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

She shook her head. “I guess it doesn’t matter. You already hung the television over the fireplace. Maybe I should take the kids and run home and fix up the linens.”

“Let me go talk to Tom. Then we can make a decision.”

“We?”

“I just meant we should figure out if they’re going back to the house. If not, we need to stay here and wish them well.”

“I guess you’re right. But Brady and I, with Jenny, could go on—”

“And drive my truck?”

“I thought maybe you could get a ride with someone,” she said.

“I don’t think I want to stand out on the street corner with my thumb in the air.”

She hadn’t meant to offend him. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

“I’m only kidding. You can have the truck if that’s what you want.”

“Maybe I can use Carol’s car.”

“Let me go ask Tom what their plan is. I’ll be right back. Don’t move.” Jack hurried across the floor to grab Tom’s arm to ask him their plans.

Tom looked surprised. “We’re going to go grab our bags. We left them both at the house.”

“Okay. Elizabeth and I are going to run ahead, then, to get something ready and then we’ll see you there.”

“Wait! What do you need to get ready?”

“Your presents from us. We want you to see them before you go.”

“You got us presents?”

“Tom, everyone gets presents when they get married.”

“Elizabeth got us a present, too?”

“Yes, and so did Brady and Jenny.”

“But we—”

Jack held up a hand to stop him. “Tom, we have to congratulate you. Not everyone gets a second chance.” He grinned at his friend. “You old dog.”

Tom hesitated before saying, “I hope Elizabeth gets one.”

“You just make sure Carol has a good time. We’ll talk when you get back.”

Jack went back to Elizabeth and explained.

She gathered their coats. “I think we need to take the cake. Carol said we needed to take home whatever was left of it. Oh, and the gifts, too.”

“Okay. Brady, you come help me.”

“Me?” Brady asked, surprised.

“You bet, son. We men are the lifters.”

Brady beamed up at his mother. “We men are the lifters, Mommy.”

His mother answered with a touch of sarcasm in her voice. “Yes, I heard that, too.”

Brady grabbed Jack’s hand, ready to go.

“We’ll be back in a few minutes,” Jack said as they headed off for their manly duty.

Elizabeth stared after Jack, wondering what he was up to. It seemed to her that he had other things going on than just a wedding. She wanted Brady to have a good role model, and his grandfather might be too old, but she couldn’t count on Jack to be around. She wished she could talk him into staying, but he seemed determined to move on.

She pulled her mind together to focus on what she would need to do when she reached the house. The freshly laundered sheets needed to be put on the bed, with the coverlet and pillows. She also needed to put out a centerpiece she’d purchased for the coffee table in the sitting area. It was the perfect finishing touch for the bedroom.

“But first I’ll have to tuck you in, sweetie, so I’ll have both arms,” Elizabeth cooed to Jenny. She leaned down and kissed her baby’s cheek. Brady was a terrific son, and her baby girl was extra-sweet. These were the two best presents anyone had ever given her.

Jack came in the door, with Brady. “We’ll get the cake and then we’re ready. Why don’t you get the baby in the truck?”

She did as Jack suggested. Moments later her son ran to the truck ahead of him.

“Mommy, Grandpa’s going to come home!”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“Will he come back again?” Brady asked.

“Of course he will.”

“Daddy never did.”

“Sweetheart, your daddy never planned on coming home. He had other things going on.”

Jack stepped beside the boy. “We’re not like your daddy, Brady. We believe in coming home every night. Your grandpa will be home as soon as he and Carol see Paris.”

“Really?”

“I guarantee it.”

The ride back to the ranch was peppered with more of Brady’s questions and observations about the wedding. When the truck pulled up to the house, Brady attempted to jump out over his mother.

“Wait a minute, Brady. I’ll help you,” Jack called. “Don’t mess up your clothes.”

As he was talking to Brady, he reached in to help Elizabeth out. “Go tuck in little Jenny and I’ll meet you in the bedroom.”

She immediately said, “You mean Tom’s bedroom.”

“Of course, I meant Tom’s bedroom.”

She gave a nod and walked upstairs, cuddling the baby.

Once Jenny was tucked in, Elizabeth went downstairs to make up Tom and Carol’s new bed. As she worked, she couldn’t help thinking how much she’d hoped it would work out for her here. That Tom could keep the ranch prosperous and the children could stay with their grandparents. But now she doubted that outcome. Without Jack, how could Tom keep the ranch?

