Daddy's Christmas Miracle: Santa in a Stetson

Two weeks? A stab of pain went through her. Colt had to have been besotted.

“Perhaps now you can understand why early on I maintained the story that she’d grown up in Salt Lake. I couldn’t bring myself to tell the children their father’s immaturity and poor lack of judgment had doomed them to a motherless existence. When you phoned me, I was horrified to think Allie had gone there on a wild-goose chase.”

“It’s only natural you wanted to protect them.”

“Don’t try to make it better, Kathryn, because you can’t. I take full responsibility for being too drunk on the rodeo life to pay attention to what was really important until it was too late. The thing that alarms me now is that even though the twins know most of the truth, Allie’s still wondering if Natalie might have been the object of foul play. In her mind, that would explain why she never came home that day.”

“That’s because she’s heard my story,” Kathryn lamented. On top of having been married to an irresponsible child, Colt was in real trouble because he had a daughter who was a big dreamer like Kathryn. Until presented with incontrovertible truth about her mother’s character, Allie would cling to the possibility that something terrible had happened to her.

“You’re right,” Colt muttered. “My daughter would rather believe her mother’s alive somewhere, unable to return home to her children rather than accept the alternative. In truth, Natalie tried several times to go in for an abortion, but I caught her in time.”

Kathryn froze. “Do the children know about that?”

“No. I hope they never have to know. The fact is, I told Natalie I’d do anything for her if she would carry the babies to term. We made a bargain. I gave her all the savings I had and told her she could leave me after they were born, no questions asked.” Colt stopped pacing. “She left with the money all right and made sure she stayed lost.”

The revelations kept coming. “Was it a big sum?”

“No, but you don’t have to worry about Natalie. She was resourceful. It took a while before I realized she’d stolen the world championship gold buckle I’d won at the NFR in Las Vegas. It was worth at least fifteen thousand dollars at the time. If she found the right buyer, she could have sold it for a great deal more money.”

Kathryn got up from the table. “I’ll pour us some more hot coffee.” She needed a minute alone to absorb what he’d just told her. When she returned to the dining room, she put his cup and saucer in front of him. “I didn’t give you cream or sugar, but maybe I should have asked the first time.”

“As you figured out last week, I like it black.”

“Having been raised on a farm, I learned to drink it with a lot of both. It’s a habit I can’t seem to break.”

“We all need one or two of life’s little pleasures to keep us going.”

“I’m a chocolaholic, too,” she confessed.

One corner of his compelling mouth lifted. “Aren’t we all?” After he took a big swallow of the steaming liquid, he set the cup down. “How did your sister trace you to Wisconsin?”

His question told her exactly why he’d flown to Salt Lake. It didn’t come as a shock, but she suffered the pang of disappointment to realize that where she was concerned, there was nothing personal about this visit.

She cleared her throat. “Maggie had the help of an undercover CIA agent named Jake Halsey who eventually became her husband. She’d gone to a genealogical firm hoping someone could research the name Buric. It was the only lead my family had to go on. Jake started working on it and cracked the case.”

“Is he still with the CIA?”

“He has all the connections, but now that they’re married and have a little boy, he works as a genealogist and gives the bureau help on certain difficult cases.”

Her guest studied her for a moment. “I’d like to hire your brother-in-law to find Natalie. I’ll pay any fee he charges.”

“If he can do it, you couldn’t find a better man for the job.” She checked her watch. “I’m pretty sure he’s already left for the game. Tell you what. If you’re going to fly back today, I’ll talk to him this evening and ask him to call you. Would that be all right?”

“I couldn’t ask for more.”

Gone in an instant was the hope that he’d be staying overnight in Salt Lake. Her spirits sank to another level.

He finished his coffee. “I know your coworkers are waiting downstairs for you, so I’ll leave and let you get back to your vigil. For what it’s worth, I’m torn up over the little girl’s kidnapping. At least if it’s her body they found, the parents will be able to have a proper burial for her and try to cope with their loss.”

She saw a glint of pain in his eyes before he added, “Unlike your family, who must have suffered hundreds of little deaths each time a body was found that might have been yours and then wasn’t. Because of my own joy hearing from you that Allie was all right, I have some appreciation for your parents’ joy when you were found.”

