A Cowboy's Christmas Proposal

by Cathy McDavid

  Of course, he’d have a kitten for company. Rather than impose on Jeanne, he’d decided to keep Pinkie Pie. And, if Craft-Right accepted his counteroffer, a job. He’d yet to hear and was trying not to worry.

  Had he made too many demands? Was the board having trouble getting together for a meeting?

  “Any chance you can stay on through New Year’s?” Uncle Homer asked. “Emily and I decided during our trip that she’s moving in with me. We need a few days to pack her stuff and make room in my house. Also have to clean out and service the RV. I was hoping to take this week off. But if you need to get home, I understand.”

  Owen’s glance cut to Molly. Remaining on at Sweetheart Ranch wasn’t in his plans. On the other hand, plans could be changed.

  “Happy to help any way I can.” He’d be free even if he went to work for Craft-Right. The job didn’t start until mid January. “The house can sit empty awhile longer. But let’s check with Molly first. She may have assumed I’d be gone and reserved my cabin.”

  “What about your cabin?” Emily asked, making her way toward them. When she reached the veranda, she and Owen hugged.

  Homer beamed at his bride. “Owen’s willing to remain through the first of the year and give me time off to get you moved.”

  “I don’t want to inconvenience you or take a cabin that could be making you money,” Owen insisted. “I can stay at the inn.”

  “Nonsense. I won’t hear of it.” She knelt down, putting herself on the same level as the kids. “Who are these adorable munchkins? Surely not yours? I heard they were little tyrants. All I see are three perfect angels.”

  “I’m Cody.” Because the girls were still being shy, he pointed and said, “This is my sister Marisa and my baby sister Willa. Who are you?”

  Emily rubbed her chin in thought. “Hmm. I guess I’m your step-great-great aunt? No, that can’t be right. Too confusing and makes me sound really old. How about you just call me Grandma Em? Everybody else does.”

  “But you’re not my grandma.”

  “Technically, no. We can fudge a little, it won’t hurt.”

  “I like fudge.” Cody brightened.

  “Me, too. Let’s see if there’s any in the house.”

  The prospect of treats combined with the cold weather was enough to drive everyone inside. Owen waited for Molly by the door. Without asking, she bent and picked up Willa, who happily went to her. Owen held Marisa’s hand and remained ready to chase after Cody if necessary.

  As often happened with big gatherings, people congregated in the kitchen. Especially in this house, where one of the residents was a trained pastry chef. Not only was a plate of fudge waiting on the counter, there were also cookies and dessert breads. Molly prepared a fresh pot of coffee and instant hot chocolate for the kids. Good cheer prevailed now that the O’Malleys were back together.

  Owen enjoyed participating and wanted to continue doing so. Not just as Uncle Homer’s closest relative.

  “I have plenty of leftover chili,” Bridget announced while they snacked. “You will eat dinner with us, yes?”

  “Nothing I’d like better,” Emily said, “but Homer and I have so much to do and are just exhausted. I’m going to grab a few things from my room, and then we’re heading to his house. I’ll be back bright and early in the morning.”

  “We haven’t had a chance to really visit.” Molly’s smile drooped. “I want to hear about your trip.”

  “We can do that tomorrow after your mom and Doug get here. She said to expect them by lunchtime.”

  “The first wedding’s at three and the second one at five thirty. That won’t give us much time.”

  “We’ll figure something out,” Emily said, pulling her into an affectionate embrace. “I love you, sweetie.”

  After snacks and coffee, they went outside to see off Uncle Homer and Emily. Owen’s kids were curious about a traveling home, and Uncle Homer offered to give a tour of the inside. Owen passed—he’d seen the RV’s interior before.

  Emily remained behind with him. “Do you have a sec?”

  “Absolutely.” He assumed she wanted to discuss work. He was wrong.

  “I hear things are getting serious between you and Molly.”

  “She told you?”

  “No, no, no. Bridget did. Molly’s too closemouthed.”

