Secret-Santa Cowboy: The Buckskin Brotherhood

by Thompson, Vicki Lewis

  A twinkling tree stood in a corner of the lobby and large snowflakes dangled from the ceiling. A tabletop tree sat on the reception counter along with a plate of individually wrapped Christmas cookies.

  The receptionist looked familiar and Eva clearly knew her well. A salon client, most likely, and he’d probably met her at Tres Beau, himself. She insisted they all take a cookie before she escorted them personally back to the maternity ward.

  Along the way, she glanced at his suit. “Ben must have asked you to play Santa tonight at the Moose.”

  “Um, not exactly.”

  “Isn’t that his outfit? I was there one Christmas Eve and that looks exactly like—”

  “It’s Ben’s suit, but I—”

  “He wore it for me,” Fiona’s voice was stripped of emotion.

  Damn, she’d frozen up.

  “Oh, my goodness, what a cute idea! Like that Keith Urban song, I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight. What a romantic idea.”

  “Yep.” She avoided looking at him.

  “There you guys are!” Ben came out of the double doors ahead of them. He looked relieved. “Now everybody’s accounted for.”

  Nick hurried forward, his arm around Eva’s shoulders. “Any word?”

  “The contractions are closer together, but Cleo’s not here yet.”

  Leo blew out a breath. “Good. I mean, not good that Isabel’s still in labor, but I didn’t want to miss—”

  “I understand, son.” Holding the door, he ushered all four of them through it. “Nice suit.”

  Leo turned back to him. “I’m going to take it to the cleaners, which is why I still have it. I hope it’s okay that I—”

  “Absolutely.” Ben’s gaze went to Fiona. “He does the suit proud, don’t you think?”

  “Sure does.”

  “Hey, Santa!” Jake sauntered over, a cup of coffee in one hand and a Christmas cookie in the other. “Whatcha gonna bring me this year? I’ve been a really good boy.”

  “Don’t believe a word of it.” Millie came up beside him. “If you want an accurate accounting, talk to me.”

  Leo nodded. “Don’t worry. I—”

  “Santa!” Henri gestured to one of the couches. “Have a seat, please.”

  “Why?”

  “So I can sit on your knee, of course. I have a very long list. We need to get started.”

  “Go on.” Eva gave him a nudge. “I’ve got this.”

  He turned to Fiona. “Do you want me to—”

  “Go.” Her quick glance pleaded with him. “P-please. It’s a good… just go.”

  Releasing her hand, he crossed to one of the couches and took a seat.

  Henri gave him a big smile and perched on his knee. “I want world peace and a pony.”

  He returned her smile. “I don’t suppose the pony is for a certain someone who’s making her way into the world tonight.”

  “Good guess. I want her to have a pony and a peaceful world to ride in. Is that too much to ask?”

  “No, ma’am. I’ll see to it. Is that all? You said you had a long list.”

  “I lied.” She lowered her voice. “I wanted a chance to explain this nonsense. We came up with it so Fiona could have a little space while we wait for Cleo Marie.”

  “I figured.” He checked on Fi. She was over by the coffee machine with Beth and Eva. “Might work.”

  “Let’s hope so. I’m pulling for you.” Giving his shoulder a squeeze, she stood and made way for Lucy.

  “I’m next for Santa,” Matt announced as Lucy sat down. “The line forms here.”

  “Your beard’s crooked.” Lucy adjusted it for him. “What do you think of our plan?”

  “It has promise.”

  “Are you roasting in that suit?”

  “It’s warm. Not quite as bad as it was at the Moose when we were packed in tight.”

  “I don’t think we factored the warmth of your suit into the plan. You should probably take it off after you finish this gig.”

  “Thanks for the thought. I’ll see how things go.” A quick glance confirmed that Fi was still over by the coffee machine with Beth and Eva, her back to him. He faced Lucy. “Now, then, what do you want Santa to bring you, little girl?”

  She leaned in and murmured in his ear.

  He laughed. “You’ll have to talk to Matt. Not my department.”

  “It would be more fun if you tell him.”

  “That’s a fact. I’ll be honored to do it.”

  “Yay.” She stood and motioned to her husband. “Your turn.”

