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

by Lucy McConnell

  “Vegas! Ha!” Dad slapped the table. “That sounds about right.”

  Jack leaned over Caleb’s shoulder. “Please tell me there was an Elvis impersonator involved.”

  Robyn laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you. It was an old man with a combover.”

  Forest snapped his fingers and made a face that said Stella had just missed the mark.

  “Anyway,” Robyn continued, “somehow Kris picked up Snowflake in Yellowstone and flew her to Vegas for the wedding.”

  The whole family breathed a sigh of relief at once. “So you have her, then?” Caleb clarified.

  “Weeeell,” Robyn hedged. “We had her. But when we popped up the chimney after the wedding, she’d taken off—with the sleigh.”

  Jack leaned over Caleb so hard he shoved Caleb’s chest into his plate.

  “Hey!” He shoved back, but Jack scrambled for the phone.

  “You’re telling me we have a reindeer loose in Las Vegas?”

  Forest shot a look at Dad. Dad’s jaw hardened.

  “That’s the thing. I don’t think she hung around long. When Ginger and Joseph were delivering gifts last night, they swore they saw another sleigh over Idaho.”

  Dad started clearing breakfast off the table, and Mom appeared with a huge map of the United States, which she spread out before them. “She wouldn’t like the warm weather; she’d head for something colder, and that means going north.” Mom traced her finger from Vegas due north. “She could be in any of these unpopulated areas.”

  Jack shook his head. “She’s too much of a drama queen. She’d want an audience.”

  “True.” Pax nodded.

  “Maybe in this area.” Mom circled her finger around a town named Sandpoint. “You think?”

  “It’s as good a place as any to start looking,” agreed Jack.

  “Now that the holiday is over, we can help,” offered Robyn. “We’ll bring a couple of sleighs down and meet you there.”

  “That would be great,” Forest answered. “Bring your brother-in-law. It would be a good opportunity for him to work with the reindeer.”

  “He’d love it.”

  Caleb checked the time on his phone. He left it on the table so the planning could continue but pushed out his chair and stepped away. Jack took his place, making notes in his own phone.

  Dad saw Caleb get up and followed him to the coat room off the kitchen. “Where you headed?”

  Caleb grinned. “I have a date.”

  “You’re not going to stay and help us figure this out?”

  Caleb shook his head as he sat on the bench to put on his warm winter boots. “I’ll be happy to help, but I’m not going to change my plans with Faith. Let me know what you need me to do when I get back.”

  Dad looked him over. “One for the family, huh? Is that where this is headed?”

  Caleb stood up and slipped his arms into his coat. “Yep.” He’d meant what he’d said to Faith: he was in this for the long sleigh ride.

  “Hang on a second.” Dad hurried past the planning crew at the table and back to his bedroom.

  Caleb continued to layer up. He had a couple bricks out by the fireplace in the barn and a big blanket waiting in the bottom of the sleigh.

  Dad returned and held out a small black box. “If you want to make her yours, then I’d better give you this.”

  Caleb took the box and cracked the aged hinges open. Inside was an engagement ring. The design was beautiful, with a medium-sized diamond surrounded by holly made from precious stones.

  Dad put his hand on Caleb’s shoulder, and they looked at the ring together. “It was my grandma’s. She gave it to me the day you were born and asked me to hold on to it until you were ready to get married.”

  Caleb stared in awe. “She did?” He had one memory of his great-grandma. She’d been smiling at him and handing him a cookie. That was it, but he remembered how it felt to be loved by her—that was how strong she’d loved.

  “Yes sir. There’s another one for Jack when he finally figures out that he’s not the center of the universe.”

  Caleb chuckled before sobering. “You’re okay with all this? It’s not freaking you out that I want to get married and start a family or anything, is it?”

  Dad pounded him on the back. “It’s about darn time is what I say. And your mom is way overdue for some grandchildren.”

  Caleb warmed at the thought of holding his baby in his arms. It might not be a manly thing to talk about, but he looked forward to the day when he would be a dad. He snapped the box shut. “Thanks, Dad. I was going to go shopping tomorrow, but now I don’t have to.”

