A Rancher for Christmas

by Brenda Minton

  “I’m so sorry, Joe.” What else could she say? “But why were you living on the streets in Martin’s Crossing? Judging from this room, you don’t have to be homeless.”

  “No, I don’t have to be. I chose that life for the past year. I guess you could say I’m a senior citizen runaway.”

  She smiled at that. At least Joe had options.

  Joe reached for her hand, patting it in a fatherly gesture. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

  “It’s okay.” She removed her hand from his. “Joe, you’re the one who has been helping people out, aren’t you?”

  “You won’t tell, will you?”

  She shook her head. “No, I won’t tell.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to rest now. And you don’t have to stay. I know you have those little girls and Jake Martin. I wouldn’t want them to worry.”

  She didn’t bother telling him she didn’t think Jake would worry about her. He was probably looking at the guardianship papers right now, wondering how to take the twins away from her. But she wouldn’t let him.

  She wouldn’t let him break her heart. And she wouldn’t let him take Rosie and Violet from her. She wouldn’t allow him to take the life she was building for herself.

  “Are you still with me, Breezy?” Joe’s voice, gravelly with sleep, broke into her thoughts.

  “I’m here. I’ll step out for a moment.”

  “You don’t have to stay,” he argued.

  “I’m not leaving you alone.”

  She had left Maria. Even now it hurt to remember how it had felt to leave her. Breezy had been nineteen when it happened. She’d found a day job and on her way back she’d seen the ambulance, the police, the crowd on the street corner where she had left Maria that morning. Maria had insisted. She’d planned on selling papers, hoping to make a little extra money so they could get a room. But rooms didn’t come cheap.

  They said someone had taken the money and pushed her. Breezy went to the hospital that evening and she’d stood a short distance away from Maria’s room, gathering the courage to go inside, to say goodbye to the woman that had raised her. Instead the police had found her and taken her into custody. They’d questioned her about Maria, about why she had run when she saw the police. They’d questioned her about where she came from.

  Why had she run? She’d been afraid of the police, but how could she explain that? Maria had taught her to never trust them or give them information.

  Standing in the hall of this hospital it was easy to remember that young woman and how alone she’d felt when the police had told her it was too late. Maria had passed away from a heart attack she suffered during the mugging. Later they allowed her to leave the police station because they’d determined that she and Maria were family. They’d even driven her to a shelter for the night.

  She sat in the bed at the shelter, alone, afraid and unsure of how she would live the rest of her life with no family, no home and no real education. She had even tried to remember Mia’s last name, because Mia had taken care of her when they’d been children, hiding from their mother and her string of boyfriends.

  Pushing the past away, she called Jake. Not to give him explanations but to tell him she would be back. She loved the girls and she wasn’t leaving.

  When he answered the phone, she hesitated.

  “Breezy, where are you?”

  “I’m still in Texas. I’ll be home in a day or two.”

  “You’re okay?” He actually sounded concerned. She wanted his concern. His friendship.

  Silly heart. It had soaked up his friendship like a dry sponge soaks up water. It had wanted more than a plant, Christmas decorations and a puppy to prove it belonged in Martin’s Crossing.

  “Breezy?”

  “I’m here. I’m just...”

  “I’m just going to ask one thing of you. Don’t walk out on these little girls. They need you.”

  “I’m not walking out. I don’t walk away, Jake.” She closed her eyes and did her best to not cry. “Don’t take them away from me. I know that you must know about Maria, but I can explain it better than a private investigator.”

  “We’ll talk about that when you get back.”

  “Okay. Thank you,” she whispered at the end of the conversation.

  The call ended. At least he hadn’t said he would take the girls from her. That was something. She stood for a long time leaning against the wall, her eyes closed, her heart feeling squeezed. Eventually she took a deep, shaky breath, opened her eyes and told herself she would get through this. She always survived. She always managed to get back on her feet. This time would be no different.

  * * *

  Jake avoided looking at Brody and Duke as they brought in the cattle they needed to work before bad weather hit. Breezy had been gone for two days. They didn’t know exactly where or what she was doing. And Duke was none too happy. If Jake cared to explain, he could have told his brother he wasn’t too happy, either.

  The twins weren’t happy. They’d already lost enough. They didn’t need to lose Breezy. He should have kept his focus, not allowed himself to get distracted. By her. After all of these years of keeping his priorities straight, he’d dropped the ball when the twins needed him focused.

  “Hey, get that heifer,” Brody yelled. “Jake, are you anywhere near this farm?”

  Jake shot his little brother a meaningful look as he kneed his gelding and the animal shot around the cow that had been trying to make a break for it. He circled her, bringing her back to the herd.

  “I got her.” He gave Brody a pointed look. “And I don’t need your...”

  “Could we not fight?” Duke interrupted.

  “Not fighting,” Jake said. “But you know, this job should have been done months ago when these calves were easy to handle. Not now when we’re going to have to run them in a chute plus deal with mommas that don’t want their babies taken from them.”

