Christmas Gifts: Cinderella and the Cowboy / The Boss's Christmas Baby / Their Little Christmas Miracle

Wiping her hands on the dish towel she held, she never broke eye contact when she said, “I’ll be ready in two minutes.”

Then she walked out of the kitchen without another word.

Jack chuckled under his breath as Elizabeth walked out of the room. She’d had such a full head of steam, he figured she wasn’t backing down. He wondered what she had up her sleeve.

Regardless, he intended to follow Tom’s orders to the letter.

When he heard her coming down the stairs, he jumped to his feet, only to find the two children with her.

“I need to take Brady to Tom’s room.”

He waited at the door as she gave the boy final instructions to not bother his grandfather.

“He’ll be fine, Elizabeth. A little bothering never hurt no one.”

She leaned down and kissed her son goodbye.

Then she walked out of the house, assuming Jack would follow.

He did.

Jack suggested they start with the infant department. He knew she intended to end it there, too, but that wouldn’t be happening. Not on his watch.

As they looked at all the cribs they had on the floor, Jack noticed she paid more attention to the prices than the crib. But he saw the sparkle in her big blue eyes when she approached one in particular. Then he stepped to the saleslady and told her they would take the one she’d lingered over.

Elizabeth whirled around. “What did you just do?”

“I chose a crib.”

“Why didn’t I get to choose?”

“You did. I saw the way you were looking at that one.”

“But—”

He ignored her and turned back to the saleslady. “We’ll take it.”

Elizabeth huffed.

“What else can I get you today?” the saleslady asked.

Elizabeth answered for him. “Nothing else. This will be all.”

“I believe the lady asked me the question, Liz.” He gave the older woman his full attention. “What would you recommend?”

She offered some suggestions, including bedding and a musical animal mobile for over the bed, pads for over the sheets, and springs to replace the rollers on the bed.

“I’ll take it.”

“All of them?” the saleslady asked Jack.

“Yeah, all of them.”

Elizabeth glared at Jack. She knew what he was up to. “I will not participate in this!”

“That’s fine. Why don’t you go on to the boy’s department and pick out Brady’s clothes?”

“He doesn’t need any clothes.”

“We’ll see.”

Instead she sat down in the comfortable chair they had for customers and took Jenny out of the pouch across her chest. When the baby started to fuss, she gave her a bottle, all the time ignoring what that difficult man was doing.

Jack was having the time of his life. When he and the saleslady had rounded up everything, he asked what else they would need.

“Won’t your wife want to help?”

He didn’t bother correcting the woman. “No, she doesn’t care. Let’s pick out some pretty clothes for Jenny.”

“But won’t your wife be mad at you?”

“That makes making up a lot more fun,” he said with a wink.

She gave a girlish giggle and went to work again. In no time she had a pile of pink in front of him.

“Okay, I think we’ve finished,” Jack said. “You’ll have them sent to Pickup for us, won’t you?”

“Yes, of course. It’s been a real pleasure, sir. I wish you and your wife all the happiness in the world.”

“Thank you.” He bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

“Are you finished now?” Elizabeth asked him as he approached her. “Jenny wants to go home.”

Jack chuckled. “I suppose she told you that?”

“Yes.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“I am not!”

He just grinned at her and said, “Ask Jenny what she wants to do.”

Elizabeth pouted. “You needn’t make fun of me.”

“Right. Let’s go.”

When they reached the door to leave the store, he suddenly stopped. “Oh, Liz, I need to go to another area to get something for Brady. Tom asked me to pick out something special for him.”

She frowned, but she couldn’t say no to a special gift from a grandpa. “All right. And I should tell you that I don’t like to be called Liz.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He tipped an imaginary hat. “What size does Brady wear?”

“Size six.”

“Ah, I thought he was big for his age.”

“Yes, he…What are you buying?”

“Why don’t you find a seat for you and Jenny?”

“You won’t be long, will you?”

“As long as it takes to find what I’m looking for.”

“But—” She cut off when Jack walked away. Arguing was useless.

She sat back and watched him wander around the boy’s department. He wouldn’t be too long, she was sure.

But she was curious when he gathered a saleslady to follow him around. She gave an exasperated sigh.

After about half an hour, he finally returned.

