Yuletide Cowboy

by Debra Clopton

  “Three.”

  “Three?”

  “I’ll pick you up at three. Unless that’s too early,” he said, as shaken as if he’d just been dragged from beneath the hooves of the biggest, baddest bull of all time.

  “That sounds great.” She opened her car door. “If you’re sure.”

  Oh, he wasn’t sure about anything in that moment except that he had just stepped over a line into a world he had never been in before. “I love your boys, sure I’m sure. It’ll be fun.”

  She was having enough trouble keeping her head out of the yaupon thicket without accepting another date with him! But he’d offered to take her boys. How could she refuse that? And there was absolutely no denying that his offer thrilled her. He loved her boys. Those words had melted her.

  It was scary. And for a gal who thought she’d gotten her act together, who thought she was seeing life in clear terms—she wasn’t. And if God was out there trying to light the way to a clear path she wasn’t seeing the light!

  Her heart was getting involved in a big way. And with her heart and her emotions involved…she was trying to fight against making any emotional decision where a man was concerned, ever again.

  But, a few hours later, it was hard to think straight when the man was buying popcorn for her boys!

  Gavin and Jack were jumping up and down with excitement over the animated movie they were about to see. The fact that they were seeing it with their hero skyrocketed the experience to the moon and back.

  “Here you go,” Chance said, turning to hand her a tub of popcorn. “If you’ll carry this, I’ll carry the drinks.”

  She barely heard him over the blood rushing through her veins at lightning speed. “Got it,” she squeaked, when his fingers brushed hers in the handoff. Her stomach was in knots—a combination of thrill and disaster mixed together.

  “You boys ready for this?” he asked, handing each one a small drink and leading the way toward the theater.

  “I am,” Gavin said, carrying his drink very carefully. Lynn knew he was trying to impress Chance by not spilling anything.

  “Me, too.” Jack practically sang he was so excited.

  “I want to see that dog fly!”

  Chance chuckled. “I think he does a good job of it, from what I heard.”

  They reached the designated theater along the long hallway and Chance held the door as they entered. As she passed by he leaned close. “Are you having fun?” he asked. His warm breath sent tingles down her neck and racing along her spine.

  She turned, startled, and found herself so close that they were practically kissing. “Yes,” she said breathlessly. She was embarrassed. His eyes were twinkling.

  “Me, too.”

  His gaze dropped to her lips and for a mere second she thought—

  “Y’all comin’ or ya just gonna stand there?” Gavin called from the front of the theater.

  Thankfully a wall hid them from the people in the seats. She bolted and strode to her boys with Chance right behind her.

  It was a great movie. Then again she only came to that conclusion from the boys’ delighted reactions to it. They oohed and ahhed all through it. She’d had the storm of the century battling away inside her and the sinking feeling that her boat was about to capsize!

  Chapter Seventeen

  On Saturday before the wedding Chance was in the church office when Emmett poked his head in the door.

  “Chance, got a minute?”

  “Sure, I’m at your beck and call today. What’s up?”

  The cowboy pulled the door shut behind him and stood there with his black hat in his hands. They were both wearing black western-cut jackets and white shirts. Chance kept running his finger around the stiff neck of his shirt, straining against the pull of the western tie. As they looked at each other they grinned, realizing they were both doing the same thing.

  “I’m not much for ties and top buttons,” Emmett said, taking his hat between both hands.

  “Me either. On the rodeo circuit a tie isn’t required as preaching attire.”

  Emmett nodded, as his thoughts went serious. “I need you to pray with me.”

  On the circuit Chance was used to the tough cowboy who was hard to get to know and even harder to bring to the Lord. He was also used to the cowboy who’d given his life to the Lord and showed up rain or sleet to worship in the arena on Sunday morning before his ride that afternoon. When something was on their hearts it was written across them like the red letters of his Bible. Emmett had something on his heart…Chance had no doubt it was a timid, pale blonde with eyes only for him.

  “I’m ready. What’s on your mind?”

