Christmas at Blue Moon Ranch

MILLS & BOON

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter One

Thunderclouds piled up on the western horizon as Willa Mercado drove into Zapata, Texas, to betray her husband.

She wasn’t contemplating actual adultery. Jamie had been dead for eighteen months. She couldn’t cheat on a dead man even if she wanted to. And she did not want to.

But selling the Blue Moon Ranch, which had been Mercado family land for more than a century, definitely felt like betrayal.

“Not the whole ranch,” she reminded herself for the millionth time, gripping the steering wheel tightly with both hands. “You’re only selling ten percent, a thousand acres. You’ll never miss it. Your grandchildren will never miss it.”

Even so, the guilt continued to chafe at her as she drove, like leather boots a size too small.

Her attorney, Juan Angelo, occupied an office in a strip mall near the fancy new Zapata County Courthouse. Willa whipped her truck into a parking space, pulled the key from the ignition and shoved the door open. Without giving herself a chance for more second thoughts, she grabbed up her purse and the folder of papers she needed, then strode toward the lawyer’s tinted glass door. A chime sounded as she entered the air-conditioned space, and two pairs of eyes fastened on her face.

“I’m Willa Mercado,” she told the pretty blonde at the reception desk. “I have an appointment for a closing at three.”

“Yes, Mrs. Mercado.” The young woman gave her a friendly smile. “Mr. Angelo will be free in a few minutes. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”

Willa’s hands were shaking too badly to hold a cup steady. “No, thanks.”

Another bright, white smile. “Just have a seat, then. He’ll be with you shortly. My name is Julie—let me know if you need anything.”

Julie got up from her desk and went through a door at the back of the room. Willa turned toward the chairs arranged around the wall near the front windows and met the gaze that had been fixed on her since she’d walked in.

He sat at ease in the corner chair, one long, jean-clad leg stretched out in front of him. A soft chambray shirt and navy sports coat hung a little loosely from his wide shoulders. His bright blue eyes smiled as they met hers and he brought up a sexy, three-sided grin, which creased his cheeks and heated hers.

“Willa Mercado?” His voice made her think of warm butterscotch on cold vanilla ice cream. “I’m Daniel Trent. I think we’re here on the same business.”

The urge she’d felt to return that grin evaporated. Willa nodded curtly. “Major Trent.” She chose a chair as far from his as possible, facing the receptionist’s desk so she didn’t have to confront the man who was buying part of her soul.

“Forgive me for not getting up,” he said, evidently oblivious to her desire to ignore him. “My bum leg’s acting up with the storm coming in.”

Willa waved away the comment without looking at him. “Don’t worry about it.” But she couldn’t stop her gaze from sliding sideways to his legs. She didn’t see a cast or a brace. What did “bum leg” mean? Was it the one he kept bent, or the one he held straight? Just how disabled was he?

He still didn’t take the hint. “There’s a question I’ve been wanting to ask you ever since I first heard the name of your spread. El Rancho Luna Azul—the Blue Moon Ranch. Where did the name come from?”

Nosy, as well as dense. “The legend says that Rafael Mercado, who founded the ranch, spent his first night on the land under a blue moon.”

Trent chuckled, a rich, deep sound. “Old Rafael must have been a romantic.”

She glanced over, unable to suppress a smile. “He had his wife with him. Maybe she chose the name.”

“Women being more imaginative? Maybe.” He lifted a quizzical eyebrow. “Does that mean Rafael was henpecked?”

Before she could answer, Julie reappeared. “Mrs. Mercado? Major Trent? Right this way. Mr. Angelo’s got everything ready.”

Willa took a deep breath and stood up, then glanced Daniel Trent in time to see him pick up a cane from the floor. She couldn’t look away as he propped the stick in front of him, then held it with both hands for extra support as he came up out of the chair, using only the strength of the bent left leg. His right leg stayed straight. When he stepped forward, he swung that stiff leg out to the side in a rolling sort of gait.

