The Rancher's Christmas Proposal

Shane swallowed hard once. Then twice. The twins had sought that affection from Abby, craved her attention. Instead, she’d drifted through their lives like a marionette, going through the motions without any more warmth than a carved wooden block. Everything he’d done to help had only made matters worse.

As Owen’s cries turned into hiccups and eventually subsided, Tessa glanced up, her expression troubled. “I have to go. My shift normally starts at dinner. When I don’t arrive, Dead Eye will start looking for me.”

She was paler by the moment, her movements jerky and frightened. Shane blew out a breath. He’d always had a weakness for the marginalized. All the men he’d hired on the ranch had conquered adversity in one way or another. Finch had lost his right arm and the vision in his left eye during the war. Wheeler was a freed slave Shane had met on a tortuous stagecoach ride through the sweltering Texas heat.

The others...well, the others had seen more than their fair share of hardship. Probably that was why Abby had returned once she’d realized she was in trouble. She knew he’d never turn her away. Yet he suspected a difference in Tessa. As though she’d take any offer of protection as an affront, though clearly she was in need of assistance.

Shane scowled. The outlaw deserved a throttling for terrifying her. Barring that, he’d do the next best thing.

“Let me help,” he said quickly. “Please.”

Owen fidgeted in her lap and she produced a coin he hadn’t noticed before. With a deft flick of her wrist, the coin disappeared. Owen snatched at her fingers and frowned in confusion. She fisted her hands a few times, turning her arm this way and that. With an exaggerated frown of confusion, she brushed Owen’s temple.

“Hmm,” she said solemnly. “What have we here?”

With a flourish she produced the coin from behind Owen’s ear. The boy squealed in delight.

Alyce stood in her chair and leaned over, eagerly joining the game. Without answering him, Tessa absently repeated the trick. Much to the delight of the children, the coin dropped from noses and sprang from beneath dimpled chins with an elegant and imperceptible sleight of hand. Shane was as mesmerized as the children with the rapid disappearance and reappearances of the coin. Only when she dropped the money into her reticule was the spell broken.

She glanced up and he shook his thoughts back to the problem at hand, grasping for a convincing argument.

“The next train doesn’t leave for hours.” He charged ahead. “I have an idea that may help us both.”

Her face softened and his persuasions died on his lips. Abby had an odd habit of staring at a spot over his shoulder, never looking directly at him. The practice had left him feeling invisible. Tessa met his gaze dead-on, her expression open and forthright.

“I’m not sure how you can help.” She quirked an eyebrow. “Unless you have a freshly pressed dress handy or a private stage for a hasty exit out of town?”

“No.” Her directness was refreshing and disconcerting at the same time. “I’m afraid not, but I can offer you a room at the hotel.” At the startled look in her eyes, he quickly added, “To freshen up.”

She gave a sad shake of her head. “I wouldn’t mind staying out of sight and cleaning up, but I can’t displace you.”

“As you can see, our plans have changed.”

A riot of color suffused her cheeks. “Because of me.”

“Never say that. My plans have altered because Mrs. Lund wasn’t a good choice for a guardian. I might not have realized her unsuitability,” he added, “if Owen hadn’t pestered you into returning him.”

Owen grinned at the sound of his name, revealing his two front teeth. “Ball.”

“Don’t paint me as the hero,” Tessa replied, raising her delicately arched eyebrows. “I was a little reluctant to return him. He’s a very good listener.”

Shane dug through his pockets, producing the metal key. “This is the only key. I have some business in town. If you need to change, I can fetch your trunk as well.”

“Not the trunk! I mean to say, that won’t be necessary. I’m sure a dab of water will take care of this.”

Shane didn’t know much about laundry, but he figured it was going to take a lot more than a spot cleaning to erase that damage.

His doubts were forestalled by a flutter of activity. Summoned by the commotion, a woman in an apron bustled over. Together they plucked shards of glass from the floor and wiped up the mess.

Tessa brushed at the stains on her gown. “I can’t very well travel like this.”

“Definitely not.”

Reaching out, she rested her hand over the key. “You said there’s only one key.”