  “I need prayers that I can be the man that Stacy needs. The one who can show her all God’s love for her through my love for her.”

  Chance nodded, understanding full well his concern for his bride-to-be. “That is God’s command to all husbands. I’ve been watching you and I’ve heard stories about how you’ve been there for the last two years, demonstrating your love to Stacy in quiet, faithful action. I’m going to pray for you, Emmett, but clearly, God intended your paths to cross and your lives to intertwine. Keep your eyes on God, your priorities in order—God first, your wife second, your children third and everything else after that.”

  Chance and Emmett knelt beside the desk there in the church office. He placed his hand on Emmett’s shoulder, much like he’d done to many a cowboy before, watching him ease over the bars and sink onto the back of his bull. He wasn’t standing at the gate but he realized as he prayed that he was in a sense doing that with Emmett and Stacy. This was why she was so intent on the pastor being someone she felt connected to. When they were through with the prayer he gave Emmett a hard handshake and a hug. “You ready?”

  Emmett took a deep breath and met Chance with steady, sure eyes. “God said in Genesis that it wasn’t good for man to be alone, so he created woman. I’ve wait ed my whole life for Stacy. I’m ready.”

  “I’m proud for you and proud to know you.” Chance held out his hand and shook Emmett’s. This was a man who walked humbly with God. Chance liked him. “If you’re ready, and obviously you are, there’s only one thing to say—Let’s ride.”

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Emmett, you may kiss your bride.”

  Lynn dabbed at her tear-stained face as the shy cowboy smiled, then took Stacy in his arms.

  Stacy had wanted the three women who came on the bus together from L.A. to No Place Like Home to stand up beside her, Lynn, Nive, Rose. And also Dottie, who’d taught them and inspired them through her ministry at the shelter with Brady. Brady walked down the aisle and it was a touching scene as he handed her over to Emmett. Lynn’s heart had ached watching them. Stacy, with so much reason not to trust again, had found love. She’d pushed through all her ugly to love and trust Emmett.

  If only she could do that, Lynn would be able to give her sons everything they deserved….

  Chance’s eyes met hers as Emmett and Stacy kissed and she felt the warmth of his gaze all the way to her toes.

  This was a man whose heart was big and bold and concerned with the things of the Lord. A man whose heart had broken because he felt he’d failed God and Ran dy. This was a man who loved God. A man who enjoyed spending time with her boys and whom her boys clearly loved. They talked about him nonstop, even more since the movie and pizza night. What a man he was.

  Yes, Lynn. This is the man you can trust.

  The words jumped out at her…as did the knowledge that Chance was a man she could love.

  Chance didn’t get to talk to Lynn at the reception. She seemed to always be where he wasn’t. And she always seemed to be busy. Since Stacy had opted to have her reception at the small fellowship hall at the church rather than the community center, he felt pretty confident that Lynn was avoiding him. The place was only about as big as a doctor’s waiting room. Lynn was keeping out of his way, no doubt about it.

  After the birdseed was thrown and the happy gr
oom tucked his wife safely into the seat belt of his truck, Chance stood on the sidewalk and talked with different people who came by to visit. Several women asked if he would consider doing their weddings when the time came. It had been a hard question to answer but he told them to call him.

  “You might have started something,” Cole said, coming up to stand beside him. They were on the church lawn and dusk was settling in. Through the window he could see Lynn and the other ladies cleaning up. Children were running around playing inside and also on the playground. He couldn’t see them since they were out front, but he could hear the familiar whooping and hollering of Gavin and Jack. Those two boys were full of life.

  It was a great evening. Though he was troubled by thoughts of Lynn, Chance felt a sense of peace and con tent ment. “Lots of gals have marriage on their minds.”

  Cole chuckled. “That’s why they come here. Can you believe how alive this place has gotten?”

  “It’s always been a great place but it is nice seeing babies and families again.” He remembered how it had been coming home to the weathered town. Mostly working cowboys and the town itself just a tired-looking bunch of buildings slowly going downhill.

