“You know it ain’t right to leave a man in jail on Christmas day, Tuck.” Jeremiah Hawthorn called from the holding cell behind my desk. “I barely did anything wrong.”
I kicked my feet up on my desk and sighed. “You know, I wouldn’t have to be here right now if you hadn’t decided to get drunk and show your bare ass to every woman at Sally Farm’s meeting.”
“Aw, come on, Tucker! You know how that lady is. She puts that red hat on and she thinks she’s the freaking queen of England. I was just joking around.”
I wanted to laugh, I did. I knew exactly what a pain in the ass Sally Farm could be. She called me to report anyone and everyone, sometimes daily. Someone’s music was too loud, someone else’s dog peed on the edge of her grass, so and so’s daughter looked suspicious. I still had a job to do, though. And Sally Farm hadn’t just seen Jeremiah’s ass. He’d bent over a little too far and she’d caught a glimpse of his dangling set.
“Well, your joking is costing me a day with my family. I could be at the ranch right now, sipping on Aunt Carolyn’s special egg nog. Next year, remember to keep it in your pants, would you?”
He grumbled some more, but eventually grew quiet. I figured I’d let him out in another hour or so, so he could go home and be with his family for dinner. Hell, his momma was going to punish him much more than I ever could.
The bell over the door tinkled and I looked up to see Lettie Jay hurrying my way. She’d shed her normal professional attire for a pair of dark jeans and a thick sweater that couldn’t hide her ample curves. Tall, beautiful, and smelling like the most delicious coconut cake I’d ever gotten a whiff of. Her normally sleek black hair was piled into a rumpled bun on top of her head and her green eyes were wide.
I stood up, worried that something had happened to her, and noticed the three rag-tag children shivering behind her. “Lettie?”
She gestured to the kids and then opened her mouth, only to have no sound come out. Finally, she clamped her lips shut and took a deep breath before trying again. “This is Abby, and her little brothers Joey and Bear.”
I smiled at the kids and rounded my desk. “Hey, guys. What are ya’ll doing out here on Christmas day?”
The kids moved closer together and looked up to Lettie. She twisted her hands together and frowned. “I think they were…abandoned.” She mouthed the last word silently.
My bear stirred inside, angry at the idea that someone would hurt the innocent looking children in front of me. “Walk me through it.”
She turned and knelt in front of the kids, a sweet look on her face that suddenly caused my bear to stir in another way. “Abby, I’m going to go to Sheriff Long’s office and tell him what you told me, okay? Why don’t ya’ll sit right here and try to let your toes thaw out some?”
I looked down at their feet and, sure enough, they were wearing house slippers. The fuzzy things were wet and dirty from the snow and I could only imagine how uncomfortable they were to wear. “I have a really awesome blanket you might like.”
I found the emergency kit I stored in the corner of the station and grabbed it. Inside, there was an emergency blanket that would work wonders to warm the kids up. I made a show of flipping it open, letting the silver foil-like material crinkle loudly as I did.
Joey and Bear’s eyes widened and they stared at it with a wary eagerness written on their faces. Abby looked more wary than either of them. She edged closer to Lettie and looked up at her, seeking advice on whether or not to trust me.
“It’s okay. It’ll be warmer than any jacket I could hope to find around here. Sit here on the bench and cuddle up.”
Abby cautiously took the blanket from me and the boys rushed to get into it. Lettie tore her eyes away from them and then looked at me. Being the focus of her attention was almost alarming, but I held her gaze and nodded towards my office.
“After you.”
She walked ahead of me and I had a hard time keeping my eyes off of the snug fit of her jeans. The woman had curves that made me want to drop to my knees for her.
Once we were in my office, she spun on me and grabbed my shirt. “Bear, the little one, is a bear shifter. He’s the only one. His mom saw him do it, and decided to leave them all at the highway on the edge of town. They’re not from anywhere around here, Tucker. They walked all the way here from the highway after their mom had them in the car for hours and hours. She just left them there to freeze to death. What kind of mother would do that to her children? They’re terrified and freezing. What do we do?”
