Daddy's Christmas Miracle: Santa in a Stetson

On the way out of the airport he saw the Cessna gaining altitude. As it changed to a speck before vanishing from sight, he could suddenly put words to what was going on inside him.

Hell, hell and hell …

“Dad? Are you okay?”

Trust Matt’s radar to detect the slightest irregularity. “Of course. Why do you ask?”

He hunched his shoulders. “I don’t know. You’ve been acting kind of weird since Katy brought Allie home.”

Colt drew in his breath. “That’s because your sister has a lot of explaining to do. Now that Katy’s gone, I’m going to get to the bottom of Allie’s disappearing act.”

Katy had taken his daughter’s secret with her. Though he admired her integrity, he wished he hadn’t been such a bad parent, that Allie didn’t feel comfortable approaching him rather than turning to a stranger. Colt accepted total responsibility for this impasse. By a strange twist of circumstance, Ms. McFarland’s unexpected intervention during Allie’s crisis had underlined his need to deal with this problem head-on before the day was out.

“Are you mad?”

He made a gruff sound in his throat. What a question! Yes, he was mad, but not for the reasons his son was no doubt entertaining. “Let’s just say she gave us both a scare I never want to live through again.”

“Me, neither. What she did was crazy.”

“Not to her.” Not to her.

“Katy was totally cool.”

High praise, coming from his son. “I agree.” To say anything more would encourage him. He didn’t want to talk about her.

Colt turned at the entrance to the ranch where his tire tracks were still noticeable in the snow. They began the climb to the house.

“As soon as we get back, is it okay if I take Blackie on a short run? I want to see how his leg is doing now.”

“Go ahead.” Nothing like a ride to put life back into perspective.

Colt walked into the house expecting to find Allie in the living room, but Noreen told him she was in her bedroom on the phone. If he didn’t miss his guess, she’d called Jen. “She’s pretty broken up about Katy leaving.”

Tell me something else I don’t know, Noreen. “As long as I’m free for the moment, I might as well tackle the disposal.” Anything to get his mind off the woman he’d thought of as Kathryn from the moment he’d read her full name on the brochure. He knew he hadn’t liked the shortened version. It didn’t suit her.

“Then I’ll leave you to it. If you need me, I’ll be at the other house.”

“Thanks for all you do, Noreen.”

Half an hour later, he’d finished the job and was washing his hands when his cell phone rang. It was the bus depot telling him Allie’s backpack had just been brought in on the bus from Salt Lake. He thanked them and let them know he’d be by for it later.

In case Allie was thirsty for something besides water, he grabbed a couple of colas out of the fridge and headed up to her room. He knocked on the door. “It’s your dad.”

“Come in,” she answered in a flat voice.

He opened the door and found her sprawled on her stomach across the top of her bed with her shoes off and the phone in hand. She peered up at him with a crestfallen expression. “Is Katy gone?”

“Yes. By now she’s been back in Salt Lake for a while.” He moved a chair over to the side of the bed and sat down. “I brought you a drink.”

“Thanks.” She sat up cross-legged and took it from him. They both opened the tabs and drank. Colt liked the way Kathryn had done her hair with the neck scarf. “I apologized to Jen and her parents,” she volunteered.

“That’s good.” After finishing off half the can, he put it on the floor. When he looked up, her eyes were swimming in tears.

“I’m sorry for what I did, Dad. I mean … about everything.”

“Honey.” He took her can from her and put it on the floor next to his. “I’ve the gut feeling this has to do with your mother, so before this talk goes any further, I want you to know I take full blame for what happened. This is about your mother, right?”

She nodded before burying her face in her hands.

“Dad?” Matt’s voice sounded from the hallway.

“In your sister’s room!” he called back. “Come on in.”

Matt stood in the doorway staring at the two of them. “What’s going on?”

“As I just told Allie, it’s my fault she went to Salt Lake without telling anyone. It’s time the three of us had the conversation I should have had with you years ago. Pull up the other chair.”

He saw his twins exchange a private glance before Matt did his bidding.

