The Maverick's Holiday Surprise

As she opened the door to the ranch house, Bella heard commotion in the kitchen. Taking off her coat, she hung it in the closet and headed for the voices and the squeals.

She smiled when she saw the scene in front of her. Fallon O’Reilly was helping Jamie with the triplets by trying to feed Katie while he fed Henry and Jared. Bella felt warmth spread around her heart at the generosity of Fallon and others who were giving of their time so easily. However, the way Fallon looked at Jamie, Bella suspected there was more there than a friend helping a friend.

Fallon was a year older than Bella and came from the kind of family that Jamie and she wished they’d had. She was a product of parents who had been married for decades and who loved their kids dearly. In turn, Fallon was great with kids. She should be; she worked at Country Kids Day Care.

When Fallon spotted her, she smiled. “As you can see, applesauce is on the menu. Katie is wearing it exceptionally well, don’t you think?”

The baby had obviously waved her hands around with applesauce-covered fingers. There was even some on the little pink ribbon in her fine hair. She smiled when she thought how Jamie always dressed her in pink and tried to keep the ribbon in her hair so everybody would know she was a girl. He was such a good dad.

On the other side of the table, Henry and Jared had smeared it all over their mouths, on the high chair trays and even on Jared’s nose.

“This looks like fun,” Bella said with a laugh. “Can I join in?”

Jamie motioned to a chair on the other side of Henry. “Pull it up and have a go at this.”

As Bella settled in, she said to Fallon, “How’s everything at Country Kids?”

She brushed back her curly red hair. “Busy as usual. I had a four-year-old today who hit another child, so I had to call his parents to come pick him up. He was having a tantrum.”

“How did the parents react?”

“Not well. But I explained that he couldn’t disrupt the whole class just because he couldn’t get his way. The mom admitted she and her husband are having some problems at home and that’s why he’s acting out. Her husband lost his job in Kalispell, and he’s taken two part-time positions to try to make up for it. But they’re having financial difficulties and arguing. All of that affects kids.”

Bella exchanged a look with Jamie. Everything regarding home life affected kids. That’s why she and Jamie were trying to give the triplets all the love and attention they could muster. With others joining in, the triplets should have a good start on life, even though they’d been born prematurely and had had to catch up. Even though they’d lost their mom.

“Fallon, I don’t know if we say it often enough, but we’re so grateful for your help,” Bella said.

“I love helping.” She turned her blue eyes on Jamie and then the triplets. “When these little ones follow me with their eyes, as they grab hold of my finger, or they eat their food instead of wear it, I feel like I’ve accomplished something important.”

“I know what you mean,” Bella agreed. “That’s why I love working at the day care center, too. Babies are so easy to love.” She thought about her background and Jamie’s and added, “Unlike teenagers, who are angry and ungrateful sometimes.”

“Our grandparents did their best,” Jamie murmured.

Bella supposed that was true. People could do only what they knew how to do. But it seemed love should be easier to give than to withhold, and she’d always felt their grandparents had withheld their affection. She always surmised that they’d taken in her and Jamie out of guilt. Years before, they’d disowned their only daughter, Bella’s mother Lauren, when she’d gotten pregnant out of wedlock, and Bella suspected they regretted that decision. When Bella had gotten pregnant, it had brought back for her grandparents all those unwanted memories and stress—stress that no doubt contributed to her grandma’s death. At the end of the day, she had blamed herself for all of it. She’d ended up believing that she was a burden who should have never landed on her grandparents’ doorstep.

Jamie’s thoughts must have been following the same course because he said with regret, “I wish things were different with Gramps, but that’s too much water under the bridge, isn’t it?”

“I wish things were different around the holidays especially,” Bella agreed.

Gramps still lived in the same house in town, and they never heard from him or saw him. She wished he could be part of their lives, but he’d disowned her after she’d gotten pregnant, even though she’d had a miscarriage. That hadn’t made any difference to him. He’d been cold and mostly unspeaking until she moved out when she was eighteen. There was so much resentment there—resentment for his wife dying, resentment for the financial burden they’d caused, resentment that Bella had acted out when she was looking for love. No, there was no going back there. She just had to look forward.

