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  Kate’s stomach twisted into a knot.

  When she saw her birth mother.

  It wasn’t something she’d ever thought would happen. She’d hoped for it, but after several years of searching and just as many dead ends, she’d thought her chances of finding her mother were over. And then the letter arrived, and now this. It was all happening so quickly. Her thoughts spun in a whirl, and her stomach clenched. She inhaled slowly in an attempt to calm her nerves.

  Chris stared out the car window, his mind obviously occupied with other things. Her hands fidgeted in her lap. Any moment she expected his phone to ring and him to discover that she was a fraud. What would he do? Throw her out of the car?

  She tapped on the glass that separated them from the driver up front. He wound the window down, one eyebrow arched in her direction.

  “So, Stewart…is that right?”

  He nodded.

  “Is Chris here a serial killer or axe murderer?”

  Stewart grinned, revealing a set of white teeth beneath a black, drooping mustache. “No, ma’am, he is not.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  She slumped back into her seat and pushed a finger into her mouth to chew on the fingernail. Chris stared at her, his eyebrows arched high over wide eyes that twinkled with what she assumed was amusement. Unless it was in anticipation of his axe-murdering rampage. She shivered.

  “What?” she asked. “You might be. I don’t know anything about you.”

  He chuckled. “Then, why did you agree to come with me?”

  Good question. “I don’t know. I guess I need the money.”

  He exhaled loudly. “Well, you’ll get it if you fulfill your end of the deal.”

  She nodded. “I will.”

  He seemed satisfied by her response and turned his attention to his phone, tapping away at it with one finger. She pulled her cell phone from her pocketbook and began tapping out a text message. This was one conversation she wasn’t looking forward to having.

  Kate: Hey, Shan, what’s up?

  Shanice: Kate! Are you here already? I didn’t think you were getting into O’Hare until 4.

  Kate’s nose wrinkled.

  Kate: No. Not coming after all.

  Shanice: What? Come on…I’ve got it all planned. I was looking forward to introducing you around.

  Kate: I know, I’m sorry. It’s just that…

  She shifted in her seat so her back was to Chris and continued typing.

  Kate: My plans changed. I got a job.

  Shanice: At Christmas?

  Kate: Yep. It’s for about a week, so I’ll get back home around the time you do.

  Shanice: Well, that’s great. I’m happy for you. Where are you going?

  Kate: Billings, Montana.

  Shanice: Wow, that’s quite a trip. What are you doing up there—teaching art classes? Who’d want to take an art class at Christmas?

  Kate sighed and rubbed a hand over her face.

  Kate: No, it’s not art classes, it’s something else. Look, I’m going to have to call you later with the details, but just in case the man I’m with turns out to be a killer or something, his name is Chris Everett, and he’s flying me to his family home up in Montana.

  Shanice didn’t reply. Kate waited, nibbling nervously on her lip. The screen remained blank.

  Kate: I mean, it’s okay. I’m just kidding really.

  Shanice: You might be flying to Montana with a murderer, and that’s supposed to be funny?!!!!

  Kate: He’s not a murderer. At least, as far as I know he’s not. He seems fine. I just thought someone should know where I am. That’s all. Don’t stress.

  Shanice: You still haven’t really told me anything.

  Kate: I don’t know the address where we’re going. But as soon as I do, I’ll text it to you. OK?

  Shanice: OK. You’ve got me worried now.

  Kate: Don’t worry about me. I’m fine, have a nice Christmas with your family, and I’ll call you soon. Sorry I couldn’t help you out with the ex.

  The wheels of the private jet touched down with a gentle bump. Kate straightened in her seat and clenched onto the armrests on either side of her until her knuckles whitened.

  The plane was luxurious in a way she’d never even imagined. Kate had grown up in an average, middle-class family. Her parents both had well-paying white-collar jobs, but they’d never lived an opulent lifestyle the way Chris Everett obviously did.

