Snowbound Cowboy

Patricia Thayer

Lone wolf Boone Gifford has spent years standing on the outside. Now he's looking at Christmas -- through the window of beautiful Amelia's home. The snow falls hard -- the stranded family needs help. It's time for the cowboy to step inside.

Patricia Thayer welcomes you to Rocking H Ranch…

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. I grew up in the Midwest, and as a child one of my first wishes for the holidays was to have snow. Another was for a giant tree that smelled of evergreen and reached all the way to the ceiling in our big old house. I have a large family-four sisters and three brothers-and though my parents never had a lot, they managed to fill up the bottom of the tree with gifts from Santa. It was years until I realized how truly blessed I was because I had family around to share it with. As I got older my hopes and dreams changed. Now that I have grandkids, I've discovered that the best presents aren't always wrapped up with a pretty bow. The best are part of everyday life. Like seeing my grandsons' smiles as they run through the waves at the beach, or point up at the moon in wonder. How they grip your hand with complete confidence that you'll keep them safe. How our oldest grandson, who has autism, smiles so brightly when you read his favorite story or sing his favorite song. And how every word he speaks is like a precious gift. No, you can't buy that in any store.

This is my first Christmas story, and I was lucky enough to share it with talented writer Donna Alward. Together we came up with a ranch in Montana, the Rocking H, and two sisters, Kelley and Amelia Hughes. In my story I created characters who needed to find some holiday joy. When this idea came to me, I kept seeing a ?ve-year-old boy making a Christmas wish. All Jesse Hughes wants is a dad. He even writes it down on a list, and every day he believes that his dad will arrive by Christmas morning. It takes a Montana snow blizzard and my hero and heroine getting stranded together just two weeks before Christmas. Amelia, a single mother, is afraid to trust another man again. Boone Gifford carries a burden with him that makes him think he doesn't deserve a family. Somehow these two began to believe in a Montana Christmas miracle and never had to unwrap one gift. In Donna's story, Kelley enlists the help of chef Mack Dennison to help her create the perfect Hughes family Christmas. Somehow they both start to realize that the most perfect gift could very well be each other…if they're willing to open their hearts. My hope for all of you is to receive the kind of gift that isn't always found under the tree. Just look around and count your blessings.

Happy Holidays Patricia Thayer

CHAPTER ONE

SHE'D DONE IT NOW.

Amelia Hughes stared out the windshield at the blowing snow and thought about her rash decision to drive into town in spite of blizzard warnings. She had thought she could outrun the storm. In her haste to get back to the ranch, she had hit a slick spot, and the truck had slid off the snow-packed road onto the soft shoulder.

"Mom, we got stuck!"

"We don't know that for sure," she said, wondering what her penance should be for lying to a five-year-old boy. In an attempt to right her wrong, she eased her foot onto the gas peddle causing the tires to spin and the back of the truck to slide further off the road.

Great. With a sigh, Amelia stopped her attempt to regain traction, and turned to meet her child's wide brown-eyed gaze. His stocking cap covered a head full of whiskey-colored curls, and light freckles dusted his small nose and rosy cheeks. Jesse Thomas Hughes was her everything.

Somehow she had to get them out of this. After all, she'd lived in rural western Montana all her life. She came from sturdy, frontier stock. Her great-grandparents mined this land, finally turning to ranching. They never gave up, nor would she.

She gripped the wheel and went back to work. Yet, no matter what direction she turned the wheel, or how gently she worked the gas peddle, she couldn't get the old truck to move forward. She finally stopped to save fuel. They might need heat if they had to spend the night here. No, she refused to think about that. They had hours of daylight left.

"Boy, Aunt Kelley is going to be mad."

"No, Aunt Kelley won't be mad." Another lie just rolled off her tongue. "But maybe we shouldn't tell her. She has a lot to worry about with taking Grandma Ruby to the hospital."

Jesse nodded. "Okay. Maybe if we wish really hard someone will come by and save us."

Amelia wasn't so sure that was going to work, either. There wasn't much reason for anyone to be on this road. Everyone else was at home heeding the storm warning. She'd only gone out to buy supplies before they'd gotten snowbound.

Normally the Hughes household was prepared for bad weather, but the December storm caught them off guard. With Gram's illness, everyone had been distracted getting her into Helena and the hospital.

Jesse turned to her again. "Maybe we should call Aunt Kelley. She'll know what to do."

Amelia didn't doubt it. Her older sister pretty much ran the cattle operation, while Amelia handled the household. It wasn't that she didn't love taking care of the family, but she'd also like her sister to listen to some of her ideas for the ranch. Kelley hadn't even trusted her to handle things while she was in Helena, and made arrangements to hire a ranch hand to help out.

The last thing Amelia wanted was for her sister to know she'd already messed up things in her absence. But what was more important, she needed to get herself and her son out of this weather.

She pulled out her cell phone. "I've got a better idea. I'll call the sheriff."

Boone Gifford was a Texas boy, born and bred.

He had never been crazy about cold weather or snow. Now he was in the middle of a blizzard outside of Rebel Ridge, Montana. He'd only come here because he'd given his word. And Boone never went back on his word. So the sooner he got to the Rocking H, the sooner he could leave for a warmer climate.

He swiped his gloved hand over the windshield to clear away the condensation. It didn't help. Visibility was nil. Even reducing his speed to a crawl hadn't helped much. He wasn't even sure where he was.

Absently he rubbed his sore shoulder, reminding him of his last job on the off-shore oil rig and the accident that nearly took his life. He'd survived, but he would never forget the men who'd died that day. Especially one.

He shook away the memory to concentrate on his task. Not an easy one, either. The wind gusted again, continuing to make it difficult to keep his vehicle on the road. His grip tightened around the steering wheel. If he had a brain, he'd never have attempted to get to the Hughes ranch today.

No, he needed to finish this, once and for all. He needed to see Amelia Hughes, then he could move on with a clear conscience.

Boone kept his gaze sharp as his new four-wheel-drive truck crept along the dangerous terrain. Lucky for him, his tires could handle mud and snow. Suddenly he saw flashing emergency lights up ahead. As he got closer, he realized it was a truck parked at a funny angle along the shoulder.

So he wasn't the only crazy person out here. He stopped in the middle of the road, then, pulling the collar up on his coat, he climbed out. Fighting the sharp wind, he made his way to the embankment and the truck cab.

"Hey, is there anyone in there?" he called, and banged on the window.

He blinked the snow from his eyes as the window came down and a woman's face appeared. "Oh, thank God you came by. My son and I went off the road and we're stuck. If you could just help us to our ranch? It's just up the road a few miles."

"The Rocking H?" Boone asked.

"Yes." The pretty woman smiled, lighting up her rich green eyes. "Oh, you must be the hand from the Sky High Ranch. I'm Amelia Hughes."

So he'd found her. As Russ had described, she was a pretty brunette. Not wanting to stand here and give her an explanation, he gave her a quick nod. "Boone Gifford. Look, we need to get out of this, and my truck seems to be our best bet." He pulled open the door and helped the woman out of the truck, then behind her he saw the small boy.

"My son, Jesse," Amelia called, fighting the wind.

The boy slid across the seat. His eyes were wide along with his smile. A sudden tightness gripped Boone's chest.

"Hey, kid."

"Hi." The boy cocked his head to the side and grinned. "Are you my Christmas wish?"

The normal ten-minute trip had taken nearly thirty by the time Boone pulled the truck up to the back door. Amelia finally released a breath. She climbed out of the truck and carrying two grocery bags, trudged her way to the porch. Boone Gifford swung Jesse up into his arms and followed her.

"We made it," Amelia cried as she stepped into the big kitchen. She set down her groceries on the long table. She wanted to drop to the floor and kiss it. She didn't want to think about what could have happened if they had been left out there.

"Yeah, we made it," Jesse mimicked as he came into the room. Boone put her son down, but Jesse wasn't leaving his side.

Amelia noticed the child's budding hero worship. She pulled off her hat and shook out her long hair. "How about some coffee, Mr. Gifford?"

"Please, call me Boone." He took off his cowboy hat and unwrapped the scarf from his neck. "Yes, please, I wouldn't mind a cup to warm up."

"Can I have some hot chocolate, Mom?"

Amelia took her son's coat and hung it on a hook beside the mud room door. "Yes, you can, but I want you to go change out of your jeans into some warm sweats."

He tugged off his cap, revealing his curly dark hair. "Ah, Mom. I want to talk to Boone some more."

That was the problem. She had to nix this before her son drove the ranch hand crazy. "You can when you get back, but right now there's a storm coming and we need to take care of the livestock, too."

"'Kay," he murmured and walked out of the room. "I apologize for all my son's questions on the way home." "Not a problem. He seems like a good kid."

"I think so, but I'm a little biased." She smiled and he smiled back before he turned away to the window.

Boone Gifford wasn't what you'd call classically handsome, but you took notice of the man. His ebony eyes were deep set, his jaw was chiseled with a shadow of a beard. His thick hair was coal black with a slight wave and long enough to brush the back of his collar. He was tall, well-over six feet, with shoulders so broad it made the room seem crowded.

Boone turned back toward her, catching her looking at him. "Looks like this storm is going to be a rough one," he said, his gaze holding hers. "I should get out to the barn while I have a chance."

She cleared her throat, but couldn't remember what she wanted to say. She nodded, then went to the counter and began making coffee. "Good idea."

"Okay, you have anything special you need done?" "My sister, Kelley, left written instructions in the tack room.

And your sleeping quarters are right next door."

He nodded. "I'll go check out things and be back shortly."

He started for the door, then stopped. "What did your son mean when he asked if I was his Christmas wish?"

She froze. "Oh, you know how kids are. It's only two weeks before Christmas and he has his list of what he wants. I'm sorry if he bothered you."

"It's not a problem." He paused again. "What exactly is he asking for?"

Jesse walked into the room. "I want a Dad."

Boone hurried into the barn and forced the door shut against the bitter cold wind. He was a coward. He'd had the perfect chance to tell her the real reason he was here. Instead he let her continue to think he was the ranch hand who'd been hired to help out. Why not? Amelia Hughes needed help, and he could at least hang around until the other guy showed up.

Boone walked down the center aisle to find everything neat and orderly. There were nearly a dozen stalls lining the walls, four with horses. He found he was a little envious.

Back in Texas his barn had looked a lot like this one. He'd taken pride in all the work he and his dad had put into the Last Dollar Ranch. The house had been far from a showplace, because they put every penny into the care of the stock. Then, after the bank took over, the ranch fell into total neglect. But not for long. Thanks to the financial settlement from the accident, he had the money and the opportunity to get it back.

Just as soon as he paid his other debt.

Suddenly a big chocolate Labrador appeared and began barking. "Hey, fella. Where'd you come from?" Boone held out his hand and the animal approached, then began wagging his tail. Once the dog relaxed, Boone petted him. He noticed the animal's full flanks. He grinned after further examination. "So you're a gal and a mother-to-be. And by the looks of it, you don't have long to go."

The dog barked in agreement.

Boone stood. "Come on, show me around?"

They headed toward the immaculate tack room and the dog's bed lined with blankets. He also found the list of boldly printed instructions. The next room was the sleeping quarters for the hired hand. A single bunk and a dresser, plus a wall heater. This wasn't meant for him. And before the real ranch hand showed up, he'd best tell Amelia the truth.

His thoughts turned to the pretty woman with the rich green eyes. She had a full, tempting mouth that caused his body to tighten, making him realize how alone he'd been the past six months.

He shook off the wayward thoughts. What would Amelia Hughes do when she realized he hadn't been exactly truthful? He rubbed the back of his neck. Maybe he should just hand over the envelope addressed to her and head out.

The wind howled outside. He wasn't going anywhere right now, and maybe not for a while.

And there was Jesse. He needed to know about his daddy, especially since Russ Eldon had died before he got the chance to come and meet his son.

Now all Boone had to do was tell a little boy he would never get his Christmas wish.

CHAPTER TWO

A MELIA PACED THE KITCHEN, occasionally glancing out the window at the blowing snow. She couldn't see a thing. And according to the forecast, the weather wasn't going to improve for at least three or four days. How bad was it going to get? She looked toward the barn, barely able to see the red structure. Suddenly, she was happy Boone Gifford had showed up.

The phone rang and she picked it up on the second ring. "Hello."

"Amelia. It's Kelley."

"Kelley, hi. Is Gram okay?"

"Yes. I got her settled in her room and she's resting right now."

"That's good." Amelia knew how hard it had been to convince seventy-five-year-old Ruby Hughes to have this procedure done.

"Well, the doctor had to sedate her so she'd be relaxed." There was a pause. "How are you and Jesse doing? I'm worried about this storm, Amelia. It's going to get bad."

Amelia glanced outside again. The wind was blowing heavy snow. "We'll be fine, Kel."

"But what if you can't get out?"

"I have help."

"Oh, good. So Joe sent over the hand from Sky High Ranch."

She wasn't going to tell her sister that he had already rescued her and Jesse. "Yes, he's moving his things into the barn and checking on the horses."

"I'm glad you're not there alone."

So was she, but she'd never tell Kelley. "I know you don't think so, but I can handle things. I've lived out here as long as you have."

"I know, but I can't help being worried."

"Don't, because then Gram will worry, too. She's got to be your only concern right now. Mine is the ranch and Jesse." She went to the high counter that divided the kitchen from the dining room and glanced further into the great room to find her son sitting in front of the television watching a video.

Kelley still wasn't convinced and rattled off a list of instructions. Amelia heard the back door shut and turned as Boone walked into the kitchen. His dark eyes met hers, and her throat suddenly went dry.

"Amelia…Amelia. Are you there?"

She shook away her wandering thoughts and turned back. "Yes, I'm here. Look, Kel, Jesse needs me so I better go. Call after the surgery tomorrow. Bye."

Amelia hung up the phone before her sister gave her more things to do.

"I came for that coffee." He removed his hat and coat revealing a dark-green flannel shirt.

"Sure." Amelia swung away from the distraction and went to the freshly brewed pot and grabbed two mugs. After filling it, she placed them on the table. "Cream or sugar?"

He shook his head. "No, black's fine, ma'am." The large brown dog lumbered into the room.

"Oh, Izzy. I forgot all about you." She glanced at Boone. "Thanks for bringing her to the house. She's pretty close to her delivery time."

Amelia went over and petted the dog. The animal basked in the attention, then wandered over to the warm kitchen hearth and lay down on the rug.

"Have a seat," she offered, and sat down across from him. "That was my sister, Kelley, on the phone. She wanted to make sure you got here." Amelia took a sip of coffee. "She was checking up on me, too. To see if I was staying out of trouble."

