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

Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

W hat a day. Rance drove home at a leisurely pace for a change, using the half-hour to decompress. The Buffalo had been wall-to-wall customers from the moment the doors opened. Most of them had wanted a table and ordered something to eat.

Not his family. They’d arrived intermittently throughout the afternoon just to order a drink at the bar. He hadn’t had much time to answer questions, but evidently they’d wanted a chance to study him like some recently discovered lifeform.

They weren’t surprised he’d written a book. They’d said as much. But his dogged determination and absolute secrecy while he’d labored over that project for months had blown their minds.

For years he’d been their court jester, patterning himself after Beau and then expanding on the concept. Everyone had thought they knew what made him tick. Clearly they hadn’t expected this — a disciplined solo effort that had produced something of value.

To be honest, he’d surprised himself. He hadn’t been convinced he could stick with a project for that long without feedback. But the process had taken hold of him and become the most satisfying endeavor he’d ever known.

It had changed him, and clearly it had changed the way his family looked at him. The emotion shining in their eyes made his chest swell and his chin lift. At long last, they respected him.

And wow, were they itching to get their hands on his book. He’d made a deal with Lucky. In exchange for printing more copies, Lucky had taken the first one for himself.

The others were stacked on Thunder’s backseat for distribution tonight. Couples would have to share, with copies going to his siblings, plus Trent and Sara.

Buck and Marybeth would get a copy and so would Harry and Vanessa. The Wenches, except for Jess and his mom, would each get one. He had a replacement for the one Granny had tossed in the air. And since Lani had donated hers to the cause, she needed another one, too.

Had he forgotten anybody? He didn’t think so, but he could print out more if necessary. Lucky had handled the bulk of it, and with a glad heart, too. Once he’d gotten over the shock of not being in the know, he’d accepted the wisdom of Rance’s decisions regarding his first book.

The rush of support from his family had blunted his anger about his father’s arrival, a nice bonus. Like Andy had said, Irving Quick had nobody on his side. Rance had a small army.

Now if only he’d dreamed up some way he and Lani could sneak away and be together tonight, even if it was only for a few hours. He was excited about the party at Rowdy Roost but couldn’t find a plausible excuse for taking Lani home with him.

Granny had said she’d work on it, or rather she and Lani would work on it. The image of those two plotting a tryst made him smile.

His cherubic-looking octogenarian roommate was a natural. She might be more devious than he was. Not Lani, though, and that was fine. Preferable, even. Except for this circumstance.

Maybe a day spent with Granny might bring out her wily side. He could only hope, because he had zip.

As he made the turn onto his property, happiness flooded his system. Lights from the thirty-footer shone through the trees and soon the lights on his front porch greeted him, along with the glow from the windows.

Until Granny’s arrival, he’d always come home to an empty cabin. Tonight that cabin held two people who made his heart sing. His head knew that was a temporary situation but his heart wouldn’t listen.

The faint sound of laughter penetrated the cabin walls as he climbed the steps, two manuscripts in his hands. He wasn’t surprised that people he loved would enjoy each other. But the evidence warmed him inside and out.

He opened the door to the delicious aroma of baked pound cake and the cheerful sight of both ladies engrossed in a game of pool. He laid the manuscripts on the small table by the door.

Granny gave him a thumbs up but Lani remained focused, sighting down the length of the cue with a muttered be with you in a minute.

He understood. Once you were lined up, you needed to hold that position and take the shot. Hooking his Stetson on the rack next to the table, he hung up his coat and hat and started toward the hallway.

Granny let out a gasp. “Jaysus! Are ya bleedin, boyo?”

Lani’s head snapped up and her eyes widened in alarm. “Rance! What?—”

“It’s grenadine. Clint and I were tearing around trying to fill orders and bumped into each other. This happened. I have to change, but then I’ll be ready to go if you two are.”

“We were just waiting for you.” Lani’s gaze sparkled with awareness, the pool shot evidently forgotten. “That stuff looks sticky. Did it soak through?”

“Some. I’ll need to wash up a bit. Then I’ll be ready to go.” Innocent conversation. Loaded with innuendo. She wanted to help him with that task. He could see it in her eyes. And Lord, did he want her to. Forcing himself to look away, he started toward the hallway. “Those manuscripts on the table are for you two.”

“Thanks, lad,” Granny called after him. “Rinse out yer shirt. Might stain if ya don’t.”

“I’ll leave it to soak.” He lengthened his stride, escaping the heat before it engulfed him. One searing glance from Lani and he was ready to rumble. How in hell would he make it through this party without dragging her into one of the bedrooms only steps from Rowdy Roost?

He sponged off his chest, filled his bathroom sink with water and left the shirt in it. A peek in the mirror confirmed that he had five o’clock shadow going on, but shaving would hold up the program and he might not be kissing Lani, anyway. What a depressing thought.

Pulling out his favorite green plaid shirt, he put it on and quickly buttoned it. Would Lani be the one unfastening those buttons? The image threatened to give him a woody.

Deep breath. Think of how eager your family is to toast your accomplishment and offer support for the impending arrival of Irving Quick.

