The Rancher's Christmas Bride Read online

  And Alex.

  * * *

  Alex stood in the center of the arena and watched the filly at the end of the lunge line. She started to move in on him and he picked up the whip. That’s all he had to do, show her. Her ears pricked forward and she moved back to the end of the line, keeping it tight.

  “Walk,” he said firmly.

  She acted a bit like an impetuous toddler but she did what he asked. The early afternoon sun brushed her coat with gold. He couldn’t help but feel a little proud of her. She was the offspring of his best mare and the sire belonged to a friend outside of Austin.

  A truck pulled up to the barn. She did a startled little dance but he spoke to her and she settled. Her ears continued to twitch, though, as she sniffed for a hint of the newcomer.

  “Easy,” he said quietly. “Halt.”

  She stopped with her hooves squared up and her neck long. Yeah, she was going to be a champion.

  “She’s beautiful,” Marissa called out from the side of the arena. “I thought you were mainly a fan of getting trampled by bulls.”

  He walked up to the filly, ran a hand down her golden-red neck, then whispered that she was still his favorite female. But he’d be parting with this four-legged favorite very soon. He had wanted to keep her but he was going to need to start liquidating assets so he could pay the mortgage before the auction could take place. He had a buyer looking at his bulls, too.

  “I heard that,” Marissa called out as she came through the gate. “A horse is your favorite female?”

  Did the woman know nothing about boundaries? He led the filly across the arena. She kept an even pace, staying at his shoulder. A month ago she enjoyed nipping at him. Today she kept her teeth to herself.

  “How are you doing today?” Alex asked.

  “Better. Sore but I’m going to be fine. I wanted to thank you for yesterday.”

  “Thank me for what? If anything, I should have been there sooner.”

  “Don’t,” she warned. “Really, you couldn’t have done anything. And I obviously did just fine.”

  He knew she was teasing but it didn’t help. Not really. He felt responsible. Her hand touched his arm, stopping him from walking away. He glanced down at her and she looked up at him with eyes the color of a winter sky. Dark lashes fringed those amazing orbs and he couldn’t help but get a little bit lost.

  “I’m not sure why you feel as if you let me down. I think you might need to deal with that, with the idea that you should be able to rescue everyone in your life. We can’t always rescue people. Sometimes they have to rescue themselves. And sometimes the circumstances are just so dire that we don’t have the tools to do what is needed. I’m trying really hard to come to terms with the truth, that I didn’t cause my sister’s death. I made a bad decision. She made a bad choice to follow. But we were children. Were you ever a child, Alex?”

  They were in the barn and he cross-tied the filly so he could brush her out. When she was secure he took Marissa by the hand and led her to the storage room. He opened the door and flipped on a light. He didn’t go in.

  “What?” she asked, clearly puzzled.

  “This is the room my dad locked my sister in. For two days he kept her in there. He played Johnny Cash on a CD and ignored when she cried for him to let her out. After a while she stopped crying. I tried to bust her out but he must have known and he dragged me back to the house.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “My father was about the meanest man I’ve ever known. And that isn’t something to be proud of. It isn’t a legacy to keep going.”

  “You aren’t like him, Alex,” she said as she rubbed her hand down his arm. “You’re nothing like him.”

  She pulled his head down and he rested his cheek against the top of her head. Her hand rubbed circles on his back and for the longest time he let her just hold him. He’d never told anyone outside the family, other than Pastor Matthews, about the storage room. He’d always worried what type of reaction he’d get if he shared.

  This woman had a quiet strength. It seeped into him and he drank it up. He regretted that he’d met her, because now he would have to know what it felt like to lose her.

  “Why are you here?” he asked as he held her close. He had a good idea what had brought her by. But he wanted to hear it from her.

  “I wanted to visit.”

  “That’s all?”

  “And I wanted to tell you in person that I’ll be leaving after the community Christmas program Sunday.”

  “I see.” He pulled back from her. Her gaze drifted from his.

  “Dan is going to build a house.”

  “It’s about time. Why is he going to build it now?”

  “He said he needs an extra bedroom so I can visit from time to time. And I assured him I will be back. I’m also going to see if he’ll come to Dallas for Christmas.”

  “I’m glad. He needs his family.”

  “We need him,” she responded. “I should go so you can get back to work.”

  “Yeah, I have a tractor I need to get repaired before tomorrow.”

  Then everything was suddenly awkward and she backed away from him. “I’ll see you soon?”

  “Yes, soon. I don’t know how much I’ll see you between now and when you leave, but I’ll definitely see you at the Christmas program and craft fair.”

  She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I’m so glad you stopped and picked me up on the road.”

  He managed a half-hearted grin but couldn’t agree. She had complicated his life. For the first time ever, he found himself wishing he could walk a woman down the aisle. He found himself wanting little girls with dark hair and blue eyes. But thinking those thoughts wouldn’t get him anywhere.

  She left and he went back to the filly, giving her a good brushing that had her nipping at his shoulder. Her way of pleading for him to stop already. He got the hint, so he tossed the brush in a bucket and untied her to lead her to the stall.