  The flight attendant who’d served them both meals and drinks throughout the flight was buckled into a seat facing the two of them. She offered Kate an encouraging smile, and Kate did her best to relax. She hadn’t flown much, and it always made her a little nervous—especially during takeoff and landing. But the flight had been smooth and easy, and she’d even watched a movie while Chris took a nap. It was the kind of traveling in style she could get used to.

  She sighed and looked out the window as the jet taxied toward a hangar. By the time they were seated in another limousine and headed out of town, fatigue swamped her. She’d been working so hard in the lead-up to Christmas, painting and sculpting for the pre-holiday markets and delivering singing telegrams as well, she’d worn herself out. Now, after a busy morning and then several hours of flying, she could do with a nap.

  She yawned and leaned against the car window to stare out at the magnificent vista. They’d left the bustle of Billings behind them ten minutes earlier and had emerged into the countryside. White fields stretched in every direction, and against the horizon, she could see snowcapped mountains reaching toward a pale blue sky.

  “Tell me about your family,” she asked with another yawn.

  Chris blinked and put his phone away. She was amazed at how often he looked at it, almost as though it were a reflexive action. “Dad’s a rancher, has been his whole life. His father was a rancher as well, and now my brother is taking over. Dad wanted me to do it but… Anyway, my little brother is running things these days. Mom helps manage the place, does the books and so on, and took care of us boys when we were kids. Now she helps my sister-in-law take care of her little ones, since she works in town a few days per week.”

  She smiled. “They sound nice.”

  He grunted. “Hmmmm… What else would you like to know?”

  “Why do you need them to think you have a girlfriend?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Because otherwise I’d spend the entire break on blind dates courtesy of my mother.”

  She bit her lip. It made sense. Still, it seemed to her that a grown and obviously successful man should be able to tell his mother he didn’t want to go out on a date.

  “Why didn’t you want to be a rancher?”

  He frowned. “I guess I just wanted to do something else with my life. Dad wasn’t happy about it, but I think he’s come to terms with my decision now.”

  “I’m sure he’s proud of you.”

  “Maybe.”

  The car veered left and pulled into a long driveway that bounced and rattled the vehicle, forcing it to slow to a crawl. Before long, it wound its way up the side of a hill, and she found herself staring at the landscape from the painting—a sprawling two-story ranch house with an enclosed porch, snow-covered bushes surrounding it, against a backdrop of soaring mountain peaks.

  She gasped. “Wow.”

  Chris inhaled slowly. “Here we go. Don’t forget, we’re in love. Okay?”

  She nodded, her eyes fixed on the mountain range. “Sure. Look at those peaks. They’re spectacular.”

  He nodded. “I guess. Try not to talk too much. You’ll give us away. Just relax and be yourself.” He studied her a moment. “Or don’t be yourself. I don’t know which would be worse.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Thanks. I’ve got it under control.” Was he always such a jerk?

  He quirked an eyebrow. “I hope so.”

  The car pulled to a stop in front of the ranch house, and the front door flew open, emitting a buxom lady with gray hair, an apron tied around her f
ull waist and a ladle in one hand. A man followed her out, more slowly, and studied the car with his hands pressed to his hips. His grayish-black hair parted on one side, and beneath an open coat, his checked flannel shirt was tucked neatly into a pair of blue jeans that fit firmly around his taut waist.

  Chris climbed out of the car, and the driver hurried around to Kate’s side of the vehicle to hold the door open for her. She thanked him and stepped out, grateful she’d packed herself a pair of waterproof hiking boots in case she and Shanice had decided to go for a walk in Chicago. The boots were immediately encased in snow, and the cold radiated through her thin socks and into her feet.

  She tugged her coat more tightly around herself and wished she’d thought to wear more layers. The air pierced through her clothing as though it wasn’t there. The driver had the trunk open and was wrestling luggage from its depths.

  Two arms encircled her, and she found herself pressed violently against a soft bosom.

