Baby Under the Christmas Tree Read online

  He just needed Elle to give it all meaning.

  Several times he caught a glimpse of her in the crowd. In the end that’s what drew him from his corner, the necessity to find her and make her his.

  And then the crowd parted and he saw her. She stole his breath.

  Yellow silk wrapped her body as faithfully as sunshine, beautifully showcasing the pale perfection of her bare shoulders and subtle hint of cleavage. Her dark auburn hair flowed over one bare shoulder in cascading curls and her pretty brown eyes were shadowed in smoky layers, giving her a sultry look.

  Sexy, radiant, gorgeous. She made his mouth water, his mind reel and his heart ache.

  He stalked her, not a difficult task since she came straight for him. They met in the middle of the dance floor just as music swelled and people began to crowd around them.

  He held his hand out to her and she took it. Pulling her close, he wrapped her in his arms and moved slowly to the music. He sighed. This felt so right.

  * * *

  Elle settled against him with a sigh of her own. It seemed so long since she’d been in his arms and she’d missed the sense of belonging. She allowed herself only a moment to savor his closeness before putting a little steel in her spine and pulling back.

  “How is Troy?” she asked.

  “He misses you.”

  “I miss him, too.” The little guy had really wrapped himself around her heart. “What are you going to do about it?”

  “I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  Not exactly the response she’d been looking for. “I’m sorry I missed your calls today. I was busy with the event.”

  “I wanted to let you know Amber is gone.”

  Elle tripped over his feet. “What?”

  “She signed her rights over to me and left town.”

  “Why?” Shocked, she tried to make sense of his revelation. Amber was gone.

  “Because Troy and I deserve a fresh start and we wouldn’t get it with her dragging us down. Because she hurt you, and nobody gets away with that in front of me.”

  “Max.” She didn’t know what to say. She never expected this.

  “And that includes me. You were right.” He leaned his chin on her temple as if unable to look at her as he made his confession. “I was a coward for not acting on my feelings for you.”

  “Your feelings?” She held her breath. Was it going to be this easy? His expression when he saw her across the room had been everything she’d hoped for. He’d practically drooled. A highly satisfying moment. And she’d almost missed it because she’d been drooling over him, too.

  His tux showcased his broad shoulders, and the blindingly white pleated shirt offset his tanned skin perfectly. He looked strong and healthy and fit. And she’d been more than ready to confront him and demand he deal with her.

  Now she thought about it, he’d already been on his way toward her.

  “I love you, Elle.”

  Her throat closed as emotion overwhelmed her. She had started the night thinking she needed to fight for his love, but he’d beat her to it, freely admitting his feeling for her.

  “Oh, Max.” She framed his face and made him look at her. “Truly?”

  And there it was in his eyes, the regret, the pain, the hope, the love, all laid bare for her to see.

  “I love you, too.” She breathed against his mouth, allowing herself to believe this moment was really happening.

  She suddenly realized there was a hush in the room and she and Max lifted their heads to see the music had stopped and they were the only ones left standing in the middle of the deserted dance floor. Ray stood at the podium ready to start the program.

  Elle felt heat flood her cheeks and she pulled on Max’s hand. Not only did she want out of the spotlight, she longed to get him alone to finish their discussion.

  But Max had other ideas. He held up a hand to Ray. “I’m going to need a minute here.” And he went down on one knee.

  “Oh my God. Max.” Elle tugged on his hand. The room blared with silence around them.

  He didn’t fight her, but he didn’t rise either. He clasped both her hands in his and offered her his soul.

  “I love you, Elle Austin.” The words were for her alone, but he didn’t seem to care who heard them. “I’m a better man when I’m with you. A better father. You’ve shown me what it means to be a family, but I need you to make it complete. Will you marry me?”

  No longer caring about the crowd, Elle sank to her knees along with him. This was everything she yearned for but hadn’t dreamed was within her grasp.

  “For Troy’s sake?” she asked.

  He nodded and her heart sank a little. She shouldn’t have asked. Because she almost didn’t care.

  “This whole debacle with Amber made one thing clear to me. I want you to be the mother of my children. So yes, for Troy, but mostly for me.”

  Tears threatened to fall as her heart swelled with love. Looking into his eyes, seeing adoration gazing back at her, lifted her to the height of angels. Sportsman, pianist, philanthropist: she loved all parts of him.

  “I need you in my life. And I want it to be forever. Say yes.” He jerked his head toward the crowd. “Soon, please.”