I rested my hand on top of hers. “I’ll try to find their mother. Try to talk some sense into her. After that, it’s not great. They go into the system until we can figure out where they belong.”
“Bear can’t go in the system!”
I ran my hands over my hair and blew out a breath. “It’s not for me to decide, Lettie. Let’s find out their mom’s name and then put out a search. We’ll start there and then figure out the rest later.”
Lettie blinked away tears and nodded. “Abby told me her name is Danielle Thomas. They’d just moved up here from a town called Greenwich, in Kansas. Has no clue what the new address is.”
“That’s good. I’ll put it in the system now.” I walked around to my desk and sat down. “Did they have anything else on her?”
“No. They’re just so scared and cold right now. What’s the protocol here? Can I take them and find them clothes and stuff?”
I met her gaze and grinned. “Like you’d listen if I told you no.”
“I’m going to take them, then. Just let me know what you find out.”
I blocked her path from leaving and caught her hand. “Why don’t we take them to the ranch? The party could be good for them. They could play with the other kids.”
She looked up at me and hesitated for a second. Her pupils dilated slightly before she looked down at our hands. “Are you sure that would be okay with your family?”
“It’d be fine. Come on.”
CHAPTER 3: Lettie
The kids looked scared as we arrived at the Long’s ranch. I couldn’t exactly blame them. The place was huge and the family was large and loud. They had every reason to be excited, as well, though. The entire place was decorated. Snow covered everything, but bright white icicle lights sparkled, despite it not being dark out. Garlands, that I was willing to bet were fresh, curled around the columns at the front of the sprawling farm house, garnished with big red bows. The front yard held a large statue of Santa and his sleigh, all lit up and being pulled by his reindeer.
Even from Tucker’s truck, I could hear the faint notes of Christmas carols being played. The music made me feel like a kid again, complete with all the excitement that came with singing those songs. Caroling, drinking hot cocoa to stay warm, even snowball fights with friends while our parents conversed after we sang.
Tucker looked over at me and smiled. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “Stunning. They’re very lucky.”
He looked back at the kids and smiled even bigger at them. “You guys ready? I heard Santa stopped by this morning. Maybe he’s still hanging around?”
Joey looked up at Abby and tugged at her hand. “Santa? Abby, Santa!”
She just nodded and gazed up at the house. “Who’s that?”
I looked up and watched as Bailey, the youngest Long child, came rushing out to the truck with a bundle of coats in her arms. I opened my door and jumped out to greet her. “Bailey! You’re going to freeze out here, honey.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m a bear, remember? It’s good to see you, Lettie. Mom told me all about your friends here and I thought I’d help. I found some extra jackets that we had around the house.”
I took them from her and wrapped her in a tight hug. “You’re an angel. Help me get them on the kids?”
She nodded and climbed into the truck, through the door I’d just left. I heard her talking to the kids and by the time I got the back door open, she’d already gotten them wa
rmed up to her. Joey was staring up at her with big, puppy dog eyes, and Bear was sniffing at her hands when she came closer to wrap him up.
Abby, though, was still leaning away. I gently tugged her hair and grinned at her. “Bailey’s okay, Abby. She’s like Bear. Most of the people inside are like Bear.”
She froze. “Will they hurt us? Mom said they’re dangerous.”
Bailey paused in helping Joey into his jacket to listen to my answer and I could feel Tucker standing behind me, listening as well. I cupped Abby’s face and leaned down so we were eye to eye. “Bear isn’t dangerous, is he? He’s just special. These people are the same, Abby. They’re special. They wouldn’t hurt you. Ever. You can trust them. I do. A couple of my best friends are inside and they’re married to bears. Apparently, they can be quite cute, even.”
That gained me a smile from her, the first one yet. “I’m old enough to think boys are cute, now.”
Tucker chuckled from behind me and rested his hand on my lower back. “Come on, ladies. Let’s get ya’ll inside before you freeze.”
