One Tough Christmas Cookie (The Reindeer Wrangler Ranch Christmas Romance Book 1)

by Lucy McConnell

  Her brow furrowed. “What about Rudy?”

  “Check on him—but he’s in good spirits when he’s awake. I’ll see if Pax can come sit with him. He doesn’t like crowds, so he’ll appreciate the excuse to get out of going with the family.” He hoped. It was true that Pax was an introvert—the only one in the whole family. If he didn’t look so much like a Nichollas, they’d think he was adopted. “Come on. You have to experience this at least once in your life.”

  Faith chewed her bottom lip. “If you put it that way …” She glanced down at her layers and layers of clothing. “I’m not dressed for an occasion.”

  “You’ll be the most beautiful woman in the park—guaranteed.”

  Her rosy cheeks turned a dark shade of red. “Well, how can I say no to that?” she whispered hoarsely.

  He broke into a grin. “Yeah?”

  Her smile was almost as big as his. “Yeah.”

  “Woot!”

  She laughed at his fist thrown in the air. “First the reindeer.” She pointed towards the clinic. “If he’s struggling, we stay in.”

  “He’s doing great.” Caleb held the door open for her. “You’re going to have such a good time tonight. It’s really spectacular.”

  She nodded. “I’m already going—stop with the sales job,” she teased.

  He backed off as she grabbed a pair of gloves and headed for Rudy’s kennel. He was standing up, drinking from the bucket as if he’d flown through the Sahara. When he finished, he lifted his head, water dripping from his chin.

  “That’s a good sign.” Faith opened the door and hunched over to go in with Rudy. She talked softly.

  Caleb was only more encouraged by the reindeer’s improvement. It looked like things were on the upswing for the reindeer ranch and for him personally. He couldn’t force Faith to feel Christmas cheer, but if she was ever going to get it, then the sing-along was the place to be.

  He hoped she felt something tonight, because if she didn’t, then her heart was closed to Christmas. The very thought made his chest ache.

  Chapter 20

  Faith

  The night was dark, but Faith didn’t mind at all as she hooked her arm through Caleb’s and held on. Ahead of them were bright lights and a large group of people in coats and scarves. They looked like the cast from A Charlie Brown Christmas with blue coats and bright pink beanies. No one seemed worried about how they looked when staying warm was the focus.

  As they got closer, she could see space between the family groups.

  Caleb reached for her hand—well, her mitten—as he weaved through the crowd to get them closer to the front. His hand was strong and would never let hers go. She enjoyed the comfort it brought, as well as the thrill that tickled through her rib cage. He’d been in high spirits on the ride over, sharing memories of past sing-alongs with her as if handing out pieces of chocolate. She’d soaked them all in, wishing she had something like that for her memory box. She couldn’t think of a single tradition that tied her to more than her mother or father. Being a part of a community was a new and somewhat overwhelming experience.

  She spotted Caleb’s family standing close to the brass instruments’ side of the bandstand and was about to point them out when Caleb brought them to a stop behind a pine tree, out of view but still able to see what was going on. Had he done that on purpose to give them privacy?

  A man standing on a red carpeted box and wearing a top hat and tails lifted a baton. “Are you ready to sing some carols?” His deep voice carried over the tops of their heads, sprinkling his enthusiasm like a saltshaker.

  The crowd let out a cheer.

  “Well, I can tell your voices are all warmed up.” He earned a chuckle from the crowd.

  Faith caught herself joining in and stopped. She wasn’t a joiner, and being here pushed her limits. She clutched Caleb’s hand for strength.

  “We’ll start with an easy favorite,” said the band director. His arms went up and then down, and the music started. Tentative at first, as if they weren’t sure about putting their lips to the cold metal, the band warbled into “Away in a Manger.” Mr. Director rapped his baton on the music stand once, and the band members straightened up and produced a clearer sound. He nodded his approval before turning around to the crowd to get them started on the words.

  The band might have been hesitant, but the townsfolk were eager and jumped in with their whole hearts.

