A Cowboy Under The Mistletoe

Chapter Fifteen

Ally awakened slowly. Late afternoon sunshine poured across the rumpled covers of the bed. She could hear the shower running across the hall. Knowing she had never been so thoroughly loved, she stretched languidly. Then burrowed even deeper in the sheets, the crisp percale shifting smoothly across her bare skin.

A minute later, the water shut off and the shower curtain was swept back.

Ally opened her eyes and propped her head on her upraised hand. Smiling, she watched Hank saunter into the room.

Towel knotted low on his waist, he padded barefoot to the bed. As he sank down by her side, his towel-clad hip nestled warmly against her thigh. “How’s your head?” he asked, running a hand down her arm.

Beginning to regret the morning lazing around, imbibing peppermint schnapps, but not what happened afterward, Ally groaned. “Throbbing. Yours?”

Hank grinned. “Better since I took some aspirin.”

He lifted a staying hand, then went back to the bathroom. He returned, bottle of aspirin and water glass in hand. “This will help.”

Ally took two pills before lying back among the pillows, as eager to make love again as she had been the first time. She waggled her eyebrows at him. “So would not getting up at all.”

Briefly, Hank looked tempted. Very tempted. “We’ll have to work on that part later.” He bent and kissed the curve of her shoulder. “We’ve got an open house to go to tonight.” He straightened while she was still tingling. “Remember?”

At his parents’ ranch.

His eyes spoke volumes as they locked on hers. “I really want you to be part of my family’s annual Christmas gathering.”

Two weeks ago, Ally would have been totally intimidated by the notion of going to Greta and Shane McCabe’s open house. Now she was looking forward to it. Hoping that someday she would be part of the loving clan…and not just an invited guest. The telling expression on Hank’s face indicated he felt that way, too.

Bursting with joy, Ally flung back the covers. “I’m headed for the shower right now.”

An hour later, they were heading out the door.

“One question,” Ally said, when they arrived at their destination. She knew what their relationship felt like in private, but in public she needed to be clear-in case questions arose. “As far as everyone else is concerned…are you just my ride for the evening?” Or was he as ready as she was to go public with their romance?

Hank’s gaze drifted over her before returning ever so slowly to her face. He made no effort to hide the emotion brimming in his eyes. “Are you kidding?” He pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. “You’re a lot more than that, Ally Garrett. You’re my future.”

And you, Ally thought, are mine.

Smiling, he took her hand and led her toward the front door.

Moments later, they were mingling inside.

Ally couldn’t help but note that Lulu Sanderson kept catching Hank’s eye. Every time the divorcée did she flashed a secret smile. The confident way Hank looked at her in return told Ally there was something going on between him and Lulu.

Pushing aside the niggling feeling of uneasiness, Ally continued making her way among the guests, at first with Hank, then by herself after his father asked for his help bringing in more firewood.

Hank’s mother appeared at Ally’s side. Looking as beautiful and put-together as always, Greta engulfed her in a hug. “How are you doing, darlin’?”

Ally basked in the easy maternal affection and smiled back. Greta would be a dream mother-in-law. Not that anyone was anywhere close to talking marriage yet.

“Good,” Ally replied. At least I was before we walked in the door and I saw whatever-it-is going on between Hank and Lulu again… Whatever he’s chosen not to share with me. Again…

Greta arched a silver-blond brow. “That son of mine treating you right?”

Ally noted the matchmaker’s gleam in her eyes. Obviously, Hank’s mom had either been told or figured out on her own that Ally and Hank were romantically involved. That had to be a good sign, didn’t it?

Greta clasped her arm and leaned in close to confide, “Just so you know, honey…I haven’t seen Hank this happy in years. And it’s all due to you. So keep up the good work. It’s about time someone put a spring in that boy’s step and a light in his eyes.”

I hope it’s all due to me, Ally thought, looking at Lulu, who was standing next to a group of her old high school friends at the buffet table. But what if it wasn’t? What if the real reason behind Hank’s happiness was the ranch? And the fact that she couldn’t sell it via the traditional route, and had decided not to sell to Corporate Farms?

