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

by Alexa Verde

  Love...

  This must be one of the most amazing Christmas gifts ever.

  God’s love.

  Love of all these people. She didn’t come to Cowboy Crossing to find the love of her life, and yet she did.

  Utensils clanked against porcelain dishes, and children’s laughter interrupted adults’ chatter. She had a family that accepted her in their midst with open arms, no questions asked.

  Conner was a rightful member of this family, though he’d gone about it wrong at first. But they’d forgiven him and accepted him and his little girl as if they’d known them from day one. Gratitude warmed Gwendolyn’s heart.

  A family for Christmas...

  “Miss Gwendolyn, I love you.” Daisy lifted her large brown eyes at Gwendolyn from the chair nearby.

  Gwendolyn melted like honey in her tea. “I love you, too.”

  A daughter...

  It was fine that Daisy didn’t call her “Mommy” yet or might never call her that. In Gwendolyn’s mind and her heart, Daisy was her daughter, and that was it.

  Her pulse picked up when Conner laced his fingers through hers. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”

  She grinned. “Only twenty times. So I’m expecting twenty more.”

  A home...

  The Clarks had invited them to stay at the mansion as long as they wanted to and had offered them part of the land. Conner, Gwendolyn, and Daisy were going to build a house, a paddock, and a stable, with input from Daisy, of course, who seemed mostly interested in the opportunity to have a pony.

  Conner received a job at Mending Hearts Ranch and gladly took it for now, but she remembered his dream and would support him in it. To have a place for horses with broken spirits.

  Her gaze stopped at his mother, who saluted her with a glass of apple cider and a generous smile.

  Her heart warming, Gwendolyn did the same in return, then beamed at Conner. “I’m so glad your mother accepted me.” His mother had already congratulated them and seemed to be happy for them.

  He chuckled as he placed a kiss on her cheek, making heat rise inside her. “Are you kidding me? She loves you already. You’re impossible not to love. She might stay in Cowboy Crossing for a while. Vera’s grandmother said she could introduce her to a few bachelors and maybe take her scuba diving later on.”

  Gwendolyn’s gaze flicked to the blue-haired lady in a matching pantsuit, whose toasts at the reception had made everyone laugh. “Oh boy.”

  “You can say that again. My mother was reluctant at first, but I told her it’s never too late for love. But then she might not need much help.”

  Gwendolyn smiled at Uncle John paying compliments to Conner’s mother and passing her biscuits. “Praying she’ll find her happiness. And Uncle John.”

  “I’ll pray for that, too.” Conner’s eyes were luminous, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away.

  All the voices faded away. Her mind still had difficulty grasping that her dream came true when she least expected it. She gave thanks to the Lord.

  “So true. It’s never too late to discover the meaning of love.” She wondered if all people understood that concept, in a broader sense. With Vera’s help, she’d tracked down her mother and sent a wedding invitation. Her mother had never replied, and Gwendolyn wasn’t sure whether the pain she felt was disappointment or guilty relief.

  Conner’s eyes shadowed, then brightened as he placed a kiss atop Daisy’s head. “Well, Daisy and I have a large brand-new family who does know the meaning of love, right, Sweetie Pie?”

  “Right, Daddy.” Daisy giggled. “And I have a brand-new mommy!”

  Joyous tears threatened to spill, so Gwendolyn hugged Daisy tightly and hid them, the sweet scent of mango shampoo filling her lungs. “I love you so much.”

  “Love you, too.” Daisy smiled up at her when Gwendolyn let her go.

  This was what bliss looked like.

  Liberty rushed to her, more exuberant than ever, and that was saying something. “I didn’t think I’d ever have to wear a bridesmaid dress again, but here we go. Stand up now.” Liberty paired the caramel-hued silk dress with cowboy boots and a white cowboy hat, probably as a compromise. When Gwendolyn obeyed, Liberty squished her in a hug. “Welcome to the family.”

  Gwendolyn wasn’t sure, but she suspected her new sister lifted her off the tiled floor. Was her wedding dress too tight, or was it difficult to breathe? “Th–thank you.”

  Liberty let her go.

  “My turn.” Jenna’s embrace, though more elegant and less suffocating, held the same warmth. “Welcome to the family. I couldn’t be happier to have a new sister.”

  Meanwhile, Liberty snatched Conner in her signature bear hug, and Gwendolyn hoped the sound she heard wasn’t his bones cracking.

  She didn’t even have a chance to thank Jenna as Vera hugged her, too, then more people gave her and Conner hugs and congratulations. They didn’t just say it—they meant it, too.

  Later, as she passed around the room giving out little wedding favors her new sisters had helped her make, she stopped by the gift table. A blue envelope attracted her attention because it was addressed only to her. All the other gifts were addressed to both her and Conner.