Daniel Trent caught her staring, of course, and shrugged one shoulder. “Like I said, the weather.” Leaning one-handed on the cane, he motioned her ahead of him with the other. “Shall we?”

Without the mesmerizing smile to distract her, she could see the stress in his face, the lines at the corners of his eyes and around his mouth, which revealed a pain he didn’t want to acknowledge.

A twinge of sympathy lodged in Willa’s chest. “Sure.” She followed Julie down the hall. About halfway along, though, her second thoughts hit like a rampaging longhorn bull. She actually stumbled in shock.

A warm hand closed around her elbow from behind. “Are you okay?”

Her cheeks hot with embarrassment, she glanced back at Daniel Trent. “I’m fine. Sorry.”

He let go easily as she pulled free. “No problem.”

Frowning, Willa hurried to catch up with the secretary. Maybe she was making a huge mistake. When she’d put the land up for sale, she’d expected to get a man with experience, a steady and reliable neighbor she could depend on. What kind of ranching background did Daniel Trent have? How would he manage cattle if he couldn’t walk without a limp? Did he have other plans for the land that she should know about?

At the end of the hallway, attorney Juan Angelo waited for them in a windowless conference room. “Willa, good to see you again. I’ve got your papers right here.” He pulled out a chair at one corner of the long table that filled most of the available space and scooted it in underneath her. Then he went to shake hands with Daniel Trent.

“I’m glad to meet you, Major Trent. I’ve arranged your paperwork, too.” He glanced at the cane, and rolled back a chair on the other corner. “Have a seat.”

Willa understood, from the way Daniel pressed his lips together, how much he disliked that accommodation to his disability. But he said, “Thanks,” and lowered himself into the chair without much trouble. Now they sat facing each other, with the attorney at the head of the table between them.

Juan rubbed his hands together. “So, we’re here to close on the sale of a thousand acres of ranch land. Willa, you’re the seller, of course, and Daniel is the buyer. We’ve got a fair amount of paperwork to go through, but nothing too complicated. This first page—”

Willa put up a hand. “Just a minute.” Her reservations had seized control, and now she looked Daniel Trent straight in the eye. “I know I should have asked this before, but better late than never. Just what are you planning to do with this land, if you buy it?”

Daniel Trent didn’t avoid her gaze. The lift of his eyebrow remarked on her use of if.

The attorney cleared his throat. “Willa, you shouldn’t—”

She glanced at Juan. “I think I have a right to know if he’s got something planned that’s going to affect my operation, my business. Like a trailer park or a factory or an oil refinery.”

“But—”

“It’s okay,” Daniel said. “I don’t mind answering the question.” The smile had returned to his eyes. “I’m planning to use the land just as you have. I want to raise cattle and a few horses. I’m planning to be a rancher.” That devastating grin came into play. “I thought I’d call it New Moon Ranch.”

Willa didn’t smile back. “Do you have a ranching background?”

He shook his head. “Not much. I’ve spent the past twelve years in the Army.”

“Do you have any experience with cattle? Horses?” Could he handle the rustlers who’d been preying on her herd?

“Growing up in Ohio, I had a pony. As a teenager, I spent summers working on a dude ranch in Wyoming. But I haven’t done any riding recently. The U.S. cavalry,” he said with a smile, “got phased out a while back.”

So she wouldn’t be able to depend on his help in stopping the cattle thieves preying on her herd. Willa dropped back against her chair. “How do you expect to be able to run a ranch? With just a few months of experience and…and—”

“And a bum leg,” he finished for her.

“Well, yes. How in the world are you going to make this work?”

“I think Major Trent’s plans are his own business, Willa.” Juan’s plump face had turned a deep red and his eyes had gotten very wide, with all the whites showing. “We’re just here to complete the sale.”

“I figured I could hire good hands to help me out,” Daniel explained. “And I’m not too proud to ask my neighbors for advice, maybe a little assistance now and then.”

