Christmas with the Cowboy

by Tina Radcliffe

“I’m only here a few more weeks myself.”

  “I can’t see you leaving your nieces.” Lucy cocked her head and smiled at Rachel in his arms. “No. Not going to happen.”

  He opened his mouth to respond when Emma joined them with Elizabeth.

  “Zach, you made it.” She looked from Lucy back to him. “Is my sister giving you a hard time?”

  “Me? Never.” Lucy smiled serenely. “Come on, girls, let’s get you something to eat while Mommy visits with Uncle Zach.”

  “Down,” Rachel demanded.

  Zach released her. “Apparently I’m only number two in her life.”

  Emma put Elizabeth on the ground and both girls took Lucy’s hands. “Never stand between a Maxwell and a meal,” Lucy said.

  “That is so not true,” Emma said.

  “Sure it is,” Lucy said. “Why do you think I married Jack? Because he cooks better than I do.” She winked and led the twins toward the long buffet table of platters and serving dishes.

  “Speaking of food,” Zach said. “What did the midnight baker bring?”

  “I made a pumpkin roll, and then I baked chocolate chip cookies.” She smiled. “Those were made in your honor.”

  “How did you fit baking into your schedule? I know for a fact you were out directing those tree trucks that arrived way too late last night. When did you sleep?”

  “We have very long and ugly winters here, punctuated by lots of ice storms. I can sleep after the holidays are over.”

  “That’s how you get run-down,” Zach said.

  “No. I never get sick.”

  “Famous last words.”

  She looked at him. “How did you know about the trucks anyhow?”

  “I did a walk-through and also checked on the stall and manger.”

  “Everything is in order?”

  “I got the wise men seal of approval.”

  Emma smiled. “I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t agreed to help with the roundup.” She paused. “Zach, you really have saved the day.”

  “We haven’t even turned the lights on and it’s four weeks until Christmas. Plenty of time for me to mess things up.”

  She shook her head and offered a small gasp. “Don’t even whisper such a thing. Your presence here has been a blessing.”

  “Ever notice you tend to embellish?”

  “Not this time.” She turned toward the window and her eyes lit up. “Look, the Clarks are here.”

  Zach glanced through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the cafeteria in time to see Mary and Joe Clark getting out of their car. He walked to the door and held it open when they approached.

  “So glad you could make it,” Emma said.

  While Zach stood by, uncertain of the protocol, Emma ushered the couple in. She had a servant’s heart and her welcoming hug was effortless and genuine.

  “Oh, thank you, dear. You make me feel like family.”

  “Good. That’s what we want,” Emma returned.

  Mary smiled and held up a plastic-covered cake plate for all to see and handed it to Emma. “I brought dessert.”

  “That looks like it might be a hummingbird cake,” Emma said.

  “Yes. Normally I only make one or two a year, but it’s not every day we’re invited to Big Heart Ranch.”

  “We may have to hide it,” Emma said with a mischievous grin.

  Joe smiled. “I like how you think.”

  Mary tugged off her gloves and glanced around. “Where are the twins?”

  “They’re across the room with my sister,” Emma said. “Come on, let’s find them and I’ll introduce you to the family and friends of Big Heart Ranch.”

  Emma paused and placed a hand on Zach’s arm. “The boys have arrived.”

  “Which boys?” he asked.

  “I invited Benjie and Mick as our special guests. Normally, they’d have Thanksgiving at their ranch house.”

  “Emma, that was really nice of you.”

  She nodded toward the door. “Do you want to welcome them?”

  “Sure. Go ahead. I’ve got this.”

  She met his gaze. “Save a few seats for me and the girls at your table. Okay?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Benjie and Mick pushed open the door and glanced around nervously. Both boys wore dress shirts and slacks under their winter coats. Mick’s dark hair had been combed into order, and Benjie’s wild curls were slicked back.

  “Hey, guys,” Zach said.

