Christmas With The Cowboy. Tina Radcliffe

on the doorknob, Dutch hesitated before he headed out. “You know, I was just like you, once upon a time. Came for a visit and ended up staying.”

      Zach blinked at the bold statement. “I’m not staying. This is only temporary.”

      “Oh?” The old cowboy stared him down. “Just sticking around until you finish mending?”

      “My knee, you mean?”

      He shook his head and offered a sly smile. “Don’t take offense, but I got a feeling the good Lord put you in the path of Big Heart Ranch for a reason and it’s got nothing to do with your knee.” Dutch tapped his own chest and placed a hand over his heart as his gaze met Zach’s.

      Zach narrowed his eyes. “Though that isn’t my plan, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility.”

      A grin lit up Dutch’s face, and he offered a nod of respect. “I expected an argument.”

      “Not from me. I’ve learned to never say never. Life has tossed me into too many situations where my next move was completely a walk of faith.”

      “Wise man,” Dutch murmured.

      “I don’t know about that. Not so much wisdom as it is lots of experience making mistakes.” He rolled down the leg of his sweatpants. “Where’s that meeting I’m supposed to go to tonight?”

      “Meeting? It’s a party. One of the biggest of the year.”

      “Okay, where’s this mandatory fun I’m required to attend?”

      “Downtown Timber. Oklahoma Rose restaurant. Across from the Timber General Store. There’s a parking lot behind the restaurant. Might make it easier on your leg.”

      “Thanks.”

      The door closed softly and Zach pulled out a bandanna to wipe his hands while thinking about his conversation with the wrangler.

      Easier. He wasn’t handicapped. It was a simple knee injury. So he couldn’t jump out of planes anymore. That wasn’t a good enough reason for the world to keep trying to turn him into a desk jockey.

      Zach paused. Unless they were right. If so, he wouldn’t be much use to Travis on the ranch either, would he?

      Once again, the urge to leave rose up strong. What was he doing here anyhow? Had the Lord led him here or had he come to Oklahoma simply to clear his conscience?

      Twice he had changed his mind during the long drive from California. The only thing that kept him from making a U-turn on I-40 eastbound was the promise made to Ian’s folks. He was determined to keep that promise. Their son was gone and they needed closure only Zach could provide. He was willing to relive the anguish of that mission to do that.

      Besides, where would he go? He didn’t have a home anymore. His apartment in California had been cleared out and his few possessions put into storage until January.

      Zach took a ragged breath and ran a hand through his hair. His gaze landed on last year’s photo Christmas card Emma had sent him that peeked out of his duffel. Elizabeth and Rachel.

      His brother’s children. Family. They deserved so much more from him. He owed Emma and Steve that. In truth, he was long overdue for facing the past. It was time to man up. Maybe if he did he’d find the path to his future, however uncertain that future might be.

       Chapter Three

      “Candy canes?” Emma asked.

      Lucy Maxwell Harris held up the plastic shopping bag that dangled from her right arm. “Check.”

      Emma pulled open the door of the restaurant for her sister, who waddled past and headed into the Oklahoma Rose with a protective hand on her large abdomen.

      “Whew.” Lucy ran a hand through her dark cap of hair and adjusted the Santa hat on her head. “Is it hot in here?”

      “No. The female air-conditioning system is a little overworked during pregnancy.”

      “Is that it?”

      Emma nodded. “Any success finding mistletoe?”

      “Got that, too. I bought extra to take home to Jack.”

      “Isn’t Jack coming?” Emma asked.

      “I wish. He’s in charge of the papier mâché volcano the kids are making for the science fair.”

      “Hmm.” Emma shook her head. “Difficult to say who got the better assignment.”

      Lucy sniffed appreciatively and glanced around. “Oh, this place smells wonderful. Is that steak? You know, I haven’t had anything to eat in over an hour.”

      A hand to her mouth, Emma stifled a chuckle while grabbing a menu from a nearby empty table. “Here you go. We won’t let you starve. I promise.”

      “They have sweet potato fries.” She shot Emma a conspiratorial glance. “Do not tell Jack, but it’s apparent that I got the better deal tonight.”

      “May I help you?” the smiling hostess asked.

      “Big Heart Ranch Christmas party,” Emma said. “I was here this morning. The manager said you could unlock the room for us.”

      “Christmas? And here I thought that was a typo,” the woman murmured.

      “We like to get a jump on the holidays at Big Heart.”

      “I guess so. Do you want to schedule Groundhog Day now, as well?”

      Emma choked on a laugh. “I’ll get back to you on that.”

      They followed the woman through the restaurant, weaving past tables toward a banquet room. As they passed the small dance area where a band was setting up, Emma nudged her sister.

      “Look. Live music tonight,” she said.

      “Those are the Dixie Hens,” the hostess said, excitement lacing her voice. “They’re almost famous around these parts. Last year they went on tour with L.C. Kestner.”

      “Who?” Lucy mouthed to Emma.

      Emma shrugged and rolled her eyes.

      “I’m happy to ask the band to play Christmas dance tunes for your group,” the woman continued.

      “Thank you. That would be great,” Emma said.

      “Planning to dance?” Lucy asked.

      “Perhaps. I am, after all, highly skilled at the hokey-pokey. Ask my daughters.”

      Lucy grinned as the hostess unlocked the door to a private room. Taking a step in, she paused to look up at the ceiling where glittering snowflakes suspended on clear fishing line gently swayed.

      “Emma, this is beautiful.”

      Emma peeked over her sister’s shoulder at the long tables covered with red tablecloths. Burlap runners decorated the center of the tables and were dotted with mason jars tied with red and green ribbons and filled with berried greenery. In the corner of the room, an artificial Christmas tree complete with ornaments and twinkling colored lights stood proudly. Red and green envelopes with the staff’s holiday stipends tucked inside also hung from the branches.

      “I love Christmas.” Emma sighed with pleasure and inspected the room once again. “It did turn out nice, didn’t it?”

      “Come on, Em. Nice? This is perfect. Rustic and Christmassy. This is the perfect way to launch the Holiday Roundup.”

      “That’s what I thought, too.”

      “What’s in those shiny silver favor boxes next to each place setting?”

      “My secret recipe truffles to take home.”

      Lucy