Harlequin Heartwarming December 2020 Box Set

by Cari Lynn Webb, Linda Warren, Mary Anne Wilson

Looking up, Georgie noted an inflamed lesion on his forehead that extended into his receding hairline above his left eye. She leaned forward, seeking a closer look. Pops settled his hat back on his head, covering the lesion from her prying gaze.

  “We might have ourselves a real game.” He moved his rook and captured her knight. His cheeks crinkled into a smile. “If you have more than one lucky move in you.”

  The joy on Pops’s face stirred her own. She sank back into her rocking chair and exhaled, letting herself relax. For the first time since her arrival in Falcon Creek, the tension inside Georgie receded. She had more chess moves and she wanted another look at Pops’s forehead. “I might have some more luck inside me.”

  Pops chuckled. “Luck always changes. You can depend on that.”

  “Great-Aunt Pru always told me to never confuse luck with hard work, diligence and determination.”

  “Sounds like something Big E would say.”

  Georgie nodded, surprise hard to find. Pru was really their grandmother and Thomas Blackwell’s mother. Just as Big E was the Harrison sisters’ grandfather.

  “It’s certainly more than luck that keeps that man of yours on his horse in the arena,” Pops said. “More than luck that makes him good at what he does.”

  Georgie set her hand on her bishop and eyed Pops. “It’s a sport for the adrenaline seeker.”

  “It’s more than a sport,” Pops said. “It’s a lifestyle.”

  “It’s dangerous and hard on the body.” How many injuries had Zach sustained? Broken bones, torn ligaments, concussions. The list of potential injuries was endless. Yet he continued to choose that lifestyle. Continued to push his body, tempting fate and another injury. Who cared for him when he was injured? Georgie frowned. That wasn’t her business. She claimed Zach for the next week. What happened after wasn’t her concern. Yet the idea of him alone and injured, hurt and in pain, pinched inside her, uncomfortable and unpleasant.

  “That’s why women and men don’t just join the rodeo.” Pops lifted his gaze from the game board and leaned back in his chair to look at her. “They’re called to the rodeo. It’s in their blood.”

  “Cooks and bakers are in my family tree and I don’t prepare anything from scratch. I rarely ever cook.” Georgie relied on takeout, fresh fruit and easy travel snacks that wouldn’t melt or crumble in her purse. Rolling pins, cookie sheets and aprons weren’t her areas of expertise or interest.

  Pops removed his hat and massaged the back of his head. Georgie set her lack of culinary skills aside to examine Pops’s forehead. Various shades of red and brown discolored the quarter-sized lesion. She was too far away to tell if the surface was raised, yet close enough to know Pops needed to be seen by a specialist as soon as possible.

  “Baking is not a calling.” Pops scowled as if he’d bit into a burned cookie. He resettled his hat on his head. “That’s nothing more than your sweet tooth having a hankering for maple cream pie.”

  “Fresh-from-the-pot hot chocolate and an apology for Georgie.” Alice carried over two mugs and set them on the side table. “Frank and Zach have moved from the forklifts to discussing the best horse feed blends. It’s one of Frank’s favorite topics. And from what I overheard, Zach knows his feed types, too.”

  Zach had described Rain Dancer as family. Would he care about his own family with the same dedication? Not the question she needed answered. Georgie dipped the candy cane Alice had hung on the mug’s rim into her hot chocolate and swirled it around, then sipped and sighed. Rich, decadent and definitely homemade. Even more to enjoy at Brewster’s than chess and good company. “This is delicious. I’ll take Zach’s since he’s too busy talking.”

  Alice laughed.

  “No time to sit and relax. We’ve a game to finish.” Pops captured Georgie’s last pawn and waved it over the game board. “Keep those boys occupied in the warehouse a bit longer.”

  “I’ll do my best. Glad you play, Georgie. Dad’s been looking for a new opponent.” Gratitude lit Alice’s smile. “Dad, you can take your hat off inside the store.”

  “Keeps my head warm and my thoughts clear.” Pops shooed her away and adjusted his cowboy hat lower on his head. “Nothing wrong with that, is there?”