  “Mr. Zach,” both said in unison. Relief covered their faces. “You invited us to dinner?”

  “Technically, it was Miss Emma.” He cocked his head toward the tables. “After dinner, we’re going to watch lights-on.”

  “We can go with you?” Mick asked, eyes shining.

  “Sure. You did a lot of the work, so you get a front seat.”

  Zach turned and assessed the buffet line. “Come on, let’s go find some hors d’oeuvres. The smell of all those Crock-Pots simmering is making my stomach grumble.”

  “What’s an or-derve?” Mick asked.

  “Snacks before the big dinner spread,” Zach explained.

  “I’m in,” Benjie said with a high five to his brother.

  “Oh, yeah,” Mick echoed.

  It was only a short time later that Lucy tapped on a microphone and invited everyone to find a seat as they prepared to offer thanks. Emma pulled Rachel’s and Elizabeth’s high chairs up to the end of one of the long tables, right next to Zach. Then she slid into the chair beside him. Benjie and Mick sat across from them next to Joe and Mary.

  “Let’s bow our heads while Pastor Parr offers a prayer of thanksgiving for the staff and their families,” Lucy continued.

  When Emma slipped her small hand into his, Zach froze. He took Rachel’s chubby fingers and glanced around the table, his gaze sweeping the silent room, his heart humbled.

  “Lord, on this special day of thanks we thank You for Your bountiful and endless goodness and for Your many blessings. Thank You, for each man, woman and child of Big Heart Ranch. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on You every day. Renew us and fill us with Your peace and joy. We give You praise and thanks and ask You to bless this meal and this time of fellowship. Amen.”

  A soft and sincere choir of amen echoed across the room.

  Emma squeezed Zach’s hand before she released it. He swallowed hard against the unfamiliar emotions crowding him. There was so much to be thankful for today. Family and friends, all in one place and grateful to have him present.

  He looked up and met the eager faces of Mick and Benjie. The hopeful smiles of Joe and Mary. To his left, Rachel and Elizabeth beamed like little queens reigning over the table. Zach dared to meet Emma’s gaze, turned toward him.

  “Does it get any better than this?” she murmured.

  “I don’t see how it could,” he returned.

  How was he going to give all this up come January? His chest hurt with the thought and he rubbed a fist against his sternum. Leaving would be too cruel to consider.

  You don’t have to.

  The words filled his head and shook him to his core. Did he dare consider staying on at Big Heart Ranch? Could there truly be a forever place for him here?

  Once again, his gaze landed on Emma. He’d protected his heart for far too long. It was ready to burst with tenderness for Emma and the girls. Was there room in her heart for another?

  He had four weeks. A lot could happen in a month.

  * * *

  “Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Lights on!”

  Emma yelled right along with the rest of the entire staff and children of Big Heart Ranch as the lights-on ceremony began.

  Applause erupted and “oohs” and “aahs” went up when the lights of Big Heart Ranch came
on, illuminating not only the sky, but the entire trail with a brilliant glow.

  “Zach, look at those LED lights of yours,” Emma said. “They’re so bright.”

  “I did okay, huh?” Zach whispered. He held a sleeping Rachel in his arms and stood next to Emma, who held Elizabeth.

  She reached over and tugged the fleece covering over Rachel snug around her shoulders. “Yes. You did,” she said. “Look around you. This is the start of all that is amazing and wondrous about the Christmas season and you, Zach Norman, made it happen.”

  “You’re going to ruin my street cred as a Scrooge.”

  “Nonsense,” Emma returned.

  He turned to the boys. “What did you think of our lights, guys?” Zach asked Benjie and Mick.

  “That was so cool,” Mick said. “And I helped.”

  “So did I,” Benjie chimed in.

  “You both did a great job,” Emma said. She pointed to the parking lot behind them. “There’s your house mother. Time to head home.”

  “Do we have to? Can’t we stay a little longer?” Mick pleaded.

