The Lawman's Holiday Wish

by Ruth Logan Herne

  Luke gave a slight smile and gripped her hands tighter. “Will you and the girls come and help us decorate the house for Christmas tomorrow? Please?”

  How could she say no? She nodded agreement. “Yes, we’ll come. Now go back to work. You’re embarrassing me.”

  His grin made people laugh. “I’ll consider my visit a success, then. And if a tres leches cake happens to come along with you ladies tomorrow, I can’t say I’d mind.”

  Rainey laughed in turn. “I’ll bring one. I promise.”

  “Good.” He pressed a sweet, soft kiss to her cheek, lingering there for just a moment. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yes.”

  The crowd whispered as he left, and Rainey felt heat stain her cheeks, but then Mrs. Thurgood stepped forward and grasped her hand. “God has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time, if we’re smart enough to pay attention.” She reached out and gave Rainey a hug. “I’d say you’ve been paying attention quite well.”

  “Thank you.” Rainey whispered the words for the old woman to hear, but then straightened, righted her apron and pointed to the new cake cooler alongside the milk cooler. “But as sweet as all that was, if I don’t get to the back room and drench more sponge cake, I’ll be working all night.”

  The customers smiled, and as Rainey threaded her way through them to the back room, she sensed their genuine joy for her.

  For her.

  And it felt unbelievably good.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “It’s not as bad as it looks.” Rainey offered from the kitchen where she was decorating cookies with Dorrie, Sonya and Aiden.

  “It’s pretty bad,” Luke replied. He scratched his brow, clearly in over his head, surrounded by reams of garland, lights and decorations in the living room. “I thought we’d have this done in no time,” he called out, and Rainey’s burst of laughter made him smile.

  “With three five-year-olds? What were you thinking, Luke?”

  “I guess I wasn’t,” he replied as he stepped into the kitchen. He took a deep breath. “Well, the roast smells great, and so do these cookies, but you—” he leaned in and took a deep breath near Rainey’s neck “—smell marvelous.”

  “Try this one, Aiden.” She handed his son a shaker of red-and-green sugar, then turned toward Luke, but his proximity unnerved her. He saw that and smiled, touched a hand to her cheek, then backed away slightly.

  “You were saying?”

  She paused, smiled up at him and thought of how impossible this day would have seemed a few weeks ago. But the shambles of a living room meant there was work to be done and not much time to do it. Five-year-olds had short attention spans. “I think we should concentrate on the porch today. If we get that done, the house will at least look festive from outside. And then we can put the candles in the windows....”

  “I don’t have candles for the windows,” he told her.

  She edged past him to the box she’d carried in. “You do now. Julia found these at a garage sale, and they’re perfect for this house. Sonya, go easy on the sprinkles, honey. Save some for the next cookie.”

  “’Kay.” Sonya eased up on the little plastic shaker, lips pursed, deep in concentration.

  Dorrie was busily applying thick buttercream icing in unhealthy amounts to the pile of sugar cookie Christmas trees in front of her. Aiden’s job was to sprinkle sugar “lights” on the freshly frosted trees.

  There wasn’t a clean surface to be seen in Luke’s normally pristine kitchen, and it felt wonderful.

  “May I see you for a minute, Rain?”

  She sent the kids a skeptical look. “You want me to leave them alone, armed with frosting and sprinkles?”

  One look at his face and she knew exactly what he was thinking, so she set down a frosting bag and followed him into the disheveled living room. Piper and her mother had donated boxes of extra decorations. Jenny Campbell had done the same, and Luke had followed Rainey’s directions and purchased garlands for the porch. But the antics of three children had ground progress to a halt.

  And in spite of that, Rainey had never enjoyed a more perfect afternoon.

  She scanned the messy room and smiled. “As soon as I’m done with cookies I’ll help out here, okay?”

