All I Want for Christmas Is a Cowboy

by Jennifer Ryan

  “It’s okay, Doug,” Nate said, his little voice sounding so grown-up. “Mom drops things sometimes. She says everybody has challenges. Mine is that I talk before I think, and hers is that her body just doesn’t work right all the time, you know? I can’t remember why—it started last year.”

  A chill worked its way down Doug’s spine, and it had nothing to do with the weather. Was Sandy sick? Was that what Nate was talking about in his simple way? Had her husband left her at the same time?

  While he picked up the logs, he felt queasy inside, remembering how he’d talked about his dad’s illness, the extra work on him, how she might think he meant—oh, God, he’d been a complete idiot.

  And she hadn’t pushed him away, had been sweet and adorable and kind while he’d whined about the responsibilities of running a ranch—while he was in the best of health. He’d never met anyone more selfless and understanding in his life.

  And then he heard a horse’s whinny.

  “Doug, Doug, it’s another cowboy!” Nate called.

  The boy had already turned the corner to the front of the cabin, while Doug had been woolgathering. He picked up speed, still holding on to the logs. Out in front, he recognized the horses just as quickly as he recognized his brother.

  “Hey, Brett,” he said, breaking into a wide grin.

  Brett pulled off his hat revealing curly hair and curious eyes. “Hey Doug, we thought you might have holed up here, but didn’t know you’d have company.”

  The door opened and Sandy stood there, slender and beautiful in her red turtleneck and corduroys, fresh and pretty even though she’d been wearing those clothes a few days, same as him. He saw his brother’s eyes widen as he looked between her and Nate.

  “Ma’am,” he said with a polite nod, “I’m Brett Thalberg. I heard on the news about a missin’ woman and her son. Are you Sandy Fabrizi?”

  “I am,” she said, a hand above her eyes to block the sun.

  Brett shook his head and let out his breath with a whoosh. “There’ll be lots of folks glad to know you’re safe, ma’am.”

  “That was your brother’s doing,” she said.

  “No,” Doug said, amazed again at her courage. “She already had a fire goin’ before I got here—kept me from freezin’ to death. I was pretty far gone.”

  Brett smiled. “Okay, you saved each other. But maybe we should get you all home before someone calls out the National Guard.”

  “Give me a sec.” Doug headed for the door Sandy held open for him. “Gotta take care of these logs. Nate, I bet Brett’ll put you up on his horse.”

  “Wow!” Nate said. “Mom, get my cowboy, will you?”

  Doug went inside and let the logs drop near the hearth.

  She looked surprised, but laughed. “Okay, guess you’re in a hurry to get home.”

  “No, I’m in a hurry to do this.” He pulled her into his arms and squeezed her tight.

  At last she laughed and squirmed. “I can’t quite breathe, Doug. Yeah, I’m happy to be rescued, too.”

  “No, it’s not that. I could have stayed up here forever with you.” He lifted his head and looked down at her, although he didn’t release his hold.

  Her smile grew soft and dreamy. “That’s the kindest compliment anyone’s paid me.”

  “I—I don’t know how to say this, but I’m just goin’ to come right out. I dropped some logs out back, and Nate told me we all have challenges, that you drop things, too, because your body has problems.”

  Her face had gone paler with each word, and then he knew it was true, all of it, that Sandy was dealing was an illness that would affect her whole life. Inside his chest, it felt like a giant squeezed his heart, as if he’d never breathe again.

  “He shouldn’t have said that, Doug. I’m sorry he burdened you with my problems.”

  “Burdened? What the hell are you talkin’ about? God, I went on and on about my stupid problems, my dad’s illness, and you never said a thing.”

  “Don’t make it out like I’m brave or anything,” she warned him. “Last night was about you. Don’t minimize what you’re going through just because it doesn’t fit some sort of rule for who has it worse.”

  “There! Do you hear yourself? My God, I don’t know if I’ve ever met anyone like you. You’re brave and a great mom, and I think you’re pretty incredible on our first few dates. It can only get better, if you don’t mind that I’m a fool sometimes.”

