A Texas Soldier's Christmas. Cathy Thacker Gillen

off and pretending whatever had hurt her didn’t matter, because time healed all wounds.

      But sadly, in this case, the passage of months hadn’t fixed anything and might never.

      Keeping her guard up, she stepped out onto the porch opposite him. Across the street, smoke curled from the chimney of a neighbor’s home, scenting the air with burning oak.

      Wary of letting him back in her life in even the slightest way, she stared up at him coolly. “And I think we should leave things as is.” Frustration curled the corners of his lips. “Come on, Nora.” He pressed a brightly wrapped present and a bouquet of flowers into her hands. “Hear me out.”

      She supposed she owed him that much, after all they had once been to each other.

      She set the gifts on one of the rockers on the front porch. Trying not to notice how strappingly handsome he looked in the soft glow of her porch light, she turned back to him and folded her arms in front of her. “I’m listening.”

      His expression sobered. “First, I apologize for any conclusions I might have jumped to.”

      About time, she thought.

      He held her eyes for a long moment. His voice dropped a compelling notch. “And second, I want to congratulate you on your new son.”

      His words were so sincere she couldn’t help but respond. Figuring peace was better than conflict any day, Nora drew an enervating breath. “Thank you.”

      Regret tautened the chiseled lines of his face. “I should have known if Liam were mine, you would have told me.”

      “You’re damn right about that,” she said fiercely, trying not to think how much she had always longed to have his baby.

      And perversely, she still did. But that wasn’t happening any more than a reconciliation, so the best thing to do was end their disagreement, and hence his reason for pursuing her.

      “Thank you for coming by to say that.” Nora shivered in the cold November air. “I accept your apology.”

      “Does that mean I get to come in long enough to see Liam again and watch you two open the baby gift?”

      It’d be rude not to have him come in for a moment.

      Aware she was practically shaking she was so cold, Nora picked up the gift and flowers. Turning toward the door, she led the way inside.

      Acutely aware of him following lazily behind her, she glanced over her shoulder, frowned. “Why is it if I give you an inch you take a mile?”

      He held the door for her. “Must be my easy Texas charm.”

      She made a face and quipped right back before she could think. “It’s definitely something.”

      He had changed into his civilian clothes since she had last seen him. The tweed sport coat and light blue shirt hugged his broad shoulders and muscled chest. Worn jeans cloaked his hard thighs, sturdy Western boots covered his feet.

      Eyes twinkling, he followed her into the living room, where Liam still snoozed contentedly in his Pack ’n Play.

      Zane paused to regard her son with a mixture of longing and tenderness that further stirred her emotions.

      Nora set the flowers on the coffee table, then perched on the edge of a chair, the present on her lap. She gestured for him to have a seat on the sofa.

      “Going to guess what it is?”

      She couldn’t—wouldn’t—make too much of this. Ignoring the faint flutter of her heart, Nora tilted her head to one side. “Something the clerk at the baby boutique in town picked out for you?”

      He flashed a cheeky grin. Not the least bit put off. “I’m more invested than that.”

      She certainly hoped not. Because to have him invested in her life—in Liam’s—was the path to heartache, all over again. Doing her best to keep her guard up, Nora undid the ribbon.

      Inside the box was a completely adorable red velvet Santa outfit, complete with cap and knit booties that looked like little black boots.

      Zane turned his attention to the Pack ’n Play. Observing Liam, his expression grew tender once again. “I know Liam is a little young to know what the holidays are all about, but seeing as how this is his first Christmas—” his voice roughened slightly “—I figure he ought to celebrate it up right.”

      Nora knew as an adoptive parent, versus a biological one, she should not be having postpregnancy hormonal shifts. But having Zane back in her life, even temporarily, was causing a seismic shift. She jerked in a quavering breath, still not daring to look her ex in the eye. “It’s lovely,” she murmured back huskily. “Thanks.”

      He reached across the chasm of space between them, clasping her delicate hand in his rougher one. “So we’re good?”

      Yes, Nora thought, her pulse racing despite herself. And no...

      Luckily for her, she was saved from having to answer that by the ringing phone.

      She rose to get it.

      The news on the other end was not good.

      * * *

      “YOU HAVE TO go back to work now?” Zane asked.

      Aware she had no time to don her scrubs again, Nora grabbed a belted cardigan-style jacket instead, looped the chained badge over her head and settled the ID between her breasts. She paused to pull on her favorite pair of Western boots. “It’s an emergency with a new resident. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to wait for a sitter to get here...so I’m going to have to take Liam with me.”

      He followed her back to the Pack ’n Play. “Is that going to be a problem?”

      Gently, Nora eased her son into a fleece jacket and cap. “No. He goes to Laramie Gardens with me every day.” It had been part of her employment deal, and the only way she would go back to work so soon. “I just usually have a sitter there with me. To keep an eye on him between feedings.” Which she usually did herself.

      “Want me to go along and help?” Zane asked.

      An extra pair of hands was always helpful, particularly when an infant was on the scene. Nodding, Nora collected the diaper bag and her purse, then gathered her son in her arms. “Actually, yes, if you wouldn’t mind. At least until I can get reinforcement.”

      Together, they hurried out to the drive. Luckily, Liam seemed more dazed than unhappy to be woken up. Not always the case.

      The pickup truck Zane had driven forever was parked behind her. “I’ll follow you over there,” he called.

      Short minutes later, the two of them were walking into the home for senior citizens. Just before they entered the doors, Nora handed Liam, who was still strapped snugly into his infant carrier, off to Zane.

      And not a moment too soon, it appeared. At the other end of the hall, a determined Russell Pierce was slapping a jaunty brown felt fedora on his head. In a safari shirt, khaki cargo pants and a worn leather jacket, he bore a striking resemblance to Harrison Ford. With a physical vigor belying his eighty-five years, he was arguing with the night charge nurse, Inez Garcia. “I’m telling you, nice as this visit has been, I have to go close up The Book Nook, and then get home to have dinner with Esther and the baby.”

      Wordlessly, Nora directed Zane to take Liam into the community room, where help awaited him. “Hey, Mr. Pierce,” Nora said, sauntering closer.

      “Well, hello there, young lady!” he said. “I was just about to call you. The rest of your special order came in.”

      “Great.” Nora smiled and gently took his arm, attempting to orient him. “Do you know where we are?”

      He looked around. Suddenly confused.

      “Laramie Gardens, Home For Seniors,” she said.

      He