  Matt settled on his knee and grinned. “What’s my wife cooking up now?”

  Leo kept his voice down. “She wants a baby.”

  He gasped and his eyes widened. “She does?” He looked over at Lucy standing a few feet away. “You do?”

  She nodded.

  He leaped up, took two strides and pulled her into his arms. “Awesome.”

  “Hey, Matt.” Leo wasn’t sure the guy would hear him, considering how absorbed he was in his wife. “You didn’t tell me what you want for Christmas.”

  “Don’t need to, bro.” Matt kept his gaze locked with Lucy’s. “I just got it.”

  “My turn, Santa.” Kate plopped down on his knee.

  He smiled. “And what do you want, Katie-girl?”

  “Not a single thing. I have Rafe, a great job, the Buckskin gang and my sister’s schooling paid for.”

  “Good to hear. Then why are you sitting on my knee?”

  She leaned closer. “Because that’s the plan and I wanted to wish you luck.”

  His chest tightened. “Thanks, Kate.”

  “You’re welcome.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and left as the line continued to grow.

  Fiona and her two friends hadn’t joined in, which made sense. But Jake and Millie stood to the side and that made no sense at all. Unless Jake had something up his sleeve.

  Rafe sauntered up next. “Hey, Santa.”

  “Hang on a minute, bro. Do you know why Jake and Millie aren’t in line?”

  “Since it’s Jake, no telling.”

  “I’ll try to smoke him out.” He glanced in their direction and raised his voice. “Don’t you two want to sit on Santa’s knee?”

  “Oh, I’m doing it,” Jake said, “but I’m waiting so I can be at the end and, you know, create the cymbal crash moment.”

  Leo rolled his eyes. “You do understand that moment belongs to Cleo Marie tonight.”

  “Who says there can only be one? It’s Christmas Eve, in case you didn’t notice.”

  “I noticed. What about you, Millie? Are you gonna sit on Santa’s lap?”

  “After Jake shows me how it’s done.”

  “So I wouldn’t be last.” Jake rubbed his chin and nodded. “I guess that works.”

  “Okay, that’s settled. My turn.” Rafe perched on Leo’s knee. “Did Kate tell you what she wants?”

  “Not a single thing. She said she’s got it all.”

  “Yeah?” Happiness gleamed in his eyes. “Then I guess I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.”

  “Exactly.”

  After Rafe, the procession moved at a pretty good clip. Would Eva and Beth join in eventually? Likely not if they’d decided Fi needed the support. Jake took his place at the end and Millie followed.

  No sign of movement from the three at the coffee machine. Oh, wait. Here they came. Beth got behind Millie and then Eva stepped into line. Fiona took the last spot.

  Although she still wasn’t looking at him, she’d decided to join in and sit on his knee. That was huge. Millie turned around to chat with them as the line dwindled.

  At last it was Jake’s turn. “If it isn’t little Jacob Lassiter.” Leo was ready for some comic relief. “The boy at the top of my naughty list.”

  “Oh, yeah, oh, yeah.” Jake bobbed his head and danced to an imaginary tune with his forefinger raised in triumph. “I’m number one, numero uno, top of the heap, cream of the crop—”

&nbs
p; “Hey, folks are waiting. Are you going to sit on Santa’s knee or not?”

  Jake stopped dancing. “Comin’ atcha, sleigh boy.” He launched himself into Leo’s lap.

  Damn, the guy was heavy. Good thing he’d sucked in a breath and braced himself.

  As he dragged in air, Jake gave him a bear hug and a tender glance. “Hi, Santa.”

  Leo ducked his head, trying to hide his laughter as his body shook.

  “Gotcha, Santa baby. Now listen up. This is what I want for Christmas.”

  Leo cleared his throat, looked at a grinning Jake and cracked up again. “Back off, man.”

  Instead, Jake grabbed his ears, tugged him closer and spoke in a stage whisper. “I want Millie to propose.”

  Millie’s gasp was echoed by everyone in the room. Talk about a cymbal crash.

  Jake let go of Leo’s ears and continued in a conversational tone. “The thing is, Santa, Millie needs to be the one to do it, because only she knows if I’m ready to be her husband. She’s right back there.” He pointed in her direction. “The one with the red face.”