  “I’m not sure serious is the word. I’d say ‘ready to try serious.’ If things work out.” He and Molly had discussed as much at the campfire last night.

  “She’s vulnerable, Owen. I’m not convinced she’s fully recovered from her last relationship.”

  “I’m in no hurry.”

  “I’m glad.” Emily visibly relaxed. “For you as much as her. She can be her own worst enemy. When Molly wants something, she wants it with an intensity and excitement that prompts her to go overboard. Too often, she winds up losing the very thing she desperately wanted. That happened not only with her engagements, also with her jobs.”

  “She’s mentioned a little about her past.”

  “Yeah? Well, whatever she said, double it. No, triple it.”

  This time, he didn’t hold back and laughed.

  Emily did, too, only to sober. “All kidding aside. I don’t care what I said earlier about you being family, you hurt her, you give her one moment’s grief, and I’ll hunt you down.”

  “I’d cut off my arm before hurting Molly.”

  She reached up and patted his cheek. “I quite like you, Owen.”

  “I like you, too, Emily.”

  The tour evidently ended, for everyone piled out of the RV. Emily left Owen then to rejoin her husband and granddaughters. Owen figured no one had any idea about their conversation. Seemed he was wrong again.

  “What did Grandma want?” Molly asked once the kids had gone inside with Nora, and they were alone.

  “We were just chatting.”

  “About?”

  “She threatened me with my life if I hurt you.”

  “Funny. Wait. Are you kidding?”

  “Come inside. It’s cold, and you must be freezing.”

  They crossed the threshold and entered the foyer. The twinkling Christmas tree greeted them, bathing them in a rainbow of colors and enhancing the festive mood Owen was already feeling.

  She tugged on his arm, bringing him to a standstill. “Tell me what Grandma said.”

  “She heard from Bridget we were getting close.”

  Molly groaned. “Blabbermouth.”

  “Your family loves you.” He took Molly’s hand and linked their fingers. “It’s natural for them to worry. I told your grandma that we were taking things slow.”

  Molly nodded.

  With no one nearby, he dared to pull her against him and stroke her back. “Everything is going to work out for us, honey.”

  Owen kissed her then, holding nothing back. When Molly raised on tiptoes to deepen the kiss, he experienced a shift inside him. It was the missing pieces of his life falling into place. Surely that was a sign of what was to come.

  * * *

  THE EXCITEMENT OF Emily and Uncle Homer returning was repeated with the arrival of Molly’s parents bright and early the next morning, way ahead of schedule. After a very quick introduction, Owen left the O’Malley clan alone to catch up before Molly, Bridget and Emily flew into wedding countdown frenzy.

  They all had a full day ahead, including Owen. He’d need to begin grooming and harnessing the horses by noon in order to deliver the bride to the house in time for the wedding. That left him a few hours between now and then to take the kids on a spur-of-the-moment shopping trip.

  Last night Marisa had lamented that she had no Christmas present for her mother. Honestly, Owen hadn’t given it much thought. Okay, no thought whatsoever. Jeanne had always handled that parenting duty. But because it was important to his oldest daughter tha
t she have a present for her mother, he decided to see what could be done. This morning was his only opportunity.

  Cody didn’t seem to care one way or the other about a present for Jeanne, and Willa was too young to understand. They were, however, excited to be away from the ranch. The arrival of Molly’s family combined with the anticipation of seeing their mother tomorrow had them bouncing off the walls with excess energy.

  As Owen and the kids strolled the sidewalks of Mustang Valley in search of a store, he tried not to think about Craft-Right. He’d yet to hear from Monty regarding his counteroffer and hoped no news was good news. But with each passing hour, his confidence waned.

  Being a small, rural town deep of the throes of celebrating the holidays, there was a new activity to entice the kids around every corner. Carolers singing jolly songs. A woman walking a dog wearing an elf costume. A volunteer ringing a bell and standing by a red bucket.

  “Look, Daddy!” Cody exclaimed. “A charity.”

