Sleigh Bells Ring Read online

  “Not until about ten. I have to pick some things up in town and no one is open until nine.”

  “Well, I’ll see you when you get here. You have to tell me everything about what’s been going on at the Painted Sky since I’ve been gone.”

  “Sure thing.” Kristy smiled as she said the words, but her eyes didn’t reflect much enthusiasm for the job.

  Chapter 2

  Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection.

  – Winston Churchill

  Chad Devlin lay in his cot and stared at the ceiling, listening to the muffled sounds of snoring from other ranch hands. He knew he should try to stay in bed and get every minute of rest he could. The workload today would be heavy and he probably wouldn’t hit his bunk again until late tonight. With only two days until the Gala, things would only get busier from there.

  But sleep wouldn’t come, so he gave up on trying. Throwing his legs over the side of the small bed, he pulled on a pair of jeans and threw a heavy flannel shirt over the long-sleeved shirt he wore.

  Twenty minutes later he walked out onto the porch with a mug of dark, steaming coffee and took a breath of the morning air. Other than an occasional sneeze from a horse, the ranch lay wrapped in darkness and all was quiet.

  Once the sun came up, the scene would change from peaceful and still to one of commotion chaos and action, with little time to rest or even take a break. There were horses to feed, cattle to move, and endless questions from guests to answer. Everyone wanted to know what it was like to be a cowboy, and no one considered the fact that taking the time to answer their questions meant the cowboys couldn’t actually do their job.

  Chad frowned when he thought of the term. He didn’t think of himself as a cowboy. He thought of himself as a retired military medic with nowhere else to go. When his service came to a sudden halt because of an injury, he hadn’t adjusted to civilian life well.

  He half-snorted to himself. Hadn’t adjusted well was the term used by VA paper-pushers. Spiraled out of control was more like it. The doctors didn’t seem to understand that his injury had derailed more than his career. It had taken away his friends, his passion...his very identity. He’d started drinking heavily and hit rock bottom after hearing that Mr. Dunaway had died shortly before his discharge.

  Raising the cup of coffee to his lips, Chad felt its warmth spread through him, and compared it to the sense of comfort that had come when he’d received the note from Mrs. Dunaway a few months ago. It had come out of the blue to the low-budget hotel where he was staying on the other side of town. All it said was “We still have a few things of yours in storage. Don’t be a stranger.”

  Those few words had changed everything. How she had known he was back in town and where he was staying, Chad never discovered. But he’d stopped in to see her—on the pretense of picking up his things—and never left.

  This place had always felt like home—and now even more so. The Dunaways were like the family he’d never had. If Mr. Dunaway hadn’t taken him under his wing during his young rebellious years, Chad didn’t know where he would be today. He’d singlehandedly turned Chad’s life around, teaching him, not only ranching skills, but life skills he still carried with him today.

  Chad recalled asking the wealthy ranch owner why he’d hired an unruly kid from a broken home on the poor side of town. Mr. Dunaway had merely shrugged off the question as if it were a pointless one. “It doesn’t matter where you came from, son. It only matters what you’re made of.”

  The memory of those words is what caused Chad to turn the corner to his new life. There was no way he was going to mess this up and make Mrs. Dunaway regret her decision to hire him back. He’d been sober since the day he’d put his bags down in the bunkhouse, and he had no intention of ever drinking again—at least nothing stronger than Mrs. Dunaway’s sweet tea.

  He shifted his mug to his right hand and held out the other. It still trembled a little, but it wasn’t from alcohol, and it had noticeably lessened over the past month. Every day seemed to get a little easier, and every night the muddle of nightmare-filled sleep seemed to lessen. The fresh air and hard work were good for him...inside and out.

  But then his mind drifted back to what he’d seen yesterday. Was Jordyn Dunaway really home? The two of them had grown up together. They’d been inseparable as kids. But he wasn’t sure how he felt about seeing her now. He made a mental note to stay as far away from the main house as possible.