  Faith sang quietly, more intent on watching those around her than hitting the right notes. A few feet away, a young couple rocked back and forth, each with a child in their arms. The father held a toddler boy and the mother a baby. The toddler wiggled at first but settled in to watch his dad sing about the baby Jesus. Faith’s heart lurched with a need for a small family of her own. The stirrings came every now and again, but never this strong and never this pointed. She pressed her free hand over her belly, wondering if she’d ever have the chance to sing a lullaby.

  When the song was over, the music paused for just as long as it took for the kids to flip their music, and then they were off in a lively version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Even though it was a hymn, the crowd bounced and moved as if they were part of heaven’s choir.

  An elderly woman in front of them raised both hands in the air, “Joyful all ye nations rise,” she practically yelled. She turned in a circle and sang up to heaven as if filled by the Holy Spirit.

  Faith swallowed down the emotion building in her throat at the woman’s rapture. She believed—there was no denying it. She loved Jesus and she wanted to praise His name in song forever more. It was a beautiful, touching sight that had nothing to do with sitting still, arms folded, in church and everything to do with allowing the Spirit to surge through your soul.

  Faith closed her eyes, hoping it would help her forget people watching and just be in the moment. A scripture, long ago read and filed away, popped into her head. “Let them praise his name with dancing …” She couldn’t have told you the book or the verse if asked, but the words turned a key and she began to tap her foot and sway her head.

  She wished she could play an instrument. Anything that would help get the swelling of emotions out of her and into the world. Opening her mouth, she sang with abandon. No one could pick her out in this crowd anyway. As the song drew to a close, the warmth that had filled her up began to draw in on itself, folding until it fit nicely in her heart.

  Opening her eyes, she found Caleb watching her, his eyes filled with fondness and … something more?

  She reached up on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear. “Thank you for bringing me.”

  He wrapped an arm around her and drew her to his chest. “I was right.”

  “About what?”

  “You’re the most beautiful woman here.” He brushed her hair off her cheek and then let her go, watching the director as he readied them for “Silent Night.” It would be their last song. Which was probably a good thing, because Faith couldn’t feel her toes anymore.

  She could feel her heart, though—as if it had just woken up for the first time in her life. She glanced at Caleb. Part of it was him. Clutching her hand over her chest, she realized that the feeling was still there. Small and bright. Perfect. And not from Caleb, but from the music and from God and from getting out of His way so He could tell her He loved her.

  That was Christmas.

  Maybe Caleb had known that all along. Maybe that was why he loved to decorate and bake and work with reindeer—because he knew God loved him.

  It certainly made a difference. Because Faith wasn’t so worried anymore. It was like accepting Jesus’s love put things into perspective. Whatever happened with her dad would be okay. If he turned out to be a jerk who’d left her mom penniless, then she’d make it through.

  For the first time in her life, Faith didn’t feel alone.

  She gave Caleb’s hand a squeeze. He was something special. She only hoped that whatever path she stepped onto tonight, it included him. Because this strong, cookie
-baking wrangler was going to be difficult to give up.

  Chapter 21

  Caleb

  “I’m all twisted inside.” Caleb put his hand over his stomach, which was leaping around like a two-week-old reindeer hyped up on sugar. Not that they ever gave the animals sugar. He could only imagine.

  “It’s going to be okay.” Faith continued to unwrap Rudy’s bandages, moving slowly and reaching around his neck when necessary. There was an aura of peace around her that was downright alluring. It had happened during the sing-along. He could tell you the exact moment, because as soon as she’d closed her eyes, he’d watched her. Watched and hoped that she could feel some of the peace and hope threaded into the music. The band wasn’t as good as last year’s, and the group they’d stood by weren’t locals. But Faith’s whole countenance had glowed, and she’d seemed to drink in all the wonder of the season in that one song.

  For his part, Rudy held unnaturally still. Caleb could almost hear him say, “I don’t dare hope this worked.” Or maybe that was what Caleb felt inside and he was projecting it onto the reindeer. And he had so much hope wrapped up in whether or not the surgery worked. The whole family did. Which was why they were all waiting impatiently for him to bring Rudy home. Two-plus days was a long time for a reindeer to be at the vet’s.

