“Yeah, well, stuff happens, as they say. You’d better go report back to Rosie that I’m fine so she can stop worrying.”
“Right.”
“Listen, I need to go. They put The Grinch on pause so I could call you back. I don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“Okay.”
“’Bye.”
“Whitney, wait.”
“What?”
“Rosie was worried, but I... I was scared shitless. I had planned to call even before she asked me to. When you didn’t answer...” He blew out a breath. “I’m really glad you weren’t in that pileup.”
“Me, too.” She hesitated. “Merry Christmas, Ty.” And she disconnected.
He should have wished her a Merry Christmas, too, damn it. Taking a long, slow breath, he walked back into the living room to deliver the news.
* * *
TY DID HIS BEST to take part in the evening’s festivities. Lexi and Cade were at her parents’ house for Christmas Eve dinner, but Damon and Phil came to the ranch and brought Phil’s dad and her stepmother. Ty remembered hearing that Phil’s mom had died when she was little, and a few years ago her dad had finally remarried.
At the time Ty had learned about Phil’s mom he’d thought she was lucky because she’d been spared the intense grief of losing a mother she’d known for years. His thinking must be changing. When he looked at her now, he felt sorry that she’d never known her mother at all. Sure, she had her dad, but that wasn’t the same as having memories of both parents.
He’d been blessed with a terrific mother and father, even if he’d only had them the first fourteen years of his life. Then he’d been gifted with Rosie and Herb, and Rosie was a lot more maternal than Phil’s new stepmom. Maybe, just maybe, he was beginning to feel a little less sorry for himself.
Fortunately he didn’t have to make conversation during the meal. He appreciated that because he had some thinking to do about Whitney Jones.
Then Brant surprised them all with the news that he’d left his steady job at the ranch in Cody. He’d discovered that his talent for starting foals was in demand, and he’d decided to freelance. Ty paid more attention to that discussion.
He could picture his buddy becoming very successful. Brant’s sense of humor and calm acceptance of whatever came his way had a soothing effect on both mares and foals. Hell, Brant had a soothing effect on him.
In the first weeks of living at the ranch, Ty had been enraged by Brant’s unflappable nature. For Ty, who’d been spoiling for a fight, Brant had been a challenge because the guy wouldn’t respond to his taunts. Eventually Brant had invited him to throw a punch, and another and another.
Ty had laid into him and Brant had stood there taking it until Ty had worn himself out. Finally he’d realized that this huge guy who could have flattened him at any time wasn’t going to fight back. Humbled, he’d apologized for being a total asshole. They’d been close friends ever since.
After the evening wound down, Ty picked up his duffel, put on his coat and hat, and walked with Brant through the cold night to their cabin. Brant had been down earlier to turn on some lights and the baseboard heater. The place was nice and warm by the time they walked in.
It was late, so they quickly got ready for bed. The guys used to squabble about who got the top bunk, but the new loft beds gave everyone a top bunk. Brant had already claimed one on the left and Ty took the right side.
He settled down in the darkness as the familiar scent of wood and the whirr of the heater reminded him of when he’d lived at the ranch. “I think it’s great that you’re going to freelance,” he said.
Brant didn’t answer right away.
Ty decided he might be asleep, so he propped his hands behind his head. He had more thinking to do.
“Thanks,” Brant said.
“So you are awake.”
“Nope. I talk in my sleep now. It’s my new thing.”
Ty laughed. “Should be an interesting night. What kinds of things do you talk about?”
“Tonight I’ll probably talk about Tyrone Slater.”
“Oh, really?”
“I’ll speculate on why he was off in la-la land all through dinner.”
“I was hoping nobody noticed.”
“They probably didn’t, what with deciding on cake flavors and bridesmaid dresses and music selections.”
How like Brant to say something like that so he wouldn’t feel bad. “But you noticed.”
“I know Tyrone pretty damned well. Being quiet isn’t his usual setting.”
“I was thinking about Whitney.”
“I’m not surprised.” Brant’s tone became more serious, although with Brant serious didn’t usually last long. “When I mentioned the pileup you got all twitchy. I didn’t understand why until I heard about your ex being on that road.”
“I’m in love with her.” It was such a relief to say it.
“I figured that.”
“She’s in love with me, too.” That sounded really stupid. They loved each other and yet on Christmas Eve he was in one place and she was in another. “But I’m not the right guy for her.”
“You’d know that better than me.”
“She needs someone who can open up about his childhood. I’m not.” Oh, wasn’t he special? She’d had one request and he couldn’t manage it because he was too sensitive. Sheesh.
“That’s your prerogative, bro. You don’t have to spill your guts to anyone.”
“I know, but...”
“Hey, someone else will come along.”
“Not like her.”
“Maybe even better than her! Life’s full of surprises. Lots of fish in the sea. You never know.”
