Colorado Christmas

by C. C. Coburn

  Chapter Three

  Two days later, and no closer to a solution regarding either his career future or how he could save the buildings, Will was strolling along Main Street, admiring the Christmas displays, when a car pulled up beside him. Louella’s piggy snout hung out the window, sniffing the chilled air.

  Frank Farquar plucked an enormous cigar from his mouth and asked, “Off to help out at the old folks’ home again?”

  Frank’s Aztec Red 1959 Cadillac Series 62 complete with tail fins of extraordinary proportions was a legend of a car. From the front of its shiny chrome double grille to the rear rocket-inspired, double bullet-head taillights, the Caddy was Frank’s pride and joy. Frank owned the rock quarry ten miles past the south end of town but, miraculously, not a speck of dust ever marred the Caddy’s paintwork. Will hadn’t yet got around to buying himself a vehicle. A car like Frank’s was one to be proud of—impractical but impressive.

  He ducked to look in the front window and got a wet kiss from Louella. “Yup. Going that way, Mr. F.?”

  “For you, boy, I’d drive all the way to Denver. Hop in.”

  Respecting Louella’s pride of place up front, Will got into the backseat. “Nice outfit, Lou,” he remarked, referring to her snappy tartan vest and scarf, and got a snort of appreciation in return. He figured Frank’s dressing up Louella had something to do with the fact that he was a bachelor who’d never had the chance to raise kids of his own. Given how eccentric Frank was, Will wasn’t surprised he’d never married, in spite of his reported wealth.

  “I see you cleaned up them demolition vehicles,” Frank said around the cigar he chewed but never lit.

  “With a lot of help from the local Boy Scout troop.” Will was grateful to them. Cleaning off the water-based paint in the subfreezing temperature hadn’t been easy. The kids were selling Christmas trees in their lot across the street and came over to offer their services in exchange for his autograph and some photos with him.

  “Has the judge come to her senses about dating you, boy?”

  “Not yet, Mr. F., but I’m optimistic.”

  “That you are. Never met anyone more optimistic than you. Even Lou—” he slapped his pig’s back with affection “—can get a bit down in the mouth at times, but I don’t think I ever seen you not smilin’.”

  Will would be celebrating his thirty-second birthday next month, yet people still saw him as a boy. It had never bothered him before, but now it didn’t sit so well. His old school buddies were all married; most had kids. That guaranteed weekends spent mowing lawns and taking kids to Little League, neighborhood barbecues and friendly softball matches stretching into the summer evenings. And nights curled up beside a woman who loved you. In truth, most of his old friends had found a contentment that had always eluded Will.

  He and Frank were a lot alike—lonely bachelors—although Will hadn’t yet resorted to driving around with a farm animal in his front seat for company. The town’s population numbered over two thousand, but the pool of eligible men the judge might date—if she ever dated—was small. Provided his brother Adam didn’t move back anytime soon. The career-oriented judge was sure to be impressed by a dedicated, overmuscled firefighter.

  Will put that unwelcome thought out of his mind and concentrated on Frank. He and Mrs. Carmichael, the florist, had been high school sweethearts. She’d gone off to college in Denver and eventually married and settled there. Widowed many years later, she’d come home to Spruce Lake and opened a florist shop. But the former sweethearts had barely spoken to each other since her return.

  “Here we are, boy.” Frank jolted Will from his musings as they pulled up outside the Twilight Years.

  Frank turned in his seat and held out a wad of money.

  “What’s this for?”

  “The Save Our Buildings fund,” Frank said. “I had this in my mattress. I was figurin’ maybe we could raise money for the town to buy back the old buildings. Like the judge suggested.”

  Will was touched. “Thanks, Mr. F., but I doubt there’s enough money in the whole town to do that.” His hastily devised plan during the protest was simply to raise funds to fight the development company in court and convince them to rethink their demolition of the buildings.

  “You’d be surprised how much money there is in this town,” Frank was saying. “Folks just don’t have nothin’ worthwhile to spend it on.” He proffered the wad of cash again.