  Dad chuckled. “Just get that ring on her finger—don’t mess this up.”

  “If I had a nickel for every time you told me that,” Caleb teased as he shoved his felt hat down on his head.

  Dad smiled in a sad but pleased way. Bringing in a new daughter, sister, and wife was going to change life on the ranch—for all of them. He had no doubt they’d make it work. He snuck out the door while Dad went back to strategizing over how to find Snowflake. At least she was out of Yellowstone now—hopefully, the news coverage would die down without any more sightings.

  He wandered into Dunder’s stall. “How do you feel about a real sleigh ride today, old man?”

  Dunder perked up, his mouth full of oats that dribbled to the floor in surprise.

  Caleb pulled out the ring and showed the reindeer. “I have an important question to ask Faith, and I’d like a smooth ride.”

  The reindeer huffed as if all this romance was beneath him. But he sauntered past Caleb, clearly pleased to be chosen to be part of this momentous occasion.

  Rudy bellowed from his stall, clearly upset that he wasn’t asked along.

  Caleb went over and rubbed his nose. “I’m sorry. But you’re not trained on the sled yet. I promise we’ll start working with it right after New Year.”

  Rudy frowned but conceded to Dunder’s abilities.

  “We’ll get you to the North Pole yet,” Caleb promised. He had no trouble making the offer, considering Rudy’s progress.

  Once he’d pacified Rudy’s ego, Caleb made short work of harnessing Dunder to the flying sleigh, gathering the bricks and blanket, and checking his pocket at least twenty times to make sure he hadn’t dropped the ring. They pulled out of the barn, the sunlight gleaming off the runners. This sleigh was built lighter than the others, made of pine instead of maple or cedar. It was painted light blue to blend in with the sky but had the family crest across the back.

  He picked up the reins, threading them through his gloves. “Let’s keep it on the ground so we can cut through town, okay?” Dunder nodded, and Caleb flicked the reins. His heart surged forward as the reindeer leaned into the harness and they sped across the snow; it called for Faith as if she were its missing half. In a way, she was, because he didn’t think his heart truly beat unless she was in his arms.

  The urge to fly over town was almost too much to fight. Thankfully, Dunder had a fast clip going and they were able to make good time. Caleb couldn’t wait one more minute to hold Faith.

  Chapter 37

  Faith

  Faith stared at the overstuffed stockings hung by the chimney with care. There was no way Dad had time or the ability to get to the store and purchase all these goodies. Santa had stopped here. She giggled. The real and true Santa. Reaching out, she brushed her fingers over the fur. How crazy was it that she knew Santa was real now, and when she was twelve she’d stopped believing. What a fool she’d been.

  Besides the stuffed stockings, there were gifts under the tree and a special note to Dad from Santa. The envelope was sealed, and though she was itching with curiosity, she didn’t dare open it.

  She and Caleb had pulled in late last night. Then they’d had a long kiss goodbye before he’d driven back to the ranch and she’d come inside. By then, Dad had been asleep, probably helped by a painkiller, because he’d slept through her banging her suitcase through the door and rolling
it down the hallway.

  Tiptoeing, she put a box of cereal, a quart of milk, and two bowls and spoons on a cookie tray and headed for his room. It wasn’t a big Christmas breakfast, but the cereal had oats, which were supposed to be heart healthy. Besides, they were going to the Nichollases’ for an early dinner that night, so she didn’t want to load up on breakfast.

  Walking into Dad’s room was like walking through a shroud of sadness. He must have been really upset when he’d gone to sleep last night for the feeling to linger this long. She set the tray on his dresser. Wanting to banish the darkness, she threw the curtains open and let the blinding sun bounce off the fresh snow and into the room.

  Dad grumbled, throwing his arm over his face. “Gah!”

  “Merry Christmas!” Faith bounced on the end of his bed, careful not to jostle him.

  “Faith?” His arm fell away, and his eyes filled with tears. “My sweet girl.” He reached for her, and she moved quickly into his welcoming hug. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for everything. I do believe in you. You’re a better veterinarian than I am and—”

  “Dad.” Faith stopped his apologizing. “It’s okay. I’m here. It’s okay.”

