Racing Christmas

by Shanna Hatfield

  Shaun shook his head. “Because she doesn’t want to hear the truth, Dad. Not now. Maybe not ever.”

  Jason grinned again. “Oh, she’ll be ready to hear it by the time we’re through. However, we might need to enlist your sister’s assistance.”

  A groan rolled out of Shaun. “I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures.”

  Jason chuckled. “They do, indeed. I think you need to take it slow and easy with Brylee, don’t rush anything. Treat Brylee like you would a rescue animal that’s been beaten down and abused. Or think of her as a high-spirited filly that’s never been haltered. You have to be careful, not make any sudden moves, earn her trust, and…” Jason winked at him. “Show her your love. Telling isn’t going to be good enough. You’ve got to show her in a hundred different ways that you love her.”

  Shaun studied his dad. “How’d you get so smart about women?”

  “I had a very happy marriage with your mother until the day she died. That relationship didn’t happen overnight or because I was afraid to try.”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to win her back, Dad. If I have to crawl on my knees through fire, I’ll do it.”

  “I’ll bring the firewood and a torch.”

  Shaun gave him a sarcastic grin. “Thanks, Dad. Nice to know you’ve always got my back.”

  Chapter Ten

  “I haven’t seen Lisa in years, or your dad. It’ll be fun to see them again,” Brylee said as Jason took an exit at Baker City, Oregon, and turned onto the highway.

  “Lisa and Pop are looking forward to seeing you, too.” Jason smiled at her across the pickup cab.

  Brylee glanced in the rearview mirror to see Shaun following behind them. Since the night Jason had demanded the truth about their marriage, Brylee had tried to stay away from Shaun as much as possible. He kept his promise to drive her pickup and horse trailer home for her, but instead of riding in it with him, she’d climbed in with Jason. After all the heartache and anguish she’d carefully packed away had been dumped out of the murky recesses where she’d kept them, she hadn’t wanted to talk to Shaun. It was painful enough just to see him.

  To his credit, he’d left her alone, giving her a wide berth, although he’d continued to be helpful and kind. He’d bought a bag full of her favorite snacks and candy, leaving it on the seat of the truck for her to find. He’d taken extra care with Rocket so she wouldn’t have to. She’d even found her boots all polished yesterday morning, ready for her to pack.

  Since they would drive right past Baker City on their way to Walla Walla, Jason had called his daughter and let her know they’d be at the Price family ranch for lunch.

  Brylee looked around with interest ten minutes later when Jason turned off the highway onto a paved road that wound around the side of a sagebrush-covered mountain. She’d been to the ranch a few times with Shaun when they were dating, but it had been a long time since she’d visited.

  Jason took a right onto a graveled road and they bounced across the cattle guard. Above them, a Circle P Ranch sign swung from a crossbar attached to two towering timbers on either side of the cattle guard. She grinned at the massive rack of antlers set into a rock base that held their mailbox.

  “It looks just like I remember,” she said, smiling at Jason.

  He grinned at her. “Nothing much has changed, other than we’ve all gotten older.”

  “You look just the same as always,” she said. Other than a little gray at his temples, Jason Price probably looked just as handsome and fit as he had thirty years ago.

  “Flattery will get you everywhere,” he said with a grin.

  She took in the beauty of the rugged landscape around her as they drove up a small rise. “The ranch has been in your family for a long time, hasn’t it?”

  Jason nodded. “My grandfather started the ranch. My wife had deep roots here, too. Her relatives on the Jordan side of the family came during one of the gold rush periods. Actually, her great-grandmother, I think it was, came from England as a bride to her great-grandfather. She was of English nobility. A Lady, I think it was.”

  “Really? That’s amazing. I bet life here in Eastern Oregon was unexpectedly different for her,” Brylee said. She tried to imagine what it would be like to leave everything that was familiar to venture into the unknown, all for love. “She must have loved Mr. Jordan very much.”

  Jason shook his head. “From the stories I heard, she hated him when they first got married. It was one of those marriage of convenience things, something to do with an inheritance, but I forget the details. Anyway, she hated him, hated the house, hated the dust and primitive conditions.”

