A Cowboy Family Christmas

by Judy Duarte

  “I’m serious,” Lainie said. “I’d have to do some footwork first. I have a small apartment in town, so I’d need to find a bigger place.” Not to mention a better-paying job.

  Then again, if Lainie went to work full-time to support a family, she’d need day care for the kids. And that wouldn’t allow her to give them all the time and affection they needed—and deserved.

  Or would it? A lot of single parents had to work, yet they still found a way to spend quality time with their kids.

  “Would the state allow me to adopt as a single woman? Or at least, become a foster mother?”

  “I can place a call to Mrs. Tran and ask,” Donna said. “Or better yet, I can give you her number.”

  Lainie sucked in a deep breath, then let out a wobbly sigh. “My position at the Rocking C is only temporary, so I’d need to find a different job first. Maybe it would be best if I called Mrs. Tran after I get settled.”

  The more she thought about it, the more the idea sounded like a pipe dream that couldn’t possibly come true. By the time she was capable of providing those children with a home, Mrs. Tran might have found a better living situation for all of them. Or by then, Kidville would be able to expand and accept younger children.

  Hopefully, Andre’s little brothers were in loving environments and would have a nice Christmas this year, even if they...

  “Say,” Lainie said, “could we invite Andre’s brothers to the party? We’d include their foster families, too, of course.”

  “That’s a great idea, and I know Andre would be thrilled if they came. I’ll call Mrs. Tran and see what she has to say. It might be difficult to coordinate something like that on Christmas Eve since everyone could have different holiday plans. But it might work. In the meantime, when did you want to schedule that riding lesson for Andre?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  “I’m happy to hear that,” Donna said. “That little boy has had to face a lot of broken promises in the past.”

  Lainie could certainly relate to that. The two men she’d once cared about had been big disappointments, too.

  But then she’d met Drew. Hopefully, if she were to consider having a relationship with him, it would prove to be a lot more promising than the other two.

  * * *

  Drew stood on the front porch, drinking a cup of coffee and waiting for Jim Hoffman to bring Andre for his riding lesson. The morning air was crisp—not exactly cold, but chilly enough to know winter had crept in on them.

  When the screen door creaked open, Lainie stepped outside with a plastic container in her hand. He’d already seen her at breakfast this morning and noted the change in her. She’d ditched the baggy denim for a pair of snug black jeans and a stylish, curve-hugging sweater. She’d even applied lipstick.

  But seeing her now, without the full-length apron to cover her up, he realized he was going to have a hell of a time keeping his eyes off her and focused on Andre and his riding lesson.

  “What have you got there?” he asked.

  “Just a couple of carrots and an apple. I thought Andre could give them to Felicity before or after his ride. But I thought I’d better ask you first.” She glanced out to the corral, where Felicity was saddled and tied to a hitching post. “Is that her?”

  “She isn’t used to getting much special attention, so she’ll like having a treat.”

  “Sounds like she and Andre have something in common,” Lainie said.

  Drew was getting some special treatment today, too. Not only was Lainie a lovely eyeful, she was wearing a new fragrance, something soft and tropical, which seemed out of place at a ranch. Actually, now that she’d ditched the baggy denim and blousy cotton, she seemed out of place here, too.

  He’d found her attractive before, but today, she was beautiful and downright sexy.

  From what he’d seen so far, it appeared that she had a good heart, and an unusual thought struck him, one that was a little too domestic for a man who’d made up his mind to remain single the rest of his life.

  That decision had been fairly easy to make, when the people who should have loved and supported him as a kid had all failed him one way or another—whether through sickness or desertion.

  Okay. So Kara had never let him down, but that was different. She wasn’t supposed to look after him. It was the other way around.

  “Come on.” Drew gave Lainie a gentle nudge with his elbow. “I’ll introduce you to Felicity.”

  They’d just stepped off the porch when a white minivan pulled into the yard.

  “Oh, good,” Lainie said. “Andre’s here.”

  The moment Jim and the boy climbed out of the vehicle, Andre broke into a happy grin.

  “I’ve never been on a ranch before.” His small brown eyes glowed with excitement. “I didn’t think today would ever get here.”

  “That’s true,” Jim said. “He hardly got a wink of sleep last night, and he’s been jabbering nonstop about cowboys and horses ever since we told him about the riding lesson.”

  “I’m glad we can provide a little fun for him,” Drew said.

  “So am I.” Jim placed his hand on the boy’s small shoulder. “I’d love to stay in the yard and watch you guys, but I’m taking a new medication for the next week or so, and I’m supposed to stay out of the direct sunlight.”

  “Why don’t you sit on the porch,” Drew said. “I have a feeling several of the retired cowboys will soon join you. They like sitting in those rockers in the shade.”

  “Great. I’d like to meet them.” Jim placed his hand on the pint-size, wannabe cowboy’s head. “Have fun, Andre.” Then he turned and headed toward the porch.

  “This is so cool.” Andre scanned the pastures, the corral and the barn. “I wish Abel and Mario could be here to see this.”