  “Oh, darlin’ girl, it’s so good to meet you. Chris hasn’t told us a thing about you, other than a last-minute message about you comin’ along. And now, here you are. Let me look at you.”

  The woman stood back and peered over the top of half-glasses, her eyes twinkling. “You’re so very pretty.”

  “Thank you. Merry Christmas,” replied Kate, her cheeks flushing with warmth. She wasn’t used to being the subject of so much focused attention.

  “Merry Christmas to you as well. I’m Chris’s mom, though I’m sure you already guessed that. My name’s Diana, and that handsome cowboy up on the porch there is my husband, Frank. Come on inside where it’s warm. It’s so cold at the moment my false teeth chatter while they’re still in the glass.” She chuckled to herself and shooed Kate up a shoveled path and into the house.

  Kate stamped the snow from her shoes and slipped the knit hat from her head.

  “This is the mud room, just leave your shoes and coat here and they’ll be ready for you when you go outside next. I’ve got spare slippers here in this box for guests, just help yourself.”

  Chris hadn’t followed, and she wondered where he was. Still, she was glad to be inside. The warmth soaked into her, and she removed her coat with only a slight shiver, setting it on a hook against the wall. Then, she shucked off her hiking boots and lined them up beside an assortment of shoes in various sizes.

  “Come with me, darlin’. I’ll get you a nice hot drink that’ll knock the chill right out of you.”

  Kate combed fingers through her hair and glanced about as Diana led her through the house. It was homey and warm, decorated with heavy, dark timber furniture, colorful rugs, throw blankets, lamps, and knickknacks. She rubbed her frozen hands together and blew a hot breath over them.

  “How was your flight?” asked Diana, leading Kate into a spacious kitchen.

  “It was wonderful. The flight attendant served the most delicious seared salmon and potato cakes. And the seats were very comfortable.”

  “Is that the first time you’ve flown on Chris’s jet?”

  She nodded. “First time.”

  “Well, you’ll just have to convince him to do it more often. We’d sure love to see him more than once a year.”

  Kate bit down on her lip. Did he really only visit this place once a year? The warmth of the home and the family who lived there seeped into her very soul, and she’d only been inside for a few minutes. If this were her family, she’d make sure to visit every chance she got. Or perhaps she’d just never have left in the first place. To have a place where she was loved and welcomed, it was something she’d only dreamed of since her parents died.

  “Now tell me, would you like a hot chocolate or some spiced apple cider?”

  “I’d love hot chocolate.”

  “Marshmallows?” called Diana over her shoulder as she dug through a cabinet.

  “Yes, please.”

  Chris strode into the kitchen, his limp a little more noticeable than it had been in Atlanta. His father followed behind him. He stretched out a hand toward Kate and offered her a warm smile.

  “Welcome to our home. I’m Frank. It’s so nice to meet you…Kate, is it?”

  She nodded. “Yes, that’s right. Thank you so much for having me. I can’t tell you how lovely it is to be here for the holidays; it’s like a winter wonderland. I feel as though I’ve stepped inside one of those snow globes.”

  He laughed, and the sound of it boomed through the cavernous room and echoed off the walls. “It is that. We love it here, don’t we, Di?”

  Diana nodded as she scooped heaped spoons of chocolate mix into four mugs. “Hot chocolate, Christopher?”

  He kissed his mother on the cheek. “Yes, please. You know how I like it.”

  She grinned, turning to face him. “It’s good to have you home.” Her arms wrapped themselves around his waist, and her cheek rested against his thick chest.

  “So, tell us—where did the two of you meet?” asked Diana, giving Chris’s cheek one last pat. She reached for the kettle on top of a wide gas stove. Steam issued from a spout, and she carried it back to the mugs and poured the scalding hot water over the chocolate mixture. She stirred them briskly and then handed one to Kate with a smile.

  “I…uh…” Kate’s mind went blank. What should she say? Should she make something up?

