The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride

by Jill Kemerer

  “Clint? Is that you?”

  Clint almost jumped, and his heart began racing. “Yeah, Jerry. It’s me.”

  “Thought I saw you come in here. You looking for something?” Jerry stood in the doorway before closing the door and picking his way toward him.

  “Footprints through the snow led here. Seemed suspicious.”

  “Ain’t no reason for anyone to be in here. Maybe they stopped in the doorway to get a break from the wind.”

  “Can’t say for sure. Have you been keeping an eye out for Jake?” Since Jerry had returned to work after recovering from pneumonia, Clint had filled him in on the odd circumstances with the cabin and with Jake showing up on his day off. He’d asked Jerry to pay attention to Jake more, to make sure the kid wasn’t bringing trouble to the ranch.

  “Haven’t seen him all week.”

  “Which is the way it should be. He’s scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.” Clint hitched his thumb in the direction of the tarps. “What’s back there?”

  Jerry pulled his jeans up by the belt loops. “I reckon one of them’s the sled RJ used to take the girls out on. Let’s have a look.”

  They peeled the tarp back from the first item.

  “Well, I haven’t seen this gal in a while. Old Betsy was a trouper.” Jerry saluted the red-and-white Ford truck. “This F-100 was the purdiest truck I’d seen when RJ bought her, and she did everything we asked of her until it got too much for the old girl. Boy, she brings back memories.”

  Clint chuckled. “My first car was Shirley. I bonded with the old rust bucket.”

  “Help me with this here tarp.” Jerry moved to the next big tarp, and together they folded it back, revealing a wooden sleigh.

  Clint ran his hand along the curves. The sleigh had been painted black with glossy red trim and had a bench large enough to seat two or three people. He circled it, imagining hooking it up to Coco and Charger, the pair of Belgians they relied on to pull the hay sled when the snow got too deep. “When’s the last time this was out?”

  “Not since RJ’s wife passed. He used to hook it up every Christmas Eve and take Lexi and her mama on a sleigh ride. We’d polish it and pile it with blankets. I used to get a kick out of watching them take off. When she was real little, Lexi would take her gloved hand out of her fancy muff and wave at me. So much joy in her darlin’ face.” Jerry spat on the dirt floor. “Hadn’t seen that particular smile in a long time.”

  Clint could picture her, a little girl with long brown hair and sparkly eyes, sitting under a pile of blankets on this sleigh. If he had a little girl, he’d want to do the same for her. Drive her around the ranch and listen to the swish of the snow.

  “Then you came along. Girls are like Christmas trimmings. They’re easy on the eyes, and the right one is sweet as a candy cane. I reckon I’ve seen Lexi light up a few times when we’ve discussed you.”

  “You sure your eyes aren’t going bad?” Clint teased, but his balance shifted at the thought of Lexi thinking of him as special. “She’s lonely. Anybody would make her light up.”

  “Is that what you’re telling yourself?” Jerry propped a cowboy boot on the sleigh runner. “She brought a man back a while ago. I think his name was Doug, but I called him Dud. She didn’t light up for him, no sirree.”

  Good. He didn’t like thinking of Lexi with another guy, even one she’d told him about.

  “Miss Lexi sure loves planning weddings, but now she’s back, well, I’d like to see her stay. I didn’t think it was a possibility. With you here...well, maybe she’ll change her mind. But you’d better hurry up. Denver won’t wait forever.”

  A weight of cold dread landed in his gut. The mention of Denver should bring relief, but it didn’t. Not one bit. And then there was this false impression—first Lexi, now Jerry—they both seemed to think he was someone he wasn’t. And why’s that, Romine?

  He should have told them both about his past from the get-go.

  “I know what you’re hinting at—”

  “Who said anything about hinting?”

  “You can get that out of your head.” Clint dragged the tarp back over the sleigh. “I’m the ranch manager. Nothing more.”

  “I just think it might be time to get this sleigh out again. Take Miss Lexi for a sleigh ride. Would do her a world of good.”

  “I’m not the guy you think I am. I’ve made mistakes.”

  “Well, who hasn’t, boy?”

  He leveled a stare at Jerry. “Not like this.”

  “You murder someone?”

  “No.”

  “Thief? Jail time?”

  “No.”

  “You one of those predators?”

  “You know me better than that.” Clint glared at him and edged around the sleigh to check for signs anything was amiss. “I lost some property.”

  Not just any property. His property. His dream.

  “Is that so?” Jerry was following so close Clint could have given him a piggyback ride. “I know a bit about it myself.”

  Clint stilled, iced to the core. Had Jerry found out about his deal with the investor?

  “Yeah, I guess it was going on forty years ago now, I decided it was time to make something of my life. I was going to take over a small sheep operation near the Montana border. The missus is a smart one. She told me she’d crunched the numbers and didn’t see how we could make a profit. Back then my head was harder than a rock. I knew I’d succeed, and I told her so. Bless her heart, she went along with me, and we tried our hand at those sheep.”

  “It didn’t work out?” Nothing seemed odd in the shed, so he gestured for Jerry to follow him to the door.