  The last bit of gauze slipped away, and Faith reached for the bandages lying over his eyes. “Okay, hit the lights.”

  Caleb pounded the switch with his fist, too nervous to hold still, and they were plunged into semi-darkness. He wished there was more he could do for Rudy than dim the lights, but he had no idea how to make this easier on him.

  Faith spoke to the reindeer. “I’m going to remove them at the same time. Please don’t freak out.”

  Rudy continued to hold still as an ice sculpture.

  “Caleb, if you could come over here so I’m not the first person he sees. I think he’s used to my voice by now, but I don’t want him startling and jerking around.” Faith ran her hand down Rudy’s neck as she gave instructions. She was in control to the hundredth degree, and her calm was a huge factor in keeping Caleb from climbing out of his skin.

  “Sure.” He came to stand beside her and placed his hand on Rudy’s neck, moving down to scratch the spot just over his shoulder that he liked so much. Rudy sniffed the air, recognizing his scent and pushing his nose into Caleb’s chest. “Okay, okay. I’m happy to be here, buddy. Are you ready to try out your eyes?”

  Rudy huffed, sounding a lot like “get on with it.”

  Faith smiled over his nose at Caleb. Their eyes locked, and for a brief moment, it was just the two of them. She looked away first, ready to do what needed to be done. Caleb watched her instead of looking at Rudy’s eyes. He’d be able to tell if the surgery was a success from Faith’s expression.

  Her hands moved slowly, her eyebrows drawn together in concentration. She cupped both sides of Rudy’s face and leaned over, inspecting. A moment later, she had an eye-examining tool of some sort in her hand and was peering into Rudy’s left eye. When she pulled back, she grinned from cheek to cheek.

  Caleb let out the breath that had burned in his chest, begging for relief. Only he couldn’t let it go until he was sure things were going to be alright.

  “He looks great.” Faith moved to check the other eye.

  Caleb held up his hand. “How many fingers am I holding up, Rudy?”

  Faith giggled. “Stop. He can’t magically count now that he can see.”

  Caleb ignored her sarcasm. Reindeer games taught more than speed, agility, and teamwork. When Rudy was nothing but a calf, they’d taught him how to count. If he could remember … that would be a big step in getting him to the North Pole.

  Rudy tapped his hoof three times.

  Faith’s eyebrows shot up. “Holy smokes—that’s an impressive trick.”

  Caleb laughed and threw his arms around Rudy. “You amazing animal, you! I feel like I can fly.”

  Rudy perked up, and his back end lifted a couple inches off the ground.

  Caleb felt the shift and gently kicked at his back hooves. “Not now, you dolt,” he whispered. “I promise we’ll get you in the workout arena soon, though.” Rudy’s feet settled back down.

  Faith finished checking him and returned her equipment to the proper places. She was careful about doing things like that. He could imagine her socks were lined up in her drawers and her clothes hung at regular intervals in the closet. While he wasn’t a neat freak by any means, he liked things orderly, and Faith’s organization skills were one more check mark in the we’d-get-along-forever column.

  If only she wasn’t leaving after Christmas.

  He sighed before pulling himself back to the happy moment of Rudy’s recovery. “Are you ready to go home?”

  Rudy lowered his head and shook it. Then, seeming to think better of that, he pawed at the ground.

  It took some time to get the tractor started up so Caleb could lift the metal kennel from the clinic to the back of Doc’s truck. The big rolling door in the side of the recovery room had been installed for just such emergencies, and Caleb was grateful to Doc for thinking ahead. He was also grateful that Pax had thought to be dropped off and driven Caleb’s truck home last night.

  Faith went inside the house to grab his duffel bag, and he took the opportunity to load Rudy. Fastening a harness around the reindeer’s chest, he spoke low. “Okay, it’s just a little hop. Not really flying—you aren’t cleared for that kind of activity yet. Understand?”

