Show Me a Family for Christmas : Small-Town Single-Father Cowboy Romance (Cowboy Crossing Romances Book 6)

by Alexa Verde

  Gwendolyn hugged the toy tighter. “I like Danica. She’s nice to me. And Miss Gwendolyn. And... everyone. And their house is nice. And they have ponies.”

  A lump formed in his throat. The idea sounded more appealing than he wanted to admit. But what about the art gallery? “I thought you liked cats.”

  “I do. I like ponies, too. I like Miss Gwendolyn and Danica even more.”

  Huh. He loved Texas, but this small town in the Show Me state spoke to him, too. Or maybe it wasn’t just the town but a certain hazel-eyed beauty who’d claim his heart if he didn’t pay attention.

  He sighed as he crouched before his daughter. “I’ve got obligations.”

  Daisy blinked. “Obla—What?”

  “Things I have to do. Like take care of your grandma.” Though his mother didn’t do such a great job of raising him, he felt responsible for her. Besides, she’d changed a lot from the lethargic woman she’d once been. He should be grateful for the change.

  Daisy’s lower lip trembled. “Is Grandma sick again?”

  He gave his daughter a reassuring smile. “No.” He’d talked to his mother daily and kept in touch with her doctors, and she’d sounded more upbeat and energetic than ever. “But we have to stay close, in case we need to help her.”

  A sigh too big for such little lungs escaped Daisy’s lips. “Ah. Then your job, right, Daddy?”

  His kind daughter was understanding, but it didn’t remove the stone pressing on his chest. “Yes, Sweetie Pie.” Leaving the gallery would feel like betraying Annika.

  Daisy sighed again. “Grandma makes nice apple turnovers.”

  His mother, baking pastries. Who’d think? But then, everyone dealt with difficulties in their own way. His mother’s way was to disconnect, ignore things she didn’t want to see.

  Dissociate from life.

  Dissociate from him.

  Thankfully, she was back now, fully present. And he couldn’t hold onto bitterness, or he’d lose whatever little family he had left. Which meant he’d have to stay in Texas.

  “We have to give people a chance, right?” She probably didn’t understand what he meant. But he just placed a kiss atop of her head, breathing in the sweet scent of her mango shampoo to calm his raw nerves.

  All the roads led back to Texas, and his heart sank.

  How could he say goodbye to Gwendolyn?

  The answer was he couldn’t. He’d tell her his secret and hope to start anew if she forgave him.

  * * *

  Gwendolyn resisted the urge to pace the spacious living room as time seemed to stand still and tension somehow held her in a body cast. The Christmas tree was still there, probably left until after the New Year. Lights twinkled just as they had during yesterday’s lovely Christmas Day, as if not realizing the tragedy of today’s events.

  Jenna’s fiancé’s nephew had been kidnapped.

  Her heart hammered in her chest. Yet she managed to prevent her voice from trembling by some miracle as she read the children a story. Reading a book to the little ones might not be her greatest idea, but it was the best she could come up with. She couldn’t even think of any games when Vera, Jenna, and other members of the family she’d grown to love might be in danger. She drew a deep breath of pine needles and pies, the happy aromas so not fitting with the current mood.

  Time stretched on with no news. The arrow on the grandfather clock seemed stuck in place as if Danica, with her penchant for glue, glued it to the clock’s face.

  Conner gave her an encouraging glance as he touched her hand. “Would you like me to continue the story?”

  She shook her head, acting on autopilot.

  Should she have joined Jenna and Vera? Her skills could be useful in such a situation. She’d offered, but the family had refused, asking her to stay with the children.

  Gwendolyn had no difficulty comprehending why, though worry for the boy sliced her stomach in two. Jenna, as well as most of the Clark family, was assisting in the search. Somehow, they’d managed to keep the frightening news from the children.

  Yet everyone, even Danica, was quiet as if sensing worry. The children exchanged glances with each other but didn’t say a word. They sat on the rug and listened instead of darting around the house, most of the time in opposite directions.

  The moment Gwendolyn’s voice started cracking, she knew she needed to accept Conner’s kind offer.

