Christmas Baby for the Cowboy (Sweethearts of the Rodeo #4)

Chapter Nine

Loretta

A nother week pushed them closer to Christmas and another holiday event. This time it was the Last Stand Christmas Ball at the historic Jameson House in town. Loretta had been wanting to look inside the house for the longest time. The event benefited the Last Stand rodeo Scholarship Fund.

Barney had been nice enough to get them tickets as his Christmas present to them. Loretta had been trying all week to get a babysitter, but was coming up empty. It seemed that everyone in town was going. Dolly and Nash were too far away. Reba and Shane had plans and Dylan and LeAnn were in Mexico doing the rodeo circuit there. The Three Sisters Ranch families were all going. It was getting hard not to feel like Cinderella without a fairy godmother.

“Still no luck getting a sitter?” Taylor asked, looking up from where he was playing with Georgie on the floor.

Loretta shook her head, trying to keep the disappointment from her voice. “None. I’ve tried in Last Stand and Whiskey River. All the babysitters are booked up.”

Taylor stood, scooping Georgie into his arms as he crossed the small space to place a comforting hand on Loretta’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know how much you were looking forward to it. Why don’t you go and I’ll stay home with Georgie?”

She leaned into his touch. “That’s no fun.” The Last Stand Christmas Ball was more than just a fancy night out. It would be a chance to feel like a normal couple again, to dress up and dance and forget about their worries for a few hours. “It’s okay,” Loretta said, mustering a smile. “There’s always next year.” If they were still here. “And maybe it’s better if we go to bed early and get a good night’s sleep.”

Taylor opened his mouth to respond, but a sudden knock at the door interrupted him. They exchanged confused glances. They weren’t expecting any visitors.

“I’ll get it.” She opened the door, and blinked in shock.

“Surprise!” her parents chorused, broad grins on their faces.

“Mom? Dad?” Loretta gasped, frozen for a moment before throwing herself into their arms. “What are you doing here?”

Her mother laughed, returning the hug tightly. “We’re your Christmas present.”

As they stepped into the Winnebago, Loretta’s father clapped Taylor on the shoulder in greeting before immediately turning his attention to Georgie, who was babbling excitedly at the new arrivals.

“What do you mean you’re our Christmas present?” Loretta asked.

“This will explain it.” Her mother reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope. “I know it’s not Christmas Eve, yet, but you can open it now.”

Inside was a beautiful homemade card and two small certificates. One was a coupon good for one night of babysitting. And the other one was for a one-night stay at Janice’s retreat center tonight. Both were dated today. She looked up at her parents. “How did you know about tonight?”

“Dolly told us.”

Loretta was glad that she had spent some time painting a special portrait of Dolly and Nash for Christmas to hang in their new apartment in Dallas.

“So, we’ll watch Georgie for the night,” her father said, bouncing the giggling baby on his knee. “You two go and enjoy yourselves at that ball. Stay out as late as you want. The lock code for the retreat center is there on the back.”

“Mom, Dad, I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

Her mother waved off her protests. “Nonsense. It’s our pleasure, and you both deserve a break. Now, don’t you have a ball to get ready for?”

The next hour was a whirlwind of activity. Because of the cramped space, her parents took Georgie out for a drive while Loretta and Taylor changed into their party clothes.

Loretta slipped into her dress, a dark forest green that made her feel like a Christmas elf. It was one of the few fancy items she’d kept from her pre-Georgie days, and she was relieved to find it still fit perfectly. The silk whispered against her skin as she twirled in front of the small mirror, feeling more glamorous than she had in months.

When she stepped out of the tiny bathroom, Taylor grinned in appreciation. He looked incredibly handsome in his black western-style tuxedo, complete with a bolo tie and polished boots.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he breathed, eyes roaming appreciatively over her figure. “You look amazing.”

A blush crept up her cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself, cowboy.”

They were just about to leave when her parents returned.

“Take lots of pictures,” her mom said. “Enjoy your night, and don’t worry about a thing here.”

After a flurry of hugs, kisses, and last-minute instructions about Georgie’s routine, Loretta and Taylor walked hand in hand toward Taylor’s truck. A giddy excitement bubbled up inside her. For one night, they could forget about their worries and just be a young couple in love. She couldn’t stop smiling on the drive to Jameson House, her hand snug in Taylor’s as he navigated the familiar streets of Last Stand. As they pulled up to the venue, Loretta’s breath caught in her throat.

Jameson House was a beautiful old mansion, its grand architecture enhanced by white holiday lights that adorned every window and archway. The front lawn was transformed into a winter wonderland, with illuminated ice sculptures and elegantly decorated Christmas trees lining the path to the entrance.

“It’s like something out of a fairy tale,” Loretta murmured as Taylor helped her from the truck.

Inside, the foyer was a bustle of activity as guests in their finest rodeo formal wear mingled and chatted. As they entered the ballroom, she couldn’t get enough of the house’s grandeur. The dance floor was a gorgeous light brown wood that had been buffed to a beautiful shine that reflected the soft lighting. Pots and hanging baskets of gaily colored flowers were artfully placed throughout the ballroom, creating the impression of a lush garden.

