The Cowboy's Christmas Baby

by Cathy McDavid

  “How’s married life?” Jewel asked. She remembered that Amaia and Enrico had honeymooned in one of the ranch cabins.

  “Wonderful,” Amaia said.

  Enrico put a loving arm around his wife. “If I had known how great it would be, I’d have accepted her proposal the first time she asked.”

  “Oh, you.” She gave him a playful shove, then turned her attention to Jewel. “We love the photos you took of our wedding. They’re just beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  “When I asked Emily if you did other kinds of photography, she recommended I talk to you directly. Since Enrico and I were going to be in the area this evening, we asked if we could drop by.”

  “Are you looking to have a portrait done?”

  “Actually, no. I co-own an art shop in Fountain Hills. We sell one-of-a-kind original paintings and sculptures and some ceramics. All crafted by local artisans. My business partner has seen my wedding photos and raved about them. We’d love to hire you to photograph a selection of pieces for use in a new marketing campaign we’re launching this spring.”

  “I’ve been raving about you, too,” Emily added with a sly wink.

  Jewel had to catch her breath. This wasn’t at all what she’d been expecting. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say yes.” Amaia beamed.

  “I won’t mislead you. I’ve never photographed artwork. I tend to focus on live-action shots.”

  “I adore the picture you took of our rings. Your lighting was perfect. I’ve also seen the catering and wedding cake pictures you took for Bridget’s catalogue.”

  “I showed them to her,” Emily added.

  Jewel only then noticed Bridget’s catering binder lying open on the table.

  “I can’t imagine photographing artwork will be that much different,” Amaia pressed.

  For all Jewel knew, it could be vastly different. “Um...”

  “You have a real knack for tiny details.”

  She should have been selling herself to a potential customer, but she was untested in this particular area of photography and reluctant. She’d hate to disappoint Amaia should her efforts fall short.

  The art store owner was apparently unwilling to take no for an answer. “Look, why don’t we set up a time for some sample shots? I’ll pay you by the hour. If we’re both unhappy with the end results, then we go our separate ways and no hard feelings.”

  “I have a better idea,” Jewel said. “How about I take a series of sample shots free of charge? If you like my work and want to hire me, then we’ll draw up a contract.”

  Amaia brightened. “We have a deal.”

  Emily excused herself in order to gather the children and supervise the arrangement of family members in front of the glittering Christmas tree.

  Jewel and Amaia confirmed contact information and set a date and time during the third week in January for a store visit and to shoot the sample photos. Even if Jewel didn’t have a permanent job at Sweetheart Ranch by then, she’d likely be staying in Mustang Valley to help her parents move into their winter home.

  That would also allow her and Tanner to reach an agreement on Ava’s custody without feeling rushed. And—her insides gave a little start—to see where things between them were leading.

  She knew better than to factor any potential romance into her future plans. Not at this early stage. Taking her own good advice, however was proving difficult. His innocence was having a profound affect on their relationship, rekindling feelings she’d spent a year keeping at bay.

  She, and not Emily, escorted the newlyweds to the front door where she thanked Amaia again. Jewel wasn’t sure still lifes were the kind of photography work she wanted to pursue, if she ultimately chose photography over barrel racing. But it was an opportunity—a good one at that. And she could use all the credentials she could get.

  Yet another reason to stay in Arizona? They were certainly mounting.

  Not for the first time in recent days, Jewel began to doubt her initial reaction to Tanner’s confession of cheating. Had she been wrong not to give him the chance he thought he’d deserved?

  A stab of guilt struck her hard in the center of her chest. How different the outcome might have been had she not let her anger dictate her actions.

  Utter chaos greeted her when she reached the foyer, completely distracting her from her mental musings. Emily reported that eating too many holidays cookies had resulted in a sugar high for the three children, who raced back and forth in a game of tag and refused to heed their dad’s warnings to stop.

  Eventually, with enough coaxing and the promise of a movie afterward, they settled, and the photo shoot went reasonably well. Jewel took several dozen shots from different angles and with various poses. She also convinced Emily and Homer to sit for an individual portrait, which was then followed by Bridget and Ryan and, lastly, Molly, her soon-to-be husband, Owen, and his children. Then, on impulse, Jewel took candid shots of only the children. She thought those might be the best ones of the night.

  Committing to have the pictures ready the following morning, she gathered her camera bag and readied to leave. Molly stopped her just as she was zipping the bag closed.

  “Do you have a second?”

  “Sure.” She assumed Molly wanted to discuss her upcoming nuptials to Owen on Christmas Eve. Were they really just over a week away?

  “Let’s talk over here where it’s less noisy.”

  She led Jewel to the buffet where they helped themselves to some of the holiday cookies. Jewel chose an angel. It was absolutely delicious and melted in her mouth.

  “First, I wanted to tell you about Southwest Bride Magazine,” Molly said around a bite of a snowman’s head. “Have you heard of them?”

  “Oh, yes.” Before Jewel and Tanner had opted for a simple Las Vegas wedding, she’d devoured every bride magazine available.

