Christmas at Hope Ranch

by Loretta C. Rogers

  “What in the world, Nell—ˮ Brenda began, when Nell interrupted.

  “It’s nothing for any of you to fret over.” Nell glanced around the table at her friends. “Luckily, Addison bailed me out with the bank and is the new owner of Hope Ranch. Some powerful foreign corporation was out to snatch up the ranch and turn it into goodness knows what. The point is Addison and I formed a partnership. We’re converting Hope Ranch to a vacation resort where folks can hold family reunions, or a destination wedding-honeymoon, or whatever family event they want to plan. The sky’s the limit.”

  A blush heightened Nell’s face. “At first I was bull-stomping mad…until I realized the only person to blame for my financial pickle was myself.”

  She picked up a Santa Claus-shaped salt shaker and examined it as she spoke. “After giving it a lot of thought, it dawned on me that once Addison left for New York I’d be all alone.”

  Nell lifted her gaze, and in that instant Addison saw loneliness and fear in those faded blue eyes. Nell had always been resolute, strong, and independent. She had fostered numerous children of various ages and temperaments. She’d had responsibilities then: a ranch to run, children to feed and clothe, and she did it on a pittance, never asking for help. Now she was past her prime and in failing health.

  Addison studied her for a second as if assessing the truth of Nell’s statement. After the slightly awkward but nonetheless heartening confession, Addison kept her voice matter of fact. “We plan a grand opening in June, and a re-grand opening in December. You are all invited to both celebrations.”

  Nell stood. “And you’ll never believe this—the cable guys were out yesterday to install internet connections, and Addison will teach me how to use a computer.” She guffawed. “Who said you can’t teach an ol’ dame new tricks.”

  A bell’s tinkle drew Addison’s attention. The café door opened and closed. Wade strode in to the counter. The man looked good. Her mouth went dry while other parts of her—did not. Her brain supplied perfect memories of both late-night kisses and the searing touch of his hands exploring her body. Her heart fluttered, and a sensual sensation slithered all the way down to her womanhood.

  “Afternoon,” he said. He grabbed a large cup of coffee and a sack of spudnuts. “Nice seeing you, ladies. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get going.”

  When Millie pushed back her chair to stand, he held up his hand. “Nope, it’s only Saturday. I don’t want to see you in the office until Monday, remember.”

  With that he was gone. Addison inwardly groaned. He’d barely looked at her. How was she to interpret that? Never mind. She wasn’t going to obsess over it, not that a lack of specifics ever got in her way. Still it was frustrating. Before she could really get into psychoanalyzing, Brenda heaved an exaggerated sigh. “That’s one handsome hunk of a man. He’s got a heart as big as all outdoors.” She cocked an unabashed grin toward Addison. “And he’s a bachelor. If I weren’t old enough to be his grandmother, I’d bid on him myself.”

  A full-bodied laugh burst from Millie, and she kept laughing. “Brenda Brown, you are a shameless hussy.”

  “Yes, and at my age, I’ve been without the comforts a man gives a woman behind closed doors for too long.”

  Millie waggled her eyebrows. “Ah, come on, Brenda, what’s stopping you? Hank Pierson is our age and available.”

  Nell guffawed. “That’s the problem—he’s…our… age.”

  Millie continued to laugh and offered a wink. “Tell it like it is, sister. We can dream, can’t we?”

  This time Brenda nudged Millie in the ribs. She winked. “Nell, if Emmett agrees to participate, will you bid on him? I can see it now—you with Emmett and Addison with Wade on a double date.”

  Addison rolled her eyes. The more the woman laughed, the more disgruntled she grew. “To set the record straight, I have more important things on my mind than the sheriff.”

  A mischievous sparkle lit the café owner’s brown eyes as she gave Addison a “you poor girl, you are fooling yourself” expression.

  Addison tamped down the rising tide of annoyance. What response did she give this woman who seemed to be able to read her mind? Eager to leave the conversation, she shoved back from the table. “We need to go. The children will think we’ve forgotten them.”