“I’ve already told you my parents froze to death during a blizzard when I was four and your aunt Sherry was six. They didn’t marry until their mid-thirties, so we came along late in their lives.

“What’s interesting is that my grandfather didn’t meet my grandmother until they were in their thirties. My father was their only child and he wasn’t born until my grandmother was forty. I’m telling you all this because I was the dark horse in the Brenner family. I got married at twenty and had you two right off the bat.” They both laughed.

“My grandparents loved you like you were their own children. They helped me raise you. I wish you could remember them, but you were too little when they passed away within a year of each other. I can tell you this much.” Emotion almost closed his throat. “They were saints.”

He eyed them with an ache in his heart because he was about to break his silence. When they heard the unvarnished truth, it would shatter them. His grandmother had warned him to tell them everything when they were old enough to understand, but for fear of hurting his children, he’d waited years too long. Now all three of them were going to be in a new kind of pain.

ON SATURDAY MORNING, Kathryn finished checking on one of the children at Renaissance House who needed to see a dentist, then went downstairs to make the appointment. When that was done, she let herself into her brother’s office. While she waited for him to get off the phone, she wandered over to the windows overlooking the snow-dusted east gardens of the estate. The grounds became a fairyland of flowers in every season but winter.

It was cold out there this morning. Beneath an overcast sky, everything looked dead. Her thoughts flew to the Cloud Bottom Ranch, as she liked to think of it. Winter clothed the pines in a grandeur of pristine white.

Colt, astride his stallion, would be up on the mountain checking the herds. She could see the lone, tall cowboy in silhouette. He would be dressed in sheepskin and a cowboy hat covering midnight-black hair while he looked over his empire, making sure everything was in working order. His hard-boned feat—

“Yoo-hoo! Kathryn?” When she realized her brother was talking to her, she turned around, flush-faced. “Where were you?” he teased with a smile.

“I was wondering if it’s going to snow before the football game this afternoon.”

His blue eyes searched hers. “I don’t think that was the only thing on your mind. You’ve been different since you got back from Montana. Everyone at Thanksgiving dinner noticed it.”

She averted her gaze. “It’s because that little girl hasn’t been found yet.”

“That and something else.” Cord was psychic. “Whenever you want to talk about it, I’m your man.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“Just checking. Are you going to the game with all of us?”

“That depends on what’s happening at the foundation.” She walked over to his closet for her parka and put it on. “I’m heading there now. If more volunteers are needed to continue the search, I’ll be manning the phone.”

“I’ll save a seat for you in case you come late.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you know you work too hard? All the signs are there.”

She leaned over the desk to peck his cheek without saying anything before leaving the mansion through the south entrance. The plaza was only a block down the street. Except for a few frozen spots, she accomplished her short jaunt on mostly dry pavement.

A group of people surrounded the “Blessed are the Children” sculpture that stood in the courtyard. She hurried past them to enter the doors and immediately heard the recording, “Welcome to the Kathryn McFarland Foundation. Take the time to come in and learn how to help us fight crime so the next kidnapping won’t be your child.”

Walking past the lobby screens showing the dates and times of the latest kidnap victims, Kathryn headed for the front desk. She could see several of the staff huddled together.

“What’s going on?”

One of the new volunteer recruits named Melanie turned to her. “I was just going to phone you. We heard from a team of rescuers. They came across a little girl’s unclothed remains up Millcreek Canyon.”

A moan broke from Kathryn. It could be Whitney, but no one would know until the forensic expert got busy. Whatever the answer, someone’s dear little child had been murdered.

“I’m going to my condo and calling home. My parents need to know what we’ve learned.” They would want to be there for Whitney’s family and wait for the news with them. “I’ll be back.”

“But I thought this was your day off.”

“I don’t always take one.” Kathryn would rather be here. She was too restless. Work kept her from thinking. “See you in a while.”

She walked out to the lobby and headed for the bank of elevators servicing the plaza tower. She took the private lift used exclusively for the penthouse. Only Kathryn and her family knew the code.

