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

Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

C hristmas Eve. Always a magical time at the Buffalo and made even more so with sleigh rides down Main Street. Wagon Train folks came for the ride and stayed for hot cider, both leaded and unleaded, served by the Buffalo’s jovial bartenders.

Half the proceeds would go to the charity benefitted by the sleigh ride tickets, a fund to help families regroup and rebuild after a tragedy. It was a worthy cause. On Christmas Eve, Rance donated all his tips to it.

Smiles and jokes tended to increase those tips. He gave it his all, but at this point, his all wasn’t worth much. He feared that his smile had turned into a grimace and coming up with funny lines was beyond his reach.

Since news about DezAndy Press and Lani’s rejection of running it had spread throughout the family, Clint got the picture early on. His little brother had taken a big swing and struck out.

The last person he wanted to see bellied up to the bar around nine and ordered a hot cider. No telling how Irving had obtained information about his epic fail, but he clearly knew Lani had thrown the offer in his face.

He paid for his cider and added a ginormous tip. “Sorry, kid. Guess she’s more entrenched in that world than I thought.”

“She blames you.” Why even tell him? The guy was oblivious to guilt. And to his credit, he’d partially solved the problem. Publishing through DezAndy Press was far better than Lani hooking him up with some unknown editor back East.

Irving nursed his cider as Rance continued serving other customers. When he raised a finger, Rance got him another cider, took payment and received another outrageous tip.

“I’m giving all my tips to the cause.”

“Whatever floats your boat.”

“Just thought you should know.” He started to walk away.

“Ever read Gift of the Magi ?”

He paused. “This isn’t that story.”

“Sure it is. He sells his precious watch to buy a comb for her hair. She sells her hair to buy a chain for his watch.”

He shouldn’t respond but it ticked him off that the analogy was so off-base. “But in this case, she pitched a fit because she considers the watch priceless and thinks I was gypped out of it by a shyster.”

“Did you tell her she was a million times more important to you than the watch?”

“I did. Made no difference. And she rejected my gift, because running DezAndy Press would put her in league with you, the person who ruined my life. No happy ending.” He left Irving to his cider.

The next time he glanced in that direction, Irving was gone but Lucky was on his way over. This was ridiculous. He had no time for personal chitchat.

“Hey, Lucky, what can I getcha?”

“Two ciders. Just wanted you to know that Oksana’s over in the far corner talking to Lani.”

“She’s here?” His stupid heart started thumping like crazy and he slopped cider over the edge of the mug.

“Came in with Sara and Kieran. They pretty much guilted her into it. And FYI, Lani told her folks everything.”

“Dammit.” He overfilled the second one. Wasting product. He never did that.

“Not the intimate details. Calm down. Anyway, Oksana’s giving it a shot and talking up the indie angle.”

“Tell her thanks. Probably won’t work.” He cleaned up his mess and handed over the ciders.

“Don’t throw in the towel yet, bro.” Lucky slapped too much money on the bar and left with the ciders.

Although nothing had changed, Lucky’s words lifted his mood a little. Lani was here. Misery loved company. Her Christmas Eve was likely as awful as his.

Would Oksana have any luck when he’d been soundly rejected? Probably not, but it was sweet of her to try.

He’d called his mom before leaving for work and she’d advised him to let it go for now. Granny had said the same. He’d take the advice of the two wisest women he knew.

Speaking of Granny, was she still here? She’d come in with Buck and Marybeth, who’d promised they wouldn’t stay late. But it was now past her bedtime and she hadn’t stopped by to say she was going home.

He’d figured she would tell him but she might have come over when he was especially busy and had decided not to bother him. Or in all the excitement she’d forgotten.

That was fine. Tonight was one of the biggest events she’d experienced since she’d arrived here. He’d done his best to minimize the bad news about Lani so she’d have fun instead of worrying about him.

As if his thoughts had conjured her up, there she was, hurrying toward him, cheeks rosy and a bounce in her step.

Climbing up on a bar stool, she leaned forward and motioned him closer. “Come ta have a word with ya, I have.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Leavin’? I’m just getting’ started, I am! They all want me ta ride in the sleigh with ’em! Made at least twenty trips, I have. Tis pure craic!”

That inspired his first real grin of the night. “Awesome.”

“Next year I’m dressin’ up as Mrs. Santa. Some oul fella says he’ll dress as Santa.”

“Who’s that?”

“Didn’t catch his name, but he fancies me.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

She lowered her voice. “Lani’s here, lad.”

“I know.”

