A Callahan Christmas Miracle

Chapter Four

Rose raised a brow as Galen tore through her bedroom door. “Well, hello. Come to tell me what a great idea I had?”

“No,” he said, surprising her by hopping under the covers with her. “I’ve come to put my cold feet on you, which you richly deserve, after writing me that nonsense. And if you think I’m going to argue with you by text, you’re badly mistaken. Now turn off the light, and let’s talk this out.”

She complied as he got comfortable under the duvet. “You do have cold feet.”

“Remember that,” Galen said. “Cold feet, warm heart.”

“So I hear.” They lay side by side in the dark. “I don’t usually have a cowboy jump in my bed, so I’m not sure what the standard protocol is, but do you want a cookie, and maybe a sip of hot tea? It’s not as hot as it was, because I was down in your room, but it’s still good.” She reached into the bag on her nightstand and offered him a cookie. “I’ve developed an addiction to your aunt’s baking.”

“No cookie. No tea. You’re changing the subject, trying to get my mind off your text with some sugary lures.”

“Maybe.” She sipped her tea in the darkness, loving the feel of the big, strong man tucked up next to her in bed. She could definitely get used to this. “I’m right.”

“But you won’t go through with it on your own.”

She sighed. “Just think about my plan for a few days. You’ve got to find out what’s happening under your own ranch.”

“You won’t tell a soul,” Galen said. “Not Ash, not Jace, not Fiona, not anyone.”

“Of course I won’t. It’s your ranch, your family.” She put her teacup back down. “I always dreamed of having a room like this.”

“Didn’t you have a girlie room?”

“Sort of girlie. Not very. My mom died when I was very young.”

“I’m sorry,” Galen murmured.

“I was, too.” Rose took a deep breath. “Anyway, after college I began a busy job at a financial planning company. Didn’t have time to girlie up my room. Lived in a square box in Manhattan with no closet to speak of.” She laughed. “I look back on those days with a smile, because I learned a lot. This room is a treat.”

“You got me off the subject again.”

“You asked. Anyway, I already swore myself to silence. Your secret is totally safe.”

“All right. Then I’ll head back to my own bed and leave you to your snack.”

She giggled. “Fiona says she’s baking gingerbread tomorrow. I’m going to get fat.”

“I very much doubt it. But a pound or two will only enhance those great curves you’ve got going on.”

The man was born to flirt. She tried not to take it too seriously, decided to turn the topic back to business. “You know, if I quit eating Fiona’s treats, I can easily fit back through that opening—”

“No. If anybody goes back down in that hole, it’s going to be a Callahan. Maybe Ashlyn.”

“You wouldn’t put your sister in danger,” Rose said. “That much I know about you already. In fact, you won’t even want your sister to know it’s there.”

“A truer statement was never spoken in this room.” He got out of bed. “See you at breakfast.”

“Bye,” Rose said, catching a glimpse of his physique as he passed the window. He was a scrumptious hunk of man, and she should tempt him to stay longer. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

He closed the door, and Rose leaned back in bed. She put the cookies down, drank the rest of her tea and then got up to brush her teeth. The cookies had been a sugary lure, as Galen had noted.

Tomorrow, gingerbread.

* * *

GALEN DIDN’T GET much sleep, but then again, sleep wasn’t at the forefront of his mind. The gaping problem they’d unearthed last night deeply concerned him.

In the morning, he went to the canyons to try to root out his grandfather. Running Bear sat at the fire ring, the stone circle where he’d brought them when they’d first arrived at Rancho Diablo. The chief had told the Chacon Callahan siblings that this was now their new home.

Galen loved this land.

“Chief,” he said, and the old man seated on the ground, eyes closed, face raised to the sky, nodded.

“When you have a moment, I need to pick your brains.”

“I have many moments.”

Galen seated himself on the earth next to his grandfather, felt the spring sun warm his skin. “There is no place like Rancho Diablo.”

