Her Christmas Cowboy

by Maggie Carpenter

“Yeah, when I was havin’ some trouble with a biker gang a while back. Great, here it is,” he announced, then tapped the screen.

  Sound asleep in his bed, the police chief grunted with irritation when this phone buzzed on his nightstand, but when he groggily opened his eyes and saw who the caller was, he immediately sat up and answered the call.

  “Connor? You all right?”

  “Wes, sorry, I know I woke you,” Connor apologized, keeping his voice low, “but I’ve got a real big problem here. I know I could’ve dialed 911, but you already know what’s goin’, at least, some of it.”

  As Connor hastily explained what had happened at his bar, and what he believed was happening in his home, April moved across to the door that led into the hallway and listened intently. Hearing nothing she cracked the door just a hair and saw Edward, who was sporting a wide white bandage across his nose, staring into the kitchen. She was about to close the door when Richard suddenly appeared and the two brothers had a short, mumbled conversation. Edward stayed where he was, but Richard began walking towards the stairway, and though she lost sight of him she heard the creaking of the wood as he climbed to the second floor.

  “April!” Connor said quietly, touching her arm. “What are you doin’?”

  “Edward’s at the end of the hall, and Richard’s just gone upstairs,” she whispered, silently closing the door and turning around. “He’s got a big bandage across his nose.”

  “I’m surprised he’s here. It has to hurt like hell.”

  “I guess his pride is hurting him more.”

  “Or he’s followin’ orders,” Connor frowned. “Wes will be here shortly, along with some of his guys. He got the call about my bar burnin’ down while I was talkin’ to him.”

  “But do we have time to wait for him?” she asked urgently. “What if that bastard is upstairs setting fire to your bedroom right now?”

  “Shit,” Connor muttered.

  “I’ve got an idea,” she said, spying a fire extinguisher by the side of the door.

  Lifting it off it’s holder, she moved back a few steps, and lifting the hose out in front of her she removed the safety catch, then stared at Connor with a look of fierce determination.

  “I’m going to kick the door, and when Edward comes running and opens it up, I’m going to blast him.”

  “No, that’s crazy,” Connor said shaking his head. “He could have a weapon.”

  “He won’t be able to see with a face full of foam,” she argued, “and we can’t just do nothing! I have no desire to be burned alive, or shot, or anything else. I’m kicking the door. Are you ready?”

  “Dammit, April, this is foolhardily.”

  “You got any better ideas?”

  “Shit. Okay, you’re right. It’ll work. I can knock that joker out with one hand tied behind my back. Wait just a second.”

  Moving quickly, he darted across the garage and stood with his back against wall beside the door.

  “You kick, and when he comes in, blast away and I’ll jump him. Just make sure you stop sprayin’ when I tackle him.”

  “Okay, here goes,” she said, and lifting her leg she banged her foot against the solid wood.

  Her heart began to pound, and she held her breath as she fixed her eyes on the handle. Moments later a surge of adrenalin coursed through her veins as she watched it turn and the door begin to slowly move, but to her shock Connor suddenly leaned across and yanked it open.

  Edward was caught off guard, and letting out a cry he stumbled forward. Before April had a chance to squirt him with the hose Connor was on top of him, punching his jaw then dragging him across the garage floor. April hurriedly closed the door as Connor grabbed a roll of duct tape, wrapping it around Edward’s wrists and ankles, finishing with a large piece across his mouth.

  “You did that so fast,” April said with admiration as Connor stood up.

  “You should see me rope a calf,” he panted still staring down at Edward. “I acted on impulse. Sorry,” he said lifting his gaze to her, “I didn’t have time to…April-behind you…!”

  Without thought April spun around and squirted the fire extinguisher, and seeing Richard lumbering towards her, with a high-pitched scream she raised the hose and sprayed it directly into his face.

  “You fucking bitch,” he yelled, his arms flailing. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”

  “The hell you are,” Connor shouted running towards him.

