A Montana Christmas Reunion

by Roz Denny Fox

  “I haven’t said anything, but she saw a note on your kitchen table that upset her. Do you remember writing out a plan to exchange letting her group buy your timber only if we legally give the baby our last name?”

  “More’n that! Jewell deserves a husband,” he said gruffly. “When Doreen first told me Jewell had come back in the family way from a mission I sent her on, I felt awful. Then Doreen said you were coming here to give a concert. Knowing Jewell loves those owls, and you, I hatched a plan to nudge you two knuckleheads a bit. Just what are your intentions, boy?”

  Taken aback, Saxon said nothing, but sat, hands clasped between his knees.

  “No doubt you see me as a meddling old fool. Truth is, I let losing Bernadette turn me into a bitter man. I don’t know what happened between you and Jewell. It doesn’t take a genius to see how things stand. You want her. She wants you. You’ve made a baby, but something’s keeping you apart. Shouldn’t you rectify that?”

  “I don’t know how. Her life is here. Mine’s not.”

  “You saying you can’t live here and be a singer?”

  Tension gripped Saxon’s body. “I appreciate what you’re saying. It might help if you’d tell her you won’t be tying that timber up in your will. No matter how well intentioned, Uncle Leland, you can’t fix Jewell’s and my differences.”

  “Here’s the last thing I’ll say on the subject. It takes two to mend fences.”

  Saxon nodded, but something told him that wasn’t true. As a kid living here, hadn’t he seen many a rancher stringing fence wire alone? Still, the whole conversation gave him a lot to mull over.

  * * *

  AT 10:00 P.M. the night before the show, Jewell again crawled into bed between two dogs. Cold as it had been out at a ranch on a windswept day, she let their warmth lull her to sleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow.

  All at once she was awakened by someone pounding on her kitchen door. Both dogs leaped off the bed and set up a ruckus. Afraid someone had an animal with a terrible emergency, Jewell pulled on her boots and grabbed her robe. “Shush,” she told the dogs, and went to open the door a crack to keep Shadow and Ghost from attacking whoever was outside. It shocked her to see Saxon, his arm raised to knock again.

  “Why haven’t you returned my calls?” he demanded. He narrowed his eyes. “Are you sick? Is there something wrong with the baby? You don’t look so good.” Barging in, he wrapped her in his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  “Just what a woman wants to hear in the middle of the night. I’m fine. I’ve had an overly full schedule with crazy hours. You woke me. I was in bed asleep.”

  He pulled back, kicked the door shut with a heel but looked sheepish. “Sorry. My schedule’s been nuts, too. Mornings I compose, noon I visit Leland, afternoons I’ve been cleaning the house of dust, cobwebs and old newspapers. Evenings I jam with the high school kids. I drive past here most nights, but your lights have been out. Tonight there was one on in your kitchen, so I stopped.”

  Jewell scrunched the collar of her robe under her chin. “I must’ve forgotten to shut it off.” She spoke to the top of his head, because he’d bent to pet the dogs. “Is everything set for the benefit? I admit I’ve avoided calling any of the Artsy Ladies to hold off telling them about the baby.”

  “Why?”

  “They’ll cluck over me, and I hate being clucked over.”

  Straightening, he laughed. “I don’t know what that means exactly. I’ve met all of your group. None strike me as women who’d like being compared to hens.”

  “You’re right. Please don’t tell them what I said, or even that I’ve dodged them on purpose. How is Leland? I’ve only talked to him by phone. Today he volunteered that he’s not messing with his will. Is that true, and is he really being discharged day after tomorrow?”

  “That’s the plan. So I told him you’d seen his note and were upset. Maybe I should’ve left it to you, but I took the opportunity when it came up.”

  “Thank you for that. Frankly, I didn’t say anything, not knowing how fragile his heart is.”

  “He claims he has more pep than he has had in years. Hey, I’d better go and let you get back to bed. You’ll be at my concert, right?”

