The Cowboy's Christmas Lullaby

by Stella Bagwell

  “What’s their names?” Harry wanted to know.

  “They don’t have any yet,” Denver told him. “I thought I’d let you guys name them for me. Since you two are responsible for me getting a pair of pets.”

  Peter reared his head back so that he could look up at Denver. “Gosh, that’s an honor,” he said, then looked over at Harry. “We better come up with something really good.”

  “Yeah, something better than Tom and Morris,” Harry agreed.

  “Maybe you better find out if they’re girls or boys before you start thinking up names,” Marcella suggested.

  She’d hardly gotten the words out of her mouth when the kittens stirred and began to meow at their human admirers.

  “The white one is a girl and the gray a boy,” Denver told the boys, then wrapping a hand around Marcella’s arm, he urged her to the other side of the room. “That will give them something to do until dinnertime.”

  “And what am I supposed to do?” she wanted to know.

  He slanted her a seductive grin as he bent to open the oven door. “Stand here next to me and look pretty. That’s more than enough to make me happy.”

  He pulled out a blue granite roaster, and Marcella’s stomach growled as the smell of ham permeated the air around them.

  “Seriously, Denver. Do I need to set the table? Or get the glasses ready?”

  “Since today is a special day, we’re eating in the dining room. And I’ve already set the table. See, I’ve been slaving in here for hours,” he teased. “You’re going to have to think of some special way to repay me for all this work.”

  Stepping closer, she said for his ears only, “Hmm. It’ll take a lot of thinking, but I’ll come up with something.”

  He set the roaster on top of the stove, then reached back into the oven for another similar baking pan. When he placed it alongside the one holding the ham, she grabbed a pot holder and curiously lifted the lid to see several Cornish hens browned to perfection.

  “Oh my, you really have been slaving,” she said. “Wait until I tell Paige about this. She’s already jealous that my man is cooking for me today.”

  He paused to look at her, and Marcella was once again struck by how handsome he looked today in faded blue jeans and a sexy black shirt with the sleeves rolled back against his forearms.

  “Hey, I like the sound of that—‘my man.’ Want to say it again just to make me happy?”

  She moved close enough to wrap her arm around his back. “My man,” she repeated. “I like the sound of it, too.”

  “I think I remember you telling me that Paige is also a nurse. Does she have a family to celebrate today with?”

  “Only an elderly grandfather. Which is just as well. She’s pulling a double shift in the ER. And fixing dinner for the two of them later.”

  “Too bad injuries and illnesses don’t take a holiday.” He put down the pot holder and turned toward her. “I meant to tell you to invite your mother today, and then I forgot. She probably thinks I’m a heel.”

  Marcella could feel her face turning pink. “Don’t worry about it,” she said wryly. “She doesn’t think you’re suitable for me anyway.”

  Faint amusement crossed his face. “How could she make that determination? She hasn’t met me yet.”

  “No. But you’re bound to meet her sooner or later. So I should probably warn you right now that she doesn’t like cowboys. In her mind, you all smell like manure and chewing tobacco.”

  Instead of being offended, he merely chuckled, and Marcella admired his easygoing manner. What short time she’d been married to Gordon, he’d railed about Saundra’s opinionated personality.

  “Sounds like she’s not a bit judgmental,” he joked.

  Marcella gave him a lopsided grin. “She’s always been very opinionated, to say the least. And she has this notion that her daughter needs a banker or doctor or someone like that to make her happy.”

  He shrugged good-naturedly. “Hmm. So she believes you need a professional guy with plenty of money. Well, she’s your mother. She wants the best for you.”

  Marcella shook her head. “She doesn’t know what’s best for me. Anyway, Mom is working today. Tips are always better on holidays.”

  He said, “My parents are spending the day with my sister in Gillette. Frankly, I’m surprised they made the long drive.”

  “Oh? Do they not get away from the ranch very often?”

