It's a Christmas Thing (The Christmas Tree Ranch #2)(37)

Rush sighed, knowing better than to crush her childish faith. This holiday season, he needed his own miracle. But he’d long since stopped believing in such things. Anything special that happened would have to be up to him.

*

Tracy was about to take off her jacket and hang it up when she remembered that she needed to take Murphy outside. The old dog had raised his head when she came inside, but he was still in his bed.

She whistled softly. “Come on, Murphy, time to go out.”

With effort, Murphy hauled himself to his feet. Head down and tail drooping, he followed her out the kitchen door to the backyard. Was he moving more slowly than he had yesterday? Was he in pain? She watched as he finished his business and hobbled back to be let inside. When he hesitated at the stoop, she helped him by lifting his hindquarters.

His food bowl was in the kitchen. He took a few bites, then wandered back to his bed and closed his eyes. Tracy stroked the massive head, fighting tears. Rush had been right. Soon she would need to start thinking about the next step. But how would she know when it was time? Where would she find the strength to let her beloved dog go?

Her gaze wandered to the photo on the mantel. The memory of that day on the beach with Steve and Murphy replayed in her mind every time she looked at it—Steve laughing under his baseball cap, Murphy wet from the sea, tongue lolling, his face wearing that goofy dog grin. Murphy was no longer the same dog. But he was all she had from that wonderful day. When he was gone, there would be nothing left but the photograph and the memory.

And she would be alone.

There was still time, Tracy told herself. Maybe after Christmas, she’d be ready to face what had to be faced. For now, she would focus on keeping busy.

She gathered up the laundry, sorted it, and loaded the washer with darks. Glancing down into the box, she saw the kittens, curled together in a warm, sleepy ball. Rainbow was spending less time with them now, and they’d started to climb the sides of the box. Soon they’d be getting out, exploring the house, and eating their first solid food. Then it would be time for new homes. Ginger, the boldest of the four, would be a perfect cat for Francine. She could only hope the others would be just as lucky.

Reaching down, she tickled Snowflake’s silky white belly. He opened his eyes, yawned, and went back to sleep. He was the sweetest, calmest, and most affectionate of the kittens. No wonder Clara loved him best. And what a shame it was that there was no way for her to keep him.

The thought of Clara reminded Tracy of her promise. And the promise reminded her of something else she’d resolved to do. Leaving the laundry room door open for Rainbow, she crossed the hall to the small spare bedroom she used for an office. The legal briefs were on her desk, waiting to be read, but they could wait. Right now, she had something else on her mind. Something personal.

Maybe there was nothing she could do for Rush and Clara. But as a lawyer, she would at least have the background to know something useful when she saw it. Or, if Rush’s case turned out to be hopeless, at least she’d be able to say she’d looked.

Sitting at her desk, she put on her glasses, logged into her computer, and googled the website for Arizona child custody laws.

*

The trail to the Christmas trees led along the boundary of the pastureland and over a low hill. In the backseat, Rush hung on to Clara to keep her safe as Conner’s ATV swayed and bumped over the rough ground. The melting snow had left puddles that splattered upward under the wheels. Clara squealed with laughter as the icy water splashed her face.

Bucket sat in front, next to Conner, his nose to the breeze. When a startled jackrabbit leaped out of the way and bounded off across the flat, the fool mutt was off the seat like a rocket, tearing through the sagebrush to give chase. Minutes later, he came trotting back, mouth grinning, tongue lolling, and leaped back onto the empty seat.

Conner laughed and scratched the dog’s shaggy ears. “Got away from you, did he, old boy? Maybe you need to chase something slower.”

“Conner, does Bucket chase cats?” Clara’s small voice was drowned out by the engine. Rush was close enough to catch the question, but Conner hadn’t heard.

“Wait till we stop.” Rush spoke into Clara’s ear. He knew why she was asking. She was still hoping for a way to keep the white kitten. Much as he wanted to make her happy, Rush couldn’t see any way to make her wish come true.

The ATV slowed atop the low hill that hid the pine-carpeted hollow from the road and from the rest of the ranch. Last year, Conner and Travis had discovered the trees, planted years ago by the ranch’s former tenants. Together, they’d come up with the idea of Christmas Tree Ranch. By the time Rush joined the partners last year, the Christmas tree venture was already underway. His good credit and the income from his veterinary practice had lent the ranch much-needed financial stability. And the ranch had given Rush a home and a new start.

Rush had never believed in miracles. But the trees, which seemed to appear out of nowhere, were a miracle in themselves.

“Look!” Clara was bouncing with excitement. “It’s a forest! A whole forest of Christmas trees!”

Rush had to hold her in place as Conner drove the ATV over the brow of the hill and down into the hollow where the trees grew. Conner pulled onto a level spot, where he’d left the half-loaded trailer, and turned off the engine. Bucket jumped down from the seat and raced off among the trees, where he loved chasing birds and squirrels.