  “Yes. I’m slated to usher. If you see Lila tomorrow, tell her I’ll be there. Oh, but wait, hasn’t she stopped working the breakfast shift at the café?”

  “She’s training a friend of Tawana’s. Yesterday she asked if I’d seen you. She said you left her a cryptic message about keeping Rory’s dog until after the concert, because he settles Shadow.” Saxon studied the animals who both sat wagging their tails. “They’re a pair, aren’t they?”

  “Yeah. I worried Lila would come after Ghost and guilt would’ve made me tell her my news before the others. I promised Myra and Doreen I’d update everyone after the concert. Myra said it’s hard to keep quiet, and it’s killing Doreen.”

  “I still don’t get why it’s so hard to tell all of your friends.”

  “To take the heat off you, Saxon. With Leland coming home, you can stay out of their reach. Even if I accept total blame, Lila and Tawana will hold you responsible. I didn’t want you to have to deal with their barbs before your show. I mean, we invited you. They shouldn’t give you flak, but my best friends will. I’ll hate that. Do you want coffee?” she asked out of the blue.

  Saxon rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m trying to process all you said. We should just tell them together.”

  “I can’t!” She went to the kitchen counter and got down the coffee can.

  “Stop. I don’t need coffee this late, and the smell makes you sick.”

  “Actually, I’m past that little evil. Out on the range coffee flows. Today the smell didn’t bother me. But you’re right—it’s late and I have a day’s work tomorrow at a sheep ranch. I hope I’m finished in time to feed the dogs, shower and change for the concert.”

  He walked to the door but turned and frowned. “You’d better not skip out, Jewell. We won’t start until I see you.”

  “How you talk. I look forward to seeing a whole performance without worry of a hurricane or a blizzard. The almanac says our first freeze is behind us. There won’t be another until nearer Thanksgiving.” She grabbed the dogs’ collars. “I’ll hold these guys so they don’t race out with you.”

  Saxon went back to her, tipped up her chin and kissed her squarely on the lips. He didn’t rush the kiss, either. When he eased back, he smiled down into her confused eyes. “I couldn’t resist, since you were captive.” He left then with a jaunty spring in his step. “Lock up,” he called. “And turn off your kitchen lights this time.”

  Jewell let go of the dogs but felt herself smile because it wasn’t a hardship to return to bed with the taste of Saxon on her lips. If only... Hugging Shadow, she didn’t let herself finish that thought.

  * * *

  STARTING EARLY THE next morning Jewell checked a sheep owner’s animals for sores and ear mites after he ran each one through sheep dip. It was a dirty, smelly job, and she was so thankful her queasiness had passed.

  The rancher owned a huge flock. They barely finished at the last possible time she’d set for getting home to ready herself for the concert.

  While her morning sickness had gone, the tiredness remained. She’d lifted a plethora of squirming lambs who’d tried desperately to escape the spray. Now her back ached from shoulders to thighs. Letting hot water beat on her lower back, Jewell wondered if she should already be wearing a maternity belt. The doctor had said to call if she had questions. She might do that.

  * * *

  PEOPLE WERE LINED up to get inside the hall when Jewell drove in and had to circle the building to find parking. The side door was closer, but it was locked. She knocked, hoping to attract someone’s attention. A teen dressed in fancy Western wear opened the d
oor. “You can’t come in this way,” he said and started to shut it again.

  Jewell stuck her foot in the opening. “I’m a worker bee. Part of the group who arranged for this show. Who are you?”

  “A member of Mr. Conrad’s band,” he mumbled, casting a nervous glance around. “The lady out front said she’d have our heads if we let people in the side doors. I shouldn’t have answered your knock.”

  Jewell spotted Saxon wending his way to the makeshift stage. He looked so handsome she felt the beat of her heart in her ears. She was barely able to call out to him. He set down his guitar case and rushed over.

  “Hey, you made it. Myra and Tawana are up front fending off fans who tried to waylay me for autographs. Lila’s helping her mom ready soft drinks and cookies by the far wall.” He pointed. “I asked all of them if they’d seen you. When no one had, frankly, we were all worried. Why are you standing outside? Royce, let her in,” he told the kid.