  “But she stayed?”

  Jason nodded. “Yeah, she stayed. Once she quit fighting against building a life here, she fell in love with the land and her husband.”

  Brylee sensed an underlying message in Jason’s story, but kept her thoughts to herself.

  Jason looked over at her. “Judy used to say Shaun got his hair color from the Jordan side of the family. Several of them had auburn or copper hair.”

  “I always found it odd he and Lisa look nothing alike.”

  Jason guided the pickup around a curve. “Lisa resembles the Price side of the family, although Shaun has more of my personality.”

  Brylee held back a gasp as they drove on top of a hill. Below them, cattle grazed on acres and acres of green pasture. Mountains covered in pine trees loomed in the distance. A creek weaved through the landscape like a sparkling silver ribbon.

  She smiled at Jason. “It’s so beautiful. What a spectacular view.”

  He took a deep breath and drank in the sight of his home. “I never get tired of seeing it.” Jason drove to a two-story farmhouse that looked like it had been built in the early 1900s, although it was well maintained. A white picket fence around the yard kept out most critters, although two dogs barked and trotted off the porch to the gate.

  “Is that Lucy?” Brylee asked, recognizing Shaun’s old cowdog.

  “Yep. She’s in retirement, along with Linus.” Jason cut the ignition and unbuckled his seat belt.

  A little girl with red curls flying every direction raced down the sidewalk. Her face lit with happiness as Jason hurried around the truck and lifted her in his arms.

  “Papa! You’re home! I missed you!”

  “I missed you, too, Dani. Have you been a good girl, sweetheart?” Jason kissed the little one’s rosy cheeks then shifted her to one arm and walked over to where Brylee got out of the truck.

  “Who’s that, Papa?” the little girl smiled at her. “I’m Dani and I’m five and I live here with Pops and my mommy and Uncle Galen. Who are you?”

  Brylee grinned at the adorable chatterbox. “I’m Brylee Barton. I, um…”

  Dani squealed and wiggled to get down. “It’s Uncle Shaun. Let me down, Papa! Let me down, please!”

  Jason set her down and she took off running to where Shaun walked toward them after parking Brylee’s pickup. He scooped the little girl up in his arms and tossed her in the air, making her giggle.

  “Do it again!” she begged.

  “She’s beautiful, Jason. The pictures you showed me of her don’t do her justice.” Brylee watched Shaun play with his niece while a lump the size of a grapefruit lodged in her throat.

  “She’s a little firecracker and definitely takes after the Jordan side,” Jason said, pride evident on his face and in his voice as he watched his granddaughter. “Since Lisa and Tyler both have dark hair, they might have wondered where that mop of curly red hair came from, but she looks a lot like Shaun.”

  “She does,” Brylee croaked, overwhelmed with thoughts of what might have been if Shaun hadn’t destroyed her dreams.

  “You sound like you’re parched. Let’s get in out of this heat and have a glass of iced tea.” Jason motioned for her to go up the walk.

  Brylee took two steps before Lucy and Linus bumped into her. “Do you two remember me?” she asked, stopping to pet the dogs. Lucy licked her
hand and Linus’ tail kept up a steady rhythm as he beat it against her leg. “I hear you two are in retirement. Does that mean you keep Mr. Price company?” She scratched both dogs behind their ears.

  “You know better than to call me Mr. Price, sweetness. We agreed you’d call me Pops a long time ago,” Mike Price said from where he stood on the porch steps. “Now get on up here and give me a hug.”

  Brylee grinned as she hurried up the steps and hugged Shaun’s grandfather. Although he looked older, he hadn’t lost the twinkle in his eye or his charming smile — a smile he’d passed on to his son and grandson.

  “How are you, Pops?” she asked, stepping back when he released her. She kept a hand on his back as his gnarled fingers rested on her waist.

  “Fit as a fiddle and twice as creaky.”

  She laughed. “It’s so good to see you,” she said, walking with him inside the house.

  “Who’s that lady, Uncle Shaun,” she heard Dani ask. Shaun’s response was muffled as Pops led her down the hall to a sunny kitchen where Lisa set a bowl of salad on the table.