  Alice squeezed her father’s shoulder, affection and love in her tender touch. “Remember Georgie and Zach are guests in town. We want them to feel welcome, not lectured.”

  “I’m not lecturing.” Pops reached up and patted Alice’s hand. “I’m educating. There’s a difference.”

  “Some people come here to shop for ranch supplies and home goods only.” Alice leaned into her dad’s chair. “They’re already educated enough.”

  “You’re educated enough when you get to be my age.” Pops’s bushy eyebrows receded beneath the brim of his hat. He focused on Georgie. “Until then, you’re required to keep learning. You hear me?”

  Georgie nodded. She agreed everyone needed to keep learning. The best doctors in their fields were constantly striving to learn more. Discover more. She intended to keep expanding her own knowledge through continuing education programs. To keep pushing and to always honor her mom’s memory.

  “Pops, you truly are one of a kind,” Alice said.

  The chimes on the entrance jingled. A woman clad in an ankle-length plaid coat, a cowboy hat and winter boots stepped inside and tugged off her gloves. Alice’s greeting included a first-name welcome and warm hug.

  The embrace reminded Georgie of the ones her mom had given her. She missed her mom so very much. With her mom at her side, Georgie had believed anything was possible.

  Georgie rubbed her chest. She wanted to return to Brewster’s for an Alice Gardner hug. And a moment to remember her mom. Alice linked arms with the woman and the pair headed deeper into the store.

  Georgie acknowledged her grief just as the self-help book she’d read had taught her to do. Then she wrapped up the grief and tucked it neatly away. Reminded herself that dwelling in her pain wouldn’t bring her mother back. Told her heart to stand down and her mind to focus on her schedule.

  “My daughter answered her calling from the start.” Pops tapped his stomach. “A calling comes from your very core. And it can’t be denied for long.”

  Georgie picked up the last of Pops’s pawns and set it on the side of the board. “Did you ignore your calling?”

  “Absolutely.” Pops’s one-sided grin sparkled in his wide, unapologetic gaze. “It’s the privilege of youth. I was young and determined to prove life was more than a run-down ranch, mucking stalls and baling hay.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Simple. Turned my back on my family, my roots and left town.” Pops scratched his cheek. “Lasted until I met my wife.”

  “She brought you back home,” Georgie guessed.

  “My wife was my home.” Pops set his elbows on his knees, leaned forward over the game board, closer to Georgie, as if to make sure she heard him. “With my wife I finally understood.”

  “Understood what?” Georgie bent toward him.

  “That’s a conversation for another time.” Pops shifted back into his chair and moved his queen. “Checkmate.”

  Georgie studied the game board and her king’s precarious position. “I did not see that coming.”

  Pops slapped his knee and chuckled. “It’s been a pleasure, Georgiana Marie Harrison.”

  “You know my full name,” Georgie said.

  “Of course.” He raised his hot-chocolate mug in a toast to her. “We’re family.”

  Simple as that. There was nothing complicated about Pops. Georgie appreciated him even more. She picked up her mug and grinned over the rim. “Then, as family, I can come back and challenge you to another game. A full game, not one already started.”

  “I’m here every day. Store opens at nine o’clock and closes at five. You know where to find me.” Pops waved to a woman s
tomping the snow off her boots right outside the open entrance door. “Hey, May. Alice sold one of your saddles. Hope you brought another.”

  “I did.” The slight woman stepped inside and grinned.

  Georgie finished her hot chocolate. “Pops, do you know if I can find local honey in Falcon Creek?”

  “You sure can.” Pops hitched his thumb over his shoulder. “Have Alice introduce you to Ms. Hilda Pittman. Hilda will have what you need.”

  Georgie stood and acted on impulse. She walked over to Pops and pressed a kiss on his weathered cheek. “Thanks, Pops. I’m glad we met today.”

  Pops touched the brim of his hat. “See you soon, Dr. Georgie Blackwell Harrison.”

  “I’m off to find new jeans and Alice.” Georgie picked up their empty mugs.

  “Women’s section is on the other side of the bedding section.” Pops unfolded a fleece blanket and draped it over his lap. “As for my daughter, she could be anywhere. But check the gardening section first.”

