A Cowboy for Christmas (22 page)

He grabbed her and pulled her to him, seeking her lips in a hungry exchange that left her heart racing when they finally moved apart.

Penny gazed up at him, wondering what it was going to be like on their wedding night. She had no idea what really went on between a man and
a woman, but after kissing Dan these last few days and snuggling up with him in her bunk last night, she was growing more and more eager to find out. “We’d better eat.”

“All right,” he agreed, somewhat reluctantly. What he really wanted to do was pick her up in his arms and carry her off to one of the lower bunks.

While he took off his coat and washed his hands, Penny decorated the table with the mistletoe. When he wasn’t looking, she hid a piece of the mistletoe in a strategic place to surprise him with later. Stepping back, she admired their fancy dinner.

“Let’s eat,” Dan said, coming back to give her one more kiss. This time it was a sweet one, for he didn’t want to tempt himself any more than he already had.

They sat down at the table and said grace before Penny passed him the dish of beans.

“I hope you like my cooking,” she said with a grin.

“It smells delicious,” he countered.

They were both smiling as they served themselves.

“This wasn’t quite the banquet I always dreamed of—” she began.

“I’m sorry,” Dan put in, knowing how rough this had to be for her.

“Don’t you dare apologize, Dan Roland. You didn’t let me finish. I was going to say that while
it’s not what I always dreamed of, it’s even better. Just the two of us, here, celebrating.” Penny picked up her glass of water and held it out to Dan. “To our engagement.”

He lifted his glass and touched it to hers. “To us,” he told her, and they both took a drink.

They enjoyed their meal, knowing under the circumstances that they were very blessed to have a roof over their heads, a warm place to sleep, and something hot to eat.

“How bad was it outside?” Penny asked as they finished eating.

“We should be able to start back in the morning. It’ll be a hard ride, but if the weather holds we should be able to make it at least to the other line shack tomorrow.”

“I wonder if our horses made it back to the house.”

“If they did, I’m sure your father sent some of the boys out to look for us.”

“The sooner we get back, the better.”

Penny got up from the table to clean up after their dinner, but Dan had other ideas. As she started past him, he caught her arm and pulled her down on his lap.

“I love you, Penny,” he said.

Their gazes met, and time stood still. Slowly, he bent to her and kissed her. It started off as a sweet kiss, but the feel of her against him lit a fire within Dan and he scooped her up in his arms as he stood up and carried her over to one
of the lower bunks. Ever so gently, he laid her down on the bed and then he joined her there, taking her in his arms again.

Penny felt the heat of his body next to hers and wrapped her arms around him. She wanted to be as close to him as she could be, and when he moved over her, she thrilled to his nearness. His lips found hers, and she shivered in delight. She had never been so intimate with a man before, but she was enjoying it. Innocent that she was, she had no idea how her restless movements aroused Dan even more, and she was devastated when he broke off the kiss and shifted slightly away from her.

“Dan . . . ?” Penny whispered, wanting to be back in his arms kissing him. When she heard him give a half groan, half chuckle, she grew even more confused, and when he sat up on the side of the bunk, she was hurt. “Why did you stop?”

Dan glanced over his shoulder at her and saw her innocent confusion. He turned back and kissed her softly. “I had to, Penny. If I hadn’t stopped right then, I wouldn’t have been able to stop at all. I want to save our lovemaking for our wedding night.”

“Oh—” She suddenly realized what he was talking about and she blushed. “Can we go find a justice of the peace right now?”

“Believe me, if there was one nearby, we’d be on our way. I love you, girl.”

“I love you, too.”

Dan got up and Penny followed. As he started to go add more wood to the stove, she stopped him.

“There is one thing you missed—”

“What?”

“I get another kiss—” She pointed to where she’d put the small piece of mistletoe in the upper bunk.

“I think I can be forced to oblige you.” Dan laughed and took her in his arms for one last passionate embrace before setting her from him. “I’m real glad I brought that mistletoe back for you.”

“So am I,” she agreed. “I may just keep a piece of it with me all the time now.”

“I think that’s a real good idea.”

