Donna Alward - Her Rancher Rescuer

They made their way slowly to the sanctuary door. “That’s great, Amy. Any idea what you’re going to study?”

She nodded. “Hospitality management. I like working with people. And I have good organizational skills. I think I could be good at it.”

“I can see that. You’re very good at the flower shop.” He stared at her for a few moments more and she wondered what he was thinking. She also noticed shadows beneath his eyes. Jack, for all his charming smiles, was exhausted. What was causing him to lose sleep?

“You don’t think I can do it?” she asked.

“On the contrary. Didn’t I just say so?”

The words were glib but there was an edge to his voice that confirmed her suspicion. “Hey, is everything okay with you? You look tired. A little stressed.”

“Funny you should mention that...”

At that moment his family made their way over and suggested they find their seats, so their conversation was halted until they found themselves packed into a rather full pew. She didn’t mind being close to Jack. In fact she’d thought about it perhaps a little too often over the past several days.

“Where’s Taylor?” Amy asked, opening the bulletin and scanning the order of service.

“We had dinner at the diner. I think she stayed to help Rhys and Martha clean up.”

“They’re still an item, then?”

He nudged her with his elbow. “You’ve been here all week. You’d know better than I would.”

She turned her head and met his gaze. “I’ve been avoiding the gossip mill. And from the look on your face, I’d say you know more than you’re letting on. Anyway, I was just making conversation.”

Jack sighed. “Sorry. You were right before. I’m touchy.”

“Any reason in particular?” She put down the bulletin and gave him her full attention.

“Labor issues. Or rather, lack of. One of my staff was in a bad accident this week.”

Amy put her hand on his arm. “Oh, no! Are they okay?”

He nodded. “Yes, thank goodness. Or she will be—in time. But it was serious. She’s got a broken pelvis, and the doctors say that she’ll be off at least three months.”

“Surely someone can fill in for her? A temp?”

Jack shook his head. “She basically runs the corporate retreat business at the ranch. I did what I could this week while I was there, but on Boxing Day I’m going back there again to get things settled. Once the holidays are over, we’ve got groups starting up again. Groups that have been booked for months. Finding a temp this week, with all the statutory holidays? Just about impossible.”

The service started and the lights dimmed. After several carols to set the mood, there was a brief message and then came Amy’s favorite part—“Silent Night.” Everyone was given a single candle in a holder, and as the choir started the first verse, the minister made his way down the aisle and lit the candles on the end. Wick was touched to wick until all the candles were lit and the congregation joined in for the second and third verses. Beside her, Jack relaxed, his warm, tenor voice joining in with the others.

And then it was over, the candles extinguished, and the lights came up. Chatter erupted as good wishes for the holiday were exchanged. Little children bounced with excitement, because now that church was over they were one step closer to Santa Claus. Jack chuckled as one particularly cute boy with little round glasses tugged on his father’s hand, claiming they had to hurry and get the cookies out so he could go to bed.

“Amy, good to see you again.” Susan came over and gave her a brief hug. “Do you have plans for the holiday?”

Once she got over the surprise of the affectionate gesture, Amy smiled. “Oh, just spending tomorrow with my mom. Keeping things quiet.”

“That sounds lovely.”

Callum and Avery joined them briefly, Callum carrying a sleeping Nell. “Merry Christmas, Amy.”

“You, too. Baby’s first Christmas. Pretty exciting at your house.”

“Yeah.” Avery smiled. “And it’s nice to have all of Callum’s family here. I see Taylor and Rhys made it.” She nodded toward the back of the church, where the couple was standing with Rhys’s mother, Martha.

To Amy’s mind, the way Avery paired their names together pretty much answered any question Jack might have had.

Jack turned to Amy. “How’d you get here?”

She smiled. “I walked. Got some fresh air.”

“I’ll drive you home.”

“Are you sure?”

He smiled back. “Of course I am. I do know where you live.”

Yes, he did. He’d walked her home before in the cold. Any lingering they might have done at her door had been cut short by the frigid wind and her freezing feet. But it hadn’t stopped him from leaning in and dropping a light kiss on her lips just the same.

They gathered their coats and he led her to his new rental car.

The heater hadn’t even really kicked in by the time they got to her house. Jack parked on the street and left the engine running. “I wish I could see you again before I go back, but with family obligations and the trouble back home...”

“I understand completely. It’s no biggie, Jack. I didn’t even think I’d see you again. Thanks for including me tonight.”

“I was glad for the company.”

“So you’re heading back on the twenty-sixth. Any idea what you’re going to do about your problem?”

He sighed. “Making sure Rosa’s doing okay and that her family has everything they need is the first thing. And then I’ll have to check I have the bookings straight and look at hiring someone to fill in.”

“Surely it won’t be that difficult. Is there an agency you can use?”

“Maybe, but Rosa’s a force of nature. She looks after the business but also does all the cooking and cleaning for our guests. I’ll probably have to hire two people to replace her.”

Amy looked out the window. A flurry was starting, little white flakes drifting to the ground. All along her street houses were lit up with lights—white ones, multicolored, inflatable snowmen and penguins—and every door held a wreath. But not hers. There was a glow from a single window but no flickering reflection of a Christmas tree or any hint of holiday cheer. She didn’t want to go inside. Wished she could be anywhere but here right now. Then felt automatically guilty about it.

“My mom’s not much for decorating,” she said quietly, knowing Jack had to have noticed.

“And you never thought to go about it yourself?”

She looked over at him. His features were illuminated by the dashboard lights. There was no criticism in his voice. In fact, Jack Shepard was probably the first person she’d ever met who didn’t seem to make any judgments at all. Maybe he’d been on the receiving end and knew how it felt. Once again she remembered the stories from the news. Speculation about the affair right under his coach’s nose. How much of it had been true? It was hard to believe he would have done such a thing. It just wasn’t Jack.

“My mom forbade decorating,” she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. “My dad left us at Christmas. She hates the holidays.”

“I’m sorry. That’s rough.”

“It was years ago. She should be able to move on. But moving on seems to be one thing neither of us are very good at. I swear, Jack, deciding to go away to school has taken such a load off my shoulders. And yet...”

“And yet she’ll be here alone. And you’ll worry about her.”

“Yeah,” she answered, relieved he understood.

He reached over and took her hand. “Do you want to come over to Callum’s tomorrow? I’m sure it would be fine with Avery.”

“No, that’s okay. I just wish...”

“You wish what?”