His Christmas Cowgirl

by Alissa Callen

  Garrett turned to rinse out his coffee mug, but not before she caught a twitch of muscle in his jaw. “I’m sleeping fine. A wolf howled.”

  Hal nodded. “That’s old Taluk. Over the years, we’ve come to an understanding. He and his pack don’t bother us and we don’t bother him.”

  “That’s a good understanding, for everyone.” Garrett returned to his seat. “And Taluk’s sticking to your deal. I found tracks but they weren’t near the cattle.”

  Garrett glanced at her. Their usual morning routine was to have a quick chat about the day and then she’d be lucky to see him until the afternoon. She found it hard to think back to when she’d once thought him overbearing. Yes, he was strong, confident, and knew what he was talking about but she also found him willing to listen and also respectful of her role as ranch owner.

  “Might be time to plow those pastures?” he said.

  The thick lines of trees provided the herd with shelter from the wind but with the now heavy snow, they’d also need cleared areas to lie down in.

  “That’s what I was thinking, too. If you can fit it in today, that would be great, but if not start tomorrow.”

  “Will do.”

  Peta sought for something else to say. She wasn’t quite ready for their conversation to end and for Garrett to leave the kitchen. “I’m heading into town this morning. Need anything?”

  “I know something you can take back to the hospital,” Hal said, frowning at the crutches that rested beside him.

  She covered his hand with hers. “You only need them for a little longer.”

  Hal’s only reply was a disgruntled twist of his lips. She glanced at Garrett, surprised by the softness in his eyes as he looked to where her hand rested on Hal’s.

  Garrett came to his feet. “Peta’s right. Dr. Wyatt said if you keep doing your exercises and not overdo things you might even be rid of them by Christmas. Now I’d better see if those boys are out of the bunkhouse yet.”

  Peta also stood. “I’d better get moving, too. I promised Dad I’d look in on him first thing. With all the snow overnight, if might take a while to get to town.”

  But it wasn’t the snow that slowed Peta down. The road into Marietta was as busy as the town streets. It seemed everyone was intent on crossing off items from their Christmas lists. She visited her father who wanted to know more about Garrett. She couldn’t tell him much other than he and Hal were close and that he had come from managing a ranch at Wyoming. She had no data on her phone, and since coming back from the roundup she hadn’t turned her computer on, let alone done any internet searches.

  Peta left her father’s house on Bramble Lane and was soon seated in the warmth of the Java Café opposite Ivy. Ivy’s wedding day glow hadn’t faded. A tan colored her smooth skin and her hazel eyes were clear and bright.

  “I can’t believe I’ve come home to find a prince in Marietta,” Ivy said, wrapping her hands around her coffee mug.

  “Yes, and not only is Theodore Chenery a prince, he’s also single. He arrived the weekend of the stroll and is visiting with his grandparents for a month.” Peta stirred her hot chocolate. “Eliza Bramble gave him a Christmas Ball ticket and there’s been great excitement ever since because he’s agreed to attend.”

  “I bet there’s been great excitement.” Ivy paused as a group of giggling teenage girls rugged up in scarfs and puffer jackets entered the café. “Weren’t they here the last time we had coffee?”

  Peta snuck a quick look toward the doorway. “Yes, they were.”

  “Now that they know a prince will be at the ball maybe they think their dresses aren’t impressive enough?”

  “Maybe? But if the gossip’s to be believed, Theo wants to be treated like a regular guy. So perhaps he’s decent and down-to-earth and doesn’t really care about fancy dresses?”

  “Speaking of decent guys, how’s Garrett? I heard he tried to save you from Carol’s clutches?”

  Peta sighed. “I’m sure you heard all about how we were supposedly an item.” She paused and chose her words carefully. “He’s fine. He’s running the ranch like he’s done it for years and will be missed when he leaves. I’m sure Scout and Whisker’s days don’t start until he’s visited them each morning.”

  “And you? Will you miss him?”

  Peta took a sip of her hot chocolate to buy herself time. “I will… the ranch house doesn’t seem so empty with him… and Hal in it.”

