A Snowbound Cowboy Christmas Read online

  Dylan removed his hat and raked his hand through his hair. He couldn’t handle Emma on his ranch for another two weeks. She’d drive him insane.

  He cleared his throat loudly to announce his presence before entering the room. “How’s the patient this morning?” He didn’t want to let on he had overheard their conversation. “You look better.” Her color had returned to a delicate pink porcelain compared to the borderline red she had exhibited yesterday. Her blood pressure monitor registered 125/80. Definite improvement there.

  “The doctor just told me I can’t travel for two weeks.” A nurse unfastened one of Emma’s belly bands.

  Dylan swallowed hard. “Um, is that really necessary?”

  The doctor’s eyes narrowed at his question. “For the sake of my patient and her unborn child, yes. Yes, it is.” She redirected her attention to Emma. “You can choose to do what you want, but I strongly advise you to stay put. Your contractions went on longer than we had anticipated last night. We received your records from your obstetrician in Chicago. After conferring with him, we feel it’s best if you stay where I can monitor you closely. I’ll get your discharge papers ready and I’ll be in to see you before you leave.”

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Emma shifted so the nurse could remove the second belly band and fetal monitor. “This was only supposed to be a two-or three-day trip. My doctor told me I could fly up to thirty-four weeks. So much for that.”

  Dylan’s mind raced in a million directions. As much as he didn’t want to get involved, he couldn’t possibly turn her out in the cold with only six days until Christmas.

  “You’re welcome to stay at the ranch for as long as you need.”

  “I appreciate that. I promise not to be too much trouble.”

  Dylan wasn’t so sure about that. “No more arguing with me over the ranch, though. It just upsets both of us.”

  The nurse stopped unhooking Emma from her various monitors and regarded him briefly before continuing. Dylan had tried to sound as sympathetic yet firm as possible without coming across as an insensitive jerk. Apparently, he failed at sensitivity.

  Emma mumbled a halfhearted okay before easing out of the opposite side of the bed. Dylan averted his eyes just as she realized he had been privy to her pink cotton-clad bottom thanks to the open-backed gown. He had to hand it to her...she was in fine shape at eight months pregnant.

  She gripped at her gown. “I can’t wait to get into my own clothes. Make that a change of clothes.” She grabbed the sweater and leggings she had worn yesterday from a chair and padded toward the bathroom in her thin hospital slippers. “I’ll be out in a minute.” She began to close the door and then hesitated. “Are the roads open or did you take the snowcat halfway here again?”

  “They’re open.”

  “Then would you mind giving me a ride to the ranch?”

  “You don’t even have to ask.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled sweetly before closing the door. Now that was a smile he could get used to. Not that he wanted to get used to her smile, because Emma wasn’t going to be in town long enough for him to get attached to it. She was there for two weeks only.

  “I’m going to run down to the cafeteria,” Dylan said to the nurse. “That should give her time to do what she needs to do before we go home. I mean back to the ranch. We don’t live together.”

  Dylan groaned. He couldn’t escape the room fast enough. He half walked, half ran down the corridor, desperate to distance himself from all things Emma.

  Two weeks. He didn’t know how he’d survive two weeks and the holidays near her every day. Sure, he could make a point of avoiding her, but even he wasn’t that heartless. Maybe he could convince his sister-in-law, Belle, to spend some time with Emma. They could talk babies and pregnancy.

  Dylan’s mind was racing by the time he reached the cafeteria. He wanted Emma and her baby off his ranch, but the image of the ultrasound had been burned in his brain. Scared as she may be, Emma was far from weak. He had a suspicion she just hadn’t realized her own strength. It wasn’t his job to point it out or steer her in the right direction. And it certainly wasn’t his place to build her daughter a rocking horse, yet he had found himself sketching one repeatedly on his notepad last night. He’d taken up woodworking in high school and had always found the hobby relaxing. He hadn’t thought of building anything child-related since Lauren had packed up her kids and left.

