Page 6 of Her Cowboy Santa
“I was a troubled teen with a chip on my shoulder. I thought life had given me a raw deal, so I acted like the world owed me something.” He shakes his head. “I was headed down the wrong path fast. Thankfully, I got sent to the Naughty List Ranch with Mary and Christopher. They helped me turn my life around. Gave me a family in more ways than one.”
I smile at the fondness in his voice. It’s obvious he loves the Maas family. “Do you go home often?”
“I used to go every other year.”
“What happened?” I ask, detecting the slight change in his tone. I learned to monitor someone’s tone after living with Corey for so long. It was important to read his mood before I approached him about anything.
Nate takes a deep breath and squeezes the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turn white before he eases his grip. “It’s a long story.”
We drift into silence for a few minutes before he starts talking again. “What about you? Where are you from?”
“Well, as you’ve figured out, I’m a single mom. Silver Bell Hollow sounded like a brand new start, which is exactly what we need right now.”
He nods. “Some great people live there. You’ll fit right in. It’s like a big extended family. All of the towns within Havenstone are like that.”
“Havenstone?” I repeat. Other than looking up a few facts about Silver Bell Hollow, I didn’t do much research. I knew this was the right decision, and I needed to move fast before I talked myself out of it.
“Havenstone is the county that Silver Bell Hollow is in. There are several other small towns including Clover Canyon. Got some good friends up that way, too. The Suttons are friends of mine.”
As he talks, I watch the dashed lines on the road, fighting back a yawn. He has a soothing voice. Now that I’ve eaten a snack and I’m warm again, the sleepy feeling is stronger.
My eyes start to drift close, the exhaustion of the past few months catching up to me. But I’ve barely had them closed when I shake myself awake again and glance at the back seat where Danny is resting comfortably. Rudy is next to him, having clambered onto the seat. He has his head pressed against the car seat as if he’s watching over his new buddy.
“You go ahead and sleep. If he needs you, I’ll wake you,” he says.
“Promise?” I yawn loudly. Sleeping in a stranger’s car probably isn’t the smartest idea, but Mary has my location pin. She can see the truck moving on her app but more than that, I trust Nate.
“Promise,” he says the word softly and it’s the last thing I hear before sleep finally claims me in its sweet embrace.
Nate
I glance over at my passenger seat again. The blonde strands of Callie’s hair have come loose from her braid, and I want so badly to lean over and tuck it behind her ear. They’re both sleeping so hard, and it makes me proud that I’ve provided an environment that makes them feel safe enough to rest.
Callie ate those cookies too fast, like maybe she hasn’t been getting enough to eat. She’s curvy, full-figured and beautiful. I love her body, the way she fills out her blue jeans. Didn’t care much for the threadbare coat she’s wearing.
Danny was dressed in a good coat, something to insulate him from the chill. If I had to make a guess, there were only enough dollars to keep one of them warm. No surprise who went without. That’s a mama for you. They go hungry and cold for their babies, smiling through it all.
I’ll make sure she eats again when we get to the Naughty List before I go back to Courage County. The thought of returning to my hometown doesn’t fill me with nearly as much excitement as it should.
I don’t like the idea of leaving her or the baby alone. I know the people of Silver Bell Hollow will look out for her, as will Mary and Christopher. She will have no better protectors or advocates than those two.
But that’s not enough, I realize with a twisting in my gut. I need to know I’m the one taking care of them, that I’m their provider and protector.
I don’t understand this primal urge, how strong and sudden it is. All I know is the moment I looked at her, the gnawing sense of loneliness finally went away. Seeing her felt like Christmas morning. I couldn’t have asked for a more precious gift.
I pull the truck to a stop in the parking garage. Rudy lifts his head as if he’s asking me if we’re there yet. He’s flown cargo before, so I know he can do it. It’s not my favorite thing for him, but he’s resilient and has always handled it well. Plus, this is one of the better airlines when it comes to pet safety.
“It’s going to be OK,” I reassure him quietly.
I nudge Callie’s shoulder until she’s blinking up at me. With her cheeks flushed from sleep, she looks even more like an angel who misplaced her halo on her way to visit earth.
“Sorry, I must have drifted there,” she murmurs then sees the time on the dash and sits up straight. “I slept for three hours.”
“You and the little one must have needed it.” I nod and point out to the rectangle of daylight that can be seen through the truck’s windshield. “We’re at the airport. You don’t have to worry about a two-day car ride.”
She sends me a panicked look and glances in the backseat. “I’ve never flown before, and he hasn’t either.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m going to be by your side the whole flight,” I reassure her. When I stopped at the gas station to refill the tank, they were both sleeping so soundly.
