Christmas With The Cowboy

“Shame for Emma and those babies. She and Steve weren’t married very long, either.”

“No, I guess not.”

“I know she’s glad to have Steve’s family here.”

“Maybe so,” Zach murmured.

“You’re gonna need linens if you’re staying.” Dutch walked over to a closet and pulled open the door. “They’re in here.”

“Thanks, but who said I’m staying?” Zach asked.

“Aw, don’t worry. Travis said to zip my lips. I can do that on occasion.”

“I appreciate it. So where do you bunk?” Zach asked.

“Over yonder.” He raised a thumb. “Couple of bunkhouses to the right. This here is the guest bunkhouse.”

“I’m the only guest?”

“For the moment.” Dutch gave a nod, obviously still thinking and sizing up Zach.

“So you grew up with the Maxwells?” Dutch continued.

“I did.” Zach smiled as he recalled the first time he saw Emma. Five years old, with long dark braids, a big grin, full of sass and already riding. He hadn’t thought about that in a long time.

“Must have been pretty young, huh?” Dutch said.

“Too young. No one should have to deal with the death of their parents and then have their foundation ripped out from under them like they did.”

“Yet, that’s exactly what our kids here on Big Heart Ranch deal with. All of them.”

Zach paused. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

“Sure enough. That’s what has made Lucy, Travis and Emma so determined to turn around the burden of their past. They took the land their mother’s cousin left them in Timber and started this ranch. A new beginning.” He shook his head. “Those three bring good to everything they touch.”

“I believe that.” Zach put the cover back on the jar and tightened the lid. “How long have you been on Big Heart Ranch, Dutch?”

“Oh, a while and a half, for sure.”

“That long, huh?”

Hand on the doorknob, Dutch hesitated before he headed out. “You know, I was just like you, once upon a time. Came for a visit and ended up staying.”

Zach blinked at the bold statement. “I’m not staying. This is only temporary.”

“Oh?” The old cowboy stared him down. “Just sticking around until you finish mending?”

“My knee, you mean?”

He shook his head and offered a sly smile. “Don’t take offense, but I got a feeling the good Lord put you in the path of Big Heart Ranch for a reason and it’s got nothing to do with your knee.” Dutch tapped his own chest and placed a hand over his heart as his gaze met Zach’s.

Zach narrowed his eyes. “Though that isn’t my plan, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility.”

A grin lit up Dutch’s face, and he offered a nod of respect. “I expected an argument.”

“Not from me. I’ve learned to never say never. Life has tossed me into too many situations where my next move was completely a walk of faith.”

“Wise man,” Dutch murmured.

“I don’t know about that. Not so much wisdom as it is lots of experience making mistakes.” He rolled down the leg of his sweatpants. “Where’s that meeting I’m supposed to go to tonight?”

“Meeting? It’s a party. One of the biggest of the year.”

“Okay, where’s this mandatory fun I’m required to attend?”

“Downtown Timber. Oklahoma Rose restaurant. Across from the Timber General Store. There’s a parking lot behind the restaurant. Might make it easier on your leg.”

“Thanks.”

The door closed softly and Zach pulled out a bandanna to wipe his hands while thinking about his conversation with the wrangler.

Easier. He wasn’t handicapped. It was a simple knee injury. So he couldn’t jump out of planes anymore. That wasn’t a good enough reason for the world to keep trying to turn him into a desk jockey.

Zach paused. Unless they were right. If so, he wouldn’t be much use to Travis on the ranch either, would he?

Once again, the urge to leave rose up strong. What was he doing here anyhow? Had the Lord led him here or had he come to Oklahoma simply to clear his conscience?

Twice he had changed his mind during the long drive from California. The only thing that kept him from making a U-turn on I-40 eastbound was the promise made to Ian’s folks. He was determined to keep that promise. Their son was gone and they needed closure only Zach could provide. He was willing to relive the anguish of that mission to do that.

Besides, where would he go? He didn’t have a home anymore. His apartment in California had been cleared out and his few possessions put into storage until January.

Zach took a ragged breath and ran a hand through his hair. His gaze landed on last year’s photo Christmas card Emma had sent him that peeked out of his duffel. Elizabeth and Rachel.

His brother’s children. Family. They deserved so much more from him. He owed Emma and Steve that. In truth, he was long overdue for facing the past. It was time to man up. Maybe if he did he’d find the path to his future, however uncertain that future might be.

Chapter Three (#u9d43774b-760f-5ac7-9d93-083938da9182)

“Candy canes?” Emma asked.

Lucy Maxwell Harris held up the plastic shopping bag that dangled from her right arm. “Check.”

Emma pulled open the door of the restaurant for her sister, who waddled past and headed into the Oklahoma Rose with a protective hand on her large abdomen.

“Whew.” Lucy ran a hand through her dark cap of hair and adjusted the Santa hat on her head. “Is it hot in here?”

“No. The female air-conditioning system is a little overworked during pregnancy.”

“Is that it?”