“Ranching is a full-time job.” Boy, did she know that. “Running a ranch, even a small one, requires stamina and strength, coordination and physical competence.” Which was why she was always exhausted at the end of each and every day. “The economics are against you, too. Running such a small herd—one, two hundred head—you’ll barely break even most years. The price of corn is going up and water’s been scarce. Do you know how to handle those problems? Why do you want to take on a complicated enterprise that’s pretty much guaranteed to fail?”

“Willa…” Juan groaned.

Daniel Trent straightened up in his chair, and suddenly she could see the military training behind his easy-going facade. “I may not be a hundred percent physically, but I expect to make a profit on the New Moon.”

“I’m sure you will,” Juan started. “And I’m sure—”

“I’m not.” Willa flattened her hands on the table. “And I don’t think I can complete the sale under these conditions.”

The attorney choked. Trent narrowed his eyes. “You’re backing out on the deal?”

“This land is my children’s heritage. I have a duty to see that it’s cared for properly.”

“I can do that.”

“How do I know? How do you know?”

Juan got to his feet. “Willa, can I talk to you privately for a moment? Excuse us, Daniel.” He walked to the door and opened it, waited for Willa to go through and then followed her out into the narrow hallway. With the door shut again, he faced her, his hands propped on his hips.

“What in the world do you think you’re doing?”

Willa winced as she heard the attorney’s urgent question.

He rushed on before she could answer. “You’re throwing away this sale is what you’re doing. Why?”

“I can’t sell the land, Juan. Especially not to someone who knows next to nothing about ranching, or cattle.” She rubbed her eyes with her fingers. “I might as well poison the water and set fire to the grass.”

“Do I have to remind you of how much you’ll be making off this sale? Daniel Trent didn’t argue with the price, didn’t try to talk you down. He paid top dollar and all he wants to do is run a few head of beef and some horses. It’s not that big a deal.”

“That land is the Mercado legacy. I want to know it’s taken care of.” I wanted some help! She bit her lip to keep the words unsaid.

“So let me remind you about the taxes you owe on that land. About the outstanding bills at the feed store and the veterinarian, the payroll you’re behind on. Remember the mortgage Jamie took out on the ranch, and the fact that you have kids who’ll be wanting to go to college in just a few years. You need this cash, Willa. As your attorney, I’m recommending you march in there, keep your mouth shut and sign those papers.”

She stared at him in the dim light of the hall, hating the truth, unable to decide. They both jumped when the door to the conference room opened.

Daniel Trent stood silhouetted by the fluorescent light behind him, his shoulders slanted slightly, his hip cocked to the side by that stiff leg. “If you two want to come back, I think I have a solution to this dilemma.”

BY THE TIME THEY’D FINISHED, Daniel’s leg felt like a fallen tree with a host of termites chewing on it from the inside out. The extra paperwork he’d suggested had extended the meeting by almost an hour, which meant he was two hours past the time for his usual dose of pain meds. He only took over-the-counter stuff these days, but the drugs still made a difference.

As a distraction, he let himself gaze at Willa Mercado while she finished reading the agreement he’d proposed. She might have a heart of stone, but he found her incredibly sexy—her thick black hair, tamed into a shiny braid hanging down her back, her smooth olive skin, her wide, long-lashed dark eyes. Thin and graceful, she reminded him of a gazelle, all legs and arms, with the potential for great speed and endurance. Her mouth fascinated him, and he couldn’t seem to look away from the sensual promise of those wide, full lips.

A promise likely to remain unfilled, he told himself. She’d agreed to let him live on the portion of the Blue Moon he’d wanted to buy, but she wasn’t happy about it. At his suggestion, she’d put him on probation. After three months, if she didn’t think he’d demonstrated an aptitude for ranching life, the sale contract would be void and he’d be out on his ear while she kept his deposit as rent.

Willa finished reading and, without a word, picked up a nearby pen to sign the last sheet. She passed the page to Juan, who gave it to Daniel for his signature. After three copies had been completed, the lawyer rubbed his hands together in satisfaction.

