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

Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

L ani’s heart was still hammering when Rance climbed behind the wheel and started Thunder’s powerful engine. Not while there’s life in my body.

The intensity in his voice and the heat in his eyes had left her shaking. Good thing he’d helped her into his truck because she wouldn’t have made it on her own.

His delivery had stunned her, but so had his words. He was good with them. And good with his hands. And his mouth.

When he’d strolled into the cabin and announced he’d have to strip down and clean up, she’d had to abandon her pool practice. The image of him rubbing a warm washcloth over his manly chest had dampened her panties .

Granny had teased her about her besotted stare. Then she’d urged her to try extra hard to find an excuse to come back here after the party. Oh, she would, even when spending more hours in Rance’s arms was a very dumb move on her part.

Dangerous, too. He was potent enough to make her question her decision to keep the job and lose the man. Maybe she could copyedit for the Sentinel or become one of Sara’s tour guides.

L’Amour and More would have been another possibility, except Lucky didn’t need her. He’d just hired two of the Wenches, Annette and Colleen, to work fulltime.

Just as well, because a bookstore would only make her homesick for the world of publishing and that was her passion. The process fascinated her and the staff of Square Glasses Press inspired her. No job in Wagon Train would even come close.

Rance pulled Thunder into a parking spot next to her folks bright yellow F-250. The area resembled the local dealership’s truck lot. A year ago she wouldn’t have been able to tell a Ford from any of the other brands. Now she could pick them out every time.

Desiree’s love of Christmas had turned the ranch house into a fairyland. Although she had sparkling lights in the trees year-round, she doubled the number for the holidays. She’d even hung oversized ornaments from the bare branches of trees closest to the house.

At Granny’s suggestion, Rance divided the stack of manuscripts into thirds so each of them could participate in bringing in his precious gift to his family. Someone had shoveled a wide path from the parking area to the porch, where evergreen garlands, lights and bows covered the railing.

A ginormous wreath hung in splendor on the heavy wooden door. She and Rance tag-teamed once again, taking hold of Granny on the way up the steps.

After spending the day with her, Lani believed she could have made it up on her own, but Rance would never forgive himself if she fell. His dedication to her welfare was appealing, too damned appealing.

Andy opened the door before they could use the horseshoe knocker. Every cabin had one, now, all created by Gil and Bret’s metalworks shop.

Tucking his phone away, Andy grabbed Sam’s collar before the collie could bolt outside. “I’m the official greeter. Sam’s my assistant.”

Lani guessed Andy was also the one giving the signal for whatever would be waiting for them when they stepped into Rowdy Roost. The scent of evergreen and cinnamon drifted their way, blending with mouth-watering aromas from the kitchen, although it was empty of food and people.

The house was amazingly quiet considering more than thirty people were likely waiting in the old-fashioned Western bar Desiree had created a few years ago. Only the kitchen and a hallway separated them from Rowdy Roost, and those swinging bar doors didn’t block sound very well.

“I like the looks of what you brought to the party.” Andy helped hold the manuscripts while they each took off coats, hats, and in Granny’s case, mittens. “These will be popular.”

“Couples will have to share,” Rance said.

“That makes Dez and me special.”

Rance smiled. “Exactly.”

“I’d offer to carry some of these, but I get the impression you three want to do it.”

“Tis my honor to be carryin’ a stack of ’em,” Granny said. “I know somethin’ about the labor involved.”

“My hat’s off to you,” Andy said. “Keeping Rance’s secret all these weeks.”

“Not mine ta tell.”

“Have you read it yet?”

“Got a good start.”

“I’m about two-thirds through. Can’t wait to finish it.” He looked at Rance. “Impressive job, son.”

“Thank you. That’s—” His voice caught. “That’s high praise. You read a lot.”

“I do. And I’m excited for you, excited to watch your progress over the years. I would have loved to be around for the start of your mother’s career, and now I get to be in on the beginning of yours. It’s a privilege. I—” His phone pinged and he gave them a sheepish grin. “We’re wanted in the Roost.”

“Please tell me they’re not going to dump a bucket of ice water on my head.”

“They’re not. It was discussed and Mav pitched a fit. That little girl is very protective of her Uncle Rance.”

“I’ll be sure to thank her.”

“That said, you need to be the first one through the door.” He gestured toward the kitchen, a shortcut to Rowdy Roost.

Rance gazed at him. “Is it warm water, then? I don’t want to get these manuscripts wet.”

“Nothing liquid will fall on you, I promise.”

“That leaves a lot of possibilities still open.” He handed his stack to Andy. “Hang onto these until I make it through whatever’s in store for me.” He started through the kitchen.

Andy motioned for Lani to go next, then Granny. He brought up the rear.

“I take it Beau was involved in this?” Rance called over his shoulder.

“What do you think?”

“There’s my answer. Considering all the pranks I’ve pulled, I deserve whatever he’s come up with.”

“Mav and Zach helped.”

“Is that supposed to be comforting?”

“Beau calls it passing the torch.”

“Oh, boy.”

