“Alex,” she said, her voice barely audible. “Find Alex.”
“What happened, baby? Are you okay?”
“Ryan. He’s here. Find Alex. Don’t let him take him.”
Tommy’s head jerked up as he heard the boy scream. He scrambled to his feet and ran outside to see Ryan struggling to carry a flailing ten-year-old boy.
“Mom!” the boy shouted. “Let me go!” He punched and kicked and wiggled, but Ryan held tight as he moved toward his car.
Tommy ran full steam as if tackling a running back, but he decided a tackle could injure the boy. He couldn’t take that chance. Because neither had noticed him, he ran behind Ryan and grabbed his arms hard enough for Alex to jerk free and scramble away.
“Run, Alex!” Tommy shouted as Ryan spun around. Ryan swung wildly. Tommy ducked the punch. With his feet firmly planted, he sent a right hook straight into Ryan’s nose. Blood spurted everywhere, and Ryan wobbled, clutching his nose.
“You son of a bitch!” Ryan gingerly placed a hand on his nose and blinked, squinting. “Golden? I should have known.” He ducked his head and charged at Tommy, toppling both men to the ground.
If Ryan landed punches, Tommy didn’t feel them. He only felt the adrenaline running through his veins and the years of pent-up anger and hatred for a man he used to call teammate. He used his hands, his feet, and his knees to pummel Ryan Lowry into a lifeless bloody mess.
Gretchen’s voice called him back to sanity, calling his name, begging him to stop. “Tommy, stop. That’s enough. You’re going to kill him.”
Tommy drew a breath and came out of the trance that had captured him. Ryan lay beneath Tommy, his face covered in blood, unconscious. Tommy swiped a bloody hand across his forehead. “Are you okay?” he asked Gretchen.
She knelt beside him. When he cupped her cheek, he left a streak of blood in his wake. “I’m fine. I’m okay.”
Tommy glanced over the lawn where Alex was wrapped in the arms of an older woman with silver hair and an old-fashioned housedress. “Is Alex okay?”
“He’s fine.”
“Who is that?” He pointed at the woman holding Alex.
“My next-door neighbor. She heard Alex screaming and saw Ryan running out of the house with Alex.” They both looked up as sirens in the distance became louder and louder. “She called the police.”
Ryan groaned as Tommy stood up, confirming he was still alive. Tommy didn’t know whether he was grateful or disappointed he hadn’t killed him. He would have if Gretchen hadn’t stopped him. “We’ve got some explaining to do.”
Gretchen ran her hands over Tommy’s face and midsection. “Are you hurt? You’ve got a bad cut over your eye. I hope he didn’t break any ribs.”
Tommy shook his head and spit blood as the police approached. “I’m fine. Are you sure you’re okay? What did he do to you?”
“We got a call about a potential kidnapping?” the older of the two officers asked as they approached. His hand was at his waist, ready to draw his weapon.
“I called,” Gretchen’s neighbor said and, along with Alex, walked to where the officer stood. Her hand shook as she pointed at Ryan. “That man right there tried to kidnap this boy. I saw it with my own eyes. And this man,”—she pointed at Tommy—“he saved him. Like an angel sent from God, he saved the boy.”
Tommy wasn’t anyone’s angel, but he sure appreciated having a witness, especially since Ryan wasn’t in any condition to refute the events.
“MacGregor,” the officer said over his shoulder, “call an ambulance.” He looked at Tommy, Gretchen, and the next-door neighbor. “I need to get statements from all of you.”
Ryan groaned and mumbled and attempted to sit up. The officer assisted him back to the ground with his shoe. “You’re going to want to stay right where you are if you don’t want to end up in handcuffs.”
Tommy realized his lip was split when he smiled. He tightened his arm around Gretchen. “I want her looked at by the medics first.”
“Tommy, I’m okay.”
“You were passed out when I got here. That’s not okay.”
“He choked me. I’m fine now.”