  She thought Ivy was about to say something more but instead she bent to collect an item from her purse. “Now it’s my turn to give you a travel present. I found this in a little island shop and thought of you.”

  She passed Peta a heavy, but small, black box. Peta pried off the lid. Ivy knew her so well. The gold compass nestled into the blue lining was as practical as it was gorgeous.

  “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

  Ivy didn’t smile. “Peta… life can sometimes make us feel like the ground shifts beneath us…”

  She nodded, unsure of what Ivy was trying to tell her. The corporate analyst’s eyes were full of an emotion Peta found hard to interpret.

  “But…” Ivy continued, “if this does happen to you just follow your heart. Like true north, it will lead you where you need to go.”

  “Don’t worry, I will.”

  “Wonderful.” Ivy’s expression lightened. “Now, are you sure I can’t convince you to come to the ball?”

  “No. Between your wedding and the stroll, I’ve been social enough. I’ve already given Eliza a donation in lieu of going.”

  “Well, if you change your mind, there’ll be a spare seat at our table. Garrett isn’t bringing anyone.”

  Peta lifted her mug to her lips but didn’t take a sip. “Garrett’s going?”

  “Yes. I asked him to come. I thought it would be good for him to meet a few more locals. I don’t think he gets out much where… he’s from. He’s pretty much like another workaholic I know.” Ivy softened her words with a smile.

  Peta returned her smile. “Ranches don’t run themselves so, yes, I’m guilty as charged.” She finished her hot drink. “Now I’d better get back. I have a mile high of bookwork I’ve been putting off.”

  Together they left the Java Café, exchanged hugs, and went their separate ways.

  On the homeward journey, Peta encountered far less traffic than on her way to town. The only other travelers along Highway 89 were inside a helicopter that flew parallel to the road. The helicopter soon darted away to fly over the nearby foothills that were now an undulating carpet of snow. With it being close to Christmas, visiting family and friends were being treated to scenic air tours.

  Peta stared unseeingly at the white world before her. She’d spoken the truth to Ivy when she’d admitted she’d miss Garrett. So much for not wanting to become involved with him because of the void he’d leave behind. Already the thought of Garrett leaving carved out a hollowness inside her that she had no idea how she’d fill. No matter how hard she’d work, at the end of the day she’d return to an empty ranch house filled with the memory of his laughter.

  She also wished it didn’t bother her that Garrett hadn’t shared his ball plans with her. It had been an unspoken, and mutual, decision, even more so after the stroll, that they to stick to ranch business. She ignored the murmurs inside her head that maybe she should go to the ball. If Garrett had wanted her to fill the spare seat beside him, he would have asked her.

  She drove through the wooden and stone ranch entryway. Her grip on the steering wheel firmed. It was time to stop thinking about Garrett and the things she could never have. Bluebell Falls was all she needed in her life. It had to be enough.

  Movement flashed to her left and she slowed. Garrett was riding Scout. Against the white snow, the chestnut’s copper coat shone burnished and bright. Scout walked forward with light steps, her ears pricked and her tail high. She showed no fear or concern that a man sat in the saddle. Garrett had proven to the scarred mare that men could be trusted.

&nb
sp; Something unlocked within Peta’s chest. She stopped the truck in the middle of the ranch road and drew a deep breath.

  Garrett wasn’t only a good man, he was the man. He was the man she wanted to be the father of her children. He was the man she wanted to spend forever with.

  Her gaze clung to Garrett as he rode beside the tree line. She could no more keep her feelings businesslike toward him than she could stop herself from falling in love with him. She’d travelled the world to find someone like him, and he’d been here all along. He was everything she’d dreamed of, and more.

  But instead of happiness and joy sliding through her, her stomach clenched. She watched as Scout and Garrett disappeared into the pine trees. The man she loved wasn’t yet hers, and might never be.

  *

  “How was your ride,” Hal asked as Garrett stepped onto the porch.

  “Good, except for the low flying helicopter. I can see why Scout reacted to the drone when you rode her; she’s terrified of any noise coming from above her.”

  “You can say that again.”