As soon as she walked into the living room, she removed her parka and sat down on the couch to phone her parents. As she knew they would, once she’d given them the update, they called off their plans to attend the game. No one could enjoy it right now.

After she hung up, she set the HD/DVR to record it. She’d left the condo without eating breakfast and knew she needed nourishment, but the news about a little girl’s remains having been discovered hit her like a body slam. Her appetite was nonexistent.

Those poor parents.

Every time there was a watch-and-wait period, she thought about her own parents’ agony of thirty years ago and got sick inside. Kathryn had assumed that after running the foundation since her graduation, she wouldn’t react like this, but if anything her response to each new tragedy seemed to be affecting her more adversely than ever.

Her parents were so strong! Kathryn wasn’t anything like them and would never be able to measure up. That distressed her so terribly she couldn’t stand her own company. She freshened up, eager to get back to work. Working kept the demons at bay.

On her way through the living room for her purse, her cell rang, causing her stomach to clench. Kathryn didn’t think it possible the child’s body could be identified this quickly, but a comparison of dental records might have already been done.

She pulled out her phone and glanced at the caller ID. “Hi, Melanie. Has there been official word yet?”

“No.” In a hushed voice she said, “I’m calling because this gorgeous—and I mean gorgeous as in the extreme—guy came over to the desk asking for you. I told him to stroll around and look at the exhibits while I tried to reach you.”

Only one male on Earth fit that description, but he didn’t venture outside his mountain kingdom unless it was a dire emergency.

Since Melanie was a twenty-year-old college student working for them part-time and a natural flirt, Kathryn could forgive her for the over-the-top exaggeration. “What’s his name?”

“He said to tell you he was from the Circle B, but if you weren’t available, he’d be back later.”

Kathryn clutched the phone against her chest, hardly able to breathe. When she could find the words she said, “Tell him to wait for me. I’ll be right down.” She clicked off before Melanie could ask questions Kathryn had no intention of answering.

Right now her curiosity was on the verge of exploding, but she didn’t have time to ponder his reason for being here. The fact that he knew where to come looking for her meant he’d talked in-depth with his daughter. All Kathryn could do was fly to the bedroom and change out of the work clothes she’d worn to Renaissance House.

Colt had only seen her in pants, so she donned a three-piece Pendleton wool suit in rich plum and slipped on her black dolly-pointed kidskin pumps. She put gold studs in her ears, then ran a brush through her hair. It had a natural wave and hung loose from a side part. A light spray of Fleurs d’Elle mist and she was ready. For what exactly she didn’t know.

Maybe he’d brought the twins with him. Her pulse raced all the way to the plaza foyer. At the moment the only thing that mattered to her was that he’d either flown or driven to Salt Lake and had sought her out.

Slow down, Kathryn. Walk, don’t run to him.

Reflecting back to her mid-teens, she’d always been the one to run from men who wanted a relationship with her. Yet a relationship was the last thing Colton Brenner had on his mind. He hadn’t come here to pursue her. Far from it.

Your fantasizing days are over. Remember?

By the time she entered her workplace, she’d come to her senses and could handle the sight of him standing at the counter, being chatted up by her staff. In his Stetson and black bomber jacket, every eye in the room, male or female, was riveted on him.

Gorgeous in the extreme, Melanie had said because there were no words, in any language, that came close to truly defining him.

She knew the moment he saw her. His head reared back like a Thoroughbred stallion’s. He stepped away from the counter and started his long-legged stride toward her. As she saw him in the flesh once more, an unbidden thrill of excitement went through her.

“Hello, Colt.” She rejoiced that her voice sounded so steady.

“Kathryn,” he murmured. Not Katy. That meant he’d read her full name in the brochure and had chosen to use it.

Taking the initiative, she extended her hand. It got lost in his strong one.

“I hoped we might meet again one day, but didn’t expect it to be this soon.” She searched the green gaze focused on her. “Is Allie all right? Matt?”

“That depends on your definition of all right.” His deep voice rumbled through her before he let go. “If you’re talking about her physical condition, she’s quite well thanks to you. So far, Matt hasn’t come down with the flu.” His eyes unexpectedly glinted in amusement, making him irresistible.