"She's probably worried."

Amelia nodded. Kelley had watched over her since they were little; since their dad died and their mother left them here for Grandma Ruby to raise. "She'd have a fit if she knew I'd gone out in the storm." She met his dark gaze. "I can't thank you enough for showing up when you did."

Boone knew he should tell her his real reason for being on the road today. But then he saw Amelia's nervousness. "You already have. Besides, you and Jesse are safe now." He set down his mug. "I checked the supply of wood on the porch. There seems to be plenty for a few days. I'll go out before dark and move more from the side of the house."

"That's a good idea since the radio says it's only getting worse. The roads are impassible. Not uncommon for this part of the country."

"Did they say how long the weather system will last?"

"Through Thursday, at least."

Great. He couldn't leave for three days. He took a long drink of coffee. This was a bad idea all around. "I should get settled in." He stood and carried his cup to the sink when Jesse rushed into the kitchen.

The boy smiled. "Oh, Boone, you're back."

"Not for long."

The child frowned. "You can't leave now. Mom's going to fix lunch." The boy turned to his mother. "Mom, will you make egg salad?"

"I can."

"It's the best," the boy bragged. "Everybody says so. I even like it, but not as much as peanut butter and jelly. That's because Mom makes the bread and her special jelly. It's peach. That's my favorite. What's your favorite, Boone?" The kid finally took a breath.

"I'd say peach is probably at the top of my list, too."

The boy grinned. "I bet Mom would fix you peanut butter and jelly if you want."

"Jesse," his mother called, "slow down. We can have both for lunch." Amelia glanced up at the clock over the sink. "Why don't you go and wash your hands?"

Jesse started to argue, but at a look from his mother turned and hurried down the hall.

"I apologize for my son. Outside of seasonal ranch hands, he's doesn't have many men around."

Boone had learned as much from the friendly waitress in town at the diner. The Hughes women were well respected and admired around here. "From what I can see, you've done a fine job with him and this place."

She glanced away. "Thank you. My family helps a lot."

He nodded in agreement. "Family is a good thing."

"Do you have family? A wife…children?"

"No," he said, trying not to react. He'd lost any part of that dream two years ago.

She sighed and refilled their coffee mugs. "Since you'll be around for a few days, there's something you should know." She paused. "When Jesse started kindergarten this year, he realized his classmates have dads. Everyone except him. So he came up with this crazy idea that all he had to do was ask for one. So on the top of his Christmas list he has the word Dad."

Boone nodded. Great. And here he'd arrived with news that would make it impossible for the boy to get that wish. "And his father?"

She shook her head. "His father has never been involved in Jesse's life, nor at this stage do I want him to be."

Boone couldn't blame her for that. "I guess every boy wants a dad."

"But he can't go around picking one out, either. I'll have a talk with him."

This was getting complicated. "Maybe I should leave now." He stood. "I mean, go to the barn."

"No, you're not going to stay out in a cold barn all day. I'll handle Jesse. I just wanted you to know the situation."

Amelia got up, walked to the refrigerator and took out the ingredients for the salad. When she bent over he caught the appealing shape of her bottom and long legs. His attention was drawn upward as she went to the counter, took a loaf of bread out from under a towel and began slicing it.

"Is there anything I can do?" he asked, knowing he couldn't just sit there and ogle this woman.

"You can get the plates down from the cupboard." She nodded overhead.

Boone walked up behind her. Reaching over her head, he caught a whiff of her shampoo. Something lemony. Something that normally wouldn't be sexy to him. It was now. He gripped the plates and carried them to the table before he got himself into trouble.

Jesse came in. "I'll help you, Boone."

The boy pulled flatware from the drawer and placed it beside the plates.

"Good job," Boone said.

"Gram Ruby says I'm her best helper," Jesse said proudly. "I help Kelley with the horses, too." Those big brown eyes widened. "I can help you, too."

"Jesse Thomas," his mother called. "Don't even think about leaving the house in this storm."

"Ah, Mom. If I get lost, Izzy can find me."

At the mention of her name the dog looked up. "Izzy isn't in any shape to go traipsing around in this weather," Amelia said.

"What if Boone gets lost? Who will find him?"

Amelia swung around to look at Boone. She was asking for help.

"I strung a rope from the barn to here. And believe me, once I get back there I'm staying put."

The wind howled outside, and suddenly the lights flickered, then finally died.

"Oh, no," Amelia said. Although it was afternoon, the room was dim, only illuminated by the fire from the hearth.

"Do you have a generator?" Boone asked.

"Yes, it's in the mud room." She led him out to the enclosed porch and to a closet.

Boone examined the old machinery. "Have you used it recently?"

"Not since last spring. And only for a few hours. Gram had it checked out just last month."

Jesse poked his head in. "And the man said she needed to get a new one," he volunteered. "Gram was looking in the catalog. She showed me a picture of the one she wants." He looked up at both adults. "You want to see it?"

"Not now, honey." She turned to Boone. "Do you think you can start it?"

He threw a switch, then pulled the cord to get the motor running. He stood back. "I'm just not sure how reliable it is. It's best to keep both fireplaces going. You can sleep in front of the living room one tonight."

"Oh, boy. Can you sleep there, too, Boone? Can he, Mom, huh?"

Boone watched the pretty brunette blush. "I don't think Mr. Gifford would be happy to share space with a rambunctious five-year-old."

The boy wrinkled his nose. "That means I jump around too much. But I'll promise to be quiet."

"I appreciate the offer, son, but maybe you and your mother should have the sofa space. I'll make sure you have plenty of firewood to keep you both warm." He started to walk off.

"Wait, Boone," Amelia called as he started out. "I have to agree with my son. You can't sleep in the barn, not without electricity. You'll move in here."

CHAPTER THREE

B OONE WASN'T SURE how to react to Amelia's statement. True, he couldn't sleep in the barn, but invading their personal space was a different story. He hadn't signed up for this.

"Maybe the electricity will be back on by then."

Amelia frowned. "I take it you haven't lived in Montana long. This outage could last days."

"I'm originally from West Texas. We don't get many blizzards."

"Well, we do. So unless you want to freeze, you better decide to camp out with us tonight. You can have the small room off the kitchen." She led them back inside and pointed to the eightpaneled door across the room. "One of its walls is the back of the fireplace. It stays pretty warm in there."

He hated doing this. "I don't mean to put you out, ma'am." He had no business being here in the first place.

"You'll only put me out if I have to worry about you sleeping in that cold barn."

He felt a strange feeling in the center of his gut. It'd been a while since a woman had been concerned about him. "I would have been okay. The animals are my responsibility."

"Their stalls are pretty well insulated. And there's another generator out there, but we don't usually use it unless it's absolutely necessary."

He was surprised how well Amelia Hughes handled the emergency. If she was nervous about the situation, she didn't show it.

"Seems you have everything under control," he told her.

"I'm fine as long as we stay in the house and have enough food. And we do. Since the stove is propane, I'll be able to cook."

Boone stood at the counter, the only thing that separated the kitchen from the dining area, then past it was the living room with two overstuffed sofas angled toward a huge stone fireplace.

He looked up to see the exposed beams, then down at the polished hardwood floors. No doubt the place had probably been remodeled over the years. He found he liked the mixture of both the old and the new.

His attention was drawn back to the woman wandering around turning off unneeded lights. She smiled and he felt a funny tightness in his chest. Her green-eyed gaze locked with his, then quickly she turned away.

"How about I finish making us lunch?"

Boone nodded. "I could eat."

"So could I," Jesse chimed in. "I'm real hungry."

She messed up her son's hair. "You're always hungry."

The boy grinned. "That's cause I'm growing."

The twosome walked into the kitchen, and Boone found he enjoyed listening to the bantering between mother and son.

Something tugged at his heart as his thoughts turned to Russ. His friend would be happy at how well his boy had turned out. Now all Boone had to do was find a way to tell the kid's mother about her son's father.

As Amelia mixed the egg salad, she could feel Boone watching her. It had been a long time since a man had been in the Hughes house. Sad, but true. She hadn't had time, or any desire, to attempt a relationship. Since Russ, she hadn't let anyone get close to her. Not that men had rushed to her door. If one did, Kelley would probably be there to give him the third degree. Her big sister had always been Amelia's protector. She'd also sat with Amelia during the rough times after Jesse's father left. Later she'd coached her through labor and the delivery of her son. And she loved Jesse as much as Amelia did.

What would Kelley think about Boone Gifford? That he was handsome? Her sister didn't get her head turned easily. Not when she worked side by side with ranch hands that drifted from job to job. She couldn't afford to.

Neither could Amelia, but she couldn't deny that she'd taken notice of Boone Gifford. She sighed. She had to keep reminding herself that he was a stranger. Thank goodness Kelley had checked him out.

Amelia handed out the sandwiches and poured the milk.

She sat down and glanced at the smile on her son's face as he chatted with Boone. It was Jesse who'd suffered the most from his father choosing to desert them. With just women around, a boy craved male companionship.

She turned her attention to Boone. He wasn't the kind of man either one of them needed. He wasn't even from Montana, but West Texas, and she had no doubt he would be going back. No way was she getting mixed up again with a guy who was just passing through.

Jesse said something, and Boone managed a smile. Her attention went to his mouth and the tiny lines bracketing it, which only seemed to add to his rugged features.

Suddenly he looked up. She swallowed, feeling the strange tension in her stomach. This was not good.

"Mom!"

"What?" She turned to her son.

"I asked if Boone and me can play cards."

"Honey, Boone isn't here to entertain you."

"It's not a bother," Boone said, then turned to her son. "First, we need to help clean up."

Amelia watched as her son picked up his empty plate and followed Boone to the sink. The big, tall cowboy took up too much space in the kitchen, making her feel crowded and edgy. And a lot more. She stood, too, but kept the needed distance between her and the man. Boone Gifford was a stranger and he would be leaving soon.

She needed to remember that.

The afternoon dragged on as the snow continued to fall. Boone had played card games with Jesse to keep the boy occupied. Amelia kept busy going around the house, closing off rooms to conserve the heat. She'd brought out candles and extra bedding from upstairs. When Boone had offered to help her she put him off. Instead, she began chopping vegetables for supper.

"Jesse. I think it's time to put the cards away."

"Ah, Mom, I'm winning."

"You've been playing for the last hour. I need your help to prepare for tonight."

Boone glanced over. As the afternoon turned toward evening, she seemed to grow nervous. Was it only the threatening storm, or was it him?

"Your mom's right." He got up from the table. "Besides, I need to check the animals." He headed to the coat hook, pulled on his sheepskin-lined jacket and wrapped the scarf around his neck.

"Boone, would you mind bringing up Izzy's food?"

"Sure." He reached down and petted the dog. "You want to go with me, girl?"

The large animal walked to the back door and waited.

Boone tugged his hat low on his head and pulled on his gloves. He went out the back door noticing the snow had slowed but not the wind. He grabbed hold of the anchor rope he'd rigged earlier and began to traipse through the knee-high snow toward the barn.

Inside, he stomped off the clinging snow before he fed and watered the horses, then retrieved the dog's food and headed back.

Izzy finished her business and didn't have any trouble finding her way to the house. Boone set the food in the mud room, then went to his truck and got his duffel bag.

Back on the porch, he found a bundled-up Jesse waiting.

"Mom said I can help you carry in some wood."

"Good. I can use a strong helper." He glanced toward the window, not surprised to see Amelia. He nodded to her and went to load up the boy's small arms with split logs. Once inside, they stacked it neatly beside the fireplaces. After three trips, he decided they had enough to get through until morning.

Amelia had been working, too. She had a pot of homemade stew simmering on the stove, filling the kitchen with a heavenly aroma. He carried his duffel bag into the small room off the kitchen where he found the double bed already made up with snowy white sheets and two heavy blankets.

Amelia appeared at the doorway. "My grandfather stayed in here during his long illness. Gram Ruby never changed the room back to her sewing room."

"I won't disturb anything," Boone told her as he set his bag on the cedar chest at the end of the bed.

"It's okay," Jesse said as he walked in. "'Cause when I'm sick I get to stay here. I even throwed up all over the blankets." He made a face. "It was gross, but Mom didn't even get mad."

Boone hid a smile. "That's good to know."

"Jesse, why don't we let Boone get settled in?" She motioned for her son to come with her.

The boy obeyed, but paused at the doorway. "Can we still play cards later?"

"If it's okay with your mom."

The boy swung around to Amelia, looking for the okay.

"We'll see, Jesse. Come on, you can help me with the bread." She looked at Boone. "Supper will be ready about six, unless you get hungry before that."

"I'll be there at six." He looked at Jesse. "Why don't you come and get me, so I don't miss your mama's stew?"

When the boy smiled he could see a strong resemblance to Russ, but the physical likeness was where it ended. Did he have a right to burst in here and intrude on their lives? Yes, the boy needed to know that his father had cared about him and wanted to come and meet him. He had to at least tell the kid's mother, then she could decide what to do. What would Boone's announcement do to Amelia Hughes?

Amelia tugged her son's arm. "We'll see you at supper." She stepped back, leaving the door open to help circulate the sparse heat.

Boone sat down on the bed and lit the candle on the nightstand. The daylight was quickly fading. He pulled off his boots, rubbing one foot over the other. Once he'd stimulated warmth back into his toes, he lay down and rested his head against the feather pillow.

He couldn't help but think back to six months ago. It had never been his dream to work as a roustabout on an oil rig off the coast of Galveston, Texas. And that was where he'd met Russell Eldon.

Boone hadn't cared much about making friends, only about making money to buy back the ranch he'd lost. Russ wanted to give something to the child he'd abandoned, and he couldn't stop talking about it.

Sharing close quarters, Boone had listened to Russ's story. How at twenty-one he'd gotten a girl pregnant. In a panic, he'd taken off, even before he knew if she had the baby or not.

About a year ago, Russ had learned that he had a son. For the past months he'd worked on the oil rig to make fast money so he could help with support before he came to meet his child. Jesse Hughes.

It wasn't to be. Last summer they'd been evacuated when a hurricane headed for the platform, but the last helicopter crashed and they all ended up in the gulf.

A shiver went through Boone as he recalled that awful night. The rough waters that kept pulling him under. The excruciating pain in his injured shoulder. His struggle to stay conscious. Through it all, he kept hearing Russ's voice, telling him not to give up. The guy had been there with him, keeping him afloat until help came.

Boone shut his eyes, seeing Russ's face as the rough waters took him down, all the time knowing it should have been him who died that night.