Oblivious to the troubling nature of Ally’s thoughts, Greta checked out the fast-diminishing spread on the buffet with a frown. She propped her hands on her hips. “Speaking of loved ones, have you seen my husband lately?”

Ally nodded, glad to talk about something else. “He stepped outside a few minutes ago with Hank, to get more firewood.”

“Would you mind getting Shane? Tell him to meet me in the kitchen when he does. I need his help carving the brisket.”

Ally nodded. “No problem.”

Given the crowds of people, she figured the easiest way to reach him was to go out the front door and walk around. Ally grabbed her coat and headed outside. She was halfway around the porch surrounding the entire first floor when she heard the rise in men’s voices.

“I don’t understand why you won’t take our money, if the Garrett ranch is what you want,” Shane said, sounding as if he had very little patience left.

Hank harrumphed. “I don’t need it, Dad. I’ve worked out everything on my own.”

“Then the rumors going around town are true?” Shane demanded, sounding even more upset. “You are going to marry Lulu Sanderson for her money.”

A brief silence followed. “If I was going to marry anyone for her money, I’d marry Ally Garrett,” Hank snapped. He was obviously exasperated. “But that’s not necessary with the plan I have.”

Of course it wasn’t, Ally thought, reeling backward in shock. She was ready to give Hank everything he could ever want, without so much as a promise of a ring on her finger. But Hank didn’t know that yet.

Deciding the conversation was over, she started forward once again, only to hear Shane McCabe say, “But Lulu is involved in this plan of yours…”

The grim note in Shane’s voice stopped Ally in her tracks once again.

“Not that it’s any of your business,” Hank retorted, just as tautly, “but yes, Lulu is an integral part of my future plans, too.”

Ally’s heart sank. She ran a trembling hand over her eyes.

“You have to see you can’t have Ally and a deal with Lulu, too,” his dad argued.

“I don’t see why not,” Hank scoffed, confident as ever.

“It’ll never work,” Shane insisted with the paternal wisdom for which he was known.

“Yes,” he argued, as tears misted Ally’s eyes, “it will, Dad. The real question is when are you going to start believing in me again-with the trust and faith you gave me when I was a kid?”

And when, Ally mused, was she going to learn she would always-always-take second place to the family ranch?

“I do believe in you, son,” Shane insisted.

“Then why are you standing here tonight, trying to loan me the down payment and whatever collateral I need to purchase Mesquite Ridge?” Hank countered bitterly.

And why wouldn’t he take the offer? Ally wondered. Surely receiving money from family was better and more honorable than whatever it was Hank had cooked up with Lulu Sanderson.

“Your mother and I want you to be happy,” Shane soothed. “We want you to have kids. You and Ally seem like a good match.”

Ally leaned against the side of the house. I thought so, too. Obviously, she’d been wrong. Otherwise Hank would have confided some of this to her.

The voices came a little closer. “Lulu and I are a good match, too, Dad. Just not in the way you’d expect.”

Or want to hear, Ally thought.

Realizing she had witnessed enough, she marched briskly on around the corner of the house. Both men took one look at her face and realized she’d overheard enough to be deeply disturbed. Knowing she had to talk to Hank privately first, Ally said quietly, “Shane? Greta is looking for you. She needs your help in the kitchen.”

He nodded briefly at Ally, his glance conveying a thousand apologies as well as compassion. For Shane, too, knew what it was like to be emotionally shut out of Hank’s life at precisely the moment when Hank should have been opening up the most. To family, friends and especially the woman in his life. The woman he had pretended meant everything to him! Not, Ally thought miserably, that Hank had ever come right out and said he loved her, either. What if he didn’t? What if it was just passion keeping them together? A passion that might not last?

Ever the gentleman and congenial host, Shane said, “I’m sorry if I misstepped or have in anyway said or done anything to make you uncomfortable here this evening.” Shane cast another meaningful look at his son. “I was only trying to help.”

