The Texan's Christmas (18 page)

“What?”

“The baby died on December twenty-third and we buried him on Christmas Day. Ever since then we’ve never celebrated the holiday.”

“Oh, my God!” He buried his face in his hands, feeling as if his chest had just caved in. All the pain she must suffer at this time of year was almost more than he could bear.

“You make it right, boy, do you hear me?”

He drew a breath so deep it hurt in a way he couldn’t describe. “I will, Bud. I promise. And I’m sorry about the past. I’ll never hurt her like that again.”

“You better not. I still have my shotgun.”

Kid spent the next few days putting his plan into motion. Only one problem remained. How did he get Lucky out of the house for a whole day?

L
UCKY WAS HELPING
B
UBBA
J
OE
with his books from The Joint. He had everything down pat, but he always wanted her to check it.

“I went to see Momma yesterday,” he said. “I took her flowers for Christmas. She likes flowers.”

“Did Kid take you?”

“No, I drove myself. Momma can’t tell me where I can drive anymore.”

She hugged him. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thelma’s husband filed for divorce. He lives in Freeport with another woman.”

“How did Thelma take that?”

“She was happy. Now the state will make him pay child support.”

“Does this mean you and Thelma…?”

“Thelma and I are good together, but I’m taking it slow. She wants to manage my money but no one is doing that again.”

She patted his arm. “Good for you.”

“I can take care of myself, too. Luther said he wasn’t paying his bill the other night.”

“What did you do?”

“I told him that right after I kicked him out, I was calling his mother.”

“And?”

“He paid up.”

“Oh, Bubba. You’re going to make it.”

Bubba looked down at his big hands. “I couldn’t have done it without Kid. He’s my friend.”

Kid had that effect on people. He made them feel special because he loved from the heart. Oh, God. Did she just think that?

A
FTER
B
UBBA LEFT
, C
AIT CALLED
. The girls were going Christmas shopping in Austin and they wanted her to go. She had nothing else to do so she said yes. They met at Walker’s store and piled into Cait’s Escalade. Jessie went, too. She said she needed a day out.

They laughed and talked like friends, real friends. The mall was decorated for Christmas and Christmas carols played on the intercom system. It was festive and exciting. She’d forgotten how infectious the holidays could be.

Again they spent a lot of time in the children’s department and in a toy store. Sky and Maddie were looking for dolls for their daughters. Lucky stared at all the beautiful baby dolls and a feeling of warmth came over her. They looked so real she just wanted to hold one.

There in the middle of the aisle with people milling around them she blurted out, “I’m pregnant.”

No one was surprised or startled.

“Y’all already knew, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Cait replied. “High Cotton is a small town.”

“But how did it get around so fast?”

“Well.” Cait put an arm around her. “Etta was so ex
cited she had to tell Gran and then Gran told Sky and, of course, as sisters we don’t keep much from each other.”

“We heard it from our husbands,” Shay said.

“On that note, let’s go have lunch.” Sky linked her arm with Lucky’s.

She wasn’t upset they knew. She wanted the world to know and it felt good to talk about her pregnancy with friends. Over lunch she shared what happened at the birth of her first son. She’d never told anyone but her father and Kid. They all got up and hugged her and the pain from the past slowly ebbed away.

Cait resumed her seat. “You know we’ve been waiting for years for the right woman to get Kid off the bachelor merry-go-round.”

“I think he’s had her all along and just didn’t know it. Men.” Sky rolled her eyes.

“Has he popped the question?” Maddie asked.

“Sort of. He said we have to get married.”

“He didn’t actually say it that way, did he?” Shay was aghast.

Lucky played with her napkin. “Yes. That’s why I’m here with you and not with him.”

Cait laughed. “How could a ladies’ man like Kid get that so wrong?”

“He’s Kid,” Jessie said, and they all laughed.

“When he gets around to getting it right, you don’t have to shop for a wedding dress.” A stricken look came over Maddie’s face.

“What’s wrong?”

Sky moved uncomfortably. “Okay. We have to fess
up. Remember when we went shopping and Jessie was looking for something to wear to the baby’s christening?”

“Yes.”