When they entered the hallway leading to the swinging bar doors, the perfect silence was broken by rustling and whispers. A child giggled and was quickly shushed.

Rance paused in front of the louvered doors.

“Hold on,” Andy murmured. “Granny, go on up with Lani so you can see.” He moved in behind the two of them. “Okay, we’re set.”

Rance let out a nervous chuckle. “Here goes.” Pushing through, he yelped as balloons of all colors rained down amid cheers and laughter.

But not just balloons. Lani held open one door and Andy held the other, which wasn’t easy when they were laughing so hard. Plush animals followed the balloons, bouncing off Rance’s head, shoulders and arms. Bears, tigers, monkeys, dogs, kitties, rabbits and a couple she couldn’t identify descended from above and created a menagerie at his feet, except for a snake that dangled from his shoulder Then a small turtle plopped down with just the right trajectory to land on his head. And stay there.

As the group clapped and cheered, Beau stepped up brandishing a confetti cannon.

Rance sighed. “C’mon, bro. I’ll end up with it in my?—”

Beau glanced over his shoulder at the noisy group. “Should I spare him?”

A roar of noooo sealed the deal.

“Gotta do it, little brother. The people have spoken.” Grinning, he aimed the black tube a couple feet over Rance’s head. With a dramatic boom , confetti shot skyward and drifted down, covering the guest of honor in a rainbow of color. The crowd went wild.

“Wow.” Lani struggled to get her breath back as she glanced at Andy. “Does this happen a lot?”

“This was more elaborate than most, but yeah, the McLintocks like to celebrate.”

“Pure craic it was.” Granny took a lace-trimmed handkerchief from the pocket of her dress and dabbed at her eyes. “Laughed so hard I got tears in m’eyes.”

“Go on in,” Andy said. “But watch your step.

“Granny, you go ahead.” Lani held back to let her have a bit of the spotlight. Her parents had mentioned that Granny had been an instant hit with the little ones.

Mav broke from the crowd and charged toward Rance, arms outstretched. Zach followed, also aiming for Rance until he caught sight of Granny. Then he changed course.

Lani edged into the room just as Rance scooped Mav into his arms. “You did this?”

“We did, Uncle Rance! Uncle Rrrrance, Rance, Rance!” She giggled and plucked the turtle off his head. “Look! It’s Squirt!” She waved the toy in his face and continued to jabber at top speed.

Meanwhile Granny leaned down to greet Zach, who stared up at her, his gaze adoring. “Hiya, lad. Did ya help make all this?”

He nodded. “That’s my snake.” He pointed to the plush reptile still hanging from Rance’s shoulder. “His name’s Jack. And that’s my monkey, and that’s my kitty, and that’s— oh, no, here come Susie and Jodi. They’ll try to take my stuff.”

“We can’t have that, can we, boyo?” Granny looked up. “Can ya hold these for a minute, Lani? I have business ta take care of.”

“Sure thing.” She balanced Granny’s stack on top of her own.

“I’ll take some.” Andy relieved her of several. “You need to see this. That woman’s the best arbitrator I’ve ever met. Zach’s a bit shy and those two little girls, Susie and Jodi, go after his toys. Granny’s showing him how to stand up for himself without getting into a fight with them.”

“That’s awesome.” While the adults converged on Rance and Mav, Granny quietly redistributed the plush toys so that the two girls had what was theirs while Zack had a pile of his and Mavs. It sounded like she was using different voices to make each of the animals talk, which turned frowns and scowls to smiles and giggles. “Do you know she used to be a teacher?”

“I do. I’ll bet she was terrific. She understands kids.”

“Not only kids. People. But I also just discovered there’s a will of iron under that sweet smile.”

Andy chuckled. “Tried to argue with her, did you? I’ve?—”

“Hey, there, you two.” Beau strolled over. “It appears you have the goods. Need help distributing those manuscripts?”

“Thanks.” Lani instinctively put a protective hand over the stack. “We’d better find out how Rance wants to do it.”

“Perfect.” He looked over at his brother. “Hey there, bro! When do we get our books?”

Rance flashed him a grin. “Oh, so the man who’s responsible for putting confetti in my Jockeys wants a book? Fancy that.”

“I voted against the cannon.” Jess followed her husband over, Mav’s three-month old baby brother Drew cuddled against her chest in a sling. “Can I please have a book?”

“’Yes, ma’am.” Rance gave Mav a kiss on the cheek and set her on her feet. “Gotta pass out the books, sweetheart.”

“Can I help?”

“Don’t see why not.”

“Zach wants to help, too.” She turned around. “Zach! Come help!” Then she looked up at Rance as the little boy trotted over. “He needs his snake.”

“Oh, right. Here you go, buddy.” He took it off his shoulder and draped it around Zach’s neck. Then he relieved Lani of her stack. “Thank you for holding these.” His warm gaze met hers.

Her breath caught and she wobbled a bit. Even covered in confetti, he was the sexiest man she’d ever met. When he gave her that look, she went up in flames. And she’d do whatever it took to spend one more night lost in his arms.