  Luke looped his arms around her waist. Drew her in. “Promise?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Rainey...” Whatever he was going to say became lost in a kiss, a lovely kiss that brushed aside worries about ornaments and garlands. It was a kiss of promise and hope. Luke drew back eventually and pulled her against his chest, holding her, hugging her, the beat of his strong, steady heart a sound she’d love to hear every day.

  “I don’t want today to end,” she whispered.

  She felt him smile, his lips pressed against her hair. “Me, either. But I can think of only one way to make that happen, Rain.”

  She leaned back and gazed into his beautiful blue eyes. “And that is?”

  “Marry me. Us.” He waved a hand toward the kitchen. “Make us a family of five. Or more.” He added the last with a little smile. “There’s always room for a cradle, isn’t there?”

  Her heart surged. A glimpse of the future opened before her, children laughing and playing, climbing trees, building forts, feeding a menagerie of rescued creatures along the way. A future she hadn’t dreamed possible just became likely; it was a dream come true.

  “If you need time—” Luke began, but Rainey hushed him with a hug and then a kiss.

  “I’ve had time. Plenty of it. Too much these last few weeks, so yes, Luke. I’ll marry you. And raise these children with you.”

  Squeals from the kitchen meant they should really go see what the trio was up to, but as long as the knife drawer was out of reach, Rainey wanted to claim a bit more time with Luke. Just Luke. “And maybe God will send these guys a little brother or sister. Or two.”

  Rainey reached up and cradled Luke’s face in her hands. Such a big, rugged protector to have such a kind, gentle heart. She loved that about him, the odd balance. She loved...him. “Shall we tell the children?”

  “Not yet.” He stole one more kiss, a claim-staking kiss, then held out a tiny, black velvet box. “To seal the deal.”

  She laughed, opened the box and sighed.

  “You like it?” Genuine worry deepened his voice, as if any woman wouldn’t fall in love with the pretty ring inside.

  “I love it, Luke.”

  He reached out and plucked the flawless round diamond from the jeweler’s box and slid it on her finger. “You won’t make me wait too long, will you?” Luke grinned.

  She sent him a scolding look, then kissed him again, laughing. “Winter’s my quiet time at the store. I think we can find time for a wedding in the snow.”

  “Mommy! Look! It’s snowing outside!”

  Three sticky five-year-olds raced to the front window, marveling at the first real snowfall. Eyes wide, they hurried into jackets and mittens and dashed outdoors, welcoming the new season.

  Rainey smiled up at Luke. “You sure you’re up for all this?”

  He looped his arms around her and dropped his chin to her hair. “I couldn’t be happier, Rain.”

  Her heart melted a little more. This man had gone through rough times. He’d tried to stand tough and firm on his own, until circumstances brought him back to God. She settled her cheek against his chest, the glow of colorful twinkle lights sparkling against the late-day snow, and whispered, “Me, either.”

  Epilogue

  “You look like you could use some help,” Luke observed as he walked through the McKinneys’ side door the weekend before Christmas.

  Rainey turned from a sea of cotton and terry cloth on the living room floor and frowned. “You think?”

  Lucia he
aded his way from the kitchen, plunked a hefty sandwich down in front of him, said “Eat!” and crossed the dining room. “I will take care of Doralia’s angel gown. You do Sonya. Then we will both tackle the boy.”

  Luke coughed to hide a laugh.

  Rainey’s dark look said he’d made the wise choice as she shifted Sonya to tie a blue satin ribbon around her waist.

  “Do they have enough layers on?”

  “Enough so they can barely walk,” Rainey told him. “And it’s only going down to the upper twenties, so they’ll be fine. And I think you’re supposed to be eating, not talking.”

  “The sheep can keep us warm.” Sonya lifted wide, round eyes to the adults. “Just like in that book about the little lamb that couldn’t walk right. I love that story so much. Every time I see Luke’s sheep, I think of that little lamb.”

  “Me, too.” Aiden offered an upside-down nod from the sofa. “He stayed near the baby to keep him warm. That was a real good idea.”