“That wasn’t exactly true. We knew you and Kid were getting serious and we wanted, no matter how misguided, to do something nice for you. The dress is for you to wear to a party, reception or a wedding. That is if Kid ever gets it right.”

“You bought it for me?”

“Sneaky, huh?”

Jessie reached for Lucky’s hand. “The dress is at my house. You can use it or we can look for another one. Whatever you want.”

“It’s gorgeous. I just can’t believe y’all bought it for me.” A tear slipped from her eye and she dabbed at it with her napkin. No one had ever been this nice to her.

“Uh-oh. Emotional tears,” Cait teased.

“Happy tears.” She smiled through them.

They finished shopping and headed for home. The car was packed with toys, gifts and clothes. They couldn’t get one more item in the back. Bags were on the floorboard and in their laps. And befitting of the season they sang Christmas carols all the way to High Cotton.

At Walker’s store Lucky unloaded her bags and waved goodbye. They went home to their husbands and kids. She went home to her father, who may or may not be there.

Kid hadn’t called or come by since she’d told him
about the baby. Even though she’d pushed him away, it seemed strange he hadn’t come back. She expected pressure, anything but silence.

She placed her hand over her stomach. “If he doesn’t come back this time, you and I will find him.” Suddenly, deep in her heart she knew Kid would never hurt her again.

Now where in the hell was he?

She turned into the lane just as the sun was sinking in the west. As she drove closer to the house, she noticed it was decorated all over with Christmas lights. She could only stare at the hundreds of glowing bulbs. Her father couldn’t have done this. He wasn’t able to climb up to the roof. A beautiful red-and-green wreath hung on the door.

Who had done this? There wasn’t a vehicle in sight. She got out and walked up the steps. With no idea what she was going to find inside, she paused and then reached for the doorknob.

Again, she could only stare. The lights were dimmed and a fire was burning in the fireplace. Red and white poinsettias were everywhere and garland was strung across the mantel. Candles flicked invitingly. What grabbed her attention was the big tree in the window. Beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts covered the floor and were piled up the wall. Along with the lights, red and white booties covered the tree. She stepped closer and saw, at the very top, a white angel, and a red glittery heart below it. Inside it was written: Lucky and Kid Forever.

A sob caught in her throat.

“What do you think?”

She whirled around to see Kid leaning against the kitchen doorjamb. In black slacks and a long-sleeve white shirt, he looked virile and handsome. His hair was cut short like Chance’s and the five o’clock shadow was gone. She might miss that. Still the whole tantalizing package was Kid—a man any woman would want. Her heart skittered in awareness.

“You…you did all this?”

“Yes.” He straightened and came toward her. “We’re going to celebrate Christmas, Lucky, every year in a big way.”

“Dad told you about the baby?”

He nodded. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone. I’ll never get over it.” He swallowed. “But from now on we’re going to replace the bad stuff with good memories.” Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a small black velvet box and opened it. A beautiful oval sapphire nestled in diamonds sparkled at her. “Lucinda Lucky Littlefield, will you marry me? I love you. I’ve always loved you. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize that.”

A tear slipped from her eye. This was romance like she never expected and for a moment she couldn’t speak. The fire crackled and the vanilla scent from the candles wrapped her in a warm cocoon. She wanted to live in this moment forever.

Kid stroked her hair. He touched her face. “Come on, Lucky, this is where you say yes.”

A sob clogged her throat and she had to take a deep
breath. “Yes! I love you. I tried to hate you, but I can’t. I love you.”

He reached for her left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, twisting her wrist. “You remembered about the sapphire. I can’t believe you did this. Oh, my, it’s so gorgeous.”

“I don’t want you to be sad about your mother’s ring. I don’t want you to be sad ever again.” He gathered her close and held her.

She curved into every hard angle of his body. Her arms went around his neck and he pulled her closer, kissing the sensitive spot below her ear, her cheek and finally capturing her lips in a drugging forever-like kiss. When they came up for air, she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Am I dreaming?” she whispered.

“No. This is real. This is forever.”

She glanced at the tree and all the gifts. “Who are all these presents for?”

“You.”

She looked into his warm brown eyes. “I haven’t received that many gifts in my whole life.”

He kissed her nose. “Get used to it.”

“They can’t all be for me.”