  “Brylee! Oh, my goodness.” Lisa gave her a big hug. “You look incredible. Congrats on such a great season.”

  “Thank you, Lisa,” Brylee offered her a smile full of genuine warmth. “You look as beautiful as I remember and Dani is adorable. She told me she’s five.”

  “Some days I think she’ll soon turn thirty for the things that come out of her mouth.” Lisa picked up a potholder and opened the oven door, taking out a pan of perfectly browned rolls. “You all go wash up and I’ll have the food on the table when you get back.”

  Brylee made her way to the bathroom that looked the same as the last time she’d been at the house. The Price family had done their best to preserve their heritage. Even the faucets on the sink were original to the house, although they’d been restored a few times. She loved the old claw-foot tub and pedestal sink, as well as the tile on the floor that had to be a pain to keep clean but gleamed like it had just been mopped.

  She rushed back to the kitchen where Jason sat at the table with Dani on his knee, listening to her tell a story about her pony. Pops carried a bowl of potatoes to the table, but Shaun was nowhere in sight.

  “What can I do to help?” Brylee asked as she stepped beside Lisa. She’d always liked Shaun’s older sister. They’d gotten to be friends and Brylee had missed her when she cut off all contact with Shaun, his friends, and family.

  “Fill the glasses with ice and pour tea?” Lisa asked as she spooned creamed peas into a bowl.

  “This all looks so good, Lisa.” Brylee took glasses from the cupboard and filled them with ice. “Are you still working in town?”

  “Yes. I’m the manager of the bank now, instead of a teller.”

  “Congratulations. That’s fantastic. How about Tyler? Jason said he’s still in the service.”

  Lisa nodded. “He’ll be finished in March then he’s promised to come home for good.”

  Brylee knew it had been hard on Lisa when her husband enlisted. From what Jason mentioned, Tyler was on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. “I’ll be praying for him to stay safe until he’s back here with you.”

  “Thank you,” Lisa said, giving her a gratitude-filled smile.

  “If you’re the bank manager now, how did you sneak away long enough to make lunch?” Brylee asked as she poured tea into the ice-filled glasses.

  “I told them I was taking a long lunch today and not to call unless there was an emergency. In Baker City, that doesn’t happen too often.” Lisa grinned. “I confess I picked up the meat at a great new barbecue place that opened. Pops did the potatoes while I cooked the peas, but the rolls and pie are from the bakery. Dad and Shaun won’t know the difference.”

  Brylee laughed. “No, they won’t. They eat first then forget to ask questions later.”

  Lisa giggled. “So true.” She glanced down at Brylee’s leg, encased in the brace. “How are you doing? Is the leg healing?”

  “Yes, it is. I have to check in with my doctor next week, but I think it’s doing well.” Brylee glanced up as Shaun returned to the room. Dani stood on Jason’s legs then leaped at her uncle. He caught her and kissed her cheek then whispered something in her ear that made the little one grin. “He’s certainly good with her.”

  “Shaun is fabulous with kids. I never expected him to be, but he’s been a huge help with her when he’s home. The four Price men all dote on her. I’m afraid she’ll turn into a little diva before long.”

  Brylee laughed. “You’ll keep her grounded.” She looked around. “I forgot about Galen being here. Is he joining us for lunch?”

  “No. He’s at a cattlemen’s meeting in Salem today, otherwise he would be.”

  Brylee studied her a moment as Lisa placed the rolls in a basket. “I… uh… I just wanted to say I’m sorry about not staying in touch, Lisa. I really did appreciate your friendship before, when Shaun and I were together.”

  Lisa gave her another hug. “I completely understand. Don’t worry about it. Shaun wouldn’t tell me anything other than it was his choice and his fault.”

  Surprised to hear he accepted the full blame for the disaster that was their unbelievably brief marriage, she carried the tea glasses to the table. Shaun sat next to Jason, attentively listening to Dani tell him all about riding with Pops on the four-wheeler down to the creek to watch the fish play. Her heart turned into warm syrup when he glanced up at her with a sweet, tender smile.

  The annoying grapefruit returned to her throat and she spun away before emotion overtook her good sense.

