A CALLAHAN CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

by Tina Leonard

  She was the bravest woman he knew outside of his family, and he could clearly feel that fear had become part of her thoughts. “I’m going to have to do something about Rose.”

  “I know.” Running Bear nodded. “In time, you will know, too.”

  “That’s not very helpful.” Galen sighed. “On another topic, I think Fiona and Burke need to leave Rancho Diablo. I’m not comfortable with them here. Fiona has done her time. She needs to move on, to relax and enjoy life instead of being a convenient target for Wolf.” Galen studied the burned land across the canyon, the blackened earth clearly visible. Egyptian legend claimed that the phoenix burned every five hundred years, only to rise from the ashes better than ever.

  Maybe they would all rise, strong and fearless.

  “I wish he’d pick on one of us,” Galen said, “instead of a helpless old woman, and my pregnant wife. Seems very small of him.”

  “Be careful what you wish for.”

  Galen snorted. “I could never regret wishing that it was me instead of Fiona or Rose. My wife is very different now, and it’s not just that she’s a new mom. Where she was once fearless, she now tastes fear.”

  “Yes.” Running Bear nodded.

  There wasn’t much Galen could do about that at the moment except protect her and his children, and Mack. He still had Sawyer on duty, along with a rotating team of other guards. “I don’t understand what happened. Rose has nothing to offer Wolf. It’s his same old bag of tricks.”

  “The object is to let us know we are always in danger, that he has eyes in many places.”

  “Which is why I think Fiona and Burke need to go. With fewer targets, we’re not as interesting to hunt.”

  “Will you be the one to tell Fiona she has to leave?” Running Bear asked. “I would not relish that task.”

  “I know she wouldn’t thank me for my opinion.”

  “No. And you wouldn’t find any lunch bags or cookies with your name on them for many moons.” Running Bear nodded. “Be careful of her feelings.”

  “What’s Storm’s role in all this?”

  “Fear. Same as what you now know. He, too, has a family he wishes to protect.”

  “So he’s a victim?”

  “We all choose to be a victim or not.”

  “Great.” His grandfather was being even more sphinxlike than usual. “Is he on our side or Wolf’s?”

  “He was on no one’s side except his own. Now his nieces have been used against each other. If you fear for someone, fear for Storm. He has a lot to lose.”

  Galen’s mouth twisted. “You’re asking me to feel sympathy for a neighbor I never really trusted.”

  “How can you know the man unless you wear his shoes?”

  Galen stood. “Should I mention to Fiona that perhaps she and Burke should consider—”

  “At your peril.” Running Bear waved a hand at him. “Look for the answers inside yourself. Meditate. You can’t solve everything yourself. In the tribe, you learned to trust each other and your guide. Don’t turn away from that now.”

  Galen blinked at the sudden cloud of dust that swept up the canyon, obliterating the ledge where his grandfather had been seated. Minutes later, only some swirling dust let him know his grandfather had been there, that his spirit still remained.

  Galen went off to find his family. If Running Bear was all about teamwork, then it was time to meet with the team.

  * * *

  THE FAMILY MEETING was a tense, uncomfortable affair. No one passed tumblers of whiskey around that night, no one laughed or teased him about being a new father. Everyone was on edge after the recent attacks.

  Grandfather was right: the enemy was getting closer all the time, now almost lodged in their psyches.

  “Decisions must be made,” Galen said. “Hard decisions, but it’s time to face them.”

  His brothers and sister looked at him, their faces dark with concern, as they had been the night he’d gathered them together to tell them their parents had gone.

  That had been a hellish night. There’d been so much he couldn’t tell them—and yet explaining to them they were now on their own had been hard enough. He’d borne that burden carefully, jealously, for all these many years, a fierce caretaker of his family then as now.

  Only he and Running Bear knew where Carlos and Julia, their parents, were. Witness protection was a mysterious refuge, and the secret would go with him to his grave. He couldn’t tell his family anything—and yet now he had to tell them that the very mission was in jeopardy.

