As Dallas watched her husband carry their son over to the dusty horse pen, she could only think how much her life had changed since she’d first come to White River Ranch so many months ago.
She and Boone had been married in a simple, but beautiful ceremony in the church at Pioche where Father O’Quinn had declared them man and wife. Later, in order to include her family, they had celebrated with a huge reception on the Diamond D. And since that time, the sharing between families and ranches was still continuing.
In winter, while Hayley attended school, they remained on White River and Boone stayed busy training his mustangs. In summer they traveled down to the Diamond D and spent those months in the cool mountain climate with her family, while Mick kept the ranch going here.
At first, she’d been shocked that Boone had even suggested living away from White River for any amount of time. And she’d been afraid that he would be bored and miserable once he was away from it. But to her surprise and delight, he’d settled right in and now he was looking forward to helping her brothers build a string of quarter horses to begin racing at Ruidoso Downs. As for Hayley, the girl was over the moon at having a new little brother and she was counting the days until they returned to the Diamond D, where she was more than happy to help out at Angel Wings Stables.
Joining her husband and son, Dallas gazed out at the milling horses. Fancy had foaled not more than two weeks ago and already her sorrel colt was bucking and running with strong, sturdy legs.
“That one will be just about right for Bodie,” Dallas said with a little laugh. “I have a feeling our son is going to want to get in the saddle before he can ever walk.”
Boone slipped a loving arm around the back of her waist. “But if he doesn’t want to be a cowboy, that will be all right, too,” he murmured thoughtfully.
She glanced up at him. “You’re thinking about your dad now.”
His mood suddenly pensive, Boone nodded. “Every person has dreams, Dallas. And sometimes a child’s dreams are far different than those of his parents. I’d always said I never wanted to be like my father, but damned if I wasn’t slowly making the same mistakes he’d made. I was thinking of myself and my wants more than Hayley’s. I thank God you came along and opened my eyes to so many things.”
In the past year, Newt had been working to make himself into a better person. He’d determinedly weaned himself off alcohol and was now doing volunteer work at a hospital over in Caliente. Slowly, he and Boone were building a relationship and seeing them together made Dallas very happy. “Your father is doing quite well now. Once he realized that Hayley needed him, it changed his whole outlook.”
He looked down at her. “Yeah. All of us want to be needed,” he said gently. “And I need you and our children more than anything in my life.”
Rising up on her toes, she planted a swift kiss on his mouth, then reached for Bodie. “Well, you’re going to need a cook if I don’t get back to the house and get dinner started.”
She turned to go, then paused, prompting Boone to ask teasingly, “What’s the matter? Decide you’d rather kiss than cook?”
She pulled a playful face at him. “It’s a pleasant thought. But actually, I just remembered to tell you that I spoke with my brother Conall this morning. He says that Liam is shipping a bunch of runners out to California and plans to stay there with them through the Hollywood spring meet.”
Boone’s brows lifted. “Is that unusual for him? You sound puzzled.”
Dallas shrugged. “Well, he always ships runners to California at this time of the year. But he never stays that long. Something isn’t clicking with him as usual.”
“Hmm. I’m sure it has something to do with the purses or the racing schedule. Or it could be he simply wants to stay out there and enjoy the warmer climate.”
Dallas rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? The only time Liam notices the climate is when he’s studying the condition of the track. No. There’s something else behind this. And I’m just wondering if he’s found a woman.”
“A woman?” Boone repeated with a flicker of interest.
“That’s what I’m hoping. Liam needs to learn there’s more to life than crisscrossing back and forth across the United States racing horses.”
Chuckling softly, Boone pulled her and their son into the warm circle of his arms. “What Liam needs to learn about is sharing. That’s what love is all about.”
As Dallas’s lips met her husband’s, she murmured, “Mmm. Sharing. You couldn’t have spoken a nicer word, my darling.”
ISBN: 978-1-4592-8200-1
CHRISTMAS WITH THE MUSTANG MAN
Copyright © 2011 by Stella Bagwell
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† Men of the West
* Twins on the Doorstep
Christmas With the Mustang Man Page 19