  He pulled a lid off the back burner and gave the contents a stir. “No. When it comes to the livestock, my parents are both mother hens. They don’t trust anyone to take care of things on the ranch like they would.”

  “Do you think your parents would like me and the boys?” she asked thoughtfully.

  He hesitated, making Marcella wonder if the notion of introducing her to his parents made him feel uncomfortable. Perhaps they might frown upon their son getting involved with a woman who already had children. Or could be he was thinking Marcella was trying to rush their relationship into something far more serious than he wanted it to be. Whatever the reason, his pause left her feeling uncertain.

  “My parents would be crazy about you. All three of you,” he finally said. “Would you like to make a trip to Wyoming to meet them sometime?”

  Even though his sometime probably meant far in the future, the unexpected invitation caused her nose-diving spirits to suddenly soar.

  “I’d like that very much. I’ve never been to Wyoming. And I already know I’d enjoy meeting your parents. They have to be nice people.”

  A skeptical grin slanted his lips. “And how could you know that?”

  She let out a low, suggestive laugh. “Because you’re so nice.”

  “Flatterer.”

  She started to give him a teasing retort when Harry and Peter trotted over to them.

  “We’ve named the new kitties!” Peter declared.

  “We thought about the names real hard, too. Want to hear ’em?” Harry asked.

  “Sure we do. But first we need a drumroll for this announcement.” Denver picked up a fork and spatula and drummed the utensils loudly against the top of one of the roasters. “And the names are—”

  The youngsters exchanged comical glances, then giggled, and Marcella couldn’t remember a time she’d seen her sons so happy.

  “The girl’s name is Star,” Peter proudly announced. “’Cause she’s white and pretty like a star in the sky.”

  “And the boy’s name is Smokey,” Harry added. “’Cause he’s gray like smoke.”

  “Star and Smokey. I think those are two mighty fine names,” Denver told them, then winked at Marcella. “That effort deserves double helpings of dessert, don’t you think?”

  Before agreeing to that idea, Peter wanted to know, “What is dessert gonna be?”

  Marcella let out a good-natured groan and Denver laughed. “It’s a secret,” he told Peter. “You’ll find out after we eat the main stuff. So you two go wash while your mother helps me put everything on the table.”

  The youngsters hurriedly left the kitchen to do his bidding. When they’d disappeared from view, Marcella stepped over and slipped her arms around his rib cage.

  With her head tilted back, she smiled up at him. “Thank you, Denver,” she said softly. “For making this day so special for the boys. And me.”

  His fingertips traced a gentle circle on her cheek. “You’re making my day pretty special, too,” he told her. “Last year for Thanksgiving I ate a steak and watched football. Alone.”

  “There are plenty of guys who’d think that was the perfect day,” she reasoned.

  He shook his head. “Today with you and the boys—this is the way Thanksgiving Day should be.”

  Rising on her tiptoes, she pressed a swift kiss to his lips. Denver curled an arm around her waist and
pulled her tight against him.

  “Mmm. Don’t tell Peter I got dessert early.”

  “Naughty boy,” she said with a low chuckle, then eased out of his arms just as the two boys returned to the kitchen.

  Much later after the huge meal was consumed, Marcella helped Denver deal with the leftovers while Peter and Harry went outside to explore the backyard.

  She was snapping a lid on a container of candied sweet potatoes when her cell phone rang. Picking it up from where she’d placed it on a utility table, she immediately identified the caller as Lilly.

  “Hello,” Marcella answered cheerfully. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

  “Same to you,” her friend replied. “Are you guys finished eating? Or are you going to have dinner later this evening?”

  “We’re just cleaning the kitchen,” Marcella informed her, then looked over to Denver. “And I’m stuffed. I’ve learned a valuable lesson today. Cowboys can cook. Everything was delicious.”

  Lilly laughed. “Uh, you need to repeat that to Rafe. He can’t open a can of soup. I’m glad to hear Denver fed you good. I didn’t know he had it in him.”

