“Sam, got any beer?” He brushed the dust off his chaps and kicked the mud off his boots before entering the house.
* * *
Amanda had been working with a young boy for about two weeks now. They had been talking quietly, when suddenly he started shrieking and running around her office. Her job as camp counselor seemed fraught with peril, as she worked through problems with various kids. She kept quiet and watched him for a while. Amanda knew he wasn’t physically hurt, so she held out her hands to keep him from bumping into furniture. The boy finally plopped exhausted into one of her comfortable chairs. Like one of Colt’s horses, she had to give him time to get used to her and begin to trust her. Patience was the key to where she wanted to go with this boy.
His breathing became normal again, signaling he was calm. Amanda quietly suggested that they go for a walk. Walking around and around her building, the boy let Amanda hold his hand. While walking, he finally told her a few of his fears—father beatings, mother abandonment, drug use in the home.
It never failed to amaze her how many bad parents were out there and continuing to have children. The camp was trying to straighten out damaged children after their parents had put the kinks there. They talked a while longer and then she told him when they could meet again.
Taking him back to the recreation area, she walked over to the lunchroom to grab a bite. Going into the bathroom to wash her hands, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. A different Amanda looked back at her. Sure, her eyes were still green and her hair a pretty auburn color, but it was someone more confident—happier…An improved version of the old Amanda. She liked what she saw.
Her new friend, another counselor named Kim, called to her, “Over here, Amanda.” Kim was a petite blonde who used a lot of physical therapy with her clients. You could generally find her in the pool with a child or two. She sat down with Kim and waited for the onslaught. It wasn’t long in coming.
“So how about that movie tonight? It’s the new Johnny Depp one where he plays Tonto. I know the critics hated it, but what do they know? Have they ever tried to make a movie? No, so we won’t listen to the critics.” She seldom paused for breath.
“Kim...”
“Or, I know… there’s a cool new bar in Truckee I’ve been dying to try. How about it? Maybe we’ll meet some cute cowboys.”
“My turn to talk, Kim. Take a bite of your sandwich.” Amanda winked at her. Kim happily began to eat.
“I wouldn’t mind going to Truckee some time, but not after work today. I want to try out that new horse at the stable in town.”
“That’s all you do anymore, Amanda. You’ve been here a month and must be an expert horsewoman by now. Or is it equestrian-person? What is the politically correct term anyway?”
“I guess ‘cowgirl’ would do.”
“That doesn’t sound politically correct.”
“Horses and this camp are changing me, Kim. I feel so much better getting out of the polluted city air.”
“You can’t take a horse to bed, Amanda. I suppose you could, but I never figured you for a Catherine the Great type of person.” Kim laughed.
“I’ve read Russian history and I think Catherine’s reputation has been tarnished by that lie. Don’t perpetrate it…” Amanda gently closed Kim’s mouth when it dropped open.
“What were we talking about?”
“I’m going riding after work today, but I promise to come out with you Friday. How would that be?”
“You’re a boring woman, Amanda, preferring a horse to a guy.”
“I know I’m hopeless. Finish your sandwich, Kim.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanne Harrell lives in Nevada with her husband. They have two boys—grown up and on their own…sometimes. They are both long time Nevadans mired in the Old West spirit. Traveling to different places in the country, especially the Western states, give Jeanne ideas for her books.
Please join her mailing list for news of upcoming books.
Click here to join.
www.jeanneharrell.com
Please try the other books in the Rancher series about the Johnson family in Nevada:
Whisperer (Book Two – Colt’s story)
Always and Forever (Book Three – Meg)
Being Emma (Book Four – Janie)
The Darkest Hour (Book Five – Janie and Craig)
Just Before Dawn (Book Six – Janie and Craig)
Rancher’s Christmas
The Westerners Series
Riding the River
Stream Ran Dry
Lonesome Creek
Avila Beach Winery Series
The Winemaker’s Dilemma
Other contemporary romances
Persuaded
Transparency
Tinker, Taylor (A Lunch Break Romance)
* * *
AN EXCERPT FROM RANCHER’S CHRISTMAS
By
Jeanne Harrell
PROLOGUE
“Who’s that, Jesse?”