I shivered at the contact, but ignored it as I wrapped Abby in the too big jacket and helped her out. Joey and Bear were already racing to the house with Bailey, seemingly eager to forget their troubles for the moment.
“They don’t know Mom isn’t coming back for us.” Abby tucked her hand into mine and looked up at me. “Should I tell them? I don’t want to make them sad, but they keep asking me about Mom coming back.”
Tucker squatted in front of her. “We don’t know for sure that she isn’t coming back, yet. I’m going to try to find her.”
Abby’s face hardened and she shook her head. “Don’t. She doesn’t want us. She hates us. I don’t want to go back with her.”
My heart ached and I blinked back tears. “We’ll talk about it later, okay? Right now, let’s go see what your brothers are getting into.”
She let us lead her into the house and I watched the anger on her face slip away as she took in the Long’s home. Her eyes went wide and no amount of twelve-year-old cynicism could put a damper on the amazement of the winter wonderland we’d walked into.
There was a two story tall tree in the living room loaded down with lights and ornaments. Beneath the tree were mountains of gift-wrapped presents with ribbons and bows and a toy train circled its way around them on a track. Delicate looking snowflakes hung from the ceiling, making the whole place feel like a snow globe. Garlands and more red bows wrapped around the staircase and stockings hung from above a fireplace that crackled with dancing flames. More music drifted throughout the rooms, creating a scene not unlike a picture perfect Christmas card.
For a few moments I felt nostalgia, like I was back with my mom and dad again. The warmth the Long family home emitted was impossible not to feel deep in your bones. Laughter rang out from the kitchen and I was immersed in a big, happy family. Then, the pitter-patter of little feet racing across the hardwood floor preceded a string of tiny kids running through.
Tucker scooped one of them into his arms and grinned at the boy. “Caught you. What do you think you’re doing?”
Mason, Lucas’ son, laughed as Tucker tickled him and then put him down. “Come play, Tucker!”
“In a little bit, I will. Go, have fun.”
I heard Elizabeth’s voice and then took the brunt of her weight as she threw herself into hugging me. I sucked in a large breath of air and pushed her away. “Are you trying to kill me?”
She grinned from me to Tucker. “It was so nice of you to bring Lettie, Tucker. We’ve been working on her for weeks trying to get her to agree to come today. Apparently, I wasn’t cute enough for her.”
My cheeks heated and I grabbed her arm. “Elizabeth, this is Abby. Abby, this is one of my best friends, Elizabeth. She’s married to Alex. You’ll meet him soon.”
Abby stared at Elizabeth’s swollen belly. “You’re having a baby.”
“Yes, ma’am. The third one. This little kicker is going to be our first girl. I’m looking for help naming her. You want to give it a try?”
I could see Abby immediately warming up to Elizabeth, so I squeezed her hand and let go. “Try to come up with something ridiculous. I’d love for her to have to call her newborn baby girl something crazy.”
“Like watermelon?”
I laughed. “Exactly. You’re on the right track now.”
CHAPTER 4: Tucker
I watched as Elizabeth led Abby off towards the couch, towards her stack of baby naming books. I already knew she’d been pestering everyone all morning long with them. Alex had made it more than clear that he needed backup to help him escape Elizabeth’s baby naming obsession.
I breathed in the smells around me and groaned when I got was coconut cake, and nothing else. I turned to Lettie, unable to help myself. “You smell amazing.”
She turned to face me with pink cheeks. I couldn’t tell if it was the cold or my words. “Sherriff, why are you smelling me?”
It was a good question. We’d known each other for years and I’d never smelled her that much before. Sure, I’d noticed the woman in front of me. I would’ve had to have been blind to not notice her. I’d never taken the time to really look at her, though. Finding your mate as a bear was supposed to be instantaneous and I’d never been too interested in getting serious with a woman who wasn’t my mate. Yet, looking at Lettie, I had to reconsider.
“I don’t know. I can’t seem to help myself.”