Colt understood a lot.

“That was one incredible day.” Kathryn put on a bright smile, pretending that his plan to fly back to Montana hadn’t affected her. “Let me call for the limo to take you to the airport, then I’ll go down in the elevator with you.”

Chapter Six

Colt stomped the snow off his boots and entered the ranch house with Allie’s backpack. He’d picked it up at the depot on his way home from the airport. Once he’d hung it on a peg, he removed his jacket and hat, before starting down the back hall. “Hello! I’m home!” he called out. “Doesn’t anyone care?”

Noreen came in the great room. “I do, but I’m afraid Matt’s still with Rich. The Carlisles are bringing Allie home from ice skating.”

“It’s looks like I got away with flying to Salt Lake undetected.” He had no secrets from Noreen and Ed. After all these years, they were part of the family.

She flashed him a conspiratorial smile. “So far so good. I think they’ve been just as busy making plans for your birthday on Monday. Were you able to meet with Katy?”

Yes, he’d spent time with Kathryn McFarland, and it had gone by in such a flash he might have dreamed it. The last thing he’d wanted to do was leave her condo. If she hadn’t been so consumed by her pain over the missing child, he would have planned to stay in Salt Lake overnight and ask her to dinner in order to be with her longer.

But it was just as well things had turned out the way they did. To spend more time with her would be a painful lesson in futility. They lived in different states, led different lives. She belonged to an extraordinary family and would never leave them or abandon her mission.

How to explain that to Matt and Allie who had a crush on her and could be hurt if he didn’t squelch their burgeoning feelings for a woman who was already bigger than life to them?

That was why he’d flown to Salt Lake without telling them. If Jake Halsey could help him find Natalie, then progress would have been made without bringing Kathryn into the picture any more than was absolutely necessary.

“I not only met her, she fixed me an amazing lunch on no notice at all. Her penthouse overlooks the Great Salt Lake Valley in every direction. It’s pretty spectacular.”

“The McFarlands live spectacular lives.”

Too spectacular. “Amen to that. I found out her brother-in-law traced her to Wisconsin and broke the case. He’s former CIA. Hopefully he’ll be able to track Natalie down. Kathryn’s going to call me tonight and let me know one way or the other. If he can’t do it, then I’ve got to find someone who can.”

“That’s got me worried, Colt. There’s an old saying about being careful for what you wish for. You might get it.”

Lines marred his features. “You try telling that to Allie.”

“Oh, no. That’s your department.”

Meeting their mother face-to-face, if they could locate her, might be so traumatic for Allie and Matt that they’d never recover. But he’d made a promise to them and had to follow through. He heard the sound of footsteps coming down the back hall. “Dad?”

“I’m in here, Matt!”

He came rushing in. “Have you started watching the Utah game yet?”

“Not without you.”

Noreen flashed him another smile. “Do you want your spaghetti in here?”

“We’ll take care of it. You and Ed do what you want.”

“I think we’ll run into town and see that Twilight film Allie keeps talking about.”

“You’ll like it,” Matt assured her.

Within a few minutes they’d planted themselves in front of the TV and started to watch the recorded game while they ate. By the end of the third quarter it looked like Utah would win if their defense stayed focused. Matt got totally into it, but Colt couldn’t concentrate and went back to the kitchen with the empty plates to pour himself a cup of coffee.

While Matt whooped it up because Utah had just scored another touchdown, Colt’s cell phone rang. He’d been waiting for the call, needing to hear Kathryn’s voice.

It turned out to be her area code, but a different number.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Brenner? This is Jake Halsey.”

“I appreciate your phoning me, Mr. Halsey.”

“The name’s Jake. Kathryn told me about the frightening incident with your daughter. I’m glad she’s back home safe with you.”

“Your sister-in-law had everything to do with a quick resolution and reunion. I’m indebted to her.”

“I’m married to a McFarland. They’re the most remarkable people I’ve ever known. To be honest, I’m still in awe of my wife, Maggie.”