If Russ hadn't had to rescue him, Jesse wouldn't be without a father.

CHAPTER FOUR

T HROUGH THE FOG Boone heard a feminine voice whisper his name. A rush of sensations drifted through him, and his body stirred with longing. He groaned, wanting the dream to go on. Then came the gentlest of touches, and warmth shot through him.

She spoke his name again and he blinked, aching to see her, praying reality would be even better. When he opened his eyes, he saw Amelia Hughes's face in the dim candlelight.

She smiled shyly. "Hi."

"Hi," he returned.

Her gaze was guarded and she stepped back from the bedside. "Sorry to wake you, but you said you wanted us to let you know when it's suppertime. Jesse wasn't sure what to do when he found you asleep."

He wiped a hand across his eyes, taking time to ease his racing pulse. "Thanks, I'm glad you woke me." He swung his legs off the bed and sat up. "I don't usually fall asleep on the job." He checked his watch to see that two hours had truly passed.

"It's probably the boredom," she said. "There isn't much to do trapped in the house."

He definitely hadn't been bored since coming here. The brisk chill in the room made him realize he wasn't going anywhere, not for a while, anyway. He noticed Amelia wore a long sweater that covered her all the way down past her shapely hips. On her feet were heavy, wool socks.

"How's the wood holding out?"

"I've been keeping both fireplaces going, but even after closing off the upstairs, it's still chilly. We're managing for now, but tonight the temperature is predicted to drop well below freezing."

Boone pulled on his boots, trying not to think about the intimacy of her watching him. He stood and walked toward her. At six foot three, he towered over most women, but Amelia was also tall. He liked that. She tilted her head back slightly as her emerald eyes met his gaze. Suddenly his mouth went dry. There wasn't much about this woman that he didn't like. She was definitely trouble.

"I'll bring in more wood."

"It can wait until later," she said. "I don't want your supper to get cold."

He wasn't used to anyone worrying about him. "Okay." With a nod he followed her into the warmer kitchen. The table was adorned with candles and three place settings.

"Hi, Boone." Jesse came over and took his hand, leading him to the seat at the table. "Mom made stew for supper. It's my favorite."

Amelia placed her hands on her hips. "Hey, I thought you liked my macaroni and cheese best."

The boy nodded his head. "I like that, too. I like everything you make." He turned to Boone. "Mom's the best cook. She makes pies for the diner in town. Everybody loves them."

"Jesse," she warned. "Stop bragging."

"I'm only saying what's true, Mom. Even Mrs. Hoffman at church said so. She told my teacher, Miss Claire, that Mom's a good catch."

Amelia gasped. "Jesse Thomas Hughes you're not supposed to listen to other people's conversations."

"But I didn't, Mom. They were talking right to me."

Boone tried hard not to smile as a blushing Amelia came to the table. She avoided his gaze as she placed the soup tureen in the center, then went back for the basket of rolls.

She sat across from Boone. "Enjoy this meal, because if this storm keeps up, no one will be eating anything but canned soup."

"Are we going to be snowed in for Christmas?" The boy looked worried. "And what about Izzy's puppies?"

Amelia spooned up a bowl of stew for Boone. "She's not on her own, we're here to help if she needs us."

Boone took the warm bowl. "Thank you." He looked at Jesse. "I think she can handle it."

"Have you ever seen puppies born?" Jesse asked Boone.

"No, but I've helped with calves and foals. Believe me, mamas know what to do."

Jesse gave his mother a curious look. "Mom, did you know what to do when I was born?"

Even in the dim light, Boone watched another blush cover Amelia's face. "Well, not everything, but I had Aunt Kelley and Gram Ruby with me. And the doctor, of course."

Still looking bewildered, the boy picked up his spoon. "Do I get to help Izzy, too?"

Amelia placed a napkin on her lap. "Well, I'm not sure."

"It depends on Izzy," Boone jumped in. "She might just want to do it all by herself."

"Is that why Mom put a big box in the closet?"

Boone nodded. "So Izzy can have some privacy."

Before Jesse could ask another question, Amelia spoke up. "Let's say grace so we can eat."

Jesse took his mother's hand, then held out the other to Boone. It had been a long time since he had much to pray about, but maybe it was time he started. He took the boy's hand, then reached across the table for Amelia's. For a second he allowed himself to think about a home and family.

Amelia liked the feel of Boone's large hand. Too much. The man was little more than a stranger. That alone sent up warning signals. She definitely couldn't let herself romanticize the situation. She let that happen once, not again. She had a lot more at stake this time than to be foolish enough to allow some goodlooking cowboy turn her head.

She glanced at her son as he talked with Boone. It didn't take much to get a five-year-old's attention. Especially since all he'd ever wanted was a father.

"Are you going to be here for Christmas, Boone?" "Not sure, son. I'm hoping to be back in Texas by then." "What about your job?" Amelia asked.

His gaze shifted to her as he raised his spoon. "It's temporary. I'd always planned to head back home someday."

"Texas," Jesse said. "Do you have kids there?"

Boone shook his head. "No family to speak of. Not anymore."

The boy's eyes rounded. "Then why not stay here? You can work for Mom and Aunt Kelley."

"Jesse," she said in her best warning tone. Her son had to stop this. "You know we only hire hands during calving season."

"But, Mom…"

Boone stepped in. "It's a nice offer, son, but I'm going to buy my own ranch, in Texas."

"Oh…" Jesse didn't hide his disappointment.

Amelia felt a twinge of the same. She glanced at Boone to find him watching her. Her breathing grew heavy as she locked on his mesmerizing gaze. This was crazy. She'd only just met the man and suddenly she was wanting him to stay around.

Boone turned back to her son. "You see, Jesse, I've been wanting one particular place for a long time, and now I have a chance to buy it."

The boy looked thoughtful. "Hey, you could buy a ranch in Montana." He turned to his mother. "Right, Mom?"

Hours later the house was quiet as Boone stretched out on the double bed, staring out into the darkness, trying to sleep. But the words that Amelia Hughes spoke earlier were still swimming around in his head:

Boone's place is in Texas, and ours is here in Montana.

He knew it shouldn't bother him, but it had. He'd never had much as a kid.

Years ago, Hank and Jolene Gifford hadn't been much more than day laborers until they scraped enough money together to buy some land of their own. With their old truck loaded up, their son and all their worldly belongings, they arrived in West Texas and their first home.

Many nights, he'd slept in the bed of the pickup until the house was built. His mother took a job in town to help them survive as his father ran a small herd. Boone had worked hard as a boy and continued as a man, building the family ranch.

Their hard work finally paid off until the day he lost both his parents in an accident. He couldn't run the place without his dad.

Now at the age of thirty, he was getting a second chance. Nothing was going to keep him from his dreams this time.

He stood, went to his duffel bag and found the manila envelope tucked under a pair of his jeans. He knew what was inside without even looking. All Russ Eldon's personal effects. Everything his friend had wanted to give his son.

Boone sighed. Coming here wasn't supposed to be so complicated. He'd planned to hand over everything to Amelia Hughes and just leave. Instead he was trapped here in her home, and he was feeling things for the woman he had no business feeling.

He needed to get out of here and fast.

That same husky soft voice called his name again. Boone looked toward the doorway and saw Amelia. Holding a hurricane lantern, she stood shadowed in the dim light. Her dark hair was slightly mussed and she had a blanket bundled around her trim body. Her gaze was questioning.

Boone drew another breath, trying to fight the urges she invoked in him. He zipped the bag and went to her.

"Is there a problem?" he asked.

"I think we're going to need more firewood."

He suddenly became aware of the chill. "Maybe you should turn on the heat, too."

She released a breath. "I'm just worried that the generator won't hold out."

He nodded. "How's Jesse? Is he warm enough?"

She smiled. "He's fine and sound asleep. How are you doing in here?"

"It's not bad." Hell, it was cold.

She smiled at his lie. "Okay, we turn on the heat. But I'll need to close the vents upstairs."

"I'll help you."

He followed her through the kitchen, checking on Jesse as they went. The boy was layered with blankets on the sofa. He followed Amelia up the steps to the second floor where she opened the door at the top.

Amelia felt the drop in temperature immediately. "Oh, burr, it's freezing."

"Colder than a witch's…" Boone began. "It's darn cold." He stood behind her and held up the lantern. "Go back downstairs, Amelia. I can handle this."

She turned, nearly bumping into him. "But I know where all the registers are."

With a nod from him, she headed into her grandmother's bedroom. They worked quickly to shut off the vents, then moved on to Jesse's room. Next, they went into hers. This had been her childhood bedroom and not much had changed since then. It seemed strange to have Boone here. There hadn't been a man in here ever, not even Jesse's father.

She knelt down next to her twin bed, and worked the iron grate, but it wouldn't budge. "Stubborn thing."

Boone appeared, shinning more light. "Here, let me try."

Before she could get out of the way, he leaned over her, and his hard chest brushed against her back. She felt his muscles strain as he fought the stubborn lever and won.

He didn't move away, and strangely, Amelia didn't want him to.

"Where to next?" His voice vibrated against her ear. "Your sister's room?"

"Kelley doesn't live in the house anymore. A few years ago she moved into the foreman's cottage." She stopped her rambling and took a breath to relax. It didn't help. Was she so starved for a man that the slightest contact set her off?

With this man, yes.

He finally moved back. "Then I guess we're finished," he said. "We should head downstairs."

Still on her knees, she turned to face him. In the dim shadows, they were close in the confined space. Dangerously close.

Suddenly she heard her name called. "Mom! Mom! Where are you?"

She broke eye contact, got to her feet and hurried into the hallway. "I'm coming, Jesse."

"Hurry, Mom. Izzy's having her puppies."

CHAPTER FIVE

B OONE FOLLOWED AMELIA downstairs to find the mother-to-be in her box in the pantry. Seeing her owner, Izzy whimpered. "See, Mom?"

Amelia knelt down inside the narrow enclosure next to her son and gently stroked the dog's head. "What's the matter, girl? Are your babies getting impatient to be born?"

In answer, the animal licked her hand and panted heavily.

"Mom, is Izzy having her puppies now?"

Amelia stood and backed out of the small space. "It looks like it, honey. Maybe we should give her some privacy."

The boy didn't like the idea. "But what if she needs us?"

"She might. So we need to get some towels and thread to tie off the puppies' cords in case she needs help."

When the boy started to argue, Boone spoke up, "Come on, Jesse, I'll help you, too. Do you know where the thread is?"

With the boy's nod, the threesome gathered the things needed and returned for the expected delivery. Wrapped in a blanket, with the lantern next to him, Jesse sat in the doorway waiting.

Boone stood holding another light overhead, and watched in awe as Amelia coaxed the Labrador to push out the first tiny puppy. Jesse gasped in delight, and showed even more excitement as the second and third came along.

"You're doing fine, girl," Amelia spoke to her patient as she wiped off each new arrival. "Here comes another," she said, then amended that. "Oh, and another."

Boone handed Jesse the light and instructed him how to hold it. Then he jumped in and assisted Amelia so none of the puppies would be lost.

By the end, the litter count added up to eight healthy puppies. Amelia gently helped clean the last arrival, and gave it to the mother to begin nursing. Then she worked quickly to removed the soiled towels and replace them with fresh bedding.

Boone took the dirty towels and set them aside, then helped Jesse bring some food and water for the new mother.

"Mom, can we keep one this time?" Jesse pointed to the yellow pup that was busy trying to find a vacant nipple to feed on.

"Honey, we talked about this. You know we have to sell them. Besides, Mr. Clevenger might want that one to keep."

The boy hung his head. "What if I don't want to go to college?"

Amelia looked at Boone. "We started breeding Izzy when our neighbor, Ralph Clevenger, approached us because he had a registered Labrador, too. After Ralph takes his pick, I plan to sell the others and put the money in Jesse's college fund."

Boone wanted to tell Amelia that she didn't have to worry about money for college. Russ had left everything to his son, along with a hefty life insurance policy. But that wouldn't mean much to a little boy who wanted a dad. Instead, Boone spoke to Jesse. "Your mom will make sure they all have good homes with other boys and girls."

Amelia glanced down at the new mother. "This is Izzy's third litter. I usually have the vet come out to check her. That's not going to happen this time."

He could hear the worry in her voice. "They should be fine for a few days."

"I hope so." Amelia walked to the kitchen sink, then turned on the water and washed her hands and forearms. When she turned, Boone held out a clean towel for her. Even in the shadowed light, he could see her fatigue. But nothing took away from her beauty.

"I can keep an eye on Izzy," he said.

She peeked back into the pantry. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to her."

"The sofa isn't that far away. You take Jesse and at least lie down. I'll stay here."

"You need sleep, too," she said.

"Yeah, Boone," Jesse said. "Come sleep with us."

Boone glanced at Amelia and saw her uneasiness. No way was he intruding any more. "How about if I come sit with you until you fall sleep?"

Jesse let out a yelp, ran to the sofa and dove under the blankets.

Boone followed, but added more logs to the dying fire before heading to the opposite sofa. With the heater running, the room was warmer. Boone sat down and looked across the large coffee table as Amelia tucked her son under the covers, then she moved to the opposite end and took off her boots. She lay back, her brown hair spread against the pillow, making him think about anything but sleep.

"Good night, Boone," Jesse said on a yawn.

Boone jerked his gaze away. "'Night, Jesse." He shut off the lantern, leaned his head against the high-backed sofa and closed his eyes. Just for a minute, he told himself.

The wind howled outside, the cracking of the warm fire combined with the boy's soft snores was like a symphony. The feel of Amelia's presence, so close but so untouchable, made him ache. He shifted, trying to push away any wayward thoughts. He didn't even know this family twelve hours ago. They didn't know him either, but that didn't seem to matter.

Amelia woke up surprised to see it was daylight. Suddenly thoughts of last night ran through her head.

The blizzard. Izzy! Snowed in with a stranger.

She sat up to see she was alone. The scent of coffee teased her nose as muffled voices came from the kitchen. No doubt it was Jesse and Boone. She glanced at the clock on the mantel. Eight-fifteen!

She got up and walked to the window. Looking out at the beautiful winter scene, she tried to gather her thoughts. A mountain of snow covered everything. She could barely see the barn, and Boone's truck was buried up to the bumper. At least it had stopped snowing. She glanced at the threatening gray sky. For now.

How long before it started again? Would they be able to plow the roads? Restore the power? Get her truck?

Suddenly the isolation bothered her even more. She and Jesse were here with a stranger. A man she was drawn to. In the last twenty-four hours, she'd been thinking about Boone Gifford instead of her grandmother's heart procedure. It was today, and she couldn't even find out how Ruby was doing.