  Chad took another deep breath of the clean mountain air. It was unusually warm for a pre-dawn December morning, but cooler temperatures were on their way. The forecast was for snow, which would make getting the ranch ready for the Gala all that more interesting.

  Leaning his shoulder into the porch post, Chad had just brought the mug back to his lips when he saw a movement in one of the paddocks.

  Frustration, followed by a bit of anger, washed over him. The horses in that paddock were off-limits to the guests because they were the ranch’s breeding stock and the hands’ personal work horses. They were tough—and valuable—and sometimes not all that approachable. Good grief, Blackjack was even in there. He was just plain ornery and mean when he wanted to be.

  The minute guests arrived at the ranch they were told which places were available for their enjoyment and the areas that were prohibited. This paddock was definitely on the strictly prohibited list. The horses in the main barn, where visitors were encouraged to visit, were gentle, patient animals that were safe for urban guests who had never touched a horse before.

  Chad slammed his coffee down on the porch railing and walked swiftly toward the paddock gate, trying to control his temper. It was hard to see in the dim light, but he could make out the silhouette of a person moving ahead of him in the darkness. The lack of common sense of city people continued to amaze—and frustrate—him.

  Spooking these horses could be dangerous, not only for this guest, but for the horses. Didn’t this person know this was a working ranch, not a petting zoo? If they wanted to touch a horse, why didn’t they wait until an official function during the day? There were plenty of them, including a trail ride later this morning.

  Chad was surprised the person didn’t hear him approach. He was practically stomping on the solid well-packed ground as he sought any sign of movement in the darkness. The slightest tinge of light could be seen cresting the eastern skyline, but it wasn’t enough to produce any real illumination. He walked by memory alone, aided by a moon that was sometimes bright and sometimes covered by fast-moving clouds.

  After moving a couple of horses out of the way by lightly touching them, Chad caught sight of the figure again. The person was murmuring to one of the horses while petting his silky forelock.

  Chad stepped closer. “Excuse me but this paddock is off limits. I’m afraid you’re going to have to—”

  The last words melted away as his gaze landed on the brilliant green...teary...eyes of Jordyn Dunaway.

  Chapter 3

  What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future.

  – Agnes M. Pahro

  The voice from out of the darkness and then the figure standing in front of Jordyn caused such a surge of surprise and emotion that she just stood and stared. It seemed like long minutes passed, but surely they were only seconds.

  “Chad?” She blinked a few times, partly in an effort to her clear her cloudy eyes, and partly to see if the image remained—or was only a figment of her imagination. Her heart flailed and flopped in her chest at the sight of the man she had tried so hard to forget. The impulse to run into his arms—and run away—were both so strong, she wasn’t sure what to do. “W-what are you doing here?”

  “I work here.” His voice was low and gravelly.

  “You work here?” Jordyn’s gaze shifted to the moon that was setting over Chad’s shoulder, trying to clear her mind and slow down the tumble of thoughts running through her brain. The conversation from yesterday replayed
in her mind, as did the look on Kristy’s face. So this is what she had almost told her before being stopped by her mother. The ranch was so big, her mother probably thought they would never run into each other this soon.

  “When? Why?” Her eyes went back to the man she had once known so well, but hadn’t talked to for more than a decade. He had not shaved yet this morning, giving him a rugged, cowboy kind of look. His memorable black hair curled from beneath the brim of his tan cowboy hat, but was not overly long. His shoulders were broader than she remembered, and he seemed a good two inches taller. But those long dark lashes and deep blue eyes had not changed one bit. They were still mesmerizing.

  “Long story. Anyway, I thought you were a guest, and didn’t want you to get hurt with these horses.” He turned and started to walk away. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  Jordyn’s heart flopped again, but this time it was definitely with disappointment at his cold, detached demeanor. As often as she’d thought about seeing him again, which was often, this is not the way it had played out.