“Only the one.” He’d bought himself some time. With a little effort, his plan would erase the fear in her eyes and make up for the trouble they’d caused her. Then maybe he could convince her they each had something the other needed. “I’ll walk you the distance and be on my way.”

Owen showed no signs of surrendering his perch, and Tessa absently tucked him closer. The boy rested his head in the crook of her neck and stared at the shiny locket nestled at the base of her throat.

With a last glance over her shoulder, she nodded. “I accept your offer.”

Shane blew out a relieved breath. “You’ll be on your way in no time.”

Keeping vigil for outlaws with wandering eyes, Shane escorted his motley bunch to the hotel and made arrangements with the clerk. Miss Spencer was obviously not well-known in town, as none of the staff showed even a flicker of recognition.

Not that anyone could get a good look at her anyway. She spent much of the time helpfully chasing after Owen and Alyce as they reached for the vase of flowers on the round table in the lobby and crawled between the spindly legs of a settee.

The room he’d procured was at the end of the corridor and he walked her that way, then gathered the twins. Owen yawned.

Tessa hesitated. “How long will your business take?”

“An hour. Maybe two.”

“The children appear tired.”

“They usually nap around this time.”

She reached for Alyce, who eagerly took her hand. “I could...I could watch them. You know, while you accomplished your task.”

He hesitated, not wanting to take advantage of her. “If you’re certain.”

Her offer was ideal. Better than he could have hoped. While he was fully prepared to take the twins on his errand, he moved faster without them.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll abscond with your children?” she asked, turning the key in the lock.

Her bright smile stole his breath. Her eyes sparkled and a delightful dimple appeared in her left cheek. He’d been immersed in his own troubles for so long, he’d forgotten the simple pleasure of a moment of joy.

“I’m more afraid they’ll send you screaming into the streets,” he said at last.

“I’m much stronger than I look.”

Her dimple disappeared and he mourned the loss. “I don’t doubt it.”

Tessa turned the key a few times, but no click of the lock sounded.

She removed the key and studied it closely. “The numbers match but one of the teeth is bent. That must be the problem.”

“I’ll see if they have another.”

“No need.”

She reached behind her head and pulled a hairpin from the coil at the nape of her neck, then inserted the slender metal into the space beneath the key. Her brow knit in concentration, she jiggled the hairpin a few times and the door sprang open.

Shane gaped, nonplussed by her odd talent for disappearing coins and difficult locks.

“I—uh,” Tessa stuttered. “I once had a temperamental lock on a boardinghouse door. I learned a few tricks.”

He supposed there was nothing too odd in that. “You’re quite the locksmith.”

“It comes in handy at the oddest times.”

The twins hugged him around the legs before he left, but seemed content to remain with Miss Spencer. Relieved at Owen and Alyce’s easy acceptance of the situation, he made his way toward the train depot with only a twinge of guilt for taking advantage of Tessa’s good nature. The twins had been roused earlier than usual this morning and should sleep easily. Tessa appeared as though she could use the rest as well.

Her intervention with Owen, though unplanned and unexpected, had pushed him out of his stupor. While he’d like to believe he’d have seen Mrs. Lund’s duplicity eventually, viewing her through Tessa’s eyes had forced him into acknowledging her unsuitability.

The telegraph office was devoid of customers, and he accomplished his task in short order. Having a cousin who served as a telegraph operator was convenient. Having a telegraph operator for a cousin who was also married to a lawman was even more helpful.

A flurry of messages were received and dispatched over the following hour, and he took a seat on the bench tucked into a corner of the small office, impatiently tapping his heel. A fine bead of sweat formed on his brow. Miss Spencer must be pacing the floors by now. He checked his watch for the thousandth time. Another forty-five minutes passed before the sheriff appeared. Shane met him at the door in three long strides.

The man was tall and slender and as weathered and thin as a strip of beef jerky.

He presented Shane with a wanted poster. “There’s a reward for Dead Eye. Where would you like it sent?”

A reward. His stomach twisted. Glancing at the picture, his eyes widened at the sum listed on the bottom of the page. Tessa could hire her own private Pullman car with that amount. She certainly wouldn’t need a housekeeping job. He stuffed his free hand into his pocket and shook his head. At least one good thing had come out of this mess.

“You’ve got him, then?” Shane prodded. “He’s locked up?”