“There are many spirits here. Mother Earth is strong and beautiful in this place.”

“But there’s a bad current running under her, Grandfather.”

“I know.”

Galen sighed. His grandfather was always one step ahead of them, and knew the beginning, middle and maybe even the end of the journey they were on. Running Bear had also warned the siblings that one of them was the hunted one, the one who would bring danger to the family. Sometimes Galen wondered if it was him. He’d rather it was, than any of his siblings. One day they would know—and no doubt the decision they would face would be difficult.

Today, he had to worry about trouble closer to home. “The enemy may have built reinforced tunnels under our ranch.” He looked into the distance, seeing the deep canyons and mesas that time had carved into the land. “We found some machinery in a cave. The only explanation is that it’s at the beginning of a tunnel, or underground bunkers. They could be right underneath the house.”

“I know.” Running Bear rested his palms on his knees. “They are not there. Yet.”

“But they’re coming.”

“They are. It’s their mission.”

“To what purpose?” Galen pulled his cowboy hat lower, shielding his face from the sun.

“To surround us. If they can do that, they’ll have a stranglehold here that will be hard to break.”

“How do we stop them? Make sure they don’t get here?”

“Buy the land from Storm.”

Galen considered that. They’d need a consortium of some kind to buy that much land without stretching the resources of Rancho Diablo. “We’ll be operating on limited manpower.”

“We’ll hire more people. Or bring the Callahan cousins home. Let them live here, where there are no tunnels. One of you would have had the land eventually, if you’d won Fiona’s raffle.”

“We always figured that was a fairy tale you guys cooked up to get us married and with families.”

“No,” Running Bear said. “Well, yes and no. Yes, Fiona will do anything to see you happy, as your married cousins and siblings are. But we always intended to grow the ranch. We knew they were building tunnels. We hoped you would come to love it here as much as your cousins do.”

“I do. The whole family does.”

“I know. But one of you must be the head of that ranch. We don’t want it broken up and weakened, making it easy for the cartel to move in.”

Galen shook his head. “I don’t like it. If Ash wins the ranch, she’ll be over there alone. She may not want us all living there. We need to stay together as a family. As a unit. We always have.”

“So win the land yourself.”

“I have no reason to expect that I’m in the running. I have no wife, probably won’t for years.” He’d taken care of his siblings so long he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to relax and have time for romance.

He thought about Rose next to him in bed last night and decided he could relax a little.

“Tell your brothers and sister that you want the land.”

Galen started. “I can’t do that. I can’t tell them I’m bumping them out of Fiona’s ploy.”

“You don’t want any of them living on land that only you knows has been compromised. It’s not safe.”

“Can’t we destroy the tunnels?”

“We would destroy acres and acres of good land with them.”

There were no good answers, no good choices. “It’s too dangerous to raise a family there now, so what difference would it make if we destroyed it? Those tunnels are how they’re getting to Rancho Diablo so easily, Grandfather.”

“Yes.” Running Bear nodded. “You must ask your ancestors what the right answer is.”

“The right answer to what?”

“Your path. What you are meant to do.”

“I say we burn them out. From burned ground comes new growth.”

“It would take many men to do it.”

That was also true. He’d had lots of military training. Teamwork wasn’t unknown to him. “It would be expensive to bring in that much personnel.”

“Yes. But it can’t be done alone.”

“Explosives. I can think of a hundred ways to collapse tunnels.”

His grandfather opened his eyes to look at him. “You’d be put in jail. You can’t set fires and blow up land without breaking the law.”

“There has to be a way.” Galen just couldn’t think of one. But it made his blood hot with anger that the enemy was gaining on them by doing whatever they wanted, while he was confined by the law. “Some way I haven’t thought of yet.”

“Buy the land,” Running Bear advised. “Tell Storm you will.”

“By myself? Or you mean the family as a conglomerate?”