  Pops rocked back in his chair, tipped his hat over his face and seemed to instantly fall asleep. Georgie headed to find Alice. She wanted to meet Hilda Pittman and discuss Pops’s forehead with Alice. He’d easily dismissed his daughter’s suggestion that he take off his hat while not raising Alice’s suspicions. Clever gentleman that he was. Yet Pops had convinced Georgie even more that no one in the family had seen the lesion.

  Pops had claimed Georgie as family. As his family, she was called to look after him. She couldn’t wait to share that argument with Pops over their rematch. Her smile lifted from inside her and spread across her face.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ZACH STUCK THE paper on which he’d written the horse feed blend Frank and he had come up with for Rain Dancer in his jacket pocket. A blend Frank thought would support Rain Dancer’s immunity better. He’d call Wade McKee later and have the ranch manager change Rain Dancer’s feed.

  Zach had repaired several brackets on the storage shelves in Brewster’s warehouse. Driven their forklift to relocate pallets of feed to the newly secure shelves. Unloaded grain and road salt. Then chatted with Frank and enjoyed every minute, glad to be helpful and working. He’d been idle too long.

  Georgie and Zach had also helped restock kindling inside the supply store. After Georgie had agreed to wait for Hilda Pittman to return from her property with the honey and herbs Georgie requested.

  Next stop was lunch delivery to Grace and Eli, courtesy of Alice. The kind woman had insisted Georgie and Zach eat before they left. Pops had joined them in the kitchen and informed them that they wouldn’t be allowed to leave until they ate every bite. Alice’s spicy chili hadn’t been hard to finish, even on his second helping.

  Georgie opened the door to Grace’s accounting office and called out a greeting.

  “Come on in,” Grace called back.

  Zach followed Georgie inside and pulled up short to keep from running into Georgie’s stiff back. Grace sat on the floor in front of a large oak desk, her son, Eli, on her lap. Blood stained Grace’s cream-colored sweater and Eli’s sweatpants. Tissues littered the floor around the pair. Grace had Eli’s nose pinched between her fingers.

  “It’s the second ten-minute compression.” Grace frowned at the computer tablet resting in Eli’s lap. “I know too much screen time is bad for kids. But I think desperate times should be judgment free, don’t you?”

  Zach raised the to-go bag Alice had packed for Grace and Eli. “We’re only delivering lunch, not judging.”

  Georgie touched the cloth food bag. “Your mom sent chili and dessert.”

  Eli’s head popped up, dislodging Grace’s compression. “Cookies?”

  “After we stop the nosebleed.” Grace adjusted Eli’s head and set her fingers back on his nose.

  “My nose likes cookies.” Eli wiggled on his mom’s lap.

  “You have to be still,” Grace warned. More blood leaked onto Eli’s shirt.

  Zach nudged his elbow into Georgie’s side and whispered, “Do something. Help them.”

  “Me?” Georgie mouthed back.

  Zach nodded. “You’re the doctor.”

  “In a lab.” Heat infused her murmur.

  “Consider this your new lab.” His whisper matched hers in intensity. “They’re your family.”

  Anger and fear flashed in her gaze. She scowled at Zach, stuffed her phone in her back pocket and turned away from him. She asked, “Grace, do you mind if I try?”

  Zach rocked back. None of Georgie’s irritation at him dented her calm tone or composed expression.

  “Please.” The relief in Grace’s voice was clear. Worry and desperation were also plain to hear. “Please, could you help?”

  Zach stepped forward, preparing to nudge Georgie if required. Yet she inhaled once, as if gathering herself, then knelt on the floor in front of Grace and Eli. The boy had his father’s eyes, his mom’s twin dimples and a sweetness about him that reminded Zach of his own brother.

  Cody had had the same wide-eyed expression, always taking in the world around him as if he’d known, even as a young child, that his time was limited. Zach shifted the to-go bag to his other hand. He’d always been by his brother’s side. Cody had always come before a rodeo competition. His brother had always come first. One of the reasons he’d pushed Georgie to help now. Family should never suffer.

  Georgie edged closer. “Eli, what are you watching?”

  “Zoo Tales.” Eli’s voice was nasal from his mom squeezing his nose.

