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

Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

L ive for the moment. That was Rance’s plan and he was sticking to it. In this moment he was driving though a considerable snowstorm with very important passengers — Lani and two copies of his manuscript.

Maybe he should also count Dooley and Sophia, his partners in this journey. Dooley, Sophia and Granny had helped pave the way to Lani’s decisive yes just now.

Now that she’d agreed to spend a few more hours making love with him, he was wary of saying anything more in case it was the wrong thing. He just drove, using his inner GPS more than his eyes.

His mother’s turnoff should be… here. He eased the truck to the right and prayed he wouldn’t knock down the modest sign marking her road.

“How did you know to turn? I can’t see a thing.”

“Thunder told me.”

“Well, that certainly explains it.”

“I know these roads. I’ve driven them so many times I’ve bragged that I could do it blindfolded. I guess I can, because I can’t see anything, either.”

“We’re on a road, though. We’d feel it if we were out in the pasture.”

“It’s her road. I’m sure of it. We’re about to go around the bend and she’ll have all her lights on so we can see the house.”

“And not run into it?”

“That would be preferable.”

“And you know where the bend is?”

“Thunder does.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Here we go.” He swung slowly to the right again, taking the curve his gut told him was under the tires. If he got stuck in a ditch driving blind like an idiot, he’d never hear the end of it.

“Lights! I see them! Not very bright because they’re blocked by the snow, but that’s the house. You did it.” She sank back against the seat.

“I’ll probably get a lecture.”

“Why?”

“Mom sent me a text just as I was pulling into your folks’ place. She said if it got worse she wanted me to hold up there and reschedule this discussion.”

“But it didn’t get worse until we were on our way.”

“That’s what I say. She might see it differently.”

“But you didn’t want to put this off.”

“No, ma’am, I did not.”

“Understood. I’ll back you up. It wasn’t that bad when we left, and then we had no choice but to keep going.”

“Sounds perfectly rational to me.” He inched his way up to the house, getting as close to the porch as he dared. Even grazing it would wipe out his credibility. Pushing gently on the brake, he brought Thunder to a stop and switched off the engine.

“We’re here.” She sounded relieved.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I wasn’t scared. Not too much, anyway, and we needed to get here. Telling her about the book is a big deal.”

“It is, in more ways than one. Yikes, here comes Andy.”

Wearing a heavy parka with the fur-lined hood up, his mom’s beloved husband made his way down the steps. Head down, he started toward the truck, a bundle in his arms, like a Saint Bernard with a keg of brandy. Or in this case, the Rescue Quilt.

Rance unfastened his seat belt. “Stay here. I’ll go meet him.” Hopping down, he closed the door and clamped his hand on his hat as he started toward Andy. The wind was vicious, turning the snow into thousands of tiny needles.

“Looks like you have the Rescue Quilt!”

“I do!”

“Thank you!” He wouldn’t have thought it necessary, but now that he was out in the storm, he was grateful, especially for Lani’s sake. He moved faster so Andy wouldn’t have so far to go.

When they met, Rance took the old familiar quilt. “I appreciate this. Lani will, too.”

“Glad you made it, son.” Turning, he battled his way back to the porch steps.

Rance watched until he got there okay before heading around to Thunder’s passenger door, one hand gripping the quilt and the other securing his hat. He had to squeeze between the front bumper and the porch. Another foot and he would have banged into it.

The heavy patchwork quilt under his arm had started out on his mother’s bed long before he was born. When she’d upgraded to a comforter, this handmade treasure had been passed down through the siblings. He and Lucky had traded off weekly until Angie had come along.

After Angie moved out, it had become known as the Rescue Quilt, deployed whenever someone needed extra protection during a major snowstorm. Like if someone got stranded in the barn. More often it was a courtesy provided when a visitor would have trouble making it from their vehicle to the front door without turning into an icicle.

He had no illusions. This gesture was meant for Lani. If he’d been alone, the Rescue Quilt would still be in the hall closet. His mom believed in consequences for actions taken contrary to her wishes.

He opened Lani’s door and flipped one side of the quilt up over the door frame. It was padded wool and heavy enough to stay put. “Andy brought this so we could get under it while we make our way to the porch.”

“What a nice thing to do. Your mom must not be upset with you.”