“We have only one more stop,” he said as he pulled Elizabeth toward the adjacent department.

When she saw the ladies’ clothes she pulled up short. “No. We have nothing to buy here!”

“Yes, we do. If it’s important for Tom to take you to church, then you should accommodate him. That’s all I’m asking. Pick out a dress for church.”

She finally agreed. Checking the prices, she went to the sales rack. As she did so, Jack unfastened the halter that she’d used to carry Jenny around.

“What are you doing?” she gasped as she felt her halter come undone.

“I’m making it easier for you. You’ll have to try on the clothes.”

“But—”

“Yes, I can handle little Jenny by myself.”

Against her better judgment she picked out five dresses and let the saleslady take her to a dressing room.

“Oh, there are some clothes already in this dressing room,” Elizabeth pointed out.

“Yes, your husband chose those dresses. He said you were to come show him all the clothes.”

She shut the door gently, resisting the urge to slam it. Jack could try whatever he wanted, but he wouldn’t get his way.

Jack grinned when the saleslady told him she didn’t think his wife would be coming out. “Good. We need to get started.”

With the woman’s help, he chose an array of clothes and shoes.

About that time, Elizabeth came out of the dressing room carrying her choices. Jack met her. “You didn’t come out and show me any of the outfits.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You didn’t choose any of the outfits I picked out.”

“No, I didn’t like them.”

He looked at her with narrowed eyes. “You didn’t even try them on, did you? That’s okay. We’ll buy them anyway.”

“No! I’ll…I’ll go try them on.”

“And come out and show me?”

“Yes, I’ll come out and show you.” She said that with her teeth gritted.

“Good. Jenny and I will wait for you to appear.”

He sat down in the chair and waited. Once she went in the dressing room, he handed his card to the saleslady. She charged all the things he’d bought and placed it all in closed bags to be sent to Pickup.

In the meantime, Elizabeth had come out in several of the dresses. Jack knew he’d gotten her size and coloring right; she looked beautiful in all of them.

When she finished all the outfits he’d chosen, she came out with her coat on. “Happy now?” she asked him.

“You didn’t like any of them?”

“I don’t need any of them,” she replied, taking Jenny from him and putting on the harness. “Let’s go get the dress I chose and go.”

Jack shook his head. “I’ll go pay for the dress but we’re not going home yet. We’ve got to have lunch first. I’m starving.”

“But—”

“Jenny’s hungry.” He flashed her a pearly white grin. “She told me.”

He got his way, of course.

Elizabeth groaned as she realized he’d gotten his way the entire day. Starting from pancakes at breakfast to shopping to lunch.

She was never so grateful as when they got in his truck later that afternoon.

“Just stay here,” Jack told her when they pulled up to the loading dock in the rear of the store. “I’ll get them to put everything in the back.”

Everything?

All she bought was one dress and a crib, plus the special gift he’d picked out for Tom to give Brady. How long could that take?

As she waited what seemed like a half hour, Jenny fell asleep. Her own eyes felt heavy and she closed them.

Jack went into the shipping room. He waited until he was sure Elizabeth had fallen asleep, then he asked for help in loading his purchases. He cautioned the men not to make noise.

His ruse was successful.

He was smiling when he eased the pickup out of the parking lot.

Once he was on the road, Elizabeth stirred. “Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked, looking around.

“No need. Everything’s taken care of.” Jack had to wipe away the smile on the face.

She prepared a bottle for Jenny and had it ready when the baby woke a few miles from the ranch.

As soon as he put the truck in Park, Jack came around and helped her out. “I’ll bring the purchases up later.”

“All right. I…I should say thank you.”

“No need,” he said with a shrug. “It was my pleasure.”

Pleasure, indeed.

Once Jenny had eaten and fallen asleep, Jack suggested that Brady show his mom the puppies in the barn. She hesitated, then agreed once Brady had told her how much he missed her when she was gone.

As soon as they left, Jack figured he had a half hour to get things in place. He started with Brady’s purchases, removing tags and putting things in the dresser and closet. Then he went to Elizabeth’s room. The new underwear and clothes filled three drawers, and her closet took all the dresses on hangers and the shoes and high heels in neatly stacked boxes.