She put on the shams just as Jack came in.

“Just in time. That looks beautiful, Elizabeth.”

“I don’t need any help,” she snapped when she saw it was Jack.

“Now don’t be grumpy. I want to help.”

“Well, I don’t want your help.”

“Elizabeth, what’s going on? Are you mad at me?”

His question brought her to her senses. She couldn’t blame Jack for his dreams. “No, I just—I had hoped—Oh, never mind. When Tom proposed to Carol, I’d hoped we’d have a family here, but that’s not happening. I don’t know if they’ll survive or whether we’ll actually be able to stay. Tom can’t run the ranch.”

“I think you, Brady and Jenny have a great future here.”

“Doing what? Raising cows? What do I know about that?”

He smiled at her. “I have a plan, so quit worrying.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked skeptically.

“Don’t you have any faith in me, Elizabeth?”

She turned away from him. “I don’t see why I should.” After a moment she began walking to the kitchen. Jack followed her as she spoke. “Why don’t you and Brady come have some cake? It will take his mind off what’s happening.”

“I don’t think anything tragic is happening.”

“Just eat some cake.”

“Brady,” Jack called.

“Yes, Jack?” the little boy said as he came running.

“Let’s have some cake. Your mom’s afraid we’re going to be hungry.”

The boy grinned. “I like cake.”

“Okay,” Jack said as he sliced them each a piece. “Have a seat at the table.”

Before he put two slices on the table he turned to Elizabeth.

“Just one more thing.”

“Yes?” she asked.

Jack leaned over and kissed her.

“You kissed my mommy!”

Jack had been staring into space reliving the kiss when Brady interrupted him a while later. “Yeah, I did. Don’t you kiss your mommy?”

“Not on her mouth.”

“Well, you’re not supposed to kiss her on the mouth, but I am.”

“Why?”

“Because your mommy and I, uh, like each other.” Jack wasn’t sure Elizabeth would accept that explanation, but he did. He’d been thinking about tasting those lips for a while now.

He wondered what Elizabeth thought. At first she’d simply stood there, staring at him with her big blue eyes. Then she skedaddled upstairs, claiming she needed to check on the baby.

“Does Mommy like it?” Brady asked.

“I don’t know, Brady. I hope so.” Just as he opened his mouth to add to the explanation, he heard a car in the driveway.

“Hey, I think Tom and Carol are here. Go up and get your mom and tell her they’re here.” He hoped Elizabeth’s sensibilities would be soothed with Tom and Carol’s arrival.

Brady jumped up to go get his mother. Climbing the stairs, he shouted to his mom like all kids do. “Mommy! They’re here! They’re here!”

Jack moved to the door to open it wide for the newlyweds.

Elizabeth didn’t want to go downstairs, but she couldn’t let Tom and Carol know there was a problem. She gathered Jenny in her arms, hoping she’d provide a defense against Jack.

Not that she necessarily wanted a defense.

She had to admit that Jack’s kiss packed a wallop. Just a light touching of his lips to hers had the electric current of a power plant. What would a real kiss be like?

She refused to think of it.

At Brady’s urging, she came to the edge of the stairs. Taking that first step was the hardest, but she wanted to do this right.

She reached the bottom of the stairs with her children around providing protection from Jack. They greeted Tom and Carol. Maintaining her distance from Jack, she opened the door to their bedroom. “We hope you like it,” she said.

They admired the furniture, the television, the fire in the fireplace, but most of all, they loved the new bed.

“It’s so big,” Carol said.

Tom agreed. “It looks wonderful.”

“We’re glad you like it,” Jack said.

“Jenny and Brady gave you the linens,” Elizabeth pointed out.

“They’re lovely.” Carol bent down to hug the little boy.

He stood proudly. “I helped Mommy.”

“Yes, you did, and you and Jenny are special children,” Carol responded.

“Of course they are,” Tom added. “They’re our grandchildren.”

Carol’s eyes glistened with tears. “Oh, Tom, that’s so sweet of you to say that.”

“I think we lost them,” Jack said jokingly as Tom and Carol gazed into each other’s eyes.

“Don’t tease them,” Elizabeth said sharply.

“I think they’d better get to the airport quickly if they’re going to have a honeymoon in Paris.”