  At that moment Denver glanced over at her, and Marcella gave him a sly smile. “He’s full of surprises. So what’s up with you?”

  “Actually, I’m calling to see if the boys would like to go with us for a short visit with Clancy and Olivia. We’re going to take the kids on a little hike down the mountain to look at the old mine.”

  Clancy and Olivia had a beautiful mountain home a few miles north of the main ranch house, but still on Silver Horn land. Marcella had visited the place once, when she and Lilly had gone to see their son, Shane, right after he was born. Marcella was certain Peter and Harry would enjoy the trek, but the word mine had her a little freaked. She’d seen several injuries come into the ER because people ventured into old deserted mines.

  Frowning with uncertainty, she said, “An old mine sounds dangerous for kids to be around, Lilly.”

  “No worries, Marcella. The entrance is safely fenced off. There’s no way any of the children can get too close. I promise we’ll only be looking from afar, and Rafe and Clancy will be there to keep everyone corralled. I think the boys would really enjoy it. Clancy had the old flume reconstructed, so Harry and Peter can see how the ore used to be washed.”

  Feeling more assured about the outing, Marcella said, “Well, that sounds safe enough. And it would be a learning experience for them.”

  “Great,” she interrupted. “We’ll be by to pick them up in about fifteen minutes. See you then.”

  Lilly swiftly ended the call, and shaking her head, Marcella placed the phone back on the utility table.

  “What was that about?” Denver asked.

  With a smile of concession, she shrugged. “Rafe and Lilly are coming by to pick up the boys. They’re taking the kids up to Clancy and Olivia’s for a hike down the mountain to see some old mine. Do you think it’s safe to let them go?”

  Chuckling, he tossed the dish towel he was holding onto the counter and walked over to her. The glint in his eyes was full of promises as he gently cupped a hand around her chin. “I assure you it will be a very safe outing for Harry and Peter. But I can’t guarantee your safety while they’re gone.”

  Oh, she’d be more than physically safe with Denver, she thought. At times his touches were so tender just thinking of them brought a mist of tears to her eyes. No, when she was in Denver’s hands, she was in the most sheltered place on earth. It was the safety of her heart that was in constant jeopardy while he was around.

  Denver was rapidly changing her life and the whole outlook of her future. She’d never dreamed she would find a man who might care for her and her children. But now that he was welcoming them into his world, she didn’t want to think of ever leaving it.

  Rising up on her toes, she brought her lips next to his. “I’ll take my chances.”

  Chapter Ten

  An hour later, behind the locked door of Denver’s bedroom, Marcella lay cuddled next to Denver’s side, her head cushioned on his bare chest. The lightweight comforter he’d thrown over them after they’d made love cocooned them with cozy warmth, and as she listened to the slow, even rhythm of his heartbeat, she felt her eyelids getting heavy.

  “Mmm. That was much better than pumpkin pie and whipped cream,” he murmured huskily.

  “Thanks,” she teased. “I always did want to be compared to a piece of pie.”

  His calloused hand moved against the silky skin of her back, and Marcella closed her eyes and marveled at the warm contentment pouring through her. No man had ever made her feel so perfect and protected, or so wanted. And though she wasn’t quite ready to admit it to herself, she feared she was falling in love. Not the hot crush kind of love that quickly burned itself out. But the deep sort of love that meant caring and giving for a lifetime.

  What would Denver think, she wondered, if he guessed where her feelings were headed? He’d told her he was no longer in love with his late wife, and she wanted to believe that was true. But he’d also lost a child, and she wasn’t at all sure he wanted to invest that much of his heart a second time. Would the time come when she’d have to choose between him and having more children?

  A belated chuckle rumbled in his chest and thankfully the sound was enough to push the uneasy thoughts from her mind.

  “That was a huge compliment, my dear,” he said, then glanced over at the digital clock on the nightstand. “As much as I hate to, we’d better get up and get dressed before Lilly and Rafe return with the boys.”