“Oh, I think she is. Trust me, this is for your benefit, not mine.” Holding the edge of the quilt with one hand, he helped her down with the other. She’d put on her gloves. Smart move. He hadn’t bothered and his hands ached from the cold.

“I’m down. Now what?”

“I’ll unhook that side from the doorframe and give it to you. Hold it over your head and stick close to me. We’ll be better off going around the tailgate.”

“G-got it.”

“Sorry, Lani. We should have stayed?—”

“Nope. You did the right thing.”

“Thanks.” Maintaining his hold on one end, he slipped the other end free of the door and transferred it to her. Then he slammed the door and lifted his side of the quilt over his head. “Let’s go.”

Huddled under it, they made a herky-jerky dash for the porch and managed to climb the steps without losing the quilt or their balance.

Lani stood there gasping for breath. “Oh, my God. That was crazy, but it worked better than I expected.”

The heavy wooden door opened. “Get in here, you two.” His mom beckoned to them. “Rance McLintock, I swear. You?—”

“I know, Mom. It would have been smarter to stay at Vanessa and Harry’s.” He glanced down at Sam, who stood wagging his tail like crazy. “You would know better than that, wouldn’t you, pup?”

“He would have. Give me the quilt. I’ll drape it over the kitchen chairs so it can dry.”

He lifted it off Lani’s shoulders, then his. “I can take it?—”

“You’ll track water on the kitchen floor. Both of you get out of your coats and boots and skedaddle into the living room. Andy’s got a nice fire going.”

Yeah, she was ticked. He helped Lani with her coat and hooked it on the rack in the entry. It wasn’t until he hung up his own along with his hat that he realized a key element was missing.

He lowered his voice as he toed off his boots. “We left the box in the truck.”

“Oh, no. We did, didn’t we?”

“Just as well. We might have dropped it in the snow.”

“You guys want coffee or hot chocolate?” his mother called from the kitchen.

“Hot chocolate,” he called back. “And I’ll help make it.” He glanced at Lani. “Granny’s is good, but Mom’s is even more amazing.”

“Sounds great. I can help, too, unless…”

“Yeah, better let me. I need to, if you get my drift.”

“I do. Sam and I will go check out Andy’s fire. Holler if you need backup.”

He chuckled. “Okay.” He walked through the arched doorway into the kitchen.

His mom had begun heating the homemade combo of cocoa, sugar and water that formed the base for her famous hot chocolate. “You can get me the milk and take out some mugs.”

He pulled a jug from the fridge and set it on the counter next to the stove. “Driving in this weather was stupid, but I?—”

“It was stupid, full stop. Just because you’re on ranch roads doesn’t mean you couldn’t have serious problems. It’s one thing to take chances by yourself, but you had Lani with you.”

“I did.” Guilt washed over him. “There’s no excuse for putting her in danger.” What if he’d miscalculated on those turns? Hit a jagged rock and punctured a tire? They wouldn’t have died, but he would have created a problem, required an elaborate rescue and caused everyone to worry.

“I texted Vanessa when you pulled in. They’re very relieved you made it.”

“I’ll apologize to them.” He lined up four mugs on the counter. He’d allowed his focus on a goal to override responsibility to a loved one. He owed Lani a huge apology, too.

“I hope this discussion is important, because if it’s some minor?—”

“It’s not minor.” Didn’t mean he’d easily forgive himself, though.

“Are you and Lani involved?”

His breath caught. Of course she’d jump to that conclusion. “It’s not what you think.” Which was true. She likely thought they had a personal announcement to make. Sadly, they did not. But they were involved.

“You’re nuts about her.” She stirred in the milk.

“I am.”

“But you’re not here to discuss your relationship?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Okay, then. You can reveal whatever it is when we’re gathered by the fire. But before we leave the kitchen, I need to tell you something. You deserve to hear it in private so you have a chance to process it.”

“What the hell?” His heart jerked in his chest. Her solemn tone meant bad news. “Are you sick? Are you and Andy?—”

“No, no. We’re both disgustingly healthy and still madly in love. It’s?—”

“Buck? Marybeth?”

“Calm down, son. This has nothing to do with someone you love. In fact, it’s someone you don’t much care for. Neither do I, for that matter.”

“Then why is it important?”

“Your father called this morning. He’s arriving tomorrow.”