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Conrad. Ms. Tawana said not to let anyone in a side door.”

  “Jewell’s special. Hey, I thought I told you kids to call me Saxon. I know you think I’m old, but don’t make me feel older.” He chuckled to show there was no sting in his mild rebuke.

  Jewell stepped in and yanked the door until the automatic lock clicked. “I’d better go let the others know I’m here to help seat folks.”

  Smiling, he ran his gaze over her skinny black jeans and orange blouse. “You look amazing,” he said, fingering the tail of her lone braid. “That color brings out golden fire in your red hair. Incidentally, no one will believe you’re pregnant,” he murmured for Jewell’s ears alone.

  His possessive stance and tone had Jewell tingling with desire for another kiss like the one he’d left her with last night. She knew she was blushing. “Doubt me if you want, but I know my body’s changing. You’ll see at the ultrasound.”

  “I don’t doubt you,” he said, but she’d already sped off.

  “Is she your girlfriend?” asked a second teen as he came over to set up his keyboard.

  “Huh?” The question jarred him out of his reverie. “We’re a little old for that term to apply. But she was my girlfriend when we were your age.”

  “She’s really pretty. Isn’t she a veterinarian?”

  “Correct.”

  “And you live in Nashville. I guess that’s why she didn’t stay your girlfriend.”

  Saxon scowled, then endeavored to smooth it away. “I’m back in town now,” he said firmly enough to silence the kid’s line of questions.

  * * *

  JEWELL STORED HER purse in a room used as a coat check in winter. She muted her cell phone and joined her friends at the entrance.

  “It’s about darned time you showed up,” Tawana exclaimed. “Mindy and Shelley are out giving tickets for free snacks. They said we should send out a search dog.”

  “You all know it’s my busy season,” Jewell said. “Myra, you’re rubbing your back. Do you need a break? Why are you guys standing instead of sitting?”

  “We’ve had last-minute sales. Visitors in town. Our seating was at capacity for fire code. The only way we could add two more was to give up our chairs.”

  “I heard we were sold out.”

  Myra eyed Jewell. “Yesterday Zeke noticed Leland’s sale sign was down. Tawana phoned you to ask if he’d sold it, but you didn’t call her back. So Lila stopped at the realty office. They said he pulled his listing. Does that bode well for us to buy his forest?”

  Jewell made a face. “I’ll address that and other stuff later. Can we grab a few minutes together after the crowd clears, before we begin cleanup?”

  From the way Myra gave her an understanding nod and squeezed her arm, Jewell knew her pregnant friend had guessed part of her news.

  Tawana checked her watch. “It’s time to open up and let the mob in. Seating is first come, first serve, Jewell. Some of us talked about that last week when you weren’t available and didn’t bother to ever get back to us.” She glared a bit.

  Refusing to be baited, Jewell responded. “Most days I left at dawn and got home way after dark. I didn’t have time to take Rory’s dog back until I dropped him off today. Don’t be mad.”

  Her friend sighed. “I’m not. I’m sure you’ve been plenty rattled since you found Leland unresponsive. Hunter says if the old guy balks at selling us the forest, you can remind him how lucky he is that you went by his house that hour of that day.”

  Jewell brooded a moment. Might the fact she helped save his life convince him to consider selling them his forest? Or should Saxon not have told Leland she was upset?

  Hurriedly, she began directing people to rows and later ones to single empty seats. The hall filled fast. She and Shelley closed the doors.

  Saxon stepped to the mike. “All right. The show will start in a matter of minutes.” He introduced his backup team, and Jewell could tell the boys hadn’t expected it but loved the attention.

  Looking around, she saw the other Artsy Ladies had all gone to stand behind the food table with Doreen and Lila. She joined them but sat on the floor.

  The first song, Saxon’s latest hit, transported her back to the concert in Maryland. His deep voice sent shivers up her spine. Part of her worried he’d sing the songs written for her that she’d asked him not to. But he did a string of old favorites and she began to relax. He and the teens received numerous standing ovations. She was transported back to when they were young and in love. She found herself wishing this day would never end. She didn’t want to return to the reality of their broken relationship.