  “You’re right.” Proud of his son, Owen gave the kids each several dollar bills to drop in the bucket.

  “Let’s go to the feed store” was Cody’s next suggestion. He kept attempting to run ahead and was constantly being called back by Owen.

  “Yay!” Marisa cried. “We can buy Pinkie Pie a present, too.”

  Under any other circumstances, Owen would have jumped at the chance to chat with Fred. He’d miss the jovial proprietor when he left.

  “I doubt there’s anything in there for your mom.”

  Jeanne was more girlie-girl than cowgirl. Now, Owen? Practically everything on his Christmas list could be found in Fred’s store, from a horseshoe money clip to a new hoof pick to a boot shining kit.

  He and the kids continued their stroll. Owen knew from his previous visits to the local market there wouldn’t be anything in there other than postcards with pictures of jackalopes and cheesy plastic trinkets featuring a cartoon saguaro cactus or the state flag.

  At the corner, he noticed a sandwich board sign advertising The Last-Minute Shopper Sale with an arrow pointing at the local church on the corner. The same church where Uncle Homer used to preach.

  “Come on, kids.” Owen grabbed the girls’ hands and prodded Cody along. “This way.”

  Keeping the kids focused and on task wasn’t easy. Who knew there’d be so many toys and games?

  Eventually, they found a vendor selling wooden music boxes. Marisa went back and forth and, after much debate, selected a music box painted with flowers and that played “Beautiful Dreamer.” Cody settled on an assortment of scented hand soaps from the neighboring table and Owen chose a knitted scarf and matching mittens for Willa to give Jeanne. That prompted him to buy a hand-sewn quilt—a belated wedding gift for Emily and Homer.

  Satisfied, he was more than ready to head home. Near the exit they passed a table selling jewelry. A necklace hanging from a display brought him to a halt.

  “Hey, guys, wait a minute.”

  “Not this stuff again,” Cody complained when Owen led them to the table. He’d had his fill of shopping for the fairer sex.

  The girls were fascinated by the jewelry and wanted to fondle every piece.

  The necklace that Owen had noticed was a pair of interlocking gold hearts with a semiprecious stone at the center, probably a garnet. The hearts made him think of Sweetheart Ranch and of Molly.

  Was it too early in their relationship for exchanging gifts? Was a necklace too personal? Like Marisa a few minutes earlier, he deliberated for several minutes. What if she hadn’t bought him a gift? What if she had, and he arrived empty-handed? She was planning on bringing presents for the kids early tomorrow morning before they left. Giving her a gift when she had none for him would create an awkward situation.

  “I’ll take this,” he told the vendor and handed her the necklace.

  She smiled cheerfully. “Would you like that in a box?”

  “Please.”

  They’d no sooner left the church grounds than Cody said, “Daddy, I’m hungry.”

  It was almost eleven. One hour remained before Owen absolutely must get to work. “Okay. Let’s go.” They’d pass the market en route to the truck.

  He and the kids were approaching the market’s double glass-door entrance when Molly and her parents emerged from inside. Everyone stared at each other for several seconds before Molly spoke.

  “Hi, Owen. I didn’t realize you were coming here.”

  He held up his bags. “Some last-minute shopping at the gift sale down the road. We worked up an appetite.”

  Molly’s mom, Caroline, bent to address the kids. Her expression dissolved into one of pure delight. “Did you have fun with your dad?”

  “It was okay,” Cody said. “We got my mom some presents.”

  She showered the kids with a bright smile. “How very special. Are you excited about Christmas?”

  “Santa’s coming to the cabin. We wrote him a letter and told him we’d be here instead of our house.”

  “That was smart of you.”

  “It was Molly’s idea,” Owen said.

  “And a good one.”

  “Come on, Caroline,” Doug groused. “The inn won’t hold our reservation forever.”

  Her smile froze for a fraction of a second before she straightened. “We... I...actually, needed a few necessities from the market.”