“That’s great. I think this is an excellent solution.” Stacking the papers together, he practically beamed. “Daniel, you’ll have a chance to make sure this is what you want, and Willa, you’ll be able to see that you’re doing the right thing in selling Daniel this parcel of land. I’ll have Julie make an appointment for three months from now, and we’ll all get back together to finalize the sale.”

He bustled out, leaving the door open, but returned before Daniel had a chance to say anything to the woman across the table. “I just looked at the calendar,” Juan said. “Three months from today will be Christmas Eve. I thought I’d ask whether you want to set something up after the New Year.” He gave an apologetic shrug. “Our office is usually closed that last week of December.”

Willa opened her mouth, but Daniel spoke first. “Set it up for December twenty-first,” he said. “I plan to spend Christmas on the New Moon Ranch.”

He heard the click of teeth as Willa snapped her jaws shut.

WITH THEIR BUSINESS COMPLETED—for good or for ill, and Willa wasn’t sure which—Juan led them back to the front of the office, where the sound of rain drumming on the roof resembled the thunder of stampeding cattle. The storm had arrived with a vengeance.

“I’ve been listening to the weather,” Julie volunteered. “They’re predicting flash floods for the rest of today and tonight, plus the possibility of tornadoes.”

“A bad night to travel.” Juan stood between Willa and Daniel as they stared out at the downpour. “Willa, you should probably stay in town for the evening, go home tomorrow after the storm passes. La Casa Motel, just down the road, is a pretty nice place.”

“I’ve got a spare umbrella.” Julie came to stand beside her. “You’re welcome to use it to get to your car.”

“Thanks.” Willa held the door open with her shoulder and opened the umbrella just outside. As she started out into the deluge, Daniel Trent took her place in the doorway. Still sheltered by the roof over the walk, Willa obeyed the prompting of her better nature and waved at him to join her. “Come on—we can share.”

His sunny smile seemed to brighten the weather. “I don’t mind if I do. I’m no fan of drowning.” He joined her under the umbrella, automatically reaching for the curved handle.

But her hand was already there, and for a moment his warm, dry palm closed over her fingers. Willa gave a little gasp as the friction between his skin and hers set off tingles that ran up her arm and into her chest. Standing so close to her, Daniel Trent was much bigger than she’d realized, his frame more imposing. She felt sheltered, having him between her and the storm.

“Your truck’s closer,” he said, bending his head to speak into her ear, and another shiver swept through her. “Let’s go that way.”

Willa nodded. Three inches of water had pooled on the asphalt parking lot, soaking into her one pair of good dress shoes with each step. Alone, she would have sprinted through the rain to the truck but, thinking of Daniel’s leg, she matched her speed to the one he set. By the time they reached her truck, her slacks were soaked from the knees down.

“Thank God for remote keys,” she said, pulling the door open as soon as she could touch the handle. Daniel raised the umbrella to shelter her while she climbed in, then backed away as soon as she got seated. With the cane in one hand and the umbrella in the other, he gave her a nod before turning toward a shiny silver pickup parked several rows over from hers. He’d bought himself a fancy new truck to go with his new ranch.

Willa squeezed her eyes shut. She intended to deny him his ranch…his dream. Guilt pounded in her temples and throbbed at the back of her neck.

Or maybe that was hunger. Breakfast had happened before sunrise and she’d skipped lunch to finish up her chores prior to heading into town. Even if she didn’t stay the night, she could check into La Casa Motel for a few hours, get a nap and a good meal before the drive home. She’d have to deal with Daniel Trent as a neighbor soon enough. Then she’d know whether she should feel guilty at the bargain she’d struck…or relieved.

DANIEL HAD STAYED AT LA CASA the night before, so he bypassed the reception area for the side door closest to the elevator. He’d bolted down some pain pills with the dregs of a soda he’d left in the truck. Now he just needed to stretch out on a bed and wait for them to take effect.

His stomach woke him up an hour later, growling like a grizzly bear at the end of winter. As he stripped off his damp shirt and jeans to take a shower, he kept his back to the mirror. All his life, he’d taken his functional, unscarred body for granted, and he still wasn’t adjusted to the new reality. The last woman he’d dated hadn’t even wanted to try.

