Christmas With The Cowboy. Tina Radcliffe
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father has leased out the Pawhuska ranch. He’s retired and is now circling the globe with my stepmother. Sort of a celebration because her cancer is in remission.”
“I knew they were traveling on and off, but hadn’t heard he’d leased. Any thoughts of taking over?”
“Never. Too many memories.”
“I hear you.” Travis frowned. “So where are you staying?”
“A bed-and-breakfast in Timber.”
“That’s no good. We have plenty of room in the bunkhouse. Why not stay with us until January?”
“Here?” Zach drew back slightly at the generosity of the unexpected gesture. “That’s not a sympathy offer, is it?”
“No way. We’re short staffed right now and having a jack-of-all-trades like yourself on staff to fill in the gaps here and there would help me sleep at night.”
Zach adjusted his ball cap as he considered Travis’s words.
“It’s not nearly as exciting as being a navy SEAL, or staying at the Timber B & B, but we are your family. The plus side would be you get to spend the holidays with your nieces.”
The mention of his nieces was enough to yank him right in. He was overdue for being a real uncle to Rachel and Elizabeth.
“I’m going to take you up on that,” Zach said before he had a chance to change his mind.
“All right.” Travis grinned. “Stop by human resources in the admin building tomorrow morning and fill out the paperwork. They’ll get you squared away with a security badge to get you in and out of the gate.”
“Will do.”
Travis snapped his fingers. “Oh, and before I forget. Monday evening, 6:00 p.m. Big meeting at the Oklahoma Rose in town. In the banquet room.”
“At a restaurant?”
“It’s the staff Christmas party.”
“Trav, I hate to beat a dead horse, but it’s November fifth. You haven’t even had a good frost around these parts.”
“You’re still not getting it. There’s no time in December. This place has nonstop holiday activities from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve.”
“I’m trying to understand,” Zach returned, tucking away the information.
“You will, firsthand, and soon enough.”
The pounding of hooves, announcing a horse and rider approaching in the distance, had both men turning around.
“Uh-oh, Emma found us.” Travis raised his brows. “Or maybe she found you. Wait until she hears that you’re staying.”
“Could we keep his between us right now?” Zach asked. “Emma has her own agenda that I’m doing my best to dodge.”
“RangePro, right?”
“How’d you know?”
“She’s done nothing but talk about turning Steve’s company over to you since you got back.”
A groan slipped from Zach.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. That said, this is a female-dominated ranch, so you know the odds of anything remaining a secret long are slim to none.”
“Yeah. I figured as much, but if I can get even a short reprieve from her trying to lasso me into her plans for my future, I’ll take it.”
“Have you suggested selling?”
“She’s convinced that if she can tie me to a chair long enough for the RangePro spiel, I’ll change my mind.” He took a deep breath. “I’m telling you, your sister is the only woman I know who’s as stubborn as I am.”
Travis gave a chuckle. “I respect the fact that you admit that.”
“That only means that one of us is going to end up very unhappy.” Zach narrowed his eyes. “I’m committed to that person not being me.”
“I hear you.” He gave a nod toward his sister and called out. “You looking for me, Emma?”
“Yes. Dutch is bringing a breech to the barn and he needs your help.” She pulled her horse up next to them and adjusted the black Stetson at the back of her head.
“Can you two monitor the rest of the herd?” Travis asked.
“I’m good.” Zach nodded.
“Then I guess I am, too,” Emma said as Travis headed back to the barn. The grim set of her lips and the expression on her face offered an uneasy détente. She’d work with him for the good of the ranch.
“Where are the twins?” Zach asked as his gaze skimmed over her. Despite the tension between them Emma was relaxed in the saddle. She wore a long-sleeve black T-shirt with the ranch logo on the front pocket. With a gloved hand, she pushed a single plaited braid of long dark hair off her shoulder. He stared, mesmerized for a moment, before returning to his senses and quickly averting his eyes.
“I’ve hired a sitter for a couple of hours every afternoon so I can help out, since Lucy can’t ride,” Emma said.
“Everything okay with your sister?”
“Apparently, you haven’t seen Lucy yet. My big sister is having a baby.”
“Whoa. Is everyone getting married and having babies around here?”
Emma laughed. “There does seem to be an epidemic, now that you mention it.”
“Her first child?”
“Her first pregnancy. She and her husband, Jack, adopted triplets last year.”
Zach opened his mouth and then closed it again. “I have no words.”
“Most people simply say aw when they see seven-year-old triplets.” She gave him a long look. “You’re helping Travis out?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s hardly a vacation.”
“In my world it is.”
Emma shook her head and led her brown Appaloosa with white spots toward the outside of the pasturing herd. Zach followed, riding the flank.
“How long’s this one been in labor?” she asked, pointing to a heifer reclining near the fence.
“Not long.”
Silence stretched between them as they circled the pasture.
“Who’s your App?” he asked with a nod to the Appaloosa.
“This is Rodeo.” Emma patted the animal’s neck as she continued to ride at a slow pace, eyes never leaving the herd.
“Rodeo? Does that mean you’re still barrel racing?” Zach asked.
“No. I was never really much of a barrel racer.”
“I thought you were.”
Emma’s face pinked at his words and she shook her head. “AJ is our resident barrel racing expert, though I try to get in some practice when I can. Sometimes I bring the twins to watch. I want to get them comfortable around horses right away.”
“Good idea.”
She pulled up on the Appaloosa’s reins. “We have one dropping over there.”
“Where?”
“There.” She moved right and Zach followed. “The head is pushing through.”
They held back at a distance, waiting and watching.
“Come on, little momma, you can do this,” Emma murmured. “You were born to do this.”