Her mouth went dry. “Did you come to Salt Lake alone?”

He nodded. “I flew in a little while ago and took a taxi here hoping to catch you before you left for the football game with your family.”

“I—I’m not going,” she stammered.

“Why not?”

“I’ll show you.” She walked over to the screen with Whitney’s picture. “This little girl has been missing for a week. Early this morning, a body was found up one of the canyons. My parents have gone to be with the girl’s family while they await word from the police.”

She tried to swallow, but the lump in her throat made it close to impossible. “This is a very hard time for everyone associated with the foundation.”

“I think it must be hardest on you.”

The compassion in his eyes drove her to avert her head. He’d managed to zero in on the troubling thoughts she’d been entertaining earlier. “How long are you planning to be here, Colt?”

“As long as it takes to talk to you, but obviously this isn’t a good time.”

To leave his children, she had to assume he wanted something specific from her.

“While we’re in waiting mode, this is probably the best time. Have you eaten yet?”

“I had breakfast with the kids before I left.”

“That was several hours ago. Come to my condo and I’ll feed you while you tell me what’s on your mind. It’s just across the lobby in the tower. If I’m needed, one of the girls at the desk will phone me.”

He studied her for a moment. “I don’t believe you have a selfish bone in your body.”

“That’s because you don’t know me.”

They dodged a crowd of people shopping for Christmas and took the elevator to the penthouse. During the short ride, the warmth from his powerful body seeped into hers. She could smell the scent of the soap he’d used in the shower. Her awareness of him was so potent, it unnerved her.

When the door opened and she stepped into the foyer, she breathed more easily. “If you’ll give me your coat, I’ll hang it in the closet.”

Colt shrugged out of his jacket, then removed his hat and put it on the hall table.

She walked him through the elegant living room with its more traditional décor. “I’m sure you’d like to freshen up. Go down that hall. The guest bathroom is the first door on your left. When you want to find me, I’ll be in the kitchen. It’s beyond the dining room you can see from here.”

“Thank you. I’ll try not to get lost,” he said in a wry tone.

Kathryn had cooked for Steve several times, but early on she’d realized her feelings for him tended to be sisterly. She’d never known the kind of excitement Colt engendered simply by being in the same room with him.

After washing her hands, she got busy frying bacon for the club sandwiches. He’d probably like soup and a salad, too. When he walked in and lounged against the wall looking fantastic in a white polo and jeans, she almost cut her finger while she was slicing the tomatoes.

“What can I do to help?”

She finished tossing the salad. “If you’ll take the plates into the dining room, I’ll bring the coffee.” Kathryn discovered she had an appetite after all.

“The view’s incredible from up here,” he said once they’d sat down at the table to eat. “Quite a change from Skwars Farm, Wisconsin.” On that note, he devoured three quarters of his sandwich in one go while she ate her soup.

“Allie must have an excellent memory to recall that detail.”

He eyed her over the rim of his coffee cup. “After being mesmerized by your extraordinary story, she wasn’t bound to forget such an unusual name. The food’s delicious, by the way.”

“Thank you.”

“I remember when you were found.”

Reminding her of that day changed the tone of their conversation. “Even up on your mountain?”

Colt finished off the last of his sandwich. “News like that has long legs.”

“I remember that day, too,” she teased in order not to break down. There were two kinds of found. Whitney’s unknown fate haunted her.

“It was a stunning development, the kind no one could believe. I’ll be honest and tell you that since Allie showed me the brochure, I’ve been incredulous she would have ended up being the recipient of Kathryn McFarland’s exceptional kindness. What are the odds of that happening?”

“Probably as great as the odds of your lovely daughter getting on a bus to come to Salt Lake one dark winter night without your knowledge.”

His gaze sobered as it wandered over her features.

“What prompted you to take the time out from your heavy workload to accompany Allie all the way to Montana? If you performed that kind of service for everyone who needed help, there’d be nothing left of you.”