He had fifteen minutes left to fill Jenny’s room. After putting away her shoes and coats he set up the baby monitor and mounded disposable diapers beside the bed. Then he ran downstairs and put the bed sheets and clothes in the wash as the saleslady had suggested.

Grabbing his tool set on the way back up, he started setting up the crib. That’s where Elizabeth and Brady found him when they came in.

“What did my grandpa get me from town, Jack?” Brady whispered.

Jack replied in a matching tone. “It’s hanging in the closet.”

Elizabeth followed Brady as he bolted to his room.

She was back in a few minutes, a scowl on her face.

“Why did you buy him a sport coat and dress slacks?” She lowered her voice the moment she remembered her sleeping baby.

“Tom wanted Brady to be able to go to church with him.”

“But I don’t think that was necessary.”

Jack merely shrugged his shoulders and went back to the crib setup.

“What else did you buy?” Elizabeth mused aloud as she began to look around the room. She was fuming. Here she thought she’d managed to pull one over on Jack, and instead he’d been the sly fox. But when she noticed the baby monitor on the dresser, she couldn’t stop the smile.

Jack must have seen her face soften because he said, “I thought you might enjoy the diapers even more.”

“You bought diapers?”

He nodded to the bedside and the closet.

She found two boxes of larger-size ones in the closest. On the trip she’d used disposable diapers but they were about to run out. Without cash she figured she’d have to resort to cotton ones again. But not now.

Thanks to Tom. And Jack.

She turned to him and said thanks.

He grinned at her. “Glad to hear that I did something good.”

“I didn’t mean you—” Chastised, she hung her head. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t very nice about shopping today, but you were good to me.”

“Um, don’t praise me too much,” he muttered.

“Why not? You bought some things that Jenny needs.”

“I hope so.” After a minute he said, “You’d better go put the wash in the dryer.”

“What wash?”

“Jenny’s sheets and blankets.” He hesitated, then added, “And a few other things.”

She didn’t bother asking for an explanation. Running down the stairs, she went to the laundry room to see what was going on. When she opened the washing machine, she found a barrelful of outfits, blankets, sheets. She put all the laundry into the dryer and went back upstairs.

“You did an interesting job of shopping, didn’t you?”

He looked up at her standing in the doorway. “Yeah, the saleslady was really good.”

“Yes, I see she really earned her commission. Though I’m not sure Jenny will be little long enough to wear all of this.”

“Tom wanted the best.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

After a moment she asked, “Did you put my dress in my room?”

“Um, yeah, I did, but could you help me with this last piece? I need another pair of hands to finish this crib.”

She knelt down beside him and held the bar sides while he worked them into the ends. This close to him, she noticed his muscular forearms and strong hands. Against her better judgment she let her eyes travel up his arms to his neck and face. Was he wearing cologne on his neck, or was that woodsy scent his own? It seemed to suit him. She could easily picture him out on his horse, swinging his Stetson as he rounded up cattle.

He turned to her then, and she was struck by the blueness of his eyes. Was this the first time she noticed their color? A blue so unlike her own, more like the sky on a clear Oklahoma day.

“Okay, now we have to stand the crib up.”

His voice broke into her daydream, and she hurried to her feet to follow his order.

When they had the crib upright, Jack pushed it and watched it rock gently. “Another suggestion from the saleslady.”

She nodded in approval. “That’s nice, Jack. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Elizabeth.”

Their eyes lingered on each other a little too long, and she suddenly felt uncomfortable. “I…I’m going to check on my dress,” she said as she went to the door.

“Uh, Elizabeth, you might…Don’t be mad at me, okay?”

She stopped. “Why do you think—” Standing akimbo, she assumed a menacing tone. “Jack Crawford, what did you do?”

He shrugged. “It’s just a few extra things.”

She ran for her room.

Jack went downstairs, as if in search of cover.

Brady caught up to him after coming out of Tom’s room. “Thank you, Jack.”

“For what, Brady?”

“Grandpa said you picked out all those clothes for me.”

“Now you have extra things so your mom won’t have to do so much laundry.” He hunkered low so that his eyes were level with the boy. “Do me a favor, Brady, and let’s not tell your mom just yet.”

That’s when they heard Elizabeth scream.