  “Wait...”

  Chad paused, but did not turn around to face her. The fact that he seemed so anxious to get away increased Jordyn’s desperation to get him to stay. This had been her best friend growing up...a guy she could tell anything to. Heck, people used to think they were siblings because they were never seen apart. Chad had come to Painted Sky Ranch to get away from an abusive household, and Jordyn’s father had somehow seen potential in the wild, rowdy teen. From the age of thirteen to almost twenty, Chad had pretty much been part of the family.

  “Kristy said there are some new cabins that I’ve never seen. Want to ride over there with me?” She lifted the bridle she held in her hand for him to see.

  She watched his back stiffen. “The Gala is two days away. I have a lot of work to do.”

  “It’s not even sunrise.” She nodded toward the East where only the slightest glimmer of light had begun to show. “You’re not on duty yet, are you? I don’t think Mom requires you to work this early.”

  He turned...just his head, and gave her a sideways glance of annoyance. “Till we get saddled up and over there and back it will be—”

  “No saddle. I was planning on riding bareback.” Jordyn slid the bridle on Blackjack as she talked. “Saves time.”

  Her casual statement caused Chad to turn all the way around. “Bareback? Blackjack?” He scoffed. “When was the last time you were on a horse?”

  “Phooey. It’s like riding a bike.”

  “It’s Blackjack,” he said. “Not a bike. He hasn’t been ridden in years and he was never easy to control even when he had regular exercise.”

  “Okay. Well, I’m going. And I’m going bareback. Maybe I’ll see you later.”

  Jordyn watched Chad’s gaze shift from her, to the horse she held, and could tell he was fighting an inner battle. It was obvious he didn’t want to accompany her, but he was too much of a gentleman to let her go by herself. He’d always been protective and caring. Maybe that part of him still existed beneath the cold, stand-offish disposition he now displayed.

  “Some things never change.” His tone suggested impatience and aggravation, as he turned and started walking way.

  “Is that your way of saying I’m still stubborn?” Jordyn spoke loudly, but tried to keep any trace of triumph from her voice.

  Chad glanced back at her with a look that reflected he’d been thinking of something a little less polite than the word stubborn, and spoke over his shoulder. “I’ll grab a bridle for Kosmo. Hold on.”

  Chapter 4

  Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

  – Hamilton Wright Mabie

  Jordyn led Blackjack around in a circle to work off his energy. She’d had this horse since he was a foal, and he was now...she did the math in her head—twenty-two. But if the way he was prancing around was any indication, he wasn’t going to act his age when she settled on his back. She hoped that her theory about riding a bike was right. Maybe she should follow Chad’s advice and grab a saddle.

  “Here, I brought you a saddle.”

  The sound of Chad’s voice right behind her caused every hair on her neck to stand on end as she turned to see the saddle he offered. His tone was softer now, but still carried an edge of irritation. The fact that he’d read her mind and anticipated her unexpected doubts about riding bareback was unsettling.

  “Thanks.” She reached for the offering, but he handed her the reins to his horse instead, sidestepped her, and lifted the massive Western saddle over his head. “I’ll do it. It’s too heavy for you and you probably don’t remember how.”

  Jordyn just shrugged and walked to the off-side of the black horse as the saddle settled on his back. She grabbed the cinch and leaned down to pass it under Blackjack’s belly for Chad to grab, then made her way back around to watch his steady hands pull the leather through the buckles with practiced ease. Standing this close, Jordyn noticed how much Chad dwarfed her in height and breadth—and obviously strength. The disparity hit her fully as he tugged on the strap to tighten it, causing Blackjack to lay his ears flat on his head.

  “Well, I couldn’t do it that fast or that tight, but I think I could have done it.”

  Chad ignored the comment. “Let me give you a leg up. Blackjack is still too big for you.”