  “We’re fortunate to have appeared in two issues,” Molly continued. “And we have a great relationship with the features reporter. I went ahead and emailed her photos from one of your weddings. The one on the veranda with the full moon rising behind the bride and groom.”

  The wedding of Ronnie’s cousin. Jewel had been especially pleased with those photos.

  “She’s interested in using one of them in a future issue.” Molly grinned.

  “Really?”

  “I gave her your phone number and email address. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Mind? Are you kidding!” Jewel couldn’t wait to get back to her quarters and check out the magazine’s latest online issue.

  “Southwest Bride has a large circulation. If they publish your photo, you’d be seen by thousands of people. Hundreds of thousands, even.”

  “Wow.” Jewel impulsively hugged Molly. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  Here was yet another incredible career break just handed to her. How had she gotten this lucky?

  “The features reporter said no promises,” Molly warned her. “But I can tell she likes your work.”

  “I owe you.”

  “I know one way you can repay me.” Molly’s face lit with an impish smile.

  “Name it.”

  “I have a few special requests for my wedding pictures.”

  “Absolutely.”

  It was difficult for Jewel to concentrate as Molly rambled on, but she did. Mostly, Molly wanted additional pictures of Owen’s children taken before the ceremony as she feared they’d have trouble getting the youngsters to sit still afterward. Also, it would be late by then, and the youngest child was likely to be tired and cranky.

  “No problem,” Jewel assured her. “You’re calling the shots.”

  They also discussed prewedding pictures in the dressing rooms and postwedding pictures at the reception.

  “One last thing,” Molly said, her demeanor turning
suddenly reserved. “Yes, you’re going to be the photographer, but Owen and I would also like you to be our guest at the reception. You don’t have to be taking pictures every minute.”

  “I’d hate to miss a photo op.”

  “I’m serious, Jewel. We love having you at Sweetheart Ranch. You’re becoming part of the family.”

  Warmth surrounded Jewel’s heart like a hug. “That means a lot to me.”

  “Feel free to bring Tanner as your plus-one.”

  Molly’s remark struck Jewel momentarily dumb. The O’Malleys were aware that Tanner was Ava’s father. She didn’t think they were aware of Jewel and Tanner recently growing closer or their planned date.

  Unless... Could they be that obvious? He did give her lingering looks, which she returned.

  “To be honest, he’ll probably be babysitting Ava.” She’d already checked with Tracee. The teenager was going to be busy with family doings on Christmas Eve.

  “Bring her to the wedding. There’ll be other children there.”

  Jewel shook her head. “She might cry.”

  “She won’t be the only one.” Molly squeezed Jewel’s arm. “I guarantee my mom will be a basket case.”

  “I’ll think about it. And talk to Tanner.”

  Jewel was inclined to say no and not because of Ava crying. Going as a family to the Holly Daze Festival was one thing. Stepping out as each other’s wedding date—the wedding of her boss’s daughter, no less—was quite another.

  The more Jewel contemplated it, the more she wondered if she and Tanner were moving too fast. Her happiness in discovering his innocence might be affecting her normally good judgment and causing her to make wrong choices. As was their constant proximity.

  Questions continued to nag at her all during the walk to her quarters. Would Tanner choose his family again over her if another situation arose? Did she trust him entirely? Was she willing to try again because she truly wanted that or because he was an old habit? An old habit who also happened to be her baby’s father. Newfound guilt factoring in and the realization she might have acted hastily when she sent him away last year without first getting more of the story?

  Confused and uncertain, she didn’t mention the invitation to Molly’s wedding once she returned. Neither did she mention the potential opportunity with Southwest Bride Magazine. And not because Ava was asleep and talking with Tanner might disturb her.

  For now, she needed to hold back. If only to assure herself she remained in control. Jewel’s heart wasn’t the only one at risk of being broken—there was her daughter’s, too.

  “It’s getting late,” she said to him after checking on Ava.

  While not really that late, Tanner didn’t pressure her to let him stay. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  There was no repeat hug when she walked him to the door. Jewel slipped out of his grasp when he reached for her and mumbled, “Good night, Tanner.”

  Undeterred, he leaned down and nuzzled her cheek. “Night.”

  At least he was keeping his word and letting her set the pace. Although, a part of her almost wished his mouth had moved a few inches to the side and found hers.

  CHAPTER TEN

  TANNER STOOD OUTSIDE the designated rest area near the main entrance to the Holly Daze Festival. Despite several moments of unexplained tension between him and Jewel these past three days—something was bothering her but she’d yet to tell him what exactly—they’d stuck with their plan of taking Ava to the annual holiday event.

  At the moment, she was in the mothers’ lounge, changing and nursing Ava. They’d arrived only a few minutes ago, timing it so that Ava would be fed and hopefully content for the two or so hours they planned on attending the festival.

  While he waited, he replayed the last few days in his mind, searching for what he might have said or done to cause the tension. Since his telling her the truth about Daniel, he’d assumed their differences were resolving. Especially in light of their growing intimacy. Evidently not.

  Feeling his phone vibrate, Tanner withdrew it from his jacket pocket and glanced at the display.

  He answered with a cheery, “Hey, Mom.”