“I think you’re right,” Tom said. “Where are our bags?”

“They’re both sitting over here. I’ll carry them out to the car for you,” Jack said.

Jack took the bags out to the car, while Elizabeth and the children shrugged on coats and followed out to the porch. After last goodbye hugs, the newlyweds were on their way, waving as their car went down the drive.

Behind her Elizabeth felt Jack step close and put a hand on her shoulder. “What are you doing?” she gasped.

“Presenting a picture of our family.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Showing Tom what he wants to see.”

“I still don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Tom thinks of us as his family, that’s all.”

“I don’t see how he can think that since you’re leaving.”

“Go on inside where it’s warm and I’ll tell you,” Jack ordered.

Elizabeth went inside, but she wasn’t sure Jack was going to tell her what she wanted to hear. It was time for Jenny’s bottle, so she prepared it.

Brady had come in with her and sat down at his partially eaten cake. She wasn’t surprised when Jack joined them. She thought about suggesting that he eat separately from them, but she didn’t think he’d agree to that.

“You see, Elizabeth, Tom expects us to maintain his home while he’s gone. My particular job is to make sure that you and Brady and Jenny are taken care of.”

“I can take care of us,” Elizabeth insisted.

“Is that so? I’ll be the one taking care of you and the kids. It’s my job.”

“Somehow, I think I’ll be taking care of you unless you want to starve to death and wear dirty clothes.”

“Okay, so we’ll take care of each other. Tom likes the idea of having a family again and I’m going to make sure he comes home to a family. Brady, will you be glad when Grandpa comes back?”

“Are you sure he’s coming back?” Brady asked.

“I told you he was, son.”

“Don’t call him that,” Elizabeth exclaimed.

Jack looked up at her, confused. “What?”

“Never mind. Brady, go hang your coat up.”

As Brady did as he was told, Jack leaned in real close to her. “You’ve got to relax, Elizabeth. Things are different now.”

Elizabeth prepared a simple meal that night, knowing Brady and Jack had filled up at the wedding reception. When she called them to the table, Jack and Brady came downstairs together.

“Brady, did you put away your toys?” Elizabeth asked.

“Sure, Mommy. Jack helped me.”

“I hope you told him thank you.”

“I did,” Brady said agreeably.

“He was great, Elizabeth,” Jack said. “He thanked me and showed me the right place to put things. He keeps his room neat, too. He’s a great kid.”

Elizabeth turned her back on Jack. She didn’t want him to praise her children.

Jack opened the silverware drawer and took out what they needed for the meal.

Elizabeth stopped him. “I’ll do that.”

“No need. I can help.”

She put out the cold-cut platter and said, “Brady, I found the little oranges you like.”

Brady climbed up to the table, anxious to see his mother’s surprise. “Thanks, Mom!”

“We bought those when I was trying to tempt Tom to eat something different,” Jack said. “Thank goodness we found Carol instead. She’ll do a better job.”

“Yes, I imagine she will. Tom is a lucky man.”

“Yeah, I kind of think you’re right. She’ll keep Tom in line.”

“She will and he’ll be able to take care of her. That’s the way a marriage should work.”

“I’m glad you mentioned that,” Jack replied.

Elizabeth’s mouth instantly dried up. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t think I should tell you yet.”

“Tell me what?”

“I think you’ll understand it well enough.”

“Does Tom know?” she asked.

“It was his suggestion.”

“Unless you’re going to tell me what you’re talking about, just be quiet and eat. Brady’s almost asleep.”

Brady opened his eyes wide. “No I’m not, Mommy,” he protested.

She leaned over and kissed his forehead. “Yes, you are, sweetie, and you’ll need to go to bed as soon as you finish eating dinner.”

Brady sank back into his chair. “Okay, Mommy.”

Jack asked, “If I promise to go to bed, will you give me a kiss too?”

She froze and then glared at him. “You’ve had enough kisses today.”

He smiled a broad smile and his eyes twinkled. “I think everyone needs kisses. I’ll be glad to supply you, Brady and Jenny with kisses.”

“I can take care of Brady and Jenny. They don’t need your kisses.”

“But what about you? Don’t you need my kisses?”

“I most certainly do not,” Elizabeth protested.

“Oh, I think you’re wrong,” Jack said as he leaned in and kissed her again.