  “That’s putting it mildly.”

  Clint locked the shed back up, and they crossed the gravel driveway, the wind whipping at their coats.

  Jerry raised his voice. “We lost money almost immediately, and instead of taking it like a man and figuring out a new plan, I let my pride get the best of me. Took out loans to cover the costs.”

  “I can relate.”

  Jerry paused and clapped him on the shoulder. “I lost it all, son.”

  The emotion pressing against Clint’s chest came as a surprise. Felt the hot rush of pain that had stabbed him when he’d found the bank man at his door, telling him he had to move, that they owned the property. Remembered the frantic research he’d done for days, the calls, the need to make sense of it all. The prayers to God not to take away his ranch.

  He didn’t want Jerry to have lost his dream, too.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Never felt so ashamed in my life.” Jerry braced himself against wind as they strode toward the office. “Thought my wife was going to leave me. I deserved it. She’d told me not to do it, and I hadn’t listened.”

  “But you’re still together?”

  “Yep. God blessed me with that woman.” He continued talking without breaking his stride. “I hadn’t told her about the loans. When it all came crashing down and the bank was breathing down my neck, I had to come clean. Worst day of my life.”

  They reached the door to the ranch office, but Clint didn’t open it. “What did she do?”

  A lopsided smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I girded myself for a verbal lashing. And you know what? She gave it to me good. Lit into me for a good hour. I deserved every second of it.”

  “And then what happened?”

  “She slammed out of the house. When she got back later, she told me she’d been praying, and she forgave me.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Just like that.”

  Clint didn’t know much about wives, but Jerry’s sounded like one of a kind.

  Jerry waggled his glove-encased index finger. “A good woman will forgive you your mistakes. You want to hold onto h
er when you find her. And take it from me—don’t let your yearnings get ahead of your earnings.”

  It had been almost five years since Clint had allowed himself a yearning. He’d accumulated a lot of earnings in the years since he’d lost it all. Only spent money on rent and his basic needs. The pile of money in the bank was as much as he’d invested into his land originally. But he hadn’t thought about spending it. Hadn’t dared dream about buying a ranch again. So it sat there and grew.

  “Wish I would have known you five years ago. Would have saved me a lot of trouble. I lost it all, too.”

  Jerry shook his head. “Let it go. It’s done. Give it to our good Lord. He forgives everything from a repentant sinner.”

  “I’ve repented.”

  “Then there’s nothing holding you back. Now I’m done freezing my toes off out here. You coming in?”

  “No, Banjo will be waiting for me.”

  “It’s the ding-dong-iest thing with that dog. Followed RJ around and wouldn’t budge. Knew who his master was. Moped along, barely ate in the weeks following RJ’s death. And then you show up, and Banjo clings to you like a tick on a deer.”

  “You’re reading into things too much, Jerry.” Clint turned to leave.

  Jerry chuckled. “And you can’t read the signs to save your life, boy.”

  Clint couldn’t argue. It was true.

  “Losing the sheep ranch was a real blow. But my pride could have driven away my missus, too. At the end of the day, I didn’t lose anything of real value.”

  Clint frowned, the words not adding up. How could he say he hadn’t lost anything of real value? “But the money and your dream...”

  “Money comes and goes. Dreams change. I found a job here at Rock Step and met RJ, the best friend I ever had besides my wife. The Lord blessed me right good, and there ain’t a day that goes by I don’t thank Him for it.” Jerry nodded to the door. “There’s Banjo.”

  “I have some errands to run and won’t be around until later tonight.”

  “I hope those errands include Miss Lexi.”

  “Stop matchmaking and make yourself useful. Tell Logan to keep his eyes open for anything suspicious.”

  He strode outside with Banjo beside him. Jerry had lost everything years ago, but now he seemed happy and content. He was able to look back and see the blessings from the wreckage. Clint drew his eyebrows together. Were there any blessings from his own mistake?

  Did he have to bear the burden of shame about it forever? Or was it time to let it go?

  He didn’t have time to think about it now. Lexi was waiting for him.

  * * *

  “You’re sure you don’t mind if I pick out a few gifts?” Lexi glanced over her shoulder at Clint standing behind her in Loraine’s Mercantile.

  “Nope.”

  She choked down a laugh at how he was standing, his gaze straight ahead, arms locked down by his sides. He appeared to be trying to mentally transport himself anywhere but here. She, on the other hand, wouldn’t mind staying in this cozy shop for hours. With Christmas music playing softly over the loudspeakers and evergreen boughs hung with red ribbons, the store put her in the holiday spirit.

  She’d had an ulterior motive for inviting Clint today. Yes, she wanted his advice about the building, but more than that, she needed a few answers before she could think about making a major life change. Unfortunately, the answers couldn’t be found by asking direct questions. Not to Clint, anyway.

  She needed to spend a little time outside the ranch with him, to see if she was whipping up romantic notions where they didn’t exist. Some good conversations, chemistry and mutual interest in the ranch did not equal a lasting love. From what Clint had told her, he wasn’t even looking for love.

  But what guy was?