“Family is complicated,” Fallon agreed.

“Yours doesn’t seem to be,” Bella offered. “You’re close to your brothers and sisters, and your parents would do anything for all of you.”

“That’s true, and my parents are great role models for the marriage I’d like to have someday.” Again her gaze fell on Jamie, but he was oblivious.

Bella knew her brother had always thought of Fallon as a kid sister. Would that change now that she was helping him with the triplets? Could that change when he was still grieving over Paula? Thank goodness for the babies and the others who were helping. Although Jamie didn’t want to be beholden to anyone, the baby chain’s presence in his life kept him from brooding, from being too solitary.

And then there were the babies. As she watched her brother wipe applesauce from Henry’s little mouth, she knew the triplets had saved Jamie from grief that could have swallowed him up.

“As soon as we’re done feeding them, we’ll start supper,” she said to Fallon. “Would you like to stay? I just plan to make tacos.”

“I can chop tomatoes, lettuce and whatever else you want to put on them,” she offered after she accepted the invitation. “That is if we get these rapscallions settled so we can have supper.”

“We can take turns watching them and cooking, even if we have to eat in shifts. We’ll manage it,” Jamie insisted.

Her brother’s gaze met hers. Yes, they were managing. But life was about more than managing, wasn’t it?

She thought again about Hudson. All too easily she could picture his face and his mesmerizing blue eyes.

* * *

Bella stopped in the break room the following morning for a bottle of water to take to her desk. She was surprised to see Hudson there, opening a carton he’d set on a side table. Every time she looked at him, a little tremor started inside her and she wished she could will it away. It wasn’t like she ogled calendars with pictures of buff firemen or handsomely suited GQ models for a little female thrill. But whenever she looked at Hudson, she felt a quiver of excitement.

She wasn’t sure if it was caused by his long, jeans-clad legs—those jeans fit him oh so well—or the Western-cut shirt with its open collar where a few chest hairs peeked out. He was long-waisted and lean, and she could imagine exactly how he’d look seated on a horse. His brown leather boots made him seem even taller. Even without his tan Stetson, there was a rugged-Montana-guy feel to him that had to do with the lines of his face, the jut of his jaw, his dark brows. His thick hair waved a bit as it crossed his brow, and she found her fingers itched to ruffle it.

Crazy.

He smiled at her now as he flipped open the carton and took out...a blue teddy bear. Then he dipped his hand inside again and produced a green one and then a brown one.

She couldn’t help but smile, too. “What are those?”

“Christmas presents for the young’uns. The day before Christmas they can each take one home.”

“Did you do this?”

“Do you mean did I pick them out and order them? Yes, I did. It seemed like a great idea. There are three more boxes of them out in my truck. I’ll stow them in the storeroom until Christmas Eve.”

She approached him, telling herself she just had to pass by him to get to the refrigerator. When she did walk past him, she caught scent of his aftershave, something woodsy that made her think of pine forests.

She took a closer look at the bears. “They look child safe with their embroidered eyes and noses.”

“That’s what the online description said,” he assured her. “I know how careful the teachers and parents are about those things. I learned that the first week I was here.”

“You had a crash course in child rearing from the teachers.”

“I did, along with the most tactful way to speak with parents. But it’s darn tiring being politically correct all the time. It’s much easier just to say what you think.”

“You usually say what you think?”

“I try to. Less misunderstanding that way. I’ve had a few sharp lessons in life, teaching me to get to the bottom of people’s motives really quick. Straight speaking does that.”

She nodded, opened the small refrigerator and pulled a bottle of water from the shelf.

Now he moved a few steps closer to her. She wrapped her hand around the cold bottle of water, suddenly feeling hot. He unsettled her so, and she didn’t know what to do about it.

“You were busy all morning, and I didn’t want to interrupt you. I spoke with Jazzy Smith, and she’d like to see your photos.”

Bella had considered the project but had doubts about becoming involved in it. “I don’t know, Hudson. I don’t even have a professional camera, and I don’t know when I’d have the time.”