  What was happening to Jenna and Vera now? Did they find the boy?

  Gwendolyn shuddered. She knew too well how much damage violence in a family could do, and how quickly one’s life could be turned upside down. This wonderful family didn’t deserve such tragedy.

  She could barely speak, so she passed the colorful children’s book to Conner without saying a word. Her throat was too clogged up.

  Chapter Ten

  Gwendolyn’s dream vision of the family on a rug near a Christmas tree returned while he read the story. His hand found hers again as he continued reading, and she stilled, her heart thundering for a different reason now.

  For one blissful moment, her dream was so close she could touch it like he touched her hand, could smell it like the pine needles and his intoxicating cologne.

  Lord, please keep the Clark family safe in Your care, amen.

  She put everything into that prayer.

  Conner leaned toward her after he finished reading, his gaze more intense than usual, but no wonder in times like this.

  “I need to tell you something,” he whispered.

  Liberty, the youngest daughter in the family, stormed inside the living room. Her signature green hair stuck up in different directions as if she either pulled on it or brushed her fingers through it too many times.

  She gestured for Gwendolyn to follow. Worrying about the children, Gwendolyn glanced at Conner.

  He nodded as he seemed to understand her without words. “It’s okay. I’ll read another story.”

  “Thanks.” Her heart beating fast, she jumped to her feet, doing her best to gauge Liberty’s expression.

  Liberty snatched Gwendolyn into her bear hug once they reached the hall. “They rescued Andy. Everyone is fine. Well, Jenna was taken to the hospital, but Vera said it’s a only a flesh wound.”

  Gwendolyn could breathe again.

  * * *

  During his half-sister’s wedding, Conner watched from the back church pew, doing his best to remain hidden. Most of the small town seemed to have arrived for Jenna’s wedding. But then, they were a prosperous family, weren’t they? And a generous one, as well.

  Two girls in pink dresses ran through the aisle with baskets, spreading petals, one of them Danica, of course.

  “I wanna be a flower girl, too,” his daughter whispered, snuggling closer to his side.

  Both girls waved at her as they passed her, the scent of roses trailing them.

  His rib cage constricted as he hugged his precious girl. “You will be. One day.”

  “When you get married, right?” Her eyes were so trusting, so innocent.

  He coughed a little. Much as he’d enjoyed Gwendolyn’s company, much as he admired her, he couldn’t see himself getting married again. He still hadn’t steeled himself to tell her why he was here, didn’t want her to feel he’d only used her. Once she knew, most likely she’d be the one to push him away.

  But Daisy didn’t need to know that.

  People smiled and greeted each other while they filled the pews as if they all were one big family. Well, some of them were indeed part of the large, rich Clark family.

  The Clarks.

  Unlike his, this family had plenty of children, who’d already welcomed his shy daughter into their circle in the park and during the Christmas celebration at the mansion. His gaze flickered to the children’s pretty nanny—Gwendolyn—in one of the front seats. She’d sparked more of his interest than he wanted to admit, and their meetings—could they qualify as dates, when the children were always present?—had made his heart beat faster in a way it hadn’t in
years.

  As if feeling his gaze, she glanced back, and her lips curved up as their gazes met and held. Blood rushed faster in his veins. He didn’t need this sudden attraction, didn’t want it. She should’ve been his ticket to get close to the family for his daughter’s sake, and only that.

  Then why couldn’t he look away?

  Because she’d become much more, so much more. Face it, he was falling in love.

  The bridesmaids in emerald-green dresses with their husbands in tuxedos started their slow walk to the altar, and he switched his focus to the happy couples. For a moment, envy stabbed him. All of them seemed to have eyes only for each other, and he wondered how it would feel to experience profound love again.

  But he’d loved once, and the pain of losing Annika was still sharp. He plastered a smile on his face for his daughter and hugged her.

  “They are so pretty,” she whispered.

  “You’re pretty, too.” He squeezed her tighter. He did everything he could to boost her self-esteem, but it hadn’t seemed to work too well.

  “Wow!” She gaped at the bride as if not hearing him.

