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

Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

I n the end, Lani’s half-assed plan had worked, but not before taking some fascinating twists and turns. It required her to draw Desiree into a conversation about Rance’s book when no one was around.

But she’d nearly given up on finding a private moment. She’d spent almost no time with Desiree until she’d gone over to admire Ella and Marsh’s adorable baby. Then little Matty had jump-started her plan by filling his pants.

His parents had taken him back to the kids’ wing to change him, leaving her alone with Desiree and Andy. She hadn’t figured on involving Andy in analyzing a sex scene. But he’d turned out to be a terrific brainstormer, beautifully complimenting Desiree’s insights.

Ella and Marsh came back with Matty before they’d found that elusive something that would take the scene from good to great. She’d volunteered to tell Rance the scene could use punching up.

But that alone wasn’t enough to guarantee she’d end up in his cabin tonight. Instead, she’d pretend an amazing vision had just popped into her head and she didn’t want to lose track of it. He’d take it from there.

To her surprise, a potential revision had come to her, the kind that sent a zing of excitement down her spine. As Rance navigated the dark road back to his cabin, she focused on how she saw the scene playing out.

She looked forward to his lovemaking, but she also cared about his book. Now that she’d dreamed up some alternate dialogue for the scene, she needed to get it out of her head and into the document, assuming he liked it, too. If that made her a book nerd, so be it.

The glow of Christmas lights greeted them as Rance parked in front of the cabin. Lani unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out, eager to help Granny down so they could get this show on the road.

She opened the back door. “We’re here, Granny.”

Nothing. Then a soft snore.

Rance came up behind her. “What’s the?—”

“She’s asleep.”

“I wondered. She’s hardly ever that quiet. Let me get her out. The front door’s unlocked. If you’ll go open it, I’ll carry her in.”

“I’ll turn down her covers, too.”

“Thanks. She might wake up when I haul her out, but having her bed ready is a good idea.”

“I’m on it.” She hurried toward the cabin, mindful of the icy steps and porch as she made her way to the door. Would Rance have any trouble navigating them while carrying Granny?

Warmth poured through the door when she opened it. After securing it with a doorstop, she raced for Granny’s room, tossed back the covers and ran back to the front door.

Rance cradled a still-sleeping Granny against his chest as he eyed the porch steps.

“They’re slippery. Can I do anything?”

“There’s a bucket of ash on the hearth. I’ll feel better making the climb if you’d pour a bunch on the steps. I’ve tried to wake her but she’s down for the count.”

“Be right back.” She quickly located the bucket and returned.

“Just toss it down the middle.” He moved away.

She aimed for the bottom step first, then worked her way to the top. After emptying the bucket , she glanced up. “How’s that?”

“Perfect. You’re hired. I need one more favor, though. There’s a stack of old towels in my workout room. I need you to lay towels along the path to Granny’s room. This stuff will stick to my boots and I don’t want ash on my hardwood floors.”

“Will do.” Moving fast, she found the towels. She had two laid down when a steady thump, thump on the steps signaled he was on his way.

She’d made it into Granny’s bedroom when his measured tread told her he was safely inside. She put down a couple towels crossways on one side of Granny’s bed in case he needed to maneuver as he lowered her to the mattress.

When she walked out of the bedroom, he was coming her way. She moved to the far side of the hall to give him plenty of space. “I’ll get the front door.”

“Thanks.”

By the time she returned, he’d laid her on the bed and worked her out of her coat.

“She really is a deep sleeper.”

“I wonder if she took out her hearing aids.”

“That could explain it.”

Setting her shoes by the bed, he glanced over his shoulder. “Any chance you’d be willing to take over? At least get her out of this dress?”

“Sure.”

He straightened with a sigh of relief and turned toward her. “If you weren’t here I’d man up and do it.”

“But I am.” She smiled. “Go turn on your laptop. It’s the scene where Sophia seduces Dooley.”

His expression brightened. “That’s what you want to work on?”

“Yes.”

“Nice.” He toed off his boots and picked them up. “Did I mention that I like writing in bed?”

“You did, but we’re not handling this revision in your bed.”

“Spoilsport.”

“I’ll borrow a chair from the kitchen or we can move to the kitchen table. We’re keeping things professional.”

“It’ll be more comfortable on my bed and I’m more creative there.”

“I’m aware.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“We’d never make it through the scene.”

“We would, I promise. We’ll keep our clothes on until it’s done.”

“I don’t think that’s a?—”

“Ya should listen to Rance.” Granny pushed herself to a sitting position. “Knows what he’s doin’, he does.”

Lani burst out laughing. “Granny! Have you been playing possum?”

“I’ve never heard of that game, luv.”

“It’s an animal that’s good at playing dead,” Rance said. “I don’t think you have them in Ireland. How long have you been awake?”

“Not fer long. Woke up durin’ this interestin’ debate yer havin’. Musta drifted off comin’ home.” She peered at Rance. “Ya had to carry me in, didn’tcha?”

“It was my privilege.”

“Yer a good boy.” She glanced at the towels on the floor. “Jaysus! What’s that mess?”

“Fireplace ash. No worries. We’ll get ’em cleaned up. We put ash on the steps to make sure I didn’t slip on the ice.” He rolled the towels together and tucked them under his arm.

“Didn’t mean ta make trouble fer ya, lad.”

“I would sacrifice every towel in this cabin if it means keeping you safe.”

Her gaze softened. “I know ya would. Warms the cockles of m’heart, it does. Now go on with ya. Work on yer book.” She glanced at Lani. “He’ll keep his word, ya know. He always does.”

“I do and I will. Nothing happens until we’re satisfied with that scene. I wrote it in bed in the first place. It’s part of my process.” He delivered the explanation straight. No wink or sly grin.

Clearly he believed the revisions would go better if they sat propped up on his king-sized bed. And when they were done, well… they wouldn’t have to change venues, would they?

She was stirred up by the prospect, and judging from the gleam in his eyes, so was he. If he needed a certain setting for inspiration, who was she to argue? “Alrighty.” She slipped off her coat. “Trade you my coat for those towels. If you have a place I can put them to soak, I’ll?—”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Let her do it, lad. Ya need to get yer laptop goin’. Lani, use the big sink in the laundry. Tis off the kitchen.”

“Perfect.” She plucked the towels from under Rance’s arm and handed him her coat. “I’ll go get the others. See you in your bedroom in five minutes.”