She took a step back, which my bear interpreted as a challenge. When I stepped closer to her, her lips parted and her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Dang, just when I thought she couldn’t get any hotter.
Lettie’s eyes moved to my lips and then back up to my eyes. “What-”
Leila, Matt’s wife, chose that moment to step into the foyer. She looked at us and then grinned at Lettie. “Come with me, girlfriend, I want to hear all about this.”
I watched Lettie get pulled away, all the while stammering about there not being anything to tell. I couldn’t help but feel like that wasn’t true. There was definitely something. I just didn’t know what it was yet.
I went to find my cousins, eager to catch up with them. I’d been busy at the station lately, and they were all busy with their growing families. We’d always been close growing up, so not seeing them for a couple of weeks was a big deal.
Matt and Lucas, the oldest two brothers, were sitting on a couch in the living room, their eyes glued to the TV, watching a parade. Michael was sitting with his wife, Daisy, in his lap. She was holding their squirming two-year-old, Sean, in her arms. Alex was on the floor, trying to set up a princess castle with John. Sammie, Lucas’s wife, was on the floor alongside, arguing with them about how to put it together. Bunny must’ve been in the kitchen, with Aunt Carolyn, because I hadn’t spotted her. There were kids everywhere, climbing on their parents and running around in circles.
I spotted my two little guys, playing on the floor with Mason. He was doing a pretty good job sharing the new toy cars he’d gotten from Santa. It was a stark reminder that I’d need to find something for Joey and Bear. They couldn’t celebrate Christmas with a family like mine, who spoiled their children, and not get a single gift.
Just as I realized that I’d thought of them as mine, Matt spotted me. He gave me a big grin and came over to hug me.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in. Hey, little cuz. We were hoping you’d be able to make it. Your mom’s in the kitchen, cooking out her frustrations that you might dare not show up.”
I hugged him back and sighed. “I should go say hi. Keep an eye on the boys, will you?”
He looked over at them and cupped me on the shoulder. “As soon as you called, mom went a little nuts. She went through everything and made sure we had gifts for them. She also rounded up some clothes, so whenever you want, there’s a big pile of stuff up in the guest room.”
My chest tightened and I nodded. “Thanks, man. I’ll be sure to thank Aunt Carolyn, too.”
I thought of Lettie and laughed. “Man, you’d have to fight Lettie for them. She’s lost already.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Lettie, eh?”
Lucas chose that moment to join the conversation. “I always thought you two might have something.”
I raised my hands in the air and backed away. “Gotta go check on Mom. You kids try not to have too much fun in here.”
Joey looked up at me and pouted. “We can’t play?”
I laughed. “Of course, you can. I was talking to the grown-ups. You can have all the fun you want.”
Lucas grunted. “Cute little things, aren’t they? Kind of makes me want another one.”
Sammie looked up from the floor with wide eyes. “Really?”
“Really.”
I thumped Lucas on the back and nodded towards his wife. “I hope they look like their mother.”
I left them to it and made my way to the kitchen. Mom was standing at the stove, her back to me, but her head tilted to the side. I knew she knew I was there, so I went up and gave her a hug. “Hey, ma.”
She turned to face me and patted my cheek. “You came. With Lettie. Are you two finally going to wake up and smell the coffee?”
“Mom, we talked about you getting involved in my love life.”
“Are you saying that you have a love life with her?”
“Mom.”
“Tucker.”
I sighed. “What are you cooking?”
She patted my cheek, rougher that time, and sighed. “Look at my sister. She’s getting grandkids left and right. She’s the lucky one. I get a son who refuses to open his eyes. He’s too busy arresting mooners and drunks.”
“Good talking to you, too, Mom. I love you.”
Melissa Long was anything but a softie, but hearing me tell her that I loved her always warmed her up a bit. She hugged me quickly and then pushed me away again. “Get out of here. You’re stressing me.”
Rancher Bear Complete Series: PLUS NEW BONUS BOOK: Rancher Bears' Merry Christmas Page 26