Hudson gave her a long studying look. She had a feeling he was debating whether to say something. But then he said it. “You’re around babies and kids all day at the center, and you’re around your brother and the triplets the rest of the time. Don’t you think you deserve something of your own?”

She didn’t know why his comments felt like criticism of her life. She’d had a whole ton of criticism from her grandmother and her grandfather. She didn’t need any more from outside sources, making her second-guess what she was doing. Even her friends had been judgmental when she’d quit college to help Jamie. So before she thought better of it, she decided to say what she thought.

“You’ve no right to tell me how to live my life.”

He didn’t look shocked or even surprised, but rather he just gave her that same steady stare. “No, I don’t have any right to tell you how to live your life. But maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t hurt for you to talk about it with someone.” After closing the flap, he hefted the box of teddy bears into his arms and left the break room, heading for the storage closet.

See? she thought, mentally chastising herself. Say what you think and it causes tension. Yet on the other hand, her retort wasn’t quite fair, not when he’d just seemed to be looking out for her. She sighed and went after him.

He was shuffling things around in the closet, apparently making room for the teddy bears.

Teddy bears. How many men would have thought of that? Let alone gone ahead and taken care of it.

He didn’t look her way as she entered the closet, so she went right over to him and stood in his path.

“Hudson, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have responded like that. I guess you just hit a sore spot. That was my rebellious teenage side making an appearance.”

He didn’t seem angry. In fact, the look in his eyes made her breath hitch a little when he remarked, “I can’t see you as a rebellious teenager.” His lips twitched up a little in amusement.

If only she hadn’t been, her life might be so much different now.

“You have no idea,” she told him. As soon as she said that, she was afraid he’d ask questions. To forestall those, she said simply, “I’d like to meet Jazzy Smith. Did she have a particular time in mind?”

“Matter of fact, she said this evening would be good. If you’re free.”

Bella thought about it. “I’ll have to call Jamie and make sure he has help for dinner.”

“No problem. Just let me know. I can pick you up at your brother’s. No reason for us to take two vehicles.”

She considered riding in Hudson’s truck, maybe finding a common interest that didn’t include diapers and rattles.

“I’ll call him now,” she assured him and took her phone from her pocket, heading back to her desk. She could think better and breathe easier when she wasn’t in Hudson’s presence.

* * *

When Hudson picked up Bella a few hours later, Jamie was upstairs giving Henry a bath while Fallon finished feeding Katie and Jared downstairs. She called upstairs to her brother that she was leaving.

Bella explained to Hudson, “Giving a baby a bath can be tricky. Henry has his full attention.”

“I’ll meet him another time,” Hudson assured her.

But Bella wasn’t all that sure she wanted Jamie and Hudson to meet. Jamie was too intuitive, and her brother would sense her attraction to the man and zero in on it. She didn’t want that happening. It was difficult enough to deal with her reaction to Hudson, let alone Jamie’s reaction, too.

Hudson easily made conversation with Fallon. “I suppose you’re getting ready for the holidays at Country Kids, too.”

“We are. Artwork turkeys everywhere.”

Hudson laughed.

“Fallon’s such a good help with the triplets because she knows exactly what to do most of the time,” Bella explained.

“Experience definitely helps when you cope with kids,” Fallon agreed.

“I’m surprised you stop in here after work,” Hudson noted. “Kids can be draining. I admire the way Bella works and then comes home and helps with the triplets.”

“It’s easy for me just to stop in on my way home,” Fallon said. “And, like Bella, I love kids.”

Katie banged her spoon on her high chair tray while Jared pushed round cereal pieces into his mouth.

“Are you sure you’re okay for me to leave?” Bella asked.

“I’m fine. After Jamie’s done with Henry, I’ll take Katie up and give her a bath.”

After goodbyes, Hudson walked Bella outside to his truck. He went around to the passenger side and opened the door for her. “Need a leg up?”

Oh, no, he wasn’t putting his hands around her waist and giving her a boost into the high truck. She could just imagine those long fingers and those big hands and the warmth she’d feel through her jacket...

