Daddy by Christmas (10 page)

Jarrett cursed under his breath and BJ let out a wail. Shifting into Reverse, he backed up, but nothing happened. He tried going forward again, but the only thing he got was the spinning of the tires as the car slipped sideways, deeper into the snowbank. Although angry with himself, he remained calm. “I'll go see if I can dig us out.”

“Be careful,” Mia called over the screams of the baby.

Placing his hat on his head, Jarrett got out and made it through the ankle-high snow to the back of the car. He opened the hatch and took out a shovel. He began digging, but soon discovered it was useless. He made his way back to
the driver's side and climbed in. Pulling off his gloves, he took out his phone. “We need a tow truck.” He punched in his roadside assistance. By the time he hung up, he wasn't happy. “She put us at the top of the list because of the baby, but it still could be an hour.”

“Long as we're warm, it's okay,” she said. “Do you have enough gas?”

“Yeah, a full tank.”

“Good. I need to feed BJ. I'll go in the back.”

“No, stay up here, it's warmer.” He flipped on the interior light, leaned into the back seat and managed to unfasten the crying baby's straps.

“Come on, little guy, settle down,” he coaxed. “You'll have your mama in a minute.” He lifted the small bundle and handed him to Mia who had already removed her coat, leaving it draped over her shoulders.

She looked at him and paused. “Would you mind turning off the light?”

“Oh, sure.” Of course she didn't want an audience.

In the dark, he could see her tug up her sweater. All at once there was silence. Jarrett looked over at Mia as she leaned over the child at her breast, stroking him.

His chest tightened at the scene. Finally turning away, he concentrated on the snow blowing across the front window, but he could still hear Mia's soft voice as she talked to her son. Leaning back against the headrest, he closed his eyes and tried not to think about how much he wanted to wrap his arms around both of them and protect them. Yeah, he'd done a great job of that so far.

Restless, he sat up. “Life is pretty simple to him, food and Mama.” He looked at her as she moved the baby to her shoulder and began to pat his back.

“Sometimes it scares me that I have someone who's so dependent on me,” she admitted.

“You're a natural at this.”

She paused. “How can you say that when you've seen me at my worst?”

BJ gave a burp and she lowered him to her other breast. This time Jarrett didn't turn away from the silhouette of mother and son. He'd never seen anything so beautiful. Leaning across the console, he reached out and touched the baby's head. “I've only seen a mother who loves her child.” His chest tightened at the sight.

Their gazes met in the dark car. “I do love him. At first I was so frightened, but he's become my life. I know technically he's my nephew, but—”

Jarrett placed his finger against her mouth to stop her words. “In every way that counts, Mia, he's your son. You carried him in your womb, now you nourish him from your body.” His fingers moved and grazed her breasts. “It's beautiful to watch you with him.”

“Oh, Jarrett.”

At the husky sound of her voice, he shifted closer. He felt her breath against his cheek.

Suddenly a bright light shone through the windshield, illuminating the front seat. He drew his hand away, but continued to hold her gaze.

“It seems we've been rescued,” he said, knowing he wasn't so sure about his heart.

I
T
was after eleven o'clock by the time the tow truck pulled Jarrett's SUV out of the snowdrift and they'd driven back to the apartment. The night had been long, but still Mia didn't want their time together to end.

Jarrett walked her to her apartment door. “I'm sorry about tonight. I never should have taken that back road.” He glanced at BJ in the carrier. “I would never do anything to endanger either one of you.”

“Of course I know that. You didn't cause the bad weather, Jarrett.”

He watched her a moment, then he finally said. “I probably should let you get some sleep.”

She put her hand on his arm when he started to step back. “Won't you come in for some coffee?” Did she sound desperate? “I have something for you.”

He looked surprised. “Okay, but let me grab something from my place first. I'll be back in a few minutes.”

With a nod, Mia went into the apartment, leaving the door unlocked. She quickly dressed her son in his sleeper and put him in the crib, knowing in just a few hours he'd be awake and hungry. She checked her makeup and went back into the living area, quickly picked up several baby items scattered around and tossed them into her bedroom.

She'd finished plugging in the lights on her tabletop
Christmas tree when there was a soft knock. She tugged on her sweater and brushed back her hair before answering the door.

“Oh, my,” she gasped as Jarrett walked in carrying several presents. “What did you do?”

He set the packages down on the table. “I took Jenna shopping yesterday and she convinced me that BJ had to have all these things.” He raised an eyebrow. “You should have seen what I talked her out of.”

Mia eyed the boxes, but picked up the stuffed bear. “He isn't even sitting up yet.”

“Then put some away for his birthday.” He smiled and her heart tripped.

She glanced toward the present under her tree. Before she lost her nerve, she grabbed the tissue-wrapped gift and handed it to him. “This is for you.”

He looked touched. “Mia, I didn't expect anything.”

She shrugged as if it were nothing. “It's probably silly.”