“Well.” His eyes twinkled. “Some are for the baby. I was going to buy one little outfit but then I saw a stroller, a car seat, a Pack ’N Play and a layette. I’m afraid I got carried away. The lady said we can bring it all back if you don’t like it.”

She stroked his chest. “If you picked it out, I’ll love it.” Her hand went to his clean-shaven cheek. “You’ve shaved and cut your hair.”

“I’m going to be a husband and a father. I have to be respectable and it’s going to throw ol’ Cadde for a loop. He’s always yelling at me to cut my hair and to get my boots off his desk. Some days I lived just to aggravate him, but not anymore. I’ve finally grown up.”

She smiled. “I might have to start calling you Cisco.” He would always be Kid the kidder, though, the jokester, the life of the party. That was okay as long as she was the light of his life.

Her eyes went to the beautiful tree. “Where did you get all those booties?”

“I asked Aunt Etta and the nice ladies of High Cotton for help and, boy, did they deliver. It has taken a whole village to get us together.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You asked Cait to take me shopping?”

“I had to get you out of the house and Cait was happy to help.” He kissed her lips. “Please don’t be mad.”

“I’m not.” And she wasn’t. With this much love and friendship, how could she be? The gorgeous dress was just waiting for her to step into it, to step into a new life with Cisco Hardin. The trust issue wasn’t important anymore. The truth was she couldn’t live without him and in her heart she knew he was home to stay.

“There’s champagne chilling in the kitchen and I have chocolate-covered strawberries. Bud won’t be back until twelve. What do you want to do?”

She slipped a button on his shirt through a hole. “I want to love you until I can’t think straight.”

He smiled his trademark cocky grin. “Works for me.”

She moved against him, but he stepped back. “Wait, wait, I have to confess everything.” Her heart stopped for a moment but he still had that grin on his face so she knew whatever he had to say wasn’t bad. “Here’s the plan. We’re getting married and then spending Christmas with our families. Christmas Eve at Cadde’s and Jessie’s. Christmas dinner at Chance’s and Shay’s. That night we’ll spend at High Five with the Belle sisters and the whole family. After that, we’re flying to the Bahamas for the honeymoon of our dreams.”

“You have it all planned.”

He winked. “Subject to any changes you want to make.”

“Let’s see.” She pretended to think, but she couldn’t find anything wrong with his plans. For so many years it had been just her and her father. Now she was inheriting a big family and it felt right. She looked into his eyes. “The schedule seems full. When is our time alone?”

He kissed her nose. “Christmas morning. We may have to lock Bud in his room, though.”

“We will not.” She poked him in the ribs and they shared a long kiss.

“One more thing,” he breathed against her lips. “I reserved the church that Cadde and Jessie got married in for the twenty-third.”

No. Not that day.

He must have read the emotions on her face. “Lucky,
his birthday has to be a good memory and I have to believe he’d be happy his parents were married on the day he was born.”

For a brief second the pain was there, but then it was gone.

He stroked her face. “Come on, Lucky.”

May 5—The next year

T
HE
H
ARDIN BOYS STOOD
outside the old home place with their wives. Twenty-five years ago they’d left in an adrenaline rush to play in a state basketball championship. Their parents had died that night. They’d returned to sadness and heartache and they’d never stepped foot in the house again—until today.

They were all married, happy, with families. But they had to totally put the past behind them. The house was rotting away, an eyesore between Chance’s and Cadde’s homes.

Kid looked to the oil well pumping in the distance. It had come in good, just like Cadde had predicted. Their father would be so proud, but Kid couldn’t dredge up much enthusiasm at the thought. His father was an adulterer. He had destroyed the family and Kid vowed every day that he’d never be like him. He cherished his marriage and would never do anything again to extinguish that light in Lucky’s eyes.

At night he slept with his head on her stomach so he could feel their child kick. He read to it, too, all kinds of children’s books he’d bought at a bookstore. When the
baby was born he or she was going to know his voice. They decided not to find out the gender. They wanted to be surprised.

The past few months had been the happiest of his life. Lucky didn’t want to move away from Bud so they built a house on the Littlefield property in record time. They just moved in and had a nursery ready. Four more weeks and they would be parents, the way they should have been twenty years ago.