  “I know you know that Rose and her father, Mack, were attacked the night she went into labor,” Galen began. “Sawyer Cash and Somer were involved.”

  “Which I haven’t quite wrapped my head around,” Jace said. “I thought Sawyer was long gone and never looking back.”

  “She was. She called me about work. I had a job for her.” Galen leveled a gaze on his brother.

  “You could have mentioned it,” Jace said.

  “No. I could not have mentioned it. It was not my secret to tell.” Galen laid a map he’d drawn of Rancho Diablo, the canyons and their neighbors to the east and west out on the table. “This map details our position. Here you have the burned land we’ve recently purchased—”

  “You’ve recently purchased,” Jace interjected.

  Galen turned to face his brother. “If you have a problem, share it.”

  “I don’t think you have a right to keep an operative’s location secret from us, for one thing,” Jace said.

  “Sawyer’s life is her own. Anything else?”

  His brothers and sister stared at him curiously.

  “We should all be part of the land purchase,” Jace added.

  Galen shrugged. “I’ve done what Grandfather asked. I know that originally Fiona offered that land as incentive for all of us to marry—”

  “Which you’ve most conveniently done,” Jace stated.

  Ash reached over and pinched him. “What is your problem tonight?”

  “He’s jealous,” Dante said.

  “Angry,” Tighe said. “In a knot over Sawyer.”

  “That’s just too bad,” Ash said.

  Galen knocked on the table to bring their attention back to the matter at hand. “All personal issues get left outside. We have to attack this problem as a team—a tribe—or we’re gonna lose.”

  Jace sat back, grumbling under his breath. Galen continued. “On this side is Bode Jenkins, a neighbor we haven’t talked to much, but who’s related by marriage to our Callahan cousins. That’s a safe zone.” He marked that area in red. “On this side is Storm. We would like to call his ranch a safe zone, but at the moment we have to color it gray. Storm’s working his own demons, and there’s no telling how Wolf’s going to try to play that, however unfortunate for Storm.” Galen marked that area off. “Back here are the canyons, and beyond that, the new land parcel. All to be marked blue, no longer safe. We know that,” he said, looking at his siblings, “because Wolf’s men have infested the area.”

  He took the blue marker, and over Rancho Diablo drew slashing lines. “Call this area Rancho Diablo Hell, because that’s what it is. Underneath the ranch we may have our own man-made canyons, built by and maintained by the cartel. The same folks our parents and our Callahan cousins’ parents were fighting against. We know they have tunneled under the acreage I just bought. The farmer was too old and didn’t maintain his land well. Never saw anything, and I doubt he even left the house much.”

  Galen turned to gaze at his family. “We discovered this underground world less than a year ago. I’ve talked to the sheriff, and he’s bringing in the Feds. We have no choice. I can think of no other way to save Rancho Diablo and our families.”

  His siblings looked astonished.

  “You can�
�t make those decisions on your own,” Jace said.

  “I had counsel,” Galen answered. “And after the shooting at Mack’s place, I knew we’d run out of options. Wherever we go, Wolf’s going to have us covered. That’s his message to us. Even if he has to use our own employees, we won’t be safe. That’s not so much a problem for me as it is for you, and your wives.”

  “What does that mean?” Ash demanded.

  “It means that I took care of all of you when you were young. But I can’t protect you anymore,” Galen said. “The enemy is strong, so strong that even the strongest among us may be in danger.”

  “Pessimism never won the day,” Ash retorted. “Let’s not be dramatic, Galen. We can take care of ourselves.”

  “True, but not, perhaps, our families.”

  His sister shook her head. “Nobody has been seriously hurt.”

  His brothers stared at her.

  “You can’t mean that,” Sloan said. “We’ve had wives held prisoner for months in Montana. Aunt Fiona was kidnapped. We’re barely hanging on here, Ash. Galen’s right.”