  Dad cried harder. “I thought I’d lost you.” He wiped his plaid pajama sleeve over his face, sopping up the moisture.

  Faith retrieved a tissue from the nightstand and handed it to him. Then, she grabbed three more and handed those over too.

  “It’s the surgery.” He tried to explain away his tears. “It made me all emotional.” He blew his nose, sounding like a foghorn. Leaning back against his pillows, he let out a sigh. “I am sorry.”

  Faith patted his leg under the blankets. “I know. Me too. I let the past color my future with you, just like I said I wouldn’t.”

  Dad shook his head. “I should have talked to you about moving—respected the fact that you’re a grown woman with a life outside of Sleigh Bell Country. A good life that you’ve worked hard to build. I didn’t have a right to assume you’d give all that up for me.”

  She smiled fondly. “That’s what family does. They sacrifice for one another.”

  “Are we a family?” he asked, his eyes full of hope.

  Faith took his hand. “I’d like to be.”

  “Tell me why.”

  “Well …” She adjusted her position so she wasn’t falling off the side of the bed. “I like who I am here. I like that you don’t play games—you’re just you, and that frees me up to be just me. I enjoy our time comparing notes as collogues, and I appreciate that you see me as an equal in that area. But really, I love you, Dad, and I want us to be a part of each other’s lives. If that means I move out here, then I’m okay with that.”

  “I’ll move to Grafton with you. I thought about it last night. I could work in your clinic and come out here for long weekends to help with the reindeer.”

  She was shaking her head before he finished talking. “That won’t work for me.”

  “Why not?”

  She took a deep breath. “Because I’m selling my half of the clinic to my partner. And because I’m in love with Caleb.”

  A smile as bright as the Christmas star lit up Dad’s face. “My little girl’s in love.”

  She laughed. “He’s coming out this morning to take me on a sleigh ride, so we’d better get some breakfast.”

  They ate cereal and decided to wait until later to open presents. Dad said he didn’t need anything under the tree because he’d gotten the best gift of all. She had to agree.

  “Knock, knock.” Caleb stepped into the room.

  Faith yelped, glancing down at her pajamas. “What are you doing in here?” Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she didn’t have a swipe of makeup on her face.

  “Dunder was a little excited to be out of the barn and got me here in record time.”

  Faith stood and set her half-empty bowl on the cookie sheet on the dresser. “I’m not ready.”

  Caleb laughed and kissed her temple. “You look good enough to nibble,” he said just for her as he nipped at her ear. She shivered with delight. “How about you get ready and I help your Dad get settled in the front room?”

  Faith gave him a grateful look. She wasn’t sure how much help Dad needed getting ready, and she definitely wasn’t sure how ready she was to help him put on pants. “Thank you.” She pecked a kiss to his cheek and hurried out.

  It didn’t take her long to put on sleigh-riding clothes. Basically, she layered on as much as she could and still bend her joints. Her hair was buried under a stocking cap, so she made sure to take extra time with her makeup. When she was done, she went out to find Dad looking dapper in a pair of khaki pants and a plain navy-blue button-up shirt. His hair was combed, and his face shone as if freshly scrubbed. He and Caleb were talking low.

  “Discussing Christmas secrets?” She put her hands on her hips.

  Caleb got to his feet and grinned. “Not secrets—surprises.”

  Her back softened. “I like surprises.”

  “You’re in for a doozy, then,” Dad laughed from his chair. “You two get going. I want to watch a movie.” He picked up the remote, and the opening credits for It’s a Wonderful Life filled the screen.

  Faith went over and kissed his head. “I’ll see you in a bit, and we’ll open those presents. I can’t wait to see what Santa brought this year.”

  Dad smiled up at her in response.

  She and Caleb stepped outside. “Dunder!” she cried, and she ran across the snow to rub his neck. “Merry Christmas, you handsome beast.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows back at her.

  She laughed and hugged him. “I’m so glad you’re better.”

  “We all are.” Caleb rubbed between Dunder’s antlers.

  A thought hit Faith like a freight train. “Will he go back to the North Pole now? That’s where he came from, isn’t it?”