  He poured a cup of coffee and sighed. The next two weeks couldn’t go by fast enough.

  * * *

  CLIMBING INTO THE passenger side of Dylan’s lifted pickup truck was no easy feat in her condition, even with Dylan’s assistance. Emma wasn’t a big fan of lifted trucks, or any truck for that matter. What was it about boys and their toys? She couldn’t even fathom getting a child fastened in a car seat in one of these contraptions. But then, she guessed that was the point. What man wanted to be bothered toting an infant around town? Sure, it looked well and good on television, but most of the men she worked with drove sports cars they had purchased with their yearly bonuses and she guaranteed they were car-seat free. They were in a league she had worked hard to join for the last six years. Unless she closed this deal, it would be forever out of her reach. But how could she convince Dylan to see things her way when he had refused to discuss it further?

  “She’s only eighteen weeks along, but I’m sure she’d love to get together with you.”

  “Huh?” Emma stared at him.

  “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

  “No, I’m sorry. My mind was...elsewhere.”

  “I was talking about my sister-in-law, Belle. She’s eighteen weeks pregnant and I’m sure she would love to meet you.” Dylan steered the truck out of the hospital parking lot. “She and Harlan live on the other side of town. Maybe we can even go over there if you’re up to it. She runs an animal rescue center if you’re into that sort of thing.”

  “Like a dog shelter?”

  “No like a farm animal sanctuary. She takes in animals that were injured or born with deformities. Some have suffered ill-treatment or have been rescued from backyard butchers. Any animal in need of a safe forever home can live out their life at Belle’s Forever Ranch. They even have a cow named Cash—after Johnny Cash—who will be fitted with a prosthesis shortly, since he had a lower leg amputation this past summer. She does have a few Great Pyrenees watchdogs, though. They protect the center from predators.”

  “I didn’t know places like that existed.”

  “You need to get out of the city more.”

  “I will have you know I’ve traveled the world over numerous times. It’s just that most of my destinations are—how should I phrase it—a little more exclusive.” Dylan winced at her description and she immediately regretted her poor choice of words. “Not that Saddle Ridge isn’t exclusive.”

  “No, I get it. Saddle Ridge is a small town. So, I have to ask, why are you so interested in my property when places like Aspen and Lake Tahoe fit the lifestyle you’re promoting?”

  “Price and acreage for one. Saddle Ridge has the same outdoor attractions the well-known resort areas have. We’ve been looking to acquire a large ranch away from the usual travel destinations but not completely off the beaten path. We want to take full advantage of northwestern Montana’s year-round activities without sacrificing an ounce of luxury. I get that you’re against my vision, but people can enjoy the rugged outdoors and still be pampered once they return to the resort. It’s like outfitting a bunkhouse with cots versus feather beds. What you’re sleeping on doesn’t make it any less of a bunkhouse.”

  “It does when you’re gutting the interior and exterior of the bunkhouse and then hanging a sign on the door that says yoga retreat.”

  “Nobody wants to gut Silver Bells. But even you must admit, it needs some serious updating. And
I know you’ve put a lot of time, money and effort into the place. Your uncle told me everything you’ve done and what you have accomplished is great. But turning this ranch around is bigger than that. It costs much more money than you have. I want to preserve the log cabins, but they need renovations. Especially the bathrooms, along with all the bathrooms in the lodge. And we have many plans for that building. A state-of-the-art kitchen along with new energy-efficient windows throughout. The heating system needs an upgrade and the guest rooms need new furnishings. That’s just the beginning. We want to bring the buildings back to life, not cover them up. I’ve done a solid year of market research and our capital partners have signed off on our ideas. We have the resources to create a beautiful resort experience, if you’ll let us.”

  Emma wanted to say more, but already feared she’d said too much. She had agreed not to mention the sale again, at least not until she found another angle to work.