Had Kelley tried to call her? With the utilities out, her sister would be worried about not being able to reach them. Had the storm knocked out power in Helena? She shook her head. She had to stop worrying. Kelley could handle Gram.

Laughter came from the kitchen and she smiled. At least Jesse was happy to be snowed in with a stranger.

And so was she.

Boone wasn't much of a cook, but he could whip up some scrambled eggs when he had to. And this morning he had a good reason. Jesse needed to eat, and so did Amelia. She'd already provided him with two meals yesterday. It was his turn. Besides, with the electricity on only periodically, he wasn't sure how long the food would stay fresh.

He set a plate on the table in front of Jesse. "Here you go, bud."

The boy smiled. "Thanks." He took a big bite. "Why did you call me bud?"

"It's just a friendly term. Short for buddy."

Those brown eyes widened. "I like you calling me that." The boy scooped up a forkful and took a big bite. "This is good."

Boone sat down across from Jesse and began his meal. After a minute the boy had more questions. "Boone, do you think it will stop snowing before Christmas?"

"I expect so. I'm not an expert, but it will probably stop in a few days."

"Oh." Jesse looked disappointed.

"You don't want it to stop?"

Jesse shook his head. "I want you to stay here."

The boy climbed off his chair and went to a calendar hanging on the wall that revealed the month of December, with big Xs marked through half of the days. "See, we have eleven days before Christmas. I don't want you to leave."

"Jesse, I can't stay until Christmas."

"But what about my wish? And I wrote Santa."

Boone had no idea how to answer him. "I just happened along, bud. I have to go back to Texas."

Tears blurred the boy's eyes. "Who's going to help me cut down a tree?"

Lost childhood memories flashed into Boone's head. He and his dad used to do that while his mother was home cooking. He blinked and focused on Jesse. "You cut down your own Christmas tree?"

The boy nodded and wiped his eyes. "Yeah, Gram, Mom and Aunt Kelley and me. This year Mom said I'm old enough to use the saw. What are we going to do if it doesn't stop snowing?"

"It's going to stop." He hoped that was true. "And you'll get your tree."

"Oh, boy, can you help us this year?"

"Can Boone help us do what?"

They both turned to see Amelia stroll into the kitchen. She was wearing the same jeans and sweatshirt, now wrinkled from sleep. Her hair was mussed and hung against her shoulders.

"Hi, Mom." He went flying across the room and hugged her. "Boone said you were tired and we should let you sleep. He fixed me breakfast, and he can help us cut down a tree." The boy finally took a breath.

Her gaze met Boone's and she smiled. He felt it all the way into his gut.

"Looks like you two have been making a lot of plans. Did you also happen to notice all the snow?"

"When it stops we can go," Jesse said hopefully. "Boone said we have plenty of time before Christmas."

Boone couldn't stop the boy's excitement, or his heart racing as Amelia looked at him.

All he managed was a nod at the coffeemaker. "Coffee?"

"Please," she said. "I think I'm going to need it." She followed him to the counter. He filled a mug and handed it to her. Close up her eyes were dark from sleep.

"I brewed some coffee while the generator was on."

She took a sip and sighed. "So worth it." Her gaze met his, then glanced away. "It has stopped snowing, but probably not for long."

He wasn't happy about the forecast. "So there's no hope that it will warm up today and melt the snow?"

She smiled and his heart tripped again. "Getting cabin fever?"

"I did get out to the barn," he told her. "Had to do a little shoveling to get there."

Amelia's son jumped into the conversation. "Boone wouldn't let me go with him. I had to promise to stay here." The boy smiled. "I got to watch the puppies, so Izzy could go outside and do her business."

Amelia tried to keep her focus on Jesse, but having Boone in her kitchen was definitely a distraction. Especially a man who handled chores and could cook breakfast.

"Thanks for your help, honey. Why don't you finish your breakfast before it gets cold?" She expected an argument, but Jesse only walked back to his seat.

She had no choice but to acknowledge Boone. "Thank you for letting me sleep."

He shrugged. "I didn't see any reason to wake you. You were sleeping so soundly."

She took another sip. "How did the horses do last night?"

"They were fine. Happy for a little attention."

She leaned against the counter and watched her son eat. "Kelley usually handles their care. But someone had to take Gram for her procedure." She frowned. "I just wish I knew how the procedure went. If everything went well, they should come home tomorrow." She glanced out the window. "That isn't going to happen, either."

Boone knew that if Kelley Hughes came home, she'd discover he wasn't the ranch hand she'd hired. He used that rationalization for not telling Amelia the truth. Right now, she needed his help. With another winter storm coming, they seemed destined to stay together. But he still needed to tell her the reason for his visit, and soon.

But he still wanted to ease her mind. "Do you have a cell phone?"

She nodded. "It's funny, but there's poor reception inside the house." She went into the other room then returned with her phone. "No service."

"Your grandmother is in the best place possible. If this storm came any earlier she could have been stranded here and unable to get the care she needed."

Amelia nodded. "I know you're right, but it doesn't stop me from worrying. She's my family. Gram raised Kelley and me. Jesse, too. She's our rock. She wasn't too keen on having the procedure. Somehow Kelley talked her into it." She smiled. "Kelley's a little more forceful than I am."

"So you three run this place?"

"Yes. A mama-and-baby cattle operation, and a yearling herd in the summer. We lease some of the grazing land and rent out three cabins during hunting season."

"That's a lot for three people to handle."

"It didn't start out that way. When we were little, our parents moved here to work in the cattle business. Mom died shortly after I was born, and we were barely settled here when Dad was thrown from his horse. He was in a coma for a while, then he eventually died.

"Grandma Ruby and Granddad Jesse stepped in and raised us. Then about six years ago, Granddad died. Gram said we had no choice but to go on."

Amelia drew a breath and released it, but he could still see her pain as she looked at him. "What about you, Boone Gifford? You said you were buying a place in Texas. Where?"

He drank the rest of his coffee. "Outside of Odessa, Texas. It had been my family's place, but when my parents passed away, I couldn't make a go of it on my own. Now I have a little more capital to carry me through the rough times. I'm hoping to buy the ranch back from the bank."

"There sure are enough foreclosures around here," Amelia added. "Is there anyone else back there to help you?"

He shook his head. There had been someone once, until he lost everything, but he didn't want to talk about the past. "It's just me." He suddenly realized how sad that sounded.

CHAPTER SIX

B OONE STARED OUT the kitchen window as night began to fall on his second day trapped with Amelia Hughes. Again flurries started blowing against the window, letting them know that another storm was brewing. He'd hoped that if the weather held tonight, he could take off tomorrow. Only, that meant he'd be leaving Amelia and Jesse to fend for themselves.

He couldn't do it.

That was the excuse he'd given himself all day to keep from mentioning Russ's name and handing over his friend's personal things. Worse, it would mean spoiling a little boy's Christmas.

Instead he'd kept the fireplaces going, fed the stock just as if he were the hired hand. He also occupied Jesse to keep him from being bored. It wasn't hard. He liked spending time with the boy, even with his endless questions that every kid asked.

He'd also been plagued by a different kind of guilt. If Russ hadn't hung back to save him, he might be here himself to meet his son.

Boone couldn't think about that now. He had to fulfill his promise. Somehow before he left the Rocking H Ranch, he had to find a way to tell Amelia the truth about his connection to Jesse's father.

He glanced at Amelia. Earlier he'd made it out to the barn to check on the animals. The temperature had risen some during the day, but after hearing the forecast on the radio, he had no doubt they were in for more snow. So that meant he had to stay put for now.

He got up from the kitchen table while Jesse set up another game for them and went into the living room to find the beautiful brunette pacing. Tall and graceful, Amelia reminded him of a Thoroughbred with her fine bones and delicate features.

Were the men around here blind? Even after only a few days together, she was going to be hard to leave.

"Amelia," he called to her.

She turned around. "What?"

"Worrying isn't going to help."

She seemed to relax a little and offered him a hint of a smile. "I know." She sighed. "I guess I'm the one with cabin fever now."

"It's understandable."

"We haven't had a bad storm like this for a few years. I guess we're overdue." She looked out the window at the fading light. "I normally love this time of year. It's beautiful here with the mountains covered in snow." She raised her startling green eyes to his. "I guess I miss Kelley and my grandmother, too. What if something has happened to Gram, and Kel can't reach me?"

He shook his head. "You can't think that way. From what you've said about her, she's a strong woman."

A smile appeared on her pretty face. "Yeah, she is. We had to fight to even get her to go to the hospital. And the doctor said she was healthy enough to handle this procedure."

"See. She's strong like I said."

"You have to be when you run a ranch."

Amelia enjoyed talking with Boone. She didn't get much male companionship, and she never realized how much she missed it. And she had to admit, it was nice to lean on someone for a change. Just so she remembered that he was doing a job, and he'd be leaving for Texas soon. If she were looking for something serious, Boone wasn't the man. He wasn't even from around here. And Montana was her home.

Besides, she wasn't sure she could trust a man again. That foolish girl who'd been willing to run off with the first guy who'd given her attention no longer existed. She was a mother now and had to think about her child. No matter how attached Jesse was getting to Boone, she had to make him understand that the ranch hand wasn't staying around.

His voice broke into her thoughts. "It's nice you have your family."

She nodded. "They've both been there for me and my son."

"From what I gather from Jesse, his dad hasn't been in his life."

Amelia never explained her life to strangers. She'd never needed to before. "It's no secret that I never married Jesse's father. When Russ found out I was pregnant, he took off. Never heard from him again."

"You must have been pretty young."

She glanced away. "And naive. It's funny how easy it is to let love cloud your judgment. Yet, at nineteen, I'm not sure we even know what it is."

"Love can do that to you."

Something in his low tone of voice caused her to turn around. "Sounds like you have your own experiences."

He shrugged. "Past history. I found out in time."

Amelia could see a flash of hurt. She wanted to reach out to him, but she held back. "Were you married?"

His dark eyes met hers. "No, but we planned to, before I lost the ranch."

"She left you?"

His jaw tightened. "I don't blame her. I didn't have anything to offer her."

"Don't say that. You had love. She should have stood by you. Together you could have worked to get it back. That's what love is, working for a future." She crossed her arms. "Well, you're lucky to be rid of her."

An easy smile crossed his face. "You are fierce when riled. Remind me never to cross you."

"I'm sorry. It just seems that so many people just walk away when things get too rough. A commitment means sticking it out through the hard times as well as the good times." She blinked at the sudden tears welling in her eyes. "You had to be devastated, losing your home, then someone you love. I'm sorry." She moved away, swiping at the rush of tears. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

He touched her arm. "No, Amelia. Please, you have no reason to be sorry." He came closer. "Besides, it was a long time ago. I don't think about Kendra anymore."

"Good. She doesn't deserve your time."

"God, Amelia. I wish…"

His dark gaze held hers, and Amelia knew it could be trouble. She wanted to blame what she was feeling on the storm and their being thrown together.

"If only I had met someone like you," Boone began.

"Yeah, right. A single mother with a child. Not that I've been pining after Russ after all these years. I haven't. It took a while, but I realized I don't need a man to make me complete. Of course, that doesn't mean men are exactly beating down my door."

"Then, they aren't worth your time. And they sure don't deserve you. If things were different-"

Amelia held up a hand. She didn't need to hear his reasons why he couldn't be that man. "It's okay, Boone."

She started to move away, but he stopped her. "I was about to say there are things you don't know about me. And there's also the fact that you live in Montana and I live in Texas."

Three hours later Boone was in his room. Restless, he'd done a fifteen-minute workout, hoping exhaustion would help him sleep. He should be used to the confinement after living and working on the oil platform, except there he had television and other guys to talk to.

All he had here was a five-year-old boy and one beautiful woman, making him realize what was missing in his life. And tonight he nearly stepped over the line. Just touching Amelia's softness had him reeling with need. It had taken everything in him to keep from dragging her into his arms and kissing her senseless. Great, he was turning into some sex-starved maniac.

Boone suddenly heard the puppies' cries. He hurried to the pantry, hoping they hadn't woken up anyone else in the house. Amelia was already there. She was leaning over the box. He started to move away, but she turned toward him.

"Seems they want some attention." She stroked the tiny animal in her hands.

Boone couldn't resist and sank down beside her, trying not to notice as his leg rubbed against hers. He scratched Izzy's head, then gently scooped up one of her crying babies. "You know, you're spoiling them," he told her.

"Everyone needs some spoiling. Besides, I don't get to keep them long. All these precious babies will be in other homes soon."

He smiled down at the now-sleeping chocolate-colored pup. He wouldn't mind having one of these himself. He shook away the thought. It would be another connection to Amelia Hughes, and give him a reason to keep in touch. She probably wouldn't want to when she learned the truth about him.

Amelia propped her back against the shelves that stored canned goods. Boone did the same on the other side. Even though the small closet was cold, it wasn't bad, or was it the fact she warmed his blood whenever she got near him?

"Jesse asleep?" he asked.

She nodded. "He fought it for a long time, but lost in the end.

Thank you for helping burn off some of his energy earlier." "He does seem to have a lot to burn, doesn't he?" "Always had." Amelia smiled as if she were remembering.

"Even as a baby. He crawled at five months, and was walking before he was a year old." She continued to stroke the puppy. "I guess I should say running. He hasn't stopped since."

"He's a fine boy, Amelia. Any man would be proud to have him for a son."

"Thank you." Her smile faded. "There are times when I think I've cheated Jesse, with him not having a father."

This was the time he could tell her. "Earlier you said the boy's father was never in his life. Have you explained why to Jesse?"

She shook her head, but didn't seem angry at the question. "Somewhere around the age of four he began asking about his daddy. I only told him that he lived somewhere else. Then this year he went off to kindergarten and discovered all the other kids had fathers." She glanced at him. "That's how this silly Christmas wish came about. A little girl on the school bus, Emma Clark, told him to make a wish for one. Jesse took it to heart." She released a long breath. "I don't know what's going to happen when Christmas arrives and he has to face reality."

"It's a hard lesson for a little boy. I wish…" He hesitated and looked at her. "I wish things could be different."

She smiled and his gut tightened with longing.

"You know what they say," she began "'If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.'"

He nodded, silently cursing Russ for putting him in this spot, and for waiting so long to contact his son. Now it was too late, and Boone had to bring the bad news to a little boy. "I know I won't be around much longer, but if you ever need anything for the boy, you can call me."

