Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(77)

“Bastards! It ought to be legal to shoot people who take puppies and kittens to the country and dump them out,” Verdie huffed. “Look at those kids. Now if that ain’t just what this old ranch needs. Kids and pups. You ain’t plannin’ on bringing them in the house, are you? You do know they’ll be as big as a small calf when they’re grown.”

“I’m sure the kids will want to bring them inside, but we’re going to stand our ground. Two dogs, a cat, and that talkin’ parrot are enough for the house,” Finn said.

“Well, I’m not staying in the house when there’s snow on the ground and new puppies. I’m going to put my boots and coat on, and I’m going out to play with the kids,” Verdie said. “Y’all going with me?”

Callie wrapped her arms around her waist and shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ve just spent the past two hours out in the snow. I’ve had enough of it today.”

“I’m in the same boat with Callie. I’m tired of being outside,” Finn said.

“Okay, but I’m not missin’ a minute with the kids. And when we get too cold to stay out there anymore, we’re making snow ice cream.” Verdie’s last words faded out on the way to her bedroom.

Finn poured a cup of coffee and carried it to the living room where he sunk down in the sofa and propped his cold feet on the coffee table. From the kitchen window, Callie could see the kids bounding through the snow with two furry bundles bouncing around like windup toys all around them. Their giggles, especially Martin’s, was music to her ears. She couldn’t remember a time that he’d been so open, carefree, and so much like a kid his age.

The sound of Verdie’s boots on the floor passed behind her, leaving the faint smell of her perfume in the kitchen. The minute Verdie was off the back porch, she picked up a handful of snow and patted it into a ball, heaved it toward the kids, and hit Ricky on the shoulder. He squealed, and the fight was on.

Dogs running between the kids.

Verdie hiding behind a tree with Olivia joining her team, making it the girls against the boys.

“Hey, this fire is waiting on you,” Finn called.

She found Shotgun curled up on Finn’s left with Pistol right beside him and Angel lying across his shoulders like a blond fur collar. “Looks like they’ve only left me one option.”

“The rocking chair or the rug?”

She straddled his lap and laid her head on his chest. “No, this one.”

He put his feet on the floor, his hands on her butt, and pulled her close enough that neither light nor air could come between them. “I like this option.” He buried his face in her hair.

“I smell snow and coconut. It’s a hot combination,” he whispered.

“It’s not nearly as sexy as your shaving lotion and coffee mixed up together,” she whispered.

“This feels right, Callie. You, the kids, Verdie, and the animals. It’s the way a ranch is supposed to feel.”

“It’s the way life is supposed to feel, whether it’s on a ranch or in the middle of a town the size of Dallas,” she said.

His hands slid up under her shirt. “Your skin is so warm and feels like silk.”

She shifted her position and brought a hand up to trace his jawline. “Are all the O’Donnell men as blistering hot as you?”

“Oh, no! I’m the ugly duckling of the bunch. Wait until you meet the whole lot of them. The really handsome ones will try to steal you away from me, especially Sawyer. He’s got a thing for dark hair and pretty, aqua-colored eyes.” Finn chuckled.

“Like a wise man said last night, it ain’t damn likely,” she murmured just before she closed the space and her lips met his.

“Is this makeup sex time?” he asked gruffly when the kiss ended.

“Right here in front of the fire sounds exciting, but we’ve got four kids and a granny who could bust through the door any minute. Makeup sex will have to wait until tonight.” Her lips found his again.

Would there ever come a time when his touch didn’t make her melt into a pool of hot lava? Or his kisses wouldn’t turn her legs into useless sticks? She hoped not, because for the first time ever, she felt like all was right with her life and nothing could go wrong. Not with Finn to protect not only her body, but her heart.





Chapter 24


Callie checked all the kids one more time as they got out of the van in front of the church. Verdie had done Olivia’s hair up in a crown braid, and she wore a new red corduroy skirt, a bright green sweater with red trim, and a matching Christmas bow at the back of the braid.

“Today is the senior citizens’ program, so I’ll be joining the old folks in the choir. You two are on your own with the kids. Polly and Gladys will be with me, so you’ll have the whole pew to yourselves,” Verdie said.

“Well, Verdie! Why didn’t you tell us you were in the program? You haven’t practiced,” Callie said.

“I’ll miss you sitting beside me,” Olivia said.

“I’ll miss you, too, but next week is your turn, and I’ll have to sit by myself and miss you then,” Verdie said. “And, Callie, we’re so damned old and have done this program so many times that we know it by heart. We don’t have to practice. We just have to show up.”