  Will held up his hands. “Ah, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t feel comfortable walking around with all that money. Let’s open an account down at the bank, okay?”

  Frank considered his words, then nodded. “Good idea.”

  A thought occurred to Will. “Mrs. C. has a donation tin on her shop counter, but this is way too much to leave in there. As SOB treasurer, I know she’d be over the moon with a donation like this. You should be a cosignatory on the account with her.”

  “I doubt Edna would want to sign anything with me. We don’t exactly get along. In fact, you could say she hates me.”

  Poor Frank, he had it bad, Will surmised, observing his trembling lip. “I’m sure if you worked together on the campaign, she’d see a side of you that will please her beyond measure.”

  “You think?”

  Will climbed out of the Caddy. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate your generous donation to our cause,” he said, giving Louella’s head a scratch.

  He was positive that Mrs. C. would appreciate the donation. He wasn’t so certain she’d forgive Frank for whatever wrong he’d committed forty years earlier.

  LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Will was walking old Miss Patterson’s five dogs, who were a real handful. Planning moves on the development company, how to sweet-talk Luke into holding a barbecue at the ranch and walking a pack of dogs didn’t mix.

  Miss Patterson had never married, nor had children of her own, but she was well-loved around town. The dogs were her life and Will always enjoyed visiting with the cheerful octogenarian and her “boys” whenever he was home. She not only made the world’s best chocolate chip cookies and was an accomplished watercolor artist, but possessed a vast knowledge of the Spruce Lake area and its history.

  During the protest, as she’d bravely faced the demolition vehicles charging toward her, she’d asked Will if he could help her find good homes for the dogs. At the time, he feared it was because Miss Patterson thought she was going to be run down and killed. But she’d explained that the dogs were getting to be too much for her and wanted them adopted into loving homes.

  “Whoa there, boys,” he warned as the dogs dragged him along Main Street. Dermott the Irish setter, Dugald the Scottish terrier and Henri the toy poodle were attached by their leashes to his left hand. Edward, the Old English sheepdog and Charles the bull terrier’s leashes were clasped firmly in his right. No wonder Miss P. needed a hip replacement, Will mused. The dogs were nearly tearing his arms out of their sockets and his feet were planted so firmly in the snow he was practically skiing behind them.

  The toot of a car’s horn had all of them pricking up their ears. When they spotted Louella sailing past with her snout stuck out the window of Frank Farquar’s Caddy, they took off after her. Five dogs and a man became a blur in the shop windows as they shot along Main Street in pursuit of Louella, squealing her approval out the window.

  “Shut up, Louella, you idiot pig!” Will yelled as he yanked on the leashes with all his might, while pedestrians scattered like snowflakes before them. His command had little or no effect on Charles who continued racing down the street, dragging Edward and Will.

  Frank turned at the corner of Main and Jefferson, the Caddy fishtailing on the slippery street. Now the car was out of sight, Dermott forgot about Louella and slowed to a trot, while Dugald spotted a fire hydrant to relieve himself on. Henri, exhausted from the effort of keeping up with the much larger dogs, dropped to his stomach. Edward flopped down, too. His considerable weight had the effect of bringing everyone else to a standstill, although the forward motion o
f Will’s body took a moment to catch up.

  Trying to avoid treading on tiny Henri, Will leaped into the air, twisted sideways, collected a potted Christmas tree complete with decorations, then fell backward over Edward. His head hit the snow-covered sidewalk with such force he saw stars. He lay on his back staring up at the sky through the Christmas tree branches, with Edward breathing Old English sheepdoggie breath on his face.

  JUDGE BECKY MCBRIDE witnessed all this from the courthouse steps.

  After a long day, exacerbated by Louella getting up to further mischief, she’d escaped the courtroom madhouse only to find more animals misbehaving outside.