Amelia was shocked by Boone's offer. It also made her look at reality, too. He'd be going back to Texas. "Oh, Boone, that's sweet of you, but we can't intrude on your life. Besides, you'll be so far away."

"Not that far." He put the pup back with its mother.

Amelia couldn't stop looking at his hands. His palms were large and his fingers long and tapered. What would they feel like against her skin? A shiver ran down her spine. She shook away the thought. "But you'll have your own life."

"I doubt I'll have time for a life if I'm busy with a ranch." He shrugged, his gaze focused on her. "A boy needs a man around when he gets to a certain age." Then hurried on to say, "That's not to say you won't find someone, you're very attractive. But if you don't, then you can always call me."

Amelia's heart pounded as she put her pup back with Izzy, then bravely leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on Boone's cheek. She pulled back slightly and swallowed hard. "You're a sweet man, Boone Gifford."

The look in his eyes quickly changed as the irises darkened to a smoldering black. "You wouldn't say that if you knew what I was thinking right now." His voice was low and husky.

Amelia knew she should get out of there, but it had been so long since she'd been close to a man. A man who stirred her. A man who made her yearn to feel his touch, his kiss.

She threw caution to the wind and said, "Tell me, Boone."

He didn't hide his surprise, as he reached out and cupped her face. "Can't seem to find the words, darlin'. I'll show you," he breathed as his mouth closed over hers.

The kiss was gentle at first, but it still sent Amelia's heart racing, as she hoped and prayed that he would never stop. Her hopes were answered as he pulled her against him and deepened the connection. His tongue slid along her lips until she opened for him, letting him inside to caress and taste her. With a moan she wrapped her arms around his neck and used her tongue to tease him.

On a groan, his hand moved to her breasts, stroking their fullness. He broke off the kiss, his gaze searching her face. Neither spoke as he dipped his head and kissed her again and again. She'd never known such hunger, such need. She'd kissed men since Russ, but it had never felt like this.

Boone's hand slipped under her sweater, touching her skin, raising goose bumps as he reached her bra and managed to unhook the lacy garment. On a whimper, she arched her back as his masterful hands began to stroke and knead her breasts.

"Oh, Boone," she gasped.

He ran kisses down her neck, his breathing heavy. "You want more?" His fingers toyed with her nipple, causing it to tighten into a hard nub. He quickly moved to the other.

"Please," she said.

Suddenly a whimpering sound broke them apart. Izzy was standing next to them.

Boone released her. "Looks like someone else needs our attention."

"I better let her out," Amelia said as she stood.

"No, I'll do it." Boone was out of the pantry before Amelia could say anything.

Five minutes later Boone cursed at himself while he gathered wood as he waited for Izzy to finish her business. What had he been thinking? Apparently, he hadn't been thinking at all when he'd kissed Amelia Hughes. And the last thing he needed to do was fall for this woman. In the end she was going to hate him.

The chocolate lab was easy to spot in the snow. "You ready to go back inside, girl?" In answer the dog bounded up the steps. Boone wasn't as eager to return, knowing he was lying to a woman he was crazy about. He'd lost her before he'd even had a chance to win her.

CHAPTER SEVEN

T HE NEXT DAY it was cold and gloomy. The snow had stopped, and all Amelia wanted to do was get out of the house. She wasn't used to being confined for so long. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she could hear from Kelley.

She'd listened to the news on the radio and discovered the storm had crippled the entire area, including Helena. Luckily, the weather system was moving on. Now if it would warm up enough so the snow would melt.

She wanted work crews to restore electricity and phone service. Then Boone Gifford could go back to the Sky High Ranch and things would get back to normal. She glanced at the man seated at the kitchen table with Jesse. The same man she'd kissed last night. The same man whose sure hands had caressed her skin, teasing her with a taste of pleasure she'd never experienced before. She bit back a moan of frustration.

"Mom? Are you okay?"

She fought at hiding a blush. "I'm fine, honey. Just tired of being inside."

The boy's brown eyes widened. "Boone said if it's okay with you, and I dress warm, I can go to the barn with him when he feeds the horses."

Amelia stole a glance at the man she'd been avoiding all morning. He acted as if she was the last person he wanted to be around.

Before she could respond Boone stood. "If you're worried, you're more than welcome to come, too." His gaze met hers. "I expect we're all a little stir crazy."

She nodded. "Yes, I am. I'd be happy to have the electricity back on, too."

"I like it this way," Jesse said. "I don't have to go to school. I get to stay here with Boone."

Amelia was surprised by his statement. "I thought you liked school."

"I do. But I like staying here, too. I like Boone here, too."

"But I can't stay much longer, bud," Boone told him. "I'd planned to be back in Texas soon."

Jesse's head snapped up. "Before Christmas?"

Boone was caught between a rock and a hard place. No matter how he answered he couldn't make them both happy. "I haven't decided yet."

"We still have a while before the holidays," Amelia said.

"But what about getting a tree? Even Gram said we need to have a tree for Christmas. She promised."

"Jesse, I can't promise anything right now. Not until I hear from Aunt Kelley. Gram may need special attention when she gets home."

Boone couldn't handle the boy's disappointment. "I'll tell you what, Jesse. I won't leave until we cut down the tree."

"You mean it?"

Boone glanced at Amelia, seeing her surprise.

Grinning, Jesse got up and came around the table to hug him. "Thank you, Boone. Can we get one today?"

A funny feeling erupted in Boone's gut as the boy's arms came around him. He looked at Amelia as she folded her arms across her chest, cocked an eyebrow and waited for his answer.

"Not today. If the weather holds up, maybe tomorrow."

"Yippy," the boy cried as he ran out of the room.

Boone finally turned to Amelia. She looked beautiful this morning. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her face was scrubbed clean. She took his breath away. That was the main reason he had to get out of here. She was too tempting. And he'd fallen into that temptation last night.

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep," she said.

"I'm not. Unless you have a problem with me taking him to cut down a tree?"

"Not if I go with you."

"Of course you're welcome. I just figured it's the least I could do."

She seemed angry. "You don't owe anything to my son-or to me."

Yes, he did. "It's hard not to care about the boy." He stood and came toward her. "It was you I didn't expect. I never should have crossed the line last night. I apologize. And I don't want you to feel as if you have to worry about it happening again."

She swallowed. "You have feelings for me?"

He blinked and inhaled her sweet fragrance. "Yeah, if things could be different…" He let the words trail off. "You don't need to worry, though, I'll be gone soon."

She started to say something when Jesse ran into the room. "Mom, I put on my long johns and heavy pants."

"Good," she said, then looked at Boone. "Give me twenty minutes to put on the leftovers from last night."

"We can wait," Boone said, and watched her walk out to the mud room and the freezer.

Luckily, they'd been able to store food out there. And with a propane stove, Amelia had still been able to cook. Hell, she'd come up with some pretty elaborate meals. Even dessert.

He thought about when he went back to Texas. He'd be fending for himself. And he'd be alone. No child's laughter, no woman's touch. Amelia's softness was part of who she was. It was natural for her to stroke her son's hair, kiss him or laugh easily at something he said.

Thoughts of last night came rushing back with a jolt. Her kisses that had him so turned on he couldn't think, only feel. But there was a big possibility that she wouldn't want anything to do with him when she learned his secret. So he had to keep thinking of her as off-limits.

Amelia came back from the freezer carrying a large plastic container and a pie wrapped in heavy plastic. With a smile, she held up her findings. "I also found a pie. Apple. And I'll make some biscuits."

"Sounds great," he agreed. Everything around here was great. So much so he never wanted to leave. But he had to. He knew he'd never be welcome here once he told her why he'd come.

Amelia followed closely behind Boone, who'd taken charge of Jesse as they trekked through the snow toward the barn. Her son was busy asking a dozen questions.

She wanted to tell him to stop, but knew the child had been so good over the past few days of being stuck indoors. And Boone was the reason for that. The man had the patience of a saint to put up with an inquisitive five-year-old.

They reached the large door, and Boone rolled it back just enough for them to get through. Once inside, he closed it, and they stomped the snow off their boots. Luckily, there was sunlight coming in through a window up in the loft, helping them find their way around. Boone also turned on his large flashlight.

The familiar scent of horses and manure assaulted her nose. She didn't mind it at all. This was her life and she loved living out here.

"I think I better muck out some stalls," she said as she went to turn on a few of the battery lanterns next to the stalls.

"I'll help, Mom."

"No need," Boone said.

"We'll all help." Amelia turned to her son. "Right, Jesse?"

The boy nodded, went to the first stall and climbed up on the slats to pet the red roan gelding. "This is the horse I ride, Spitfire. I call him Fire." He rubbed the horse's nose. "He was grandpa's horse, but he died before I was born."

The boy continued with his introductions. "That's Penny. She's Mom's." He pointed to the stall across from them. "And that's Risky. He's Aunt Kelley's horse. Mom says she's going to break her neck someday because he's crazy."

Boone walked across the aisle to the large chestnut gelding. He had a feeling this horse matched Kelley Hughes perfectly. "He's a good-looking animal." Boone rubbed the horse's muzzle.

Amelia came over, too. "He's got a little too much attitude for me."

"That's what Aunt Kelley likes." Jesse climbed down from the stall railing. "She says Risky keeps her on her toes."

Amelia smiled. "Or her bottom," she murmured. "How many times has this horse bucked her off?"

Jesse laughed. "I'm gonna tell her you said that."

Amelia gave an exaggerated gasp. "You're such a traitor. Okay, what's it gonna cost me to keep you quiet?"

He gave her a sheepish grin. "Chocolate brownies."

Amelia placed her hands on her hips, continuing the game. "My Peppermint Kiss Brownies?"

"Sprinkled with crushed candy canes."

She turned to Boone and cocked an eyebrow. "And will that buy your silence, too?" she asked, including him, too.

"Say yes, Boone," Jesse begged. "They're her special Christmas brownies."

His gaze connected with Amelia's. He wouldn't mind her sweetening the deal with a few kisses. "I can be bought."

Amelia seemed to be just as mesmerized. "I have to check to see if I have all the ingredients. If not, I'll have to wait to make a trip to town."

Boone nodded, knowing he wouldn't be around to sample them, or a lot of other things he'd come to like since he'd been here. "I better get to work."

He turned toward the feed bin, and Jesse followed him. Amelia, on the other hand, went for the wheelbarrow and pitch fork and headed for Penny's stall to clean it.

He wanted to stop her, but he knew that women and men shared the chores on a ranch. Especially women who didn't have a man around. For a second, he let himself think about staying. Then he quickly dismissed the idea. After learning of his deception, Amelia Hughes wouldn't want him here.

"Come on, bud. Let's hurry so we can help your mom."

It took just minutes to feed the animals, but mucking out the stalls took a lot longer. Once fresh straw was spread out and water buckets filled, they were pretty much finished for the day.

Jesse followed Boone outside. After clearing a spot of snow, they dumped the barn waste. But before heading back to the house, the boy pointed to the grove of pine trees about two hundred yards away that covered the hillside.

"See, Boone, that's where we go to get our tree."

"That's not too far, Jesse."

"Then can we go and find a tree?"

"The problem is, bud, we can't get there. The snow is still too deep."

The child jerked his cap-covered head around to his mother. "Mom, can we go on the snowmobile?"

Amelia looked thoughtful, then said, "I guess we could."

"Have you ever driven a snowmobile, Boone?"

He shook his head. "There's no need in Texas."

She turned back to her son. "Let's give the weather one more day, Jesse. Tomorrow if the weather holds. Maybe."

The boy couldn't hide his disappointment as they all trudged back to the house.

"You don't have to do this, Boone," Amelia said softly. "Cutting down a tree wasn't part of your job description."

"It's not a problem, Amelia." The snow crushed under their booted feet as they measured each slippery step. Their bodies brushed in the narrow path.

Amelia spoke first. "There are more immediate things to deal with than a Christmas tree."

"Not to a little boy." He studied her profile, her pert nose and rosy cheeks. Her lips looked a little chapped, and he wondered if it was from the cold, or his kisses. "So, if it isn't a problem for you, I wouldn't mind going out tomorrow."

"It's not a problem." She turned to him, and suddenly lost her balance. He reached out and grabbed her, pulling her against him. Even through their heavy clothing, he felt her warmth, her softness.

"You should be careful," he said. "You could hurt yourself."

Their gazes held for what seemed to be an eternity. He couldn't do anything to stop the urge to lean forward and kiss her. He nearly did, but then they heard Jesse call.

"Mom, the phone rang. It's Aunt Kelley."

"Tell her I'm coming." She scrambled to break away and carefully made her way to the house.

Boone hung back. This could be it if Kelley informed Amelia that he wasn't the man hired to help out. He glanced toward his truck, still half-buried in snow. Even if he dug it out, he doubted he could handle the unplowed roads.

He continued the trip to the house and went inside in time to see Amelia hang up the phone. She turned and he saw the tears in her eyes.

He went to her. "What happened?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. Gram is fine. She just came out of surgery a few hours ago. They held it off until today. Because of the storm, the hospital only took care of emergency cases until electricity was restored." A smile broke out. "She's going to be fine. The angioplasty went great. And obviously the phones are back up."

"That's wonderful. So they'll be coming home soon."

"Kelley said it wouldn't be for a few days."

Jesse stepped in. "Then tomorrow we can get the tree and surprise Gram Ruby."

"It's still up to Boone."

They both looked at him. There had been a lot he couldn't do because of the situation, but he wasn't going to disappoint a boy at Christmas.

"We'll find a way to do it."

CHAPTER EIGHT

L ATER THAT NIGHT Boone stood at the window, looking out at the brightly lit yard that allowed him to see all the way to the barn. The electricity had been restored just hours ago. Tomorrow the forecast was for sunny skies and warmer temperatures. That meant roads would soon be cleared and he could leave, but not before he finished his business here.

First, he had to keep a promise to a little boy and cut down a tree. He smiled, realizing he was looking forward to it himself. How long had it been since he'd had a Christmas tree? Since he'd celebrated the holidays, for that matter?

He flashed back to his childhood and his parents' ranch. How his mother had decorated the house for the holidays. They'd never had much money, but she always came up with some kind of special gifts.

Seeing Jesse's enthusiasm reminded him of the things every kid should have. A happy Christmas. The boy had a lot, except for a dad, but that was what he wanted most of all.

For a split second Boone thought about Jesse's Christmas wish. The idea was farfetched, maybe he was even crazy to think he could fill the spot as the five-year-old's dad. Yet he couldn't stop thinking about it. Or about Amelia.