  As Richard turned in his direction, with a mammoth effort April lunged forward and slammed the extinguisher into his gut. With a wail of shock and pain, clutching this stomach, Richard toppled over.

  “Damn, girl,” Connor exclaimed staring down at the disabled man at his feet, then immediately turned his attention back to her. “Are you okay?

  “I’m not sure,” she said, suddenly feeling shaky and dropping the extinguisher.

  Not wanting to take any chances Connor hurriedly wrapped the tape around Richard’s wrists and ankles, then putting his arm around April, he led out into the hallway, closing and locking the door behind them.

  “Come and sit down,” he said moving her forward. “You’re tremblin’.”

  “I think I might faint,” she murmured. “I’ve never done anything like that before.”

  “You were totally unbelievable’,” he said with a heavy sigh. “You scared the crap outta me, but you were incredible.”

  As he deposited her on the couch, they both jumped at the unexpected ringing of the house phone sitting on the side table. Switching on the lamp he picked up the receiver.

  “Connor, it’s Wes. Are you two okay? The gates are open and I see a black Rover in your driveway.”

  “We’re fine, but your two culprits aren’t lookin’ so bright. They’re in the garage wrapped in duct tape.”

  “The Churchill brothers?”

  “Yep.”

  “We’re comin’ on up.”

  “The calvary is here,” Connor said hanging up the phone, then sitting down he pulled her into his arms. “How are you feelin’?”

  “Kind of sick in a weird way,” she said honestly. “How did they get in the house?”

  “I’m guessin’ the window on the back door,” he said with a frown. “You’re right about that. It makes no sense.”

  “I’m so sorry about your bar,” she sighed, a tear slipping down the side of her face. “I wish I could do something.”

  “Hey, it’s gonna be okay. I have insurance up the kazoo.”

  The headlights of a succession of cars washed through the windows, and kissing her forehead and hugging her tightly, he stood up to head to the front door.

  “Connor, wait,” she said grabbing his hand.

  “What is it?”

  “I just thought of something.”

  “Again? You do that a lot.”

  “The insurance. This means you won’t have to worry about selling the tavern to buy your neighbor’s land.”

  “Damn,” he muttered sitting on the edge of the couch. “You’re right.”

  “That’s what I call a silver lining,” she smiled, though her voice was still shaky.

  “No kiddin’.”

  The doorbell echoed through the house, and leaning forward he kissed her softly.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she quipped. “My legs are jelly.”

  Striding to the front door, he opened it up to find the police chief and a slew of his deputies.

  “Come on in,” he said stepping side. “The garage is down there, last door on the left.”

  “You know what to do,” Wes declared sending his men forward. “Where’s April?” he asked as the men trooped past. “I assume she’s here. Is she all right? Are you all right?”

  “April’s a bit shaken, and I’m still wrappin’ my brain around all this,” Connor replied, closing the door against the chilly night. “Come on in. She’s through here.”

  “It’s a lot to take in,” Wes said following hi
m. “That was a helluva piece of luck turnin’ on your monitors when you did.”

  “My dad always said that timin’ in life is everything. Boy, was he right.”

  “Hey, April,” Wes said sitting on the couch next to her. “How’re you doin’?”

  “Okay, I guess.”

  “You look you’re in a bit of shock, young lady. Connor, you got any decent alcohol in this place?”

  “Of course, I own a bar…or rather, I did.”

  “Sorry,” Wes said grimly.

  “Yeah, thanks. Anyway, I’ve got some real good Cognac,” Connor replied, realizing he should have thought of getting it for April himself. “Can I get you anything, Wes?”

  “Nope, thanks though.”

  Splashing the golden liquid into a glass he handed it to April, then sat on the other side of her.

  “You need to warm your insides,” Wes said. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “I’m fine, really,” she murmured, but when she took a sip of the hot spicy liquor, she let out a heavy sigh.

