Christmas Ranch Rescue

by Lynette Eason

  “And Mr. MacDougal? Is he...” She trailed off and Nathan figured she wasn’t quite sure how to phrase her question.

  Brody Mac’s mother smiled. A small, weary tug of her lips. Then she shrugged. “He seemed pretty shaken up with the whole thing. Will it make a difference in how he treats Brody Mac? I don’t know. I have hope, I guess.”

  “Well, he didn’t yell at me when he saw me, so that’s progress,” Becca said.

  They all three laughed, and Nathan and Becca said their goodbyes. Outside in the hallway, Nathan didn’t see Mr. MacDougal, but he did see another man he’d been hoping would show up.

  * * *

  Becca spotted her father as she stepped out of the room. She jerked to a halt and swallowed against the sudden surge of nervousness. “Dad?”

  “I heard you were going to be here.”

  “Yes. Just visiting a friend.”

  He nodded. “I...ah...could we go to my office and talk for a few minutes?”

  She hesitated only a second, then shrugged. “Sure.”

  With a short nod, her father turned on his heel and led the way down the hall. Nathan took her hand and she latched on, needing his strength.

  Once inside his office, he shut the door and motioned for them to take a seat. Becca took one seat and Nathan the other while her father rounded the desk to lower himself into his plush leather chair. “Ah...thank you. For agreeing to talk to me.”

  “What is it, Dad?” He was acting incredibly weird.

  “I called Clay Starke and talked to him after your mother raked me over the coals and told me I was being ridiculous in this endeavor to get you to come back to medicine.”

  She blinked. “Oh. Okay.”

  “Clay told me you had a couple of near misses, that someone was trying to kill you.”

  “I believe I told you that.”

  “Actually, you told me you thought it might be me.”

  “Well, yes. I did. Tell you that, I mean. I never really fully believed it, but...”

  He nodded. “But you believed it enough that you felt like you had to ask me about it. The knowledge that you could believe something like that...hurt and—”

  He was hurt?

  Anger rose hot and swift. “Really? I hurt you? You have the nerve to sit there and tell me that—” She broke off for a nanosecond before jabbing a finger at him. “Try being your daughter and believing you would do something like that. Try being kicked out of the family and separated from your parents for an entire year. Try falling off a horse and being seriously hurt and your parents don’t even care enough—” She would not cry. Fury boiled and she stood to plant both hands on his desk while she leaned toward him. Complete shock held him still. And no wonder. She’d never spoken to him this way, but she could no more keep the words from tumbling from her lips than she could stop the earth’s rotation. “Try working your tail off night and day, trying to make a dream come true—a dream that you would love to share with your parents but can’t because they’re too wrapped up in their own selfishness to—”

  Nathan’s hand on her arm brought her words to an abrupt halt. She turned to face him and thought she saw a bit of pride in his eyes. “Ah, Becca, why don’t you just listen to what he has to say?”

  “Why should I?”

  “Because you need to.”

  Becca turned to look at her father and this time saw past the red in her vision. He almost looked...proud. Maybe even a tad amused. She stamped a foot. “What’s so funny?”

  “You look just like your mother when she’s ready to hang someone high and dry in the courtroom.”

  Becca lifted her chin. “I think I like that comparison.” She lowered herself back into the chair while she drew in a steadying breath. She’d really gone off on him and shame started to creep in. He was her father, after all. She cleared her throat. “Sorry, I’ve had a lot of emotions over the last year when it comes to you and Mom, and I guess I...ah...well, go ahead. Say what you need to say.”

  “Like I was saying, I talked to Clay.” His expression sobered. “Clay made it plain that you could have died several times. I have to say, I can hardly wrap my mind around it.”

  “Try being the target,” she muttered.

  His gaze met hers. “I’m not a man who is easy to get along with, Rebecca. I know that. You know that.” He waved a hand. “Everyone who knows me knows that. But,” he leaned forward, “and I’m going to say this in front of your young man here. I love you and I don’t want to lose you.” His voice dropped on that last word and Becca sat still, stunned, still hearing those three words she’d longed to hear from him all her life echoing in her mind. I love you.

  Did he really?

  As though he could read her thoughts, he drew in a shaky breath. “I really do, Becca. I’ve behaved...shamefully. There’s no excuse for it other than...pride. I hope we can start over as I can’t go on with things the way they are between us. And frankly, neither can your mother. I’ve been too hardheaded and proud, and I’m working on trying to be less of both.”

  The anger left in an instant. Love for the man rushed in. Becca rose and walked around to stand in front of her father. He stood and she slipped her arms around his waist. “I love you, too, Dad.”

  He hugged her. An awkward hug with a clumsy pat on her shoulder, but it was a start.

  She released him and stepped back. “Thank you.”

  He cleared his throat. “So, will we see you at Julianna and Ross’s for Christmas?”

  “Yes,” she said as she tried to control her ragged emotions. “Yes, you will.”

  He looked at Nathan. “And you?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Christmas Day

  “Are you ready?” Nathan called from the front door.