“You buy the land. Tell your cousins you need to use the resources of Rancho Diablo as collateral. Jonas Callahan will know what you need.”

The treasure of Rancho Diablo. Galen knew about it. There were a couple working oil wells, the fabled silver mine, the buried silver and gold, as well as the land and its holdings. But the black Diablo mustangs were the real wealth. They held the spirit of the land, kept it alive. “What does Wolf think he wants with Rancho Diablo?”

“The wealth. The riches.” Running Bear rose. “What my son does not understand is that he cannot have any of those things. They will never be his.”

Galen rose with his grandfather. “How is that?”

“Because evil never overcomes good. This ranch was built for good. The fight will be long. It will be difficult and costly. But it will not be lost. Think on what I have said, Galen.” His grandfather looked at him. “Tell Fiona the terms of the ranch raffle must change, if she’s going to get the last of you boys, and even Ash, to the altar.”

“Change how? And I don’t want to get married,” Galen said. “I’ve been alone too long. I like my life the way it is.”

“The shepherd must eventually have a flock.” Running Bear walked toward the gorges twisting through rocks carved by eons of wind and rain.

“I don’t need a flock,” Galen muttered. “And I don’t need a twenty-thousand acre ranch.” He sighed as he got in the jeep. “I don’t want the land. I want to burn them out,” he called after his grandfather. “Let the rest of them divide up the ranch over there.”

Silence met his words. Which meant the old chief had said all he planned to say on the matter.

Running Bear knew what had to happen.

Galen went back to Rancho Diablo to think.

* * *

SOMER STEVENS MET HIM as he drove up to the ranch house, a big smile on her face. “Just the man I was hoping to see.”

He parked the jeep, appreciating her dark beauty. And yet somehow she just didn’t ring his bell the way Rose did. “Why is that?”

“Wondered if you want to go riding. I’m fixing to take out Gray.”

“I’m afraid I can’t join you today,” Galen said, and wondered why she rubbed him the wrong way. Maybe because she was a shade too friendly.

“Next time, perhaps.” She disappeared into the barn, and Galen stared after her. He hoped she planned to exercise Gray in the corralled area of the ranch, where it was safest. What if it were Rose riding? Would she stay near the house, or stray off on an adventure?

Definitely stray off, for any reason.

Somer wasn’t his problem. She was Sloan and Kendall’s problem. She’d been hired to take Sawyer’s place guarding their twins. Occasionally she would switch and guard Tighe and River’s triplets. If she had an afternoon off, it wasn’t his business.

He went inside the house, his mind full of his grandfather’s advice.

“Hello!” Fiona grinned at him. “Why is your smile turned upside down, nephew?”

He sat at the kitchen counter, nodding gratefully when she pushed a mug of coffee and a slice of apple pie his way. “Thank you. Running Bear wants me to buy the ranch across the canyons,” he said, and bit into the deep, flaky pastry. Cinnamon and allspice and warm buttery piecrust melted in his mouth.

“You?” Fiona looked at him curiously.

He shrugged.

“Why?”

He couldn’t tell her everything. That was Running Bear’s job. Those two had been thick as thieves forever. “He’s got some plan working. But he said you needed better bait to get the rest of us married off. The ranch land plan isn’t going to work. I might remind you I don’t see myself as exactly marriage bound. Nor does Jace. Ashlyn is a wild card. I wouldn’t put too much of your pin money on that horse.”

He’d paraphrased Running Bear’s words, but it would indeed take more than land to get him to the altar.

Unless Rose was available. Maybe I’d consider it then.

“That was my best lure!” Fiona exclaimed. “How do I come up with a better prize than a ranch, I ask you?” His tiny aunt looked ruffled and annoyed. “Running Bear has some nerve, changing horses midstream.” She sat down in a huff on the stool next to Galen’s.

“No one really understands the workings of the chief’s mind, do they?” He took another bite of pie, giving a sigh of appreciation. “Your apple pie is the best, Aunt Fiona.”

