Mistletoe Rodeo. Amanda Renee

That was exactly the effect she wanted. “Because this means something to you. It wasn’t just about winning. It was about family and community—and not disappointing any of them. It shows who you really are, Chase. What do you think? Can we use it?”

      Chase shook his head and turned to George. “Man’s opinion, and be honest. Did it look okay or do I look like a total wuss who didn’t get his way?”

      “I think it looks like a man who believes he not only let himself down but everyone else, as well. I thought it was heartfelt, and my wife tells me I’m immune to those types of things.”

      Nola hoped Chase trusted their opinions. She may be cutthroat at times, but Nola would never put someone purposely at ease just to stab them in the back. She knew many journalists who did, and they were more successful because of it. It certainly was Dirk’s MO. Nola had more respect for people than that, and she believed you could produce a solid piece of news without sensationalizing it.

      “Go for it.” It was hard to read the emotion behind Chase’s words and Nola wasn’t sure if he was all right with the interview or just pacifying her.

      Waving George off from sending the video, Nola held up her finger, signaling that she needed a minute alone with Chase.

      She lightly ran her hand down Chase’s arm, feeling his muscles flex beneath her touch. “Are you sure you’re comfortable with this? Because if you’re not we can try something else.”

      “You asked me to trust you, and I have confidence in your abilities.”

      Talk about pressure. Nola didn’t have a crystal ball and she couldn’t predict how people would perceive the video, but in her experience, this was a good reel.

      “Chase, there are no guarantees in life and I can’t promise this will go over the way I intend it to. I think it will, but public perception is a crapshoot.”

      “I have faith in you.”

      Within minutes, the final cut was on its way to the studio and Nola called the station to let them know. She was nervous about Pete’s reaction, especially because this wasn’t the piece he was expecting, but weaved in with the Mistletoe Rodeo lead, Nola hoped he’d be pleased.

      “Usually my segment runs around six forty-five, give or take a few minutes, in case you want to watch it or let anyone else know it’s on.”

      “I think I’ll pass. I don’t watch myself unless I’ve had a bad ride and need to figure out what to correct.”

      “Fair enough. I guess that wraps everything up here.” Nola hesitated, hating to end the afternoon. “So I’ll call you regarding the food bank—if you’re still okay with arranging it.”

      “Are you two leaving already?” Kay walked toward the van. “Stay and have dinner with us. I have steaks and chicken marinating. We’re grilling out tonight and I have more than enough food.”

      “I have to get home to my wife and kids,” George said. “But Nola’s free.”

      “Wonderful. I’ll set another place at the table.” Kay turned, heading to the house.

      “Nothing like a good old-fashioned ambush to get your heart pumping.” Chase laughed.

      “George, you’re my ride home,” Nola said through clenched teeth. The nerve of that man to offer her up to the Langtrys. She’d figured he’d pull some sort of stunt, but in a way, she was secretly thrilled that he had.

      “I’ll take you home,” Chase offered. “My way of returning the favor from this morning. But if you don’t want to stay and would rather disappoint my mother, I perfectly understand.”

      Nola shook her head at George’s all-too-obvious matchmaking. “Don’t give me the puppy-dog look,” Nola said to Chase. “I would be happy to join you for dinner.”

      As she reached into the van for her leather jacket and handbag, Nola leaned over George’s shoulder and whispered, “I’ll get you for this.”

      “No, you won’t... You’ll thank me.”

      * * *

      NOLA HAD BEEN around the Langtry clan numerous times over the years but never in so intimate a setting as a family meal. Chase’s cousin Ella and husband, Nicolino, Bridle Dance’s general operations manager, and their five children also joined them. Including herself, there were nineteen of them around the massive cedar table. Since they all lived on the ranch, this was the norm for them. It was loud, and at first Nola felt completely out of her element, but that quickly changed with everyone’s welcoming manner.

      In the background, though, Nola thought she noticed tension brewing between Chase and Shane. Almost as if Chase was avoiding his brother. She hoped her presence wasn’t the reason.

      After dinner, Nola helped clear the table despite Kay’s protests that she was a guest. Later, she and Chase strolled through the pecan grove to work off an incredibly decadent chocolate cake Tess had made for dessert. Nola couldn’t help but smile when she saw the trees glistening with thousands of twinkling white lights.

      “Your mom must have some grocery bill.” Nola hadn’t sat at a table with so many people since she had last eaten in the mess hall.

      “Mom doesn’t know how to make small meals. It’s only she and I in the house, but cooking just for the two of us goes against every fiber of her being. If she didn’t have everyone around, believe me when I say she’d be cooking for all the ranch hands. There are some nights she does that, too. Half of what she cooks comes from the garden. She cans in the fall, and the cellar has its own section filled with every kind of preserve imaginable. She donates quite a bit to the food bank.”

      Nola was aware Kay liked to give to the community, but there was more to the woman than most people realized, and her compassion needed to be celebrated.

      “How would you feel about honoring your mom at the Mistletoe Rodeo to commemorate her hard work and commitment to the community?”

      “I love the idea.” For a moment, Nola thought Chase was going to kiss her and was slightly disappointed when he didn’t. “I don’t know why we didn’t think of it before.”

      The temperature had dropped a solid twenty degrees since the sun had gone down and Nola pulled her jacket tighter across her chest.

      “Are you cold?” Chase asked.

      “Actually, I find it invigorating. I learned to adapt after the excruciatingly hot days in the desert. The cool nights were welcome, although sometimes they were downright frigid.”

      “I really do admire you for serving our country.” He nudged her arm with his, causing her to look up at him. Tall in her own right, she normally rivaled most men in height, especially when she wore heels. Chase still had her beat by a good four or five inches.