  “So it’s my fault you’re in a bad mood?” Brody flashed him a look that was a little too confident and went after a rangy steer that was trying to head back to pasture.

  “Yeah,” Jake growled, “it’s your fault.”

  Duke laughed, pushing his hat back a smidge as he rode up next to Jake. “You know you’re just mad because you’ve never been good with the ladies and this time, when one was handed over to you like a Christmas present, you let the past get in the way.”

  “I...”

  “Her past and yours,” Duke continued.

  “This has nothing to do with the past.” Jake eased up on the reins when his horse started tossing his head. “Could we just get these cattle in the corral?”

  So they did. The herd moved through the open gate. Brody jumped down and closed them in, limping a little.

  “You okay, little brother?” Duke asked.

  Brody nodded as he flung himself back into the saddle, gathering up the reins and turning his horse toward the barn. “I’m good. But thanks for asking. I’ll get the stuff.”

  “Don’t forget the rubbing alcohol,” Jake called out after his retreating back.

  “I never do,” Brody half snarled.

  “You have to stop treating him like a kid. He’s twenty-six, not fifteen.” Duke pulled his right leg loose from the stirrup and hooked his knee over the saddle horn.

  “Then he needs to act twenty-six.”

  Duke shook his head. “Stop being the parent, Jake. That’s half your problem with Breezy. You like her, but you won’t let yourself because you’re punishing every woman for Sylvia’s crimes.”

  “I’m not punishing anyone,” Jake insisted.

  “Yeah, you are. You’re even punishing yourself. You think you have to take care of the whole family and half the town. After all, Mom left, Dad left. Who does that leave in charge, the noblest of creat
ures, Jake Martin? Stop.”

  Jake leaned forward in the saddle and pointed at Duke. “You think I don’t want to stop. But how do I stop when I have two little girls who now need me to raise them.”

  “Get yourself a wife. Loosen up a little and enjoy life. When was the last time you went on a date?”

  “I don’t date.”

  Duke pointed at him. “That’s right, because Sylvia left, so how can any woman be trusted? If I was you, and I was this twisted up inside over a woman, I’d try to get her back.”

  “She’s coming back,” Jake admitted. Man, he was exhausted. He wished Duke would let it go. But as much as Jake thought he had to take care of their family, Duke thought he had to keep them all hugging and smelling the flowers.

  “Why aren’t you happy about that?”

  “Duke, this isn’t a relationship. Breezy and I are raising the girls together. End of story. Maybe for a little while I forgot that. I might have crossed lines I shouldn’t have crossed.”

  “Jake Martin crosses lines?” Duke whistled. His horse sidestepped and Duke, even though he didn’t appear to have control, brought the horse back around with no problem.

  “Breezy and I are going to have to sit down and discuss our relationship.”

  “Why don’t you just date the woman, Jake?”

  Jake leaned to open the gate and rode through. “We have work to do.”

  “Yeah, there’s always work to do. Why don’t you answer my question?”

  Jake eased his horse through the gate and Duke followed. They knew what to do without actually discussing it. They would separate calves from mommas long enough to take the calf through the chute, give him his immunizations and tag his ear.

  Brody had walked back to the corral. He had a bucket with the tags, alcohol, giant-size needle and everything else they would need. Yeah, he was growing up. Whatever had happened between him and Lincoln had hurt him, but Brody wasn’t a kid anymore.

  “Jake, you didn’t answer me.”

  “I don’t want to answer you. I want to get this work done. I have Christmas shopping to do and some other errands to run.”

  And he didn’t want to explain that anything more than friendship could ruin things not only between himself and Breezy but also for the twins. The twins had to be his priority.

  For now and forever.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It took Breezy ten minutes to find a parking place. Martin’s Crossing just days before Christmas was a busy place. She hadn’t realized it would be like this, that the entire town would show up for this early Christmas celebration. Down the block she could see the parade lining up. The floats were lit with Christmas lights. A school band was warming up.

  She stood next to her car waiting for Joe to get out. He’d been released from the hospital that morning. They’d gone to his home so that he could pack a few things. It had surprised her, Joe having a home.

  He joined her and they walked across the street and down the block to the park. In the distance a horse whinnied. Of course there would be horses in the parade. Breezy scanned the crowd looking for Jake and the twins. She ached to see them. But she was afraid.

  “You’ll be okay, Breezy. And so will those little girls.”

  She put a hand on his arm. “Thank you.”

  The church choir was warming up. They would be singing outside because the weather was good. Breezy, with Joe at her side, walked toward them. She didn’t know if she would still be included. Her acceptance here had a lot to do with her acceptance by the Martins. She knew that. And she wanted their continued acceptance.

  She wanted this Christmas to be special. It would have been if she hadn’t crossed lines with Jake. If she had remembered that relationships never worked in her favor.

  No, she shook her head as she chastised herself. This Christmas would be special. She had a home, she had Rosie and Violet. And she had friends in Martin’s Crossing. She would have a big dinner and invite Oregon, Joe and anyone else who might be alone for the holidays.