Quickly she assured him, “I’m used to boosting myself up onto a horse. No problem with a truck.”

Fortunately she was telling the truth. Clutching her purse and the photo album she was going to show Jazzy and Brooks, she hopped onto the running board and slid inside. Hudson closed the door for her, and she wondered if he was this chivalrous with every woman. Rumor had it he wasn’t seeing anyone in town, but he could have a long-distance relationship with someone.

Once he was inside the truck and they were on their way, she felt she had to make conversation. Dusk had already fallen, and the inside of the cab seemed a little too intimate.

“Is the rescue ranch far?”

“Just about a mile from here.”

“You said you’re staying on a ranch.”

“The Lazy B.”

“That’s a big spread,” she said. “Any horses?”

“Oh, yes, some fine ones. Clive, the owner of the spread, has a good eye. He has two quarter horses, an Arabian, a Tennessee walker, a horse who pulls the buckboard and a Thoroughbred that was supposed to be racing but wasn’t real successful at it. She’s a beauty, though.”

“Do you have a favorite?”

“I do. The Arabian, I have to admit it. I’m used to quarter horses for cutting cattle and rodeo training. But that Arabian has eyes that can see into your soul. She seems to intuitively know what I want to do next, with a flick of the rein, with a slight pressure of a boot. Amazing, really.”

“What’s her name?”

“It’s Breeze. Clive found her at the rescue ranch. Someone had abandoned her. After Jazzy worked her magic and got her back into shape, the mare actually trusts humans again. Clive named her Breeze because she runs like the wind. She knows her name now. At least, I think she does. She comes when I call her.”

After a moment, he asked, “What’s your horse’s name?”

“How do you know I have a horse?”

“You said you liked to ride. So my guess is, Jamie has one just for you.”

“Her name’s Butterscotch. I ride her in the mornings when I can.”

“I can almost picture her. Flying blond mane?”

“You got it.”

Horses were an easy conversational gambit for them. Horse lovers were like any animal lovers. Talking about the beautiful creatures created a bond.

After a bit of silence, Bella decided to be a little bolder. “So what life did you leave when you dropped in here to take care of Just Us Kids?”

He glanced over at her, maybe to gauge how much she wanted to know. She could see his profile by the light of the dashboard glow. She imagined he could see her face only in shadow.

“I was helping a friend in Wyoming who’d bought a ranch. He needed help with the start-up.”

“I imagine traveling place to place, you meet a lot of people.”

“I do.”

“Do you make friends easily?” From what she’d seen, he did. But she wanted to know what he’d say.

“I find something to like in most people. That allows for friendship, especially if I go back to a place more than once. It’s really hard to keep up a friendship once you leave. I know the tech age is supposed to make it easier, but friendship still requires commitment.”

He was right about that.

“Have you ever been committed to a woman?” she asked. She supposed that was one of the better ways to phrase it.

“No. Never anything serious,” he answered with a shrug. “How about you?”

That was the problem with asking questions. The questionee thought he should return the favor. “Not lately,” she said nonchalantly.

“Did you leave someone behind at college?”

“No. I really had my mind on my studies, so I didn’t date.”

He seemed to mull that over, and she wondered if he’d ask more about her past.

To her relief, he flipped on his turn signal and they veered down a lane to the ranch. “Brooks could move his practice out here, but he prefers to keep it in town.”

Since darkness had fallen, Bella couldn’t see much except for the floodlights on top of the barn that glowed over their surroundings. There were at least three barns and a house that looked like a typical ranch house but was much newer. It appeared big for two people, but maybe Brooks and Jazzy were planning on having a large family. Bella felt that stab of pain again that was never going to go away. It was one regret that haunted her.

Apparently divining her thoughts, Hudson explained, “Brooks and Jazzy plan to fill this house with kids. But they also have a first-floor suite set up for Brooks’s dad when he’s ready to move in with them one day.”

“Then they must have a wonderful sense of family,” Bella said, thinking about her absent brothers and sisters and whether she and Jamie would ever see them again.