Chapter Three

JACK didn’t move fast enough. Before he could exit the kitchen, Elizabeth appeared in front of him, enraged.

“Jack, how could you do this! I don’t need all those clothes! And six dresses! That’s ridiculous!”

He affected a calmness he didn’t feel. “Now, Elizabeth, you don’t know how many dresses you’ll need here. Tom is well liked.”

“I don’t care how well liked he is. That’s not the point. You tricked me. And made a fool of me.” Her eyes flashed fire. “I don’t appreciate that.”

He speared her with a look. “Like you weren’t planning to trick me?”

“Hey, y’all. What’s all the yelling about?” Tom asked as he came into the kitchen.

Jack read the expression on Elizabeth’s face and knew she didn’t want Tom to know what she’d tried to do. Because he feared it would hurt Tom, he went along.

“Sorry, Tom. Elizabeth felt like I spent too much on her and the kids, that’s all.”

“But you told me what you spent. I didn’t feel it was excessive,” Tom said calmly.

“But, Tom, I couldn’t possibly need six dresses.”

“That’s not the point. We just want you to be happy, Elizabeth. And I can afford it, so why not let me provide for you. After all, my son didn’t provide for his family.”

Elizabeth smiled at him. “Well, you certainly have taken care of that, Tom. And Jack certainly did a good job.”

The older man grinned at his longtime friend. “He always has, Elizabeth. I knew he’d do what I asked him to do.”

“There was one thing I forgot, Tom,” Jack interjected. “A new coat for Elizabeth.”

“I have a winter coat already. I was wearing it when we arrived.”

As if she hadn’t spoken, Tom agreed with Jack. “Good. We’ll plan on you going again.”

Elizabeth stood there with her mouth open, and Jack couldn’t stop the big smile from overtaking his face.

“I don’t know about you, but I need to get started on supper.” Elizabeth began pulling ingredients out of the refrigerator, grateful for the diversion. How could Jack simply ignore her like that? Tom was well meaning, she knew, but Jack could have been the voice of reason. Instead he added fuel to the fire.

“What are we having?” Jack asked, coming up beside her.

“A Mexican dish.”

“Is that all you’re going to tell me?”

“I don’t think you need to know much more. Don’t you trust me?” She gave him a saccharine look.

“Not with that chili sauce in your hand.” He nodded toward the bottle she held. “I’m afraid my constitution isn’t made to withstand too much heat.”

“Then you needn’t worry.” She got out a thick cutting board to chop onions and chili peppers.

She nearly laughed at his expression when he saw the chilis.

“Uh, maybe I’d better go put a clean sheet on the crib and transfer Jenny to her very own bed.”

“Thanks, Jack. And bring the monitor down, will you?”

When he left the room, Elizabeth picked up another chili. She hefted it in her hand and debated silently. Should she?

Dinner was ready when Tom and Brady came in from playing with the puppies in the barn and Jack finished up some ranch chores.

She admonished them all to wash up before taking their seats at the table.

“If you’ll pass your plates, I’ll serve the casserole.” She noticed Jack didn’t budge and stifled a laugh. “You go first, Brady. Grandpa and Jack will try it after you.”

Brady held his plate up to his mother. She gave him a spoonful of the casserole. Then she filled Tom’s plate with two spoonfuls. When Jack finally offered his plate, Elizabeth heaped on three servings.

“That’s enough, Elizabeth. I’m not that hungry tonight.”

“Nonsense,” she said as she scooped out a fourth spoonful. “I’ve seen you eat, remember?”

Jack hesitated, then finally took a bite. Then, as if surprised, he broke into a smile. “Delightful!”

“Not too hot for you, Jack?” she asked as innocently as a lamb.

“No, it’s perfect, Elizabeth.”

She returned his smile. “I told you you could trust me.” But boy, she admitted to herself, how she’d been tempted!

Elizabeth heard Jenny stirring in her bed, making cooing sounds as she woke up.

Running up the stairs, she got there before the baby had a chance to really come awake. The others heard her tender words to baby Jenny.

Tom nodded. “She’s a good mother. Just as I knew she’d be.”

“Yeah, she’s a good mommy.” Brady grinned at his grandpa.

“I think we should do the dishes for her while she takes care of Jenny.”