She made an impatient noise. “Don’t butter me up, nephew. You do realize the fly in your grandfather’s horse pucky ointment?”

“There’s usually a lot of flies involved in what either of you do. I keep a flyswatter handy.”

“Your siblings will resent you, dare I say even want to string you up, if you buy the ranch land and put them out of the raffle.” Fiona’s face wore a studious, concerned frown. “You’re a strong man, but not strong enough to be scorned and ostracized by the family you raised.”

His aunt spoke the unvarnished truth. “What can I do?”

“I don’t know. Your grandfather is leaving me holding the proverbial bag, too. What am I going to tell your siblings? I set all of you up for marriage and families, and now you get nada?” Fiona looked as if she might cry. “I think there’s some law against bait-and-switch tactics like the ones your grandfather is proposing. Where is he, anyway? I want to give him a piece of my mind. No more chocolate chip cookies for him!”

Galen shrugged. “I guess I’ll head to the bank and start working up funding. First I’ll need to talk to Storm and make certain he understands I’m not going to pay a king’s ransom for land he just bought and never worked. Not to mention that the only livable dwelling just burned to the ground.”

“Oh, that termite pile should have been razed a long time ago,” Fiona said, sounding crankier than he’d ever heard her. “The land itself is the only thing of value there.”

Land with a maze of tunnels dug by dangerous smugglers running under it. “It’s not just me my sibs are going to be annoyed with. They love their families, but they’re going to think you planned this all along.”

She gasped. “I did no such thing! Running Bear is off his rocker! I can’t be responsible for your grandfather’s deviations. I’m just the handler around here. And most of the time it’s like herding feral cats, I can tell you.” She went off, highly annoyed. Galen grinned and finished his pie.

Rose came in and took Fiona’s chair. “Howdy, stranger.”

He looked at her, his whole being suddenly filled with happiness for some stupid reason. Why this woman affected him this way he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Yes, she was cute, adorable, even. Had a sparky personality, and was brave as a tiger. Had sexy curves he’d love to get to know. But that wasn’t enough to get his engine revving in overdrive every time he saw her, was it?

Who am I kidding? It’s more than enough. I’m about to break into a cold sweat just looking at her.

“Fiona made apple pie. Want a slice?”

She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m going riding with Somer in a bit.”

He hesitated. “Somer?”

“Yes. Why?” Rose gave him a curious look. “Something wrong with that?”

“No. Nothing at all. Just weren’t aware the two of you were on such friendly terms.”

She smiled. “We’re the two new girls. Gives us a bond.”

“Oh. I see.”

“Yes. But then again, I’m on friendly terms with everyone.”

He could believe that. Even he tended toward more-than-monosyllabic when Rose was around. “You girls just checking out the scenery?”

“I did that last night with you.” She winked at him, and his stomach gave a little twist. Which was dumb, because women didn’t usually make him nervous.

This one did.

“Anyway,” Rose said, “we’re doing a little training.”

“Training?”

“You know, horse training. Get them a little more acclimated to Rancho Diablo.”

He stared at Rose, wishing he could kiss her. He couldn’t, of course. She was a ranch employee.

He’d been in her bed last night, and he’d liked it—even if not a darn thing had happened.

“Somer knows a lot about horses. Apparently, she and Sawyer grew up near each other, and both of them—”

“What?” Galen asked, tearing his concentration away from Rose’s lips with supreme effort. “What do you mean, Somer and Sawyer grew up near each other?”

“They’re cousins,” Rose said. “Didn’t you know?”

An uneasy feeling came over him. “They can’t be. That would have had to be disclosed on the ranch application.” Now that he thought about it, he recalled that Fiona had been in charge of reviewing the applications and making appointments for interviews.

Rose smiled at him. “I don’t like spilling beans. I better get a slice of pie before my mouth gets me in trouble.”