  Will O’Malley saw her and scrambled to his feet. “Afternoon, Your Honor,” he said and attempted to unwind himself from the mass of dogs, their leads and, she noted curiously, a bedraggled Christmas tree laced with silver tinsel. Finally free of the leashes, he gave a couple of commands to the dogs and they walked with their heads held high toward her.

  Fond of Scotties, she bent to pat the Scottish terrier. They seemed to have hardy, courageous temperaments. The other dogs nuzzled her hand eagerly. Becky laughed, delighted by their antics.

  “Hello! Aren’t you gorgeous?” she told the dogs and scratched behind their ears, but the Scottie was the most insistent about getting her attention.

  “That’s Dugald,” Will O’Malley told her. “He’s very bossy and a good watchdog. This is Edward—” he indicated the Old English sheepdog “—he’s a lazy lump and eats too much, but he makes a nice footrest in front of the fire on cold nights. Dermott’s the setter. He’s got no brains whatsoever, but he loves children. Charles needs psychotherapy—” he pointed to the bull terrier “—because he’s in love with Louella Farquar. And Henri’s convinced he’s related to Louis XVI and doesn’t much care for walks.”

  “He’s wearing fur-lined booties and a fur doggie coat,” she said. “The question is why?”

  “Seriously, he thinks he’s related to royalty—hence, the fur coat. Fake fur,” he pointed out. “And the booties are to protect his dear little feet from the cold.”

  Becky was charmed by his genuine affection for the animals. “Why are you walking so many dogs? Have you started a dog-walking business since we last met?” She bent to pet the dogs again.

  “Nope. Although your suggestion has merit. Would you date me if I had a dog-walking business?” he asked.

  Becky stood, ready to make her departure. “No.”

  “I’m going to keep asking, you know that, don’t you?”

  “And I’m going to keep saying no, regardless of what sort of business you have, Mr. O’Malley. Good day.” She turned to leave.

  “They belong to Miss Patterson up on Lincoln Street,” he said, stalling her. “She’s getting too frail to handle them all herself.”

  Becky turned back, realizing she hadn’t discovered why he was walking so many dogs.

  “She could probably cope with Henri. But she’ll have to give the others away and it’s going to break her heart. These dogs are her children. Imagine how that would tear you up, having to give away a child of yours, let alone four of them.”

  Becky didn’t want to consider how desolate she’d feel about losing Nicolas. In truth, she was relieved Graham had rejected their son when they’d received his diagnosis. It meant he’d never show up on her doorstep demanding custody or even visitation rights.

  “We had a long talk about the boys’ futures and Miss P.’s asked me to inquire around for good homes. Would you be interested in adopting Dugald, by any chance?”

  She bent to pet the Scottie again. Nicolas begged her for a puppy on a weekly basis. He’d hinted it would be the perfect Christmas present. Becky didn’t have room in her life for a dog, so that particular Christmas wish would remain unfulfilled.

  She shook her head, but she was touched by Will O’Malley’s caring attitude. His brother had testified he was kind to old people and animals, and it was obviously the truth. She’d sensed in court that there was more to the man than his misconduct would indicate. And to his credit, she’d seen him scrubbing the demolition vehicles the very evening she’d handed down her punishment. A group of Boy Scouts were helping him and seemed to be enjoying themselves and his company. Thankfully, he’d been so engrossed in his task, he hadn’t noticed her passing by. Earlier, she’d seen him standing outside the supermarket entrance, dressed as Santa and ringing a bell, collecting money for a local charity. She couldn’t fault his community spirit.

  She glanced up from the dogs to find him appraising her openly. “What are you looking at?”

  “You. You’re gorgeous.”

  Becky felt herself blush to the roots of her hair. No man had ever paid her such a bold compliment. “No, I’m not.”

  “Oh, yes, you are,” he insisted. “Come out with me tonight?”

  There was no way she was going anywhere with Will O’Malley, no matter how good-looking or how kind to animals and the elderly he was. And no matter how many roses he sent her.

  Becky had been delighted by the first delivery. Then she’d read the card and discovered who’d sent them.