  “I don’t know that he is,” Jace said, obviously still smarting from the whole issue with Sawyer. He glared at Galen. “Why isn’t Running Bear telling us all this? We should hear it from him.”

  Galen shrugged. “Ask him yourself.” He turned back to the map. “Given that we’re surrounded, the Feds are treading lightly. We’re to stay in the background, not get in their way.”

  “I’ve never trusted the damn government,” Ash snapped, and her brothers stared at her again. “Why should we rely on outside forces?” she asked. “I say we go it alone.”

  “I vote with Ash,” Jace said. “This is family business.”

  Dante stood, finally taking the whiskey decanter and pouring himself a drink. “We stay together. Whatever decision is made by the majority, we live as one.”

  “I can’t,” Ash said. “Galen’s wrong. He’s gone around us and made several decisions without discussing them with us. Hiring Sawyer as his personal guard, now bringing in the Feds...” She glared at him. “You’re not the patriarch of this family, Galen.”

  “I’d say he is,” Tighe said, taking the bottle from his twin and pouring a drink for himself. “As the brother whose wife was held prisoner by Wolf for several months, and who still smiles at the sound of lightning, thanks to the party favor Fiona ignited on Wolf’s den, I’m agreeing with Galen. We need help.”

  “That makes you the tie-breaker, Falcon,” Ash said, “unless Dante cares to go against Tighe.”

  Since Tighe and Dante were so close as twins that sometimes it seemed they had one head, Galen wasn’t too worried.

  “Not yet,” Dante said. “I’m waiting to hear more of the story.”

  Galen raised a glass to Falcon. “Speak, tie-breaker.”

  “We have no choice. This isn’t just Rancho Diablo, it’s the Unites States,” Falcon said. “If a cartel has run tunnels under the land, it’s our duty to report it to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Which may have the ultimate effect of driving Wolf back—or better yet, out, altogether.”

  Galen nodded. “That’s the way I see it.” He looked at Ash and Jace. “It may be our best hope.”

  “Our land will be torn up by federal agents,” Ash said bitterly. “They’ll leave trash and bother us. Our operation will no longer be our own. We won’t be free.”

  “This isn’t our land,” Galen said. “We protect it for our Callahan cousins. And ever since Wolf took his first hostage from among us, we haven’t been free. He’s taken women and he’s kidnapped a child. What more must we sacrifice?”

  “All,” Jace said. “Does Grandfather agree with what you’ve done?”

  “I’ve talked with him. And I’ve also told him that I think Fiona and Burke must go away. For good.”

  Six pairs of eyes stared at him.

  “You mean after Christmas, right?” Ash asked.

  “I mean as soon as we can pack their bags. It’s not safe here for them,” Galen said.

  Ash stood and went to the door. “You’re wrong. Everything you’re doing is wrong. You should be with your wife, taking care of her and your new babies. You’re making decisions that show your fear.”

  She left, and the room fell silent.

  Galen turned back to look at the map. There were no other options.

  Chapter Twelve

  “What are you doing?” Galen demanded, and Rose let out a little squeal as her husband walked into the room. He was big-shouldered and handsome, and at the moment scowling at her.

  “I’m going to see Riley.” She pulled on her boots with an effort. “You said he might come home today. I’m going to see if I can spring him.”

  “You need rest, honey.” Galen came over to shoo her back to bed, and Rose dug in her heels.

  “I’m fine. I don’t need rest. I need to see my son. It’s the holiday season, and he doesn’t need to be alone in a hospital without his brothers and his parents.”

  “I’ll go.” Galen watched as she pulled on her warm coat. “I’ll get Riley. Please stay here. What if you slip and fall on the snow or an ice patch?”

  “Then it will hurt like crazy.” Rose refused to be deterred because of her husband’s worrying. “I appreciate that you’re concerned about me, handsome,” she said, giving him a quick kiss on the lips and wishing she could linger, “but it’s not necessary. I’ve walked in snow before.”