There was no question of the elder McCabe’s gallantry. Ally dipped her head in acknowledgment. “I know. I appreciate what you were trying to do, sir.” Even if Hank didn’t.

With a last rueful look at his son, Shane went inside. Ally stood facing Hank. She put her wounded feelings aside and faced him like the savvy businesswoman she still was. “Is it true that Lulu Sanderson is going to be an integral part of the deal you’re proposing to me tomorrow?”

Hank shrugged and ambled up the steps toward her. To her amazement, he now appeared to be annoyed with her! “I told you I’ve been talking business with Lulu.”

Ally warned herself to resist jumping to further conclusions. “I thought-hoped-you were just getting advice from her, or making use of her considerable connections in the venture capital and banking community, since she went to an Ivy League business school and worked in the financial sector before she came back to take over her dad’s restaurant.”

Hank stepped closer. It was clear from the look on his face that he wanted to tell her everything but for some reason still couldn’t. Or still wouldn’t. Frustration welled up inside Ally, as potent as hurt. “I’ve given you no reason to mistrust me.”

Hadn’t he? “Those glances Lulu has been giving you all evening say otherwise.”

Hank’s jaw set with the resolve of an ex-marine. “I’ve told you before. You have no reason to be jealous.”

Ally threw up her hands. Her feelings had been constantly dismissed and disregarded by her parents. No way was she letting it happen to her again.

She regarded Hank coldly. “I have every reason, given how happy Lulu is and how unhappy I am right now.”

“It’s just business.”

How many times had her parents told her that, while excluding and ignoring her? How many times had she been expected to just go away quietly and wait for the crumbs of their attention? “Then why can’t you tell me about it right now?” Ally countered with a burning resentment she could no longer contain. “Why are you treating me the way you’re treating your parents and heaven only knows who else?” Ally ignored Hank’s dissenting frown and rushed on miserably. “By only telling us what you feel we have a right to know at any given time, and yet still expecting us to magically understand what is going on in your mind and your heart?”

Hank’s spine stiffened. “When you really care about someone, you take things on faith,” he returned gruffly.

Like Lulu apparently was?

“Your dad is right,” Ally warned flatly. “You can’t have intimate relationships with both Lulu and me simultaneously.”

Hank folded his arms in front of him deliberately. “I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong, Ally. Lulu and I are just friends.”

Maybe not physically…at least not yet…

Ally set her jaw and took a stance. “I saw the way Lulu’s been smiling at you all evening, Hank.”

He lifted a hand. “She’s excited!”

Jealousy flared inside Ally. “I bet!”

Hank’s eyes narrowed. “I need you to believe in me, Ally.”

No doubt he did, Ally thought. But he wasn’t the only one with requirements for personal happiness. “And I need a life where I don’t feel excluded by ranch business, the way I did when I was growing up!”

More to the point, she had wanted to be an integral part of Hank’s efforts to purchase and build up Mesquite Ridge. Not Lulu. Ally had even, through clever financial analysis, found a way to do so that would meet both their monetary needs. For all the good it had done them.

Ally gestured dismissively. “Whatever the deal with Lulu is, I won’t accept it.”

Hank scowled. “I’ve spent days working on this,” he warned.

How well Ally knew that! “I don’t care. It’s pulling us apart, and you have other options.”

A muscle ticked in his cheek. He stared at her as if she were a stranger. “You’re not even going to give me a chance to lay out the proposal for you tomorrow at noon?” he asked incredulously.

“Not if the plan involves the participation of Lulu Sanderson or any of her money or ideas.” Because there was no way Ally was playing second fiddle to another woman, or being shut out by Hank and Lulu in the way she had been emotionally shut out by her folks. Especially over ranch business.

Hank studied her a long moment. His expression was grave. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious,” Ally stated bluntly.

Anger flashed in his blue eyes. “I wish you’d made this clear a lot earlier.”

“Me, too,” Ally said bitterly, as the tears she’d been holding back spilled over and ran down her cheeks. “Because if I had,” she choked out, unable to hide the depth of her distress any longer, “you and I never would have made love. We never would have come here together tonight.”