  “Aw,” she complained. “Lilly said they’d be gone at least two hours. We still have one more to go.”

  “That’s right. But I thought we’d use that time to take a hike up the hill behind the house. I want you to see the view from up there.”

  Rising up on her elbow, she cast a provocative glance over his face and upper body. “The view I have right now looks mighty darn good to me.”

  Laughing lightly, he gently swatted her bare bottom. “Little vixen.”

  She squealed in playful protest and grabbed at the comforter as he tossed it aside.

  “Too late,” he told her, grinning. “Now you have to get dressed or freeze.”

  “I’ll get you for this, Denver Yates,” she muttered as she moved off the bed and snatched her clothing off the floor.

  “I’m counting on it.”

  Ten minutes later, the two of them were walking side by side up the steep hill behind Denver’s house. Sometime during the past hour, clouds had moved in to cover the afternoon sun and a brisk wind was quickly dropping the temperature.

  Thankfully, Marcella had worn jeans and a sweater today just in case she might be outdoors. Now her coat and woolen scarf felt good against the winter weather.

  “It looks like snow is coming,” she commented as they paused next to a large boulder to catch their breath. “And not all of our last snowfall has melted yet.”

  “That’s good,” he said. “Come spring we’ll have good grass.”

  Come spring. Would they still be together? she wondered. Would she still look at him and ache with longing? She didn’t want to think about those questions today. She wanted to simply enjoy, but for some odd reason they kept popping into her mind.

  Shaking away the deep thoughts, she looked at him and smiled. “Spoken like a true rancher. All you’re worried about is green grass, fresh water and a herd of fat cows.”

  “And a beautiful woman next to my side. Don’t forget that.”

  Snaking an arm around the back of her waist, he urged her forward. “Can you climb a bit higher? We’re almost to the point I wanted you to see.”

  “I’m fine,” she assured him. “Onward and upward.”

  They climbed a hundred or more yards on up the hill until they reached a sma
ll plateau facing northwest. Except for a few twisted junipers growing out of the shale-layered hillside, there was nothing to block the view, and as Marcella stood staring down at the sweeping plain that stretched far toward the western horizon, she couldn’t help but gasp at the majestic sight.

  “Oh my, this is breathtaking,” she said. “Is all of this land a part of the Silver Horn?”

  “As far as your eye can see. It stops just shy of the California state line.”

  “Incredible,” she said with awe. “I can see the Sierra Mountain range from here!”

  “That’s right.” He pointed to a spot where some type of evergreens made an emerald-colored ribbon across a wide stretch of valley floor. “Over there is Salt Cedar Flats. That winding band of trees marks the river. In the heat of summer, the flats will be full of mama cows and their calves. But for now we’ve moved them off that range so they’ll be more protected from the weather.”

  The pride in his voice had her glancing up at him. “You really love this place, don’t you?”

  A smile of concession touched his lips. “I do love it.”

  “You say that like it’s something you’ve never thought about before.”

  He shrugged. “When I first came here to the Horn, I only expected it to be a job. Just a means to provide for myself. I never dreamed or imagined it would become my life.”

  “So when you first came here, you had different plans for yourself?” she asked. “To work on this ranch for a while and move on? Or were you thinking you’d eventually get a place of your own?”

  He nodded. “In the beginning that’s exactly what I’d planned. To save my money until I could put a down payment on some property. But slowly and surely the Calhouns became my second family. The more I helped them work the land and the livestock, the more I fell in love with the place. Now it’s impossible to picture myself ever leaving the Silver Horn.”

  “Even for a place of your own?”

  His smile was full of conviction. “If I wanted to, I could get myself a herd of cattle and a string of horses. And Bart would allot me plenty enough acreage to support them. But I don’t want that. I like being a part of something big. With all of us guys working together. No, I have everything I need or want right here.”