  “I’ve missed you and Troy so very much. My life has been so dull and orderly without you. I need the color and chaos you bring. I love you more than I believed possible. And my family is really big on love.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and put him out of his misery. “Yes, please.”

  Applause broke out.

  “Excellent.” He kissed her hard, and standing, he swooped her up in his arms and carried her off.

  “Congratulations to Max and Elle.” Ray took control of the program. “Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like Max got the best prize of the evening, but we have lots of wonderful items to auction off. This is a good opportunity to announce that the San Diego Thunder organization will be partnering with Max Beasley’s foundation, Safe Streets for Kids, in building a sports camp for kids in east San Diego. It’ll have an ice rink and soccer fields...”

  Elle stopped listening. Max loved her. He’d just claimed her in front of his entire team and her friends and family.

  She leaned forward and kissed his jaw, claiming him, too.

  Showing the world they were a team.

  A whisper came to her from the crowd. “They’re perfect together. It’s like watching Beauty and the Beast.”

  Elle stared into Max’s eyes. Yeah, she could live with that.

  * * *

  A week later Elle sat cross-legged in the middle of Max’s bed putting the finishing touches on his gift. She fussed with the white bow on the red-wrapped package, anxious for Max to finish his shower.

  It was five after midnight and she couldn’t wait to start their first Christmas together. She had several gifts for him actually, including the sexy nightie she wore under his shirt.

  They’d just finished putting Troy’s gifts under the tree, including a wagon and a tricycle Max had had to put together. She’d always loved Christmas but this year, with her own family, she felt the magic more than ever as she overflowed with happiness.

  The day was completely planned out. Up early to open gifts. She couldn’t wait to see Troy’s face when he saw the gift-shrouded Christmas tree. Elle insisted that Deb spend Christmas with them and the older woman would be making breakfast and then they were all headed to church with her family fo
llowed by holiday festivities and dinner at her folks’ house.

  A wonderful day that she truly looked forward to, but first she wanted this time with the love of her life. She heard the shower turn off and her heart raced in anticipation.

  He was so good to her, he had even sat through a viewing of Beauty and the Beast. She’d heard the comment so often she’d decided he needed to share the joke. He’d been very good-natured about it; of course that could be due to the sensual bribe she’d given him.

  He strolled in, wrapped in a towel, his hair still damp from the shower, his broad shoulders gleaming in the bedside light.

  Oh yeah, she was ready to pay up again right now.

  He lay down beside her and yanked on a strand of her hair. “What did Ray have to say?”

  The team offices had been on vacation since the day after the Gala, so she hadn’t heard how they were taking her relationship with Max.

  “He said I can keep my job. It seems management has a problem with staff dating players, but a committed relationship is okay.”

  “I’m glad.” He kissed her softly. “I didn’t want your career to suffer because of me.”

  “It would have been worth it,” she assured him, and then she grinned. “I would have hit you up for a job with the foundation.”

  “And I would have given you one. But I know you’ve been working hard for the directorship.”

  “I’m going to get it, too.”

  “I don’t doubt it.” He ran a finger down her arm. “I’m glad Deb took the job with the foundation. She’ll be the perfect manager for the sports camp. She gets to stay on her family land, but with a property manager on-site she won’t be alone.”

  “She was so excited she was in tears. It was the best Christmas present you could give her.”

  “Talking about Christmas presents.” He flicked the bow on the red package. “Is this for me?”

  Suddenly uncertain, she hesitated before setting it in front of him. “Yes. I hope you like it.”

  He looked at her a long time and then plucked the bow off. A moment later he revealed a scarlet crystal rose.

  She bit her lip waiting for him to react. He gave nothing away as he stared at the eight-inch, long-stemmed rose.

  “I know, it’s silly. It means—”

  “Shh.” He pressed a finger to her lips. He carefully set the rose on the bedside table and tossed the box aside before pinning her to the bed. “It’s The Beast’s rose, full of love that will never wilt.” He kissed her forehead. “Never fade.” His lips whispered over her cheek. “Never die.” His mouth adored hers in simple caresses that deepened and grew, relentlessly arousing her passion up until her nerves tingled and her muscles melted. “I get it. Best of all I get you.”

  He lifted his head and the look in his eyes revealed she’d touched something primal in him. “I love you so much. And you deserve soft words and gentle caresses. But it’s all I can do not to ravish you.”

  “Oh, goody.” She released the button holding his shirt together and it fell open showing him her sheer nightie. Then she looped her arms around his head. “There is a Santa Claus.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from The Cowboy Comes Home by Patricia Thayer!

