“I know that.” Jeb stood and clapped a fraternal hand on Hank’s shoulder. “I also know if you want to feel understood by family and/or the woman in your life, you’re going to have to start disclosing one hell of a lot more than you have been.”
ALLY WAS ASTOUNDED TO SEE Hank’s little sister on her doorstep at nine the next morning, a gaily wrapped basket of baked goods in her hands.
“May I come in?” Emily asked.
Ally hesitated. “If you’re here to talk about Hank…” She’d already spent a sleepless night crying her eyes out. She didn’t want to start sobbing all over again, and she was fairly certain it wouldn’t take much to set her off. Perhaps the mere mention of the scoundrel’s name…
Emily walked in. “And Christmas.”
Ally blinked. Now that she and Hank were no longer hooking up, she did not expect to be included in the Mc-Cabes’ yuletide celebrations. Unable to help herself, Ally grumbled, “What does the holiday have to do with anything?”
“I know what Christmas means to Hank-celebrating the end of one chapter of your life and moving on to the next, with hope and joy in your heart.”
Ally had planned to do just that…before the dirt had hit the fan. When she’d overheard Hank’s argument with his father, she’d realized that Hank could have gotten the money to purchase the ranch from Shane all along-he just hadn’t wanted to do it that way. Even if it meant aligning his fortunes with another woman, and shutting out the woman he seemed to love…
“But to me,” Emily continued gently, “Christmas is all about giving-even when you feel you can’t. It’s about finding the courage to make that leap of faith that will transform your life.” She paused, letting her words sink in for a moment, then pleaded softly, “Don’t go back to Houston just yet. Stay another day or two and give your own Christmas miracle a chance to happen.”
ALLY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT Emily had said for the rest of the morning.
By noon, she knew what she had to do.
She left the silent, lonely ranch house and drove to town.
Luck was with her. Lulu Sanderson was standing at the cash register at Sonny’s Barbecue, looking gorgeous as ever as she rang up preordered smoked hams and turkeys.
Lulu smiled at Ally. “If you’re looking for Hank…”
That, she thought nervously, would come later. She swallowed and looked the other woman in the eye. “I wanted to speak to you first.”
Lulu murmured something to her dad, and another employee, then stepped out from behind the counter. She escorted Ally through the restaurant and kitchen, then out the service entrance. The delicious scent of mesquite-smoked meat emanated from the giant iron smokers located behind the building.
Suddenly all business, Lulu said, “Look, I know the time I’ve been spending with Hank has caused some trouble between the two of you, but he’s been helping me on a really important business deal.”
“Just as you’ve been helping him.”
“Yes.” Lulu sobered. “I wanted to speak to you about what was going on, but Hank asked me not to. You see, there were reasons we had to keep everything between us quiet.”
Trust me, Hank had said… Believe I can find a way to purchase the ranch.
The only question was, did Ally still want to sell the ranch to Hank? Or anyone else?
Oblivious to the conflicted nature of Ally’s thoughts, Lulu paused. “As of nine this morning, that’s no longer the case.”
Here was her chance, Ally thought. She could get Lulu to tell her everything Hank wouldn’t, and stop feeling excluded. Or she could demonstrate the faith she had in Hank and his integrity…
Ally held up her palm. “That’s not going to be necessary.”
Lulu leaned forward anxiously. “Are you sure? Because in retrospect, especially after last night, I realize how this all must have looked…”
And still looked, in fact. The only thing different was Ally’s attitude.
“Hank will tell me what he wants me to know when he wants me to know it.” In the meantime, I’m going to draw on all the patience I possess and wait for that to happen.
She drew a deep breath and extended her hand in the age-old gesture of peace. “Right now, I just want to offer my sincere apology. I haven’t been very friendly to you and I’m sorry.”
Lulu shook her hand warmly. “Apology accepted, and one given in return.”
And just that quickly they were on their way to being what Ally had never dreamed they could be in a million years-friends.
HANK THOUGHT ABOUT THE things Ally and his brother Jeb had said all night. By morning, he knew they were right. Ally had every reason to be upset with him. So did his parents.
If there was ever going to be a change for the better, it had to start with him. He called his parents and asked to meet them at their ranch.
“I know you’ve been worried about me,” he began, as the three of them sat down to talk. “And a lot of it is my fault. In my efforts to be the kind of stand-up, I-can-handle-anything sort of guy I was raised to be, I haven’t been very forthcoming about a lot of things.” He paused, looking them both in the eye. “I realize that has to change.”
His parents welcomed his confession. “We’re at fault, too,” Greta said quietly, reaching out to take her husband’s hand. “In our efforts to protect and help you, your father and I realize we’ve been in your business a little too much.”
Shane nodded. “We should have trusted that you are capable of starting a ranch and running your own life-without our interference.”
Hank didn’t want to appear ungrateful. “I know you’re both here for me, in whatever way I need, whenever I need it. And I appreciate it.”
“We just don’t want to let you down,” Greta said.
Shane concurred. “Not ever again.”
Hank grimaced. “About that.” He knew it was past time he took his parents step by step through the decisions he had made. To his relief, his parents were equally candid. By the time they had finished their heartfelt discussion, Hank understood his parents as well as they understood him. The tension between them was gone.
They promised to maintain their transparency, then hugged and said goodbye.
Relieved that it had gone so well, Hank headed for his next destination. He turned into the driveway leading to the Mesquite Ranch just in time to see Graham Penderson come out of the house. The agent shook hands with Ally as if they were sealing a business deal, then got into his car.
Hoping that didn’t mean what it looked like, Hank returned the other man’s wave of acknowledgment and then parked in front of the ranch house.
Ally was still on the porch, looking radiant in a cranberry-red dress and black suede boots. His heart in his throat, Hank approached. “Do you have time to talk to me?” he asked.
She nodded, looking as reserved as he felt. “Come on in.”
In the foyer was a case of champagne, with a gift card that said “Merry Christmas from Corporate Farms.” Beside it was a manila folder holding what looked like legal papers.
Had she sold the ranch? At the end of the day, did it matter?
Ally waved a hand. “I haven’t sold Mesquite Ridge, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
Relief mixed with the anxiety he felt about their future. “But Corporate Farms is putting the pressure on,” Hank guessed, following her into the living room. At once, his eyes were drawn to the angel atop the beautifully decorated tree. It was as lovely and delicate as the woman who had put it there.
Ally reached out and took his hand. “They presented me with yet another bid, two percent higher than the last one.”
Hank’s throat closed. He looked at her with all the hope his heart could hold. “And?”
Ally’s green eyes were steady, but her lower lip trembled. “I told them I was no longer interested in selling the house and the barn.”