  A flat trailer was being used for a stage. Breezy headed that way. Margie spotted her. The older woman called out and waved Breezy forward. The others noticed and many of them called out, friendly smiles on their faces.

  “Breezy, I was so worried you wouldn’t be here for your solo. But here you are. And Joe, too. I’m so glad to see you both.” Margie gave Breezy a quick hug and then handed her a songbook. “We’ll sing right after the parade and then before cookies and warm drinks in the community building.”

  “Okay.” Breezy held the songbook and glanced around. “Have you seen the twins?”

  “They’re with Marty. I saw her pushing the stroller. Those little girls have grown, I think,” Margie said. “You go catch up with them and we’ll see you after the parade.”

  She drifted away. Joe had left her. She knew that he planned on helping serve cookies and drinks. Like her, he had found a place in Martin’s Crossing. She hoped, no, she prayed that things went well for him in the future.

  As she walked toward the street she spotted Marty and the twins. She called out and Marty turned. Breezy stopped, waiting to be beckoned forward, waiting for Marty’s reaction. The older woman smiled and waved. Something eased inside Breezy.

  She hurried forward, catching up with them as Marty positioned the stroller so the twins could watch the parade. The girls spotted her and started to cry her name. But garbled in the word Brees, she also heard Mama and she knew that she wouldn’t leave. Jake would have to make the decision to take away her rights to the twins. And she knew he wouldn’t.

  They would work out a way to be friends. They would spend Christmases together for years to come. So this year was important. She had gotten off track with wishful thinking. But she was back on track now. She would be able to smile at Jake and pretend nothing had happened.

  She would pretend he didn’t shake her world to the core.

  “Rosie, Violet.” She kneeled next to the girls and gathered them in hugs, kissing their cold cheeks. Rosie patted her face and Violet pulled herself out of the stroller to cling to her neck.

  “They missed you.” Marty said it with a kind look that didn’t include censure. “I missed you, sweetie.”

  Those words meant everything. With both girls clinging to her, Breezy stood and allowed Marty to take her, with the twins, into a motherly hug. She breathed in, fighting the sting of tears.

  “It’s good to be home,” Breezy said as she backed away, wiping at her eyes.

  “You’re okay?” Marty asked as she moved them all toward the street and the approaching parade.

  “I’m good. Joe was in the hospital so I stayed in Austin long enough to bring him home.”

  “Breezy, you had quite a shock with Tyler Randall coming after you the way he did. I wish you hadn’t left.”

  “I just needed a few days,” Breezy explained. “And I’d gotten the call about Joe. I had to go to him.”

  “I know. We have all the time in the world to talk. But I want you to know you have people here who care about you.”

  She nodded, fighting tears. Marty sighed and patted her arm.

  The parade was almost to them. At the front was a local band with only a dozen or so students. They played “Silent Night” as they marched past. Young girls carried the banner with the school name. The twins waved and bounced in Breezy’s arms.

  Breezy set the twins down. She held Violet’s hand and Marty held Rosie’s. Breezy pointed so that the girls could pick up the wrapped pieces of chocolate and lollipops that were tossed to the people lining the street.

  For thirty minutes they stood there watching. The floats from area organizations and churches came after the horses. Another band, this one playing “Joy to the World,” walked by.

  More candy was tossed and the girls wou
ld pick it up and hand it to Breezy to put in her pockets.

  Near the end came the local saddle club. Jake, Duke and Brody road with them. Breezy held her breath as she made eye contact with Jake for the first time in several days. And it still hurt. His lack of trust hurt.

  At the very end, the local fire department had decorated their old truck with lights and music blasting from speakers. Santa sat in the back. The truck stopped and more candy was tossed.

  The crowds pushed closer, gathering more candy. Children rushed to greet Santa. Someone pushed close behind Breezy and she stiffened, waiting for an attack that didn’t come.

  “It isn’t a big parade, but it’s always been one of my favorites.” The voice, low and husky, came from behind her.

  Breezy hesitated before facing Jake, hoping she didn’t look too desperate. “It has been fun.”

  “Welcome home.”

  “Yes, it’s good to be back. Where’s your horse?” she asked as she and Marty put the girls back in the stroller.

  “Duke put him in the trailer so I could get over here to the girls. And to you.”

  “They loved the parade.”

  “I thought they would. They’re old enough to enjoy these things a little more. Last year...”

  She touched his arm. Last year his sister and Lawton had been here.

  He cleared his throat. “Last year they were barely a year old.”

  “A lot changes in a year,” she said.

  “Yes, a lot changes.”

  “I need to go join the choir.” Breezy looked down at the twins again. It was easier to focus on them than the man with the crystal-blue eyes standing in front of her.

  “We’ll be over there in a minute.” Jake took the stroller from Marty. “I drive slower than Marty.”

  She managed a smile and walked away. For the twins she could do this. She would do this. But it was going to hurt. No two ways about it.

  * * *

  Jake ignored the look Marty gave him. The one that asked him what he was going to do. He didn’t have an answer, and he didn’t want to think about this. Not tonight.