Saving the Cowboy’s Christmas (Rowdy Ranch #12)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

T o Rance’s surprise, Lani hadn’t dinged him for calling her Lani-lou. Or told him he was delusional. Or an idiot. He’d apparently stunned her into silence with that last speech.

If she had more to say, she’d have to make it quick. They’d arrived. As he pulled in, Granny came out on the porch, her green checked apron over her dress, but no coat or hat.

“Doggone it.” He threw the gearshift into park and hopped out. “Sorry we’re a little late! Please go back in. It’s freezing out here.”

“Then ya didn’t have a wreck or somethin’?”

“No. We’re fine.” He slammed the door and started around to the passenger side but Lani was already out.

“It’s my fault, Granny.” She hurried right past him. “I’m so sorry. I’m the one who made us late.” She dashed up the steps. “I hope we didn’t ruin your shepherd’s pie.”

“Just turned off the oven, I did. Texted ya, Rance, but ya didn’t?—”

“Must not have heard it.” He took the steps two at a time and followed Lani though the door. He hung his hat on the coat rack. “Lani and I got to talking. It’s nobody’s fault. We lost track of?—”

“Never ya mind, luv. Ya made it in one piece. Nothin’ else matters, now, does it?” She turned to smile at them. “Take off yer coats, but stay outta the kitchen, both of ya. Turn yer backs ta the door. Don’t be lookin’ ’round. I’ve got ta set the scene.”

“Set the scene?” Lani stopped so quickly that he nearly ran into her.

“My mum use ta set the scene when company came.” She made a shooing motion with both hands. “Go on with ya. Look the other way.”

Lani faced him with a cute little smile. “She means you, too, buster.”

“Right.” He turned and took a step back so he was standing beside her and could help her off with her coat.

Lani lowered her voice. “Do you know what she’s up to?”

“I have no idea.” He hung up her coat and his jacket.

“But you said you’ve had a lot of people over since she’s been here. She didn’t set the scene for them?”

“I guess there’s company and then there’s company .”

“Apparently.”

“Just so you know, I told her working remotely is out. She understands the program is in jeopardy.”

“It’s always been in jeopardy. You just didn’t realize it.”

“But I do, now.”

She glanced at him. “Do you?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He held her gaze. “But that doesn’t change?—"

“Ya can come in!”

He gestured toward the arched kitchen doorway. “After you.” He followed her into his kitchen, which now looked more like an exclusive bistro.

Granny had doused the overhead and pulled back the café curtains on the kitchen window. The multicolored glow of the Christmas lights on the porch railing blended with a slew of candles inside. Might be the entire batch he'd bought her a couple weeks ago.

A group of three sat on the table and others were spaced along the counters. He’d never seen that lace tablecloth before, or the lace-trimmed napkins tucked into gleaming silver napkin rings.

The matching silverware wasn’t his, or the crystal wine glasses. “Where’d all this come from?”

“Had it in my wee hope chest, I did. There’s a fourth napkin and place settin’ if we ever need it.”

Lani gazed at the setup. “It’s absolutely beautiful, Granny. And champagne! What a treat.”

Rance took another look. Sure enough, on the far side of the table, slightly hidden in the shadows, was the ice bucket he rarely used. In it sat the bottle of extremely pricey champagne his mom had given Granny when she’d first arrived.

“It’s a celebration we’ll be havin’, isn’t it? The book’s done and ya gave it yer stamp of approval.” Granny beamed at her. “Have a seat. “

“Which one?”

“The middle. Ya can see the lights on the porch from there. And the tree.”

“I noticed the pretty lights when we drove in. But if there’s a decorated tree out there, I didn’t see it.”

Granny chuckled. “Yer mind was on other things, luv. Look there.” She pointed to a thirty-foot pine the entire family had decorated as a gift for Granny’s first Christmas.

Ducking her head, Lani scanned the area. “Oh, my goodness! How did I miss that?” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Did you rent a crane?”

“Angie did, and we all pitched in to get ’er done.”

“Got a ride in the bucket, I did.” Granny laughed. “Thirty feet in the air. Put the star on. ‘’Twas pure craic.”

“It looks like the tree on the White House lawn. Who came up with the idea?”

“Lucky suggested it. Otherwise we’d have to take down my pool table so we could have a tree in the living room.”

“I wouldn’ta let him dismantle that table to put up a tree. Anyway, there’s a wee one in m’bedroom. Very festive. One in his, too.”

He gave her a look. She gazed right back, her cherub face filled with innocence. He had to glance away or he’d start laughing. Granny was more of a schemer than he’d counted on. Champagne, indeed.

And it was delicious, a perfect complement to shepherd’s pie, hot rolls and even Granny’s Irish pound cake. They toasted the completion of his book and spent most of the meal talking about it.

He and Lani were careful not to give spoilers, though. He’d printed a second copy for Granny before leaving for work this morning, but she’d been too busy cooking to get very far.

Lani’s copy lay on the table between her place and Granny’s. Several times she’d flipped through it to quote a line she especially liked.