The officer held up his hands. “Everyone will get checked out by the medics. Now, ma’am,”—he turned to Gretchen’s neighbor—“can I get your statement first if you don’t seem to have any injuries?”
Tommy leaned down and kissed Gretchen’s forehead. He almost lost his balance when Alex charged over and threw his arms around Tommy and Gretchen’s midsections.
“You saved us,” Alex said as tears leaked from his eyes. “You saved me and my mom.”
Tommy leaned down and patted the boy’s shoulder. “I’m Tommy Golden. You must be Alex.”
Chapter 54
Christmas morning in Colorado had a whole new meaning for Tommy. With the snow gently falling outside, the lights from the giant tree he and Gretchen had put up only days ago shining bright inside, and a mountain of presents underneath it, he had to shake his head as he descended the stairs. The wedding band on his left hand clanked on the banister as he went to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee, reminding him of the best changes over the last few weeks. He had a wife and a little boy sleeping in his house who thought Tommy hung the moon. After the holidays, they would file the adoption papers. There was no rush since Ryan’s arrest and the termination of his parental rights.
Gretchen came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his chest as he measured the coffee. “Merry Christmas.”
Tommy turned on the machine and turned into her arms. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Golden.” When he leaned down to kiss her, she ran her thumb over the scar on his forehead like she’d done every day since his altercation with Ryan.
“Mmmm,” she purred. “Say it again.”
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Golden.”
“Merry Christmas, Mr. Golden. How’d you sleep?”
“Like a baby on Christmas eve. Of course, I don’t think a baby’s ever made love under the tree like we did last night.”
Gretchen rubbed her belly. “Oh, I don’t know. At the rate we’re going, there might have been a baby rolling around on the rug with us last night.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Just to be sure, I think we ought to give it another whirl while Alex is still asleep.”
“It’s Christmas morning. He’s going to be up at the first crack of daylight.”
Tommy looked out the window. “We’ve got time.” He loosened the belt on her robe. “Besides, your son’s like an elephant. No chance we won’t hear him when he wakes up.”
He knew he had her when she tilted her head so his lips could access more of her delicate neck. He kissed the tender base where Ryan had wrapped his hands and choked her only weeks before. He hoped if he kissed her enough, it would wipe away the memory. “I love it that you’re so easy.”
“I’m only easy with you. You have magic in your hands. I’m helpless to resist.”
He eased the nightgown off her shoulders and stared at his beautiful wife as a surge of emotion threatened to swamp him. “I love you so much. I wish I could show you. I’d given up on ever finding love, but you were here all along.”
“All I know how to do is love you. And you do show me, with every touch, every word, every time you look at me and Alex. I’ll never forget what you did for us. I’ll never stop trying to be worthy of that sacrifice.”
“Sacrifice?” He lifted his head from her breast where he’d begun to tease. “Do I look put out?”
“You look turned on, which is just how I want you to look.”
“I’m going to enjoy my sacrifice every day of my life.” He ran his hands down her sides and cupped her dampness. “Oh, poor me. You’d better do something before I die of happiness.”
She led him to the den and, with her eyes on him, lay down on the rug. She gently tugged his hand, and he dropped to his knees. She tugged him closer so he was lying on top of her. “Make love to me.” He tried to ease himself off because he kne
w she wasn’t comfortable with that position, but she held him tight. “Make love to me. No one’s coming between us ever again.” She tucked her thumbs under the elastic of his boxers and shoved them down. “If you make me beg, I’m going to think this is a sacrifice.”
“Gretchen, you don’t have to—”
She silenced him by wrapping her fingers around him and guiding him inside her. Her moan was like a match to a ten-foot pile of kindling.
“I’ll be gentle,” he said through clenched teeth.
She lifted her hands to his face. “Don’t. Don’t be anything but you. Give me all you’ve got, Golden. I can handle it.”
“If you want to change positions, just—”
She lifted her hips and urged him on. “If you keep stalling, we’re going to get caught.”
He drove into her as instinct took over. Her smile told him everything he needed to know. Love heals. It healed them both as it brought them to the edge of reason and beyond.
