A Cowboy for Christmas

by Bobbi Smith

  Firmly resolved, Lacey felt a little more at peace and had just rolled over to try to fall asleep when she heard it—the distant, muffled sound of someone crying.

  Lacey got out of bed and moved over to the window, and it was there she could hear the weeping more clearly. Though she couldn’t see anyone outside, she had a real good feeling it was Steve. She’d noticed how he’d gotten quiet when the other boy had been talking about Santa Claus and being back home for Christmas, so she knew he needed some support right then. Lacey had slept in her clothes, so all she had to do was slip on her coat and boots and sneak out of the room to go check on the orphan.

  The main room was deserted and the lamps had been put out, but there was enough light coming from the fireplace so she could see. She tiptoed across the room and as silently as she could, she opened the door and crept out into the cold, dark night. She quickly closed the door behind her and made her way to the side of the house.

  She came around the corner to find Steve. She thought about going to get Reverend Miller, and then changed her mind. She decided to follow her instincts instead. She knew right then the boy needed love, and she did love him. He was sweet and adorable and resourceful, and she wanted him to know that she truly did care about him. Without saying a word, Lacey went to him.

  When someone knelt beside him and put an arm around him, Steve was startled, for he had not heard anyone coming.

  “Steve, it’s me—Miss Lacey,” she said in a quiet voice as she drew him to her.

  “I’m all right. I’ll go back inside,” he managed, choking on his words as he tried to stop crying.

  “Steve, if you want to cry, go ahead,” Lacey told him gently. She held him to her heart, and she felt the misery in him as he stayed rigid for a moment in her arms. “It’s all right.”

  At her tender words, Steve collapsed against her, all pretense gone. “I miss my mama and my papa so much—and it’s almost Christmas—” His breath hitched.

  Lacey knew there was nothing she could say right then that would make things better. She just held him close and let him weep. He just clung to her, drawing on the solace she was offering.

  When the cold started to get to her, she brushed his tousled hair and kissed his forehead. “We’d better get back inside. I don’t want you getting sick.”

  “All right,” he said hoarsely.

  Lacey got up and drew him up with her. Keeping her arm around him, she guided him back inside. “Next time you get lonely, just remember there are people who love you very much. I know I do.” She gave him a squeeze. “You get some rest now.”

  He looked up at her, his eyes red and swollen from his tears, and he nodded. Then he stood on tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “I love you, too, Miss Lacey.”

  She had never heard a more heartrending declaration of love, and she watched him as he moved off back to the men’s sleeping area. She stayed there a few minutes longer, wanting to make sure he didn’t have any trouble. Only when she was sure he was safe did she return to the women’s room.

  Lacey knew Steve was a special child, and she was going to have a talk with the reverend about him as soon as she could find a moment alone with him. Steve needed help, and she was going to do whatever she could for him. She knew what it was like to be alone in the world, and she didn’t want him suffering this way at his young age. Somehow, she had to find a way to bring peace and joy back into his life.

  Lacey thought about all he’d said to her that night and knew that once they got to Sagebrush she was going to have to find him a present for Christmas. Santa Claus couldn’t miss a good boy like Steve.

  Chapter Nineteen

  It was early morning and John was hidden out behind some big boulders halfway up the hillside behind the line shack. He kept watch as Dan and Penny came outside and mounted up, and he couldn’t help smiling when he wondered what had gone on inside there overnight. Jack’s daughter was a real looker, and Dan would have been a fool not to take advantage of her while he had the chance. He knew he certainly would have enjoyed himself if he’d been alone with her all night.

  John waited until Dan and Penny had ridden out and then he saddled up and trailed slowly after them. He was glad Penny was riding with the foreman. Though she could handle a horse, she was slowing Dan down and that made it easier for him to stay after them. The terrain in the canyon was rugged, and that helped John, too, for he needed to stay out of sight.

  John wished he could have gotten a look at the map that showed where the money was buried, but there had been no way. As it was, he was forced to bide his time and lie back and trail them. John was glad he didn’t have to worry about showing up at the ranch. No one expected him back for at least three more days. Not that he’d ever be back once he got the money. He’d hightail it out and then live the life of a high roller.

  John could hardly wait.

  “How much farther is it?” Penny asked as she rode behind Dan on the steep, rocky, winding trail. After several hours in the saddle, they had to be getting close.

  “Probably another two or three miles,” he answered. “Are you doing all right?”

  “Yes, though it’s hard to believe that it was just a few weeks ago I was at the Chase ball. It’s seems like an eternity—almost like another life.”

  She wondered what Richard and Amanda would think of her now if they saw her bundled up against the cold in workman’s clothes, riding astride out in the middle of nowhere. She remembered how attentive Richard had been that night and now it all seemed like a fairy tale.

  Fairy tale—

  She let her gaze linger on Dan, seeing the day’s growth of beard on his jawline and liking how it added an aura of danger about him. She hadn’t even realized she’d needed saving when he’d whisked her away from the ballroom. But without him, she wouldn’t have been reunited with her father. There was no denying Dan, that was for sure.