The trial for the cattle rustlers was in March. Clyde, Earl and Melvin each received a thirty-year sentence for armed robbery and attempted murder. Manuel, Hatch and Philipe each got a twenty-year sentence. They wouldn’t be out of prison any time soon. Wilma was in her own kind of prison.

His arm tightened around Lucky and she smiled. He kissed her and turned to his brothers staring at the house.

“Bros, let’s go see what’s inside.” They followed him and the wives stayed behind. Cadde had the key, but the lock was rusty and it took a while to get the door open. They fought their way through cobwebs to the kitchen. An old Formica table sat in the middle of the room. The chairs were haphazardly strewn about as they’d left that day in excitement. Dust coated everything, even the mail on the counter.

Cadde drew a heavy breath. “The only thing I feel is the love Mom showered on us.”

“Me, too,” Chance said.

As they stood there they realized almost at the same
time that their mother had been the stabilizing force in their lives. She was always there for them, helping with their homework, class projects, baking cookies, being a room mother and all the while making a home for them.

“He was never here,” Cadde said. “Mom built him up in our eyes, telling us what a great man he was and how much he loved us.”

“He was home about ten days a month,” Chance added.

“We doted on his every word because we craved his attention.” Kid sneezed as the dust got to him. “At night he was down at The Beer Joint chatting up some woman.” He’d told his brothers what Lucky had told him.

“I think we can safely say that none of us is like him. I’d never leave Jessie or the boys that long. I couldn’t.”

“Me neither,” Chance said. “No one is taking me from my family.”

“I thought I was most like him, but I’m not. Lucky is my life now.”

They stood for a moment in silence.

Chance cleared his throat. “I want to make sure Henry Faust doesn’t destroy the magnolia tree or Mom’s rosebushes when he tears down the house. I’m going to put a brick border around them as a memory to her.”

Kid spotted an old catcher’s mitt on the floor and remembered the times their father had tirelessly pitched a ball to them. He picked up the mitt and placed it in the dust on the table. “In his own way I guess he loved us
and I don’t think we’re going to have any peace until we forgive him.”

Chance held out his hand, palm down. “Here today we forgive our father.”

Cadde placed his hand on top of Chance’s and Kid followed suit. They stood like that for a moment and then walked out. There was nothing in the house they wanted. Their future waited outside. As the door closed, they knew their past was truly behind them.

Lucky hugged him. “You okay?”

“Yep.” He clapped his hands. “It’s time to liven up this party.” He started to sing. “We’re living in High Cotton…”

“Ah…o-o-oh…”

He didn’t think his singing was that bad. He turned to his wife who was making the noise. She was clutching her stomach.

“My…my water just broke.”

All humor left him. “No. No! It’s too early.”

“Kid!” she screamed. Still clutching her stomach, she sank to the ground.

He grabbed her. “Take a deep breath. Calm down.” He looked around but Chance had already left to get the helicopter. Jessie and Shay were gone, too.

“I’m having contractions just like before. Kid, please, we can’t lose this baby.”

His insides roiled with a sick feeling. “Hold on, honey. Chance is bringing the chopper. We’re going to Houston to our doctor. Take deep breaths. Breathe like they told us. Hold on, Lucky.”

The aircraft taxied to a stop beside them. Shay and Jessie came running with towels, sheets, pillows and blankets. Cadde swung open the door and Kid picked up his wife and carried her inside. Everyone climbed aboard.

“Let’s go,” Chance shouted, and the chopper lifted off.

Lucky screamed as another contraction hit her. Shay and Jessie spread blankets on the floor and he laid Lucky on them.

“Call the hospital,” he shouted, and rattled off the number. “Make sure they contact our doctor.”

“I’m on it,” Cadde shouted back.

“We have to get her out of her clothes,” Shay said. In a matter of seconds Kid had her clothes off. Jessie covered her with a sheet.

Lucky let out a tortured breath as another contraction ripped through her stomach.

“How far apart are the contractions?” Cadde asked, on the phone with the hospital.

“About every two minutes.” Kid rubbed her back, trying to help her relax.

“He says the baby’s coming. Be prepared. She can either sit or lay with her legs apart, her knees bent. Have something clean to catch the baby.”