  “Time’s flown by,” Saxon announced. “The next number will be our last.”

  Jewell looked at her watch, disbelieving an hour and a half had passed.

  “I wrote this song special for tonight,” he said, and Jewell climbed awkwardly to her feet. Her stomach cramped in anticipation that he’d gone back on his word.

  But the song was about providing a refuge for the snowy owls. It was funny and poignant, and the crowd loved it. They loved it more when Saxon thanked everyone for coming and, pointing to the back of the room, thanked each of the Artsy Ladies by name. “They invited me to give this benefit to raise money for an owl refuge but insisted on paying my expenses. I’m donating that money back to the cause.”

  Some people rushed the stage to rave about the show. Others hurried to the snack table for sodas and cookies and to applaud their group for bringing such a great show to town. Jewell tried to keep Saxon in sight, but the next twenty minutes were a flurry of activity. Soon everyone including the band and Saxon had cleared out.

  Lila and Tawana danced around hugging each other.

  “Time to clean up this place, but what a success,” Myra exclaimed. “And isn’t that great about Saxon returning his portion of the profits? Will that give us enough to make Leland an offer?”

  After most responded that they didn’t know, Mindy pulled out two garbage bags from a box Doreen had brought and set to raving about Saxon. “He’s the hottest guy I’ve seen in town since the rodeo left. I can’t believe you let him get away, Jewell. He could park his boots under my bed any day.” She sighed and tapped her heart.

  Myra shot Jewell a sidelong glance and tried to shush Mindy.

  However, Jewell confronted her. “Well, Mindy, while in Maryland I parked my boots beside his bed. In March I’ll be having his baby.”

  Chatter stopped dead. Everyone but Myra and Doreen gasped. “So have you seen my OB and know for sure?” Myra broke the stunned silence.

  “Yes.”

  A rush of questions turned into interrogations demanding of Jewell just when she planned to work in a wedding.

  “Not gonna happen,” she mumbled.

  “May I ask why not?” Tawana burst out.

  Jewell grimaced. “Suffice to say it�
�s complicated.”

  “As stubbornly traditional as Leland is, he’ll be unhappy,” Doreen put in. “I shouldn’t have told him you were pregnant, Jewell.”

  “I wish you hadn’t. He wants the baby to carry the Conrad name.”

  “I know.” Doreen wrung her hands. “He fretted, blaming himself for asking you to see Saxon in Maryland.”

  “That’s silly.” Jewell dismissed the notion with a flick of her wrist.

  They all fussed over Jewell as she had been afraid they’d do, and also as she expected, Lila had some harsh words for Saxon.

  Stacking a last set of chairs, Jewell pulled Lila aside. “Don’t fault Saxon. He invited me to go along on his tour. I had my practice and the obligation to work the rodeo. Fault our circumstances. Our careers will always divide us.”

  “Really? I mean, you two are having a baby. That’s pretty uniting.”

  Jewell scraped back her hair. “Is life on the road any place to raise a child?”

  “Can’t Saxon tour from here?” Lila asked.

  “He’d be gone 70 percent of the time.” Jewell slumped against the wall. “I just think that’d be so hard on our child.”

  “Don’t you really mean it’d be hard on you to have him dash in and out of your life? I’m sorry, because you still look at him with love. Today it was written all over your face. Being a single mom for as long as I was after Keith died, even with my mother’s help, I realize acutely since Seth came into our lives how much a kid benefits from having a dad around.”

  Jewell stared at her feet. She wanted her baby’s father to be involved. “Saxon claims he wants to share parenting. I’m not sure how long that might last after he goes back to performing around the country. The other night his agent called wanting him to sing in Boise and Great Falls. Saxon had to refuse because he promised to be Leland’s caregiver for a few weeks. How long do you think his label will stand for him skipping shows? Like it or not, he’s a big star.”