Brady jumped to his feet and in no time the three of them had the table cleared. They were loading the dishwasher when Elizabeth came down with Jenny.

“Why, thank you, guys. You did a great job.”

“I helped, Mommy!”

“Of course you did, sweetie. You’re a very good big boy.”

“How’s little Jenny?” Jack asked.

“Hungry.”

“Here, I’ll heat her bottle,” Jack said.

“Thanks, Jack.” She took a seat at the table and talked to Jenny. Brady pressed against his mother.

“Can she talk yet?” Brady asked.

“Not yet. But she can make sounds.”

“Show me.”

“Okay, Jenny, will you talk for your big brother? Come on, Jenny, say ooh.”

The baby made ooh’s for her mother.

Brady laughed and clapped, startling his sister with the loud noise. She burst into sobs, and he looked as if he was about to follow her. “Sorry, Mommy.”

She bent down to kiss her son’s cheek. “It’s okay, Brady. Next time you’ll know not to make any sudden noises.”

He smiled up at her.

Jack brought the bottle to Elizabeth. “I checked it. It’s just right.”

“Thanks.”

He smiled down at the baby. “Hi, there, Jenny.”

She oohed for Jack, too.

“That’s my girl,” he said with a grin.

“Don’t listen, Jenny,” Elizabeth crooned to her daughter. “I bet he says that to all the girls.”

She fed the baby her bottle, talking to her while she sucked the milk.

Tom and Jack sat down at the table, watching.

“I haven’t even held my granddaughter yet,” Tom said. “Do you…do you think I could feed her?”

“Sure, Tom.” Elizabeth got up immediately and settled the baby in her grandfather’s arms. “You’re like a pro already,” she noted with a pat on his shoulder as she hovered over him.

In the few days that they’d been here Elizabeth had seen a big change in Tom. He no longer spent most of the day in his room, either in bed or in his chair by the fire, choosing instead to spend time with Brady out in the barn or in the living room. His cheeks had color and his legs seemed stronger. Sitting there with Jenny, he looked like he’d taken twenty years off his age.

“I could watch her for hours,” Tom said, never taking his eyes off his grandchild. “It’s better than dessert.”

“So you don’t want dessert?” Elizabeth asked.

Tom suddenly looked up. “You made dessert?”

That night when she settled down in bed, Elizabeth took a moment to sigh. She had to admit all the new clothes, especially for Brady and Jenny, made a difference in her life. Every night since Brady had been born she’d gone to sleep worried that she couldn’t provide for him. Then she’d added Jennifer.

She’d panicked when she’d learned about Reggie’s death.

Their marriage had been over long ago, the love that she thought she’d felt for him long since dried up. She’d known what kind of man Reggie truly was, and that she’d made a huge mistake marrying him. Except that he’d given her children.

But when he died, she knew she had to take care of those children.

She should’ve checked about his bank account before she left for the Ransom Ranch. She knew Reggie had another checking account, because he’d sent her an occasional check from that account.

Maybe tomorrow she’d ask Tom about it. Maybe she could pay him back if she found out there was money remaining. Then she realized Tom would feel bad if she did that. So instead she’d merely offer.

She lay back against the soft pillows, glad for the silence in the monitor. A good night’s sleep would be a luxury.

Not quite as much a luxury as it would be to have some money, she thought. She looked around the room and her eyes settled on her dresser, filled with new clothes. With money, she thought to herself on a laugh, she could pick out her own underwear.

Jack.

The thought brought him to her mind.

The man drove her crazy.

She closed her eyes and went to sleep, strangely thinking of Jack seeing her in those black lace panties and matching bra he bought.

Elizabeth seemed awfully chipper the next morning as she cooked breakfast. Pretending to read the newspaper, Jack watched her without her knowing.

Her long light-brown hair was wavy and shiny, pulled back on one side with a clip to reveal her slender, creamy neck. Her cheeks had a rosy glow, her lips a soft pink hue, and the best part was that the color was all natural. No fussy creams and gels for this woman. With Elizabeth, what you saw was the real woman.

He imagined her with more curves on her thin frame, as she’d be after she stayed at the ranch for a while. He knew her life had been hard and she’d gone without, but now that Tom was taking care of her, she’d fill out—in all the right places.