  Jenna’s long-sleeved dress was simpler than he’d expected, considering the family wealth, more in the sense of understated elegance than something designed to attract attention. No tiara or sparkling rhinestones. But with her smile shining so brightly, the bride didn’t need any embellishments.

  At a more attentive glance, her dress was embroidered with small stars, and the white belt featured a half-moon buckle, probably a nod to the groom’s nephew, who according to Conner’s daughter loved astronauts, stars, and planets.

  As his half sister passed him, her gaze lingered on him longer than on the other guests, and something akin to understanding flashed in her striking blue eyes.

  As if...

  As if she understood who he was. Maybe she did run a background check on him. After all, she was an investigator. That was fine with him. His background was squeaky clean and crystal clear.

  His intentions, however, weren’t.

  Guilt knifed him as his gaze switched to Gwendolyn again. Even if they didn’t have a future together, she deserved to know the truth about him being related to the Clarks. And the fact was, despite all logic, he wanted to have a future with her.

  Well, today or never. He owed it to her. He drew in a deep breath and held it.

  How would she react? She might stop talking to him, and though he deserved it, he didn’t want that to happen. He couldn’t say goodbye to her yet.

  Would he ever be able to?

  After the ceremony, he and Daisy waited near the door until Gwendolyn stepped outside, and then he followed her. “May I speak to you, please? Alone?” Then he cupped a hand on Daisy’s shoulder. “Sweetie Pie, is it okay if I talk to Miss Gwendolyn for a moment?”

  “Okay, Daddy.” She nodded with more confidence than he’d ever seen, and it steadied his trembling heart.

  Liberty gave him an understanding nod and ushered the children forward, including Daisy.

  Breathing frosty air, he took Gwendolyn aside before he could lose his courage. “I have to tell you something. The Clark family... the family you’re working for... they don’t know it yet, but they’re my half siblings.”

  Her jaw slackened as she gasped. “What?”

  * * *

  The entire next day, Gwendolyn tried to wrap her mind around Conner’s confession.

  She’d already had trust issues after her mother had left her so easily and never allowed her to talk to Vanessa. In addition, her father had trained Gwendolyn to be suspicious and vigilant as part of the skills necessary to survive in the field they’d both chosen. Plus her ex-fiancé had cheated on her, and her so-called friend Gillian had betrayed her.

  To question her trust in Conner after all that made her gut wrench.

  Yet, long ago, she’d learned to smile even when her heart had been bleeding. So she’d plastered on a grin for the children’s sake and gone on during the day like nothing had happened.

  Conner promised her he’d tell the family soon, but could she believe him now?

  Her heart flipped over in her chest.

  Like Vera who’d married one of the Clark brothers earlier this month, all the other siblings in the Clark family seemed to have found true love and happiness. Gwendolyn was happy for them. She really was. But seeing their joyful love sharpened her loneliness.

  Their family would continue being close-knit and there for each other while she would return to her empty apartment where not even a cat waited for her. Her father had taught her that pets needed stability, and their lifestyle was anything but.

  Her heart shifted. Just like Daisy, Gwendolyn wanted to have a cat. Wanted to be needed, to stroke smooth fur, to elicit happy purrs, to feel that overwhelming tenderness when the cat settled on her lap to snuggle during the long winter nights. A pet wouldn’t betray her like people had.

  By the evening, tired of pretending everything was great, she looked forward to going to bed and studying the info Vera had sent her. Then disappearing into a dream. Hopefully, without a certain ex-cowboy in it.

  Once she finished her work as a nanny-bodyguard for the day, she dragged her tired feet to her room and sank onto her bed.

  Then her gut clenched. She’d never looked deep enough into her father’s murder and wished she hadn’t waited twenty-five years to do it. She read the file her friend had found on Ron, Odetta, and the sculptor until her vision was blurry.

  Okay, maybe tears blurred her vision, but who wouldn’t cry when their heart was broken?

  Her phone rang, and her heartbeat increased at Conner’s name on the screen. Her fingers lingered over the screen, but she couldn’t talk to him. Not yet.

  First, she needed to figure out her feelings for him.