“Yes, I do, damn it. You can’t know because you’ve never met her, but she’s the best thing that ever happened to me and I was insane to let her go. She’s right about my parents, too. I need to talk about them. They were great. They deserve for people to know that. She deserves to know them.”
“Just so you’re sure,” Brant said. “It’s a big step.”
“I’m sure. I’m driving down there tomorrow.”
“Okay. Do you know where her parents live?”
“No.”
“What’s their last name?”
“Jones.”
“Oh, that’s helpful.”
“But I know their first names, Art and Ellen. I’ll look online. I’ll find them.”
“Or you could play it cool and wait until she comes back up here. If she’s running that coffee shop she can’t stay in Cheyenne forever.”
“I don’t want to play it cool. It has to be tomorrow.”
“Personally I’d wait until she’s back in town. A lot less trouble.”
“That won’t work for me. I need to wish her Merry Christmas.”
* * *
TRAFFIC HAD BEEN fairly heavy on Christmas Eve, but not many people were on the road Christmas Day. The ice had melted off the pavement and nothing remained of the big pileup except a twisted bumper on the shoulder. Ty made good time.
He wished he had a present for her, but he hadn’t decided on one before the breakup and afterward he’d abandoned the idea. Showing up on Christmas Day without a present seemed wrong, but some doodad from a truck stop didn’t shout I love you.
She might not want to hear it after all he’d put her through. He clung to what she’d told him before he’d become the ass who walked out on her. She’d said if he ever changed his mind, he’d know where to find her.
But he didn’t know where to find her folks, and the search had taken a little longer than he’d anticipated. He’d had to pay money to a site that finally gave him the address. While part of him was horrified at the availability of personal information for a fee, the other part of him was incredibly grateful.
The house was a modest two-story, not all that different from the one he’d grown up in. The walk had been shoveled and he could smell woodsmoke. Lights lined the porch roof although they weren’t on now, and tw
in wreaths of fragrant evergreen boughs hung on either side of the storm door. He thought that might be significant.
Art answered the door wearing a red sweat suit that looked like it might be a Christmas present, and Christmas music played in the background. He blinked when he saw Ty. “Uh, hi. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you.” Crashing their private family celebration might not win him points but Whitney was in this cozy house and he needed her desperately.
“Who is it, Art?”
Ty recognized Ellen’s voice.
“It’s Whitney’s boyfriend.” He paused in confusion. “Or the one who used to be her boyfriend.”
“Well, invite him in, for heaven’s sake. I’ll get Whitney.”
Art opened the storm door and stepped back. “Come on in. We have eggnog. Do you like eggnog?”
“I like whatever you’re serving.”
“That’s a great attitude.” Art beamed at him. “Been watching the games?”
“A little. Work’s been intense.” Ty hadn’t given the football season another thought after leaving Whitney’s apartment the day they’d said goodbye. Or rather, he’d said goodbye. She hadn’t wanted to.
“Both our teams are still in the hunt!”
“Great!”
“Let me take your coat and hat.”
“Thanks.” Ty handed them over and glanced around at a scene right out of a greeting card commercial. A wood fire blazed in the brick fireplace and a sturdy spruce full of homemade ornaments sat in a corner with its lights on and the opened gifts lovingly placed around it.
The aroma of roasting turkey hung in the air. Photo albums lay open on the coffee table and crocheted throws were draped over the sofa as if someone had recently abandoned them. Like Whitney.
He walked over to the mantel to look at a picture of two identical teenaged girls, but he recognized Whitney immediately. Both the tilt of her chin and the sparkle in her eyes were imprinted on his heart.
“Me and Selena.”
He turned to face her as she walked into the room wearing a light blue sweat suit that also looked like a Christmas present. Ellen must enjoy giving sweat suits. But Whitney’s parents had mysteriously disappeared. “You’re the one on the right.”
“Yes.” Her eyes were puffy and her nose was red, but she was still the most beautiful woman in the world.
“I love you.” He hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that.
Her eyes widened. “I love you, too, but what difference does that make?”
“As it turns out, it makes all the difference.” He moved toward her.
She edged away. “I don’t want you to catch this. It’s nasty.”
“I won’t catch it.” He kept moving. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t give a damn. I love you. We’re going to share all kinds of things over the years—germs, memories, heartache—the works.”
“Are you sure?” She looked like a kid who couldn’t believe the new pony was actually hers. “I wasn’t kidding before. I want it all.”
Her hesitation tore at his heart but he couldn’t blame her for doubting. He’d been pretty damned stubborn. “That’s what I’m offering,” he said softly. “You’ll get it all, the whole shebang.” He gestured toward the photo albums lying open on the coffee table. “Including things like that.”
“We go through them every Christmas.”
“Great idea.”
“You really think so?”
“Yes, ma’am. On my way here I stopped at my apartment and grabbed the sealed box. It’s out in the truck. I want you to be there when I open it.”