He’d like to get her mouth in trouble. Galen shook his head and carried his dish to the sink. “Feel free to spill anytime. I’m on my way into town to do some bank paperwork. And about last night...” he said, turning to face her.

“I know. Not a word. I wouldn’t tell a soul.” She smiled, and he grinned back, unable to help responding to the mischief in her eyes.

“No, what I was going to say is that we probably shouldn’t have sent you down in that cave. It was a terrible idea. I shouldn’t have let Jace talk me into it.”

“Oh, so he’s the adventurous brother. I’ll keep that in mind.” She bit into her pie. “You have no idea how lucky you are that your aunt Fiona bakes and cooks. Home cooking is a luxury.”

“Well, she’s annoyed right now, so if we get dinner, it’ll be a miracle.”

“Annoyed?” Rose raised a brow. “Did you make her mad?”

“Somewhat. I guess so.” He sighed. “Because of what we found, I’m going to buy Storm’s land.”

“All on your own?”

He nodded, glad to have someone to tell about it.

“You’re going to be the black sheep in your family,” Rose said, laughing. “Jace told me that if Sawyer hadn’t disappeared, he might have talked her into a fake marriage just so he could get his ticket in to win the ranch.”

“That would be cheating.”

Rose put her plate down, poured them each a glass of tea. “Not cheating. Maximizing his chances.”

“Cheating.” Galen took a sip. “Jace told you that?”

“Sure. Just like your sister told me that she’s gone off Xav Phillips.”

He choked on the tea, set the glass down. “Gone off? As in isn’t trying to herd him to the altar anymore?”

“I guess not.” Rose looked thoughtful. “So maybe the field is completely clear for you now, after all.”

“Why does everybody tell you everything? I should know these things.”

“Maybe I’m a little easier to talk to you than you are?” she teased. “Or they don’t want to let big brother down.”

“It’s still no reason to make you the resident advice columnist,” Galen groused. He was thunderstruck by everything he’d learned. “Does Somer know where Sawyer’s gone? Or why she left?”

“No. Didn’t say anything to me about it. I’d better go, though. Don’t want to keep her waiting.” She put her plate in the dishwasher.

“Just a minute,” Galen said, wishing she would stay a little longer. “Anything else I need to know?”

Rose smiled. “Perhaps.”

“I’m listening.” He wanted to kiss her in the worst way. Hopefully, he didn’t look like his brothers had when they’d been all slobbery about the women who were now their wives. That was the thing about watching his siblings fall like rocks to the bottom of a well—the process had been ugly.

He sure didn’t want to do ugly. “I’m listening, if there’s something I should know.”

“Here’s something you should know,” Rose said. Then to Galen’s utter astonishment, she walked over and pressed her lips against his in a gentle kiss that happened so quickly he didn’t have time to pucker up. She went out the back door, leaving him glued to the floor, his whole body humming like a divining rod.

She’d just kissed him. She wanted him to know she liked him—that could be her only meaning. And he’d missed the moment, like a giant doofus stuck on stupid. Hadn’t even kissed her back, or put a hand on her to drag her close to him. The way he would have if he hadn’t been frozen with shock.

If she ever does that again, I’ll pucker up like a girl in a kissing booth. I won’t be like my brothers. I’m not going down hard.

No, if that little gal wants me, I’m pretty sure I’ll fold like a cheap seat at a picnic—fast and easy.

Chapter Five

The last thing Galen wanted to do was talk to Storm Cash, but thanks to his grandfather’s directive he saw no reason to linger—even if he’d rather chase after Rose and find out if she had any more sugar with his name on it.

“Hi,” Storm said, when Galen drove up in his truck and got out. “It’s not often that I see a Callahan at my place. Is this a friendly call?”

“I hope so. It’ll start out that way. Could go either direction, depending on the weather.”

Storm laughed. “You Callahans are moody cusses, that’s for certain. What’s on your mind?”