  Caleb took her hand and led her back to the sleigh. “It’s up to the Kringles. If you give him a clean bill of health, he could very well head back up north.”

  Her lip pouted out. “I don’t want him to go.”

  Dunder turned and glared at her. Stomping his back foot, he made the ground shake beneath them.

  “Whoa—that sounded like …”

  “Thunder,” Caleb finished.

  She ginned. “So that’s where he got his name.”

  “Yep, and I think Dunder wants to go back.” Caleb helped her arrange the blanket over their laps. “Being one of Santa’s reindeer is a big deal to reindeer. They’re kind of prideful about it.” He whispered the last part. “You’d damage his ego if you tried to keep him here.”

  She rolled her eyes. “In that case, fine. I’ll consider signing off on him.”

  Caleb flicked the reins and pulled hard to the right to get Dunder to line up so he faced the open fields and the woods beyond. They moved at a steady, slow pace.

  Faith wrapped her arm through his and snuggled into his side. “You know, someone told me that a sleigh ride means something to your family. Is that true?”

  Caleb’s grin was full of sexy mischief. She gasped at the sight of it, her blood heating. “It does. And I want to show you why.”

  “Okay.” She waited for him to explain.

  “You ready, Dunder?” he called.

  Dunder gave another stomp.

  “All righty, then. On, Dunder!” he called.

  Faith’s stomach dropped out as the sleigh lifted off the ground and they cleared the treetops. “Caleb!” she squealed.

  Caleb’s laughter echoed into the sky. Dunder joined him, and then Faith couldn’t help herself and laughed too. “This is crazy,” she said into the wind. Surprisingly, the air felt more like a light breeze than the pelting feeling of sticking her head out the window on the freeway.

  The sleigh was steady, not rocking back and forth or wobbling one bit. Dunder’s gait was smooth, and she relaxed into the velvet covered seat and enjoyed the view. They flew over the open range, where there wasn
’t another soul in sight. “It’s wonderful.” Her heart surged with love, and she pressed a kiss to Caleb’s cheek. “Thank you for sharing this with me.” The sleigh ride was more than a chance to show off Dunder’s abilities. It was Caleb bringing her 100% into his magical world of flying reindeer. No more secrets. “I love you,” she blurted.

  Caleb turned slightly so he could see her face. “Faith Saintsbury …”

  He sounded so serious. Faith swallowed, not sure what he was going to say but feeling like it would be big and life-changing.

  “Will you marry me?” He pulled a small black box out of his coat pocket and opened it to reveal a beautiful Christmas ring.

  The image blurred as her eyes filled with happy tears. “I’d love to.” She threw her arms around him and kissed him with all the love flowing through her. Caleb moaned and took control of the kiss, stealing her breath and her heart in one swift move.

  Dunder jerked to the left, pulling them apart.

  Caleb moaned. “I forgot what an old-fashioned guy he is.” He chuckled as he put his arm around her and pulled her close to his side.

  “Old-fashioned?” Faith asked.

  “Yeah, he doesn’t like couples getting too cozy before the wedding.”

  Her cheeks burned and she turned to glare at the reindeer. “I can guard my own virtue, thank you very much.” She then took Caleb’s face in her hands and proceeded to kiss him until they were quite unable to catch their breath.

  When they broke apart, Dunder snorted and lifted his nose in the air.

  Caleb laughed. “I don’t think anyone has told him to mind his own business before.”

  Faith grinned. “It was totally worth it.”

  “Yes, it was,” Caleb said low.

  Faith leaned back. “I could get used to a Christmas sleigh ride, wrangler.”

  “There’s lots more where this came from.” Caleb winked.

  Faith laughed.

  “Merry Christmas, my future wife.”

  Faith was shocked at how much had changed inside of her since meeting Caleb and his magical herd of reindeer. She’d come to Sleigh Bell Country scared and angry, without a drop of Christmas cheer, and now she was full of hope and love and believed in Santa Claus. For her, it was a miracle. She’d once heard a pastor say that God did big things that looked small to men. If anyone saw the smile on her face and the peace in her eyes, they’d think it was a small thing. But she knew it was a big thing to change her heart. “Merry Christmas, my future husband. Merry Christmas.”