  If love found him, would he be the kind of man she’d always hoped to find? Or would he be emotionally closed off? Unwilling to share the deepest parts of himself?

  “I remember coming in here a few times in high school. Wasn’t it a junk store?” Clint picked up a glass paperweight before setting it back down.

  “Pinko’s Odds N Ends.” Lexi checked the price on a tube of lavender lotion. “I don’t remember when it changed hands, but Loraine clearly has the style thing going on. I love the rustic chic feel of this place.”

  “Rustic what?”

  “Chic.” She pointed to the vintage wooden hutches and tables used for displays. “Elegant with outdoor elements.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “Look at these adorable candles.” She held the open Mason jar up for him to smell. He didn’t move or take a sniff. She raised an eyebrow, shoving it closer to his face, plastering her sweetest smile on her own. It was fun pushing his buttons. “What do you think?”

  He inhaled. “Blueberry pie.”

  “Exactly. I think the girls at work would love this.” She added four more candles to her basket, then meandered over to the jewelry. “Oh, wow. This silver is stunning.”

  She lifted a chain with a bouquet of silver flowers dangling from it. “I’ve never seen a necklace like this. The flowers are exquisite.” She brought it closer, then checked the tag. “Handmade.”

  Clint sidled up to her. “Yeah, it’s nice.”

  “Nice? It’s amazing. I think it’s perfect for Amy. We’d better get over to the building. Shawn will be there any minute. Let me pay for these, and we can go.”

  After making her purchases, they strolled down the sidewalk on their way to the old department store. Neither spoke, and Lexi’s mind wandered. One gift she didn’t have to worry about? Clint’s. She’d called Dan and Lola Smith, and she still couldn’t believe she’d been able to put a deposit down on the one puppy they had left. Apparently someone had bought it, then canceled. The best part? It would be available on Christmas Eve.

  She sighed in contentment. So far, the day had been lovely. A relaxing lunch with Clint at the sandwich shop. Browsing the mercantile. And now this. She found herself wanting to get closer to him, to tell him some of the things she’d been mulling over lately.

  “Do you read the Bible much?” She glanced up at him.

  “You come up with the most random topics.” He seemed taller right next to her.

  “I know, my mind operates in mysterious ways. I’ve been reading my Bible more.”

  “And?”

  “I’m not as angry about Daddy not telling me.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Yeah.” She shivered against the cold.

  “Prayer has kept me going many times over the years.”

  Could she say the same? “I used to pray regularly. Used to take everything to God.”

  “You don’t anymore?” He extended his arm for her to cross the road.

  “I’m starting to, but there were several years when I didn’t. I got busy. And excited. I think I was so passionate about my business taking off that I left God out of the picture. Oh, I still prayed at church and before meals, but let’s face it, a prayer before dinner isn’t really inviting Him into my life, you know.”

  “I know. I’ve had periods where I’ve gotten wrapped up in my own stuff, too.”

  “Like when?”

  “Off and on throughout my life.”

  “How did you get back into praying?”

  He shrugged. “I just did it.”

  While she was thankful he was willing to have this conversation, he wasn’t opening up much to her. She wanted to know more.

  “What do you pray for?” she asked.

  “Looks like the Realtor arrived.” Clint nodded to where Shawn’s truck was parked.

  So much for digging deeper. She hurried ahead. “Wait until you see the inside.”

  * * *

  Clint let the tape measure s
lide back into its case with a snap. Lexi had been right about this building. It was a gem. A neglected eyesore, but a prize just the same. He’d checked everything he could—the roof needed work and the heating system needed to be replaced altogether, but the electrical system and wiring were fine—and he was jotting notes for Lexi to ask a contractor. Shawn had left an hour ago, telling them to text him when they’d finished.

  Lexi waved to Clint from the second-floor balustrade. He grinned up at her. Couldn’t help himself. She had dirt smudged on her cheek and the biggest smile he’d ever seen. She was practically skipping around up there, speaking into her phone. She hadn’t stopped talking into it since they arrived. At first he’d thought she was calling someone, but she’d told him she was leaving herself voice memos. He didn’t even know you could do that on your phone.

  Yeah, she was something.

  And, as they’d methodically checked the building, he’d enjoyed listening to her prattle on about refinishing the floors, restoring the staircase, converting the first-floor storage room into a kitchen and moving the office to the second floor.

  Even better? He’d caught her vision. He could see the building with shining floors and brides and grooms. He could practically hear the laughter of the wedding guests and smell the roasted chicken Lexi claimed was on every bride’s menu.

  What a gift—to see the world through Lexi’s eyes. Her way of seeing things was so different than his, so filled with hope and beauty. She made things the best they could be.

  He accepted things as they were. Messy, difficult and unchangeable.

  Just being around her made him feel alive.

  Eating lunch with her, trailing her through the girlie store, having real conversations with her—they made him want more. He’d caught himself wondering what it would be like to hang out with her on a daily basis. To cook together and watch goofy movies and chat about the ranch and ride horses around the property.

  When had she become his idea of perfect?

  From the minute she opened the door the day I arrived.

  “I’m about done,” Lexi called from upstairs. “I’m texting Shawn.”