“What! Tell him it’s too early. She’s not due until June tenth.”

“He said get ready.”

“Damn it! Lucky can’t have the baby here. We don’t know anything about childbirth.”

“Kid.” She took several deep breaths. “We have to be strong. Ah…ah…o-oh.”

Jessie and Shay propped her up with pillows, wiping her brow with bottled water and a washcloth. Kid positioned himself between her legs.

“Check and see if she’s dilated,” Cadde instructed.

“How in the hell am I supposed to know that?”

Shay made an annoying sound and scooted over to look beneath the sheet.

“Yes, a lot. This baby is coming now.”

“Kid, no! It’s just like before. No. Please!”

“Shh. Don’t push. Try to relax.” He wouldn’t allow himself to think about the past.

Lucky screamed and the excruciating sound curdled his blood. He couldn’t stand to see her in this much pain.

“I have to push. I have to push!”

Kid rubbed her lower stomach. “Relax, honey. Relax. Pant like we practiced.”

She panted for several seconds and then screamed again. “It’s coming,” she gasped.

“Use something clean to catch the baby.” Cadde relayed the message.

Jessie handed him a sheet, which he tucked under Lucky’s buttocks.

“Can you see the head?”

Kid lifted the sheet farther away. “Yes. Oh, God, yes.”

“Guide the baby’s head out with your hands. Don’t pull or push. The face should be down.”

“Kid.” His name was barely a sound as her strength waned. He had no idea how she was enduring this. How did women do this?

“It’s okay, honey. I’m right here. Now take another breath and push our baby into the world.”

She gritted her teeth, held on to her knees and pushed with all her might between screams. The bloody, wet baby slid into his hands. He stared in wonder at the precious life as his heart pounded against his ribs. He couldn’t move or do anything else.

“Lay the baby on Lucky’s stomach,” Cadde said, “and be careful with the umbilical cord.”

He gently laid the child on Lucky’s chest. “We have a daughter, honey. A beautiful baby girl.”

Lucky turned her head, kissing her daughter’s forehead. “Kid, she’s not breathing. She’s not breathing! No!”

“Cadde!” Kid frantically glanced at his brother who was still on the phone with the hospital.

“Stick your finger in her mouth to clear the mucus.”

He didn’t hesitate, gently poking his finger in the tiny mouth to clean it. His hand shook and he prayed.
Please, please breathe, precious one.

Everyone held their breath. First there was a whine and then a wail and it was the loveliest sound they’d ever heard.

“We’re landing,” Chance said. “Emergency crew is waiting.”

Kid leaned over and rested his face against Lucky’s.

“Look at her, Kid. Isn’t she the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”

He kissed her lips. “Almost.”

Two hours later they sat in the neonatal unit watching their child through the glass of an incubator. “It’s just a precaution,” he assured Lucky. “She’s fine. The doctor said she was just anxious to be born. He wants to keep her here for a few days.”

She clutched his hand. “I was so afraid we were going to lose her.”

“Me, too. I think I had a heart attack when she wasn’t breathing.”

“I think she’s going to give us a lot of those in the years ahead.”

“Mmm.” He peered close at the gorgeous face. “I can’t wait to get her out of here so I can hold her and carry her around.”

“I can’t wait for Daddy to see her.”

“Chance is on his way to get him and Nettie.”

She smiled. “It really does take a village for us to have a child.”

“That’s why when you go to school in the fall we’ll have lots of babysitters. Mainly me who will probably not let anyone keep her.”

She rubbed her face against him. “We have to give her a name.”

“We’ve gone through every name in the alphabet, but I think I have the perfect one. I thought of it today when we were in that old house. My mother’s name was Carol
and yours was Rose. Let’s call her Carol Rose. Carly for short. Of course, I’m calling her Precious.”

She frowned.

“What?”

“Precious? And don’t you dare say ‘come on, Lucky.’”

He wrapped an arm around her. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m happy. We can call her anything you want.”

“You are such an…”

He kissed her and smiled into her eyes.

She smiled back. “Welcome to the world, Carol Rose Hardin—better known as Precious by her father.” She stroked his face and everything was right in the universe.