“For Pete’s sake, Joey… Don’t tell me you don’t recognize Anna. You’ve known her all your life.”
“Anna?”
“Yes, Anna. Audrey’s sister, remember? She’s just back from that university she attended back East.”
Joey blinked and shook his head. “Uh-uh. That’s not her. Anna has a ponytail, braces and glasses.” He couldn’t help but stare at the vision before him.
She walked…no, she glided gracefully towards him – Beautiful, shoulder-length, dark brown hair curled in layers around her pretty face. A face he’d apparently never seen behind those glasses she’d always worn and the braces that straightened her now very attractive teeth. As she approached him, Joey’s eyes widened as he locked onto her gorgeous deep brown eyes. Her long lashes blinked seductively as she cocked her head at him.
Then she was standing in front of him, giving him the once-over that he’d just been giving her. Her pretty summer dress did little to hide her shapely figure and Joey’s jaw dropped to match his wide-eyed stare.
Jesse was right – He’d known her his entire life, but had never really seen her until this minute. They’d grown up riding horses together on his father’s ranch, since her father was their ranch foreman. They’d hunted frogs together in that old pond in the backyard and been to zillions of Johnson family parties as friends and playmates. Many times he had sneaked her up to the barn roof to shine a flashlight up at the stars. But he hadn’t seen much of her since she went off to school. He’d been busy with school himself and the painting that was soon to become his livelihood.
But who was she now? Gone was the innocence of childhood and in its place stood a mature woman… a beautiful, intoxicating woman. Joey sucked in his breath and straightened his posture. He finally thought to close his mouth and took a deep breath.
She stepped closer to him. Her subtle perfume mesmerized his senses and he longed to stroke her exquisite face. Her hair begged him to run his fingers through it, smooth it back, kiss it…
“Joey Johnson,” the vision finally spoke to him.
He smiled. “Anna Bates. It’s been a while. How are you?”
“Fine and I’ve wanted to do this for a really long time.”
“What?”
Anna rose up on her tiptoes, her eyes locked on his. Smiling, he parted his lips and leaned towards her.
Faster than a striking snake, her hand flew to slap him hard across the face. Joey jumped back, a hand rubbing his smarting cheek.
“Yow! What the hell was that for, Anna?”
“… Oh, that’s been brewing for some time.”
“You wanted to hit me?”
“Yes. Nothing else seems to wake you up. I thought I’d try violence.”
He took another cautious step back.
“Well, it’s not working. I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
“If that doesn’t do it,” she haughtily threw back her mas
s of dark hair and turned around, “…nothing will.”
And she walked away, hips swaying, long hair swinging. Joey watched her until she went into the house. Still rubbing his sore cheek, he heard Jesse laughing behind him. He swung around to confront him.
“What?”
Jesse stopped mid-laugh. “Sorry, little brother, but you had that coming.”
“… What the hell did I ever do to Anna to deserve that?”
“Oh, you deserve it, all right.”
“Why?”
“It’s not what you’ve done, bro. It’s what you haven’t done…”
Joey shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs. “You’re not making any more sense than Anna…”
“Think about it, you idiot. I’ve got to go feed the horses. Hurry up. Dad and Mom are waiting for us at the house. Big welcome home party for…”
Jesse didn’t finish the sentence and he didn’t have to. Joey began walking slowly towards the house. “…Anna,” he mumbled. “…Can’t wait – ha.”
His eyes clouded and he just couldn’t see. Why on earth would she slap him? Why was she mad? Was it because he hadn’t… Because he couldn’t… or maybe because he wouldn’t.
Maybe, Joey decided, it was time he did.