  “Sorry I missed your call earlier. I’ve been baking all day for the Bunko Goodies Galore exchange,” she said.

  Tanner imagined biting into one of his mother’s white-chocolate-chip-and-macadamia-nut cookies. He wasn’t sure whether he liked them best or her pumpkin bread. Both were favorites with the family and her Bunko pals.

  “Hope you’re making enough for me, too.”

  She chuckled merrily. “Of course. Come by this weekend, and I’ll load you up.”

  “I just might do that.”

  “Where are you? Is that music I hear?”

  “At the Holly Daze Festival. With Jewel and Ava.”

  “How fun! I’m glad you three are getting out together.”

  As they chatted, Tanner’s gaze wandered. The park at the center of town had been completely transformed by the event. Food trucks and a tent-covered dining area occupied one entire corner of the festival grounds. A variety of vendor booths, including one from Sweetheart Ranch, were scattered throughout the many attractions. A few of the stops on Tanner and Jewel’s list were the petting zoo, an interactive Santa’s workshop, a mini Christmas carousel, a life-size snowman family and a twelve-foot lighted Christmas tree in the center of the park.

  The star of the festival was Santa himself, sitting on a mock throne in the center of his workshop. Beneath the costume and fake beard was Emily’s husband, Homer. Santa’s appearance at the festival was sponsored by his church. In exchange for a donation to their holiday meals for the homeless program, children could sit on Santa’s lap and whisper to him what they wanted for Christmas.

  From where Tanner stood, he could see each child leave with a candy cane. Most wore big smiles and skipped excitedly. A few cried.

  “Listen,” he told his mom during a break in the conversation. “I have something to tell you.”

  “What?” Worry instantly tinged her voice.

  “Jewel and I talked the other night. She knows what happened.”

  There was no need to elaborate or ask how his mother felt. Her poignant, “Ah,” spoke volumes. “You did.”

  He’d been debating all day whether to tell his parents or not and finally decided to test the waters with his mother. They’d find out eventually. Better coming from him than if Jewel let slip a remark.

  “How’d she react?” his mom asked.

  Tanner shrugged, though his mother couldn’t see him. “She was relieved, of course. And happy.”

  She’d seemed happy, anyway. When she wasn’t acting strange and distant.

  “I imagine she is. Does this mean you two might reconcile?” Hope replaced the worry in his mother’s voice. “She’s a good match for you. And with the baby...”

  “I don’t know, Mom. Hard to say. There are feelings there, on both sides. But a lot has happened. It’s not as if we can just pick up where we left off. Jewel’s being cautious. She has Ava to think about now. We both do.”

  It occurred to Tanner he may have just stumbled on the reason behind her recent behavior. Their respective attorneys had been talking a lot this week.

  “What do you want, honey?”

  He recalled the two near kisses he and Jewel had shared. He swore she’d experienced the same thrill he had and would be lying to himself if he said he didn’t still want to spend the rest of his life with her—as her husband, not just co-parenting their daughter. He wasn’t ready to admit that to anyone, however. Even his mother.

  “I want to be a good dad to Ava, whatever that takes. Remain here or move to Oklahoma. Though, given the choice, I’d rather stay put.” He told her about the promotion Ethan had offered him and that he’d yet to decide. “I’d like to accept the job, if I can. For the next year, a
nyway, until I can start at the company.”

  “Is Jewel willing to stay?”

  “Possibly, now that her parents are planning on dividing their time between here and Oklahoma. But she hasn’t committed either way. A lot depends on if she lands the position at Sweetheart Ranch.”

  “I’m crossing my fingers. You two deserve a second chance. My heart broke when she called off the wedding.”

  “She wants me to go public about the cheating,” Tanner said. “Clear my name.”

  “Well, that only makes sense from her perspective. If she decides to return to the rodeo circuit, she won’t want that black cloud following her.”

  “And there’s Ava to consider. She’d hate for our daughter to grow up believing her dad was a cheater.”

  “Hmm... I suppose.”

  “What’s wrong, Mom? I recognize that tone.”

  “Besides how your dad will take this news and how the truth coming out will affect your brother’s marriage?”

  “Jewel promised not to say anything.”

  “But she’d like you to say something.”

  “She hasn’t issued any ultimatums.”

  “That could change,” his mom said, “and we can’t afford anymore controversy.”

  “Did something happen?”

  “The arena owners have been making noise again.”

  Tanner didn’t like the sound of that. “Noise as in bringing a lawsuit?”

  “Apparently right before the NFR last week, the arena owners applied significant pressure to the PRCA, demanding they crack down on cheating.”

  “Was there another incident?”

  “Not specifically. American Rodeo Report ran a segment on their show, a look back at last year’s NFR. They mentioned the cheating and you. On top of that, your dad heard from some friends who attended this year’s event. They said people were still talking, though not as much. Naturally, he’s on edge.”

  “People talking is no big deal.”

  “American Rodeo Report has a lot of viewers. Any stirring of the pot could be bad for us.”

  Tanner considered that for a moment. “We probably shouldn’t tell Dad that Jewel knows. No sense adding fuel to the fire.”