  Garrett slowed his steps so they could walk inside together. The worry creasing Hal’s weathered face wasn’t only to do with the mare. Something else bothered him.

  Hal spoke again. “Peta’s inside doing bookwork.”

  “Is that unusual?” He kept his question casual as he followed Hal down the hallway.

  “No, but her skipping lunch is.”

  “She was meeting Ivy, so maybe she’d already eaten?”

  Hal stopped and turned to look at him. “Maybe, but she always has lunch.”

  “Do you want me to… check on her?”

  Hal’s gaze sharpened. “I thought you both were going out of your way to keep things strictly business between you?”

  Garrett folded his arms. He should have known Hal wouldn’t miss any change in the dynamics between them. “Yes, we are.”

  “Because?”

  The old foreman wasn’t prying, just concerned for the two of them. “Because… on my side at least… it would be so easy for things to… not be businesslike between us.” When Hal’s expression brightened, Garrett frowned. “But this isn’t a good thing. You, of all people, know I live to work and work to live.”

  “I do. I also know you need to listen to your heart and not that stubborn head of yours. Money isn’t everything. You’ve achieved all you set out to do, and more, and now it’s time to focus on the things money can’t buy.”

  Garrett’s frown deepened but before he could reply, Hal spoke again.

  “Peta, isn’t trouble, son. She’s the best thing that will ever happen to you. She’s also the only thing that will bring you any real happiness.” Hal poked the forearm of Garrett’s still tightly crossed arms. “So stop hiding those emotions of yours before it’s too late and you lose her.”

  Garrett didn’t answer. He’d heard the sound of a helicopter. He headed for the front door, opened it, and scanned the winter sky. Hal’s crutches thumped as he joined Garrett.

  “What’s the fool doing,” Hal said, also looking at the fast approaching black chopper. “This is a ranch not an amusement park to fly over.”

  Garrett shaded his eyes with his hand to see the helicopter better. The chopper sank lower in the sky and the sound of its rotors increased. Garrett dipped his hand into his jacket pocket where his cell phone rested. If the pilot was in trouble, there’d be an emergency call to make.

  Footsteps sounded and he breathed in the scent of apple blossoms as Peta stood beside him. Her worried blue gaze met his. “That’s the chopper I saw earlier.”

  He nodded. “Me, too.”

  His attention lingered on her face. Hal was right. Something wasn’t right. Fine lines of strain were etched beside her mouth.

  But as the noise of the helicopter turned into a roar he focused on the chopper that was now almost directly overhead. No pilot would intentionally fly so low or so close to ranch buildings. The chopper tilted and headed toward the meadow where Garrett had released Scout. He left the porch steps at a run. Peta ran by his side.

  A horse’s scream pierced through the helicopter noise. Peta’s steps faltered. He reached for her hand and together they raced to Scout’s pasture. Above them the helicopter leveled and lifted higher as the pilot took control, before disappearing into the sky.

  Terrified by the unfamiliar sound, Scout had attempted to run through the fence. Wire now entangled her nearside leg and a post had cut a large gash in her chest. Blood streamed down her leg, coating her hoof in a glistening red. Garrett had left her rug off so she could enjoy the winter sun and her once glossy coat was slick with sweat and fear.

  Breathing hard, Peta let go of his hand to open the pasture gate. “Easy there, Scout. You’re all right. The helicopter’s gone.” Peta lowered her voice. “Garrett, please tell me you have your phone? Mine’s inside.”

  Even before Peta had finished speaking, he’d slid his phone free from his jacket pocket.

  Relief briefly eased the worry pinching her face. “Can you please call Dr. Noah at the Copper Mountain Animal Hospital. Rhett will have his number.”

  Garrett made the calls, all the while watching Peta as she approached the agitated horse. Scout was in pain and terrified and there was a risk she’d not respond to Peta and could lash out. But as Peta drew near and touched her neck, Scout’s struggles ceased.

  Boots sounded behind him and he turned to see Troy arrive with a set of wire cutters. Scout’s anxious snorts clouded the air and Peta did her best to reassure her before Troy jogged away and the mare settled.