  Leo swallowed another burst of laughter. “Do you think this stunt will convince her you’re ready?”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you’re acting like a moron.”

  “She gets a kick out of it when I act like a moron. She pretends she doesn’t, but then she eggs me on. She thinks I’m adorable.”

  Leo snorted. “Do you think he’s adorable, Millie?”

  “God help me, I do.” She walked to the couch. “Move over, Jake. I need Santa’s other knee.”

  “Whatever you say, my love.” He put his booted feet on the floor and straightened.

  Millie perched on Leo’s knee facing Jake. “Give me your hand.”

  He put his hand out, his gaze laser-focused on Millie’s face.

  She took a deep breath. “Jake, will you marry me?”

  He sandwiched her hand between both of his. “Yes, I will. I love you, Millie. And I’ll keep loving you for the rest of my life.”

  “And I’ll love you right back, you crazy cowboy.”

  The room erupted and Henri threw her hands in the air. “Finally!” After the commotion died down, she spoke again. “When’s the wedding, guys?”

  Millie turned to her. “Since everyone here is a pro at putting one together in no time, how about next week?”

  Henri beamed. “Done.”

  Leo glanced at Fiona and caught her wiping her eyes. No telling if they were tears of laughter or tears of happiness for Jake and Millie.

  Either way, she’d been touched by the unconventional proposal. Much more of these antics and she’d probably fall in love with the Buckskin gang. Would that include him?

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  What an emotional rollercoaster. Fiona didn’t know Jake and Millie well, but who wouldn’t laugh at Jake’s antics and shed happy tears when Millie proposed? Tonight had given her so much insight into the Buckskin gang. No wonder Eva loved being a part of it.

  Eva was convinced she could be, too, but her confidence ebbed as she waited for her two friends to take their turns with Santa. She’d gained plenty of insight into Leo tonight and that had only made the challenge greater.

  He’d been tossed into the role by his loving family and he’d handled the assignment with charm and good humor. Clearly they all adored him and he returned the sentiment.

  The guy had it all—looks, a great personality and a talent for making wonderful love. Damned intimidating to be pursued by a man with that level of cool going on. But Eva and Beth had coaxed her to face her fears and give the relationship a chance.

  Eva stood, flashed her a smile and a subtle thumbs-up before going over to join Nick, Beth and Jared.

  A quick scan of the room revealed a group of people working very hard not to look in her direction. She appreciated that effort more than they knew.

  Squaring her shoulders and walking toward Leo, she met his gaze. Her brain stalled at the beauty of those blue eyes. What comment had she prepared for her opening gambit? Oh, yeah. “The Buckskin gang is incredible.”

  “I agree.” He held out his hand. “Care to sit?”

  “Yes.” Breaking eye contact, she took his hand and settled on his knee.

  “Your hands are like ice.”

  “I know.” She glanced at him again. “I’m nervous.”

  His expression warmed. “But you’re here. That’s progress.”

  “We’ll see.” She swallowed. “Beth and Eva think I can do this.”

  “Do what?”

  “Function normally after you take off the suit and beard.”

  “I don’t have to. It’s not as uncomfortable as it was at the Moose.”

  “But you’re only doing it to humor me.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “I do. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable because of me.” She stood. “I want you to take it off.”

  “All right.” Leaning over, he pulled off his boots and set them aside. Then he got to his feet and unbuckled the wide black belt.

  “What’s this?” Nick walked over. “A Santa striptease?”

  This would be the perfect time to make a clever, sassy remark. She couldn’t come up with one.

  Leo responded, though. “Just getting out of the suit, bro. It’s one layer too many.”

  Nick gazed at him. “Just the suit?”

  “Nope. The whole ensemble.” He took off the jacket and the pants, folding both and laying them on the couch. Next came the hat.

  Santa was vanishing quickly, replaced by a swoon-worthy cowboy who was short-circuiting her brain.

  “I see.” Nick turned to her. “You okay with this?”

  “Yep.” If by okay he meant ready to pass out from lack of oxygen. When Leo reached for the beard, she focused entirely on Nick. “Perfectly okay.” She had to be. It was the only way to show Leo how much she cared about him. To prove she wasn’t a coward.