  The certain knowledge that encouraging him would be disastrous for her career advancement made it easy to reject his overtures. Will O’Malley was Trouble.

  She was about to turn down his invitation, when the dogs started to walk around them—in opposite directions. They strained against their leashes, forcing Becky against Will O’Malley’s body and tightening his arms around her.

  “Oh!” she cried as their bodies touched intimately from chest to knee, courtesy of the dogs.

  “This is nice,” he murmured and bent to kiss her. Startled, Becky turned her head to the side to avoid letting their mouths make contact. Then wished she hadn’t. The feel of his warm lips brushing her cheek had her wanting more. But this was madness. She leaned away from him as best she could. “Mr. O’Malley! Get your hands off me.”

  “We’re not in court anymore, darlin’,” he drawled in a tone that was guaranteed to make any woman weak in the knees—her included. “So why don’t you call me Will?”

  She pushed against his chest. “How about if I don’t? Now, get your hands off me,” she repeated in a low growl.

  He looked pointedly at where her hands lay against his chest. “Seems like you’re the one who’s got her hands all over me. Mine are only around you because of the dogs.”

  She glanced down to see that her fingers had curled into his shirtfront as though seeking greater contact.

  “Oh!” She pulled them back abruptly.

  “Don’t be frightened. I was enjoying myself, and judging by the flush on your pretty cheeks and that tiny pulse throbbing in your neck—” he grinned with mischievous intent and gazed into her eyes “—I do believe you were enjoying yourself, too.”

  She was lost in the depths of his eyes. Chocolate-brown eyes…He was too smooth for words. Too dangerous, too damned attractive. She needed to take control. Control was what she thrived on. It gave meaning to her life—helped her cope in any situation.

  Forcing strength back into her legs, she stood up to her full height. “Why…you arrogant…pest! How dare you assume such a thing. Now, get the dogs unraveled and let me go. I have a reputation to uphold. I can’t be seen being manhandled in the street by a…a delinquent.”

  “So quit your job and come live with me. Then I can manhandle you all you want,” he said, as if her concerns about her reputation didn’t matter one iota to him.

  Her cheeks burned with anger.

  “Because that’s what you really want, isn’t it, darlin’? You want me to hold you…and touch you…and kiss every inch of your beautiful body….”

  She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. A moment ago, she’d wanted to throttle him. But in all honesty, what he was suggesting was exactly what she wanted him to do. Hadn’t she dreamed of it every night since she’d met him?

  She gave herself a mental shake. What was she thinking? Letting him touch her, kiss
her…A flutter of anticipation filled her at the notion of being seduced by Will O’Malley. He’d probably prove a very thorough—and satisfying—lover.

  But he wasn’t for her. Absolutely not! As an official of the law, she had to maintain her reputation. It was part of the reason she’d become a judge. Judges were highly respected members of society, and she wanted respect more than anything in her life.

  The humiliation of attending court with her father, holding him up because he was so drunk, was deeply imprinted in her psyche. Becky had been fifteen, vulnerable, angry and confused. But when she’d seen the judge sitting behind his bench and being called “Your Honor” by everyone present, Becky knew the career she wanted to pursue—a career that commanded respect. She’d hated being the outcast at school, the new girl wearing thrift-shop clothes because the family moved from town to town and was too destitute, because of her father’s gambling and drinking, to afford anything new. Tears sprang to her eyes at the memory.

  HER TEARS SHOCKED WILL. Surely she didn’t feel threatened by his playful advances? He gave the dogs a sharp command and they unwound themselves and their prisoners. The judge took a step back and glanced at the crowd gathering on the sidewalk, and then at him. Her face was almost redder than her hair.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  Her chin came up. “You didn’t scare me, Mr. O’Malley. I’m not frightened of anything. Least of all you.” She turned on her heel and stalked off down the sidewalk.

  He gazed at her retreating back. She might have claimed nothing scared her, but Will was damned sure she was afraid of something.