  Drew glanced at Lainie, whose glassy eyes revealed her sympathy. Rather than stir up any sadness—hers or Andre’s—he decided to let the boy’s comment ride.

  But Lainie faced it head-on. “I’ll try to set up a visit for your brothers to come to the Rocking C, too.”

  Why had she offered something she might not be able to pull off? If it didn’t work out for any reason, it would only make the poor kid feel worse.

  “That’d be awesome.” Andre looked up at Lainie as if she held all power, all knowledge... All hope. “Can I come again when they get their lesson?”

  “Of course you can. They won’t have as much fun without you.”

  There she went again, committing Drew to something without running it by him first.

  Of course, she hadn’t actually included him in her plan, but she wasn’t going to be living on the ranch much longer. How did she think she’d find time to set up another visit with two separate families?

  “Andre,” she said, as she stooped to tie the boy’s shoes, “tell me about your brothers. I can’t wait to meet them.”

  Aw, man. Why’d she have to go and do that? The poor kid didn’t need those sad, painful feelings stirred up. He needed to learn to tamp them down. If Drew had allowed himself to get sucked into the emotions his mom and sister had once faced, he wouldn’t have been able to stay strong for them.

  “Mario is four,” Andre said, “and Abel is six. They have a different dad than me, and I’m glad about that because he’s in prison.” Andre glanced down at his sneakers, which were now double knotted, then back at Lainie. “I never met my dad, but my mom told me he was a cowboy. And the best one ever. So when I grow up, I wanna be just like him.”

  Drew’s gut twisted at the thought that Andre’s deadbeat dad had become a superhero, a mythical cowboy who’d bailed out on his own flesh and blood, just like Drew’s old man had done.

  “Do you have any idea where your father might be?” Lainie asked.

  “No, but he’s probably working on a ranc
h like this one. He’s a nice man, and not like Pete. My dad would never hurt a kid or a mom.”

  At that, Drew’s hand fisted, and his heart clenched so hard it almost choked off his air supply.

  He wasn’t about to stand here and let Lainie resurrect the past, ruining the boy’s day—and possibly his future. So he had to put a stop to it here and now.

  “Come on,” he told Andre. “I’ve got a hat for you in the barn. Once you’re dressed like a real cowboy, I’ll introduce you to Felicity, the mare you’re going to ride.”

  “Cool,” the boy said, as he limped along with Drew. “I can’t wait to ride her.”

  When he and Andre returned from the barn, Lainie was waiting for them inside the corral and next to the mare.

  “You look like a real cowboy.” She tapped the top of his new hat. “Now let’s see how you look mounted on Felicity.”

  Apparently she intended to stick around and witness the boy’s first ride, which was okay with Drew. He liked having her around—at least, as long as she didn’t pry or poke at tender feelings.

  As Drew walked toward the gate, Andre limping along beside him, Lainie lifted the plastic container. “I brought this so you could give Felicity a treat before you ride her. I have an apple and two carrots. Which do you want to give her?”

  Andre looked at Drew. “Which one would she like best?”

  “Let’s give it all to her.” Drew reached into his pocket, pulled out a Swiss Army knife his sister had given him last Christmas and cut the apple into chunks.

  “Is it bad for her to eat big pieces?” Andre asked.

  “No, but she’ll gobble it up so fast she won’t get a chance to taste it. Let’s make her work for it.” He handed a chunk of apple to Andre, then showed him how to keep his hand open flat while he offered it to her.

  Just like the cowboy he wanted to be, Andre took to feeding a horse quickly. All the while, he beamed and giggled.

  Felicity seemed to take a real liking to him, too.

  “Let’s get you in that saddle,” Drew said, “so we can start your riding lesson.”

  Minutes later, as Drew adjusted the stirrups, he glanced up and caught the happy smile on Andre’s face. His chest filled with warmth, just knowing he’d had a part in putting it there.

  The lesson began, and Andre was a natural. Before long, Drew was able to step back and let the horse and boy move about the corral.

  As he leaned against one of the posts, Lainie stood next to him, only the white wooden railing separating them.

  “Look at him,” Drew said. “He’s having the time of his life.”

  “You’re good at this,” Lainie said.

  At what? Surely she didn’t mean he was good with kids. His expertise was horses, although he had to admit to having a soft spot for a disabled kid who wanted to grow up to be a cowboy. But he thanked her just the same.

  Then he looked over his shoulder, caught her profile, the thick dark lashes, lengthened by mascara. The turned-up nose. The fresh application of dark pink lipstick.

  “You look pretty today,” he said.

  “Thank you.”

  “What’s the big occasion?”

  She shrugged a single shoulder. “I just wanted to look nice for Andre’s big ride.”

  “Then it worked.”

  Her smile reached her eyes, sparking a glow that made the color look amber.

  “Those black jeans are a lot more flattering than overalls,” he said, wondering what style panties she wore today. Were they pink and lacy like before? Or maybe satin like the soft bra he’d touched the other day?

  He didn’t ask, and she didn’t comment further. Instead, he checked on Andre, who had a steady grip on the reins. The kid was a quick study, which was good since Drew couldn’t keep his mind or his eyes off Lainie.