* * *
CHAPTER ONE
TEN YEARS LATER
Lily looked excitedly out the huge wall of windows from the living room of the Johnson ranch. The sky was overcast with stripes of gray and murky white. Clouds coming over the Sierra Mountain range were high in elevation, but there was something in them. Rain? Snow, probably. She was hoping it would snow for Christmas – Not only did Nevada need the water for its lakes and reservoirs, but Christmas without snow just wouldn’t seem right.
All the kids and grandkids were in town for the holidays this year and turning, Lily smiled as she watched her youngest daughter, Janie, waddle down the hall. Janie was nine months pregnant and was a cute, little butterball. Her beloved husband, Craig was chasing after their sweet daughter, Cecelia, who was running after cousin Sofia at this very minute. Janie and Craig were back for a month from their new home in London, and she and Sandy were thrilled to see them.
Their son, Colt and his wife, Mandy were expecting their fifth. Five children! She suspected they were trying to match her and Sandy’s tally of six children and smiled broadly just thinking about it. They lived in their own spacious home on the ranch just a mile away, but would probably need to add an extra room soon.
Eldest daughter, Meg and husband, Carter were home from San Francisco with their two kids. Son Miles and his gorgeous English wife, Kate and their little boy were staying here at the ranch house. Eldest son, Jesse and his wife, Audrey had their home on the property and would naturally be here for all the seasonal festivities. Their four children were growing up as little cowboys and cowgirls.
All six of her and Sandy’s children were here under the various roofs on the ranch property with husbands, wives and children in tow. Christmas promised to be very special this year…
And then there was youngest son and Miles’ twin, Joey… Lily sighed. Apparently, the happily-ever-after scenario she’d envisioned for Joey and his on/off girlfriend, Anna, was not going to happen. He was back in town from New Mexico where he had an art gallery and made his living as a landscape artist. Anna was also in town, but this time with a fiancé. They’d been living in Los Angeles for the past year. Neither she nor Anna’s mother, Amy was very happy about the engagement. Lily had been holding out hopes that Joey and Anna would eventually find their way back to one another.
But that’s the way it was… So they were planning a lovely, winter wedding for December 22. She’d had to practically bribe Joey to get him back for Christmas. Once he learned of Anna’s engagement, he was reluctant to come home and had told her how uncomfortable it would make him feel. She told him to stuff it up and come home anyway.
Grandparents Jeanne and Sam Cable were happily situated at their house on the ranch as well. They lived for part of the year up at Sam’s small ranch in Sonoma, California, where he raised horses and operated a small winery. Harvest time in Sonoma was an annual Johnson family event.
Lily smiled again – With everyone here, how could it be anything but wonderful? If only the weather would cooperate.
* * *
CHAPTER TWO
December 21th
The enormous Ponderosa pine tree stood twelve feet high in the comfortable family room of the Johnson ranch house. The family had spent all yesterday decorating with bulbs, tinsel and garland, and wrapping gifts of every shape and size. Now the tree lights were all turned on, throwing out sparkles of twinkling lights in every corner of the huge room. The pile of beautifully wrapped, colorful presents was beginning to grow under the tree and was spreading out into the surrounding areas. Many woolen stockings with names on them hung from the hearth of the massive stone fireplace. It looked to be a Rockwellian holiday – American and Western to the max.
Not only was Lily getting the house decorated for Christmas, they were decorating for a wedding as well. As the daughter of Jason, the Johnson ranch foreman, Lily had asked if Anna wanted to have her wedding at the main ranch house, like she and Sandy had done with most of their children. Anna had agreed so she, her mother and sister were giving Lily a hand.
“How does this look, Anna?” Lily was placing a white decorative tree to the side of the living room. They’d just turned the living room into a winter wonderland with small trees and covered white chairs facing the beautiful rattan arch by the window. By this time tomorrow, varying scents of roses, gardenias, tulips and orchids would change the single arbor arch into a curved garden in multiple shades of white. Florists would be scurrying around working and caterers would be setting up the food in the dining area. Sandy wasn’t too sure about a wedding and Christmas at the same time, but Lily assured him it could work.