  “Was that Dan’s granddaughter leaving?” Maria asked as she entered the barn. He glanced her way and did a double take.

  He couldn’t quite put her in the box of annoying little sister when she looked like a college girl. Her hair was straight and not a tangled curly mess. She wasn’t wearing jeans, boots and a T-shirt.

  “What in the world are they doing to you down in Houston?”

  Her hazel eyes narrowed at that question. “What is that supposed to mean? And don’t think I’m forgetting about Dan’s granddaughter being here with my brother.”

  “She came by to let me know she’s leaving. So, back to you. Where are you going all dressed up like that?”

  She spun in a slow circle, showing off the flowery dress. She was eighteen and his little sister. He wasn’t exactly a father figure but she had been a little girl of eight when their dad died. He’d been looking out for her for a long time.

  “I’m going on a date,” she informed him with a secret smile.

  “Are you? Is he picking you up here?”

  “No, he isn’t. I’m meeting him.” She walked closer to him, smiling shyly, but he knew it was a ruse to get him off balance. “And I thought you should know, Marcus is home. He pulled in a few minutes ago and he’s unloading his truck, like he plans to stay awhile.”

  “I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. But about this date, why is he not picking you up here? Don’t guys do that anymore?”

  “No way would I let a guy come here. You’re a ferocious pit bull when it comes to protecting your sisters. And you have such a bad opinion of marriage, you can’t imagine why anyone would want to date or get serious.”

  “I don’t have a bad opinion of...” He gave her a long look. “Are you thinking of getting marr—”

  She cut him off. “Of course not. I have a l
ot of college ahead of me. I’m saying that because Marissa Walker just left and I’m guessing you’re going to let her just walk away.”

  “Since it would be considered kidnapping if I kept her here against her will. Yes, I guess I am going to let her walk away. She has a job in Dallas. I have a life here. She came here to meet her grandfather. She met him. Now she’s going back to her home and her life.”

  “I love you, Alex, but you’re as dense as Marcus when it comes to relationships.”

  “I heard that, and I resent it.” Marcus stood in the doorway of the barn, looking a bit worse for wear.

  “I’m being honest. Both of you are a mess. It’s a good thing you all have me.” She kissed Alex on the cheek and then danced out of his way and headed for the door.

  “Go. And have fun. But be safe,” Alex called out after her. “And don’t fall for any sappy lines.”

  “Maybe you should learn some new lines,” she said as she stopped just outside the door. He should have let her go. Instead he followed.

  “You think?”

  “Yeah, I think.” She was all serious now. “It does wonders. We women like to think we’re all strong and independent. But we still like to be told we’re beautiful. We like surprises and flowers. We even like candlelight dinners.”

  He let her go without trying to get the last word. Besides, he had Marcus to contend with. As identical twins, he didn’t think they shared any of that I-feel-what-you-feel bond. But Marcus was there. And hadn’t he been thinking it would be good if his brother came home?

  “Dan’s granddaughter?” Marcus asked as he headed for the barn.

  “What?” Alex grabbed a lead rope. He had a young gelding he wanted to green break before he sold him. If he could get the horse under saddle, he’d bring more money than he would barely halter broke. And he could use all the money he could make right now.

  “Maria is giving you advice. I guessed it had something to do with Dan’s granddaughter.” Marcus stepped closer, making it easier to hear his words.

  Alex didn’t miss how his twin cast a nervous look around the barn, almost as if he expected their father to come roaring from a stall, prepared to beat him half to death. Rather than make Marcus talk, Alex filled the uneasy silence that hung between them.

  “Yeah, Maria is convinced I’m in love. She’s young. She doesn’t get that we have other things on our minds.”

  “Such as?” Marcus asked.

  “Saving this ranch. Whether we like it or not, it’s ours.”

  “Put it on the market. I’ll give you the money for the second mortgage if you’ll sell the whole place.”

  “I don’t want to put it up for sale. I want to live here.”

  Marcus shrugged. “Suit yourself. Get a loan. Borrow from Dane and Lucy, but my offer stands.”

  “It’s a piece of land, Marcus. It isn’t him. And I heard back from the bank. They won’t give me a loan until the second mortgage is paid off and our mother signs the place over to us.”

  “I can’t be here without hearing his voice. I can’t listen to Johnny Cash without thinking about Lucy in that room. I don’t want to save this ranch.”

  Alex wanted to be angry at his brother, but he got it. He understood. And he also realized Marcus wasn’t as bad off financially as they all thought.

  “I understand,” he said, finally managing to get the words out.

  Marcus nodded. “I know.”

  “How long are you staying?”

  “Christmas.” Marcus moved away from him but he stopped at the door. “I’ll help you out. But then I’m done with this place.”

  Alex stood in the doorway of the barn watching his brother’s stiff-legged walk as he headed to the house. Because when Alex had tried to humor and charm their father, Marcus had gone against him physically. And lost.

  They were all on the losing end of this situation.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Marissa watched her mother as she helped her grandfather out of the back of her car. He didn’t object the way he typically would. Instead he thanked her, then he turned to Marissa and winked.