  “Your statements can wait until mornin’,” Wes said, “but can you give me an idea of what happened here tonight?”

  Connor gave him a brief report while April sat quietly, continuing to sip her cognac, and when Connor described how she had plunged the fire extinguisher into Richard’s stomach, Wes let out a low whistle.

  “No wonder you’re white as a sheet,” he frowned. “I don’t like citizens takin’ down intruders, but it sounds like you two had no choice, and what you did, April, that took some real guts. You should be proud of yourself. Sounds like you’ve been fightin’ for your life since the day you got here.”

  “It does sort of feel like that,” she mumbled.

  “You need a rest,” Wes said soberly. “A few days off somewhere.”

  “I think that’s an excellent suggestion,” Connor nodded. “I could use a break myself.”

  “Excuse me, chief?”

  Turning around they saw one of the younger police officers moving towards them.

  “I called an ambulance. I think one of those guys has a couple of broken ribs, the other has a messed up face.”

  “Did you read ‘em their rights yet?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Wait for the ambulance outside.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Come down to the station tomorrow,” Wes said turning back to Connor. “No special time, just whenever you’re ready. Bring the CD’s of everything you have, and April, I’d like a detailed account of everything that happened when you were stayin’ at the Churchill Chateau, but only if you’re feelin’ up to it.”

  “I’m sure by tomorrow I’ll be fine,” she said softly. “I bounce back from things pretty quick.”

  The lights of an approaching vehicle told them the ambulance had arrived, and the police chief rose to his feet.

  “Like I said, whenever you’re ready.”

  “Wes, could you do me a favor?” Connor asked standing up to walk him to the foyer.

  “If I can.”

  “Tell the fire chief I’ll call him tomorrow. I can’t deal with drivin’ over there tonight, and besides that, I wanna stay here with April.”

  “Yeah, of course,” Wes nodded. “I was about to suggest the same thing. You take that girl upstairs. Get her into bed. We’ll be outta here pretty quick now, but I’m gonna leave a patrol car out front in case any of the other Churchill brothers get some stupid ideas.”

  “Ah, good thought,” Connor nodded.

  “I’ll be calling Henry in a few minutes, so I doubt you’ll have any more trouble, but better to be on the safe side.”

  “Thanks, Wes, thanks for everything,” Connor said gratefully, shaking his hand. “I’m gonna go see to my girl now,” and walking back into the living room he helped April to her feet and up the stairs.

  “Do you want a bath first?” he asked as he closed the bedroom door behind them, shutting out the noise of the activity downstairs.

  “No, I just want to lay down,” she mumbled wearily. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, a big one.”

  “You’re still in this parka,” he frowned peeling it off her.

  “I didn’t even think about it.”

  “I know, neither did I. Everything happened so fast.”

  As she continued undressing, Connor found her one of his clean T-shirts, and as he slipped it over her head she let out a long sigh.

  “That feels so much better. I can’t wait to be in bed with you,” she said with a yawn, climbing under the covers.

  “Wes is leaving one of his cars in the driveway overnight just as a precaution.”

  “He is? That’s a very comforting thought,” she murmured.

  “I’m gonna run back down and make sure they don’t need anything else from me.”

  “Please hurry back.”

  “Believe me, I can’t wait to join you,” he said sitting on the edge of the bed. “Bein’ with you has made this the best Christmas of my life, but it’s also been the craziest.”

  “Amen to that,” she said, yawning again. “Sure is one we’ll never forget. I still can’t believe your bar is gone. It’s just too difficult to think about.”

  “Very difficult,” he sighed, “but like you said, it could be a blessing in disguise.”

  “I just had a thought,” she said with wistful smile.

  “Not again?”

  “Yes, again.”

  “Okay, go ahead,” he said patiently. “What is it this time?”

  “It’s about going there tonight. Having that dance with you. It was some kind of weird perfect.”

  He paused, processing what she’d just said.