  On a whim, she opened the envelope and the double-wedding-ring embossed card it contained. Her eyes widened at the large stack of cash inside. But even more, the inscription caused her to inhale sharply.

  Take care of him and love him deeply.

  The words were typed, and there was no signature—just a small drawing of a... cat?

  She replaced the envelope. Conner had told her all about Tara’s disappearance. Tara was identified based on a necklace and her father’s confirmation. But the man hadn’t wanted the police to look for his daughter. What if...

  Then there was the case of Conner thinking someone followed him.... Could the drawing signify his stepsister’s middle name?

  Deep in thought, Gwendolyn waved to Vera who passed the baby to her husband and hurried to her.

  Without a word, Gwendolyn showed her friend the envelope, and they stepped aside from the crowd. “I think this is from Conner’s missing stepsister.” A pang of conscience twinged her over not discussing it with him first. She’d tell him in a few minutes. She remembered all too well what keeping secrets could do to erode trust. “I need to discuss this with him first, but—if he agrees to it—do you think you can find her?”

  Vera narrowed her eyes a fraction. “Often, if people don’t want to be found, they have a good reason for it. That said, I’ll do everything I can to help. I’m sure Jenna will be glad to help, too, and Heather will be thrilled to have another opportunity to use her online research skills.”

  Gwendolyn smiled at her friend, grateful Vera would always be there for her. “Thank you so much.”

  “In fact...” Her friend paused as if she considered an idea.

  “Yes?” Gwendolyn raised an eyebrow, stilling as she was about to head back to Conner.

  “We already have interesting cases at our new detective agency, including a case for one of the Clarks’ cousins. His ex-wife died from an overdose in a rehab center, and he wants to make sure it was an accident.”

  Gwendolyn’s lips pursed as she recalled Brea who died from an overdose, as well. Was this a coincidence?

  Vera continued. “I know you have different career goals now, but you’re welcome to join us any time. You can choose your hours. The girls will be thrilled to have you.”

  She hugged her friend in earnest. “I’ll think about it.”

  Then she returned to Conner, who kissed her again, sending a jolt of pleasure through her. She’d already found everything she needed. But how would it feel to be part of the sisterhood? The answer was simple. It would feel wonderful.

  “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” His warm breath caressed her ear.

  “Ditto.”

  She could trust these people’s words and her own heart now.

  Thank
You, Lord.

  Epilogue

  Her gut tightened, and she tensed. She glanced around the street near the coffee shop she’d just exited, doing her best to determine what caused that unease.

  Years of living on the streets in her teens had taught Tara—who’d used her middle name for years—to always be on guard, even if she was safe now. She suppressed a shudder at the memories as she made careful steps forward and watched reflections in the shop windows.

  Those times of hunger and humiliation were thankfully gone. As she caught her reflection, a slight jolt of satisfaction zinged through her over turning her life around, the feeling as warm and sweet as the coffee she’d just enjoyed.

  No sign of torn clothes sizes too big, thin dirty hair, sunken cheeks, or desperate eyes in the reflection. Her light cream-colored coat was stylish, just like her matching boots, and her shiny blonde hair covered her shoulders in waves, slightly messy thanks to the fresh breeze. She loved the Show Me state in spring, the symbol of renewal—of nature and her life.

  It might be a crazy idea to move here from Texas, but she wanted to stay close to her stepbrother, even if she couldn’t reveal she was still alive to Conner yet. He was the only family she had left, as her father couldn’t be considered family. The move wasn’t a hardship. She’d moved a lot from one state to the other before, though she realized one could never escape memories.

  Thankfully she could work online for the most part. No need to hunt for a job.

  She shouldn’t be too smug. Her life had been turned upside down once, and it could happen again.

  Why the recent unease, though? Maybe her subconscious had picked up on something her consciousness hadn’t. But what?

  Uh-oh. The bulky bearded man across the road was watching her. She saw him reflected in the glass and felt rather than noticed the sharp gaze drilling a hole in her back.

  A shiver ran down her spine, and she resisted the urge to run her hands over her forearms. One would think that, after years of living in a cardboard box, she’d be more resistant to the cold, internal or external.

  Her fingers slid into her purse to find the reassuring cool smoothness of her gun. Then she flinched. The weapon wasn’t there. Of all days to forget it at home after she’d taken it out to clean it.

  Unforgivable mistake.

  She grimaced as she made a few steps, then stopped, and studied the man’s reflection in a different shop window. This was one of the days when everything seemed to go wrong. She’d burned her breakfast, missed an important phone call, left her car at the dealership, and now this.

  On the other hand, if she’d told her miserable fifteen-year-old self about her day, that girl would laugh at her and say, “I wish I had your problems.”