He soaked up every word of praise, every smile, every laugh of delight. She loved his book. Selfish man that he was, he craved more than that. He wanted her to love him.

And not just a little bit. He wanted her to love him so desperately she’d put her considerable intelligence to work finding a solution. If they both worked on the problem, they’d find a way. Necessity was the mother of invention, right?

“Will ya be tellin’ your family, now?” Granny polished off her champagne. The bottle was nearly gone.

He’d had very little, but he’d kept the other two goblets filled. “I want to, but I haven’t decided the best way to do it.”

“Well, I have, lad. The two of ya could tell yer mum first, together, then tell the rest at a gatherin’.”

He nodded. “Christmas Day, maybe.”

“That’s what I’m thinkin’. Ya don’t hafta say I’ve known for months, either. No reason to. Say I just found out.”

“But you’ve been so much help to me. You deserve some credit.”

She waved a hand. “’Twas an honor. I’ll be… what is it called? Oh, yeah. A silent partner.”

“But—”

“It’s how I want it. There’s a chance yer mum would be hurt because I knew long before she did. I’d cut out m’heart before I’d cause her pain.”

“Okay, then.” He glanced at Lani. “Tomorrow’s Sunday. Mom doesn’t usually plan much for Sunday mornings, especially with Christmas only four days away.”

“There’s another reason to go tomorrow morning. Sara and Kieran will be at Lucky’s. He and Oksana invited them to hang out for the day and help decorate their tree.”

“Good. I keep forgetting they’re still at the house. That makes it the perfect time to break the news. I could text her around eight and plan to go over around nine.”

“What about Andy? Won’t he be there?”

“Yes, and that’s even more reason to do it tomorrow. She tells him everything so he might as well hear it when she does. I can pick you up.”

“I need a plausible reason to be going over with you.”

He shrugged. “Just say it’s a surprise for Christmas. Everybody has secrets this time of year.”

“True.”

“You’ll be needin’ two copies, then — one for yer mum and one for Andy. Take mine.”

“No need. I’ll print another one between now and then.”

“If you say so, but I’ll be leavin’ mine by the front door in case you run out of time.”

“All right.” He’d only have a time crunch if Lani stayed late. Judging from her pink cheeks, she’d come to the same conclusion. He picked up the champagne bottle. “There’s still more. Who wants it?”

Granny waved him away. “Thank you kindly, but I’ve had plenty.”

“Lani? We don’t want it to go to waste.”

“I’ll split it with you.”

“Done.” He divided up what was left. His was gone in two swallows.

Lani took longer with hers. “That was a fabulous meal, Granny. Your pound cake is to die for.”

“Take some home to yer folks, luv. Made it for ’em once before. Raved about it, they did.”

“Thank you. I will.”

“Good.” She gazed at Lani. “Are ya sure ya can’t do yer job usin that video thing Kieran tried to get me ta do? So what if it makes ya look bad?”

“That’s not the problem.”

“No? Rance said ya needed to be there so I thought ya didna like seein’ yerself on the screen.”

“Nope. Being on site is the whole point these days, ever since a new owner took over. Sasha reenergized the staff and now we all look forward to going in. One of my colleagues went remote and came back after two weeks. He said it was like taking a shower with his clothes on.”

“’Tis a special job ya have, luv.”

“It is.”

Letting out a sigh, she pushed back her chair. “’Twas grand craic, but it’s knackered I am. I hate ta leave ya both with the dishes, but?—”

“I’ll handle clean up.” Rance stood and helped her out of her chair.

Lani got to her feet, too. “I’ll help him. It’s the least we can do after you fed us so well.”

“I’ll be toddlin’ off, then.” She gave Lani a hug and turned toward Rance.

He smiled. “I’ll walk you to your room.”

“Ah, yer a sweet one, boyo. I accept that gentlemanly gesture.”

Lani started gathering the dishes. “I’ll get things going in here.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right back.” Rance followed Granny though the arched door and slipped an arm around her shoulders as they walked through the living room. “That was a wonderful meal and a beautiful setting. Thank you.”

“Just tryin’ to help.”

“By adding a bottle of champagne?”

“Blame Ogden Nash.”

“Who?”

“One of yer poets, he is. A Yank I dated before I met Kieran’s grandpa was forever quotin’ that fella. I’ve forgotten most of it, but one popped in ta m’head today. Candy’s dandy but liquor’s quicker.”

He cracked up. “Ah, Granny. What am I gonna do with you?”

“Never mind me. That woman’s in love with ya. Do somethin’ about it.”

“But she?—”

“Take my word for it, lad. Ya regret the things ya didna do more than the things ya did.” Grasping his arm, she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “See ya in the mornin’.” Without waiting for a response, she went into her room and shut the door.

He glanced toward the kitchen. Granny’s parting advice butted up against the decision he’d made five minutes ago, to take Lani home after they cleaned up the kitchen.

That woman’s in love with ya. Do somethin’ about it.

Living past eighty didn’t automatically make people wise. But Granny’s counsel had served him well so far.

Lani had a say in it, though. If her answer was no, they’d skip the dishes, grab their coats and light out. If her answer was yes… they’d still skip the dishes.