In the motel dining room, he chose a table giving him a view of the thunderstorm still raging outside and savored the tart flavor of a margarita as he watched rain sheeting the windows. Willa Mercado just might be stubborn enough to believe she could drive through this kind of weather, but Daniel hoped she was smarter than that. He was tempted to try to reach her through the hotel switchboard, just to see if she’d checked in. Otherwise, he’d probably spend the night worrying about her.

Even as the thought occurred to him, she appeared at the entrance to the restaurant. She looked more relaxed than she had at the lawyer’s office, and the smile she gave the hostess was downright friendly. Daniel thought he’d have to try to earn himself a few of Willa Mercado’s smiles.

Thanks to the pain medicine, he got to his feet fairly smoothly as she approached his table. “Good evening,” he said, as she jerked to a stop upon seeing him. “I’d be happy to have you join me.”

The hostess assumed Willa would agree and disappeared. From the line between Willa’s arched eyebrows, though, Daniel wasn’t so sure. “Please?” he said.

She took in a deep breath and then blew it out. “Sure. Thanks.” Once seated, she folded her arms on the table and stared straight at him. “You look better.”

Her perception startled him. “I…um…got a nap. And some pills.”

“For the bum leg.” The corner of her mouth quirked—nearly a smile.

“Right.”

“Were you in a car accident?”

He shrugged. “You could say that. My truck ran over an IED in Iraq. That’s an—”

She held up a hand. “I know what it is. Improvised explosive device. My husband Jamie was killed by one. In Iraq.”

Daniel swore under his breath. “I’m sorry.” Grabbing his cane, he started to get up. “The last thing I want to do is remind you of your loss. I’ll let you enjoy your dinner in peace.”

Willa could have let him go. She’d looked forward to dinner by herself, hadn’t wanted to share a meal with this…this intruder.

Yet she found herself on her feet, putting a hand on his arm to stop him before he moved away.

“Don’t leave, Daniel.” She met his troubled blue gaze with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry I’ve been so rude. We can’t go anywhere else while this storm lasts, and we’re going to be neighbors. Let’s get to know each other.”

Chapter Two

By the time their salads were served, Willa was no longer surprised to find herself chuckling, even laughing aloud, at some of Daniel’s comments. He possessed a wealth of stories about his travels with the Army, along with a charming, humorous way of telling them.

She’d offered a few details about her family—thirteen-year-old twins Robbie and Susannah, ten-year-old Toby, plus Jamie’s aunts, Rosa and Lilianna, who lived with them and took care of the house. The margarita she’d enjoyed with their tortilla chips and salsa had helped her relax, of course. Now they were sharing a pitcher of sangria, a temptation she hadn’t indulged in since before Jamie had left. For the first time in more than two years, Willa allowed her worries to slip to the back of her mind while she concentrated on the here and now.

“Here and now” being an incredibly attractive man who seemed to be enjoying himself very much indeed. She took a sip of the wine, then another, and voiced the question that had been on her mind all afternoon. “What made you decide to take up ranching? I mean…you don’t have the background, or a family connection. And it’s not exactly a career the military trains you for, right?”

“Right.” He watched the wine slosh gently as he rolled the stem of his goblet between two fingers. “I guess it sounds pretty crazy. Everybody I’ve talked to thinks so…including you.” His grin flashed. “It was about a year ago, I guess, I was sitting in some doctor’s office for what seemed like appointment one thousand, facing more surgery and time in a hospital bed. I picked up one of those magazines about the West, and started looking at an article on some big actor’s ‘alternative lifestyle.’”

With a glance at her face, he continued. “Gorgeous scenery, working outside in the fresh air and sunshine with animals and nature—what’s not to like?”

Willa rolled her eyes. “I could give you a list a mile long.”

He held up a hand. “Leave me my illusions, for a few more days, at least. After twelve years in the Army, I knew I wanted to be my own boss, make my own decisions. Ranching seemed to me—still seems—like an independent, productive way to live.”