  “They have portable heaters hidden behind the props,” Rainey reminded them. “And there are two fire pits with adult shepherds watching over them. So it will be chilly, but not too cold. And remember, the real Mary and Joseph didn’t have heaters in Bethlehem, so we’re very blessed.”

  “I second that,” Luke said as he finished the sandwich. “Lucia, thank you, that was delicious. Would you like me to—”

  “Nope.” Rainey interrupted whatever offer he was about to make with a quick shake of her head. “You take this one.” She steered Sonya in his direction. “She just needs the silver angel wings from that pile near the kitchen. I’ll get Aiden ready.”

  “Dad, look at this!” Aiden jumped down to show off the long flannel robe they’d borrowed from Jack’s youngest boy. “Shepherds get to take care of the sheep, just like I do at home!”

  “Someone, perhaps, should warn the sheep,” Lucia murmured.

  Luke grinned as he gathered their first angel into his arms. “I’ll take Sonya to the car and then come back for angel number two.”

  Rainey nodded and put her palms on Aiden’s shoulders, then met the excited boy’s gaze. “Kid, if you don’t stop wiggling, I’m either going to stab you with a pin or we’ll miss our time spot at the Nativity. Hold still.”

  “Sorry.” He peeked up at her, a little guilty and very cute, then threw his arms around her in a big hug that almost knocked her to the floor. “Thank you for letting me do this, Rainey.”

  The feel of the boy, trusting and happy, of his big, smacking kiss against her cheek, made her smile. “You’re welcome. Now quit buttering me up and let me get this done.” She buttoned the dark brown fleece robe over his blue jeans, turtleneck and flannel shirt, then took the gold-toned bath towel and dropped it over his head. Blond curls popped through the neck slit and she cinched the terry cloth with a length of plain rope. Warm boots took the place of old-world sandals because December nights in Western New York were not open-toe-friendly.

  “I’m wearing a towel on my head?” Aiden’s eyebrows shot up in a look so much like his father’s that Rainey’s heart went to putty on the spot.

  “Shepherds get the warmest heads of all in an outdoor living Nativity,” she told him. She folded the towel, laid it over his head, then used a long, narrow, ragged piece of cotton cloth to tie it in place, letting the ends drape down the little boy’s back. Pleased, she stood, stepped away and grinned at him. “You are the best-looking shepherd I’ve ever seen, Aiden.”

  “Really?” Delight brightened his blue eyes.

  “What about me, Mommy?”

  Rainey turned as Luke came back into the house. “Dorrie, in spite of way too much arguing and fussing at your grandmother—”

  Guilt flushed the little girl’s cheeks.

  “You look exactly like a little angel should. Slightly frazzled and a little askew.”

  “Huh?”

  Luke laughed and picked her up to carry her to the car. “She means you’re a kid. But you look great.”

  “Oh.” Dorrie’s expression said she was okay with that. “Is it still snowing?”

  “Yes. And probably enough to go sledding tomorrow after church.”

  Dorrie pumped her fist in the air. “Our first sledding this year!”

  By the time Luke returned for Aiden, Rainey and Lucia had bundled up. Uncle Berto brought the farm truck around to pick up Lucia, and they made a rolling convoy down the hill to the village church.

  The historic town square carriage house had been converted to a Christmas stable. Animals nibbled hay in the fenced yard adjacent to the old garage. Portable spotlights lit up the timeless scene of Mary and Joseph, with bales of straw as a backdrop. Rustic beams hid overhead lighting, bathing shepherds and angels in a warm glow.

  Cars pulled into the various village lots for the annual event—an Advent walk, caroling from church to church, dressing the church doors in festive greens, then ending in the village square, where the living Nativity took place.

  “Mom, quit fussing, I’m fine.” Dorrie sighed loudly and waved Rainey away as she tried to straighten Dorrie’s sparkly wings one last time. “I bet the real angels’ mothers didn’t do this.”

  “Oh, I expect they did,” drawled Luke, but he winked at Dorrie, grabbed Rainey’s hand and drew her back, out of the scene. “Come with me.”