“You can say that again.” Hurt and resentment scored his low tone.

With effort, Ally gathered her dignity. “But not to worry, Hank. We won’t be leaving together. Because whatever this was-” though it had felt like the love of a lifetime “-is over.”

Her heart breaking, Ally turned on her heel and walked inside. She got her purse, her coat, and walked back out, to call a cab. Looking every bit as disappointed and disillusioned as she felt, Hank made no move to stop her.

“I FIGURED YOU’D SHOW UP here sooner or later,” Jeb McCabe said.

If anyone could understand the mess he found himself in, Hank figured it was his oldest brother. “Can I bunk here tonight?”

Jeb beckoned him in. “Ally kick you out?”

“No.”

Jeb ambled into the kitchen and broke out the beer. “She sure left the open house in a huff.”

Hank removed the cap on his and took a long drink. He tensed at the memory. “You saw that, huh?”

“See, that’s why I’m married to my ranch.” Jeb rummaged around and brought out a hunk of summer sausage, too. “Women are just too much trouble.”

Hank pulled up a chair. “You wouldn’t believe that if you’d spent the last two weeks under the same roof with Ally Garrett.”

Jeb smirked. “While pursuing Lulu Sanderson on the side.”

Not his brother, too! “For the last time, there’s nothing romantic going on between me and Lulu!”

“Then why is Ally so jealous?” Jeb opened a can of nuts and tossed a handful in his mouth. “’Cause I saw the way Lulu was looking at you and the way Ally was looking at Lulu. Not good, little bro. Not good at all.”

Hank felt like a man who was fast coming to the end of his rope. “Lulu and I have a business deal in the works,” he explained for what felt like the millionth time. “One I’m not at liberty to discuss. And won’t be until the final details are set.”

Jeb shrugged. “So tell Ally that.”

Hank munched glumly on a slice of sausage. “I did… sort of. It didn’t help. She feels excluded.”

Jeb took another pull of beer. “Then call off the business deal.”

Hank rolled his eyes. “I can’t. Not if I want to buy Mesquite Ridge.” And he did.

Jeb smiled like the carefree bachelor he was. “Sure you can. Just accept Dad’s offer.”

Hank froze. Was there no end to his humiliation tonight? “You know about that?”

His brother sighed. “For the record, I told Dad not to do it. That you’d only be insulted.”

Obviously, their father had not listened. “As would you have been,” Hank muttered, still fuming over having been treated like a snot-nosed kid who couldn’t put a business deal together if he tried.

“True.” Jeb leaned forward in his chair. “Although maybe Mom and Dad wouldn’t hover over you so much if you talked to them more, let ’em know what’s on your mind. And the same goes for Ally. ’Cause you can’t be really close to someone unless you can confide in ’em.”

Enough with the greeting card sentiment! “You sound like Ally,” Hank grumbled, downing the rest of his beer.

“So?”

A goading silence fell. “It’s not that easy.” Hank returned his brother’s level gaze. Not for me anyway. I don’t like showing weakness. Don’t like being forced to open up.

“I know that.” Jeb stood and clapped a fraternal hand on Hank’s shoulder. “I also know if you want to feel understood by family and/or the woman in your life, you’re going to have to start disclosing one hell of a lot more than you have been.”

ALLY WAS ASTOUNDED TO SEE Hank’s little sister on her doorstep at nine the next morning, a gaily wrapped basket of baked goods in her hands.

“May I come in?” Emily asked.

Ally hesitated. “If you’re here to talk about Hank…” She’d already spent a sleepless night crying her eyes out. She didn’t want to start sobbing all over again, and she was fairly certain it wouldn’t take much to set her off. Perhaps the mere mention of the scoundrel’s name…

Emily walked in. “And Christmas.”

Ally blinked. Now that she and Hank were no longer hooking up, she did not expect to be included in the Mc-Cabes’ yuletide celebrations. Unable to help herself, Ally grumbled, “What does the holiday have to do with anything?”

“I know what Christmas means to Hank-celebrating the end of one chapter of your life and moving on to the next, with hope and joy in your heart.”