Jake had just described Colt’s sentiments about Kathryn. Colt liked him for his frank speaking and gripped the phone tighter. “I’m assuming Kathryn explained I’d like to hire you to track down the children’s mother, but only if you have the time and inclination.”

“I’d do anything for Kathryn.”

Jake Halsey appeared to be a remarkable man, too. “Thank you for your willingness to help. The last thing Natalie would want is to be found, but Allie’s need to know more about her is so great, she went to Salt Lake without telling me. It’s anyone’s guess what happens if or when Natalie is located, but my daughter’s in crisis.”

“I agree,” Jake murmured. “Tell you what. Since you’re anxious to get going on this, Kathryn and I will make arrangements to take Monday off. Maggie will fly us to Bozeman and we’ll brainstorm with you, but only if it’s convenient.”

As Colt’s eyes closed tightly, he could hear Allie coming down the hall. His pulse shouldn’t be racing at the thought of Kathryn coming with Jake. “It’s an ideal time. Your wife’s a pilot?”

“She’s a brilliant attorney, too, and has access to resources we’ll need.” The sisters were superwomen. “Between the four of us, we’ll come up with a game plan.”

“Only after we settle on a fee first.”

“I wouldn’t take your money. Maggie and I want to help.”

“What about your son?”

“My stepmother will tend him while we’re gone.”

When you dealt with the McFarland family, every impediment was removed. “You have no idea how grateful I am. What time do you think you’ll fly in? I’ll meet your plane.”

“Eight-thirty? It’ll give us the better part of the day to strategize before we have to head back.”

“Perfect.” The kids would already have left for school.

“We’ll see you on Monday then. If it looks like bad weather will delay our flight, Kathryn will keep you informed. I’m going to ask her to stay on in Bozeman for a few days to do some legwork for me. She has uncanny instincts. Any clue she picks up could be crucial to the case.”

He ground his teeth unconsciously. The twins would be ecstatic. As for himself … “I look forward to meeting you, Jake.”

“The feeling’s mutual, Mr. Brenner.”

“Call me Colt. See you Monday morning.”

He hung up. Judging by all the noisy excitement coming from his kids in the other room, the Utes had won the game. But it couldn’t compare to the conflicted emotions building inside Colt. To see her another time was only asking for trouble, the kind he couldn’t afford.

Hell. He already felt like he did the time he’d picked the wrong bull at the Calgary Stampede. The legendary Genghis Kahn had taken him for the ride of his life. The rush had been beyond exhilarating until he found himself hurtling through space. When he woke up in the hospital, he realized a worse concussion would have cost him his life. It had taught him an important lesson.

Some rides you knew in advance to stay away from—like a ride with Kathryn McFarland—because you knew it couldn’t last. Another world champion gold buckle was more attainable.

IT WASN’T UNTIL Sunday morning after Kathryn had gotten off the phone with Jake that she remembered Monday was Colt’s birthday. She knew his children had to be planning something special for him. Kathryn didn’t want to arrive at the ranch empty-handed, yet the wrong gift from her could send out the wrong signal to the elusive rancher.

Since the birth of the twins, he’d been guarding his space jealously against foolish, starry-eyed females. There had to have been an endless line of them over the years, but none had managed to break through the walls of defense he’d set up around his heart.

Maybe she could find something on the internet to do with the rodeo that would suggest a gift idea he wouldn’t reject the moment she was out of sight. Ever since he’d told her about the children’s mother stealing his gold buckle, she hadn’t been able to get it off her mind.

After a half hour of searching, she found a sports memorabilia shop at one of the hotels in Las Vegas. They were auctioning off an officially authenticated, framed poster celebrating thirty-five years of world champion bull riding from the executive’s private collection.

Represented were the sketches of four champions in their cowboy hats with their signatures to the side. To her delight she saw a younger Colt’s likeness among the grouping, complete with his bold handwriting. It sent her heartbeat skittering off the charts. Beneath the four sketches was an enlarged picture of the gold buckle prize.

This twenty-four-by-thirty-two-inch poster was an absolute treasure.

Rather than go through the online bidding, she made several phone calls until she reached customer service and asked to speak to the manager. After offering him a price he couldn’t refuse, he told her the framed poster was hers. She made the transaction with her credit card and told him she’d be in later to claim it.