  Maybe it was her scent, which reminded him of a big, frozen piña colada, complete with a slice of fresh pineapple.

  She was pretty damned tempting—sweet and intoxicating. What he wouldn’t give to get her alone. To see if she tasted as good as she smelled.

  He really didn’t know that much about her, though. But since he didn’t make long-term commitments, did that even matter?

  The next time he had a moment alone with her, he just might suggest they have an affair while they were both here.

  That reminded him, time was slipping away.

  “Are you still planning to edit my blog posts?” he asked.

  “Sure. Have you started it yet?”

  “I wrote about one of the cowboys, but it’s still in draft form and needs work. I thought that you might want to look it over and tell me what you think. It’d be nice to know if I’m heading in the right direction.”

  “I’d be happy to.” She offered him another smile, and he was again struck by her beauty. And by the appeal of a romantic distraction until Christmas.

  “I’ve got some things to do in the kitchen,” she said. “So this isn’t a good time to see what you’ve pulled together. What about after dinner tonight?”

  Bedtime? He liked the sound of that.

  “Perfect,” he said. “I’ll have my laptop all set up. Once you think the first blog post is ready to go, I’ll schedule it and start work on the second one.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

  So was he. Hopefully, she’d be agreeable to lovemaking. Only trouble was, they’d both be moving on and going their own ways soon. So he’d better suggest it tonight.

  Chapter Ten

  Lainie could hardly wait to finish her evening chores, slip away from the house and head to the cabin where Drew was staying. And she suspected that he felt that same eagerness.

  Several times during dinner she’d caught him gazing at her so intensely that it seemed as if he was looking beyond her outward appearance and into her very heart and soul. It had been a little unraveling, but in a good way.

  He didn’t know about the scar yet, but she planned to tell him about it tonight.

  She ought to be nervous about that, but she wasn’t. She’d come to realize Drew was special. A flood of warmth had filled her chest when she saw him with Andre today, when she’d observed the kindness he’d shown, the sensitivity. She’d nearly melted when she’d watched him slow his steps so the limping boy could keep up with him.

  And that’s when she’d lowered her guard and finally faced what she was really feeling for him.

  They would work on his blog tonight, but they’d also have a heart-to-heart talk. No more secrets. No surprises.

  Besides, Lainie’s congenital heart defect had been corrected years ago. And that scar was her badge of courage, as one of the nurses in the pediatric intensive care unit had told her.

  She’d have to tap into that bravery while she waited for his reaction to her revelation like a timid little girl being wheeled into the operating room to face the unknown. Would he accept or reject her?

  Shame on him if he didn’t, yet her heart swelled with hope. She’d come to care deeply for Drew. She might even love him. At least, that’s what she’d imagined love might feel like. And if he gave her any reason to believe he felt the same way, she’d come out and tell him to his face.

  Once Lainie had washed the dishes and put them away, she blew out a ragged sigh, then glanced at the clock on the wall, ticking out the minutes until she could see him again. It was nearing showtime. So she returned to her bedroom to freshen up—and pull out all the stops.

  As she stood in front of the bathroom mirror, she ran a brush through her hair and let the curls tumble down her shoulders the way they used to. She’d gotten tired of hiding her looks, her identity.

  Heck, she might even tell him about that fiasco with Craig. That way, in case he ever heard about it, he’d know the truth.

 
After reapplying her lipstick and mascara, she used a little blush, although she probably wouldn’t need it. Excitement and nervous anticipation were sure to paint her cheeks a warm, rosy hue.

  Before leaving for Drew’s cabin, she took one last look in the mirror. She wanted to put her best foot forward before knocking on his door tonight.

  Pleased by the familiar image looking back at her, she said, “This is it.”

  Now was the time to let Drew know who she really was. And to find out if he would accept the real Lainie.

  * * *

  After eating dinner in the kitchen with the ranch hands, Drew returned to his cabin to get ready for Lainie. He was excited about her visit—and not just because he wanted her help on writing up his interviews.

  Something told him that tonight was going to be special, and that he should be prepared for anything. So he’d taken a shower, slipped into a clean pair of worn jeans and put on a Texas A & M polo shirt. Once an Aggie, always an Aggie. Right?

  His hair was still damp when he sat down at the dinette table, his makeshift home office, and booted up his laptop. He may as well set the scene so Lainie would think that work was the only thing he had on his mind, but his hormones had already caused his thoughts to stray in a sexual direction.

  He wished he could offer her a glass of wine or a cold bottle of beer. All he had to drink was coffee or soda pop, which would have to do. But an adult beverage would be a lot more conducive to romance.

  Then again, so was a sugar cookie.

  And a broken tailgate.

  He’d just logged on to the internet when an online call from his sister came through. The last time they’d talked, Kara had insisted that she was doing well. Hopefully, that was still the case.

  “Hey,” he said, once they connected. “What’s up?”

  “Not much. Just the same old, same old. But I’m hanging in there.”

  He could see her stretched out on her bed, where several big, fluffy pillows propped up her head. She appeared to be a little pale, but maybe it was just the lighting.