“Merry Christmas to me,” she grumbled into his shoulder when he collapsed on top of her.
He lifted his head and swiped a kiss across her swollen mouth. “Merry Christmas to us.” He sat up and reached for his boxers. “We’d better get dressed or Christmas morning will have a whole new meaning for Alex.”
“It already does.”
Tommy’s head jerked toward the stairs. “Holy crap, you scared me. I thought he was coming down.”
“I mean you’ve already changed the meaning of Christmas for him. He has a father now, a real one. He’ll grow up knowing how special it is to have a man in his life. He’ll know what it means to be in a committed relationship, how to treat a woman and be a man. I’m so happy I could burst right out of my skin.”
He patted her butt. “Go get dressed. If he’s not up by the time we’ve had a cup of coffee, I’m waking him. I can’t wait to see the look on his face.” He watched her walk naked into the kitchen and considered himself the luckiest man alive.
“What time are we going to the Dodge’s?” she asked.
“Around four. Dodge said Sarah will have enough food for an army. He wants to meet Alex, make him feel at home.”
“That’s so sweet.” Gretchen carried a mug of coffee to him. “Everyone has been so welcoming.”
Tommy sat down on the couch and took a sip. When Gretchen joined him, he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “That’s because they’re shocked I got married. I’m known as a confirmed bachelor.” He kissed her brow. “You’re totally ruining my reputation.”
She elbowed him gently. “It did happen awfully quick.”
He slanted his eyes in her direction. “Are you kidding? Ten years is quick?”
“To the folks around here it was quick. Your sister was the only one not shocked.”
“She’s in love, so she wants everyone in love. She likes you.”
“I like her, too. I’m glad you share a blood relation with her because she’s gorgeous. I can’t wait to meet Jack.”
“They’re driving down from Denver and meeting us at Dodge’s.”
They looked up when the elephant roused. Tommy set his mug on the end table and took Gretchen’s from her. “Get the camera. I want to get a picture of his face.” He looked down when Gretchen didn’t move, and he found her staring at him with tears in her eyes. “What?”
“It’s the happy. I can’t hold it in.”
“Give it your best shot and hand me the camera. I don’t want to miss this, and neither do you.”
Alex stumbled to the top of the stairs and glanced down at the tree. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and blinked again before taking off like a shot. Tommy snapped pictures until Alex barreled into his legs and hooked his mom with an arm, holding them together in a group hug. “This is the best Christmas ever!” He looked up. “Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad!” He turned, dropped to his knees, and picked up presents.
Tommy blinked as his arms went limp.
“You okay?” Gretchen asked.
Tommy nodded and tried to clear away the lump in his throat. Never once had Alex reminded him of Ryan, not with his sweet nature and hero worship, but Tommy’d never understood what it meant to be a father until those words came out of Alex’s mouth.
“It’s the happy,” Gretchen explained. “It’ll knock us both over the head for a while.”
He tugged her into his arms. “For forever, I hope. We’re a family. We’ll make it official, but we’re already a family. He’s my son. I’m just so…overwhelmed with happy.”
“Best Christmas ever.” She lifted her lips to his, sealing it with a kiss.
Epilogue
Lyle followed Erica up the stairs to his parents’ house and admired the sway of her hips. She turned at the top of the stairs and held out her arms. He went willingly and felt everything inside of him settle into a contentment like he’d never known. She pulled back, raised her left hand, and admired the ring she found under the tree.
“I can’t stop looking at it. See how it shines in the light?”
“Nope. All I can see is you. You look happy.”
She lifted her brown eyes to his. “I’m over-the-moon happy. I love you. This has been the best Christmas.”
“Erica?” Jack called from the kitchen. She squealed, pivoted, and rushed into his arms.
Lyle leaned against the bannister and watched as she held her hand up for him to see. He used his hands to inspect the diamond and, from his expression, Lyle knew he approved. Erica waved Lyle over, so he pushed through the crowd.
“Congratulations,” Jack said. “You’re getting one heck of a woman.”