  ****

  At the sight of Addison in the café, his heart had taken off on a wild gallop. Her air had been one of total detachment. Every time he saw her it was a shock to realize how beautiful she was. Her intense blue eyes had cut straight through him. A frustrated gasp tore from Wade’s throat as his fingers squeezed the paper cup so tightly that hot coffee surged upward to scald his hand and soak through his trousers. He yowled as he sprinted to the bathroom and grabbed a wad of paper towels.

  What was wrong with him? He used to be better with people, women particularly. He used to enjoy charming them, making them happy, and he had always presumed they were honest and forthright. That was before Gracie.

  Unfortunately, she had taught him that not all women were what they seemed. In all the years since, he’d filed most women under the same category as the woman who had forever soured him on true love. So here he was presuming the worst about Addison, a beautiful woman who had trusted her heart to a contemptible bastard.

  He was tempted to call the answering service, put a Gone Fishing sign on the door, and drive out to his favorite fishing spot.

  Dabbing at the wet coffee stain on his pants, he heard, “Hello…Wade?”

  There in the office stood Ava, setting a basket on Millie’s desk. She removed several bowls and a set of utensils. She offered a sisterly smile as she commanded him to sit. “I brought you some real food. A sheriff cannot live on coffee and donuts alone. It isn’t healthy.” She smirked. “Besides, how can you chase down bad guys if you’re trying to lumber along with a pot belly?”

  Wade kissed his sister’s cheek. “In case you haven’t noticed, Meadow Creek isn’t exactly teeming with bad guys.”

  She poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Wade, followed by a bowl of beef stew. “Sorry about Dad. He was looking forward to wearing his uniform again.”

  Wade nodded. “I know. He told me.” He chewed thoughtfully for a moment. “I’ve put in a call to Boise requesting a temporary deputy until I begin interviewing candidates for a permanent position.”

  “Great.” Ava slapped her hands together. “I have other business to discuss. Today’s meeting was awesome. Addison’s ideas were off the chart, especially the bid-on-a-bachelor idea.” She offered her brother a dimpled grin. “I’m in charge of recruiting bachelors, and naturally you are on my list. So, how ’bout it, big brother?”

  “I don’t know, Ava. I’d feel awkward standing on stage waiting…no, hoping some woman might bid more than a dollar on me.”

  “Just so you know, bidding must start at twenty-five dollars.”

  “Still, I’m not a hunk of meat to be auctioned off. I’ll let you know later.”

  “Um, no…you’ll let me know before I walk out that door. Aw, come on. It’s for a great cause. Half the proceeds go to fund the new children’s story-time wing at the library.”

  He spread his hands wide. “Do you know how embarrassing it’ll be if no one bids on me?”

  Ave gave an impatient snort. “For your information, I’ve already signed up Hank Pierson, Tommy Jenks, and LaVar Studstill.”

  Distracted by the colorful fish in the aquarium Wade tried not to let his thoughts meander to how he’d spend the evening if Addison were to bid on him and win. “Okay, I’ll do it on one condition.”

  Ava pursed her lips, her eyes filled with skepticism. “What is the condition?”

  He finished off the last of his coffee and offered his sister a broad grin. He had this in the bag. There was no way he’d have to put himself on display. “I’ll do it only if Emmett agrees to participate too.”

  Her face grew somber. She pulled a pout, and then she shouted, “Yes!” as she pushed the clipboard forw
ard and pointed. “Read it and weep, brother.” She hooted. “In his very own handwriting—Emmett Oxbow.”

  Wade sputtered. “That traitor! He… He…”

  She cut her brother a sideways grin and handed him a pen. “Stop sputtering and sign on the dotted line.” She snapped her fingers. “I have it on good authority that the ladies of Meadow Creek are already checking their bank accounts.”

  She gazed studiously at Wade as she gathered the dishes and repacked the basket. “By the way, what’s your take on Addison James?”

  “From a cop’s point of view, she appears honest, with a hint of deceit behind those blue eyes of hers. From a personal point of view, she’s intelligent, beautiful, sexy, snooty, and opinionated. Not my type.”

  “And you’re falling in love with her.”