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  CHAPTER ONE

  WILLIE NELSON’S “On the Road Again” poured out of the open windows of Johnny Jameson’s truck as he drove along the country road. It was January in Texas, but he was energized by the cold air, knowing the temperature would rise to triple digits soon enough come spring. No matter what the weather, he’d much rather be outside than cooped up indoors.

  He always liked to keep on the move. Never felt the need to stay at any one place too long. More times than he could count, he had lived out of his vehicle.

  He’d been lucky lately. The jobs came to him, and he could pick and choose what he wanted to take on. That was the reason he was coming to Larkville. He’d been intrigued when he’d heard the job description. Also because Clay Calhoun and his prize quarter horses were legendary in Texas. But before he got too excited, he wanted to assess the situation before he made any promises to the man, or to the job. If there still was a job, since the offer had been made months ago.

  He’d been delayed by a stubborn colt, but after he’d finished training it, the thoroughbred was worth what the owner had paid. When he’d called Calhoun to let him know he’d be delayed with previous commitments, he’d ended up talking to Clay’s son Holt, who’d explained that his father was ill, but assured him that the job would be there whenever he arrived at the ranch. Johnny had said to expect him around the first of the year.

  As it turned out it was the first of the year, and he was finally headed for the Double Bar C Ranch. He glanced in the rearview mirror at his trailer, and his precious cargo, Risky Business, his three-year-old roan stallion.

  His attention focused back ahead and on the southeast Texas landscape of rolling hills and pastures that had the yellow hue of winter. He looked toward a group of bare trees and a cattle water trough nestled at the base. There was also a visitor, one beautiful black stallion. The animal reared up, fighting to get loose from his lead rope that seemed to be caught on something.

  He glanced around to see if anyone was nearby. Not a soul. He pulled his truck to the side of the road and got out. After walking back to check his own horse, he headed toward the open pasture to hopefully save another.

  * * *

  Jess knew she was going to be blamed for this.

  Since her brother Holt was away on personal business, her sister, Megan, was away at school and her brother Nate was in the army, she was the one family member around to handle Double Bar C emergencies. Even though she really wasn’t involved in the day-to-day running of the ranch—Holt was in charge of that—she knew finding Night Storm had to take top priority.

  The bigger problem was, how do you find, much less bring back, a rogue stallion? No one but Clay Calhoun had ever been able to handle the valuable quarter horse. Now that Dad was gone, the question was what to do with Storm.

  The ranch foreman, Wes Brogan, had decided to let the animal out to the fenced pasture, but before Wes was able to transport Storm there, the horse broke away.

  When she’d gotten the call early this morning, she immediately went to the barn, saddled up Goldie and rode out to find Storm. She’d been on a horse since she was a baby, so there wasn’t any problem keeping up with the ranch hands. To cover more ground, the crew took off in different directions of the vast Calhoun land and so Jess set off on her own.

  The Double Bar C had been in the family for generations, and her father had worked hard so it would remain with the Calhouns for many more. Big Clay had loved his horses, especially this stallion, but there had been trouble since Storm had arrived at the ranch. The v
aluable horse had been mistreated in the past. Eventually Storm began to trust her father somewhat, but since Clay’s death a few months back, the horse’s behavior had gotten worse and no one had been able to handle him.

  She sighed, feeling the bite of the January cold against her cheeks. She slowed her horse as they came to the rise and suddenly caught a spot of black. Taking out her binoculars, she saw the welcome sight.

  “Hallelujah!” she cried out, seeing Storm. Then she looked again and saw a man holding on to his lead rope. She didn’t recognize him as one of the hands, then she spotted a truck and trailer alongside the road.

  “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not going to steal Double Bar C property.” She kicked her heels into the mare and they shot off.

  * * *

  Johnny had worked with the horse for close to thirty minutes and had made some headway. The animal was still in distress, but at least Johnny had gotten close enough to loop a rope around his neck so he could calm the animal.

  And what a beauty he was. His glistening black coat looked well cared for, he thought as he kept the spirited stallion moving in a circle. He pulled the rope taut, knowing he would need an arena to truly work him.

  The horse got more agitated when he heard a rider approach, but Johnny couldn’t take his attention from his task.

  “What do you think you’re doing on Calhoun land?”

  He was surprised to hear the female voice.

  “Trying to help this valuable horse.” He managed to maneuver around to see her.

  “He’s not your valuable horse—he belongs to my father.”

  He noticed the pretty buckskin mare, then he lifted his gaze to the tall blond beauty who sat straight in the saddle. Her long slender legs hugged the animal’s flanks and she controlled her horse as if she were born to ride.