Chapter 3
Callie
“Yes,” I whisper, unable to shake the feeling that I’ve been waiting to go there all my life.
“My brother is coming to take your car and get it fixed. I’ll make sure it gets to Silver Bell Hollow for you later this week. I’m Nate and this is Rudolph, Rudy to his friends.” He yanks his gloves off and holds out a bare hand to me.
“Callie.” I barely manage to suppress the chattering of my teeth.
His hand is tanned and dotted with tiny white scars. His nails are neatly trimmed but not manicured. The callouses on his palm scrape against my soft skin, his touch warm and gentle.
This is not a man who gets manicures, so his cuticles are healthy and his nails are buffered. No, this is a man who works hard all day long. His body is his tool, and he takes pride in it.
“Fuck, you’re cold,” he mutters and holds out his gloves to me. “Take them and warm up.”
I slip my hands into the big gloves. “My boy’s name is Danny.”
He nods. “Got plenty of space in my cab for all your stuff. But first, let’s get both of you loaded up so you can start getting warm.”
His truck smells faintly of cinnamon and sugar.
It’s so warm in here that I want to sob in gratitude.
I didn’t even realize how chilly I was until he insisted that we sit.
Danny is still comfortable, thanks to the coat I bought him a month ago.
It was expensive but I’d pay any price to make sure he’s cozy.
Nate has the car seat buckled in correctly within a few minutes then he moves all of my stuff over to his truck. I try twice to offer my help but each time, he shakes his head and keeps whistling Christmas carols under his breath.
Rudy stays with me and Danny as if he’s decided he’s our personal bodyguard. He rests at my feet, pressing against my legs and warming me with his heat.
When Danny is safely buckled in and my things are moved, I climb into the passenger seat. The good smell is even stronger up here, and I finally realize what the scent is. Cookies.
Nate joins me in the cab and passes me an insulated hot bag designed to keep food from getting cold. “I stopped for cookies on the way. Seems like sugar would be a good idea after you’ve broken down on the side of the road.”
Tears prick my eyes. It’s no wonder Mary sent him. He’s just as sweet as she is.
He taps an insulated cup in the console. “I wasn’t sure if you were drinking coffee on account of the little one or not. Figured hot chocolate was a safe bet.”
In less than thirty minutes of knowing him, Nate has shown me more kindness and consideration than I ever had in my entire marriage. I think cowboy Santa might just be the man to restore my faith that there are still good guys out there.
I scan his hands as he grips the steering wheel and merges back onto the interstate. There’s no wedding ring, but that doesn’t always mean anything. He could take it off when he’s working. A lot of men do that to protect their bands.
I take out the bag of treats with a logo for a place called Courage Cookies. I peek inside, letting out a small gasp. “Snickerdoodles are my favorite.”
“No one makes them as good as Haley, our local baker,” he says.
The cinnamon flavor sugar cookie with the chewy center is exactly what I needed. I didn’t even stop for breakfast this morning. I just got on the road with Danny as soon as I finished putting everything in order at the apartment.
Nate lets me finish my snack without peppering me with questions. The radio plays soft instrumental Christmas music as the icy rain pelts the truck, and I can’t remember the last time I felt this safe or cozy.
I finish the last bite of cookie and wash it down with a sip of hot chocolate. My voice is soft when I ask, “So, what did you do to get on the naughty list?”
“I don’t know what I did to get on the naughty list. But since you’re on it, I’m glad I am too,” he says with a conspiratorial smile like we’re partners in crime.
I don’t need to be noticing how beautiful his smile is or how much I like the spicy scent of his cologne. I need to stay focused. He’s just here as a favor. “Thank you for doing this, picking me and Danny up.”
“I’d do anything for Mary and Christopher.” The note of conviction in his tone tells me this cowboy is loyal. The type of person you can call in a crisis, and he’ll be there. It doesn’t matter whether you’re family or a perfect stranger, this cowboy shows up.
“Have you known them a long time?” I pick the crumbs from my blue jeans. I ate my cookies so quickly I’m surprised there was anything left.
“I was a troubled teen with a chip on my shoulder. I thought life had given me a raw deal, so I acted like the world owed me something.” He shakes his head.
“I was headed down the wrong path fast. Thankfully, I got sent to the Naughty List Ranch with Mary and Christopher. They helped me turn my life around. Gave me a family in more ways than one.”
I smile at the fondness in his voice. It’s obvious he loves the Maas family. “Do you go home often?”
“I used to go every other year.”
“What happened?” I ask, detecting the slight change in his tone. I learned to monitor someone’s tone after living with Corey for so long. It was important to read his mood before I approached him about anything.
Nate takes a deep breath and squeezes the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turn white before he eases his grip. “It’s a long story.”