Anna turned around. Lily thought she was so lovely – Her thick brown hair cascaded on her shoulders and down her back. Milk chocolate eyes blinked under thick black lashes. She’d always been pretty. Her sister, Audrey, Jesse’s wife, was similar in coloring and temperament not only to one another, but to their mother. Lily had so hoped that Anna would be marrying Joey tomorrow night instead of her fiancé, Tom Carlson. A nice man to be sure… He just wasn’t Lily and Sandy’s son.
“It looks great! I think we’ve about got it set up, Lily.” Anna walked over to where Lily was standing and gratefully took her hands. “Thank you so much for doing this. It was very nice of you.”
Lily gently kissed her on the cheek. “You’re very welcome, Anna. You and Audrey are practically daughters of ours too, we’ve known your family for so long. It’s our genuine pleasure to do this for you and…Tom.” The name Tom nearly caught in her throat.
Audrey went home to her family, but Amy joined Lily and Anna by the front window. Through the glass they saw a light snowfall.
“So… it’s going to be a white Christmas after all,” remarked Lily.
“…Beautiful for a wedding too,” said Amy smiling at her daughter.
“You know what?” Anna’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “I think Tom and I will take off for a quick afternoon of skiing up at Squaw Valley.”
“What?” Lily stopped. “Now? The day before the wedding?”
“Sure,” said Anna casually. “It’s a great way to burn off pre-wedding jitters.”
“Wouldn’t you rather get a facial or take a hot bath to calm those jitters?” Amy’s face registered as much concern as Lily’s. “This isn’t the best time to take off, Anna.”
“Oh, it’ll be fine. It’s just for the afternoon and we’re done here. I think I’ll see who else wants to go.” She kissed the cheeks of both astonished mothers and hurried out of the room.
Lily and Amy exchanged looks.
“…Ah, Amy. Maybe you should try to change her mind about skiing.”
Amy rolled her eyes. “Have you ev
er tried to change Anna’s mind once she’s made it up? No one can move her.”
“...Joey could…” Lily sighed.
“…Once upon a time…” Amy sighed too.
“They really took a turn into left field, didn’t they?”
Amy shrugged. “I just don’t know what went wrong.”
Lily arched an eyebrow. “…That’s nice of you, Amy, but we both know Joey’s at fault here. He just couldn’t seem to commit… My God, she’d been waiting years for him.”
“I think she got the message at long last that he’s the proverbial bachelor.”
“… And a prize idiot to let her go.”
They looked at each other and sighed deeply again.
“Let’s finish up for now and have some lunch. I need a glass of eggnog…”
“Sounds good, Lily, but I’ve got to take off. I told Audrey I’d help with the children so she could do some marketing.”
Meanwhile, Anna had convinced Meg, Carter, Miles and Kate to go up to Squaw Valley skiing with her and Tom. Lily said she’d watched their children, so the three couples loaded up into Sandy’s huge four-wheel drive truck to take off for the resort, situated up in the Sierra Mountains.
An hour later, Joey wandered into the kitchen where Lily and Janie were making lunch. She thought his bare feet might feel chilly on the tiled floor.
“Where’d everyone go?”
“If you’re going to sleep this late, Joey, you’re going to miss a few mini-dramas.”
“Well, I just hope you’ll wake me for anything really ugly…”
Lily and Janie laughed and smoothed more mayo on the bread for sandwiches, before adding cheese and meat. The fragrant aroma of tomato soup filled the kitchen. Joey walked over to kiss his sister on the cheek.
“You look beautiful, sis.”
“Thanks, Joey, but we look alike. You’re complimenting yourself.”
“Ha…I’m not pregnant though.”
While they chatted, Lily marveled at how similar they really were. She was drawn to their striking blonde hair first, then those crystal blue eyes… the same Johnson family faces… delicate bone structure and vivacious personalities. They were so very much alike, but not only in looks. If Craig Ferguson hadn’t gently pushed and prodded for many years, Janie might not be standing here nine months pregnant with their second child.