He tore through the paper and uncovered the charcoal-gray scarf she'd knitted. As he examined it she wondered if he could see the mistakes.

He stared at her, his brown eyes tender. “Did you make this?”

She managed a nod. “Nola taught me while I was on bed rest. I'm not very good.”

She didn't get to finish as he leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on her mouth. Chaste or not, she felt dizzy.

“Thank you. I've never received anything so nice.”

Jarrett had trouble holding it together. He hadn't enjoyed the holidays for a long time. His mother's death only days before Christmas had left a little boy devastated with grief.

“You're welcome,” she said, her voice hoarse.

He finally stepped back and draped the scarf around his neck before he lost all control. “I have something for you.”

“Did Jenna pick it out, too?”

“No, I did.” He pulled a small jewelry box from the bag.

“So I can't blame her if you don't like it.”

She blinked seeing the store name on the box. “Oh, Jarrett, you shouldn't have done this.”

He smiled at her. “You haven't even seen it. Maybe you won't like it.”

She gave him a stern look. “Of course I will.” She opened the box to see a sterling-silver chain with a round charm engraved with BJ's name and his date of birth.

She glanced at him. “I was wrong, I don't like it. I love it. Oh, Jarrett. It's perfect. You couldn't have gotten me anything I wanted more.”

He released a breath. He'd bought women gifts before. Why did he care so much about this one? “I'm glad.”

She took it out of the box. “Will you help me put it on?” She gave him the necklace and turned around. Moving aside her rich brown hair, she exposed her long slender neck to him. Somehow, he managed to fasten the clasp, but she was too tempting not to lean down and place a kiss against her exposed skin.

He felt her shiver, but she didn't move. He slid his hands around her waist, pulling her against him. He whispered her name and after a few seconds, he turned her in his arms. “This isn't a good idea. In fact it's crazy. You just had a baby, and I shouldn't be thinking…”

“Oh, Jarrett.” She shook her head. “I don't see how…I'm having enough trouble trying to handle my life. You've seen me at the worst times, and you have to be tired of rescuing me.”

“Maybe I like rescuing you.” He didn't let her go. He
had no business wanting her. He was all wrong for her. But all he wanted was to be with her.

“I want to be self-reliant.”

“We all like to be. But there are some things that are fun to do with someone else, someone special.”

He dipped his head and captured her mouth. His arms circled her and he pulled her close as he deepened the kiss, tasting the addicting sweetness that was only Mia.

With the last of his control, he broke off the kiss, and pressed his forehead against hers. “You're big trouble, lady.”

Before she could say anything, the clock chimed. Midnight.

“Merry Christmas, Mia.”

 

Even though the air was brisk, the day promised to be bright and sunny. A perfect Colorado Christmas, Mia thought as she fingered the charm on her necklace.

She glanced across the SUV at Jarrett. Christmas Eve had already been wonderful and this morning had started out close to perfect, too. Jarrett had showed up with a box of jelly donuts and they'd shared breakfast together. Just the three of them.

It could give a girl ideas. Ideas she had no business thinking when she should only be thinking about her son.

Although the man was definitely making this holiday memorable, especially when he'd insisted on taking her and BJ out to the ranch today. Were they a couple? No. She shook away that crazy thought. “We're here.”

Jarrett's voice drew her attention as he turned off the main highway and drove under an arch announcing the McKane Ranch.

Mia felt the excitement as a large two-story house came into view. She smiled at the snowman in the front yard, then her attention went to the wraparound porch and the dark shutters that framed the numerous windows.

Jarrett bypassed the driveway and went around the house. “We're pretty informal here,” he said. “I don't think the front door has been opened in years. Everyone has always used the back door.”

That would never be allowed in her parents' home. The service entrance was only for the hired help. “Sounds like my kind of place. I bet you had fun growing up here.”

His smiled faded. “Ranching is a lot of work. One of the reasons I left and went away to college.”

He parked next to Joe and Sylvia's car at the small porch that overlooked the barn and corral. “So now the place belongs to Trace.”

He turned off the engine. “After our parents died, I was happy to sell him my half.”

She smiled. “You can still come back whenever you want, and the best part is seeing your family.”

There was a long pause, then he said, “There was a long time when I wasn't exactly welcome. But a few years ago, Trace and I became partners in a natural gas lease. The money helps him keep the ranch and not worry about having to run cattle. And I can invest in business ventures. Anyway, then Jenna came along, and somehow I ended up calling by more and we sorted some things out.”

Mia was surprised by Jarrett's admission. “Well, I'm glad you and your family have reconciled your differences.”

He nodded and turned toward the house. “Oh, look, here comes the welcoming committee.”

Kira and Trace stepped onto the porch. “Welcome and Merry Christmas.”

Mia got out and the cold breeze brushed against her cheeks. “Merry Christmas,” she called back.

Trace came down the shoveled steps and greeted his brother first, then walked around the car to her. “Welcome, Mia.”

“Thank you for inviting us. Your place is beautiful.”