  Her pale complexion now sported two red spots on her cheeks. “So . . . you still want to date me? It’s MS, Doug, and there’s no cure, and—”

  “I don’t care about that! My great-aunt lived to be eighty-five with MS. You’ll probably outlive me. I can’t believe you might still want to see me after all the whinin’ I did last night.”

  Her smile grew slowly, but that was a good thing, because its full effect was blinding.

  “I’d love to keep seeing you, Doug.”

  He leaned down to kiss her, and it was just as wonderful—better—than the first, because it held the promise of many tomorrows to come.

  “Hey Mom, stop kissing. Did you get my cowboy?”

  Doug kept his arm around Sandy. “She sure did, son.”

  Epilogue

  AS SANDY FINISHED the story both she and Doug had taken turns telling, Jessica Fitzjames’s tablet was long forgotten in her lap, and she stirred as if coming out of a dream.

  “Mrs. Thalberg, that’s just a wonderful, heartwarming story. Can I tell my readers?”

  “No!” Doug and Sandy said together.

  Jessica’s expression fell.

  “Maybe that we met there,” Sandy amended. “We can discuss the details.”

  “Do you still have the little carving?” Jessica asked Nate.

  “Of course. It always reminds me that I did get my cowboy for Christmas.”

  He and his adopted father—his real father—shared a conspiratorial smile.

  “But,” Nate amended, “I’m always amazed about the few . . . ahem, details this five-year-old never caught.”

  Sandy found herself blushing as all the family looked at her with smiles and even a few tears, especially her mother-in-law, Rosemary Thalberg. Mr. Thalberg had only lived another year, but Doug and Sandy were married six months into that year. Every day until he died, her father-in-law thanked her for giving him the grandson he’d always wanted.

  “We should tell Jessica about their fourth date,” Josh said.

  Nate grinned. “I remember it. Dad went back to the cabin, got my Christmas tree, and brought it back to us that same night. We all put it up together.”

  “Pretty sweet,” Brooke admitted, trying to hide that she was dabbing at the corner of her eye. “Damn, I cry every year.”

  “So who was the old man who saved you both?” Jessica asked, fingers poised on her virtual keyboard.

  Doug turned to Sandy. “Funny thing was, we never did find out his name, never even saw him again.”

  They looked into each other’s eyes, and their smiles were tender with wonder at what must have surely been a Valentine Valley Christmas miracle.

  Emma Cane returns with even more romance this year

  in her unforgettable Valentine Valley series . . .

  Coming February and March 2014

  THE COWBOY OF VALENTINE VALLEY

  A Valentine Valley Novel, Book 3

  Welcome to Valentine Valley, where the cowboys have many talents and love is waiting around every corner . . .

  Ever since a heated late-night kiss—that absolutely should not have happened—cowboy Josh Thalberg makes former Hollywood bad girl Whitney Winslow’s pulse beat faster. But when she decides to use his gorgeous leatherwork in her new upscale lingerie shop, Leather & Lace, she’s determined to keep their relationship strictly professional . . . even if she wants so much more.

  Josh has never met a challenge he isn’t up for. Which is probably why he allowed Whitney to persuade him to take the sexy publicity photo that went viral—and now has
every woman in America knocking down his door . . . every woman except for the one he can’t get out of his head.

  But how to convince a reformed bad girl that some rules are worth breaking?

  A PROMISE AT BLUEBELL HILL

  A Valentine Valley Novel, Book 4

  Welcome to Valentine Valley, where romance blooms and love captivates even the most guarded of hearts . . .

  From the moment Secret Service agent Travis Beaumont strides into town and through the door of Monica Shaw’s flower shop, she feels a sizzle of attraction. After years of putting everyone else’s needs first, Monica is ready to grab hold of life. If she can just persuade the ultimate protector to let his own walls down for once . . .

  The president’s son is getting married in Valentine Valley, and Travis should be avoiding all distractions . . . not fantasizing about a forthright, sexy-as-hell florist. Especially when she’s keeping secrets that could jeopardize his assignment. But just this once, Travis is tempted to put down the rulebook and follow his heart—right to Monica’s door.