He helped her clean up after the dinner and they began to make their plans for riding out early in the morning. Dan wanted to cover as many miles as they could the following day.

When they bedded down for the night, Dan took Penny in his arms again and held her close, kissing her one last time before trying to sleep. As they lay together, both were regretting that there wasn’t a justice of the peace anywhere nearby.

It was midafternoon the following day as the stagecoach made its run into Sagebrush. Lacey’s mood was strained. Soon their trip would be over. Soon she would be separated from little Steve and the reverend, and she would probably never see them again. The possibility broke her heart. She had never known a man as kind and gentle as Nick, and she loved Steve dearly. She hadn’t had the chance to talk with Nick privately about Steve yet, but if she’d had a way to support herself, she would have asked to adopt the boy right then and there. As unsettled as her life was, she had nothing to offer him. She didn’t know how she was going to feed herself, let alone take care of a young boy, too.

Lacey glanced over at the reverend and saw the tension and excitement in his expression. Soon he would know where his brother had gone—or, at least, she hoped he would find out, and then they would be reunited. She wished she could be there with him when they came face-to-face for the first time after all these years. She knew it was going to be a wonderful, life-changing moment they would never forget.

Nick couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this excited. Danny was somewhere nearby and he was going to find him.

“It won’t be long now,” Steve said, seeing the look on his face.

“I know. I just wonder how hard it will be to track him down in town.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll do it. We didn’t come all this way to lose him now,” Steve said.

“This was your idea, you know.” Nick smiled down at him. “I wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for you.”

Steve looked very proud at his compliment, and he told him earnestly, “We’re gonna find him. We’re gonna find him today!”

“We wish you luck, Reverend,” the other folks in the stagecoach told him.

“Thank you.”

Steve felt the stagecoach slowing down a bit, so he unfastened the covering over the window and got his first look at the main street of Sagebrush. “We’re here!”

The stage rolled to a stop, and the driver jumped down and opened the door for them. Nick climbed out and then helped Lacey descend and Steve get down. The snow had been cleared away from the depot.

“The hotel’s right down the street, folks,” the driver announced as he got their bags down for them.

Lacey wasn’t quite sure what to do. She had
very little money and had to find a job real quick. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around,” she said to Nick and Steve. She turned away and started to move off.

Steve wasn’t about to let her go that easily. “Where are you going?”

“I thought I’d see how much a room costs at the hotel,” she began.

“That’s where we’re going,” Steve said. “Let’s all go together.”

Lacey looked up at the reverend, unsure how he would react. It had been one thing being nice to her on the stage. It was another, now that they were in town.

“You’re right, Steve. We should go together.” He met her gaze. “And after we’ve checked in, we’re going to pay a visit at the general store. If you’re going to start your new life here, you’re going to need a dress of some kind.”

She was shocked. No one ever took care of her. “I’ll be fine.”

“Yes, you will be. We’re going to give you an early Christmas present. Steve and I are going to pay for your hotel room and get you a new dress.”

“But, Reverend—” she protested, embarrassed.

“You can’t turn down a Christmas present,” Steve scolded her, grabbing up his own bag. “C’mon. Let’s go. I’m cold.”

“I think we need to go,” Nick said wryly.

“I think you’re right,” she agreed.

They made their way to the hotel and were
glad to enter the welcoming warmth of the lobby. The clerk had seen the stage pull in and he’d been waiting to see if anyone was coming to take a room.

“Afternoon, folks,” the clerk greeted them. “You be needing a room?” He thought they were a family.

Nick spoke up. “Actually, we need two rooms. One for Miss McCormick and one for us.”

“All right,” he said, pushing the book across the counter so they could register. Once they’d signed in, he looked at their names. “Welcome to Sagebrush, Reverend Miller—and Steve.” He nodded to the girl, who he thought was dressed rather oddly in pants, but it wasn’t his business what she wore as long as they paid him. He quickly quoted the price and was pleased when the reverend handed over the money. “Thanks, Reverend.” He gave him the keys. “Rooms ten and twelve at the top of the steps and to your right.”