“We think so.” He glanced at his brother. “There's plenty of time before dinner so you can leave BJ with us while Jarrett shows you around.” He pointed toward a group of bare trees. “The cottage is just over there, if you're still interested in seeing it.”

Mia turned around to see a small white structure about fifty yards from the house. “Oh, yes. I'd love to.”

Jarrett got BJ from the back seat while Mia handed a large poinsettia plant to Trace.

When Jarrett's brother started to protest, citing the no-gift clause, she quickly said, “It's from BJ.”

With a smile, she retrieved a salad and a pie and carried them into a huge country kitchen with maple cabinets and granite countertops filled with food. Several mouthwatering aromas surrounded her, making her hungry.

Nola and Sylvia were already there helping Kira with the meal. “Just put those things down, if you can find a spot for them.”

Kira beamed as she came up to Jarrett and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then looked down at the carrier. “I'd love to get my hands on this little guy, if I could.”

“Sure,” Mia told her. “He loves being held.”

It took only seconds before Kira had BJ in her arms. “Now you two run off and see the cottage. We can handle things here.”

Jarrett came up beside Mia. “They seem to be trying to get rid of us.”

“Not at all, but I would love to have this little guy around
more.” Kira smiled down at the baby and cooed, “Oh, yes I would.”

“Let's go.” Jarrett escorted Mia out the door and across the yard, but she was distracted by the horses roaming around in the corral.

“Oh, what beautiful animals.”

Jarrett changed direction as they detoured to the corral fence. “Trace has been doing some horse-breeding the past few years. This guy is Thunder Road.” When he whistled, the horse trotted over as Jarrett climbed up on the fence railing so he could pet the spirited animal. “Hey, Roady.” He rubbed the horse's face and neck briskly, then glanced at Mia. “This guy was sired by Midnight Thunder, a champion cutting horse.”

“He's beautiful.” She could see how much Jarrett loved animals. “He seems to like you, too.”

“He knows me. I come out here sometimes.”

There was so much about this man she didn't know, that he kept hidden. She glanced around. “I still can't see how you'd want to give this place up. I love the peace and quiet.”

He shrugged and released the horse and they watched him run off. “When I was younger, I called it boredom. I wanted excitement and fun.” He looked toward the horses. “After my mother died, my father and I didn't get along much.”

Mia understood that. “He's gone now?”

“Yeah. When his wife died, he wasn't much for living alone.”

“What about your mother?”

He continued to stare toward the corral. “She's been gone since I was a kid.”

“I'm sorry, Jarrett. How old were you?”

“Six.”

“Oh, God, you were just a child.”

He turned toward her. She could see the pain before he quickly masked it. “I grew up fast.”

“What about your stepmother?” She wanted him to tell her that she'd been a caring and loving woman. “Did she help you through that time?”

“I don't remember much.” He shifted. “She was just there, and soon, so was Trace.”

“At least you had a brother to share things with.”

“Yeah, right. I did everything possible to let him know how much I hated him.”

 

Jarrett stepped up to the small cottage porch and turned to see if Mia needed help. Damn, he hated that he'd spilled his guts to her. He'd never told anyone about his childhood. Why her?

He inserted the key into the lock. “I know Trace and his foreman, Cal, redid the entire inside.”

“The outside is well-maintained, too,” she said, coming up beside him. “I can't wait to see the rest.”

He swung open the front door, and they stepped into a living room that had a small sofa and two chairs. An area rug covered part of the shiny hardwood floors.

“Oh, this is nice.”

He gestured with his hand to go on, and she walked into a galley-style kitchen. All the stained-wood cabinets were new, as were the egg-shell-colored solid-surface countertops. The white appliances gleamed. Jarrett had no doubt Kira had been out here cleaning.

“This is so nice. There's even a table and chairs.” Mia walked through to a small sunroom that looked toward the open pastures. “This would be a perfect work area. Plenty of light and space for a desk and computer.”

She beamed as she walked ahead of him and down the
hall. She stuck her head into the bathroom that also had a stackable washer and dryer. “Okay, I've died and gone to heaven.” She went on to check out the two bedrooms. When she came out she looked about to burst.

Her dark hair was bouncing against her shoulders. And he noticed how slim she was becoming, and how long her legs were. Yet, it was her eyes, those blue eyes of hers that made his gut tighten in need.

“This is three times as big as my apartment,” she said, bringing him back to the present.

“And thirty miles out of town.” But closer to his house.

“In the winter that could be a difficult drive.”

“But I know I can afford this place,” she insisted.

“Obviously, if I stay here, I plan to pay rent to Kira and Trace.”

He studied the stubborn woman in front of him. She was beautiful and no doubt capable of doing anything she set her mind to.

“Okay, but you have to let me take you to look for a dependable car. That sedan of yours is in bad shape.”

Her eyes widened. “I can't afford a new car.”

“Not new, but at least an upgrade from what you're driving now. I can get you a good deal, one with decent tires.”