Ally had planned to do just that…before the dirt had hit the fan. When she’d overheard Hank’s argument with his father, she’d realized that Hank could have gotten the money to purchase the ranch from Shane all along-he just hadn’t wanted to do it that way. Even if it meant aligning his fortunes with another woman, and shutting out the woman he seemed to love…

“But to me,” Emily continued gently, “Christmas is all about giving-even when you feel you can’t. It’s about finding the courage to make that leap of faith that will transform your life.” She paused, letting her words sink in for a moment, then pleaded softly, “Don’t go back to Houston just yet. Stay another day or two and give your own Christmas miracle a chance to happen.”

ALLY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT Emily had said for the rest of the morning.

By noon, she knew what she had to do.

She left the silent, lonely ranch house and drove to town.

Luck was with her. Lulu Sanderson was standing at the cash register at Sonny’s Barbecue, looking gorgeous as ever as she rang up preordered smoked hams and turkeys.

Lulu smiled at Ally. “If you’re looking for Hank…”

That, she thought nervously, would come later. She swallowed and looked the other woman in the eye. “I wanted to speak to you first.”

Lulu murmured something to her dad, and another employee, then stepped out from behind the counter. She escorted Ally through the restaurant and kitchen, then out the service entrance. The delicious scent of mesquite-smoked meat emanated from the giant iron smokers located behind the building.

Suddenly all business, Lulu said, “Look, I know the time I’ve been spending with Hank has caused some trouble between the two of you, but he’s been helping me on a really important business deal.”

“Just as you’ve been helping him.”

“Yes.” Lulu sobered. “I wanted to speak to you about what was going on, but Hank asked me not to. You see, there were reasons we had to keep everything between us quiet.”

Trust me, Hank had said… Believe I can find a way to purchase the ranch.

The only question was, did Ally still want to sell the ranch to Hank? Or anyone else?

Oblivious to the conflicted nature of Ally’s thoughts, Lulu paused. “As of nine this morning, that’s no longer the case.”

Here was her chance, Ally thought. She could get Lulu to tell her everything Hank wouldn’t, and stop feeling excluded. Or she could demonstrate the faith she had in Hank and his integrity…

Ally held up her palm. “That’s not going to be necessary.”

Lulu leaned forward anxiously. “Are you sure? Because in retrospect, especially after last night, I realize how this all must have looked…”

And still looked, in fact. The only thing different was Ally’s attitude.

“Hank will tell me what he wants me to know when he wants me to know it.” In the meantime, I’m going to draw on all the patience I possess and wait for that to happen.

She drew a deep breath and extended her hand in the age-old gesture of peace. “Right now, I just want to offer my sincere apology. I haven’t been very friendly to you and I’m sorry.”

Lulu shook her hand warmly. “Apology accepted, and one given in return.”

And just that quickly they were on their way to being what Ally had never dreamed they could be in a million years-friends.

HANK THOUGHT ABOUT THE things Ally and his brother Jeb had said all night. By morning, he knew they were right. Ally had every reason to be upset with him. So did his parents.

If there was ever going to be a change for the better, it had to start with him. He called his parents and asked to meet them at their ranch.

“I know you’ve been worried about me,” he began, as the three of them sat down to talk. “And a lot of it is my fault. In my efforts to be the kind of stand-up, I-can-handle-anything sort of guy I was raised to be, I haven’t been very forthcoming about a lot of things.” He paused, looking them both in the eye. “I realize that has to change.”

His parents welcomed his confession. “We’re at fault, too,” Greta said quietly, reaching out to take her husband’s hand. “In our efforts to protect and help you, your father and I realize we’ve been in your business a little too much.”

Shane nodded. “We should have trusted that you are capable of starting a ranch and running your own life-without our interference.”

Hank didn’t want to appear ungrateful. “I know you’re both here for me, in whatever way I need, whenever I need it. And I appreciate it.”

“We just don’t want to let you down,” Greta said.

Shane concurred. “Not ever again.”