  Roses are red, violets are blue, and in Valentine Valley, love will always find you.

  And don’t miss the rest . . .

  A TOWN CALLED VALENTINE

  A Valentine Valley Novel, Book 1

  Welcome to Valentine Valley—where broken hearts come home to mend, and true love may lie just across the range . . .

  Emily Murphy never thought she’d return to her mom’s rustic hometown in the Colorado Mountains. But after her marriage in San Francisco falls apart, leaving her penniless and heartsick, she returns to her old family home to find a new direction for her life. On her first night back, though, a steamy encounter with handsome rancher Nate Thalberg is not the fresh start she had in mind . . .

  Nate has good reason not to trust the determined beauty who just waltzed into town—he’s no stranger to betrayal. Besides, she’s only there to sell her family’s old property and move back out. But as Nate and Emily begin working side by side to restore her time-worn building, and old family secrets change Emily’s perception of herself, both are about to learn how difficult it is to hide from love in a place known far and wide for romance, family ties, and happily-ever-afters: a town called Valentine.

  TRUE LOVE AT SILVER CREEK RANCH

  A Valentine Valley Novel, Book 2

  Welcome to Valentine Valley, where tongues are wagging now that the town bad boy is back—and rumor has it the lean, mean ex-Marine is about to lose his heart! But like it or not, in a town like Valentine, love happens . . .

  Adam Desantis is back—bruised, battle-weary, and sexier than ever! Not that Brooke Thalberg is in the market. The beautiful cowgirl of Silver Creek Ranch needs a cowboy for hire, not a boyfriend—though the gaggle of grandmas at the Widows’ Boardinghouse thinks otherwise. But from the moment she finds herself in Adam’s arms, she’s shocked to discover she may just want more.

  Adam knows it’s crazy to tangle with Brooke, especially with the memories that still haunt him, and the warm welcome her family has given him. But he finds himself in a fix, because tender-loving Brooke is so much more woman than he ever imagined. Can a soldier battling demons give her the love she clearly deserves?

  Just about everybody in Valentine thinks so!

  A WEDDING IN VALENTINE

  A Valentine Valley Novella

  It’s the wedding all of Valentine Valley has been waiting for!

  Bridesmaid Heather Armstrong arrives for Nate and Emily’s big weekend, only to discover that one of the ushers is the man she had a close encounter with when they were trapped by a blizzard seven months before—and he’s the bride’s brother!

  Cowboy Chris Sweet never forgot the sexy redhead, although she’d disappeared without a trace. At first the secret creates a divide between them, but as they grow closer during the romantic weekend, will Heather dare risk her heart again?

  About the Author

  EMMA CANE grew up reading, and soon discovered that she liked to write passionate stories of teenagers in space. Her love of “passionate stories” has never gone away, although today she concentrates on the heartwarming characters of Valentine Valley, Colorado, a small town of her own creation nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Now that her three children are grown, Emma loves spending time crocheting and singing (although not necessarily at the same time), and hiking and snowshoeing alongside her husband, Jim, and two rambunctious dogs, Apollo and Uma. Emma also writes USA Today best-selling novels under the name Gayle Callen.

  Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.

  Also by Emma Cane

  True Love at Silver Creek Ranch

  A Town Called Valentine

  Novellas by Emma Cane:

  A Wedding in Valentine

  Coming Soon

  The Cowboy of Valentine Valley

  A Promise at Bluebell Hill

  CAN’T WAIT

  Jennifer Ryan

  Dedication

  For Lea Taddonio, my awesome critique and plotting partner and an even better friend. Thank you for everything.

  Snowball fight and sleigh rides just for you. Enjoy!

  Chapter One

  SUMMER TURNER STOOD between the two tall men and tried to ignore their impatient and sour expressions. Well, her brother Jack’s, anyway. No ignoring the other man on her left. Whenever he was near, all she wanted to do was throw herself on top of him and kiss him until he finally acknowledged her as something more than his best friend’s baby sister.