  When Lisa set the last bowl on the table, Shaun pulled out a chair for Brylee then sat back down with Dani perched on his knee.

  “Shaun, she can sit in her own chair,” Lisa said, pointing to the chair beside him that held a ladybug booster seat.

  “I know she can, but she’s fine right here. I haven’t got to see my little Dani bug for weeks and weeks.” Shaun kissed the little girl on her nose, drawing out her infectious giggle. He filled a plate for his niece and set it next to his.

  Brylee didn’t know what was wrong with her, but seeing his copper head bent over Dani’s bright red curls did things to her heart she couldn’t even begin to identify let alone explain. Mercy, she never expected to see Shaun holding a child so lovingly. She certainly never expected to find it more appealing than anything she’d ever experienced or witnessed.

  Yet, as he buttered Dani’s roll and helped her with her meal, Shaun was infinitely more alluring to her in that moment than he’d ever been to her before. And that was dangerous. Far more dangerous than any flirting or joking he might do. In truth, she’d missed his teasing since the night she’d walked out of the trailer and stayed with Paige and Cooper.

  Thank goodness for good friends. She was in no shape then to face Shaun or Jason. The next morning, it took her an hour after a pep talk from Cooper to convince herself to go back to the trailer. Cooper James could be persuasive when he wanted to be and Paige had offered her own soft words of encouragement.

  Brylee had known things would be different now that the secret of her ten-hour marriage to Shaun was out in the open. Jason treated her with even more kindness and compassion, but Shaun seemed to understand her need for space and time to think. He gave it to her without question, or at least as much as he could, considering they traveled together.

  Dani pulled Shaun’s head down, whispered something and then giggled.

  “Danielle Marie, you know better than to whisper at the table,” Lisa gave her daughter a warning look. “If you have something to say, you say it to everyone.”

  Dani’s lip puckered into a pout and she leaned against Shaun’s chest.

  Shaun looked at Lisa and started to say something, thought better of it, and snapped his mouth closed.

  Dani pointed to Brylee. “All I said was Brylee is a pretty lady. I like her hair. She looks like the princess in my storybooks.”

  Lisa smiled at her daughter. “She does l
ook like a princess.”

  “And she is very pretty,” Pops said. He winked at Dani before smiling at Brylee. “You think she’d let me be her Prince Charming?”

  Dani giggled and shook her head. “No, Pops! You’re too old.”

  “What about your papa? Would he be a good prince for Brylee?” Pops asked, leaning closer to Dani and tweaking her nose.

  She giggled again. “No. No. No. The prince has to be young and handsome and not have his own kids. You both gots kids. Uncle Shaun should be her prince.” Dani clapped her hands together. “Oh, I know!” She jumped off Shaun’s lap, took three steps, then turned back to her mother. “May I be scused, Mama? Please? I’ll be right back!”

  “Sure, baby.” Lisa grinned as her daughter ran from the room. Her footsteps pattered down the hall. A few thumps echoed from the front room, then her little feet thudded back to the kitchen.

  She held a storybook in her hands and climbed on Shaun’s lap with it clutched to her chest. “See, right here,” she said, opening the book and pointing to a picture of Cinderella dancing with her prince. “He gots red hair like Uncle Shaun, and she gots pretty yellow hair like Brylee. They’re perfect.”

  Jason hid a laugh behind a cough while Pops chuckled. Brylee tried to cover her emotions, a mixture of horror and humor sprinkled with a helping of truth.

  “I thought Prince Charming had black hair,” Brylee said, glancing at the book Dani held up for everyone to see.

  “Nope. He gots red hair, just like my uncle.”

  “Yes, I can see that he does,” Brylee said, wondering who’d mixed up the ink at the printer because she’d never noticed Prince Charming having red hair before. And the handsome cowboy grinning at his niece like she was the best thing since the invention of cowboy boots made her wish he really had been her prince charming. For the longest time, she was convinced he hadn’t even made frog status, but she might give him that much credit now. More, if she cared to admit. Which she didn’t.

  The rest of the meal passed with Lisa asking questions about the rodeos they’d attended and people they’d seen while Jason and Shaun asked about the ranch and friends in the area.