Hank grimaced. “About that.” He knew it was past time he took his parents step by step through the decisions he had made. To his relief, his parents were equally candid. By the time they had finished their heartfelt discussion, Hank understood his parents as well as they understood him. The tension between them was gone.

They promised to maintain their transparency, then hugged and said goodbye.

Relieved that it had gone so well, Hank headed for his next destination. He turned into the driveway leading to the Mesquite Ranch just in time to see Graham Penderson come out of the house. The agent shook hands with Ally as if they were sealing a business deal, then got into his car.

Hoping that didn’t mean what it looked like, Hank returned the other man’s wave of acknowledgment and then parked in front of the ranch house.

Ally was still on the porch, looking radiant in a cranberry-red dress and black suede boots. His heart in his throat, Hank approached. “Do you have time to talk to me?” he asked.

She nodded, looking as reserved as he felt. “Come on in.”

In the foyer was a case of champagne, with a gift card that said “Merry Christmas from Corporate Farms.” Beside it was a manila folder holding what looked like legal papers.

Had she sold the ranch? At the end of the day, did it matter?

Ally waved a hand. “I haven’t sold Mesquite Ridge, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Relief mixed with the anxiety he felt about their future. “But Corporate Farms is putting the pressure on,” Hank guessed, following her into the living room. At once, his eyes were drawn to the angel atop the beautifully decorated tree. It was as lovely and delicate as the woman who had put it there.

Ally reached out and took his hand. “They presented me with yet another bid, two percent higher than the last one.”

Hank’s throat closed. He looked at her with all the hope his heart could hold. “And?”

Ally’s green eyes were steady, but her lower lip trembled. “I told them I was no longer interested in selling the house and the barn.”

Which meant she hadn’t changed her mind-she was keeping her link to Laramie County.

“Graham said both had to be part of the deal,” Ally continued in a rusty-sounding voice. “I said, ‘No way.’”

Hank clasped her fingers tightly. “So it’s over?”

Ally regarded him shrewdly. “He’ll be back, just like you said, until the land is sold. Then he’ll look elsewhere.”

Here was his chance to show her what she meant to him. What he cared about, and what he didn’t.

And most important of all, to say what he should have said when she had been upset the evening before. “First off, I want to apologize because you were right. I should have talked to you earlier about my plans, even if they weren’t completely formed…”

Ally matched his steady gaze, with obvious regrets of her own. “And I should have trusted you-even without detailed explanations,” she said softly.

She meant that, Hank realized with gratitude. His spirits began to soar. Suddenly, the future was looking a lot brighter. Once everything that had kept them apart was out of the way, that was. Knowing a lot more than a simple apology was required to completely fix things here, he pushed on, “Second-about Mesquite Ridge…and the way you feel…”

Again, she cut him off, this time by going up on tiptoe and pressing her index finger against his lips. Ally looked him right in the eye. “I’ve talked to Lulu,” she said softly. “Whatever the two of you want to do in terms of business is fine with me.”

Hank eyed her in surprise. “You’re serious.”

Ally released his hand. “You need a partner.”

“Yes,” Hank agreed, catching her about the waist and pulling her flush against him, “I do.” He looked down at her tenderly. “And that partner is you.”

Ally splayed her hands across his chest. “I don’t understand.” But for the first time, she seemed willing and ready to listen, with a completely open mind and heart. Encouraged, Hank continued.

“Lulu plans to expand her father’s barbecue place into a state-wide chain. She’s already selected the locations and she’s got venture capital lined up, to begin construction immediately.”

Ally’s eyes widened. “You’re part of that?”

Proud of what he had negotiated, he explained, “I’m supplying the mesquite to fuel the smokers. Hopefully, it will come from your ranch. That is, if you agree to lease me the timber rights to the property.” Hank pulled papers from his pocket. “That way the land will be cleared at no charge or bother to you. And I’ll get enough money from the harvesting of the mesquite to provide the down payment I need to make a serious bid on the ranch and/or the timber rights.” He locked eyes with her. “But if you don’t want to do that, then Lulu plans to make a deal with you directly. In either case, you’ll have the option to do a controlled burn and get rid of the mesquite permanently, hence increasing the value of the land for ranching or keeping it producing indefinitely, for harvesting.”