  Before Jordyn could respond, she was being launched into the saddle by strong arms, just like when she was a teenager. Memories and emotions surged through her at the feel of his powerful touch, but she didn’t have time to relax and reminisce. As soon as her seat hit the leather, Blackjack began prancing right and left. Chad held firmly onto the reins until her boots were in the stirrups.

  “You good? You should make him walk a little bit, so he knows he can’t get away doing whatever he wants...like he used to do.” His tone was not harsh, but the expression he wore was one of pained tolerance and impatience. If he felt the same tug of attraction that she did, he certainly wasn’t letting on.

  “Good idea.” Jordyn leaned the reins against his neck to steer him in a tight circle as a way to slow him down while Chad mounted. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him ease his weight into the saddle and settle without making a sound. His horse did not move until he gave a barely noticeable squeeze with his legs.

  “Nice horse,” Jordyn commented as they both turned their mounts toward the rising sun.

  “Yeah. Real nice,” he said with strained politeness. “Mrs. Dunaway is letting me use him.”

  Jordyn smiled to herself. Her mother thought of Chad as a son, yet after all these years, he still called her Mrs. Dunaway.

  “So he’s ranch stock?”

  “One of your father’s last purchases...” He stopped and took a deep breath. “I’m really sorry about your dad...I didn’t even find out about it until after the funeral...”

  “Thanks.” Jordyn spoke while staring straight ahead. “I only made it back in enough time to attend the service, and had to leave again.”

  “So I heard.”

  Jordyn wondered at the coldness of the tone but chose to ignore it...until he spoke again under his breath.

  “Taking pictures for a living is pretty important stuff, I guess.”

  The hint of sarcasm wasn’t subtle—and it wasn’t justified. Disappointment throbbed through Jordyn, followed by a stab of anger. She turned in her saddle to face him. “I beg your pardon?”

  He shrugged, his eyes icy and unresponsive. “Nothing. Never mind.”

  Jordyn concentrated with all her might on breathing, on feeling her beloved horse beneath her, and on the beautiful scenery that was now cast in the soft rosy glow of dawn. Yet his words shook her more than she cared to admit. You can’t tell him anything so just let it go. Let it go. Let it go.

  But she’d been just letting it go for the past ten years, and it hurt. Her family, her friends, and even Chad, thought she was a big-time photographer who flew all over the world to exotic places and got paid big bu
cks to snap photos. What they didn’t know was that the places she traveled to were mostly war zones, and that being an internationally known photographer was just a cover for her real job.

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as a single tear rolled down her cheek. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep up with this lie...especially not here. And especially not with him.

  No one—not even her parents—knew she’d been recruited by a government agency after only one year of community college. As far as her family and friends knew, she’d left her home at the age of nineteen to take pictures for a living.

  Don’t they know I would have never have left this place if it were as simple as that?

  Jordyn pushed the negative thoughts from her mind, along with the images of the things she’d witnessed over the past decade. She needed this place. And she needed to enjoy every minute, every second while she was here. If things hadn’t gone so badly between her and Chad that last night together, maybe things would be different now. But that was all in the past. She had to keep up the farce, even with him.

  Yet already she was reminded why she’d made so few visits home. It was just too hard to live this lie. She didn’t have the courage to smile and pretend it didn’t hurt when people wondered aloud why she would leave her mother and father to run this place—when everyone assumed she’d stay and take over the family business.

  Jordyn worked hard to suppress a gulp of grief. Saying goodbye to the man riding in silence beside her had been the hardest part of all. And now, after all this time, she had to face the fact that her feelings for him hadn’t diminished. She’d pushed him and everything from her past out of her mind so she could do her job, but that didn’t mean she’d forgotten him—and it didn’t mean she’d gotten over him. He’d been her best friend. Her confidant. Her soulmate. When he was gone from her life, he’d left a void no one else could fill. She’d had a few relationships over the years, but nothing like she’d had with Chad. It was like living with a part of her missing.