  “Say I agree to your terms,” Dylan began, giving her a glimmer of hope. “What are the chances of your acquisitions firm or another of your investors buying more properties in Saddle Ridge with the idea of capitalizing on your luxury spa resort? As it stands now, Saddle Ridge is a very affordable place to live. If your investors begin buying smaller mom-and-pop stores to set up high-end boutiques that will push our local businessmen and women out, which would eventually raise the median real estate prices, then the town becomes unaffordable for those who live here now. Austin, Charleston, Nashville are prime examples, never mind Aspen itself.”

  The man clearly did his homework. “I can’t say that hasn’t happened in the past and there’s always that possibility. But with the increased home prices and business sales comes an influx of cash to those who sell.”

  “You’re under the assumption it’s about money. I know a lot of people here who would stay regardless of what they were offered. That and the fact we like our sleepy town just the way it is.”

  “If that’s the case, then why are you so concerned?”

  “Because there’s an equal amount that would sell. My uncle was one of them.” Emma watched Dylan’s knuckles turn white as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. “What about my horses? What are your plans for them?” He braked at a red light and faced her. “I know Jax had them written into the sale, despite my protests.”

  “Some would remain here, but others would most likely be sold.”

  “To who? Sold to other local ranches or sold for slaughter? And what would you do with the horses that remained during your six-month renovation?”

  “They wouldn’t be left to fend for themselves, Dylan. They would have caretakers assigned to them. Most likely people who are already working on your ranch. Or you, if that’s what you want. We can write it into the contract.” Emma hadn’t expected a barrage of questions on the way back. “As for selling the horses, I can’t imagine they would be sold for slaughter.”

  “Then you have a lot to learn about the horse industry.” Dylan held up his hand to stop her from saying anything further as he stepped on the accelerator. “I said I wasn’t going to do this and I won’t debate it further. It doesn’t matter what your answer is, I’m not selling.”

  Emma remained silent for the remainder of the short drive, chastising herself for once again blowing her opportunity to change Dylan’s mind. His questions were valid and had piqued her curiosity. She hadn’t thought about who the horses would be sold to before. Now she wondered herself.

  By the time they reached the ranch, Emma was barely able to keep her eyes open. She hadn’t slept much last night courtesy of the butter bean. Tired as she was, the massive Christmas tree at the front entrance of the Silver Bells lodge snapped her awake.

  “Oh, how pretty!” Large silver bell ornaments glistened in the morning sun on the two-story tree. “How did you get it up and decorated so fast?”

  Dylan cut the engine and silently stared at her as if she had two heads.

  “What? Am I not supposed to ask questions, now?”

  “No, you can ask whatever you’d like.”

  “Then what’s the problem? Don’t you like Christmas?” she asked.

  Dylan laughed. “I love Christmas. I’m just surprised you didn’t notice that blue spruce yesterday or during your previous visits to the ranch. It’s been growing in that very spot probably since before you were born. We always decorate it on the first of December.”

  How could she have missed a giant Christmas tree? How could she have missed the tree period since it was a permanent fixture?

  Dylan hopped out of the truck and held the passenger door open for her. “Maybe you need to slow down a little and appreciate what’s in front of you instead of trying to change what you never really saw in the first place.” He held out his hand to help her step down onto the pavement. “Humor me for a second. Do your new plans for the ranch include this tree? Or was it eliminated from the architectural drawings?”

  Emma shook her head. “I don’t remember seeing it on any of the sketches. I can only assume it was removed to showcase the lodge’s facade instead of hiding it.”

  “Is that how you see it right now? A tree covering up a building?”

  “No.” Emma’s palm seared against his. “It’s the most beautiful Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen Christmas all over the world. I get what you’re saying. It does enhance the place. It doesn’t detract from it. I’m ashamed to admit I hadn’t noticed it before.”

  “Then it would be fair to say you may have overlooked other parts of the ranch as well?”

  Emma released his hand. “Possibly, but you can’t disregard all my suggestions because I overlooked a tree. Based on what your uncle told me, even you’ve admitted the ranch needs more updates than you can afford.”