  Caleb wore his usual pasted-on look of indifference, but behind his sable brown eyes she glimpsed fleeting moments of interest. Not in the brightly decorated Christmas parade floats, but in her. Sometimes she thought she caught him staring at her, but he’d look away or through her like she wasn’t even there. Maybe it was nothing more than wishful thinking.

  A shiver of need ran through her. How she wanted that man.

  One of these days, she’d stand on her tiptoes, wrap her arms around his neck, and kiss him until the iceman melted.

  The last parade float passed. Jolly Old St. Nick waved to the crowd with a hearty “Ho, ho, ho,” and tossed mini candy canes from his overstuffed sack. Kids scrambled free of parents to scoop up as much candy as possible.

  People stepped off the curb and followed Santa’s sleigh, making their way along the street toward the park for the tree-lighting ceremony. Summer turned and stared at Jack and Caleb, standing with their arms behind their ramrod-straight backs, eyes scanning the crowd and roofs for nonexistent snipers. Discharged from the military two months ago after a very dangerous and deadly tour in Iraq, neither of them spoke a word about their experiences, but their quiet intensity told her they’d seen and done things neither of them would ever forget.

  “I’d say at ease, soldiers, but you already are. Seriously, dial it down. Everyone stood crushed along the street for six blocks, except for the five-foot restricted zone you two intimidated folks into keeping around us.”

  Jack rolled his eyes. “What did we do now?”

  “Glared at everyone. Frowned at the cheerful floats. Grunted at the carolers. Sucked the fun out of yet another tradition.”

  “Another?”

  “Yes. Another. Remember Thanksgiving?”

  “Good food. Beer. Sam, Caleb, and I watched the game. The Broncos won.”

  “Had fun, did you?” she asked Jack, then turned to Caleb. “How about you?”

  “Yeah. You’re an amazing cook,” he said, not quite meeting her eyes.

  Secretly, she thrilled at the compliment.

  Outwardly, she threw her hands up and let them fall, slapping her thighs.

  “I set the table with Grandmother’s best dishes. Crystal wine glasses, candles, flowers. I spent hours making a perfect turkey and all the trimmings. You lug-heads grabbed a plate, piled it high, and flopped back on the couch to watch the game. I sat in the dining room alone.”

  Caleb’s gaze fell away.

  “
You should have joined us,” Jack said.

  “I wanted to have a family meal. Mom and Dad are away on their trip. Sam came home, you made it home safe from the war. I wanted to sit around the table together and share a meal and remember how grateful we are for all we have. You’re here, Jack. You and Caleb survived. Couldn’t you take an hour to appreciate all you have left, instead of holding on to your anger and hurt and resentments and whatever else it is you feel when you’re quietly moody.”

  “I’m not moody.”

  “When’s the last time either of you smiled?”

  “How did I get lumped into this family squabble?” Caleb asked when she shot him a disgruntled frown.

  “Come on, sis, I’ll buy you a hot chocolate and we’ll watch the tree lighting. Will that make you happy?”

  “I’m not ten.”

  “I know that.”

  “Do you? Ever since you got home, you’ve treated me like I’m a kid. You may run the ranch, but you don’t run me.”

  “You’re my sister. I’m trying to look out for you.”

  “I don’t need you to look out for me. I need you to find your way out of the dark. I’m trying to lead you there, both of you, but you refuse to follow. I can’t imagine the things you’ve seen, the things you’ve done to survive. But you’re alive.” She looked from Jack to Caleb and back again. “So live.” She turned to Caleb. “Find whatever it is that makes you happy, grab hold of it, and never let go.”

  Her stomach fluttered when Caleb instinctively leaned toward her, but caught himself and drew back into that tightly controlled rigid stance. After weeks of doing everything short of throwing herself at him, maybe she needed to face facts. He didn’t want her. Not really. Away from the States for over a year, maybe he just wanted a woman, but not her.

  “I don’t know why you’re so worked up over a parade.” Jack’s irritation showed in his voice and face.

  “Summer, come dance with me,” Charlie called from across the street.