  Sweat trickled down her spine. She counted to ten, took a deep breath and faced the man of her dreams.

  He ran his fingers through his hair and gave her a lopsided smile. “What do you think?”

  Her heart stuttered. Warm blue eyes gazed into hers. A hint of a dimple creased his cheek and his strong jaw had a hint of scruff. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She gulped. No, this wasn’t happening! Say something, Fiona!

  “She’s here!” CJ burst through the double doors leading to the delivery room, his face shiny with tears. “Cleo Marie is here!’

  Leo whooped with joy and rushed toward CJ. On the way, he collided with his brothers as they all raced to mob the new daddy. Before any of them could get to him, he ducked back through the double doors.

  “Sorry!” he called over his shoulder. “Gotta go!”

  Deprived of CJ, Leo grabbed the nearest person, who happened to be Garrett, and pounded him on the back. Then he turned, his handsome face filled with joy as he hurried in her direction.

  His beauty in that moment stunned her more than all the others put together.

  Grabbing her around the waist, he lifted her off her feet and swung her around. “She’s here! Cleo Marie made it!”

  She smiled big and nodded. Because she couldn’t get a single word past her throat.

  “I’m so happy I don’t know what to do with myself.” He gave her a squeeze and set her back on her feet. Then he took her hand. “Let’s go find Henri. God, this is wonderful. CJ’s a dad! And I’m an uncle!”

  “Here you go, Uncle Leo!” Jake handed him a pink bubblegum cigar. “Want one, Fiona? Sure you do. The band has Cleo Marie’s name on it.” He thrust one into her hand, gave Leo a hug and left to pass out more cigars.

  “What a guy.” Leo glanced at the band. “Ordering personalized ones.” He tucked it in his shirt pocket. “There’s Henri.” He wrapped an arm around Fiona’s shoulders and gave her a sideways hug before they started over to the corner where Henri stood with the Babes. “I’m so glad you’re
here, Fi.”

  “Uh-huh.” That was all she had. The only response. But no one noticed besides her. For now, she had a pass. The spotlight was elsewhere.

  Henri reached out for him. “Hey, Leo.” She gave him a tight hug. “Pretty great, huh?”

  “Sure is. Will we get to see her?”

  “I think so.” Henri alternated between laughing and wiping tears from her eyes with Ben’s bandana. “Maybe. Ben went to ask one of the nurses. We’re a little short on info about how maternity wards operate these days. Fiona, do you know the protocol?”

  Fiona cleared her throat. Didn’t help. “Uh-uh.”

  “Personalized cigars!” Jake approached with a fistful.

  Henri held out her hand. “I’ll take one for me and one for Ben.”

  “You’ve got it. Who wants one? Ed, I’m sure you do.”

  “You know it.” Ed ran it under her nose. “Not quite Havana quality, but it’ll do.” She winked at Jake. “Well done.”

  “I want one.” Josette held out her hand.

  Red took six and started distributing them. “Peggy, you and your hubby each need one. Pam, one for you and one for your fire chief back at the station. Lucy, here you go. We’ll have a bubble-blowing contest while we wait to find out whether we get to see Cleo Marie.”

  Leo glanced at Jake. “Did you just happen to have these with you tonight?”

  “I had a hunch so I put them in the truck before we left for the Moose. There’s more in that duffle over by the coffeepot. Isabel will want some for her family when they finally get here.” He lowered his voice. “Thanks for the help with my Christmas wish, Santa.”

  “Anytime, bro. Quick thinking.”

  “Didn’t know if it would work. Thank God it did.” Jake turned to Fiona. “I admit we’re a crazy bunch, but usually we try to space out these major events. A proposal and a baby on the same night is not the norm. Hope you’re not too discombobulated.”

  “Nope.” What a whopper. Her brain had turned to mush, and it got worse every time she looked at Leo. He was a god. She couldn’t reconcile his face with the man who’d turned her inside out in the dark.

  “I think it’s great that you talked this guy into taking off the whiskers. I guess that means you’ll be coming to the Christmas dinner. You’ll love the video. It’s always a—”