  “You still don’t get it, do you?” Dylan held open the lodge entrance door for her. “If you can miss something as big as a tree, you’re running in the wrong gear. I know Saddle Ridge isn’t where you had planned to spend Christmas. Since you’re stuck here, take the time to get to know some of my employees. Now that the roads are open, go in to town and meet people. Go baby shopping. You can send things back to Chicago after the holiday. You’re surrounded by the Swan Range and Mission Mountains. Enjoy the scenery and focus on your daughter. I’m sure your job will understand when you tell them you’re laid up for medical reasons. And we have Wi-Fi so it’s not like you’re cut off from the outside world.”

  Emma closed her eyes. She already dreaded telling Charlie about her travel restrictions. Knowing him, he’d see it as another advantage. And if she returned to Chicago after two weeks without a contract in hand, she’d be lucky to still have any job at the firm.

  “Thank you for yesterday, this morning and in advance for the next two weeks.” She dug in her bag for her room key.

  Emma didn’t wait for him to respond. She was in desperate need of a shower and a change of clothes. She wound her way past the numerous poinsettia plants surrounding the front desk and then looked up and saw the enormous Christmas wreath hanging from the second-floor balcony and the garland draped along the railing on either side of it. Could she have been that blind? She wanted to believe Dylan was playing a colossal joke on her. As much as she wanted to think it wasn’t her fault, he was right.

  She had been laser focused on acquiring Silver Bells. What was wrong with that, though? So she was career-oriented. She had goals she wanted to obtain for her and her daughter. Financial security was everything. She had two weeks to come up with an alternate plan and she’d stop at nothing to succeed. Her daughter’s future depended on it.

  Chapter Seven

  Outside of lunch, Emma spent much of the day in her room napping. Now she was wide awake and probably would be for the rest of the night. An hour ago, Dylan had phoned her room to check up on her. She wondered why he had made the call himself instead of asking the front
desk to do it, then she figured after he’d seen her at her worst, the formality of their relationship had gone out the window.

  To her surprise, he asked if she would be interested in going on a group sleigh ride, and even warned that if she did, she had to either ride up front with him or Wes, because the seats had already been reserved by couples. After Sandy had mentioned sleigh riding yesterday, she didn’t care where she rode as long as she got to go. She had never thought she’d have the opportunity to ride in an open sleigh and refused to pass up the chance.

  The crisp sting of cold Montana air against her cheeks couldn’t quell her excitement. The landscape was majestic once she took the time to appreciate it. Last night’s snow had heavily blanketed the trees. The below-freezing temperatures had created a thin ice-covered crust on top of the snow, creating a diamond-like sparkle. And when the winds gently blew, the horizon exploded in a magical dance of glistening elegance. She thought she had stepped into a photograph. Mother Nature had outdone herself.

  Dylan and Wes approached their group wearing bright red snow pants and heavy black boots. Their red parkas hung open revealing red suspenders over white thermal shirts. Santa wished he looked that sexy. They led two teams of palomino-colored Belgian draft horses pulling two large red sleighs. Actual sleighs, like in the Christmas song! Emma practically bounced up and down like a little kid.

  When Sandy had mentioned sleigh riding yesterday, she thought she was joking. Today at lunch Emma had asked what horse breeds the ranch owned. Dylan’s question about who they would be sold to after the sale still bothered her and she wanted to learn all she could about the magnificent animals.

  It puzzled Emma why Silver Bells wasn’t advertising sleigh rides and snowcat tours. After scouring their website again, she finally found mention of both tour packages at the end of the booking page. Both items needed to be front and center. From a tourist’s standpoint, those activities would have drawn her in. But there was no mention of either in their brochures, which were sparse and outdated. They didn’t even mention Wi-Fi. It baffled her and explained why the new competition had gobbled up their customers. She’d love to see the ranch’s marketing budget.