“Picked him up straightaway. Didn’t put up too much of a fight. I suppose he didn’t figure anyone around these parts would recognize him.”

For once, doing the right thing had resulted in something good. Maybe not for him, but that wasn’t the point anyway. “Excellent.”

The sheriff pushed his hat back on his head with the tip of his index finger. “And how did you come to recognize him, Mr. McCoy?”

Shane scratched his temple and stared at the floor. “Long story.”

The question had nagged him as well. How had Tessa known the identity of the outlaw? He shrugged. She probably saw all sorts with people coming and going from the café.

“Understood.” The slender man touched the gun strapped against his thigh. “You’d best not stick around, just in case.”

“Trust me, there’s not a chance he’ll connect me with his capture, but I’ll be on my way all the same.”

“Not so fast. You haven’t told me where you’d like the reward sent.”

Shane considered and discarded several possibilities. Best not to leave a trail that might lead back to Miss Spencer. “Send the money to Marshal Cain in Cimarron Springs. He’ll know what to do.”

Once Miss Spencer was settled, he’d make arrangements to have the money transferred. She’d spotted Dead Eye first, after all, and the money was hers. The sheriff jotted down a few notes and went about his business.

His steps dragging, Shane returned to the hotel. Separating from Tessa was for the best. Being around her stirred up a sting of loneliness. Always before he’d thrown himself into work when the yearnings for companionship had grown too distracting, exhausting himself in body and spirit. The children had forced him to keep a part of his heart open, and he’d be wise to be on his guard in the future. Tessa reminded him of Abby when they were young, full of hope and hungry for adventure. He didn’t want to see that optimism fade.

He rapped on the door and Miss Spencer appeared, holding a finger over her lips. A scowl darkened her brow.

“Shh,” she ordered. “They’ve fallen asleep.”

Somehow or another she’d draped the stained portion of her skirt like a fall around her waist, cleverly disguising the spots. There were damp portions around her collar where she’d scrubbed at the rest of the marks, and he forced his gaze from the charming sight. His was an honorable mission, and he did her a disservice by thinking of her in any way other than an unexpected acquaintance.

She slipped into the corridor and quietly shut the door behind her. “Where have you been? What took so long?”

“I’m sorry. I can explain.” He handed over the wanted poster. “They’ve picked up Dead Eye Dan. You’re safe now.”

Her face grew ashen. “What have you done?”

He gripped her shoulders, shocked by her violent trembling. “He’s behind bars. He can’t bother you anymore.”

She vigorously shook her head and backed away. “You don’t understand. This is worse. This is much worse.”

“There’s a reward.” His declaration only sent her stumbling farther back, and his hands dropped away. “I had it sent to Marshal Cain in Cimarron Springs. The outlaw will never guess your identity. Contact the marshal and he’ll make the arrangements.”

Her pale lips pinched together. “I wouldn’t touch a dime of that money if my life depended upon it.”

“Why not? You spotted him. You’ve earned that reward.”

“Because it’s dangerous, that’s why. Claiming the reward money will lead the rest of his gang directly to me.”

Her fear instantly made sense, but there was an easy enough solution. “Come with us to Cimarron Springs, help me with the children. I’ll pay you for your trouble. I’ll even claim the money myself and hand it over to you. That way, you’re not involved.”

She jerked her head in a negative gesture. “You’ll put yourself in danger. I won’t allow that.”

“I’m a grown man.”

“You’re a father. You should consider your children. Lawmen aren’t always honest.”

The skeptical edge in her voice stiffened his spine. “I trust the marshal in town. He’s married to my cousin. He won’t put either of us in danger.”

Her shoulders slumped. She opened the door once more and stared into the room. He caught a glimpse of Alyce and Owen asleep on the bed, curled around each other like puppies, a bolster of pillows surrounding them.

“I know you’re strong,” he said. “I know you don’t need my help, but I need yours.”

Blood rushed in his ears. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d asked someone for help. He’d been independent since the moment his father had walked out on them, and he liked it that way. As long as he didn’t count on people, they didn’t let him down. Since arriving in Wichita, he’d felt as though he was unraveling bit by bit. If he let this go on any longer, there’d be nothing left of him.