  Penny urged her mount forward to ride beside him as the trail widened.

  “Do you miss being in the city?” he asked.

  “I miss my friends, but being back here with Papa means a lot to me.”

  Dan wondered if one of the friends she was missing was the man she’d been dancing with when he’d showed up at the ball. His chest felt tight at the thought of her in another man’s arms. “Let’s take another look at that map,” he said to get his mind off how much he wanted to hold her close. “The sooner we find your father’s money, the sooner we can get back.”

  Dwylah was never content to sit around and do nothing, and as the day wore on, she grew restless. Jack had been locked in his office, going over his books and doing paperwork, so she had been left to her own devices. She sought out Lou’s wife, Josie, who did the cooking and cleaning for Jack, and found her hard at work in the kitchen.

  “I wanted to ask you—” Dwylah began.

  “What is it?” Josie asked, looking up from where she was washing dishes.

  “Does Jack ever decorate for the holidays?”

  Josie shook her head sadly as she wiped her hands on a towel. “No, not anymore. He hasn’t bothered with any Christmas decorations in years.”

  “I think this year, we’re going to have to change all that.” Dwylah knew then what she was going to do.

  Josie realized what the older woman was up to and smiled at her in delight. “That’s a wonderful idea!”

  “Will you help me?”

  “Yes! Let me finish up my chores and we’ll get started right away. It’ll be good for Jack.”

  “Yes, it will,” Dwylah agreed.

  Jack was glad when he finally finished his paperwork. He was tired of sitting at his desk and wanted to get up and move around. He left the office and went out into the hall, wanting to go outside for a little while. He missed his daily rides and working with the hands. Ranching had been his life. He started past the parlor door and stopped when he saw Dwylah and Josie hard at work, decorating the mantel with strings of berries and popcorn.

  “What—�
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  Dwylah looked over, surprised to see him standing there. They hadn’t heard him come out of his office. She saw his scowl, and immediately took full blame, not wanting Josie to get into any trouble with him.

  “Don’t go getting mad at Josie. This was all my idea,” she told him. “I thought you might want to have the place decorated for when Penny gets back. I couldn’t find any Christmas trees around here, so Josie and I are just doing our best with what we’ve got.”

  Jack’s expression eased, and he found himself smiling down at the chaperone. “It’s a good idea, Dwylah. Penny will be glad we’ve done it.”

  “ ‘We’?” she challenged, wanting to get him involved with the decorating, too. She wanted him to fully experience the season this year. It was such a blessing that he and Penny had been reunited, and she wanted everything to be as perfect for them as possible.

  “Well, now that I’ve got the book work done, I can help you, too. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  Jack went upstairs to his bedroom, leaving the women behind wondering what he was up to. He returned a short time later with a box and sat down on the sofa to open it.

  “What is it?” Dwylah asked, coming to sit with him.

  “I used to put this out every Christmas for Penny, so she would always remember the real reason for the holiday.”

  He took the lid off the box and took out the carefully wrapped items inside. As he unwrapped the first item, Dwylah was delighted to see it was a wooden, hand-carved figure of Mary, and she could tell right away it was part of a manger scene.

  “This is perfect. We can put it right in the middle of the mantel,” she declared. “Has it been in your family for a long time?”

  “I made it for Penny when she was a baby.”

  “This is so special,” she said, carefully picking up the figurine to look at it. He had done a wonderful job carving it. “You’re very talented.”

  “Thank you.”

  When Jack had all the pieces unwrapped, they took them and arranged them prominently on the mantel.

  “Now we can really decorate,” Dwylah declared.

  “I’m glad you thought of this.”

  “So am I.”

  They shared a knowing look as they set to work, and Josie just watched and smiled.

  After consulting the map again, Dan could see they were getting real close to Jack’s first cache. The trail had grown narrower and more rugged, so he rode ahead of Penny to lead the way.

  “Take it slow here,” he called back to her.

  “Don’t worry. I will,” she promised, more than a little on edge as she concentrated on staying in the saddle.

  What happened next happened so quickly that Penny had no time to react. One moment she was making her way after Dan, and the next Ol’ Midnight lost his footing, stumbled, and she was thrown.

  “Dan!”

  He heard her shout and reined in immediately. Panic filled him when he looked back and saw only the riderless horse on the trail behind him. He threw himself from the saddle and rushed back to look for Penny. He found her lying on the side of the trail, her eyes closed.

  “Penny!”

  He knelt beside her and took her into his arms. He feared the worst, but then she opened her eyes and looked up at him.

  “Dan—” Penny gazed up at him, knowing she was safe now that she was in his arms.

  “Penny, are you all right?”

  She lifted one hand to her head as she answered, “I think so.”

  “Thank God.” The horror that he’d almost lost her raged through him. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that she was safe. A deep, abiding sense of relief unlike anything he’d ever felt before filled him. And suddenly he realized—

  He loved her.

  Dan couldn’t help himself. He slowly bent to her and claimed her lips in a gentle kiss.

  Penny was startled for a moment, but her surprise quickly turned to passion as she returned his kiss full measure. Dan awakened something special in her. With him, she felt completely safe, cared for . . . cherished.

