Home For a Cowboy Christmas(23)

Victoria blinked and shook her head. “I need a drink after hearing that. And you’ve lived it. No wonder you were as white as death when you saw me. You thought I had come for you.”

“Yes.”

“That settles it, then. It’s time for something fun. Clothes,” Victoria said with a bright smile.

Emmy was ready to change the subject. And she was looking forward to seeing what was in all the bags.

“This is going to be so much fun,” Vic said as she rose and rushed to gather an armload of bags to take upstairs.





Chapter 11


It had been a long time since Dwight found himself anxious to get back home after a long day. Sometimes, the big house was too quiet. Other times, he enjoyed the solitude. More often than not lately, he hadn’t been able to find the peace as he once had. Next thing he knew, Emmy was there.

Dwight paused before the house, looking through the large windows to the warm glow within. His sister was in the kitchen cooking and gesturing wildly with her hands as she always did. His gaze slid to Emmy as she moved around the table, setting it for dinner. She wore a burnt orange V-neck sweater and black jeans. Her caramel-colored locks were pulled back on the sides, giving him an unobstructed view of her beautiful face. She laughed at something Victoria said, and Dwight found himself smiling in response.

The difference in Emmy from when she first arrived was astounding, but he had seen firsthand that it would be a slow process for her. She had good days and bad ones. He had promised her a safe place, and if it was the last thing he did, he would ensure that.

He’d joined the military because he wanted to serve his country. He’d joined the FBI for the same reason. When he moved to Homeland Security, it was because he’d wanted to protect the citizens of his country. The need to protect and shield against evil had risen like a tidal wave from the first moment he learned why Dalton was bringing Emmy to the ranch.

Dwight had been good at his job, but he had become disillusioned and unhappy. When his parents said they were thinking of handing over the ranch, he’d eagerly taken the opportunity for a change in lifestyle. He’d had no regrets. Still didn’t.

Sam bumped into him as if reminding him that they were still outside. Dwight ignored the dog, his gaze locked on Emmy. Her smile was easy, but her eyes still held anxiousness and trepidation. Evil men had put that there—men who deserved to pay for their crimes. Dwight no longer worked in the law enforcement field, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t do his part to ensure that the men responsible were locked away.

Dwight walked to the porch and knocked the snow from his boots. Sam rushed through his door. Dwight heard the girls call Sam’s name as he ran to them. Dwight opened the door and stepped inside, his eyes colliding with Emmy’s as she squatted to pet Sam.

“Hi,” Emmy said.

Dwight tipped his head to her as he shrugged out of his coat and hung it up with his hat. He forced himself to look at Victoria. “Smells good.”

She gave him a knowing look. “It’s Mom’s famous stew.”

“My favorite.”

“I know.” Vic gave him a wink and went back to stirring the pot.

Dwight took off his boots near the door. “I’m going to wash up.”

“Please,” Vic said without looking at him.

He strode to his room and closed the door behind him. Dwight stripped out of his work clothes and jumped into the shower to wash away the day. He was out in ten minutes and dressed in jeans and a shirt. When he returned to the kitchen, Victoria was just setting the stew on the table. Emmy filled three glasses with red wine before placing the bottle down.

“Emmy,” Vic said as she motioned to the chair across from her.

Dwight glanced at his sister to find that she had put him at the head of the table. He took his seat as she dished out the stew and handed each of them their bowls. Silence stretched until Emmy had taken a bite.

“Wow. This is amazing,” she told them before spooning more into her mouth.

Dwight smiled and took a bite. “Delicious, Vic. Thanks.”

“I like to cook. Not sure why I don’t do more of it at home,” she said offhandedly as she ate. Then, Vic turned the attention on him. “How are things here?”

“Lost two calves yesterday.”

Victoria shook her head. “And winter is just starting.”

Dwight didn’t want to talk about the ranch. He jerked his chin to Emmy. “I like the sweater. Is it new?”

The women shared a smile and a laugh.

“I take that to mean the afternoon was fun,” he said with a smile.

Vic reached for her wine and sat back in the chair. “Oh. You could say that.”

“I didn’t even get through all the clothes,” Emmy told him. “There are still about ten bags to go. You should’ve seen what all she bought.”

“I carried them in,” he said blandly. “I have an idea.”

“You really don’t,” Emmy replied with a laugh.

Vic’s eyes were wide when they looked at her. “What? I did warn you both that I love to shop.”

Dwight listened with interest as the girls went through their afternoon of trying on clothes and shoes. But he knew there had been more to it. Victoria’s arrival had been a blessing in disguise for Emmy. It had given her someone to bond with and let her forget, at least for a little while, what had brought her to Montana to begin with.