  “Not after you’ve had three sons. My sons.” He sat on the bed and put his arm around her. “Who’s going to watch little Mack and Ross?”

  “Dad’s on deck for babysitting. And he’s pretty happy about it. I told him I’d only be gone thirty minutes.” She closed her eyes as Galen began scattering a leisurely trail of kisses down her neck. “It’s not going to work, you know. In fact, it’s only going to make me want to run out the door, since I won’t be cleared for letting you do sexy things to me for a while yet.”

  “I can still kiss you.” He sneaked a hand under her coat.

  “No,” Rose said. “I’m well aware you’re trying to sidetrack me. And I’m leaving now to see my son.”

  Galen got up. “I’ll drive.”

  “I thought you had to be at the ranch.” Rose looked at her big strong husband and thought how lucky she was to be married to him. He had his overprotective moments—like now—but he was so sexy and sweet she couldn’t wait to get the green light from her doctor.

  “I do need to be at Rancho Diablo.” He buttoned her coat. “But my wife wants to take a drive.”

  “Dad says the roads aren’t bad.” Rose stretched up to kiss him. “You don’t have to take me.”

  “I want to see our son, too. Besides, they might release him, and if they do, we’ll bring him home together.”

  Rose smiled. “That would be wonderful, wouldn’t it? A Christmas miracle.”

  “The only one I want.” Galen went out the door. “Give me five minutes to warm the truck up for you.”

  She smiled, falling a little bit more in love with him all the time.

  * * *

  “THERE’S SOMETHING I HAVE TO TELL YOU,” Galen said, after he’d helped his wife into the truck.

  “Okay.” She looked at him expectantly, a small smile on her face.

  I could look at her all day.

  “I’ve informed the family that I believe Fiona and Burke need to leave Rancho Diablo.”

  “But have you told Fiona?”

  “No. I think she’ll understand.”

  Rose settled a red knitted hat on her blond hair. He forced himself to pay attention to the road and not his sexy wife.

  “I think she won’t.”

  He grunted, knowing Rose was probably right.

  “When do you think thi
s should happen?” She looked at him, then applied some lipstick that matched her hat. He felt himself responding, and reminded himself sternly that he had another few weeks to go before he could enjoy his wife in the bedroom.

  “As soon as possible.”

  He now had Rose’s complete attention. “You’re not saying she and Burke should leave before the big charity ball next weekend? The dance she’s had every year without fail, except last year?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  “I don’t envy you when you tell her. She’s going to say you’re a traitor nephew.”

  “The thought has occurred to me.” He didn’t relish it. “Maybe you could tell her.”

  Rose laughed out loud. “No, husband. You can take care of your own dirty work.”

  “Fiona might see a woman’s point of view—”

  “No, handsome. I aim to stay on the good side of my in-laws. But thank you for thinking of me.” She went back to primping.

  He was halfway into the doghouse. Might as well go all the way. “Here’s the thing, babe. I think you and the children need to move, too.”

  “Nope.” She didn’t stop fluffing her hair as she said it. “Goodness, it feels good to get out of the house! Galen, I want to do some Christmas shopping today, if the doctor doesn’t release Riley. My heart will be so broken. Not that I think retail therapy will help all that much, but I feel our Christmas tree is a bit bare without gifts under it. And I want a Christmas ornament that commemorates our first year together as a family. I hope we’ll all be together for the holiday....” she said, her voice drifting off.

  He wanted so badly to tell her it would be all right, wanted to make it right. Wanted to tell her that Riley would be able to come home, and that the three-times-a-day visits to the hospital to see him would be a thing of the past. Rose looked so sad he could barely stand it. Galen could tell she hadn’t given his words about moving away a serious thought, so he figured it was best to keep her on happier subjects. “Christmas shopping for what else besides an ornament?”