  “I’m coming!” Becca grabbed a pie from the kitchen counter and hurried into the foyer. She placed the dessert onto the small side table and grabbed Nathan’s outstretched hand. He thought she’d been about to hand him the dessert, but she had something else in mind. “Come here for a second.”

  Curiosity lighting his eyes, he clasped her fingers and let her lead him into the den. His gaze immediately landed on the fireplace—and the decoration that finished out the mantel.

  His stocking on the end next to hers.

  “What do you think?”

  He turned to her and lifted her chin. The emotion in his eyes caused her throat to tighten with her own feelings. “I think it’s just perfect. Thanks, Becca.” He spied the empty paper bag she’d tossed to the side. “Wait a minute. Is that what you had to stop and get at the gift shop in the hospital?”

  “Yep. I saw it in the window and knew it was the one.”

  “I think you’re the one.”

  Her heart warmed at his husky words and she stepped forward to wrap her arms around his neck. His hands settled on her waist and he leaned over to kiss her. Sweetly, gently, with a restraint that touched her. He stepped back and cleared his throat. “So, ah, I know we’ve only been on a few dates since that afternoon in Jean’s barn where you decided not to be mad at me and we both were thinking along the same lines.”

  “Thinking what?”

  He tickled a rib and she squealed. “Don’t do that.”

  “I told you I was thinking I was falling in love with you, and you said you were thinking the same thing.”

  “Oh. That thinking. I think I said it first, though.”

  “Yes. Well, whatever. We were both thinking it and that’s all that matters. What I’m trying to say is that I’d still like to go on a few more dates with you.”

  She offered him a confused frown. Where was he going with this? He knew she’d go on however many dates he wanted to go on. “Okay. I’d like that, too.”

 
Then he reached into the front pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small box. Becca gasped as her heart dropped into her stomach. He lowered himself to one knee and the butterflies broke out in full force. She pressed a hand to her middle as though that would help. “Nathan?”

  “Like I said, I’d like to go on a few more dates, but I’d like to go on them with my ring on your finger. If you could possibly want that, too. I know it’s a bit quick, but I love you, Becca. You’re one of the most intriguing, inspiring, amazing people I’ve ever known. And I’d be honored if you’d marry me.”

  She couldn’t hold back the tears anymore, and she couldn’t seem to speak. So she simply nodded and sniffed. Then laughed. He held the ring so she could see it. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I sort of snooped in your jewelry box the other day and found one of your rings. I measured it so I’d know your size so I hope it fits.” He removed the teardrop diamond from the box and took her hand in his. A fine tremor ran through her fingers, but his touch warmed her. He slid the ring on her finger and then brought it to his lips to place a kiss on it. “’Til death do us part?”

  She found her voice. “I thought death might come before the marriage part, to be honest, but yes, ’til death do us part.” She once again threw herself into his arms and he lifted her gently off her feet to kiss her. When he placed her back on the floor, she cupped his chin. “I’ll never get tired of that.”

  “Ditto.”

  She stilled. “But what about your job in Nashville.”

  “Yeah. About that.” He scratched his chin. “Well, it seems like Wrangler’s Corner is growing by leaps and bounds. You’ve seen the construction for the new grocery store that just started, not to mention the new gas station that’s going in on the corner of Main and South, and then there’s the huge subdivision that’s just been approved.” He shrugged. “Clay said he has two deputy positions that have just opened up with funding and everything. He asked if I was interested.”

  “And are you?”

  “I am. If you are, that is. Interested in me staying in Wrangler’s Corner.”

  “Oh, I’m interested.”

  “It won’t be as much money as I was making in Nashville, but it won’t be as much stress, either. And I’m ready for a new place to make new memories.”

  Tears welled and one slid down her cheek. He swiped it away for her then kissed her again. “Why don’t we just hang out here today?” she asked. “We can build a fire and eat pie for lunch.”

  Nathan laughed. “No way. I don’t want to make your family mad at me before we’re even married. We’re going to the Starkes’ for at least a little while.” He sniffed. “But that pie does smell amazing. Let’s get to Aunt Julianna and Uncle Ross’s so I can eat it. Do you think they’ll hate me forever if I refuse to share?”

  She laughed. “Yes, probably. They love my pies.”

  “Okay, then after it’s all over, we can come back here, build a fire, and eat pie for dinner.”

  “I love that plan.”

  “And I love you.”

  After another sweet kiss, they walked out the door, Jack at their heels, and climbed into Nathan’s truck. He reached over with his right hand and snagged her fingers. “My parents are going to be passing back through Wrangler’s Corner around New Year’s, and I asked them to make sure they stay a couple of days. They agreed. I was hoping we could all spend some time together while they’re here.”

  She grinned. “That would be lovely. It’ll be nice to see them again.”

  When they arrived to her aunt and uncle’s house, it was already a magnificent madhouse with children running in and out of the house, laughing and yelling at top volume. With the weather in the midsixties and sunny, everyone else was taking advantage of it and hanging around outside, either on the porch or in the big yard.

  Love for her crazy, wonderful family filled her. She and Nathan climbed from the truck and Nathan grabbed the pie.

  Her father left the porch swing and was the first one to greet her with a hug while her mother looked on with a teary smile. “You’re getting better at that,” Becca whispered.