  “Are there giraffes or monkeys in it? I like to visit them at the zoo.” Georgie settled cross-legged on the floor.

  Eli lifted his big eyes to her but kept his head tilted forward. “Dragons and unicorns.”

  “Oh, it’s a special zoo. I really like dragons.” Georgie looked around, then leaned toward Eli. “Can you keep a secret?”

  Eli nodded.

  “I had a dragon growing up. She slept under my bed.” Georgie pressed a finger over her mouth. Her shoulders edged toward her ears as if she could barely contain her excitement. She added, “My sisters didn’t even know about my pet.”

  Eli giggled and squirmed, scooting off his mom’s lap. He dropped the tablet in Georgie’s lap and pushed a wad of tissue under his nose. “A big dragon?”

  “Really big. She snored like this.” Georgie made a loud snoring sound and earned a giggle from Eli for her performance.

  Zach watched the pair, surprised. He’d never have guessed Georgie Harrison spoke toddler. And seemingly fluently at that. What other talents did she hide?

  Georgie motioned Eli closer. “I can tell you all about my dragon, if you let me look at your nose.”

  “My nose is in a bad mood.” Eli pushed his bottom lip out.

  “Can I make your nose happy again?” Georgie asked.

  Her voice was patient. She sat at the child’s level, her body relaxed and calm as if she intended to play with the toddler. Zach doubted any kid would refuse her. Impressive.

  Eli lowered onto Georgie’s lap and settled in, the boy’s trust in Georgie complete. Had Zach ever trusted anyone, other than his brother, like that? He wasn’t certain.

  Eli pinched his nose. “Mommy do this.”

  “That’s good.” Georgie adjusted Eli and set her fingers below the bridge of his nose, freeing his hands. She glanced at Zach and Grace. “I’m going to need cotton swabs and apple cider vinegar.”

  Apple cider vinegar. Zach sputtered. And it’d been going so well.

  Grace rose and glanced back at Georgie. “Did you say ‘apple cider vinegar’?”

  Georgie nodded and handed Eli the tablet.

  “Fortunately, my husband listened to his grandfather. Big E believes apple cider vinegar is a cure for everything.” Grace headed into the back of the house.

  Zach crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his hip against th
e edge of Grace’s desk. “Was that your plan to get Grace out of the room so you can realign his nose?” Zach had had his nose adjusted after a full facial collision with the hindquarters of a bronc in the arena.

  “His nose is fine,” Georgie said. “Straight and completely unbroken.”

  Zach touched his own nose. “Then what kind of doctor are you?”

  Georgie bit her bottom lip. Uncertainty traced through her gaze. “The kind who listens to longtime nurses and doctors sharing their personal home remedies.”

  “So, you’ve used apple cider vinegar to stop a nosebleed before.” He tugged a pile of tissues from the box on Grace’s desk and handed them to Georgie.

  “Never.” Georgie chewed more of her bottom lip and accepted the tissues. She replaced the bloody tissues in Eli’s hands with the clean ones. “But Loretta, one of the charge nurses on the surgical floor, had seven children and twenty-seven grandchildren. Loretta insisted it worked.”

  “And if it doesn’t work?” Zach asked.

  “We come up with another solution,” she said.

  The panic skimming over her words jarred Zach. He pushed away from the desk, ready to take Georgie’s hand and promise her…what? He was a cowboy, better trained to handle horses than people. Still, he’d held his brother’s hand during treatments growing up. Never let go until Cody had convinced Zach he was good.

  Grace returned with vinegar bottles clutched in her hands and worry creasing her forehead. Grace set the containers and a handful of cotton swabs on her desk. “I have distilled white, white wine as well as apple cider vinegars.”

  “I just need the apple cider and a damp cotton swab,” Georgie said.

  Once again, the doubt receded beneath Georgie’s neutral expression. Once again, she impressed Zach. He had always set his head on his brother’s shoulder or side of the bed. Too afraid to look at the needles. Too afraid to watch another treatment not work. Zach massaged his neck, forced himself to remain present for Georgie. In case she needed him.

  “Let’s see if your nose is still feeling bad.” Georgie pushed on Eli’s hands, revealing his nose.