  Rudy pranced as if the ground was too cold to stand still. But that wasn’t the reason he was light-footed. His jolly self was ready to take flight. The harness would do little to slow him down, especially with just Caleb holding onto the lead rope. One good tug in the air and the two of them would be high above Sleigh Bell Country.

  “I’m trusting you,” he warned Rudy. They really didn’t need two loose reindeer on the news.

  Ten feet in front of the open kennel, Rudy lifted off the ground. Caleb grabbed the rope with both hands, grateful he’d thought to bring along a pair of leather gloves. But Rudy didn’t head for the clouds. Instead, he walked through the air as if walking an invisible shelf that led right into the back of the truck. When his feet clamored against the tailgate, his back end started to slip, but he recovered quickly.

  “We’ll have to work on your landings,” Caleb quipped, earning him a dirty look from the usually lovable reindeer. “It wasn’t bad—just not smooth enough for Santa.”

  Rudy’s ears perked up.

  “Yep.” Caleb probably shouldn’t be telling Rudy this, what with it being so early in the process, but he wanted to share his relief and excitement with someone. Faith wasn’t an option, as she’d only laugh in his face if he mentioned providing Santa with flying reindeer. “The surgery puts you back on track to join Santa’s reindeer.”

  Rudy’s eyes widened, making the whites stand out in the shadowy interior of the kennel, and his nose started to glow.

  Caleb laughed. “I’m excited too.”

  Faith hurried out, and he shut the door, locked it, and then shut the tailgate.

  Faith didn’t want Rudy’s eyes exposed to 35-mph winds—which was the top speed he was allowed to drive back to the ranch. So they’d covered the kennel with a thick green tarp made from an ancient army tent.

  Caleb put a finger over his lips. “Don’t say anything to the others in the barn, okay? We have a lot of training to do.”

  Rudy sat on his backside like a dog.

  “Good.”

  Faith climbed into the truck, carrying his bag and wearing a huge smile. In her other hand was a med kit. She wanted to check on Dunder while she was out at the ranch. “Is he all tucked in?”

  “As tight as children on Christmas Eve.” Caleb slipped behind the steering wheel. He wouldn’t have let her carry all that if he didn’t need the private time with Rudy. “You ready?”

  “As ever. Is it crazy that I missed Dunder?”

  “
I don’t think so. But then, I’m one of those crazy wranglers who spends too much time with reindeer and not enough time with people.”

  Faith stared at him. “You are on the strange side.”

  “Hey!” He tickled her side, and she scooted across the seat to get away from him while laughing.

  Grinning because the whole world felt right, he put the truck in reverse and backed out. His phone chimed. He sighed. “Mom’s excited about Rudy coming home.” He stopped to type out a reply, letting her know they were on the road but it would take some time because he had to drive slowly. “Did she miss her firstborn? No.”

  Faith giggled again. “I know how she feels. I’m not sure which of you I’ll miss more.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Great. My competition is a reindeer.”

  “Well, there’s always Pax …” She laughed lightly. “I’d just have to get him to talk to me.”

  Caleb chuckled. His brother had practically fled the scene when he and Faith had gotten home from the sing-along. Pax tended to get tongue-tied around pretty women and hadn’t said more than three words to Faith before spraying snow as he’d left the driveway.

  The drive out to the ranch was slow but enjoyable. They listened to the local radio station that played Christmas music 24/7. Faith hummed along between answering his questions about vet school. She had some great stories, and he liked learning about other animals and the health issues they faced. So many of their problems came from eating things they shouldn’t or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It made him worry for Snowflake. She’d never lived in the wild. He hoped she knew how to find food. She’d already proven she didn’t know enough to stay away from people.

  That might be their fault, though. The wranglers didn’t believe in any type of physical punishment or in rough handling their herd. Dad said Selnora, Santa’s head stable elf, had taught Great-Grandpa how to raise a reindeer right. It was one of the few times an elf had left the North Pole. But with the herd depleting and the US government getting involved, Santa needed someone willing to guard the breed. The elves could have done it, except that they didn’t like to be too far away from Christmas Magic—it made them grumpy.