  “What…? No way, sis. You’re out of your mind.”

  Ava let out a chuckle and lifted her brow in a smug stare. “Get over yourself, big brother. Gracie Howard happened eons ago.”

  Wade helped Ava with her coat. She collected the basket. “You might want to get that deputy as soon as possible. We’ve changed the festival venue to downtown. Vendors will set up on both sides of the street and in front of their stores. The sleigh parade will travel down Main Street with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the lead sleigh. On night two, we’ll hold the children’s fashion show and the bidding for a bachelor at the high school gym, with a dance to follow.”

  She stood on tiptoes to kiss her brother on the cheek. “If you keep brooding over Gracie, then you let her control your life. She wins and you lose.” She patted his chest. “It’s time to let go of the past. See you later.”

  “Yeah, later,” Wade returned.

  Ava left, and the office had never seemed emptier. With Millie and Freddie gone, the place echoed with loneliness. Just him and the fish. A constant reminder that he was all by himself.

  Gracie.

  Every time he thought of her, a chill raced through his blood. No, that wasn’t it. His blood didn’t run cold. In fact, thinking of her brought him to a boiling point. He rolled his chair away from the desk and walked over to the double plate-glass doors. The view of the town was homey and festive. A great place to raise a family.

  Family.

  Yeah, Gracie had ruined that, too.

  He returned to his chair, propped his feet on the desk, and stared at the fish tank.

  Ava had told him to get a life, and in this case she was right. He had dug himself deeper into his rut. Hell, he’d fought in three wars and bore the forever scars. He’d faced down terrorists without fear. It wasn’t that the past with Gracie held any allure for him. It was sheer terror of repeating with Addison the same mistake he’d made years ago, terrified of what it would do to him and to Addison.

  For the remainder of the day, Wade was glad he was alone, his mood dark and brooding. Going over a pile of neglected paperwork, he was distracted by children’s laughter. He pushed from his office chair and walked to the door. Addison and Nell strolled down the sidewalk holding hands with the twins. Addison looked happy—and maternal, which was mildly surprising. He’d never thought of her as anything other than a jet-setting, superficial, glamorous model.

  Seeing her skipping down the sidewalk with the twins and laughing made him realize his feelings for her ran deeper than he thought. Not only because he wanted her in his bed but because he wanted her forever in his life. He remembered the abject hurt in her eyes when she’d told him about finding her fiancé having sex with another woman only mere minutes from walking down the aisle.

  Addison deserved better than a quick tumble, no matter how pleasurable or how explosive the experience. She deserved to be courted properly and with respect—even more so because he intended to claim her as his.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Addison noticed the light that shone from under the twins’ bedroom door. She knocked, then swung the door wide. Two nearly identical faces pouted up at her. Joey and Julie sat propped against the headboard. The black lab that lay snuggled between them raised his head for a cursory look.

  “It was lights out an hour ago. After your exciting day at the library, I thought you’d be fast asleep by now.” It was the uncertainty in the children’s eyes that brought her to sit on the edge of the bed.

  Their questioning gaze met Addison’s. She exhaled. “Are you hiding something under the covers?”

  The twins shrugged and said nothing.

  She kept her voice casual. “Whatever it is, you can show me.”

  Slowly the picture frame was pulled from beneath the quilt. The misery in the little boy’s voice crushed Addison’s heart. “What if she doesn’t want us?”

  Inwardly, she commiserated with the children. Although her experience had been different, her mother hadn’t wanted her. And the question had always lingered—why?

  “Will Aunt Nell send us away if our mommy doesn’t want us?” Julie looked up at her imploringly.

  Addison took the frame that held a picture of a young woman wearing an Army uniform. She understood the twins’ concerns. The unsmiling expression on the young soldier’s face was less than endearing. She did a quick mental calculation and determined the twins’ mother was probably no more than eighteen or nineteen years old at the time. She also understood that when the photo was taken the woman was probably directed not to smile.

  “When was the last time you saw your mother?”

  Joey and Julie looked at each other and shrugged. Their voices blended together. “We don’t know. We only remember Gram.”

