Daddy by Christmas / Christmas Magic on the Mountain. Patricia Thayer

The church is helping as much as possible.”

      And he was about to throw her out of her home. “When is the kid due?”

      “Would you believe Christmas day?” Kira smiled. “I feel that’s a good omen. I believe there’s a miracle out there for her.”

      Jarrett hoped it happened before the New Year.

      “They have the best food around,” Jarrett told Neil Fulton the next afternoon at lunch. “Prime Cut’s Barbecue is outstanding. It’s all local beef, too. Some of it comes from my brother’s ranch.”

      The fifty-five-year-old business executive looked as if he’d spent a lot of time behind a desk. His skin was pale and his hair thinning. “You own part of that, too?”

      “No, I got out of ranching a long time ago.” Jarrett hadn’t liked all the hard work or a father who drove him to do more than a kid should have to do. For what? To wait out another drought, low cattle prices or a freezing winter without going bankrupt. And you’re still poor. He liked the finer things in life, and he’d found a way to get them.

      “But my brother is good at what he does. I guarantee you’ll love the beef.”

      “Maybe another time, I usually eat a lighter lunch.” Neil looked over his half-glasses at Jarrett. “My wife insists on it.”

      Jarrett would do everything he could to move this deal along. With the slow economy, he needed to make sure this sale didn’t fall through. If only he could find a place for the Mountain View tenants, life would be perfect.

      “Why not have the best of both worlds?” he said. “If you lived around here, you could enjoy hearty meals, because there’s plenty of hiking and skiing around to keep you in shape. And there’s a great gym where you can work out.”

      Neil smiled. “You’ve kept in shape well enough since you left football. How do you do it?”

      Jarrett couldn’t believe people still remembered his college career. But he’d use it if it helped seal the deal with Fulton Industries.

      “I have a home gym,” he explained. You and your wife will have to come by and I’ll show you. It’s Robin, isn’t it?”

      Fulton nodded, then returned to scanning the menu.

      “I also want to show you both some houses in the area. There are several estates with horse property. Riding is another great way to keep in shape.”

      Neil raised a hand. “First, I need to put all my energy into building this plant. Robin will stay in Chicago until we can get things moving along. From past experience, once my wife gets going on a new house, she’ll throw herself into decorating it.”

      “Well, when that happens I’ll have one of my top agents help her find the perfect house.”

      Neil frowned. “You don’t know Robin. She’s hard to please.”

      Jarrett bet he could handle her. “Then I’ll work with her personally.”

      Neil laughed. “You may live to regret that offer.”

      Before Jarrett could respond, a young man approached the table. “Excuse me, sir, are you Jarrett McKane?”

      “Yes, I am.”

      The guy pulled out a manila envelope from inside his jacket. “This is for you.” He smiled. “You’ve been served.”

      Jarrett felt his face heat with anger. Then he glanced across the restaurant as the man stopped at a table. He sat down beside a dark-haired woman. Mia Saunders.

      “Is there a problem, Jarrett?” Neil asked.

      “No. Just a minor disagreement with a client.”

      Mia raised a hand and waved.

      “This doesn’t have anything to do with our project, does it?”

      Jarrett nodded at Mia. “Like I said it’s a minor problem. Nothing I can’t handle.”

      The following morning, Mia drove to her doctor’s appointment in Grand Junction, about forty miles away. The roads were clear so far, and she only hoped that northwest Colorado’s winter weather would hold off for another month.

      Since she was in her last trimester, she had to travel there regularly. Not a problem; she liked her doctor, Lauren Drake. In her forties, the attractive fertility specialist had been there for her from the beginning of the surrogacy. She’d also supported Mia through Brad and Karen’s horrible accident and death.

      “How have you been feeling?”

      “Great,” Mia said. “Except the baby is pretty active. He or she is kicking all the time.”

      The attractive blonde was tall and slender and happily married to her college sweetheart. Mia should hate her for her perfect life, but Lauren was too nice to hate. She had become a good friend. And Mia needed as many friends as she could get.

      “I know the pregnancy is going well, but I’m worried about you, Mia. Your life has been turned upside down in the past few months. And now, you aren’t even sure about a place to live.”

      “So what else is new?” Sadness crept in. She missed her brother desperately. He’d been her rock for most of her life. Even with Brad’s help, it had taken her years to get her act together. Now, she felt on the verge of falling apart. What kind of mother would that make her? Not a good one.

      “I know you’ve had to deal with a lot,” the doctor said. “You only planned to be the aunt to this baby. Now, you’re going to be the mother, unless you’ve changed your mind on that.”

      Mia shook her head. Well before Brad and Karen had moved ahead with the surrogacy, everyone had agreed that if something ever happened to them, Mia would raise the child. Yet, no one had ever imagined the loss of both parents even before the baby arrived.

      “It’s a big responsibility, Mia. Even when there’s a father in the picture.”

      Mia added, “A single mother with no money and no apparent means of income isn’t the best candidate.”

      “Don’t say that.”

      Mia hadn’t hidden anything from the doctor before the procedure began. Dr. Drake knew about everything in her past.

      “There are agencies around to help, too.”

      Mia shook her head. She had some money set aside. And Brad and Karen had some left-over insurance money. “I just want a job.”

      “I’d prefer you didn’t take any more on your plate right now.”

      Mia fought her panic. “Is there something wrong?”

      Lauren shook her head. “Just watching your blood pressure. It’s a little high, but no worries right now.” She quickly changed the subject. “Have you picked out any names?”

      “No, I haven’t thought about it.” She had some personal things of Karen’s, a baby book that might give her a clue and a letter from her sister-in-law that Mia wasn’t supposed to open until the birth of the baby.

      “Well, do it. And stop trying to take on everyone’s problems. Think about yourself for a change. You won’t get the chance after the baby comes.”

      Mia knew she couldn’t walk away from her neighbors. Not now. They’d been so good to her. “We’re just trying to stay in our homes for a little while longer. We’re going to court next week, and we’re hoping the judge will rule in our favor.”

      Having a place to live was her main concern right now. She couldn’t be homeless again. Not with a baby.

      A week later, Jarrett walked into the courtroom. What he didn’t expect to see were several of the tenants there, too. Of course, leading the pack was Mia Saunders.

      She looked professional in her dark skirt and a long wine-colored