  “It’s late, Mick, and I know for a fact that you and Benjie have stable duty on Fridays,” Zach said.

  “We have to feed the horses on a holiday?” Benjie asked, eyes rounding.

  “Sure you do. You’re assigned a horse every day of the year. Grace doesn’t care if it’s a holiday. That mare wants her flakes and oats.” He patted Mick on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you guys. Now give me a ‘yes, sir.’”

  “Yes, sir,” they echoed.

  “Night, boys,” Emma said.

  “Night, Miss Emma. Mr. Zach,” Benjie said.

  “Thanks for inviting us to the party,” Mick said. He put his arm around his little brother’s shoulders and led him toward their house mom.

  “Look at that,” Emma said. “That’s a beautiful sight. You did that, you know.”

  “Nah, they just grew into each other.”

  “You’re wrong, Zach. You have really made a difference in their lives. You’re good at this.”

  “Good at what?”

  “Being a big brother. Being a friend.” She looked at Rachel nestled in his arms. “Good at being an uncle.”

  “Thanks, Emma,” he said softly.

  Thanks. She should be thanking him. This had been the best Thanksgiving in a long time. As they stood together staring at the lights, bright against the velvet backdrop of the night sky, she offered silent thanksgiving to God.

  “Who has first shift with the trees tomorrow?” Zach asked.

  “You had to mention tomorrow. That would be Travis and AJ. Which means the rest of us will be moving the herd and riding the fence line.”

  “Let’s hope the weather holds,” Zach said.

  “A few snowflakes would be nice,” Emma said. “I’d like a white Christmas.”

  “Sure, everyone likes snow until they’re standing knee-deep in a drift trying to move a stubborn heifer.”

  Emma chuckled. “I’m going to put that right out of my mind.”

  “We’re gonna need some volunteers to practice the carriage rides, folks,” Dutch announced as he moved through the crowd. “It’s a fine night for a little stargazing.”

  “A cold night, you mean,” someone called out.

  From the direction of the stables, four black-and-white horse-drawn carriages approached with a clip-clop of hooves and a jingle of bells hanging from the horses’ tack.

  Emma moved through the crowd to Joe and Mary Clark. “Do you two want to take a ride? The carriages have blankets.”

  “What do you say, Joseph?” Mary looked to her husband.

  “Sure.” He winked at his wife. “A carriage ride with a beautiful woman. That’s a no-brainer.”

  “Oh, Emma, you’ve certainly made this a night to remember,” Mary said as she took Joe’s hand.

  “I’m glad you’ve had fun.”

  “I have, and it’s good to see you and Zach so happy.”

  “Zach?”

  “He’s a keeper, you know,” Mary whispered.

  “Pardon me?”

  “Zach. That young fellow is over the moon in love with you and your girls.”

  Emma frowned and glanced down at Elizabeth, still sleeping in her arms. “Oh, yes, he’s crazy about his nieces.”

  “Their momma, too, dear. But then you knew that, didn’t you?” She gave Emma a hug before her husband led her to the carriage.

  “I, um...” Emma stood staring after the couple.

  “Let me take the girls home tonight.”

  “Hmm?” Emma turned at her sister’s voice.

  “You deserve a break. Look at all you and Zach have done. The roundup is going to be amazing.”

  “Lucy, you’re pregnant and you have triplets. Get serious.” As they spoke, the Harris triplets Dub, Ann and Eva played tag on the grass outside the chow hall.

  “It’s bedtime for those three,” Lucy said. “The twins are already conked out. I’ll put your girls in the guest room and turn on the baby monitor. No big deal.”

  Jack Harris appeared at his wife’s side and took Elizabeth from Emma’s arms. “You know better than to argue with Lucy. Take a ride with the rest of them.”

  “The rest of them?”

  “With Zach and AJ and Travis.” He nodded to the two open carriages that Dutch held for them.

  “You gonna take all day?” Dutch asked when he got Travis and AJ settled.

