’t begrudge the love she’d felt for her husband; he just wanted to be certain he was loved as deeply.
He cleared his throat. “I need to check on the horses and take care of other chores. When are you going out to work again?”
“Sunday, unless another storm moves in, but I’m not taking Danger this time,” she said firmly.
“He isn’t going to like that.”
“The snow is too deep now for a dog to easily travel. It isn’t as if I can str
ap snowshoes on his feet.”
Danger wasn’t the only one who wouldn’t like her going alone, but the ranch association meeting was on Wednesday, and Gideon knew if he went with Alaina, he couldn’t be sure of getting back in time.
“All right. I’ll keep Danger inside until you’re well away from the house,” he said reluctantly. “That’s the only way to keep him from following you.”
* * *
ALAINA CLOSED THE cabin door behind Gideon, wondering what was going on with him. He’d been far too amenable about her going out alone. Still, he had grown accustomed to her solitary hikes during the summer and fall, so maybe he was starting to feel the same about her winter treks.
Yet the conviction that something wasn’t right kept bothering her over the next couple of days.
Danger visited each evening, sometimes bringing Jax or Ollie with him. Merlin was especially fond of Danger and they would lie together next to the woodstove, soaking up the heat.
“What do you think?” she mused to Danger on Saturday night. “Am I being unreasonable? After all my determination to be independent, now I’m uptight because Gideon didn’t argue about me going out on my own. Not very much, at least.”
Danger raised his head and let out a small “Rrffff.”
“I know, you don’t have the answers. But neither do I. The thing is, I’m pretty sure he loves me, but he hasn’t actually said so. Of course, neither have I. Maybe we both have too much pride for our own good.”
Danger yawned and she laughed.
“You’re right. Humans are totally illogical.”
* * *
EARLY THE NEXT morning Alaina took Merlin to the horse barn and fed carrots to Griz and Nikko. The feline seemed philosophical about returning to his pest-controller duties, promptly going to investigate a rustle in a corner.
Then Alaina headed up to her favorite observation point. Watching the Wind Singers over the next few days soothed some of her edginess; winter was their most active season and they were often in evidence. But when she got into her tent at night, there were too many hours of darkness to just sleep and she kept turning everything over in her mind.
Christmas on the Ranch--A Clean Romance Page 22