When Jazzy opened her door to them, Bella admired her natural beauty right away. She was slim in skinny jeans and a tunic sweater. But her smile was wide as she welcomed them. She didn’t hesitate to give Hudson a hug.

“It’s good to see you again.” She held out her hand to Bella. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you, too.”

Bella handed the photo album to Jazzy. “I thought you might want to look at these. I don’t have a professional portfolio, but I keep an album of the best ones.”

“I can’t wait to see them,” Jazzy said. “Come into the living room. I fixed a few snacks. Brooks is out in the barn. He’ll be in shortly.”

Bella quickly glanced at the cheese tray, the biscuits that looked warm from the oven, jam and butter for those, and a fruit platter, too.

“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

“It’s no trouble. Brooks and I often don’t eat till much later. I have something simmering in the slow cooker. I grab a snack with him when he gets home, and then we go out to the barns for a couple of hours. Rescue horses need a lot of kindness, soft talk and gentle touches. That takes time.”

“Do you have help?” Bella asked.

“Some part-time help. There are also a group of kids from the high school who mount up service hours for working here. They learn from the horses, and the horses learn from them.” She motioned to the food again. “Help yourself. I can’t wait to take a look at these.” She positioned the album on her lap and began turning pages. After a few pages, Jazzy glanced at Hudson. “You were right. She has a good eye—for scenery, for animals and for kids. That’s a winning combination.”

Just then Brooks emerged from the kitchen. “I came in the back way,” he said, “so I could wash up. Hey there, Hudson.”

Hudson introduced him to Bella.

“Look at these,” Jazzy said.

“Before I even look, I can hear it in your voice. You like them,” her husband guessed.

She just smiled at him and handed him the album. Bella lifted her camera, pressed a button and showed Jazzy photos she hadn’t yet had printed. They were the same ones Hudson had seen of the triplets and of Jamie’s ranch.

“Those are unedited,” Bella told her. “I play with them a bit when I have time—cropping, adding a little light, studying them with black-and-white effects.”

“I can see that with these,” Brooks said, motioning to the album. “I think we should hire you.”

Jazzy nodded and named a sum Bella could easily accept.

“I’d like a day with perfect weather,” Bella said, and they all laughed. “Well, near perfect,” she amended. “Do you mind if we do a last-minute shoot? I’ll keep checking the weather day to day and, when I can get free, I’ll text you to see if it suits you. Is that okay?”

“That’s fine.”

Now that business was taken care of, they snacked and talked, and Bella felt she really liked the couple. It was easy to see that they were deeply in love, as well as passionate about their work.

After she and Hudson left and they were in the truck, she said as much to him.

“You’d never believe they married for convenience’s sake, would you?” Hudson asked.

“You’re kidding.”

“No. It had to do with Brooks’s dad and him letting his son into the business. Then his father had health problems, and Brooks felt marriage was the only way to convince his dad to slow down.”

“But they have more than a marriage of convenience.”

“Oh, yes, they do. Jazzy and Brooks will be the first ones to tell you that they thought they were marrying for convenience, but they were really marrying for love.”

Bella and Hudson didn’t talk after that, and she wondered if they were both thinking about what he’d said. She couldn’t remember much about her own parents’ marriage, but she believed they’d been in love. She remembered them holding hands. She remembered them kissing when they thought their children weren’t looking. But she’d never know that kind of love. Men wanted children, and she couldn’t have them.

Back at the ranch, she’d thought she’d just hop out of Hudson’s truck and that would be it. But no, he was being chivalrous again. He came around to her side and opened the door for her. He even took her hand to help her out. That was the first they’d touched all evening. His fingers seemed to burn hers. And when she was on the ground, she looked up at him, confused by all of it. They walked side by side to the front door, then just stood there gazing at each other.

“It was nice,” he finally said, “sitting there with Jazzy and Brooks, talking like we’re friends.”

“Yes. Most of my friends are single women.”

“They really liked your photos. This could be just the first of many assignments. Word gets around, you know.”

“It would be fun to take photos to pay bills. I can also save some money for college.”

“No splurging?”

She could hardly think straight looking into Hudson’s eyes. “No splurging,” she said softly.