An Early Christmas Gift

Jenny’s life was nothing like she’d expected for herself when she’d come home, and now she was committed to at least two more months helping Annie.

But not today. Today was the Fourth of July. The Ryders would host a huge picnic for family, staff and friends, then those who wanted to see the fireworks would pile into trucks and drive into town when it was almost dark. Although the fireworks themselves would be set off at the lake, there was good viewing from downtown.

In the meantime, there was corn to be shucked and potatoes to be cubed and beef patties formed. After the guests arrived bearing even more food, the tables groaned with their weight. Kids played noisily. Someone picked up a guitar or a fiddle now and then and played a tune, either patriotic or Western. Her father, tall and fit like his four sons, presided over the event, a combination emcee and king. Her mother seemed relaxed and busy at the same time, having thrown parties like this for over forty years.

Jenny’s newest sister-in-law, Karyn, plopped down in a chair next to Jenny and fanned herself with her hand.

“So this is what picnics at Ryder Ranch are like,” she said.

“Enjoying yourself?”

“You bet! Here’s a hint, though. Never attempt a three-legged race with a husband who is seven inches taller. He was dragging me along.”

“It probably didn’t help that you were wearing those boots.”

Karyn held out a foot and examined her three-inch heels, or what she considered her work boots because the heels were so low—for her. “The height should’ve helped in the race, but it didn’t. I’m telling you, the movies don’t capture small-town America right. This has been amazing.”

Jenny had come to adore Karyn, who’d been a personal shopper to the stars before finding Vaughn. She’d changed her whole life for him.

“Where’s your sister?” Karyn asked.

“She got forced into working, apparently.” Physical therapist Haley lived in a small house in town, near the rehab hospital. “Maybe she’ll join us for the fireworks. So, how’s the new venture going?” Jenny asked.

“It’s right on schedule. The bunkhouse addition will be done in a couple of weeks, and the bunkhouse renovation itself soon after. We can open for business mid-August. A maximum of six guests to start, then ten ultimately. Guess who our first guest will be.”

“I can’t imagine.”

“My number one former client, Gloriana MacBeth.”

“Seriously? A big movie star like that? Do you think she’ll enjoy vacationing on a working cattle ranch? Will she really ride herd with the guys?”

“I’m looking forward to finding out myself. I tried to get her to hold off until fall, because you know what summer’s like here, but she seemed intent on being our first guest. If she likes it, she’ll spread the word. Couldn’t ask for better advertising.”

“Mom’s looking forward to it, too. She’ll be cooking up a storm.”

“Adam and Brody also seem excited. They’ll be in charge of showing the guests the ropes. And since it won’t be full-time, they shouldn’t get burned out dealing with picky company.”

“Hey, Hollywood,” Vaughn called out to his wife. “Pie-eating contest.”

Karyn hopped up, full of renewed energy. She grinned at Jenny. “I do love this place. And that man.”

Jenny figured Karyn would be pregnant soon, if she wasn’t already. Dori Ryder would be in her glory, having more grandchildren to love.

Jenny moseyed over to watch the pie-eating contest. Karyn was loudly rooting Vaughn on. Annie and Mitch stood arm in arm, laughing. Adam and Brody were participating, their dates cheering. Everyone had someone special except Jenny.

The thought put her in a mood for the rest of the day, even as she climbed into her car to go into town, deciding not to ride with anyone in case she and Haley wanted to hang out for a while after. She hadn’t been able to spend much time with her sister, and she missed her.

She parked in front of Haley’s house, grabbed her chair and walked a few blocks to where everyone agreed to meet. If fireworks couldn’t put her in a better mood, she didn’t know what could.

She found a place for her chair as she greeted everyone. Before she sat, Annie came up to her.

“I need a big favor,” Annie said.

“Sure. What?”

“I just found out tonight—and I don’t know why I didn’t know this earlier—but Adam and Brody will be moving into the bunkhouse addition when it’s ready. Would you feel comfortable— I mean, how would you like to move into the farmhouse when they leave? I know it might be a little scary, all alone out there, just you and the chickens. You could get a dog—”

Jenny threw her arms around Annie. “I’ve got a dead aim,” she said, laughing. “I can protect myself. Yes, yes, yes!”

“You won’t need furniture or dishes or anything. I don’t want rent. You’d be doing me a big favor.”

“I can’t promise you forever,” Jenny said.

“I’ll take what I can get.”

There were fireworks going off in Jenny’s head as well as the night sky. She would have a place of her own for the first time. She wouldn’t have to check in with anyone. Her mom and dad could have their empty nest back, which should make them happy, too. And if she didn’t have to pay rent, she could save—

Oh, who was she kidding? She made only enough money to pay for her basic needs, with nothing left over to put in savings. She needed to find a second job. Maybe she could wait tables in the evening. After all, she had nothing else going on. Maybe it would take her ten years to qualify for a loan. The way land was selling these days, the old farm might still be available to buy ten years from now.

Jenny walked back to her car after the show, but Haley’s house was still dark. She probably had a hot date. Everyone did, after all, except Jenny.

She climbed into the car. Before she could start the engine, the passenger door opened and Win slid in.

“Hey,” he said.

She didn’t want to give him any indication of how happy she was to see him. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Sayin’ hey.”

“You’ve said it.”

“Why’ve you been avoiding me at Annie’s farm?”

Because I want to drag you into the house and make hot, sexy love with you. “Your business is with Annie.”

“Not anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean she says you’re taking over this week, both at the farm and the market. She’s retiring to her rocking chair. Guess she’s been ordered not to spend so much time on her feet. Who’s gonna help you out?”

“At the moment, everything is manageable for one person.”

“How about setup and takedown at the farmers’ market?”

“One of my brothers will help.” She turned her ignition far enough to power down the windows. “If you’re going to propose that you help, let me stop you before you offer. Your dad was angry enough that first night.”

“My father’s opinion doesn’t matter to me. He gave up that right years ago when he forbade me to go to college.”

Jenny frowned. “But you went to college.”

“Yeah. No thanks to him—or my brothers. They left for college and never came back, so he figured I’d do the same.”

“You came back, have been back for years. Why is he holding that against you now?”

“I don’t think he’ll ever feel secure. My brothers didn’t want to be on the ranch anymore. I do—enough to put up with a man who tries to dictate my life.”

Jenny considered his words. Her father could be strict, but he loved her. She’d never had a moment’s doubt of that. “How about Rose?”

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