“Thank you. There is one thing I wanted to ask you—” Nick began. He had no idea if the clerk was familiar with everyone in town, but it didn’t hurt to ask after coming all this way.

“How can I help you?” The clerk was earnest in his offer.

“I’m trying to find my brother, and I have reason to believe he’s here in Sagebrush.”

The clerk frowned. “I don’t know anyone else by the name of Miller, Reverend. Sorry.”

“No, his name’s not Miller. His name is Danny Roland.”

“Dan?” The clerk was surprised that they had different names, but he didn’t say anything. “Why, Dan is Jack Anderson’s foreman out at the Lazy Ace.”

“He’s really here?” After all this time, Nick could scarcely believe it.

“Yes, he is. Of course, getting out to the Lazy Ace ain’t gonna be easy for you with the snow, but one of the boys down at the stable should be able to drive you out there.”

“Thank you! Is it very far out to the ranch?”

“It’s a good ride. You’re better off waiting until tomorrow morning. The traveling might be a little easier.”

“I appreciate your help.”

Lacey looked at the reverend as they made their way up the stairs. “Your prayers have been answered.”

He looked over at her. “I can’t believe it. I don’t think this will seem real until I actually get to see him again.”

“I hope everything goes well for you,” Lacey told him.

“Thank you.” He was sincere. “Why don’t we get cleaned up and then go over to the general store? Since we’re not leaving for the Anderson Ranch until tomorrow, we can get you a dress and then have dinner.”

“Are you sure?” Lacey was hesitant. She worried
about him being seen in public with her. It had been one thing riding on the stagecoach together, but here in Sagebrush, she knew people would talk.

“Of course. Now hurry up. We don’t know what time the store is going to close today.”

“I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

Nick and Steve saw her into her own room before going on to theirs.

“What do you think it’s going to be like going out to a real ranch?” Steve asked, eager and excited about the day to come.

“I don’t know, but we’re going to find out,” Nick answered. He paused and smiled at the boy. “Thank you for making this trip with me, Steve.”

Steve beamed up at him. “Just think—if we hadn’t come here to find your brother, we would never have met Miss Lacey.”

“She’s a special young woman.”

“Yes, she is,” Steve agreed. He had never told the reverend about the night at the way station when Miss Lacey had come to him and helped him.

“All right, wash up, so we can go,” Nick directed.

Steve took off his coat and hurried to the washstand, while Nick took off his coat and sat down on the side of the bed to wait his own turn.

In her room, Lacey had quickly shed her coat to get freshened up. Reverend Miller had proven himself to truly be a man of God. She couldn’t
believe how kind he’d been and how generous. She’d been blessed to have him come into her life. He didn’t have to pay for her room or buy her any clothes, and yet he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He told her they were early presents, yet she had nothing to give him. She was going to be lucky to have enough money to buy Steve some candy for Christmas.

Lacey didn’t let her thoughts linger on the bad things. The past was over and she was starting a whole new life. Reverend Miller and Steve had helped her in so many ways. The reverend’s true kindness and the boy’s innocent love were amazing. She felt more confident in herself now that she’d spent time with them. She’d never known anyone like them before, and it hurt her to think that her time with them was nearly at an end. She put that thought from her, though, for she wanted to enjoy every moment they had left.

A short time later, Nick and Steve came for Lacey and they left the hotel, heading for the general store. The lady at the counter was helpful and picked out a suitable demure day gown for Lacey to try on. Nick and Steve wandered about the store while she went in the back to put it on.

Lacey undressed in the back room and donned the long-sleeved, high-necked day gown. It had been so long since she’d worn a dress like this one that she wasn’t quite sure how she looked.

“What do you think?” Lacey asked as she went out to find them.

“You look real pretty, Miss Lacey!” Steve said adoringly.

Nick had known she was pretty. In her dance hall gown, she’d been really sexy, but now, seeing her dressed like a lady, he thought she was the loveliest woman he’d ever seen. “Yes, you do,” he agreed with Steve.

She actually blushed at their compliments. “Well, thanks.”