Once again, Colt had asked a question that hit at the core of her growing distress. “I could say that your daughter is an exceptional girl and a real charmer. Both descriptions are true. But now that you’ve prompted me to think about it, I have to admit I was driven by an underlying anger.”

He stopped munching on his salad. “Anger?”

Without realizing it, she’d crushed the paper napkin in her fist. “I have a lot of it inside me, Colt. When I first saw Allie lying there and went through her clothes looking for clues, I could see she came from a wonderful home. Everything about her screamed excellent health. She was well cared for.”

Kathryn warmed to her subject. “It was obvious she’d been given every advantage in life. Once she spoke to me, she displayed good manners. In fact, she was so different from most of the troubled teens who end up at Renaissance House, I wanted to shake her for causing the most wonderful father in the world in her opinion so much grief. I knew you had to be in hell.”

Their eyes met in silent understanding. To her chagrin, her lids began to prickle as emotion swamped her. “At her age I would have given anything on Earth to know my parents and swore that if I were ever united with them, I’d never leave their sight.

“I’d been told that my great-aunt Marie Buric had brought me to Skwars Farm because her grandson and his wife had abandoned me. After she died, her daughter Olga took care of me until she died. From then on I was passed around the farming families. For years I prayed my parents would come and get me. I had no idea I’d been kidnapped by strangers and my real parents were looking for me. To have a home, an identity—you can’t imagine what it’s like not to have those things. But getting back to your question, I suppose a part of me felt compelled to see Allie home safely and make her realize how blessed she was to belong to you.”

Colt’s hand covered her fist clutching the napkin. “Thank God for you, Kathryn.” His heartfelt touch filled her with warmth.

“Thank my remarkable parents.” She put her other hand on top of his for a moment and squeezed gently before easing both away. “Their money started the foundation. They gave me this beautiful penthouse, paid my tuition so I could become a nurse. Without the patient advocacy program they set up, I would never have been called in on Allie’s case. I’ll never be able to repay them for giving me my life.” Her voice shook as she spoke.

He sat forward, studying her with eyes so alive and green that she couldn’t tear her own gaze away. “Don’t you know that being united with their beautiful daughter was all the payment they could ever want? You’re not a parent, but I am. Last Friday night when I couldn’t find Allie, I had a brief taste of their terror. I never want to go through that again.”

“No,” she whispered.

“Your honesty has given me deeper insight into my daughter’s soul. The powerful emotions that drove you all those years are driving my daughter. Though Matt’s not vocal about it, both children need answers about the mother who abandoned them. What worries me is that without them, Allie’s going to be stunted in ways I don’t want to think about.”

Kathryn stared at him. “You can’t provide the answers?”

“After I got home from taking you to the airport, I sat down with the twins and told them as much truth as I felt they could handle. It’s something I should have done years ago. My grandmother warned me that if I didn’t explain things as soon as they could understand, there’d be repercussions.”

A shadow darkened his eyes. “Considering Allie’s behavior, my grandmother was a prophetess. Too late after the fact, the children now know their mother hated the ranch, hated being under my grandparents’ thumb and hated me most of all for taking her away from the money and glitter of big-city life. Unfortunately that explanation isn’t enough for Allie. She still wants to find her mother.”

“Is that an impossibility?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. The twins were in the hospital a month. She never went in to hold or feed them. When I finally brought them home, she took off for long periods. After they’d been home a week, she went out one day and never returned. I knew she’d planned to leave me, so I can’t say I was surprised.”

Kathryn groaned. “Allie told me that prior to your marriage Natalie had been raised by her aunt and uncle in Salt Lake. Would she have gone there?”

Colt’s eyes turned to flint. “No. During one of our fights, she admitted that her aunt and uncle were a tale of fiction. There was no Beehive Motel, but by that time I’d figured as much because she never wanted to travel to Salt Lake to see them. It all came out that she’d lived in one foster home after another until she got a job in Las Vegas, where we met.”

“Oh, Colt …”

“That’s what you get for marrying a woman after only knowing her two weeks.”