“Maybe not fer long.” She spoke faster. “Take yer sleigh ride break now. Ask her ta go with ya.”

“She’ll say no.”

“She won’t. She wants ta go.”

“She told you?” A customer waved at him and he held up a hand in acknowledgment but kept his attention on Granny.

“No. Saw the look on her face, I did. Just do it and don’t speak a word about yer troubles. Just put yer arm around her and be quiet. Let her feel the luv between ya.”

His throat tightened.

“It’ll be alright, boyo.” Reaching over, she squeezed his arm, got off the barstool and scurried back to one of the tables.

Peering through the crowd, he caught a brief glimpse of a pudgy older man with white hair and a beard who stood and pulled out a chair for Granny. Well, then.

Next he located Lani in a far corner with Lucky, Oksana, Sara and Kieran. He fetched a drink for the customer who’d waved at him and told Clint he was taking his sleigh ride break. Grabbing his jacket, he made tracks for Lani’s table.

She looked wary as he approached and conversation at the table abruptly ended. Granny could be mistaken about this, but he soldiered on, not wasting time on preliminaries. “I’m on a quick sleigh ride break. Would you please go with me?”

She hesitated for what seemed like forever. “Yes, I will.”

The collective sigh of relief was almost funny enough to make him smile. Almost.

When she came out from behind the table holding her coat, he helped her on with it in front of their very silent audience of four. Then he held out his hand and she took it. The contact sent arrows straight to his heart.

“Have fun!” Sara called after them as they walked away.

“There’s a line.” Lani’s voice sounded breathy, like she might be short of air, too. “I don’t know how long a break you have, but?—”

“The Buffalo’s staff members get to jump the line. It’s our perk for working Christmas Eve.”

“That helps.”

“Have you taken a ride yet?”

“I wasn’t sure I would.”

“Worried about sleigh PTSD?”

“You could say that.”

“Sorry.” He silently cursed himself. Granny had specifically told him to keep his mouth shut. But he had to be a smart-aleck, didn’t he?

He paused before taking her past the buffalo. “Look, you don’t have to do this.”

“I want to.”

He met her gaze. “You do? Why?” Then he groaned. “Never mind. Don’t tell me. We’re going.” Was he actively trying to mess this up? Seemed like it. What part of be quiet didn’t he understand?

Once they were out the door, Sky motioned them to the head of the line where the sleigh stood waiting, having just let off passengers.

As he helped Lani up and climbed in after her, he checked out the two people up on the box. Then he did a double-take. Harry and Vanessa? And Vanessa was driving?

“Hey, Rance!” Harry turned around and gave him his usual big smile. ”Good for you. Lani was making noises like she wouldn’t be going on this ride.”

Lani adjusted the green lap robe. “It didn’t seem fair to take a turn since I’d had the experience the other day and a lot of people haven’t had the chance.”

“Yes, but you’ve never had the experience of me driving the sleigh.” Vanessa said over her shoulder. “Buckle up, you two.”

“Are you taking us on a wild ride, Vanessa?”

She laughed. “No, but it’s fun to say that to people. Some look at me and get nervous.”

“And the truth is,” Harry said, “she’s better at this than I am. Buck says she has a gift.”

“Thor and I get along.” Vanessa made a soft noise with her tongue and the Belgian pulled away from the curb, sending the sleigh bells into motion.

Rance settled back and looked over at Lani, who was gazing straight ahead. He’d made sure to sit down next to her, thigh to thigh, and she hadn’t moved away. When he slid his arm around her shoulders, her breath hitched but she didn’t glance his way.

Let her feel the luv between ya. He faced forward, too, and concentrated on the good times they’d shared, both in bed and out of it. He relived their first kiss, the phone call after she’d finished the book, dinner with Granny, making love for the first time.

The warmth of her body called to him. He glanced over and her cheeks were pink. Maybe it was the cold, but he didn’t think so. She still wanted him. Granny was right about that.

He couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting to charm the woman he loved. The shops on Main Street had outdone themselves this year with garlands, bows and glowing lights.

Last night’s gentle snow, gathered in the corners of windows and doorways, sparkled like clusters of diamonds. Even the street glittered as Thor trotted steadily along, his hoofs keeping time with the cheerful jingle of the bells.

At the end of town, where the Christmas tree lot had been until yesterday, Thor made the turn and headed back. Rance didn’t want to go back. He could feel the tension slipping away as Lani relaxed against him.

If they could just stay in this sleigh, if he could only kiss her, she’d remember how good they were together. She’d understand why he’d made this decision, why it was the only one to make.

And she’d say yes to a life with him.