She sniffed. “Oh, Ty.”
He started toward her again.
She waved him away. “Really, stay back. I’m a mess.”
“I don’t care. I want to hold you. Please.”
She hesitated.
“Please.”
“I guess holding’s okay. Kissing’s out of the question, though. I can’t breathe, let alone kiss.”
“No worries.” He gathered her close and suddenly his world made sense again. “I remember what your kiss feels like so I can use my imagination.” He looked into her eyes. “Memories are so precious.”
“Yes, they are.” Her gaze filled with the love he’d seen there the day he’d left, the love he’d almost thrown away.
“I want to share my life with you, Whitney. All of it—the old and the new. Will you have me?”
“I think we established weeks ago that I will.” She slipped her arms around his neck. “But just to be clear, are we promising to love, honor and cherish?”
“God, I hope so.”
“Then I’m in.”
His life clicked into focus. Whitney wanted to be with him forever. A guy didn’t get any luckier than that. But there were still issues. “I don’t know what we’ll do about the long commute.”
She smiled. “Maybe all we have to do is commit to loving each other and the rest will work itself out.”
“You know, I have a feeling it will.”
“Me, too.” She cradled his face in both hands. “We might be able to manage one little kiss. Just make it quick.”
He tried to make it quick, but once his lips found hers, he didn’t want to leave.
Eventually she pulled away, gasping and coughing.
He waited until she’d blown her nose and her eyes stopped watering. “I guarantee that’s a memory we’ll cherish, me trying to kiss you after proposing and nearly asphyxiating you in the process.”
She smiled at him. “Yep. The first of many.”
“So many.” But he took a mental picture of this one, when Whitney Jones, with a red nose, chapped lips and watering eyes, agreed to spend a lifetime with him. It would be his favorite memory of all.
Epilogue
January, Thunder Mountain Ranch
ROSIE PACED IN the kitchen waiting impatiently for Brant to answer his phone. She’d held off until evening to call him in hopes he wouldn’t be busy training a foal, but he could be tending to a pregnant mare about to give birth. That kind of thing didn’t happen on a nine-to-five schedule.
“Hi, Mom.” His deep voice always sounded slightly amused. He was a man who laughed easily. His sunny disposition had amazed her from the start, considering where he’d come from.
“Brant, I’m so glad I caught you. Can you talk?”
“Been doing it since I was about two and so far, so good.”
“Oh, for pity’s sake.” But she laughed because that sort of comeback was so him. “I wanted to tell you the big news. Whitney called today and she’s moving back to Cheyenne.”
“That’s cool, but Ty said she loves managing that new coffee shop.”
“She does, but she’ll also love managing the old one in Cheyenne. Her boss Ginny has a hankering to live up here and wants to swap with her. Ty and Whitney are house hunting and I predict they’ll set a wedding date soon.”
“That’s terrific. Ol’ Tyrone really loves that woman. I’ve never seen him so twirly about someone.”
“Thank goodness he is. He gave me a scare when he broke up with her. But that isn’t the main reason I called. Looks like we’re going to board a pregnant mare and incorporate the foal’s birth into the first summer session in June.”
“Excellent. The kids will love that.”
“They will! We put a notice in our online newsletter this week and the last four spots were snapped up.”
“Glad to hear that, Mom.”
“It’s so exciting. Herb will handle the actual birth, of course, but as you might have already guessed, I want to hire you to demonstrate the proper training of a new foal. Do you have time?”
He chuckled. “Let me check my busy schedule.”
“I know you’re probably in demand, but I—”
“I’m kidding! Of course I’ll do it. I just started the freelance business so I’m not booked up yet. But even if I had been, I’d figure out a way to help. You got a due date?”
“Should be aro
und the second week of June, but I’d like to have you here by June first in case she’s early. We can always find something for you to do. We’ll have sixteen teenagers on the premises, so there’ll be plenty of work to go around.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“It will be! And thank you so much. I was hoping you’d say yes, especially after I told Aria you’d be perfect.”
“She’s the mare’s owner?”
“Yes, and she has a special purpose for this foal so having you start it will thrill her to death.”
“What sort of purpose?”
“A riding accident put her brother in a wheelchair and he’s understandably depressed. She’s hoping this foal will inspire him to work harder to get out of that chair.”
“That’s a big job for a little horse.”
“I know, but I think it could work. I watched you boys respond to our horses. I saw some miracles take place here.”
“You’re the miracle, Mom. You and Dad.”
The unexpected compliment made her tear up. “What a lovely thing to say.”
“Glad you like it. I saw it on a greeting card.”
“Oh, you.” That was so Brant. Couldn’t ever stay serious for long. “All right, then. We’re all set. Love you, son.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
After she disconnected the call she held the phone to her heart as if to keep him with her a little longer. Good thing those teenagers would start arriving in June. She missed her boys.
* * * * *
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