Boone drove his fingers through his hair. She was a beautiful woman who kept him awake at night. It wasn't just her beauty that drew him, she had strength and courage. His gut tightened as he thought about the way she looked at him with those rich-green eyes. He felt his body stir as he recalled her hands on him. Damn, he was halfway in love with her already.

"Boone."

He swung around to see Jesse dressed in pajamas. "Hi, kid.

Looks like you're ready for bed."

"Yeah, Mom's making me sleep in my room."

Amelia appeared from the kitchen. "I think we all need a good night's sleep. Besides, you get to watch your favorite video." "I know," he said. "I want to say good-night to Boone, first."

Before Boone realized what the boy intended, he came to him and hugged him around the waist. "'Night, Boone." Boone placed his hands on the boy's shoulders, and his chest tightened. "'Night, bud, see you in the morning." Jesse pulled back and looked up at him with big brown eyes.

"And we're going to find a tree tomorrow?"

"I'm planning on it."

The boy rewarded him with a big grin. "Okay!" He took off and ran up the stairs.

Boone turned to find Amelia smiling at him. "It's still okay to go, isn't it?"

"Yes." She walked toward him.

His heart raced as she drew closer, then reached up and planted a kiss on his cheek. He wanted to pull her into his arms but resisted and remained still.

She pulled back. "Thank you," she whispered, then turned and followed after her son.

"You're welcome," he breathed as she disappeared upstairs.

He blew out a breath. Okay, maybe he was all the way in love with her. What made it worse, he knew she had feelings for him, too. But after tomorrow, when he told her the truth, would she still have those feelings?

The next morning the weather was brisk but sunny. Bundled up in heavy coats, scarves and gloves, Amelia led the group out to the shed. After clearing away the snow, Boone slid the door open and they went inside. The two brightly painted snowmobiles were fairly new and well cared for, Boone concluded, as he put a small hand saw and some rope into the compartment.

Amelia gave Boone some basic instructions, then went to her sled. Jesse climbed on behind his mother and she looked over her shoulder. "We're not going to cut down a huge tree, Jesse," she said. "Let's keep it between six and seven feet."

"How tall is that?" the boy asked.

"Just a little taller than me," Boone said as he climbed on the other vehicle, started it, then drove out of the shed. He rode around the yard, getting a feel for the machine. Amelia, with Jesse onboard, led the way over the deep-packed snow. The trip didn't take long, as they stopped a few hundred yards from the house.

Boone climbed off, but instead of looking at the trees, he glanced back at the compound. The sprawling green house with white shutters, the red barn with a circle of fencing around the corral. It reminded him of a Christmas card.

"Is something wrong?"

He shook his head. "No. It's just about perfect. This is incredibly beautiful."

Amelia's expression showed her pride. "I've always thought so," she said. "Worth putting up with an occasional blizzard. You should see it in the spring. It's so lush and green."

He could only imagine. "How large is your place?"

She pointed toward the mountain range. "About seven sections. To the foothills in the west, and to the south we border the Sky High Ranch. The Anderson place is to the east. It's been up for sale this past year. Kelley would like to buy it, if only for the water and prime grazing land. The price is a steal, but we don't have the capital right now."

For a brief moment he allowed himself to think about what would happen if he decided to stay here and bought the Anderson place. He quickly shook off the idea. Texas had always been where he'd called home.

"Hey, Mom. Boone."

They both turned to see Jesse already on the search. He was standing beside a huge pine.

"Is this too big?"

Boone marched through the snow. "Let me see, bud." He stood next to the eight-foot-plus tree. "I think we'd have some trouble getting this one into the house."

He glanced at Amelia to see her smiling at him, and he had trouble concentrating on finding a tree. Every time he glanced in her direction, she seemed to be watching him.

When Boone helped Jesse up the steep slope, he suddenly felt a thud against his back. He turned and found Amelia packing another snowball between her hands. Without hesitation she threw it at him. He ducked just in time.

Boone smiled. "Hey, are you trying to start something?"

"Just thought I'd introduce you to a Montana pastime. You don't get any chances like this in Texas. I bet you don't even know how to make a snowball."

Before she had a chance to fire off the next one, Boone took cover behind the tree, and Jesse quickly followed him.

"Your mom's a good shot."

The boy nodded. "She's good with a rifle, too."

"That's nice to know." Boone scooped up a handful of snow and formed a ball. He stepped out to throw it and got hit square in the chest. He shot his off, but it hit the tree.

He heard the feminine laughter and smiled. "Looks like I need to show your mom I know how to play, too."

He glanced around the area. "I need to sneak up behind her. You stay here and keep throwing snowballs."

The boy grinned. "It's the boys against the girls, huh?"

"That's right." Boone took off up the hill, then circled around the trees until he ended up behind Amelia.

"Come on, Boone, come out and face me like a man," she yelled. "You, too, Jesse."

Boone came closer. "Maybe you should come out, too."

With a gasp, Amelia swung around to get off a shot. Boone was quicker, and grabbed her, trapping her loaded hand between them. "You better drop it, Amelia. You've lost."

She squirmed to get out of his hold. "Never."

He sucked in cold air to cool off the blast of heat she caused. "I guess I have to make you surrender."

"You can try, buster."

Her struggle threw them both off balance and they ended up in the snow. He landed on the bottom to cushion her fall, but he quickly reversed their positions. He looked down at the beautiful Amelia. Their eyes locked and he couldn't take his next breath. That wasn't all she caused; she made him forget all about common sense.

He groaned. "You're going to be the death of me, woman." He started to dip his head to hers when he heard Jesse's voice. Damn if he hadn't forgotten about the boy.

Boone glanced up the hill to see Jesse trudging through the snow. "Yeah, Boone, you captured Mom," he said.

He looked down at Amelia, fighting the temptation. "I guess I did, but if we're going to find a tree, I better let her go."

Boone got to his feet, then offered a hand to help her up. Once standing, she quickly turned her attention to her son.

"You know, Jesse," she said. "I saw a tree the other day that was about the right size."

"Aw, Mom. I want to pick it out this year."

She nodded. "Okay, but I thought if we got back in time, we could make a batch of Christmas cookies."

The boy's face lit up. "Well, maybe you can kind of show me where the tree is."

Amelia rubbed her hands together. "All right, let's go get a tree. It's cold out here."

Not to Boone. His body had plenty of heat. "Lead the way."

Together they made their way up the hill though the grove of trees. When Jesse gave his okay on the pine his mother found, Boone went back for the saw and rope.

Twenty minutes later they pulled up at the back door. Boone carried the tree to the porch with Jesse's help and Amelia's direction.

Next, he followed her up to the attic to carry down the tree stand and lights. Within the next hour the tree had been put in the stand and moved in front of the living room windows.

Jesse stood back and inspected the position of the tree. "Now Gram Ruby can see it when she comes home tomorrow."

After Boone had strung the lights and plugged them in, Amelia stood back with her son and admired the job. Watching this man take charge of things and interact with her son so patiently, she found just another thing to admire about him. Not that she needed any more. Even knowing he wasn't staying around, she still couldn't stop the growing attraction. Today in the snow had proved that. She wanted him to kiss her. Even his simple touch left her wanting more. It had been so long since any man made her feel like a woman.

She felt a tugging on her sweater. "Mom, can I start putting on the ornaments?"

"Sure. I'll help."

Boone climbed down from the ladder and started to leave. "I'll go check on the stock."

"No, Boone." Jesse raced to him. "Don't go!"

Boone shot a glance at Amelia. "I think this is a family tradition you should share with your mother."

"But I want you to help, too," Jesse argued.

Amelia realized that she wanted Boone to share this time, too. She held out a shiny ball. "Please, stay and help."

It was after nine o'clock that night when Amelia finally had tucked her son in his bed. For the first time in a long time, she wanted to rush the ritual. Her thoughts were on Boone as they had been every day and night since he'd come here. The man had come into their lives during a crisis, and she was going to do everything she could to get him to stay.

"Mom…"

Amelia stopped at the door. "What, honey?"

"I don't want Boone to go away."

She had expected this. She just didn't know what to do about it. "You know he lives in Texas. It's his home."

In the dimly lit room, she watched her son sit up. "Why can't he live here with us? I know he likes us. Gram Ruby and Aunt Kelley will like him, too."

She knew her sister would have doubts about any man. Amelia walked back in and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Of course he likes us, you especially."

"And he likes you, too."

Amelia felt a blush rising to her cheeks. "Well, I like Boone, too."

"Maybe you can marry Boone so he can be my dad."

She gasped, but secretly wished she could give her son what he wanted. "Jesse, we've talked about this. You can't just wish for a dad and have him appear."

"But I did wish, and Boone did come."

"That's because Aunt Kelley hired him to help us during the storm." She brushed back hair from his forehead. "And when Kelley and Gram get home tomorrow, Boone has to leave."

"Not if you tell him you want him to stay." Big tears ran down his cheeks. "I know you like him. Please, Mom. Don't let him go away."

She pulled her child into a tight embrace as tears flooded her own eyes. "Oh, Jesse. I love you so much, and I wish I could give you what you want, but I can't. I can't give you a dad."

The boy raised his head. "Why don't you ask him?"

Boone rolled over in bed. He heard the clock on the mantel chime twice. Two in the morning. He rolled over trying to erase everything from his mind so he could get some sleep. He tossed and turned, trying to convince himself that not telling Amelia the truth was what he had to do.

He sat up. No it's wrong. He should have told her before now. Should have told Jesse about his father. Now Kelley and the grandmother were coming home tomorrow and everything was going to blow up in his face.

And Amelia would never forgive him. That meant more to him than anything. He'd come to care for her, and the boy. More than he should, but it was too late to go back. He threw back the covers, got up and slipped on his jeans and flannel shirt. Not bothering with the buttons, he opened the door and went into the kitchen.

After he checked on Izzy and her puppies to see they were okay, he took a glass from the cupboard and got a drink of water. He leaned against the counter and saw the tree silhouetted in the window. He inhaled the evergreen scent. Everything about this place felt like home. A place you could feel as if you belonged.

That yearning had eaten away at his gut. He'd spent years standing on the outside. Now that he'd gotten a taste of it, he wanted more. Every time he looked at Amelia and Jesse.

There was a creaking sound, and he turned toward the stairs to see Amelia. His heart stopped, then began to pound in his ears. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she walked across the living room. Her long robe was open and flowing around her legs. Her dark hair unbound. His fingers ached to be tangled into the thick strands.

She stopped to glance at the decorated tree, giving him the opportunity to head back to his room, but he was rooted to the spot. She continued on, but when she saw his silhouette she gasped.

"Boone?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."

She shook her head. "It's okay. I'm just distracted tonight."

She went to the cupboard. "You're having trouble sleeping, too."

"Seems we both are."

"My reason is Jesse." She filled her glass with water. "Why can't you sleep?"

He paused for a while, then couldn't be anything but honest. "You."

CHAPTER NINE

A MELIA NO LONGER FELT brave. She'd planned to talk to Boone when she came downstairs, even dressed in her best nightgown, in hopes of convincing him to stay. Not just for her son, but herself, too.

She sighed. "If we're going to be honest, you've been keeping me up, too."

Setting down her glass, she took a step closer and reached out to place a hand on his chest. The light atop the stove wasn't bright enough to read his eyes, but she could feel the pounding of his heart under her palm.

"Amelia, we shouldn't be doing this," he breathed.

"It feels right to me, Boone."

"We can't always go with our feelings. We have to use some common sense."

She ran her hands up his well-developed chest, and he sucked in a breath. "Sometimes that's hard to do."

"Amelia…"

She smiled, her own heart racing. "I love it when you say my name."

Boone wanted to run, but mostly he wanted to wrap Amelia Hughes in his arms and never let go. "I'm leaving in the morning."

"You don't have to. Jesse wants you to stay and so do I. There isn't any reason to rush off." She raised up on her toes and kissed the underside of his jaw. "Maybe I can even convince you to stay in Montana."

In a second. Boone clenched his fists to keep from touching her.

"Besides, don't you have to give notice at Sky High?" she asked, her hands moved over him.

Boone couldn't take much more of her torture. His hands gripped her arms, but he couldn't push her away. "I need to talk to you about that." She placed another soft kiss at the base of his throat, and he was losing ground quickly.

"I think we've talked too much already."

Boone looked down at her. Her face was shadowed in the dim light, but he knew her beauty, the mesmerizing green hue of her eyes. He lost it. He pulled her into his arms as his mouth closed over hers. She made a whimpering sound and locked her fingers behind his neck.

He slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss, but it still wasn't enough. He lifted her off the floor, swung around and set her down on the counter. He stepped between her legs and pulled her against him. At the same time he slipped his tongue inside her mouth and tasted her sweetness. Heaven.

He broke off the kiss and traced his lips along her jaw to her ear. "I want you so much, Amelia," he whispered. He'd never ached for a woman like this before.

"Oh, Boone, I want you, too," she cried. "Please, don't leave me. Don't ever leave me."

"Amelia." He stopped his words, not knowing how to answer her. Finally he released her, then turned away, working to regain some composure. He couldn't do this. Not until she knew the truth.

"Boone?"

He turned around. "Amelia, we need to talk." He lifted her from the counter and set her on the floor. "There's something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you when I first got here."

He led her to the table and pulled out a chair for her to sit down.

"If you don't want to be with me-"

"Don't ever think that," he interrupted, then leaned down and kissed her perfect mouth. "It's because I care about you, and Jesse, that I need to tell you the truth."

He could see her swallow. "The truth?"

Boone nodded and sank down in the other chair. "About the real reason I came here."

She blinked but didn't say a word.

"First, I don't work for the Sky High Ranch."

She stiffened. "Who are you, then, and who do you work for?"

"I am Boone Gifford like I said, and I did work on an offshore rig in Texas. That's all true. Last summer there was an accident and I got hurt." He drew a breath and released it. "That's what delayed my coming to see you and Jesse."

She gripped her hands together but didn't say anything.

"I worked with Russ Eldon."

She jumped up and went to the counter. "Russ? Russ sent you here?"

Boone stood, too. "Yes. Just listen, Amelia."

"No, Russ never wanted to be in his son's life, and he can't come here now. Not when he's denied his son all this time." She shot a hard glare at him. "Oh, God, he sent you here to cozy up to me?"

"No, Amelia, it's not like that. I only knew Russ for a few months. We both worked on the rig together, shared living quarters. He talked about Jesse."

"No, he couldn't! He didn't know about Jesse. He took off before I had my son. And he never once contacted me."

"About six months ago he found out that you had a boy. He told me he wanted to come here and meet his son. So he was trying to make some fast money to pay you for all the years of missed child support."