Chapter Ten

ELIZABETH helped Brady spread red and white icing on a candy cane cookie a few afternoons later when Jack came in from the ranch.

“You’re back early,” she said without looking up.

“It’s turned awfully cold. I need to warm up.” She had her suspicions and looked at him skeptically. Whichever, she cautioned herself to keep her distance.

The second cookie sheet was ready to come out of the oven when Jack joined them.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“That should be obvious, Jack,” Elizabeth said.

Brady immediately piped up. “We’re making Christmas cookies for Santa.”

“You are? Do I get one?”

Brady giggled. “You’re not Santa!”

“No, but I’ve been friends with him a long time.”

“You have?” the little boy asked in amazement.

“Yeah, he and I are old friends.”

“Jack, you’re misleading Brady.”

“Elizabeth, Brady should know that Santa needs help occasionally. He might need help getting Brady’s toys to him.”

“Do you want a cookie?” Elizabeth asked.

“Sure. Warm cookies on a cold afternoon are the best.”

She took the cookies off the cookie sheet. “These will have to cool. You may choose one cookie each and then you may choose another one after we’ve decorated them.”

“Hey, that’s better than I thought,” Jack said.

With Elizabeth’s willing volunteers, she began mixing up more colors for the other cookies. She hadn’t expected to share this moment with Jack, but she supposed he deserved it. He’d been good while Tom and Carol had been gone. Most of the time anyway.

The monitor blared just then with Jenny’s cries. Elizabeth started to go get her, but Jack stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“Let me go get her,” Jack offered.

“But she’ll need her diaper changed.”

“I can do that.”

When Jack came downstairs a few minutes later with a happy Jenny in his arms, Elizabeth decided he’d done a good job.

“Thank you, Jack,” she said. “Brady and I got two cookie sheets ready and in the oven in the meantime.”

Jack grinned. “And Jenny didn’t even complain.”

“Her bottle will be ready in just a minute, if you can hold her,” Elizabeth said.

“Of course I can. Jenny and I are friends. Would you like me to feed her?”

Elizabeth stopped short. “Why should you feed my baby?”

“Because I’m going to be her—Her friend.”

Jack sure was acting strange today, Elizabeth thought. “Aren’t you going back out?”

“No, I think I’ll stay in the rest of the day. The cold is bitter and the kitchen is warm. You and Brady can decorate cookies and I’ll feed Jenny.”

Elizabeth hesitated, but she wanted the experience to be good for Brady, so she agreed.

By the end of the afternoon Brady had made a plateful of unusually decorated cookies. But he thought they were terrific and that was good enough for her. He even took one of them to feed to Jack.

Jack seemed to enjoy the family scene too, which surprised Elizabeth. In fact, she had such a good time she didn’t realize it was past time to make dinner. She hurriedly cleaned up.

“Elizabeth, why don’t we go to a restaurant?” Jack offered. “You’ve been working all day.”

“Jack, that’s ridiculous. It’s my job.”

“I’d like some good Mexican food to warm me up. How about you, Brady? Would you like some Mexican food?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s food that they serve at José’s Bar & Grill in town. It’s really good. Want to go?”

“Jack, you go. It’s too hard for Brady, Jenny and me.”

“No, I refuse to go without you. Just grab your coats and I’ll take care of everything.”

Fifteen minutes later they entered the restaurant, warm and redolent with Mexican spices. Jack settled Jenny’s car seat on an upturned chair and helped Elizabeth off with her coat. “We never did get you a new coat.”

“I’m sure it’s not worth an hour-long drive to Oklahoma City.”

“Well, we do have one store that has coats, but it’s kind of a Western store. I don’t know if you’ll find what you want.”

“We’ll see.”

“Hey, Jack,” a voice called from across the restaurant.

“Hey, Bill,” Jack answered. “Come on over and I’ll introduce you. Elizabeth, this is Bill ‘José’ Metcalf. He’s the owner of this place.”

“Hello, Mr. Metcalf. Do I call you Bill or José?”

“Anything you want, darlin’.”

Jack’s arm came around Elizabeth. “Hands off, pal. This is Reggie’s widow.”

Elizabeth was startled by Jack’s behavior. “Jack, you shouldn’t—I mean, I’m very glad to meet you, Bill.”

Elizabeth met several more people through Jack, and it was a a fun evening away from her responsibilities. Brady loved the Mexican food, especially the chips and queso. In fact he ate so much he fell asleep before it was time to leave.