  “Okay, Scout,” Garrett said, keeping his voice steady and calm as he too approached, “I’m going to cut the wire and get you out of there.”

  Working as quickly as he could, he freed the mare’s leg. She trembled and lowered her hoof to the ground. The simple movement revealed the depth of her chest wound.

  He went to shrug off his coat so he could remove his shirt and use the clean cotton to stop the bleeding, but Peta had already peeled off her own shirt. Mouth set, and now only wearing a white long sleeve t-shirt with her jeans, she quickly passed her blue shirt to him.

  He folded the soft cotton and, talking softly to Scout, pressed the material against her chest. Warm blood coated his fingers and splashed the snow red at his boots. The mare quivered but stood still.

  He glanced at Peta as she stroked Scout’s nose. “Noah was already out at Payton’s doing her mustang’s teeth, he’ll come straight away.”

  “Great.”

  Peta’s reply was strong but quiet. She slid her left hand into the warmth of her jeans pocket.

  “Need my coat?”

  “Thanks but I’ll give Scout a little longer to settle then I’ll get her rug and my jacket. She’ll go into shock, if we’re not careful.”

  “She’ll be okay. I know there’s a lot of blood but Noah will soon be here to suture up this gash and all will be good.”

  Peta nodded and he examined her too-white face and the defiant tilt of her chin. She wasn’t letting the cold or her concern about Scout defeat her. He closed his mouth to stop himself from saying something they’d both regret. All he wanted to do was wrap her in his arms and tell her everything would be okay with words that would be far from businesslike.

  “Will you be okay, if I go?” she asked moments later.

  “Yes. Scout and I will be fine.”

  As Peta strode away, he smoothed the mare’s damp neck. “Don’t worry, she’ll be back. It’s just you and me for a little while.”

  The chestnut lowered her head so he could rub beneath her mane. In the silence, he could hear the rumble of a vehicle along the road that led into the ranch. Dr. Noah was almost here.

  Peta soon returned with Scout’s warm pink rug. Dr. Noah accompanied her.

  From the flickers of Scout’s ears, Garrett could see the mare was wary but not frightened of the tall, sandy-haired vet.

  Noah gave Garrett a nod and then spoke quietly to the chestnut. />
  “Remember me, Scout? I visited when you arrived. You weren’t sure about me but were brave enough to let me look at you.”

  Scout blew out a nervous breath but didn’t fuss when Dr. Noah rubbed her nose. She also didn’t move away when Garrett lowered Peta’s blood-soaked shirt to allow the vet to examine her chest wound. The mare seemed to sense Noah had come to help.

  “It’s a deep gash,” he said quietly, “but nothing that won’t heal well.”

  Peta and Garrett helped where they could as Noah sedated Scout, cleaned her wound and sutured and bandaged her chest in a fine white netting.

  The vet again stroked her nose when he was finished. “I wish all my patients were so brave.”

  He glanced at Peta as he repacked his bag. “You don’t need to do anything special, just the usual. Keep her warm, the sutured site clean, and change her bandages. I’ll be out this way after the ball and will take another look then.”

  “Thanks. I really appreciate you coming so quickly.”

  Noah chuckled. “When Payton heard what happened she had me in my truck and on my way in under five minutes. Luckily, I walk fast, as I’m sure she would have hurried me along.”

  Peta’s brief smile failed to remove the shadows in her eyes.

  Noah turned to shake Garrett’s hand. “Nice meeting you. I’ll look out for you at the ball.” The vet collected his bag. “I’d better keep moving. I’ve some cows to look over two ranches away that the chopper also scared. Apparently it had engine trouble. I’m guessing the pilot made it to Bozeman okay as there hasn’t been any further news.”

  While the vet returned to his truck, Garrett walked beside Scout as Peta slowly led her toward her stable. The mare’s stiff steps quickened when Whiskers appeared at the doorway and meowed.

  Garrett laid out extra straw in Scout’s stall and soon the mare and Whiskers were inside and comfortable. At the half-stable door he joined Peta to watch as Whiskers assumed her favorite spot curled up on Scout’s rugged rump.

  “They’re a great pair,” he said, voice a little deeper than usual.