  “I don’t think this is such a good idea,” Emma murmured, with a questioning glance at Zach.

  “Where’s your Christmas spirit?” Zach challenged with a wink.

  Lucy reached over and took Rachel from Zach. “We didn’t ask you.”

  “Come on, Emma,” Zach persisted. “Let’s take a ride and see your hard work up close.”

  “I would like to see the rest of the trail,” she murmured. It was the whole sitting next to Zach, in the close confines of the carriage thing that concerned her.

  “There you go,” he said.

  Emma followed him to the carriage where Dutch pulled out a stool. She placed her hand in Zach’s and stepped inside.

  “Your knee...”

  “I’m fine,” Zach said as he slowly climbed in beside her.

  “So where do these carriages come from?” he asked as he pulled the blanket from between them and carefully tucked the plaid wool around Emma and himself.

  “One of our locals. He rents them to us half price. We get four for the price of two. Did you notice the banner advertisement on the side? Oklahoma Livery. He provides the horses and we provide the drivers.”

  “No moon tonight. Dark as a pocket overhead,” Dutch called from the driver’s seat.

  “Having fun, Dutch?” Zach called.

  “No, we’re not done. Barely started.” He lifted the reins and clicked his tongue.

  Emma bit her lip. “He can’t hear us over the clopping of the horses and the jangling of the sleigh bells.”

  “Which isn’t a bad thing,” Zach said.

  “Look,” Emma said. “Bell ringers in the gazebo.”

  Dutch slowed the buggy as the melodic ding-dong of chiming bells rang out “Silent Night.”

  “Giddap,” Dutch said when the music ended. They stopped again down the road in front of the pond, where costumed carolers stood on a covered stage singing mash-ups of Christmas songs.

  “The lights look pretty reflected off the water,” Emma said. “You did such an amazing job.”

  “I only hung them, Emma. You handed me a display map that a ten-year-old could follow.” He laughed. “Oh, wait, he did.”

  Emma shivered and pulled the blanket up.

  “Cold?” Zach asked. His breath came out in cloudy puffs.

  “Maybe a bit,” she returned hesitantly.<
br />
  Zach nodded to the sky as his arm came around her. “It’s starting to snow.”

  “Look, it’s snowing,” Dutch called over his shoulder.

  Around them flakes danced in the air as if to the music. Weightless, they swirled, twirled and pirouetted through the sky and to the ground.

  “Well, ain’t that just pretty?” Dutch continued.

  “Beautiful,” Emma said.

  “Sure hope that live nativity has the heater set up or those wise men are gonna freeze their royal tootsies off,” Dutch said with a laugh.

  “I haven’t seen snow in years,” Zach murmured.

  “Didn’t you miss all this?”

  “Emma, missing began years ago. Every single time I was picked up by mother I missed something.”

  “Maybe you’re getting a second chance. An opportunity to start over.”

  “Could be.”

  Once again, Dutch stopped the carriage. This time outside the live nativity.

  “Is that a real baby?” Zach asked.

  “In case you’re wondering, that’s not a real baby,” Dutch called from his perch.

  Emma choked on a laugh.

  From inside the stall, above the manger, a radiant beam of light shone through the roof into the deep purple and black night.

  “It’s like a star,” Emma said. “How did they do that?”

  “They might have had a little help,” Zach said.

  “Oh, Zach, it’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

  One of the wise men stepped forward and began to speak. “‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’”

  Emma’s heart tripped at the power and significance of the words from the King James Bible.

  When Zach’s arm tightened around her it seemed right and natural.

  Could there be a more perfect night than this? A night of thanks for today and hope for tomorrow.

  Chapter Nine

  “This was your doing, wasn’t it?” Zach said. He grunted and hauled another bale of hay onto the flatbed of the two-ton ranch truck, glaring at the steadily falling curtain of snow. Two hours and the precipitation hadn’t let up. Mother Nature was determined to cover Big Heart Ranch in snow.