Her Cowboy Till Christmas. Jill Kemerer

loved the kid’s enthusiasm. His son loved Nan, and every day it was the same request—have a cookie, then feed the cats in Nan’s barn. But after a sleepless night wrestling with the fact he had a twin and a frigid morning feeding and working the cattle, Mason had no plans to visit Nan, even if it was shopping day. Brittany could take care of it.

      But would she? He raised his eyes to the ceiling. Probably not. She knew nothing about Nan’s needs. And if Ryder was leaving tomorrow, Brittany would be heading out with him.

      After the early-morning chores, Mason had called Ryder and invited him out to the ranch. Ryder was dealing with an unexpected work emergency but said he’d be over this afternoon.

      Anticipation wound Mason up tighter than a lassoed calf. He was eager to learn more about his brother, to find out what else they had in common, but what if it poured gasoline on his happy childhood memories? He didn’t want his entire past to go up in flames.

      “We’re not going to Nan’s today.” His shoulders tensed as he waited for the inevitable meltdown. He couldn’t exactly tell his son the truth—that his ex-girlfriend had rattled his nerves and he’d rather jump in the ice-cold waters of Silver Rocks River than run into Brittany again.

      “Yes we are, Daddy. We go to Nan’s every day cuz we love her.”

      No tantrum? That was a first. His conscience whimpered at his own words being repeated back to him. He pulled on his cowboy boots. “That’s right, but her granddaughter is in town visiting. We’ll give them some space.”

      “But, Daddy, what about the kitties? And the food? We have to buy Nan’s food.” Noah tried to step into his own small cowboy boot and almost fell over. “I don’t wanna be on the naughty list.”

      “Why don’t you sit next to me on the bench and pull on your boots, buckaroo?” He patted the bench. “And you won’t be on the naughty list. Remember why we celebrate Christmas?”

      “Jesus’s birthday.” He clutched the boots to his chest and hoisted himself onto the bench as one boot clattered to the ground. Mason picked it up and helped him tug it onto his foot. The other went on quickly. “But Nan’ll miss me, Daddy.”

      “You’ll see her Monday.”

      He screwed up his face, his chubby cheeks puffing out in confusion. “When’s that?”

      Mason held up two fingers. “In two days.”

      “Two days? No! Too long. I want Nan today!” His little face grew red.

      “Noah,” he warned, giving him a stern look. A text came through his phone. He almost groaned when he saw it was from his father-in-law, Bill.

      What’s this I hear about you having a twin? Joanna and I are coming over to discuss it.

      Acid reflux burned his throat. Thanks to Babs, the news of Ryder had likely spread through town like the bubonic plague. Mason had already received several texts from locals. He’d ignored the phone calls. The thought of discussing the situation with Bill and Joanna right now gave him heartburn.

      He didn’t want to talk to anyone about Ryder until he’d had a chance to speak with him more in-depth. Figure out why on earth they were separated and how anyone could justify keeping them apart.

      Without wasting a second, he texted Bill back.

      I just found out myself. Noah and I are out shopping for Nan, and we have plans this afternoon. I’ll fill you in later.

      He slipped the phone into his pocket. If a few minutes in Brittany’s presence was the price to pay for avoiding his in-laws, he’d pay it. He’d dealt with worse punishments in his life.

      “Okay, buckaroo. We’ll pop in to get Nan’s list. But we aren’t having cookies or checking on the cats because we don’t want to interrupt her visit. We can buy a doughnut in town instead.”

      “With sprinkles?”

      “You got it.”

      Five minutes later, Mason’s truck rumbled up Nan’s drive a mile down the road from his. The peace of the white prairie and distant mountains always made him say a silent prayer to thank God for letting this beautiful spot be his home. After parking, he got out of the truck, nudged his cowboy hat into place and unbuckled Noah from his car seat before setting him on the snow-covered ground. The boy took off running toward the front porch yelling, “Nan! I’m here!”

      She opened the door and clapped as she bent to greet Noah. He took her by the hand and went inside. The sight of white-haired Nan in her saggy pants and embroidered sweatshirt holding hands with his little boy always made Mason smile.

      He followed them into the entry, took off his hat and froze. Brittany stood only a few feet away, her blue eyes locked with his. He blinked away the connection. Noah had climbed onto a chair at Nan’s table and was already helping himself to a cookie.

      “We’re here to get your list.” Mason crossed over to give Nan a hug.

      She patted his cheek, but confusion wrinkled her forehead. “List? Oh, right! Now where did I put it?” She began moving around the kitchen, then meandered down the hallway. Mason was used to it. She usually forgot where she put it and would find it a few minutes later.

      “Who are you?” Noah peered up at Brittany.

      “I’m Brittany. Nan is my grandma.”

      “She is?” Noah’s mouth was full of a cookie. “I love Nan.”

      “I do, too.”

      “Can we go see the kitties, Daddy?”

      “Not today. As soon as Nan finds the list, we have to head out.” He held his breath, hoping Noah wouldn’t throw a fit.

      “Can I pwease see the kitties, Daddy? Pwease?”

      “No.” Mason craned his neck down the hallway. Come on, Nan, find your list already!

      “I can take him out there for a minute.” Brittany smiled at Noah.

      “Yay!”

      “I said no.” It came out more harshly than he intended. But he didn’t want her around his son at all.

      “Mason, I forgot about the water softener,” Nan called from the back of the house. “Do I need more salt?”

      “Really, I don’t mind.” Brittany pushed her hair behind her ear. She wore black leggings and a long heather-gray sweatshirt with the word Sunshine written in cursive across the front. Her lack of makeup gave her a freshly scrubbed air. It reminded him of what she’d looked like as a teen and, unbidden, brought the warm feelings he’d had for her then with it.

      “See, Daddy? She don’t mind.” Noah’s big eyes brimmed with hope.

      He sighed and gave them both a tight smile. “Okay. Just for a minute. But be careful and listen to Miss Brittany.”

      “I will!” His legs were already carrying him to the back door.

      “Wait, Noah.” The kid didn’t even have his winter jacket on. “You have to wear your coat. Zipped.”

      Noah rushed back and let Mason bundle him up before taking off again. Brittany, who’d slipped her feet into boots, put her coat on and followed. The soft click of the door shutting told him they were gone.

      Why would she have offered to take his kid? He’d been really rude to her last night. If it had been anyone else, he’d assume they were being kind. But he didn’t know Brittany. Not anymore. Once upon a time he’d thought he’d known her, and he’d been wrong.

      The door to the basement was through the kitchen, so he flipped on the light before tromping down the stairs. He lifted the lid to the water softener. The salt level was getting low. He’d better pick up a few bags of it. When he emerged from the basement, Nan was sitting at the table, bent over a piece