  Her eyes sought Chris’s, and he frowned. “We’ve got plenty of time to talk about all of that,” he answered. “Right now, I’d really like to get unpacked and settled. I’ll see you in a bit.”

  He nodded at the three of them, grabbed his mug of hot chocolate, and marched from the room. She watched him go then hugged herself with both arms. He’d left her alone with his parents only moments after meeting them. Well, fine—she could handle herself in awkward situations. After all, this was what she was being paid for.

  “Your home is lovely,” she began. “How long have you lived here?” She settled into a chair at one end of a long, split timber table.

  Diana and Frank joined her, and she cupped the mug with both hands, feeling the warmth of the liquid seep through the china and into her hands, thawing them.

  “I’ve lived here my whole life,” replied Frank. “My father built the place when he was a young man. It’s as solid as a rock.”

  “It looks like it. And it feels solid too.” She smiled and took a sip of the hot chocolate. It was just what she needed. Energy surged back into her body.

  “I’ve been here since we were married back in my early twenties. Of course, before that I lived all over. I was an army brat, or so they call us. I’ve never much liked the term myself.” Diana laughed.

  “I couldn’t help noticing the paling fence around the house… What kind of animals do you have on the ranch?”

  Frank chuckled. “I guess Chris doesn’t talk much about home. Huh? We’ve got Longhorn cattle, and closer to the house, we run a stock horse stud. ‘Course, they’re all cozy in the barn right now.”

  “Can I see them sometime?”

  “You can come on out with us to get ’em tucked in for the night in a few minutes if you like,” Frank said.

  “That would be great. I don’t get to see horses very often, but they’re so beautiful. I wish I’d learned to ride, but I never have.”

  “I guess you grew up in the city, then?” asked Diana.

  Kate cocked her head to one side. “I sure did. I’m Atlanta raised.”

  “Are your folks still there?”

  Her throat tightened. She didn’t want to talk about it, and any mention of her parents always resulted in discussions she’d rather not have. Especially not at this time of year.

  “Uh…they passed.”

  A shadow flitted across Diana’s face. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “It was years ago. But thank you.”

  “Do you have other family close by?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. They were my only family. I’ve got some great friends though, so I’m pretty happy with things the way
they are.”

  Her stomach twisted into a knot. Feeling other people’s pity always made her own emotions rise to the surface. She downed the last of her drink and stood to her feet.

  “Phew. I’m tired. Actually, I think I’ll go upstairs and unpack as well. It’s been a long day.”

  Diana and Frank exchanged a concerned glance. “Of course, honey. You go on up and have a little rest. Come down when you’re ready. I’ll be right here cooking supper,” said Diana.

  Kate hurried up the wide staircase, completely aware that she had no idea where she was going. Chris would be up there somewhere though, and he could direct her to the room she’d be using for her visit. Tears threatened, and a lump formed in her throat. She shook her head, and anger surged in her gut. Why was she having this reaction? She’d come to terms with what happened to her parents long ago. She dealt with the loss of her entire family on a daily basis, but the kind words and warmth of the people downstairs had unlocked a well of feelings she’d thought had been long since buried.

  Chris was unpacking in the first room on the right, and he quickly directed her to another guest room right next door to his. Her suitcase lay on the bed, and she slumped down beside it. Then, she stretched out her legs and wriggled her stockinged toes. It felt good to lie down. Her eyes drifted shut, and she grimaced. What was she doing here? She must be crazy going across the country with a stranger at Christmas. Although, so far his family seemed lovely. It was hard to believe the gruff businessman she’d flown to Montana with had come from this warm, unassuming ranch with its sincere and loving family.

  After a quick shower and a rest, she changed clothes and headed downstairs. A giddy aroma enveloped her, a mixture of beef, potatoes, fresh bread, and cinnamon. She sniffed slowly, and a smile spread across her face. She could hear the television blaring from the den, but the kitchen drew her in.