Ally listened intently to everything he was saying, but he couldn’t quite read her expression. “In the meantime,” he continued, “you’ll have a buyer for your wood, a steady stream of income and a way to pay the mortgage and the taxes on Mesquite Ridge for as long as you want to stay.” He handed her the proposal he had meticulously drawn up, down to the last penny. He hoped it was enough. “It’s all here, in black and white.”

Ally stared at the numbers as if he had just given her the best gift she had ever received in her life. “This is very generous of you.”

And selfish. “I want you to be happy and safe and free from financial worry,” Hank said sincerely. And most of all, he wanted her to stay…

Ally looked at the papers and began to laugh. “You’re not going to believe this,” she admitted ruefully. “I’ve got a proposal all printed out, too.”

She went to get it, came back and thrust it into his hands, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “I was going to let you live here and run a herd of cattle for me, in exchange for land.”

Sounded good, Hank thought. Very good. And generous, too.

“Every year, you and I would split the profits on the cattle, fifty-fifty. Instead of a salary, I’d pay you in acreage. At the end of thirty years, you’d own it all. Or sooner, if you could pull together the cash.” Before he could express his delight, Ally added quickly, “Except for the ranch house, that is.” Firmly, she continued, “I’ve decided I want to hold on to this. It’s part of my heritage.”

Hank stared at her in wonder. “You really have changed your view of Mesquite Ridge!” And maybe ranching in general.

She looked at him with the affection he’d been craving. “Although it often felt to me that the land meant more to my mom and dad than I did, you’ve shown me it doesn’t always have to be that way. You can own a ranch and make it your home and still put the people you love first in your life.”

“Agreed. But your idea is good, too. Maybe there’s a way we can combine our two proposals, and come up with something even more solid. In the meantime…” Hank put both sets of papers aside. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “We have a few more things to discuss.”

She sent him a glance that started a flood of memories, both tender and erotic. “I’m not going back to Houston. I resigned my position.”

Hank gazed into her eyes. “You’re sure?” he prodded, wanting more than anything for her to be happy-even if it meant he had to commute, via helicopter gigs, to see her.

Ally nodded. “My home isn’t there anymore, Hank. It’s here.”

She couldn’t have given him a better Christmas present if she’d tried. “Does that mean I’m getting kicked out?” he teased.

“Depends.” Her green eyes went misty again. She moved closer still. “Do you want to share the space with me?”

Wary of asking for too much too soon again, Hank paused. Being roommates or live-in lovers wasn’t what he wanted. Unless it was all she was ready for. “You’re talking about living together?”

“A little more than that, actually. I love you, Hank. I love you with all my heart.”

Hope for the future mixed with the joy he felt. “I love you, too,” he told her, then paused for one long, sweet and tender kiss. He looked deep into her eyes. “More than I ever dreamed was possible…”

Ally grinned as contentment swept over them. “Which is why,” she informed him as her take-charge nature reasserted itself once again, “when all this ranch business is done, I’d like us to make it official.”

“You want to get married?” He grinned, triumphant.

Ally tilted her chin, stubborn as ever. “Got a problem with that, cowboy?”

“Not at all!” Hank laughed with delight. “I like a woman who knows what she wants and goes right after it.”

Ally rose on tiptoe and kissed him sweetly. “I like the same kind of man.”

“My answer to your proposal is yes then.” Hank danced her backward, stopping under the mistletoe. Clinging together, they made up for lost time with long, lingering kisses.

“I can’t believe it,” Ally murmured finally, when at last they drew apart and turned to admire their tree. “It’s not technically even Christmas for a few more hours, and I’ve already got everything I ever wanted. Except…” she gave a heart-wrenching sigh “…one thing.”

Hank listened in the silence of the ranch house and read her wistful expression and knew immediately what it would take to make life in the ranch complete.

“A dog of our very own,” they said in unison.