We drift into silence for a few minutes before he starts talking again. “What about you? Where are you from?”
“Well, as you’ve figured out, I’m a single mom. Silver Bell Hollow sounded like a brand new start, which is exactly what we need right now.”
He nods. “Some great people live there. You’ll fit right in. It’s like a big extended family. All of the towns within Havenstone are like that.”
“Havenstone?” I repeat. Other than looking up a few facts about Silver Bell Hollow, I didn’t do much research. I knew this was the right decision, and I needed to move fast before I talked myself out of it.
“Havenstone is the county that Silver Bell Hollow is in. There are several other small towns including Clover Canyon. Got some good friends up that way, too. The Suttons are friends of mine.”
As he talks, I watch the dashed lines on the road, fighting back a yawn. He has a soothing voice. Now that I’ve eaten a snack and I’m warm again, the sleepy feeling is stronger.
My eyes start to drift close, the exhaustion of the past few months catching up to me.
But I’ve barely had them closed when I shake myself awake again and glance at the back seat where Danny is resting comfortably.
Rudy is next to him, having clambered onto the seat.
He has his head pressed against the car seat as if he’s watching over his new buddy.
“You go ahead and sleep. If he needs you, I’ll wake you,” he says.
“Promise?” I yawn loudly. Sleeping in a stranger’s car probably isn’t the smartest idea, but Mary has my location pin. She can see the truck moving on her app but more than that, I trust Nate.
“Promise,” he says the word softly and it’s the last thing I hear before sleep finally claims me in its sweet embrace.
Nate
I glance over at my passenger seat again. The blonde strands of Callie’s hair have come loose from her braid, and I want so badly to lean over and tuck it behind her ear. They’re both sleeping so hard, and it makes me proud that I’ve provided an environment that makes them feel safe enough to rest.
Callie ate those cookies too fast, like maybe she hasn’t been getting enough to eat. She’s curvy, full-figured and beautiful. I love her body, the way she fills out her blue jeans. Didn’t care much for the threadbare coat she’s wearing.
Danny was dressed in a good coat, something to insulate him from the chill. If I had to make a guess, there were only enough dollars to keep one of them warm. No surprise who went without. That’s a mama for you. They go hungry and cold for their babies, smiling through it all.
I’ll make sure she eats again when we get to the Naughty List before I go back to Courage County. The thought of returning to my hometown doesn’t fill me with nearly as much excitement as it should.
I don’t like the idea of leaving her or the baby alone. I know the people of Silver Bell Hollow will look out for her, as will Mary and Christopher. She will have no better protectors or advocates than those two.
But that’s not enough, I realize with a twisting in my gut. I need to know I’m the one taking care of them, that I’m their provider and protector.
I don’t understand this primal urge, how strong and sudden it is. All I know is the moment I looked at her, the gnawing sense of loneliness finally went away. Seeing her felt like Christmas morning. I couldn’t have asked for a more precious gift.
I pull the truck to a stop in the parking garage.
Rudy lifts his head as if he’s asking me if we’re there yet.
He’s flown cargo before, so I know he can do it.
It’s not my favorite thing for him, but he’s resilient and has always handled it well.
Plus, this is one of the better airlines when it comes to pet safety.
“It’s going to be OK,” I reassure him quietly.
I nudge Callie’s shoulder until she’s blinking up at me. With her cheeks flushed from sleep, she looks even more like an angel who misplaced her halo on her way to visit earth.
“Sorry, I must have drifted there,” she murmurs then sees the time on the dash and sits up straight. “I slept for three hours.”
“You and the little one must have needed it.” I nod and point out to the rectangle of daylight that can be seen through the truck’s windshield. “We’re at the airport. You don’t have to worry about a two-day car ride.”
She sends me a panicked look and glances in the backseat. “I’ve never flown before, and he hasn’t either.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m going to be by your side the whole flight,” I reassure her. When I stopped at the gas station to refill the tank, they were both sleeping so soundly.
I did some quick research and may have freaked out about lap babies.
It’s customary for parents to hold babies during flights, but well, every once in a while, that doesn’t end well.
So, I purchased a third ticket and stopped at a department store for a child safety carrier rated specifically for airplanes. They slept through all of it.
“I don’t expect you to fly with us,” she murmurs quietly even though she definitely looks relieved at the thought of having someone with her. “You must have a wife and kids to get back to for the holidays.”
“Nope, this cowboy is solo. So, it looks like you’re stuck with me,” I give her a grin to soften the words.
I could tell her that I don’t like the idea of a single mom and her baby flying alone on an airplane for the first time.
But it’s more than that. I’m not ready to say goodbye to Callie. Not yet.