He didn’t want to think about his damned father, but it did a great job of cooling his jets. Tucking in his shirt, he buckled his belt, ran a comb through his hair and walked into the living room. “Let’s do this.”

Granny smiled. “Ya wore m’favorite.”

“Mine, too.” He glanced at the table. The manuscripts were gone. Lani held hers and the other had disappeared, probably into Granny’s bedroom. “Did you have time to finish the game?” Everything was back in place, cues in the rack, balls in the pockets.

“We weren’t actually playing,” Lani said. “Granny was giving me some pointers. I like pool but I still have a lot to learn.”

“You can come practice anytime.” She was welcome to his pool table, his cabin, his bed, his body — whatever took her fancy.

“Thanks. We’ll see how it goes.”

Perfect opening. “Did you two come up with any ideas for… tonight?”

“Nothin’ grand, that’s fer sure,” Granny said.

“Semi-grand?”

“Not really.” Lani shrugged. “They all depend on things we can’t control. How about you?”

He shook his head. “Strategy is supposed to be my superpower, but I’m tapped out. Unless I just announce you’re coming home with me….” He checked Lani’s expression. Not encouraging.

“Then my family would get their hopes up.”

“Yeah, that would be a problem.”

“Discussing changes in the manuscript is still the best excuse, but timing is everything. I’ll have to call on my skills from drama class. They’re rusty.”

“Didn’t know you were in drama.”

“The fantasy of it appeals to me. It’s why I love editing fiction. And I’m much better at editing than acting. No promises.”

“Understood.” But she’d given him a sliver of hope. “I’ll think positive.”

“I’ll light a candle fer ya in my mind.”

Lani smiled. “I like that. Anyway, we should probably go.” She walked over to the coat rack, put down the manuscript and grabbed her coat. “Thanks for bringing us copies. Are there more?”

“In Thunder’s backseat. Lucky printed them.” He followed, taking down Granny’s coat and holding it while she slid her arms in. “What about the pound cake? Is that going with us?”

“We made two, one for my folks and one for Granny to give Desiree and Andy. I’m leaving mine here until Christmas Eve since there’s no way I could smuggle it into the house. Too fragrant.”

“True. The house smells great.” He tucked Granny into the sturdy wool coat she’d brought from Ireland, the one she’d had more than forty years.

“Wrapped them up real pretty, we did, first in foil and then in some of that horse and sleigh paper.” She took a wool hat out of her pocket and pulled it over her blonde curls.

“And they’re topped with Granny’s bows. She could give a class in how to make beautiful bows. I practiced making a few, but mostly we worked on my pool game. That’s what I told my folks I was over here for.”

“Good thinking. I wondered if you’d have to explain why you were here all afternoon.”

“You know, they’re so excited about this sleigh ride committee I don’t think they paid much attention.”

“And we had a grand time, we did. Also, I got the whole story about the plonker who calls himself yer father. Feel like smackin’ him upside the head, I do. Now where’s that other mitten?”

He scooped it off the floor. “Here you go.” Granny wore mittens, another thing that charmed him.

“Thank ya kindly. I should hook ’em together on a string like I did for Kieran when he was a wee lad.”

“You don’t need a string. You’ve got me.” Over the top of Granny’s head he caught Lani’s eye and she smiled. Clearly she was as taken by this adorable woman as he was. “And we’re off.” He opened the door and ushered them out.

As if by prior agreement, he and Lani each took a side and escorted Granny down the icy steps.

“Just so ya know, I’m sittin’ in the backseat.”

“Absolutely not.” Lani’s tone left no room for argument.

But she’d never argued with Granny. He had, and he hadn’t won yet. This should be interesting.

“Ya need ta respect yer elders, Lani.”

He swallowed a laugh. Here we go .

“I do respect my elders,” Lani said sweetly. “That’s why you should ride in the front.”

“But I want ta ride in the back. Ya need ta respect my wishes, luv.”

“You can’t see as well back there. Please ride in the front. It would make me happy.”

“But ya need ta think about what would make me happy.”

“Of course, but?—”

“What would make me happy is ridin’ in the back with those manuscripts while yer perched up there next to Rance. Which side are those books on, lad?”

“Behind my seat.”

“Perfect. Case closed. If ya could help me in, I’d be obliged.”

“Be glad to.” He got Granny situated, closed the door and turned back to Lani. “Ready to get in front? Or do you want to ride in the back with Granny and hold the manuscripts on your lap?”

“What just happened?”

He grinned. “You lost your first argument with the most stubborn lady on the planet.”

“Why didn’t you back me up? She would have listened to you.”

“Not once she was dug in. I would’ve had to throw her over my shoulder and stuff her in the front seat. Which I will never do unless a grizzly is hot on her trail.”

“Why is she so adamant?”

“She wants to see us sitting up there, side-by-side.”

“That’s obvious, but I don’t get it. She knows why we won’t be a couple. She understands.”

“Doesn’t mean she’s giving up.”

“What about you?”

“Not while there’s life in my body.”