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

Chapter 37

Rance kept an eye on Lani and Irving. Their conversation didn’t last long. Five or six minutes. Shortly after they parted, Lani’s parents came in to collect her.

Once she was gone, Rance had to push himself hard to survive until closing. Good thing Thunder knew the way home because he didn’t remember much of the drive. Stripping off his clothes, he fell into bed and conked out.

Thump...Thump…Thump. He slowly roused himself and stared into the darkness. What the hell? Thump. Then a pause. Thump.

His window. Something was hitting it. Thump. It almost sounded like… a snowball??? Who would be out there throwing snowballs at his window at… he glanced at his phone… two in the morning? Thump.

He turned on a light and struggled into his clothes. The thumping stopped and was soon replaced by a light tap on his front door. Could it possibly be… nah, she wouldn’t. Would she?

Running to open it, he came face-to-face with Lani. “Were you throwing snowballs at my window?”

“Yes! I wanted to wake you up but I didn’t want to scare you by pounding on your door like it was an emergency. Can I come in?”

“Of course, of course!” He backed up, still dazed and confused. “It’s past two in the morning.” Like she wouldn’t know that.

“I apologize, but I finished your Christmas present and I knew you’d want it right away.”

“Pound cake?”

She laughed as she took off her coat and toed off her wet boots. She was wearing the same outfit she’d had on at the Buffalo. But then so was he, minus his socks and boots.

“Not pound cake, but that reminds me. I can pick up the one I made for my folks while I’m here. I was wondering how and when I’d retrieve it.”

“How did you get here?”

“I drove their truck. Don’t worry, I left them a note and told them where I was going. And why.”

“To deliver my Christmas present. At two in the morning.”

“Yes. Here.” She pulled a folded piece of paper out of her jeans pocket. “It’s handwritten because I didn’t want to start up my folks’ printer in the middle of the night. I didn’t wrap it, either, but… it’s for Christmas. From me.”

He unfolded the paper. Dear Sasha, I’ve loved every minute of working with you and the gang at Square Glasses Press, but an exciting opportunity has come my way and I have accepted that offer. We can work out the details at your convenience, but please consider this my letter of resignation. Sincerely, Atlanta (Lani) Armstrong

He stared at her, his heart doing cartwheels. Could he believe what he’d just read? “Then you’re?—”

“I’m in!” She flung herself at him. “I’m in, in, in!”

“Oh, my God.” He dropped the paper and crushed her against him. “Why? How? What happened?”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gazed up at him. “Brace yourself. When I tell you, you’ll get mad.”

“How can I get mad? You just gave me everything I ever wanted.”

“Irving said?—”

“Okay, I’m getting mad.”

“Let me finish. He said I wasn’t considering the big picture and he was right. I hate to admit it, but he pointed out something I hadn’t thought of.”

“Go on.”

“He said you’re a born writer who’s likely to have a long career.”

“That’s the goal.”

“So it really doesn’t matter whether you start out in indie or go the traditional route. If you start out indie and make a big enough splash, the publishers will come to you.”

“They will?”

“Not a small press like Square Glasses, which is why I blanked on that concept. We don’t have the money. But big publishers pay attention when an indie ebook is selling like hotcakes.”

“And then what?”

“They’ll make you an offer. Irving said you could work out a print-only deal on books you’ve already published. They might even offer a publishing contract that appeals to you. In other words, you’d have options. I lost sight of that.”

“I’d never make a change if it means I’d lose you as my editor.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“I mean it, Lani. I only want your hands on my books.”

“How about on your body?”

“Only your hands.” He was fully awake, now, especially certain parts of him. “Does this mean you’re taking the job?”

“I’m taking the job.”

“Wow.” He let that miracle settle in. She was taking the job. Moving to Rowdy Ranch. He was grinning and lightheaded, as if he’d just inhaled laughing gas. “By the way, I never got around to telling you there’s a stipulation in the contract.”

“Oh?”

“You have to marry me.”

She smiled. “I knew there had to be a catch.”

“There is. I’m it.”

“And you’re definitely a catch, Rrrance, Rance, Rance.” She stroked his cheek. “I accept your terms.” Her expression softened and her eyes grew luminous. “Because I love you.”

The breath left his lungs. He dragged some back in. “I’ve waited…” He gulped “I’ve waited almost a year… to hear you say that.”

“Well, get ready, because I’m going to be saying it all the time. You’ll get sick of?—”

“I won’t. I love you so much, Lani-lou.”

“And I love you. IloveyouIloveyouIove?—”

He laid a finger over her lips.

“See? You’re sick of it already.”

“Never. But it’s kissing time.” Lowering his head, he claimed that sassy mouth that had given him some of the worst moments of his life. And some of the most spectacular ones.

He’d gone to bed last night convinced Santa had passed him by this year. Instead, that jolly elf had come through. He’d brought the best gift of all.