“Never mind,” he said, reaching for the key. “It’s been a long day. I appreciate everything you’ve done. I had no right to ask for more.”

She yanked her hand out of his reach. “I’ll help you.”

It was too late to take back his offer, and gratitude and shame warred in his chest. She’d agreed to help him. She’d agreed because she’d seen him weak.

Tessa hesitated. “I’ll leave Cimarron Springs as soon as the reward arrives. You know that, right?”

“I know.” Earlier, a selfish part of him had hoped she might consider staying on, just until he found a suitable replacement, but she’d obviously anticipated his appeal. “I understand.”

Tessa had called him a good father before. She’d said he was doing the right thing by keeping the children with him. The truth was far less charitable. He wasn’t a fit parent for the children any more than Mrs. Lund. By refusing to face the impossibility of the situation, he’d been lying to himself rather than doing what was best for the children.

“Four o’clock,” he said, replacing his hat. He was done being weak. Once they were all back home, he’d finally make things right, even if it shattered him. He’d put himself back together before; he knew how the pieces fit. “We leave at four.”

Now that he’d committed to his decision, a cynical relief surged through his veins. The reward money made everyone’s life simpler. Without Tessa, there’d be one less person in town who’d been disappointed by him.

As long as nothing unforeseen happened, they’d never see each other again after the journey’s end. She was as good as gone. At least there was nothing left to go wrong.

* * *

“The reward money has hit a snag.” Marshal Garrett Cain spoke from his seat behind his desk.

“What kind of a snag?” Tessa demanded, covering the panic in her voice. “I was hoping to avoid a delay.”

She needed the money quickly. She’d already been in town for three days. That was long enough. Too long, really. She feared she’d run into Shane once more, and the cold shoulder he’d given her upon their arrival had made it abundantly clear that her presence was unwelcome.

“Let’s give Shane a few more minutes.” The marshal shook his head. “He needs to hear this, too.”

Tessa stifled a groan. Perched on the edge of her seat in Marshal Cain’s office, she tucked the edges of her skirts around her frozen ankles. Wind whistled beneath the door and frost coated the windowpanes.

She shivered and tugged her coat tighter. “There’s no need to bother Mr. McCoy, is there? This really doesn’t concern him.”

Though Shane’s rejection had hurt her more than she cared to admit, his absence was for the best. She was putting them all in danger the longer she stuck around.

“He’s on his way already,” the marshal said.

Perfect. She offered a tight-lipped smile of acknowledgment. Just what this day needed.

All the little nagging worries she’d harbored piled up around her in a suffocating heap. She’d had no more success in contacting Emmett, which meant her meager savings must stretch indefinitely. Though she’d scoffed at the reward before, a few days of introspection had given her clarity on the matter. Considering her situation, money was a good thing. Someone was going to collect that reward, and it might as well be her. Since she was no longer an outlaw, the code didn’t apply anyway.

She glanced across the desk separating them. The marshal held her gaze with a benevolent expression she imagined he normally reserved for relaying the news of untimely deaths.

“I don’t suppose your news is good news?” she asked.

“Nope.”

On that less-than-cheerful note, he stood, plucked several pieces of wood from the stack near the potbellied stove and stoked the fire. Though clearly not the best conversationalist, he was a fine-looking man with dark hair showing a feathering of gray at the temples. The lawman had a forthright manner and a direct approach that compelled honesty. The kind of man Emmett avoided at all costs.

Her mouth went dry. “You have me worried, Marshal Cain.”

And that was saying something.

The door burst open in a flurry of cold air and a young girl scooted inside. Realizing she had a brief reprieve before Mr. McCoy arrived, Tessa forced the tension from her shoulders. The newcomer flipped back her coat hood and stomped the snow from her boots on the rag rug.

The young beauty was in her midteens, showing the first blush of womanhood with her bright blue eyes and curly corn silk hair. “Shane is on his way,” the girl said. “He’s talking with Mama now.”

The marshal assisted her with her coat. “This is my daughter, Cora. Cora, this is Miss Spencer.”

The girl held out her hand. “Hello. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Tessa tucked an escaped tendril of hair behind one ear. “Surely not. I only met your father this morning.”