“It’s a good thing I’m with you,” Jack said. “Otherwise you’d be hard put to get both kids home.”

“I can carry them.”

“Not together you can’t. I’ll take Brady, you take Jenny.”

“But we have to pay.”

“I’ll take care of it. Just a second.”

“No, you can’t pay for us,” Elizabeth protested.

“Honey, it’s too late.”

Before she could ask what he meant, Jack got up. She’d hoped to come again, but not if he was going to insist on paying. Then again, he’d be leaving soon.

Once they were in the truck driving home, both children asleep, Jack asked, “What did you think of José’s?”

“I liked it.”

“Good, we can go eat there again.”

“We?”

“Yeah. Why not?” Jack asked.

“Because I think you’ll be gone.”

“Did you know José’s does Christmas dinner for a lot of people?”

“You think I’m going to eat Christmas dinner at José’s?”

“No, I thought you might volunteer.”

“Volunteer for what?”

“He feeds a lot of people who otherwise couldn’t afford it or who don’t have a place to go for Christmas. A lot of us have gotten together to help him. It’s a nice thing for Christmas.”

Elizabeth didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I’d be willing to help out if you’re sure they’ll welcome me to the group. It will be a nice way to say thank you for all the blessings I’ve received.”

“Good. I’ll let them know. You realize it’s hard work, don’t you?”

“Yes, but I can do hard work.”

“It will be a good way to get to know everyone.”

“Yes, I’m sure you’re right.”

They rode in silence for several minutes. Then Jack asked a question he’d wanted to know the answer to. “Did Reggie come to see you after you found out you were pregnant?”

“With Jenny? No. When I told him I was pregnant, he was furious. He accused me of taking a lover.”

“That must have been difficult.”

“Yes.” She didn’t add anything else. The emotions she’d felt at his response to her pregnancy had destroyed any hope of a marriage between them. Still, she’d held on to hope until Jenny was born. By then, it had been too late.

“Did you ever discuss Jenny’s birth with him after that?”

“No, he didn’t want to listen.”

“I’m glad Jenny doesn’t have to know that.”

“I certainly don’t intend to tell her.”

“Me, neither.”

When he turned the truck into the driveway, Elizabeth glanced ahead at the house. It was brightly lit. But how? She was sure they’d carefully locked up before they’d left. “Jack, did we leave that many lights on when we left?”

He focused on the house. “No, we didn’t.”

“Who could it be? Tom and Carol aren’t due back for another five days!”

“I guess we’ll find out.” He turned to her. “Stay here with the doors locked while I check out the house.”

She didn’t argue, but she stared after him, praying for his safety.

“Mommy?”

“Oh, Brady. I didn’t know you were awake.”

“Why aren’t we getting out?”

“Jack is checking out the house. Some lights were turned on that we thought we’d turned off.”

“Do you think someone is stealing our presents?” Brady asked, his eyes big.

“I don’t know, sweetie.”

Just then Jack came out on the porch and reached for Elizabeth’s door. “We have a surprise. Come on in.”

When he realized Brady was awake, he reached out for the boy. “Come on, little guy. I think you’ll like this surprise.”

That unleashed Brady’s many questions. Elizabeth smiled as she gathered up Jenny and climbed out of the truck.

When she opened the door to the house, she knew at once who had lit up the house. They’d left their suitcases in plain sight. “Brady, you’re going to like this surprise.”

“How do you know, Mommy?”

“I just think you’ll like it,” she said with a smile.

Then the bedroom door opened and Tom stepped out.

“Grandpa! You came back!” Brady exclaimed and launched himself to Tom’s open arms.

“Of course I did, boy. Didn’t you expect me?”

“I don’t know. You were gone a long time.”

“That’s what I told Carol.”

“Didn’t she mind?” Elizabeth asked.

“No, she was ready to come back. She said she was ready to begin her new life as lady of the manor!”

“Tom Ransom, you make it sound like I’ll be a lady of leisure!” Carol protested as she came out of the bedroom.

“Hello, Carol, and welcome home. We’ve missed you.” Elizabeth smiled and held her arms for a hug. “How was Paris?”

“It had lots of museums and places to visit. And the food was good, but we got hungry for our kind of food. It was time to come home.”

“We’re glad you came back,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll pull together a meal.”