  Lord, can I trust Conner?

  An incoming text beeped—I miss you. And I’m sorry.

  Longing unraveled in her. She missed him and Daisy, too. More than she wanted to admit. But if he’d lied to her about one thing, couldn’t he have lied about others? Or more likely, what else hadn’t he told her? How could she believe she was anything more than a source of information to him?

  Her chest hurt as she did her best to reread the file, but her thoughts kept returning to Conner. She changed into one of the sweatpants and T-shirts she usually slept in and slipped under the covers, a lump clogging her throat and tears burning her eyes.

  She thought there was an attraction between them. More than an attraction. But then, she’d been wrong before. Plenty of times.

  For a long time, she stared at the ceiling, not sleepy despite this overwhelming tiredness.

  Oh, how much she missed him! His smile, his support, his way of looking at her and seeming to see her soul and care about her.

  Spending time with young children was so much better than with adults.

  Children hadn’t learned to lie yet.

  Chapter Eleven

  After the children returned to their parents the next evening, Gwendolyn put away enough toys to make a toy store proud, her heart heavy.

  Liberty plopped down near her on the rug, her single green leaf-shaped earring dancing in her ear. “You missed the sleigh rides we did before Christmas, but we’re doing them again. And you’re going on the sleigh ride with Conner tonight.”

  “Excuse me?” Gwendolyn blinked. Surely, she’d misheard. But her heart started beating fast.

  “You’re going on a sleigh ride with Conner tonight. I’ll finish up with the toys.” Liberty smiled. “Go get ready.”

  Gwendolyn had never seen a woman so comfortable in her skin, plus size, green hair, and all. Maybe being adored by her husband and soon-to-be adopted son and being passionate about her veterinarian job had something to do with Liberty’s happy glow.

  Gwendolyn pretended she was too occupied with the important task of placing toys in boxes. “Um, I’d rather retire to my room earlier tonight. Or have a root canal.”

  Laughing, Libe
rty tossed a stuffed puppy at Gwendolyn’s head. “That wasn’t a question. That was a reminder.”

  As Gwendolyn fumbled with the plush Dalmatian, she opened her mouth and promptly closed it. In the short time she’d known Liberty, Gwendolyn understood arguing with the youngest Clark daughter was futile.

  Still, she tried. She wasn’t ready to speak to Conner yet. “I... I have my reasons.”

  Liberty grimaced. “Yeah. He should’ve told us he’s our half sibling from the get-go instead of sneaking around.”

  Gwendolyn gasped. “You know?”

  “Yup. He told the family. Right after Jenna received the DNA test results to confirm it. I take it, he told you, too?”

  “Yes. On Jenna’s wedding day.” Gwendolyn didn’t want Liberty to think she’d kept that secret away from the family. “And... and you’re okay with it?”

  “At first, I wanted to punch Conner.” Yes, that sounded like Liberty. “My brothers did, too. But then we decided to give him a chance. Well, the women decided, and the men agreed. Eventually. Knowing Jenna, she investigated Conner thoroughly, and we decided to trust him for now. Family is family, even though it’s turning out we have far more family than we realized.” Liberty rolled her eyes. “Besides, we all love Daisy. Mom’s happy to have a new grandchild.”

  Gwendolyn’s world shifted. “Wow. I mean... wow. I... I don’t know whether I can be as forgiving as you all are.”

  “You have a kind nature you’re trying to hide. Not everyone is going to take advantage of your kindness. I’ll say a prayer for you. Anyway, I’m sure Conner and Daisy wouldn’t want you to miss all that fun.” Liberty got up as her adopted son ran to her, dimples denting his cheeks.

  His hair stood up in an adorable cowlick. “We’re gonna go for another sleigh ride!”

  “Yes, we are.” She gave Nehemiah a hug much gentler than her usual ones, probably to avoid suffocating or crushing the boy.

  Liberty’s husband, now the accountant for Mending Hearts Ranch, greeted Gwendolyn with a handshake, then placed a kiss on his wife’s slightly blushing cheek, his grin and dimples matching his boy’s.