“I didn’t hear about you from Papa.”

Heat crept up Tessa’s neck. Shane must have spoken of her—but why? She doubted she’d made much of an impression. Touching her cheeks, she hoped they weren’t flaming as hotly as they felt.

The marshal ushered his daughter through a second door at the rear of the office. Tessa caught sight of a jail cell and a flight of stairs through the opening.

“Enough, Cora,” the marshal ordered. “You’re making our guest uncomfortable. I’m guessing your mother will be along soon. Why don’t you run along upstairs and put on some coffee? You know where to find everything.”

Yep. Tessa’s cheeks were definitely flaming.

A gust of winter bluster indicated another arrival. Her heartbeat thundered and the freshly stoked fire suddenly turned the room blistering hot. Shane stepped inside and turned toward the coat hooks, presenting her with his profile. The corners of his mouth drooped at the edges and his eyes were tired and bloodshot, as though he hadn’t slept in a month of Sundays.

He hung his hat on the peg near the door and ducked his head. “Miss Spencer.”

“Mr. McCoy,” she replied, matching his formal tone.

He didn’t appear at all happy to see her. Not that she’d expected cartwheels and a jig, but a friendly smile might have been nice. He’d asked for her help before and she was only here at his request, yet he was treating her as though she’d somehow offended him. Crossing her arms, she looked away.

He didn’t even have the courtesy to bring the children. Certainly he knew how much she missed them.

The marshal resumed his seat behind the desk. “Thanks for coming out, Shane. I figured the two of you should hear this at the same time. I just got word from Wichita. Dead Eye Dan Fulton has busted out of jail.”

Chapter Four

Tessa gasped and bolted upright. “When?”

“Last night.”

Panic rose like bile in her throat. “Who broke him out?”

As though she had to ask.

“His brothers,” the marshal replied grimly.

She didn’t believe in luck, but she was starting to believe in bad luck. Here she’d been lulled into a false sense of safety, thinking she might actually claim the reward money and sleep a full night through for once.

Tessa turned her fear on Mr. McCoy. “I knew this would happen.”

“I was trying to help,” he wearily replied.

She splayed her fingers over her eyes. Terror definitely had a way of making her forget herself. While she had perfectly valid reasons for being angry with Shane, the outlaw’s escape wasn’t one of them. If she’d told him the truth about her connection to Dead Eye in the first place, then they wouldn’t be in this mess. She had no one to blame but herself for this particular disaster.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “Of course you meant well. I was surprised, that’s all.”

“What about the reward?” Shane demanded.

“Rescinded.” The marshal held up his hands in supplication. “Didn’t say I agreed with the decision.”

“We caught him.” Shane’s voice vibrated with suppressed anger. “It’s not our fault they couldn’t hold him.”

Tessa unconsciously touched his hand, instantly realized her mistake and snatched it back. “The money is the least of our worries. What if he follows us here?”

Ten minutes ago all she’d cared about was the reward money. This news had her caring more about saving her own hide. She’d given the Fultons two reasons for tracking her down: she’d serve as bait for Emmett, and they’d have their revenge as well.

Her hands trembled and she balled her fingers into tight fists. She had no desire to experience Fulton revenge.

The marshal kicked back in his seat. “Without the reward, there’s no way the Fultons can trace the money back here. You’re sheltered in that regard.”

“I suppose that’s something,” Tessa muttered. The men gaped at her. “That’s good for us. For both of us,” she amended.

Talk about a tangled web. If only her father had been a cook or blacksmith or a farmer. Something simple and ordinary. At least Mr. McCoy and the children were safe. Dead Eye was much more likely to connect the dots between her disappearance and his capture than a handsome widower and his children passing through Wichita.

“I have some contacts,” the marshal said. “People I trust. I’ll put out the word, see if we can track them.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Shane replied.

Her slim hope of ever living openly as Tessa Spencer evaporated like the mist. Here she’d been twiddling her thumbs while searching for Emmett, thinking he’d fix his problem and solve hers as well. No more. She had to disappear. Really disappear. Not this skulking about, hoping for the best. She’d go so deep into hiding, not even Emmett could find her. She’d become an entirely new person, with a new name and a new identity, someone no one would suspect.