“You don’t have to tell me.” Olivia walked up and linked her hand through Jack’s arm. “I have everything you need to get started planning the wedding. I’ve got websites, dress shops, florists. We’ll have your wedding planned in no time.”
“I really want to keep it simple.” Erica shot a pleading look at Lyle.
“Nonsense,” Olivia said. “You only get married once. Besides, with your gorgeous hair and drop-dead figure, when I’m done with you, Lyle’s going to swallow his tongue.”
Lyle felt Erica shiver and stifled a laugh.
“Pipe down,” Jack warned his fiancée. “If Erica wants simple, she’ll get simple. It’s her day.”
“When is the big day?” Olivia asked. “Jack and I are having a May wedding.”
Erica glanced at Lyle. “We really haven’t talked about it.”
“We can go down to the Justice of the Peace and save everyone the trouble,” Lyle said. Erica relaxed against his chest, but his mother narrowed her eyes. She must have heard him even though she was across the room and in conversation with Tommy’s new wife.
Jack cleared his throat. “No matter when you set the date, I’d like to give you a wedding gift now. The house and the land here in Hailey is yours. Yours and Lyle’s. You can do whatever you want with the wind tower. I’ll sign it all over before we head back to Denver.”
“Jack,” Erica said, “you don’t have to do that. Lyle has a house.”
“He has a cabin. I know you’re in love, but you need space. I want you to have it and I won’t take no for an answer.”
She looked up at Lyle. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s very generous.” He gripped Jack’s shoulder before leaning in to pat his back. “Thank you. Now I don’t have to wonder where we’re going to put all the kids we’re going to have.”
Erica elbowed him in the ribs before Olivia pulled her into the den and retrieved a giant notebook from her bag. She ushered Erica onto the couch and opened it on her lap.
Kevin waltzed up and offered Lyle a beer. “Congratulations. I see you made it official.”
Lyle nodded. “I did, although I’m not sure how happy she’s going to be now that Olivia’s got her looking at that wedding notebook.”
“A word of advice,” Kevin offered. “Nod and agree with whatever she suggests. Your opinion doesn’t matter anyway, so save yours
elf some grief and just go with the flow.”
Jack snorted. “Amen to that.”
Lyle looked at Kevin before jerking his head in Jack’s direction. “Jack here just gave us an early wedding present.”
“He did?” Kevin asked.
“His house. That means the cabin is yours as long as you need it.”
“Are you serious?” Kevin sputtered. “You’d let us stay in the cabin until we can afford to get our own place?”
“Sure. Stay as long as you want. I’ll be across the river living in the lap of luxury.”
“Sweet. I’m leaving for training the second week in January, so we won’t move in until February.”
“Whenever. The place is yours.”
“I appreciate that,” Kevin said. “As soon as we sell the house in Denver, we can move out.”
“That’s up to you. I’m sure Dodge will be glad you’re close when he starts calving.”
“I’ll make it back just in time.”
Tommy walked up and held out a hand to Lyle. “I hear congratulations are in order. It’s going to be like wedding central around here for awhile.”
“We may do what you did and slip away and get hitched.”
“I highly recommend elopement,” Tommy said.
Dodge eased past the group with Alex in tow. He led the boy to the window and pointed toward the barn. “That’s the feedlot where the cows stay in the winter months so we can feed them hay and get them fat.”
“Uh oh,” Lyle said. “Look’s like Dodge has found a willing victim.”
“Alex is fascinated with the animals and the ranch.” Tommy slapped Kevin’s shoulder. “I think you’re going to have some competition as Dodge’s ranch hand.”
“You and your beautiful new wife will have to buy your own ranch,” Kevin suggested.
Tommy pursed his lips. “Not a bad idea. With the development at Bear Stream starting construction next year, land will be a good investment.”
Dodge smiled as Alex ran to tell his mother that Dodge had promised to let him help with calving. “He’s a great kid,” Dodge said to Tommy.
“He is. His mother did an incredible job.”
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