  Time to move.

  A premonition twisted her heart.

  As she walked, the man moved in the same direction, and her heartbeat increased. She slipped inside a clothing boutique and browsed dresses without much interest. She shifted aside as a woman with perfume so strong Tara nearly sneezed snatched a nearby dress.

  When she left the store, the guy was still there. The beard covered most of his face, and his brown hat was drawn low. When he threw away an empty pack of cigarettes, bile rose inside her, and she did her best to push it down as goose bumps erupted over her skin. The name on the pack was a coincidence.

  It had to be.

  Breathe.

  But, as she inhaled the fresh spring air, she could still smell the cigarette smoke. Could feel the sharp pain from the belt buckle, hear her father’s mocking laugh. Then an image of another bearded man invaded her memory, and this time it included his large, strong hands pressed to her neck, strangling her.

  Every breath came at a cost.

  Even as she started running, she knew she was fine now. She’d come a long way from that scared, helpless teenager.

  But the command “flee” was ingrained too deep in her mind. Her concentration was on the man, so when she noticed a pothole, it was too late. Her ankle twisted, pain shooting through her leg. As dirty water sprayed her cream-colored coat, she barely avoided landing in a puddle. Her training had prevented her from falling, allowing her to regroup in time, but it was a small consolation for her hurting ankle.

  Horror filled her as the feeling of no escape overpowered her again.

  She wouldn’t be able to run with her sore ankle. The man marched to her across the street.

  No way out.

  No!

  A cab! None was coming.

  Her body shuddered. She stopped thinking rationally, and instincts took over. Her gaze slid to a car right near her, an older model that wouldn’t be so difficult to steal.

  What was she thinking? This was crazy. Totally crazy. She knew how to boost a car from the days she’d learned way more than she’d ever wanted to. But she was never, ever going to take a car for a ride again. She led a life with dignity now and taught other women to do the same.

  The man was closer, and just as before, taking another breath became difficult. She opened her mouth to scream, but no word came out as if there was too much pressure on her windpipe again, not allowing air out—or in.

  You’re helpless! There’s nothing you can do.

  There was. The car alarm might shriek, scaring the guy away, and that was all she needed.

  The alarm didn’t shriek as she opened the door. She felt in a daze. What was she doing?

  Stupid! So stupid.

  Okay, she’d return the car in a few minutes. Then training took over, and the motor woke up, growling happily.

  The man knocked on her window, making her flinch. The man didn’t threaten her, didn’t harm her yet, but she remembered large hands on her throat, pressure on her windpipe again. She had to get out of here.

  Now!

  So she did.

  She’d circle around the street and return the vehicle to its place. No one would be the wiser. Her heartbeat calmed down somewhat from the staccato as she drove away. She’d be back as soon as she could be sure the man was gone.

  Then a child’s voice from the back seat reached her. “Who are you? Where are we going? Are we there yet?”

  Her heart about stopped beating before resuming its staccato. What in the world?

  She glanced in the rearview mirror before returning her attention to the road. How hadn’t she noticed a child in the back seat? Why hadn’t she checked in the first place? “What are you doing here?”

  “Waiting for my daddy.”

  Her hands flew up in the air in frustration before clenching on the steering wheel.

  Really, what kind of an irresponsible father leaves a child in the car?

  THE END

  From Alexa: Heartfelt thanks for reading Conner and Gwendolyn’s story. Would you like to read Tara’s story, the next book in the series? Please click here. If you’re curious about the rest of my books, here’s the link for my other titles.

  Acknowledgments

  First of all, thank You to God for putting up with me and for all the blessings!

  A million thanks to you, my readers, for reading my books, for sending me encouragement, and for supporting me.

  My gratitude goes to Renate for giving me valuable information about German traditions and beta-reading the book, as well as to Sarah S. for helping me with the parts of the novel about horses. You’re wonderful!

  Many thanks to my friend, Autumn Macarthur. I don’t know how I’d survive without you. You’re the best part of me.

  Heartfelt thanks to author Jessie Gussman for coming up with the idea for this series and for helping me so much on the way. Jessie, you make me laugh, you make me smile, and you make the world a better place.

  Many thanks to my street team, Alexa’s Amazing Readers, and to my beta readers, whom I love to pieces. Kim, Trudy, Debbie, Paula, Karen, Tandy, Susan, Mary Jane, Glenda, Julie, Jean, Deanna, Sarah, and Andrea, you’re all amazing (I’m sorry if I forgot to name someone!). Thank you, Renate, Teresa C., June S., and Heleen,
for helping me to name the cats. Thank you, Renate, Patty F., Carol W., and Lynn S., for naming the hero.

  I thank you my wonderful editor, Deirdre, for coming through for me every time.