Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(8)

“I picked up food before I left town,” Callie said.

“Wow!” Martin whispered softly. “A ranch. A dog. A cat. All in one day. It’s the best day ever, Callie.”

Finn rubbed the kitten’s ears and then handed it back to Martin. “You might want to pick out a girl name.”

Martin’s dark hair flopped down over rich chocolate-colored eyes as he nodded emphatically. “I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. I’m just glad it gets to stay in a warm house.”

Finn opened a cabinet door and removed a can of dog food. The minute he started the electric can opener, Shotgun came running from the rug in front of the fireplace. He picked up the dog’s feed dish and shook out the can’s contents. Then he chopped the dog food up, shoved a couple of tablespoons over to the side of the bowl, and set it down.

“Shotgun has been trained to eat with cats. Mama had a kitten not much bigger than that when the dog came to live with us. She trained him well. Put your cat beside the little portion and watch what happens,” Finn said.

“But I bought her cat food,” Callie said.

“She’ll eat dog food. I promise.”

Callie inhaled sharply and Finn draped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t let him kill the kitten.”

Shotgun eyed the cat. The kitten kept a wary eye on the dog as she ate her part of the food.

“I’ll be damned. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,” Callie said.

“The lion done laid down with the lamb, like they told us in church, Callie,” Martin said. “Is it time to do chores, Finn?”

Finn moved to the side and laid a hand on Martin’s shoulder. “It really is if we’re going to get done by dark. Shotgun will watch after the cat.”

“And I’ll cook supper.” Her shoulders were suddenly chilled without the warmth of his arm. She wished that she’d offered to help with the feeding that evening so she wouldn’t have to let Finn out of her sight.





Chapter 3


Finn pulled out a chair for Callie before he sat down at the supper table. His big hands barely touched her shoulders and the whole room warmed by several degrees. When he’d settled into a chair he said, “I grew up in a house where the blessing was given before meals and we always took turns. Maybe Martin could take the first turn tonight.”

Martin dropped his chin onto his chest and shut his eyes tightly. “Dear Lord, thank you for today because it’s the best day of my life. Thank you for my favorite supper, cowboy hash, and for my very own room with bunk beds, and most of all, thank you for Finn and Shotgun lettin’ us live here. And for the new baby kitten. In Jesus’s name, amen.”

Callie quickly wiped a tear and busied herself with unfolding a blue napkin with snowflakes scattered over it. When she had it smoothed out in her lap, Finn had already dipped deeply into the hash and was handing it to her. She spooned some onto her plate and handed it off to Martin.

“Snowflakes on the napkins. Maybe we’ll have a white Christmas,” Finn said.

“Do you want a white Christmas?” Callie asked.

“Do you like corn, Finn? Here, I’ll start it around. I do and I really like it when Callie makes it like this with butter and that white cheese. Wait ’til you taste her chocolate cake over there. It’s the bestest in the world.”

Finn glanced over at the cake on the cabinet. “You really have learned to cook.”

“She’s a good cook, Finn. I can eat this stuffed in bread for breakfast. I did sometimes when she had to go to work early,” Martin said.

“Thank you for fixing it for us. We’ll be doing the dishes since you did the cooking,” Finn said.

“Aw, man! I’d rather muck out stables than do dishes,” Martin moaned.

“Well, if that’s your choice, then you can muck out three stables tomorrow morning before church and I’ll do the dishes. You big enough to lead the horses out and do a job like that?” Finn asked.

“Yes, sir. You got three horses on this place?”

Finn nodded. “I do.”

“Can I ride sometime?”

Callie touched Finn’s arm. “He loves horses, but he’s only ridden the ponies at carnivals.”

“No time like the present to learn.”

Callie dabbed her mouth with the napkin and said, “I’ll do the dishes and start straightening up that living room if you guys will get out of my way. I’m kind of possessive about my kitchen, never have liked to share it.”

“Yes!” Martin pumped a fist into the air. “Can I take the cat to my room and read her a bedtime story?”

“‘May I,’ not ‘can I.’ And, yes, you may, but then you have to get your bath or shower or whatever is in the bathroom over there.”

Finn caught her eye and their gaze held. “I’m going to help you with the dishes, Callie. Afterward, you need to decide which bedroom you want. You have two to choose from, and Martin has a choice of a shower or a bath. There’s both.”

Sparks sizzled right above them and fear struck a chord in her heart. It was too damn soon for her to be feeling like this. Sure, she’d had a major crush on him, maybe she’d have even fallen flat-out in love with him if circumstances had been different, but that was years ago. She had to get a grip on herself, her mind, and her heart.