  With great reluctance, Dan finally made himself pull away. “Can you stand?” he asked.

  What she really wanted was to stay right there in his arms, but she nodded slowly and let him help her to her feet.

  Dan kept an arm around her to support her as she stood beside him, not wanting to risk her falling again. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  Penny looked up at him and smiled. “As long as I’m with you—”

  Mesmerized by the look in her eyes, he slowly bent to her to whisper, “I love you, Penny,” as he claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.

  A thrill surged through Penny at his words of love, and her breath caught in her throat. She lifted her arms to link them around his neck and draw him even closer.

  Encouraged by her response, Dan crushed her to his chest and deepened the kiss. He wanted her as he had never wanted another woman.

  When at last the kiss ended, Penny drew back slightly to look up at him. She saw the fierce, hungry look in his eyes and smiled gently. She lifted one hand to tenderly touch his cheek. “I love you, too, Dan.”

  “You do?”

  She nodded, smiling up at him, her eyes aglow with all the love she felt for him.

  “Oh, Penny, you have no idea how happy that makes me.” He reached out to take her hand. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  Dan drew her to him and kissed her one last time. After a long moment, he regretfully ended the embrace. “I’d much rather stay right here kissing you, but we’ve got to start riding again.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” She pulled away and started to move to Ol’ Midnight.

  “Hold up there. From now on we’re going to be riding double.”

  “Double?”

  “That’s right. I’ve got to know you’re safe, so I’m keeping you with me.”

  She remembered what he’d told her on the trip from St. Louis about tying her up, and she found herself smiling at him. “Well, at least, you’re not going to tie me up.”

  “Are you planning on running away?”

  “Never,” she promised softly.

  “Good.”

  Dan grabbed up Ol’ Midnight’s reins and then mounted his own horse. He helped Penny up behind him.

  “Hold on tight. I don’t want to lose you.” As he said the words, he realized just how true they were. He’d lost too many people in his life. He wasn’t going to lose her.

  “You won’t,” she promised, determined never to be apart from him. She leaned close, putting her arms around his waist to help her keep her seat.

  Dan urged his mount on, and, leading Ol’ Midnight behind them, they continued on their trek.

  A short distance behind them, John had seen everything. It seemed that pretty Penny wasn’t so untouchable after all. Now he was more eager than ever to have his turn. But he couldn’t let them know he was coming. Dan was too good with a gun. He’d have to take them by surprise.

  Chapter Twenty

  Penny kept her arms tightly around Dan’s waist as they rode farther into the canyon, leading Ol’ Midnight behind them.

  Dan loved her and she loved him—

  She couldn’t believe what had just happened. His kiss had been everything she’d dreamed it would be. She couldn’t wait to get back to the ranch and tell Dwylah what had happened. She smiled to herself, thinking how the chaperone would probably be immediately trying to locate the nearest justice of the peace for her. She found she liked that idea a lot.

  “It should be right here,” Dan said as he reined in, taking a hard look around.

  Her fantasies interrupted, she slipped down off the horse’s back with Dan’s help and stepped back while he dismounted, too.

  Dan took Jack’s map out and studied it once more. He felt confident they were in the right place. With Penny following him, he made his way to the boulder Jack had drawn on the map as a clue. Following Jack’s directions
, he shoved aside some smaller rocks and began to dig. Penny stayed close by watching and ready to help if he needed her.

  “Here!” Dan was excited and relieved when he found the small metal box buried about two feet down in the hard soil, right where Jack had indicated it would be. He lifted the box out of the hole and handed it to Penny. “Check it out and see what we’ve got.”

  Penny sat down and opened the lid to find a treasure trove of money. “Oh my! I don’t believe it . . .”

  Dan couldn’t believe it, either, when he saw the amount of cash there. He’d known Jack was tight with his money, but he’d never dreamed the boss had managed to save up this much—and this was only one of the three hidden sites. “Don’t worry about counting it right now. We can do that later tonight. Close it up and we’ll go find the second box. It’s only another two miles farther into the canyon.”

  Penny closed the box and handed it to Dan so he could stow it with their gear. She shivered a little as a cold wind gust swept through the canyon, bringing the harsh reminder that it was winter. She just happened to glance up at the sky as she was walking back to the horses with Dan.

  “The sky looks strange.”

  Dan glanced up and and immediately knew there might be trouble. The clouds had an odd blue-gray tint. “We’d better ride fast.”

  Penny realized what she was seeing and knew he was right. “It’s a blue norther, isn’t it?”

  “It looks like it. So we don’t want to take any chances. We don’t have a lot of time, so let’s go.”

  They quickly mounted his horse again and rode off toward Jack’s second hiding place.

  John had been watching as they’d dug up the money box. He’d been waiting for the perfect moment to confront them, but before he could make his move, he overheard Dan say they were going after another box. Excited to learn there was even more money to be found, John knew he had to wait a little longer. It would definitely be worth it, especially since they would be even farther down in the canyon and that would give him more time to make his getaway. He continued to trail them, more determined than ever.