  Owen noticed a six-pack of bottled water and a grocery sack. He also noticed Molly casting Doug a thinly disguised, albeit brief, irritated glance.

  “I won’t keep you,” Owen said. “I’m in a hurry myself.”

  “Owen’s driving the bride from the stables to the house in the carriage,” Molly said. “This is our biggest, most involved wedding to date.” She looked at her mother. “I told you the columnist and photographer from Southwest Bride Magazine will be there, didn’t I?”

  “You did!” Caroline’s smile returned. “What a wonderful opportunity. I am so proud of you and Bridget and Mom. I can’t believe I’m related to such accomplished women.”

  “Enough already.” Doug tugged on his wife’s arm. “You two can gab later.” He shook his head at Owen and said in a tone intended to recruit Owen to his side, “I don’t envy you, putting up with a bunch of women for a whole month.”

  “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” He sought out Molly, whose eyes conveyed her appreciation.

  “Hey, Molly,” Doug said. “Why don’t you ride home with Owen here? That’ll save your mom and me a trip and you can get to work sooner.”

  “Do you mind, Owen?” She looked relieved—maybe because she was escaping her stepdad, or perhaps she was happy about spending extra time with him. He hoped the latter.

  Owen instantly chided himself for being ungracious toward Doug. The suggestion was actually a good one and convenient for Molly’s parents.

  “Nothing I’d like better,” he said.

  More goodbyes, and then Molly joined Owen and the kids in the store where the kids pleaded for junk food and got trail mix instead.

  Afterward, the five of them walked to the public parking lot half a block away. Molly helped Owen load the kids in the truck’s backseat. Two car seats side by side with a booster chair were a snug fit.

  “Your mom is great,” Owen commented when they were on the road. “You look a lot like her. Both you and Bridget.”

  Molly smiled at him. She seemed considerably more relaxed now than at the market. “I’m taking that as a compliment.”

  “You should. She’s an attractive woman.”

  “I know Doug can be trying. Thanks for putting up with him.”

  “He’s not bad.”

  “I think sometimes I’m too critical of him.”

  That was a big admission for Molly, and Owen took his eyes off traffic for a quick second to study her.

  “My dad, he was such
an incredible guy. I could never figure out why my mom settled for someone...not so incredible.”

  “Maybe people like your dad don’t come around very often, and your mother realized that. Or she purposely chose someone unlike him. To preserve his memory.”

  Molly drew back, her mouth open. “I hadn’t thought of that before. You might be on to something.” She leaned back against the seat. “I really believed I was engaged to men just like him. I was wrong.” She turned to face him. “I’ve learned something about myself recently. In part because of you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “My former fiancés were like my dad on the surface. They both had good jobs, wanted a family, were attractive. What should have mattered, and what I overlooked, was how little they resembled him on the inside where it counted. He was kindhearted, generous and had a strong moral compass. He always put others first.”

  “Wish I’d met him.”

  She reached across the console and laid a hand on Owen’s knee. “I wish you’d met him, too. You’d have been friends.”

  “I’m taking that as a compliment.”

  “You should.”

  Something passed between Owen and Molly then. More than a touch. More than words. More than emotions. It was a connection like nothing Owen had felt before—strong and sure and to his very core. He was sorry when the ranch came into view and sorrier still when the ride was over.

  He parked in front of the house, letting the engine idle. As if they’d done it a hundred times, Molly leaned toward him and planted a soft kiss on his mouth. “See you in a little bit.”

  He couldn’t let her go without cupping her face with his hand and tracing his thumbs along the smooth hollows of her cheeks. “I’ll be the one driving the carriage.”

  “I’ll be the one looking for you.”

  Yes! Owen had been waiting almost a month to hear her say that.

  He leaned in for a second kiss. At the same moment, his phone chimed. Simultaneously, the number for Craft-Right appeared on his dashboard’s display and the Bluetooth kicked in. A loud ringing filled the cab’s interior, and his pulse quickened.