"I don't want Russ's money or him in our lives. I won't allow him to come here, get Jesse excited, then take off again." Amelia swiped at her tears. "It's been more than five years and he's never wanted his son before. Why now?"

"The only thing he wanted Jesse to know was that he existed."

Arms folded across her chest, she paced back and forth. "See, he couldn't even come himself. He sent you."

"He couldn't come, Amelia. Russ isn't here because he's dead."

Amelia froze. Russ was dead. She finally looked at Boone. "How?"

"In a hurricane. We were evacuating the oil platform and our helicopter crashed into the ocean. Russ was one of the three who didn't make it out. He drowned."

Amelia remembered hearing about last summer's hurricane that caused massive destruction along the Texas coast.

Boone continued the story. "Russ put Jesse down as next of kin on the insurance policy. But with the boy being a minor, he asked me to be executor if anything happened to him." He shrugged. "I never thought anything about agreeing to it. I never thought this would happen…" He paused, then said, "I would have come sooner, but I spent time in the hospital, then a rehab facility until recently."

"You were injured?"

He nodded. "My back and shoulder. I needed surgery and therapy."

She glanced over his body, remembering earlier how he'd winced when he rolled over in the snow. "Are you okay now?"

"Yeah, thanks to Russ. He kept me afloat and saved my life."

The Russ she remembered had been cocky and selfcentered. Tears welled in her eyes as she raised her gaze to Boone and burst into tears. Why did this have to happen now? Why had Boone deceived her?

He led her back to the chair. "I'm sorry, Amelia. I know this is hard for you-"

She pulled away from his touch. "Yes, I'm mourning Russ, but for my son, not because I have any feelings for him. I got over that girlhood crush a long time ago. The tears are for my son. For the father he never got to know. Oh, God," she cried. "How can I tell Jesse?"

"I know my timing sucks, but I came as soon as I could." He went into the bedroom and returned with an envelope. He laid it on the table. "I'm not condoning what Russ did to you and Jesse, but I know he regretted abandoning you and his son." He nodded at the package on the table. "There are a few personal effects, a letter to Jesse and the life insurance policy. I signed it over to you."

She didn't touch any of it. "So I'm supposed to show my son this, as if it could ever make up for all the years Russ was never here?"

"No, of course not." He sighed. "But at least it shows your son that his father planned to be a part of his life. He wasn't perfect, none of us are, but Russ was trying."

She remained silent.

"I'll do anything I can to help, Amelia."

"I think you've helped more than enough. Jesse wants a real dad and he's nominated you for the job."

Boone shifted his feet. "I know I made a mess of this, but I care about Jesse. And I care about you."

She raised her hand. "I can't listen to this now."

"I'd planned to tell you when I arrived, but I didn't want to frighten you when we ended up trapped in the house together. Then I never found the right time."

She glared at him. "How convenient for you."

"I'm sorry, Amelia. I'll leave in the morning."

He stood, went into the bedroom and began to pack up his things. He'd only been here four days, but it seemed like so much longer. Long enough to have feelings for Amelia. And to even think about a future with her and Jessie. Now he wasn't going to get that chance.

Carrying his duffel bag, he returned to the kitchen. Amelia was still sitting at the table.

"If it's okay," he began, "I'll stay in the barn tonight, and after I feed the stock in the morning, I'll leave." He paused at the door, but she didn't turn to look at him.

"No matter what you think, Amelia, just know that I may have come here out of duty because Russ saved my life, but believe me, I've come to care about you and Jesse."

The following morning was bright and sunny, exactly the opposite of how Amelia felt. The pain of Boone's secret and reading Russ's letters had kept her up most of the night. But when Jesse came downstairs, she managed a smile as she cooked his breakfast.

"Where's Boone?" her son asked. "He said I could help him feed the horses if the weather was nice. And it's sunny." He shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth. "Can I, Mom?"

She sat down at the table with her coffee. "I'm not sure if Boone has the time, honey. He has to go back to Texas soon."

His truck was still here, although it had been moved closer to the barn. So she wasn't sure when he exactly planned to go back to Texas. Suddenly she got a strange ache in her stomach. She didn't want him to leave.

"But, Mom, he can't go back, yet. He promised to stay until Christmas no matter what. He just has to 'cause I've been wishing really, really hard that he can be my dad."

"Oh, Jesse." She sat down across from him at the table. "We talked about this before. You can't just wish for things and expect them to happen."

"But, Mom, you want Boone to stay here, too."

Before she could answer, the back door opened and Kelley walked into the kitchen. "We're home." She put down her bags and grinned at her sister and nephew.

Both Amelia and Jesse raced to the doorway, in time to see her grandmother Ruby helped in by Boone.

The short, sturdily built woman with steel-gray hair looked up at her escort with soft-green eyes. "What a nice young man you are." She glanced at Amelia. "Wherever did my granddaughter find you?"

Boone smiled. "I just kind of showed up during the blizzard to help out."

Jesse rushed over to hug his grandmother. "No, Gram, Boone is my Christmas wish."

CHAPTER TEN

"ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ME what's been going on?" Kelley Hughes asked as she marched into the kitchen.

Amelia looked over her shoulder at her tall, trim, older sister. Kelley had long, blond hair pulled back in her usual nononsense braid. Her pretty face was sprinkled with freckles caused by her time in the sun.

"I've been running the ranch during a blizzard, without electricity or a phone." She smiled, feeling the pride. "And I might add, I handled things just fine."

Kelley crossed her arms over her chest. "That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about Boone Gifford. Who is he?"

Amelia turned around, realizing her sister wasn't going to end this discussion. "He's a ranch hand."

"Not from the Sky High Ranch, he isn't. Their foreman called me and apologized for not sending over the help he promised. Gifford was never employed there."

"I know."

Kelley's eyes widened. "Then where did he come from?"

"West Texas."

"You let a stranger stay here in this house? Amelia, you're too trusting."

"First of all, we were in the middle of a blizzard. Secondly, he rescued me and your nephew when we got stranded on the road. Thirdly, by the time we got here, we were all stuck." She waved a hand. "What was I supposed to do? Send him out in the worst storm we've had in years?"

"Of course not." Kelley glanced into the living room at the decorated tree. "But it seems he's made himself at home."

"What was I supposed to do, make him stay on the porch? No matter what you think, Kel, Boone was a perfect gentleman. He worked hard, too. He kept the fire going, fed the stock, even helped deliver Izzy's pups. He did everything a ranch hand would have done, and more."

"My, he sounds like he's too good to be true." Kelley continued to study Amelia, doubt in her hazel eyes.

She hated that her sister treated her as if she couldn't handle things. "Stop it, Kel. I know what you're thinking. What happened with Russ was a long time ago. I've grown up since then."

"Are you trying to tell me that nothing happened between the two of you?"

Amelia felt her cheeks warm. "I'm not a child, so stop treating me like one."

Her sister relented. "I'm sorry. But Boone Gifford is a goodlooking man."

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "So you noticed."

Kelley bristled. "I also noticed that the man couldn't look at anyone but you. So why is he leaving?"

"Because he only came to Montana to tell me that Russ died."

"What?"

"That's what Boone was doing in Rebel Ridge. It seems last year Russ finally grew curious about his son." She went on to tell her sister about the accident that took his life and Boone's connection.

"And somehow I have to tell Jesse," Amelia said.

"Why? Russ never was a father to him."

"So I shouldn't tell him? Come on, Kelley, you know how many questions Jesse has asked about his dad. And the older he gets, the more he wants to know. I can't keep the truth from him."

"You can wait until he's a little older," Kelley urged, grabbed her jacket, then headed out the back door.

Amelia wiped her hands with a towel and went into the living room. No matter when she told her son the news about his father, it would hurt him. She stared at the tree and inhaled the fresh evergreen scent that made her think of past holidays in this house. Since the death of their parents, Christmases had been a little lonely for her and Kelley. Maybe that was the reason for her older sister's protectiveness. Even with all the love their grandparents had showered on them, they were never a complete family. Amelia had always wanted something more for Jesse. Had hoped that Russ would come back someday to claim his son. Now that would never happen.

She felt the prickling of tears as she looked outside. Just then Boone walked out of the barn, carrying his bag to his truck. He was leaving. Her chest tightened as her fingers gripped the window curtain. She wanted to stop him, but she knew he'd fulfilled his obligation. Was that all she and Jessie had been to him? An obligation?

"That's one nice young man you've found."

Amelia turned around as her grandmother walked into the room. She was dressed in trousers and a starched print blouse. "Gram, you should be in bed getting your strength back."

Ruby waved a hand. "Bah, I've been in bed far too long. And quit trying to change the subject." The small-framed woman made her way to the window and nodded. "Why aren't you convincing Boone to stay?"

She wanted to, but how could she keep him from his dream? "Because his plan was always to go back to Texas and buy a ranch."

"That's a shame. It sure is nice to have a man around again." Gram sighed and got a faraway look in her eyes. "He reminds me a lot of my Jesse. Big and muscular with those dark roguish eyes and the easy grin. Oh, my, a man like that sure gets your heart apumping."

Amelia knew the feeling. She also knew Boone's touch, his kisses…

Her grandmother turned to her. "Good gracious girl, get to movin'. Or are you just going to let that man walk out of your life?"

Amelia was taken aback by her grandmother's words. "I don't exactly have a choice, Gram. Boone's dream has always been to buy back his parents' ranch. He has to go home."

"No, he can't leave." Jesse hurried downstairs, dressed in his heavy coat and boots.

"Jesse Hughes, where do you think you're going?"

"Out to see Boone." The determined boy started toward the back door.

"Well, at least someone knows their mind," Gram said, then turned to her granddaughter. "Sometimes you have to go after what you want."

"And a mother also has to protect her child." Amelia took off after her son. Right or wrong, she was going to tell him the painful truth.

Although the weather was a lot warmer today, it was still cold. Boone had killed about twenty minutes, and he didn't have an excuse to hang around any longer. He'd checked the road conditions, and the main routes were clear. If he took off now, he could make good headway toward home.

Home? He suddenly wondered where that was. Where was his enthusiasm? Before coming here, all he'd wanted was to buy back the Last Dollar Ranch. He already had a deposit down on the place. All that was left was to sign the papers to finalize the deal. Now he wasn't sure that was what he wanted to do.

He heard his name called, and he looked at the house to see Jesse running toward him. He pushed off from the truck's fender and went to meet the boy on the shoveled path. The kid launched himself, and Boone caught him up in his arms.

Jesse's tiny arms wrapped around the neck. "Boone, you can't leave," he cried. "Please, don't go."

Boone gave the boy one last hug and set him down. That was when he saw the tears. "Aw, Jesse, you shouldn't be out in the cold." He worked the zipper on the child's jacket and wrapped the scarf around his neck. "I was going to come up to the house to say goodbye."

"But I don't want you to leave," Jesse cried.

Boone hated this. "I wish I could stay, bud, but there are things you don't understand."

The boy shook his head. "Mom told me about my real dad." Those questioning brown eyes held his. They were so much like Russ's. "She said you knew him. And that he died in the ocean."

Boone crouched down to be level with the five-year-old. "Your mother told you about your dad?"

Jesse jerked his head up and down. "Yeah, she said he's a hero."

Boone managed a nod. "Yeah, he was. He talked about you all the time, too. And he wanted more than anything to come and see you."

Jesse's eyes widened. "He really wanted to be my dad?"

"Yes, very much."

A smile broke out on Jesse's face as he swiped at his tears. "And he couldn't come to be with me so he sent you to be my dad."

Boone swallowed hard, not even knowing how to respond to that conclusion.

"Jesse Thomas Hughes."

They both looked up to see Amelia. Boone stood as she approached them. "Jesse, I think you need to go back inside. It's too cold out here."

"But, Mom, I had to stop Boone from going away."

Boone ignored Amelia's glare. "Look, Jesse, I might need to leave now for a little while, but I'll be back and we'll talk more about your dad."

"You promise?"

"Yes, I promise."

The boy hugged Boone's neck and whispered, "On Christmas."

"I'll try my hardest," Boone told him, barely holding it together. Suddenly all doubts about what he truly wanted faded, and he found himself adding, "I promise." He finally released Jesse and watched as the boy took off toward the house.

Once Jesse was out of sight, Amelia turned back to Boone. "Oh, Boone, how could you make him that promise?"

"Because I made a promise to his father. I owe Russ a debt." Boone took a step closer to her. "Look, I know Russ did you and Jesse wrong for a lot of years. But I believe he grew up and planned to do right by his son. Jesse needs to know that."

"I know you feel a duty to Jesse, Boone, but he will only be hurt when you finally go away."

Boone froze. "You believe I'm coming back here out of duty?" He searched her pretty face, those green eyes he'd come to love. "You really have no idea what I feel for you and your son? Or how hard it is for me to leave you both?"

Her gaze held his. "How do you feel?"

His heart lodged in his throat. "That I'd give anything not to have this between us. What brought us together could tear us apart." He reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I care about you, Amelia."

"Don't, Boone." She closed her eyes momentarily. "Don't make this any harder. You're leaving for Texas."

"What if I came back?" If she just said the word, he would change his plans-his life for her.

She swallowed hard but didn't say anything.

"I'll need a little time, Amelia. There are things in Texas I need to take care of. And I need to give you time, too. Time for you and your son to absorb the news about Russ. All I ask is that you trust me. Can you do that?"

Amelia hesitated, then nodded. "Oh, Boone, I want to."

He smiled. "That's a start," he said right before his mouth closed over hers. He put everything he felt for her into the kiss. And by the time he released her, they were both swaying, and their breathing was labored.

"Give us a chance, Amelia. I'll prove to you that we can work this out."

Over the next week, Amelia found she couldn't pass a window without looking out, hoping to see Boone driving up the road. She'd never missed anyone so much. She tried to think about the way he'd kissed her, the promises he'd made to her, to Jesse. But lingering doubts made her face facts. What if he didn't return? Once back in Texas, he might have second thoughts. He might decide to buy that ranch he'd always wanted. Someplace where they didn't have blizzards.

It was Jesse she worried about most. He had her reread the letter from his dad every night. Russ's picture was in his room. There had been times her son had become sad, but perked up when he talked about Boone coming back.

For the past week the first thing Jesse had done every morning was check another day off the calendar. Not so unusual for a child his age during the holidays, but Amelia knew he wasn't waiting for toys on Christmas morning. He was waiting for Boone.

The oven timer went off, and she went to pull the brownies out of the oven.

"Mom, are they ready?" Jesse asked.