  “You’re right,” he frowned. “The feelin’ to go there with you was so strong. It almost feels like it was a goodbye.”

  “And a hello to a new beginning,” she murmured, feeling a tear slip from her eye.

  “Yeah,” he nodded, “and a hello to a new beginnin’.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Two Days Later

  April woke from her nap, yawned and stretched, then slipping from the bed she padded across to the windows and stared in awe at the magnificent sight before her. The frozen lake was reflecting the azure blue and turquoise green of the sunset, and in the distance the snow covered peaks loomed with majestic grandeur. Never before had she been so appreciative of a view, and felt a slight shiver as she thought back to what the Police Chief had told her and Connor when they were at the station giving their statements the day after the fire.

  A couple of years before, three part-time workers were killed in a cabin on the Churchill Estate. It had been ruled accidental, but Wes had not been convinced, and just a year ago a young woman had been the victim of a hit-and-run driver in the dead of night not far from the Churchill Chateau. The case had never been solved, and Wes had been pressured to let it go.

  “I’m reopenin’ both those cases,” he’d told them, “and I’ll bet you dollars to donuts, I’m gonna find out the Churchill’s were responsible, and no doubt I’ll dig up some other nasty business as well. You may have lost your tavern, Connor, but I’m thinkin’ you could’ve lost a lot more.”

  It had been disturbing to hear, and as she gazed out at the stunning view, she shook herself as she thought about what might have happened to her, had it not been for Connor.

  “We’re so lucky with this incredible weather.”

  He had walked up behind her, and his murmured words broke her from her solemn reverie.

  “Yes, we are,” she said softly.

  ”What’s up, Angel? You okay?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her.

  “I was just thinking about what Wes told us, you know, about those people who died, especially that girl on the road. I can’t help thinking it could have been me. I’ll bet she was trying to get away from them.”

  “Hey,” he said, holding her tightly, “it’s over. They’re not gonna be hurtin’ anyone else ever again, especially not you, and
we’re here to put that out of our minds, right?”

  “Yes, right,” she sighed.

  “So, as I was sayin’, we’re so lucky with this weather. It could just as easily have been a blizzard.”

  “A blizzard?”

  “Well, maybe not a blizzard,” he admitted, “but stormy, or at least snowing.”

  “You’re right, this weather couldn’t be better,” she agreed. “Thank you for bringing me here. I’m starting to relax, except for that momentary blip I had a minute ago.”

  “Wes was right. We both needed to get away.”

  “I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I laid down on that bed when we arrived this afternoon. Sorry, I didn’t mean to conk out on you.”

  “Why are you apologizin’? I conked out too. We both did.”

  “Yeah, I guess we did,” she yawned, leaning back against him.

  “Now we can have a delicious romantic dinner,” he said, nuzzling her neck, “and then…”

  “And then?” she asked, turning around and looking up into his warm, wonderful eyes.

  “And then I’m gonna give you a very different kinda spankin’.”

  “Different how?”

  “You’ll find out, and it’s all about pleasure,” he purred, his lips at her ear. “Call it a post-Christmas present.”

  April felt a tingle ripple through her body, and letting out a soft moan she pressed her body against his.

  “Why wait until after dinner? You’ve made me all warm and fuzzy right now.”

  “Waitin’ is half the fun,” he winked.

  “Or half the torture,” she quipped.

  “However you wanna see it.”

  “Actually, there is something important I need to talk to you about, and over dinner will be perfect. I think I could almost call it a post-Christmas present for you.”

  “Looks like we’re gonna have a good start our time away.”

  “Looks like,” she repeated smiling up at him.

  “Let’s get ourselves showered and changed. I’m starvin’.”

  Much to April’s relief, Wes had escorted her back to the Churchill Chateau so she could collect her belongings, and as she dressed in her favorite black and white check cashmere sweater, and a long black skirt and boots, she felt things were finally coming right.