  “But—”

  He shook his head and made her follow along. “You need to see this from up here before all the people come.” He climbed the rise of the west-facing hill, just enough to give them a vantage point above Main Street and the square.

  “Oh, Luke.”

  He settled his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her hair. “Amazing, right?”

  “Beyond that.”

  Before her lay the scene she’d dreamed of for three long years. Her daughters, dressed for Christmas, taking part in the long-time tradition of their church. Slightly crooked wings gleamed beneath the hidden lights above. Their faces shone as they perched on their “risers” behind Mary and Joseph. Shepherds of varying heights wandered the scene. And Aiden had done just what he’d promised: he’d nipped a lamb from the fenced yard. True to his word, he and the baby lamb sat alongside the manger, making sure the newborn king stayed warm.

  “Happy?” Luke whispered the word against Rainey’s ear and the warmth of his breath made her sigh.

  “Way more than happy.”

  His smile tickled her cheek. “Good.” He turned her slightly, captured a sweet Christmas kiss, then rested his cheek against hers for long, precious seconds. “Merry Christmas, Rainey.”

  It was the merriest of Christmases, she thought. She didn’t need presents or garlands or anything other than what she had this quiet, snow-filled night. The grace of God, a wonderful man who shared her heart and her faith, and three healthy, beautiful children.

  She had everything she’d ever hoped for, right here. Tonight. She turned toward him and stretched up for one more kiss, knowing one more could never be enough. “Merry Christmas, Luke.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from JINGLE BELL ROMANCE by Mia Ross.

  Recipe

  Rainey Cabrera McKinney’s Tres Leches Cake

  (Three-Milk Cake)

  Sponge cake:

  1 cup all-purpose flour

  6 eggs (3 will be separated, it sounds sad, but it’s fine, I promise!!!)

  1 cup sugar

  2 teaspoons almond flavoring, if desired. (We love almond so we add it.)

  2 large mixing bowls

  In one bowl, put 3 eggs and 3 egg yolks. Add the sugar and flavoring (if used) and beat with mixer until pale yellow in color. This should take several minutes. In second bowl (making sure there’s no grease on/in bowl) beat the 3 egg whites until stiff peaks form
. Fold the whipped egg whites into the beaten egg/sugar mixture. Sift the cup of flour over the mix and fold in with spatula, just until flour streaks disappear. Don’t overmix. We want the cake spongy and light, ready to receive the milk syrup later.... Oh, yum.... Using a spatula, gently put the cake batter into a buttered 13" x 9" pan.

  Bake at 325° on center rack until cake is puffy and golden. Sides should pull away from pan slightly. Once cake is removed from oven, allow to cool a few minutes, then flip cake onto large tray or plate with sides to prevent sauce from spilling over. Using a large fork or a steel knife sharpener (this is what Rainey and I prefer, those rounded steel rods that come with knife sets, perfect for poking holes!) poke holes at ½" intervals throughout cake. No, you don’t need to measure the distance, just “guesstimate,” okay? Nothing goes wrong if holes are closer.... You want that milk sauce to penetrate throughout the cake.

  Milk Sauce:

  Mix together in medium saucepan:

  ½ cup corn syrup

  ¾ cup evaporated milk

  ¾ cup sugar

  Heat to boiling over medium heat, and then simmer about five minutes, until pale caramel/gold in color.

  Mix in:

  1 12 oz. can evaporated milk

  2/3 cup coconut milk (for coconut variety) or 2/3 cup half-and-half or light cream (for regular recipe)

  Mix together, then spoon over cake slowly, allowing syrup to drench cake.

  1 can sweetened condensed milk can be used instead of first three ingredients, but if you don’t have it on hand, the mix of sugar, corn syrup and evaporated milk makes an amazing milk sauce and takes only minutes on top of the stove. It does bubble, so make sure pan is big enough that it doesn’t overflow. If using the canned variety, no need to heat.