  He laughed and flushed, his eyes sparkling in a way she’d never seen before. She knew he would never leave his precious work for long, but Becca could tell he was learning to appreciate what was important in life. “I’ve...ah...contracted someone to rebuild your barn. And I’m paying for it.”

  Becca froze, her heart thudding into the bottom of her shoes. “Dad—”

  He held up a hand. “Let me rephrase.” He placed a hand over his heart and cleared his throat. “Becca, I’d like to rebuild your barn for you, and I’d like to do it with no strings attached. I promise. I simply want to help.”

  “Even if it means I may never return to medicine?”

  He winced. She knew he couldn’t help it. Then he cleared his throat. “Yes. Even if you never come back to medicine. And you can design the whole thing. Cost isn’t a factor so keep that in mind when you’re working on it.”

  For a moment, she searched his eyes, then met Nathan’s. He gave her a slight nod. She returned the nod as joy broke free within her. “Okay, Dad. Insurance will only take care of so much, and there are some improvements I’d like to make, so thank you. That would be amazing. Beyond amazing. It would be an answer to my prayers.”

  He grinned. “Great! This will be a new beginning for us, okay?”

  She nodded and bit her lip against the tears that wanted to come. Happy tears, but she didn’t want to ruin her makeup.

  Her father turned to Nathan. “Now, son, if you want to hand me that pie, I’ll take it inside for you.”

  Handing it over, Nathan laughed. “Right. Try not to eat it before you reach the front door.”

  With a wink, he took off.

  “Becca! You’re here!” Sabrina gathered her in a hug along with her crew of children. Little Hannah wasn’t so little anymore.

  “She’s grown a foot since I last saw her!” Becca said, and leaned over to plop a kiss on the child’s head before she darted for the door after her older siblings.

  With a grin, Sabrina nodded. “She’s going to be tall like her daddy.”

  Seth and Tonya, who looked ready to pop at any moment, walked toward them. Sabrina laughed and patted her sister-in-law’s belly. “You think you’ll make it through lunch?”

  Tonya rolled her eyes. “It wouldn’t bother me in the least not to, but I still have three weeks to go. And I’m supposed to be on bed rest, so on that note, I’m going to find a seat and put my feet up.” She looked at Seth. “Feel free to bring me a plate wherever I might land because once I’m down, I don’t plan on getting up for a while. At least not without a crane.”

  “Yes, ma’am. My pleasure.”

  Tonya waddled toward the door and Seth shook his head. He hugged Becca then looked at Nathan with one of those looks that only guys understood. Nathan grinned. “Merry Christmas.”

  Amber, Lance, Zoe and Aaron pulled up with their kids in tow. Becca drew in a deep breath and felt tears prick her eyes. She was grateful. So very grateful to be alive and in this place at this moment.

  “Come on,” Nathan said. “I’m hungry and I’m terrified your dad is going to eat all the pie.” He took her hand and pulled her to the door.

  Only to meet Seth and Tonya coming back out. Tonya looking pained and Seth appearing scared to death. “What’s going on?” Becca asked.

  “She’s not going to make it through lunch,” Seth said. “She didn’t bother to tell me she’s been having contractions all morning.”

  “The truck, Seth,” Tonya said through gritted teeth. “Get the truck. Please.”

  Without another word, Seth darted for the vehicle. Becca took her cousin’s hand. “How far apart?”

  “Well, they were fifteen minutes apart earlier this mornin
g and up until we left to come over so I didn’t think much about it, but the last three have been four minutes apart, so I think it’s best to head to the hospital especially since they seem to be coming early.”

  “We’ll go with you.”

  Tonya squeezed her eyes shut and with Nathan and Becca’s help, sank onto the porch step. Becca helped her breath through another contraction. When Tonya opened her eyes, tears glittered there. “It’s time. I’m going to meet them today.”

  “What are you naming them?”

  “Thomas Lane and Shelby Elizabeth.”

  “Beautiful names for beautiful babies.”

  Seth pulled to a stop, and Nathan held the door while Seth rushed out to help Tonya into the passenger seat. “We’ll be there soon,” Becca said.

  “No. Enjoy the meal. Come later when you’ll be able to hold them. They’ll probably be in the NICU a couple of weeks so there will be time.”

  Nathan nodded. “Okay. Send us updates.”

  “We will.”

  Seth took off and Nathan grabbed her in a hug. “Let’s eat. I have a feeling it’s going to be a crazy day.”

  “A wonderful, beautiful, exciting day. New beginnings and new life. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

  Together, they walked back toward the house. Toward a future filled with love no matter what life might throw at them. Becca sighed with contentment and knew that while some memories faded or got lost in the midst of a traumatic event, this was one day she’d never forget for as long as she lived.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed CHRISTMAS RANCH RESCUE,

  look for these other books in the

  WRANGLER’S CORNER series:

  THE LAWMAN RETURNS

  RODEO RESCUER

  PROTECTING HER DAUGHTER

  CLASSIFIED CHRISTMAS MISSION

  Keep reading for an excerpt from TEXAS CHRISTMAS DEFENDER by Elizabeth Goddard.

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