Surrounding the dance floor were several large, round tables draped in crisp white linens, each adorned with colorful centerpieces of wildflowers. Flickering votive candles cast an intimate glow over each table.

But the true showstopper was the fountain in the very center of the room. Instead of water, it held a cascading arrangement of flowers, creating a breathtaking focal point that drew admiring glances from every guest.

“This is incredible,” Taylor whispered, his arm sliding around Loretta’s waist. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Loretta nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. The elegant atmosphere was a far cry from their usual rodeo events, but there were still touches that honored their Western heritage. Many of the men wore bolo ties or cowboy boots with their tuxedos, while some of the women had incorporated turquoise jewelry or small cowboy hats into their ensembles.

They made their way to their assigned table, greeting familiar faces as they went. Loretta was touched to see how many members of the Last Stand community had turned out to support the scholarship fund.

As they settled into their seats, a server appeared with flutes of champagne. Loretta took a sip, the bubbles tickling her nose and adding to the magical feeling of the evening.

“To us,” Taylor said softly, clinking his glass against hers. “And to a merry Christmas to come.”

A rush of love flooded through Loretta. “To us,” she echoed.

The evening unfolded like a dream. The three-piece jazz band filled the air with smooth melodies, enticing couples onto the dance floor. Loretta and Taylor joined them, swaying together to the music. Taylor’s hand was steady on the small of her back, and Loretta relished the closeness, the rare opportunity to just be together without distractions.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” Taylor murmured in her ear as they danced.

Loretta smiled up at him. “You might have mentioned it once or twice. But I don’t mind hearing it again.”

Taylor’s laugh rumbled through his chest. “Well then, let me say it again. You are the most beautiful woman in this room, Loretta Keller. And I’m the luckiest man alive to be here with you.”

“Flatterer,” she teased, but her voice was soft with emotion.

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of a microphone being tapped. They turned to see the mayor of Last Stand standing on a small stage, ready to make an announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the mayor began, “I want to thank you all for coming out tonight to support the Last Stand Rodeo Scholarship Fund. Your generosity will help young people in our community pursue their dreams and keep our rodeo traditions alive.”

A round of applause filled the room.

The mayor continued, outlining the impact of the scholarship fund and introducing some past recipients who were in attendance. Loretta listened with rapt attention, moved by the stories of young people who had been given opportunities they might not have had otherwise.

As the speech concluded and the band struck up another tune, Loretta turned to Taylor. “This is a nice town, isn’t it?”

“I’ve always liked it.”

They spent the rest of the evening alternating between dancing and mingling with other guests. Loretta found herself deep in conversation with a local artist about potentially collaborating on a series of rodeo-themed paintings, while Taylor discussed bull-riding techniques with some of the older cowboys in attendance.

As the night wore on, a pleasant exhaustion settled into her bones. Her feet ached from dancing in heels, and her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. But it was a good kind of tired, the kind that came from joy and celebration rather than stress and worry.

“Ready to call it a night?” Taylor asked, noticing her stifled yawn.

Loretta nodded gratefully. “I think so. This has been wonderful, but I’m about ready to trade these heels for slippers.”

They said their goodbyes, thanking the organizers and complimenting them on a beautiful event. As they stepped out into the cool night air, Loretta shivered slightly. Taylor immediately shrugged off his jacket, draping it over her shoulders.

“My hero,” Loretta said, snuggling into his coat that smelled of Taylor’s cologne.

The drive to Janice’s retreat center was quiet, both of them lost in happy reflections of the evening. When they arrived, Loretta couldn’t help but smile at the beauty of the place. The rustic elegance of the building was enhanced by the holiday decorations they’d helped put up. It was a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Their suite for the night was a revelation after over a year of Winnebago living. A plush king-sized bed dominated the room, piled high with fluffy pillows and a down comforter. A small sitting area with a fireplace offered a perfect spot for morning coffee, and the bathroom boasted a large soaking tub that made Loretta’s tired feet ache with longing.

“This is amazing,” Taylor said taking in the luxurious surroundings. “Your parents really outdid themselves.”

“They sure did. Remind me to go into town and pick them up some pastries before we head on back home.”

As the adrenaline of the evening began to fade, exhaustion hit them both like a wave. They went through their bedtime routines in comfortable silence, the familiarity of their partnership evident in the way they moved around each other in the unfamiliar space.

“I’m not sure how to say this,” she said as she slipped into a silky nightgown she’d packed for the occasion.

“Just say it.” Taylor changed into sleep pants and a soft T-shirt.

As they climbed into the enormous bed, Loretta couldn’t help but sigh in contentment. “I am not up for any hanky-panky tonight.”

Taylor chuckled softly, pulling her close. “That’s okay, there’s always tomorrow morning.” He kissed her thoroughly though.

There was a slight blip of interest, but then he spoiled it by yawning.

“Yeah me too,” she said sleepily. “This might be the most comfortable bed I’ve ever been in,” she murmured, already feeling sleep tugging at her consciousness.

“It’s pretty great. Though I’d sleep just as well on a bed of rocks as long as you’re next to me.”

Loretta smiled, nestling into his embrace. “Charmer,” she accused affectionately, her words slurring slightly with sleepiness.

As she drifted off, Loretta’s last thoughts were of gratitude. And this time, it wasn’t such a dirty word.