  Addison set the picture on the nightstand. She cleared her voice. “I suppose when a person is in the Army they don’t get much time to visit family. Did she write you letters?”

  Again, identical shrugs. Joey said, “Gram used to get letters. She would hug and kiss us and say it was from our mommy and that our mommy loved us.”

  “One time I got a dolly for Christmas and Joey got a…a…I forget.”

  “A flashlight. It didn’t have batteries, and Gram never remembered to buy any. It’s okay, though, ’cause she didn’t have much money.”

  One time! She only sent them gifts one time! Addison’s heart ached for these children. More and more she realized how fortunate she was to have spent her childhood at Hope Ranch, with a foster mother who gave each child a hug and tucked them in at night and encouraged them to say their prayers, and although it wasn’t much, every child received a birthday gift on their special day and a present under the Christmas tree.

  She said, “Scoot down under the covers.” She pulled the quilt up to their chins and then leaned forward and kissed each one of them. “Are you warm enough?”

  Joey reached out and grabbed Addison’s hand. “I hope Santa Claus got our letter. He’ll make sure she comes to get us.” Doubt dimmed the little boy’s eyes and brought tightness to Addison’s chest. “Won’t he, Addison?”

  Her eyes misted, and she blinked to clear them. How did she answer this question without giving him false hope? With a heavy heart, she said, “I’m sure Santa will do everything within his power to find her.”

  Julie gave Addison an anxious look. “Other kids at our school had daddies in the Army, and they came home for Christmas. Our mommy never did.” She leaned close and kissed the black dog on the head. “I think only Gram loved us when we were little.”

  Addison offered a reassuring smile. “Aunt Nell and I love you, and Boomer, too.”

  Julie asked, “Will you be our mommy if she doesn’t want us?”

  Addison’s brow furrowed with disquiet. She didn’t want to commit with a promise she couldn’t keep. “I believe you don’t have anything to worry about. Now, close your eyes and think good thoughts so you’ll have sweet dreams.” She kissed them on their cheeks and turned out the lamp.

  Nell stood outside the door as Addison left the room. She whispered, “I’m going to be mighty angry if she doesn’t want those sweet young’uns.” She motioned Addison to the living room.

  Ne
ll switched on a lamp, then turned off the Christmas tree lights. “If Wade had heard from those children’s mother, he would have already let us know. I can think of two reasons why he hasn’t. Maybe she’s wounded and in a hospital—or heaven forbid, worse—or it’s possible she has decided she doesn’t want the children.”

  “You don’t really think their mother would abandon them…”

  Nell lifted her eyebrows and pursed her lips in an “I guess you’ve forgotten” expression.

  “You’re right. I’m a living, breathing example, aren’t I?” Addison’s expression grew solemn. “What will we do if their mother doesn’t show up?”

  Nell turned her head in the direction of the bedroom door. “Those children will always have a home as long as I’m alive and kicking.”

  A fierce gust of wind rattled the kitchen door. Nell rushed to make sure the lock was secure. She returned and assured Addison the door was solidly locked.

  After a moment of silence, Addison gazed at Nell. “Who am I?” She waved her good hand. “Oh, I know my name and how I got it. I know I was found in a bus station and no one ever came forward to claim me. All my life I’ve wondered—who am I? Who was my mother, and why didn’t she want me?” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I’ve held people at bay for fear of letting them get too close…for fear of not being good enough to be loved. I’m not even sure I truly loved Rowan.” Her voice trailed off.

  Nell clasped Addison’s hand. “I wish I had the answers about your mother. The box with the news articles about you is in the attic. You poured over those clippings a million times when you were growing up. I’ve kept them in case you wanted them. And, just so you know, that Rowan guy is a real bastard. Be glad you found out about him before you were married—saved yourself more heartbreak and probably a costly divorce.”

  Addison squeezed Nell’s hand. “You are so endearingly practical.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Nell stood. She pierced Addison with a stern frown. “You are Addison James—smart, successful, beautiful, and a woman with a lot of love to give. And don’t you forget it.” She yawned and said goodnight.