She smiled. "Yes, and you're just in time to do your part. Did you crush the candy canes?"

"Yeah." He climbed up onto the chair at the table and held up the bag of red and white bits.

"Okay, I guess we're ready then." She enjoyed sharing this Christmas tradition with her son.

Jesse's little fingers worked awkwardly, sprinkling just the right amount on each square. "Mom, can you make these brownies every Christmas forever and ever?"

She smiled and thought about future Christmases. There might not be a Boone, but she could give him this. "Yes, we can make them every year." She kissed his cheek. "But only if you help me."

Jesse glanced toward the stove. "Good, you made a whole bunch." He looked up at her with those trusting eyes. "I want there to be enough for Boone tomorrow."

Her heart tightened. "Honey, we talked about this. Boone might not make it back for Christmas."

"But Mom, he's my Christmas wish. And he promised."

Amelia glanced toward the back door. Her sister came in, stripped off her coat and hat and hung them on a hook. "Hey, do I smell brownies?"

Jesse nodded. "Mom and me made them. But no one can have any until tomorrow."

Kelley frowned. "I have to wait that long?"

"We have to wait for Boone to get here." His job completed, Jesse climbed down off the chair. "Mom, can I watch a video?"

At Amelia's nod, the boy ran out of the kitchen. She began to clean up the mess, carrying things to the sink.

Kelley helped her. "Sounds like he's got his mind made up." "Kelley, please. This has been a rough time for him."

"It hasn't been exactly easy for you, either." Her sister touched her arm. "I don't know Boone very well, but I know how much you and Jesse care about him. I hope it works out."

Amelia bit down on her lower lip. "I'm afraid to hope, Kel. Boone asked me to have faith that he'd be back, but I'm having trouble. After Russ left…"

Kelley hugged her sister. "Oh, Amelia, one thing is for sure, Boone isn't Russ. I believe the man is sincere." Kelley smiled. "Maybe you, too, need to make a Christmas wish."

CHAPTER ELEVEN

J UST BEFORE DAWN Christmas morning, Amelia shut off her alarm clock and sat up in bed. Sleep had eluded her most of the night because all she could think about was Boone. Since he left a week ago, she hadn't heard a single word from him. Not a phone call. Nothing. The faith she'd managed to carry the past seven days was fading now. How was she supposed to keep believing in him under those circumstances?

Closing her eyes, she released a sigh. If only she could push him out of her head. And her heart. But that wasn't likely, not when she'd managed to fall in love.

In just a matter of days-to a man she barely knew. She stood and went to the window. The breaking dawn spread a dim light over the scene below. Snow blanketed the land, emphasizing each outbuilding on the ranch.

A perfect Christmas day…almost.

There was a soft knock on the door before it opened and Gram Ruby peered inside. "I heard you," she whispered and stepped inside. "You always were the first up on Christmas."

Amelia smiled. "Well, now I'm trying to get a head start on a certain five-year-old."

The older woman crossed the room to her granddaughter. "Or are you looking for your young man?"

"Gram, he's not my young man," she denied weakly.

"You need to have faith, Amelia. That's what love is. And if Boone says he's coming back, he'll be here."

That was Amelia's problem. "Gram, I'm afraid." "Do you love him?" her grandmother asked.

Amelia glanced away. "I've only known him four and a half days."

Ruby smiled. "I knew your grandfather all of thirty seconds before I fell hopelessly in love with him. Of course he was handsome and a charmer, too." She took her granddaughter's hand as they walked to the bed and sat down. "Amelia, there isn't a timeline on love."

"But Boone lives so far away. And what about Jesse? He's just lost his biological father. What if Boone just feels obligated to us only because of Russ?" She sighed. "I can't make another mistake."

"Stop it, child. You didn't make any mistake. Russ was the one who chose to leave." She beamed. "And look what we were blessed with, our sweet Jesse. So don't let your past dictate your future. Give Boone a chance."

Amelia nodded. "I guess there isn't anything to worry about if Boone doesn't return."

"Oh, he'll return," Grandma predicted. "Then you'll have a lot to decide. So I should let you get to it." Ruby stood and headed for the door, then paused. "I just want you to be happy, Amelia. So don't give that up to please everyone else." With that said, the older woman left the room.

Amelia had a lot more to worry about than her own feelings. Jesse would always be her first concern. And if Boone didn't return, her son's heart would break. How would they both survive the day if Boone didn't show up?

Amelia couldn't think about that. She needed to make today special for her son. She quickly dressed in a burgundy turtleneck sweater, charcoal wool trousers and black boots. She tied her hair back into a knot, leaving bangs across her forehead. After applying some lip gloss, she headed downstairs.

In the shadowed living room, she turned on the tree lights and smiled at the dozens of wrapped presents piled underneath. Even though Jesse hadn't asked for any toys this year, she'd made sure Santa had left an electric train set.

Amelia went into the kitchen and turned on the coffeemaker. Several freshly baked pies lined the counter for today's holiday dinner. She wasn't even sure of Boone's favorite, so she'd made pumpkin, pecan and apple.

Usually Amelia cooked Christmas dinner, but this year Kelley was cooking, giving Amelia the day off. Could her sister's sudden domestic tendencies have anything to do with Mack Dennison? The restaurant owner of Mack's Kitchen had definitely caught Kelley's attention. Even though her sister had been trying to hide it, Amelia had seen the attraction between the two. Although she was a little envious, she was also happy her sister had found someone.

A sound drew Amelia's attention to the back door, and Kelley walked in. "Merry Christmas, sis." Smiling, she pulled off her gloves and stuffed them in her pockets before hanging her coat on the hook.

"Merry Christmas," Amelia answered.

"What are you doing up so early?" Kelley asked as she walked to the counter and poured a cup of coffee.

"I wanted a minute or two to myself before an excited little boy starts ripping into presents."

Kelley leaned against the counter. "Could it be you're waiting for some good-looking, Texas cowboy?"

Amelia sighed, knowing there was no reason to lie. "I'm probably crazy, but yes. I know he went to Texas, but what if he decided not to come back here?"

"I have a feeling he'll be back," Kelley told her. "Are you ready for that?"

"That's what I'm so torn about. How can Jesse and I leave here? What about Gram?" She looked at her older sister. "And you? You're our family-and this ranch is our home. We run it together." This past week she'd finally gotten up the nerve to tell her sister some of her ideas for the operation. "But I don't see any man around, asking me to go anywhere. So you're stuck with me."

"It's early yet." Kelley glanced out the window. "The sun is barely up."

"Since when have you become a Boone supporter?"

Kelley shrugged. "Maybe since I realized that the right man can change a lot of plans."

Amelia watched her sister closely, but Kelley didn't give anything away. A sudden movement outside the window caught Amelia's attention. In the quiet morning, the leftover snow was practically untouched, except for the cleared paths up the drive and the barn, peaceful and picturesque as a postcard. Then she saw the vehicle. The familiar red truck. A man in a sheepskin jacket climbed out.

Amelia blinked, feeling her heart begin to race. Boone. He came back.

"Looks like your man kept his promise."

Amelia barely heard her sister as she grabbed her coat, then ran for the door.

Boone was nervous, more so than at any time in his life. He wanted so much to be a part of Amelia's life. He wanted to make a family with her and Jesse. Today he had to convince them both how much he cared about them.

He'd contacted Kelley and told her his feelings and future plans, imploring her for help. Once she realized he loved her younger sister, she'd been more than willing to help with his plan.

When he glanced toward the porch and saw Amelia, his breath caught in his chest. Getting a better grip on the bag of presents, he started up the walk and took the steps two at a time until he stood in front of the woman he'd come to love. "Merry Christmas, Amelia."

"You're back."

His gaze locked with hers. Her green eyes searched his. "I said I would be."

She suddenly straightened. "For how long, Boone? How long before you leave this time? I'm not going to let you break Jesse's heart-"

Boone dropped his bag of gifts, pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth in a hungry kiss. After just a second of hesitation, Amelia wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Before Boone lost it altogether, he released her.

"That's the welcome I was hoping for. God, I've missed you." He pressed a soft kiss on the end of her nose. "Is Jesse up yet?" She shook her head.

"Good." He winked. "Can we go inside and I'll tell you everything?"

Without a word Amelia turned and led him inside the kitchen. Once again he was hit with the warmth he'd felt that first time he walked into this house. He followed her into the deserted kitchen. Good. He wanted some alone time with Amelia, before he faced the rest of the family.

Amelia looked around. "Kelley was just here."

"She's probably giving me a chance to stake my claim."

She arched an eyebrow. "You've been in touch with my sister?"

He saw the flash of pain in Amelia's eyes and rushed on to say, "Only since yesterday. Remember, Kelley wasn't exactly happy about my first visit."

"Why didn't you call me?"

"I didn't want to do that until everything was finalized."

"So you bought your ranch?"

"Yes, I did."

Amelia tried to hold it together, but it was hard. "So why even come here, Boone? Just to get Jesse all excited again, then turn around and return to Texas?"

He moved closer. "What about you, Amelia? Are you excited that I came back?"

She pressed her hand against his chest. "Don't, Boone. This isn't about us. Jesse has to come first."

"I disagree. You come first, Amelia. With me, anyway. You are the reason I returned to Montana. Of course I'm crazy about Jesse, but it's you I've fallen in love with."

She gasped. "Boone."

"I hope that makes you happy?"

Yes! No! She nodded.

"Don't I get a little more than that?"

"Oh, Boone, I love you, too." She wanted this so much. "It's just that you live so far away. How can I leave my family?"

"Aw, honey, I would never ask you to leave here. That's the reason the ranch I bought is a lot closer. It's the Anderson place."

She blinked. "You bought the Andersons' ranch?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Well as soon as escrow closes next week. Seems I can't get enough of Montana's blizzards, especially if I'm going to be snowed in with a certain green-eyed woman."

Amelia's throat suddenly went dry. "But what about your home in Texas?"

"It's just a place. I don't have any family there, just memories of a ranch lost." He took her hand. "I want a new start with you, Amelia, and with Jesse. But I'm going to need your help, too. I want you to be my partner."

Boone felt her stiffen and watched as her smile faded. He realized he wasn't saying this right. "Come on," he said as he tugged her into the living room and sat her down on the sofa in front of the tree. He took the spot next to her.

"A lot has happened in the past year." He cradled her hand in his. "I'd lost everything when I ended up on an oil rig and met Russ. He was the one who befriended me, not the other way around. Yeah, I listened when he talked about Jesse, because I was bitter over my own problems. Then when he kept me afloat in the water until help came…" He paused. "I realized what I owed him. But it was too late."

"Oh, Boone, you can't blame yourself for what happened that day."

"Why not? He had a son and he wanted to be a part of his life. I was all alone." He raised his gaze to hers. "Then I met you and Jesse. God forgive me, but I was suddenly glad I didn't die that day."

She smiled. "So am I."

"But your son lost his father."

Amelia's touch gave him the love and acceptance he needed. "No, Boone. Russ hadn't been a father to Jesse. I'm sorry he died, and I'm sorry for my son, but Russ had many opportunities to be a part of his life. You're the one who's been here for Jesse."

Boone took a calming breath. "And I want to continue being a part of his life and yours." He stood, then went down on one knee as he pulled a small velvet box out of his coat pocket. That got Amelia's attention. He opened it, revealing a platinum band, square-cut diamond. "I know this seems fast, but we spent four twenty-four-hour days together. Four wonderful days. Most people who've known each other for months don't spend that much time together." He took the ring out of the box and held it in his hand. "Besides, I fell in love with you by the end of the first day. I want us to be partners in everything, Amelia. I love you and want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"

"Oh, Boone." Tears flooded her eyes as she touched his cheek.

"Say yes, Mom."

They both turned to see a pajama-clad Jesse standing on the staircase. Then Amelia looked in the other direction to see Kelley and Gram standing at the kitchen entrance. Where had they come from? Even Izzy came out to greet them.

Amelia smiled as she turned back to Boone. "Are you sure you can handle all this family? I'm a package deal."

He grinned. "I'm planning on that. Do you think you can move as far away as the Anderson place?"

She shook her head. "No, but I'll move to the new Gifford Ranch. Oh, yes, Boone, I'll marry you."

He slipped the ring on her finger, pulled her to her feet and into his arms, then kissed her long and thoroughly as her family broke into cheers.

Once they broke apart, Jesse ran to hug them. He looked up at Boone. "See, you are my Christmas wish."

Boone knelt down to the little boy he'd been given the chance to raise. "I want to be more than that, Jesse. I want to marry your mother, but I also want to be your dad."

Those brown eyes widened. "For real?"

"For real," Boone assured him.

Jesse looked at his mother and she nodded.

The boy turned back to Boone. "Yeah, we're going to be a family."

Kelley and Gram rushed in, offering congratulations and hugs all around as they began the day's celebration. Then they tore into the presents and gasped at the gifts that Boone bought for everyone. He was also surprised when he opened the pair of fur-lined gloves that Amelia had given him. The two best gifts were Amelia and Jesse.

About a hour later, Kelley's Mack showed up and they disappeared into the kitchen and began preparing the holiday meal, giving Boone and Amelia time to be together. They bundled up and went outside for another Hughes tradition, to take a ride in the horse-drawn sleigh, giving Boone another look at Montana's winter wonderland. They laughed and made plans for the future. A wedding, a new home and a life together.

That evening Boone sat at the dining table with Jesse on one side and Amelia on the other. He grasped his new family's hands during the blessing. When it concluded, Jesse announced, "This is the best Christmas ever."

Amelia smiled as she continued to hold on to Boone's hand, feeling his ring on her finger. "I think we all got our Christmas wish."

Boone looked at her. "I know I got all mine."

Amelia could only agree as she smiled back. She would always be grateful for the man who came to rescue her and her son. And offered her love for a lifetime.

* * * * *

This season we bring you Christmas Treats For an early Christmas present Patricia Thayer would like to share a little treat with you…

Christmas is the best time of the year, and being with the one you love is what it's all about. Of course, after you add a warm fire, candles, mistletoe and a wonderful dessert, it's just about as perfect as it can get.

Here's one of my favorites: PEPPERMINT KISS BROWNIES

Ingredients:

A regular box of brownie mix (any kind) HERSHEY'S KISSES or chocolate drops Crushed peppermint candy canes.

I use heart-shaped muffin tins, but you can use an 8x11 pan. Once they're filled, I push one HERSHEY'S KISS into each of the centers, or squares, then bake as directed. After they come out of the oven, sprinkle the crushed peppermint on top.

Enjoy, Patricia Thayer