  “What should we do first?” she asked as she stepped to his side.

  Her parents had shown up earlier in the day. To break the ice, her grandfather had gotten her dad talking about the house he wanted to build. That had kept the two men busy all day.

  Her grandfather nodded in the direction of the craft booths. “I reckon I’d start over there with the crafts, baked goods and doodads you women seem to like. Me and Joe will head on over to the funnel cakes. I’ve got a hankering for something fried.”

  Her grandfather gave her a triumphant look as he headed for the funnel cakes. She couldn’t help but smile. He seemed a different man from the one she’d met when she’d first shown up.

  As they walked, her dad matched his steps to her grandfather’s and the two men talked as if they’d known each other for years, not days.

  “This suits you,” her mom said as they walked toward the craft booths.

  Marissa looked up surprised. “Suits me?”

  Her mom touched her hair. “Well, other than the hair. This town. Your grandfather. You seem happy.”

  Marissa glanced around, at the tents where tables were set up to sell crafts, desserts and other items. Children were playing in a bounce house. In less than an hour the churches would start the program. Two plays, several songs and the nativity story read by Pastor Matthews. The booth rentals, as well as money from the funnel cakes, would go to the shelter.

  “I can’t deny that I like it here,” she admitted after some thought.

  “I can see that,” her mom acknowledged, pulling her close to hug her. “It’s a comfortable place. I hadn’t really thought about it a lot since I was a little girl. But I remember being happy here.”

  “It’s a shame you never got to come back.”

  Her mom lifted one shoulder in an elegant but casual gesture. “Yes, I guess it was a shame. I never thought too much about it. We left. I don’t know why we left, but it happened. My mother came in one day and told me to pack a bag and hug my father goodbye. It must have been traumatic because I didn’t think much about it until I came here to get you. That’s when the memories rolled over me.”

  “I do love Granddad,” she told her mother. “He took me in and even though he grumbled a bit, I knew from the start that he wouldn’t want me gone.”

  “No, I can’t suppose he would.” Her mom reached for her hand. “And I owe you an apology. I’ve not been a good mother.”

  “We all did our best.” But she really didn’t want to talk about what had happened. Fortunately her mother seemed of the same mind and the conversation ended.

  Marissa’s gaze drifted over the crowd and landed on one person. Alex stood near his truck. He had the gray pony tied to the post of a round pen. A crowd of children had gathered for pony rides.

  “You’re not going to give everything up for a cowboy? Are you?” her mother asked as they walked to a craft booth with beaded jewelry.

  She glanced past her mom and saw that Alex was watching. Would it really be giving everything up? “Mom, I don’t want to discuss this.”

  Discussing it would be pointless. Because she did have to leave, but she was leaving behind more than she’d ever expected. Her grandfather, Bea, Essie, Alex, even the animals. She’d come here to get over a failed attempt at a wedding and now she was going to have to get over being here.

  But this she could come back to.

  “I’m sorry,” her mom said as the two of them looked over the jewelry. “I know that you have your own choices to make. I would just hate for you to give up everything on a whim.”

  She wanted to tell her mom that nothing she did was on a whim. If her mom knew her better, she would know that Marissa plan
ned everything. She wouldn’t walk away from those plans for fear of letting her parents down.

  They were paying for their purchases when Pastor Matthews approached with a woman Marissa had seen at church but hadn’t met. She smiled a greeting at the two as she and her mother started to move onto the next booth.

  “Marissa, wait, if you don’t mind.” Pastor Matthews spoke quickly before Marissa could leave. “I have someone I want you to meet.”

  “I’m Theresa Wilkins, I’m the superintendent of the district school. I’ve heard so much about you and I was hoping, if you’re planning on staying in the community, that we could sit down and talk.”

  “Talk?” Marissa gave her mom a worried glance, because this was probably the last thing her mom wanted to hear.

  “About a job,” Theresa continued. “We’re a small school and we lose a lot of younger teachers to bigger schools, where there are more opportunities and better pay. We’re looking for teachers who will be committed to our community and stay with us.”

  A job. Marissa couldn’t help it, her gaze slid to where Alex led the pony, Cobalt, around the pen. A little boy was riding the pony and even from a distance appeared to be having the time of his life.

  “I’m sorry, I already have a job.”

  “Well, if those circumstances should change, please call us.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  Pastor Matthews and Theresa Wilkins left and Marissa returned to her mother’s side. Neither of them mentioned the job opportunity. They made a few more purchases, then found their way to the music, where Marissa’s father and grandfather waited. The two men had found chairs near the band and they were listening to music and finishing off a funnel cake.

  “I have to go inside soon,” Marissa said after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence. “I have to find Bea.”

  What she needed was a moment alone to think, and to maybe grieve the job offer she couldn’t take. It was the job she had always wanted. As she made her excuses and walked away from the others, she thought about the fact that it wasn’t forever. There would be other job openings in the future. Maybe someday she could return to Bluebonnet to live and to build a life for herself.