After she’d clicked off, she called the airport and chartered a plane to Las Vegas. A few hours later, she flew in and picked up her precious purchase. The artist hadn’t only caught Colt’s chiseled profile, he’d captured his commanding presence and aura of focused energy requisite of a true champion.

While there, she made more enquiries about what other memorabilia she might find on Colt. The manager directed her to a poster shop along the Strip where she found four priceless posters of Colt, all the same picture.

Except for his chaps, he wore black from his Stetson to his boots. He’d been caught in motion on a bull during a championship ride. Poetry in motion, in her opinion. It was a spectacular photo.

Kathryn bought all four. One for each twin, one for Noreen and Ed, and one for herself. She would hang it on the library wall next to the bookcase that housed her Louis L’Amour collection.

Almost sick to her stomach with excitement, she flew back to Salt Lake with her secret stash, then drove over to her parents’ home to have dinner. While they ate she told them her plans for the next few days. They ended up talking about Whitney’s family, who were still waiting to hear something definitive from the police.

Kathryn left their house for the condo feeling guilty that so much pain for the little girl’s parents didn’t squelch the longing inside her to see Colt again.

After she entered the kitchen, she called Maggie to make final arrangements. Her sister indicated it would be clear weather for flying. They’d be by for her in their car at quarter to six in the morning. “There’s no point in telling you to get a good sleep tonight because I know you won’t,” Maggie teased.

Since Kathryn knew she wouldn’t, either, she didn’t bother to argue with her sister. Once they said good-night, she pulled a poster from the tube and unfurled it against the fridge door. She used the French bread magnets one of her nieces had given her last Christmas to keep the corners in place.

Just looking at him sent a thrill through her body.

With her eyes glued on him, she phoned Donna so they could set up the schedule of volunteers at the foundation while Kathryn was away. Once that was accomplished, she called her psychiatrist and cancelled Monday’s appointment. She would have to phone later to set another date.

While she was at it, she arranged for a rental car to be waiting for them at the Bozeman airport so Colt wouldn’t see the presents she was bringing. Finally, she punched in his cell phone number, but this time she had to rein in her emotions to keep them from jumping all over the place.

Don’t let him know what the mere thought of him does to you, Kathryn.

Swallowing her disappointment because he didn’t pick up, she left a message on his voice mail. “Hi, Colt. I hope all is well with you. I just checked with Maggie. She said it will be good flying weather. One more thing. Jake asked me to let you know he’s already arranged a rental car for us, so we should be at the ranch between eighty-thirty and—”

“Kathryn? Don’t hang up!” Colt’s deep, live voice arced through her, quickening her body.

“You sound out of breath.” Would that he was in that condition because of her, but she knew it wasn’t the case.

“I was riding in on Lightning when my phone rang, but when I pulled it out of my pocket, it slipped from my hands and fell down a snowy embankment. I had to hunt for it.”

The image his words conjured made her smile. He’d made fast work to recover it before she’d clicked off. Colt wasn’t a champion bull rider for nothing. “I’m glad it wasn’t lost. You might have had to wait until next spring.”

He made a low sound in his throat. “My last phone drowned when Matt’s lemonade spilled into the cubbyhole of my dashboard.”

“Uh-oh.” It was her turn to chuckle. “Last summer I was leaning over a castle wall and mine fell into a moat. It’s lying somewhere on the bottom, rusting out with all the swords.”

A definite laugh rumbled out of him. “Neither of us seems to have had much luck.”

Kathryn was having too much fun. End it now. “In case yours should short out, I’ll make this fast. Maggie said it’s good flying weather so we’ll be there at eight-thirty, but just to let you know, Jake has arranged for a rental car. He likes to be independent.” Like you.

“I can relate.”

Yup. “We should be to the ranch by nine at the latest.”

“Kathryn?”

“Yes?” she answered too breathlessly and could have kicked herself.

“I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Since Maggie and Jake literally found me, I tell them that all the time. It’s a habit I can’t break.”

“I’m talking about you and what you did for Allie—what you and your family are prepared to do now to help find her mother.”