  “Uh-oh, here comes trouble.” Cole grinned as Applegate, Stanley and Sam came striding up looking like stair steps. Sam, the shortest of the bunch, held out his hand.

  “That was great,” the wiry man said, shaking in his normal iron grip. “Ya did a fine thang, marrin’ those two off.”

  “Yup,” App boomed, clamping down on Chance’s hand as soon as Sam let go.

  Chance shook Stanley’s hand, then crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m glad I did it. They’re a special couple.”

  “That’s the pure truth.” Stanley eyed his buddies.

  “We’ve come on official business, Chance.”

  Cole tucked his fingers in his pockets, giving him an are-you-ready-for-this look. In the back of Chance’s mind he’d known this was coming. He’d known the moment he’d stepped into that pulpit a week ago. He just hadn’t expected official business to happen right after Stacy and Emmett’s wedding.

  App cleared his throat and pushed back his thin-as-a-beanpole shoulders. He started to speak, then paused…maybe for effect but it was time enough for Chance to intervene and stop them. He didn’t though. A month ago, before Randy’s death, he wouldn’t have let them get started. Today, he kept his mouth shut.

  “We are officially offering you the position as our preacher.”

  Cole was watching him, no twinkle in his usually laughing eyes. Chance was honestly confused. Why hadn’t he just told them no?

  The annex door suddenly flew open and Norma Sue came barreling out with her hands in the air. “Move out of the way, boys, a baby’s comin’ through!”

  Behind her Clint Matlock was supporting Lacy as she walked. And behind them was everyone else. Lacy was grinning and grimacing simultaneously as she moved the way only pregnant women could do. Her hand was on her rounded belly and she leaned back into the support of Clint’s arm.

  Clint looked about as shaken as Chance had ever seen him. Then again, it was that I’m-about-to-be-a-daddy look. It was chock-full of the realization of the responsibility that was about to hit his shoulders.

  Chance wasn’t about to be a daddy but he knew that feeling. As a preacher he felt it for his cowboy congregation all the time. He’d walked away for a little while but he still felt it.

  “I should have known the baby was going to take after his momma,” Clint said as he passed them. “She’s al ways full of surprises.”

  “And you know you love it—ow!” Lacy’s laugh cut to a grunt.

  “Y’all better stop talking and hoof it on to this here car,” Norma Sue bellowed from the middle of the parking lot.

  Esther Mae wore a huge red hat with a Christmas flower on it. She whipped it off, exposing her flaming-red hair, and began fanning Lacy as she trotted along beside her. “You just hold your horses, Norma Sue. We will get there when we get there. Lacy doesn’t need to have this baby on the church parking lot!”

  There was a flurry of advice as everyone spread out in an arch, as if the wave of their energy would get Clint and Lacy to the car sooner.

  “Here, I’m going to carry you,” Clint said, and gently swept Lacy into his arms.

  “But walking is better!”

  “Lacy—I’m carrying you,” Clint growled.

  The petite blonde didn’t give him any other protest.

  “Lacy,” Sheri, her best friend snapped as she hurried to keep up with Clint. “Do not have that baby in the car. Do you understand? You love that ol’ thing but this baby does not need to come into this world in the backseat of an Elvis throwback!”

  Lacy chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”

  Chance had fallen into step with Lynn as she passed by him. She looked up at him with dancing eyes.

  “This is so exciting,” she said. “Lacy’s having a baby!”

  They reached Lacy’s 1958 pink Caddy. Norma Sue was holding open the door and Clint eased Lacy into the seat.

  Grinning, he jogged around and doubled up as he crawled behind the wheel. “I’ll see y’all in a minute.”

  “We’ll be hot on your trail,” Sam said, putting his arm around Adela’s shoulders.

  “We are praying.” Adela patted Clint’s shoulder be fore he pulled the door shut and gassed it.

  In a flurry of movement, everyone headed toward their vehicles.

  “Are they safe in that crazy car?” Chance asked, still watching the pink monstrosity of a car’s big fin taillights disappear into the dusky evening.

  Lynn chuckled. “That car’s in great shape. Lacy brings it to all the weddings because she likes the nostalgia of it. Clint enjoys his wife’s quirks so he goes along with it. I think he’d have rather had the truck on this occasion though. He looked so nervous.”

  Chance agreed. “It’s understandable.”

  “They goin’ to the hospital to pick up their baby?” Gavin asked as he and Jack came running up from the back of the church.

  “They sure are,” Lynn said.

  “This place is growin’!” Jack exclaimed, then paused.

  “We need to go to the hospital and pick us up a baby. They’re funny.”

  Chance laughed at the alarmed look on Lynn’s beautiful face. “Would y’all like to go to the hospital and wait for the baby to be born?”

  “You mean we got to wait on it?” Gavin looked perplexed.

  “I’m afraid so.” Lynn smiled at Chance and his heart almost tripped over itself with the thrill of it.

  “Lynn,” Dottie called from the group where she was chatting. “If you want to go to the hospital I’ll take the boys home with me. We’re keeping Bryce for Stacy—Brady and I can’t go anyway. Nive is going to stay and help me.”

  “I’ll drive you,” Chance offered.

  “No, I can—”

  “That would be great,” Dottie said, interrupting Lynn before she could say no. “Lynn, you go now. With Chance. There is no sense you driving there yourself when he’s offering.”

  “But,” she started, then looked resigned to the idea.

  “You’re right. Thanks for the offer, Chance.”

  If he hadn’t figured out before that she was avoiding him he would have figured it out now. They said goodbye to the boys and had to repeat to them that only Lacy would be bringing home a baby.

  Chance planned on finding out why Lynn didn’t want to be around him. He was glad she was riding with him—even if it had taken Dottie’s intervention. And not just because he wanted to spend time with her. He needed advice, a sounding board, and though he had three cousins whom he valued considerably…it was Lynn, despite her reluctance to be here with him, whose advice he wanted.

  Lacy Brown Matlock gave birth to a nine-pound three-ounce baby boy twenty minutes after Clint fish-tailed into the Ranger hospital emergency entrance. Leave it to Lacy to ignore the ultrasound’s prediction!

  Th
e waiting room was full. The nurses and doctors had grown accustomed to Mule Hollow showing up in force for the birth of their babies.

  Lynn smiled through the glass. “He’s beautiful.”

  “I don’t see how you can tell with his face all scrunched up like that,” Chance teased. He was standing beside her. The drive to the hospital had been strained. They’d talked about the wedding and the baby and also about the boys wanting her to bring home a baby. She’d chuckled about that but changed the subject quickly when she started wondering if Chance wanted children.

  “He looks just like Clint,” Norma Sue said. “He won’t like being called beautiful.”

  “But he is,” Esther Mae cooed. Her face almost touched the glass as she peered at baby Matlock.

  Lynn was so happy for Clint and Lacy but her mind kept going to Chance. He’s the man you can trust.

  The words wouldn’t leave her.

  “You sure are quiet,” Chance said when they finally headed toward the truck.

  It was nine o’clock and a northern wind was whipping the pink skirt of her bridesmaid dress around her knees as Lynn walked toward the truck. “I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.”

  “There’s a drive-in up the road. Do you want to stop and get a soda? I’m a good listener and I need to talk to you about something, too.”

  He opened her door for her and took her elbow as she stepped up and sat in the high seat. Her pulse was racing as she found herself eye-to-eye with him. “That sounds great,” she managed. They were in the middle of the hospital parking lot sitting directly beneath a safety light but it didn’t matter. She lifted her hand and touched his jaw. His eyes flared in surprise at her touch. “You did an awesome thing today, marrying Stacy and Emmett. Thank you.”

  “I’m glad I did. It meant a lot to me, too.” He placed his hand over hers, pulled it away from his jaw and kissed the back of her hand. “Thank you for pressing me to do it.”