If ever a person was thankful, it was this man, but Kathryn feared she’d never wring anything but gratitude from him.

“This is what we like to do, so enough said. Good night. See you in the morning.”

“WHAT’S THIS?” Colt walked in the dining room and discovered Matt already seated at the table. That was a first on a school morning. There were only three places set. “Where are Noreen and Ed?”

“Since she’s fixing a special birthday dinner for you tonight, we gave them the morning off to sleep in. I set the table and Allie’s fixing your breakfast. We’re going to do presents tonight.”

On cue his daughter came through the door carrying two plates. “French toast and sausage coming up!” After she put his food in front of him, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Happy thirty-sixth, Dad.”

A frown marred his features. “Did you have to remind me?” Then Colt grabbed her and gave her a bear hug. She laughed before coming through a second time, bringing her own plate and a mug of coffee for him. They settled down to eat.

Matt’s brown eyes studied him. “You look nice, Dad.”

“Meaning I usually don’t?” he teased.

“Stop fishing for compliments,” Allie scolded him. “You’ve got on a new shirt.”

“It’s the one your aunt Sherry gave me last Christmas.”

“You look like a dude.”

“Thanks, Matt. If I’d known I’d get a reaction like this, I’d have worn it before now.”

“Black’s your best color,” his daughter informed him.

“Is that so?” He ate the last piece of toast.

“It makes your eyes look greener. They’re really green this morning, like you’re excited or something.”

Nothing got past Allie. He downed the rest of his coffee. “That’s because it’s my birthday.”

Matt scowled. “You’ve always said you wished we’d skip yours.”

“Did I say that?”

“Yes!” they both answered in unison, exchanging a private glance Colt couldn’t help but notice.

“Well, I take it all back. I’ve loved my surprise breakfast. It was delicious. Thank you both.”

“You’re welcome,” Allie muttered, still staring at him with a puzzled expression.

His son nodded. “There’ll be more surprises tonight.”

Colt averted his eyes. His children didn’t know the half of it. “Much as I hate to break this up, it’s time to get you two down to the bus.”

“I have to do the dishes first,” Matt announced. He jumped up and started clearing the table.

“You stay put, Dad,” Allie cautioned before helping her brother.

Together they made short work of it. In a few minutes they joined him in the truck. Colt headed down to the ranch entrance, relieved Kathryn wouldn’t be arriving in a snowstorm.

After he pulled to a stop, he got out to give them both an extra hug. “Thanks for breakfast. Love you guys.”

“Love you, too. Don’t forget. We’re coming straight home after school.”

Allie nodded. “And don’t go out on the range today because we’re having your birthday dinner early!”

There was no fear of that. For once something else would be consuming Colt’s time right here at home. “I can’t wait.”

He watched them get on the bus. Since he’d promised the twins he’d look into finding someone who could try to locate Natalie, he was confident his daughter wouldn’t be pulling another disappearance act.

After waving to the bus driver, he checked his watch. Seven-forty-five. Kathryn would be in the air by now. Colt started back. By the time he and Ed had nailed down today’s work schedule for the hands, his guests would be arriving. Until then, the idea was to stay busy.

That wasn’t a problem in the physical sense. At any given moment, there were tasks needing to be done on the ranch. It was his thoughts that made him restless, the same restlessness he used to get before trying out a new bull shipped up from Mexico.

No matter how prepared he was, some of its moves weren’t what he’d anticipated. Kathryn had already knocked the wind out of him several times. The trick was to go the full eight seconds and avoid it administering him the coup de grâce.

“WHAT BEAUTIFUL country!” Maggie exclaimed from the front seat of the rental car. Jake had just turned onto the curving road leading up to the ranch. “Look at these walls of pines. They’re breathtaking!”

Maggie echoed Kathryn’s thoughts, but the feeling of homecoming was so intense she gripped the armrest tighter, unable to say a word.

Jake looked over his shoulder at her. “Are you all right, Kathryn? You’re so quiet.”

“I’m just remembering the first time I came here. The clouds hung heavy and hid the trees farther up the mountain. With the sun out this morning, you can see everything.”