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  A Rancher’s Christmas Kiss

  Holidays in Heart Falls: Book 5

  Vivian Arend

  Contents

  A Rancher’s Christmas Kiss

  Interlude

  The Ghosts of Christmas Past

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  The Ghosts of Christmas Past

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  The Ghosts of Christmas Future

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  A Rancher’s Christmas Kiss

  This rancher wasn’t looking for love—but she’s been right there the entire time.

  * * *

  In their mid-forties when they first met, widow Sonora Fallen and vows-to-stay-single rancher Ashton Stewart both felt a spark, but agreed being friends was more important than becoming lovers. For many years that decision held firm, and other than one time, their grumbly-in-public, friends-in-private arrangement has stuck.

  * * *

  Now sixteen years later, the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future seem determined to change these friends to lovers to…something else? All of Heart Falls is watching, suspicions on the rise as Sonora and Ashton’s secret slips into view.

  * * *

  Can two people used to standing on their own find a way to admit they want more? Or will stubbornness and fear keep them from forever?

  Holidays in Heart Falls

  A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift

  A Soldier’s Christmas Wish

  A Hero’s Christmas Hope

  A Cowboy’s Christmas List

  A Rancher’s Christmas Kiss

  * * *

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  Interlude

  January 1, Heart Falls

  * * *

  The sidewalk leading to the church doors was covered with a thin layer of freshly fallen snow. Ashton Stewart snagged the shovel from against the brick wall and slowly worked to clear the path.

  His breath escaped in a cloud of white, the crisp day beautiful beyond belief. January in Alberta could be meaner than a bear, but those lower temperatures typically rolled in later in the month. In line with the start of a new year, today was an ordinary cold. Which meant it was brisk enough to make each breath sear his lungs and his eyes to water.

  Pretty as a postcard, though, with the recent snowfall clinging to the spruce trees. If he could have ordered a blue-sky day like this one, he would have.

  Ashton snorted at his musings. As if he were in charge. If he could order the world to turn the way he wanted it to, he’d have gotten to this point in his life a hell of a lot sooner than sixty-five.

  Of course, that would have required being a hell of a lot smarter sooner as well. It appeared he was the type who needed the lessons hammered in hard for them to finally register.

  His phone vibrated in his pocket. He scrambled to grab it, the shovel falling unminded to the ground.

  Not a call. Not an email. Damn technology. What the hell did vibrate mean again?

  Right. Ashton checked his messages and found one from his nephew.

  Tucker: Where are you?

  Ashton didn’t want to respond, but he should. They did work together, and there might be an emergency…

  He shook his head. What he was doing right now was the most important thing. Tucker would have to deal with any trouble that arose right now.

  Determined, Ashton texted back.

  Ashton: I’ve got the rest of the day off.

  * * *

  Tucker: Great. Fine. Now answer my question.

  * * *

  Ashton: I’m busy.

  * * *

  Tucker: Good grief, at least tell me you’re at the church.

  * * *

  Ashton: Yes, I’m here. That’s spooky.

  * * *

  Tucker: That’s the pastor accidentally texting me instead of you. He’s running late. Says you should use the spare key to unlock the place and let yourself in. The key is behind the rose bush by the kitchen door.

  * * *

  Ashton: Thanks.

  * * *

  Tucker: At the risk of overstepping, everything okay? You need some company?

  * * *

  Ashton paused then answered: Everything will be fine. And you probably shouldn’t come because if what I hope for happens, it should be an all-or-nothing deal. I’ll explain later.

  * * *

  Tucker: Okay. Fingers crossed if it helps.

  Ashton turned off his phone to avoid any further interruptions then tucked it away.

  If Sonora took him up on the invitation to meet him, everything would be fine. He had to believe it, no matter how impossible that seemed after all these years.

  It only took a moment to unlock the side door and slip inside.

  Ashton had never been in the church alone before. It was a humbling experience walking in silence through the chapel. A place to reflect, consider, and hopefully do something to turn the tide on the nightmarish dreams he’d recently experienced.

  His fingers shook as he unlocked the main doors.

  Quarter to twelve.

  He stepped outside to ensure the doors were both unlocked and opened easily. It only took a moment to remove and hang up his outer coat before he returned to the sanctuary, wandering as slowly as possible toward the altar.

  Sunlight streamed in the stained-glass windows, leaving brightly coloured patches all the way down the aisle. Quiet hung on the air, the still, solemn hush broken only by the faint sound of wind against the tall steeple.

  Dressed in his best suit, with polished boots and his hair combed back as neat as it ever got, Ashton would’ve felt like a fool except for the pounding in his heart.

  He glanced at his watch. Five minutes to noon.

  Maybe he should pray. This was the place for it, wasn’t it? Maybe prayer was what he needed to make his miracle come true.

  He examined every inch of the room as he pivoted on the spot. Some candles and decorations remained from the holiday season. In the corner of the front platform, bright tinsel glittered on the tree, the star at the top slightly off-kilter. Such an ordinary place for the extraordinary to happen.

  Please, God.

  That was the sum of his prayers. He couldn’t improve on it one bit.

  Another peek at his watch.

  Two more minutes to wait.

  Two minutes until he’d know if he’d found the truth in time to save his soul.

  Two minutes until Sonora arrived.

  Or didn’t—

  The door clicked open behind him, and he whirled toward the sunshine.

  The Ghosts of Christmas Past

  December, eighteen years ago

  * * *

  Happy chaos danced through the halls and upstairs rooms of the Fields’ new home in Heart Falls. The family matriarch, Sonora Fallen, smiled in anticipation as she stood at the front door and took in the laughter, excited shouts, and happy background music.

  Mid-December was late for first-day-of-school jitters, but they would deal with it.

  Then she went looking for her oldest granddaughter, who she knew would be as far from the noise and bustle as possible.

  Sure enough, fourteen-year-old Ivy was curled up in an oversized chair tucked into the corner of the new family room. Delicate as always, at this moment her p
ale cheeks were flushed bright red. She had her backpack on the table in front of her and a brush in her hand.

  Sonora settled on the footstool. “Want me to braid your hair?”

  “Yes, please, Grandma.”

  They switched positions. Sonora examined the thin shoulders before her, noticing with pride how the girl held herself upright, her breathing calm and even.

  Sonora pulled the brush through Ivy’s long white-blonde hair slowly, appreciating how even though the house was full of life and love, this little corner was quiet and peaceful. Just what Ivy needed.

  Which meant it was part of what Sonora needed—why she’d accompanied her daughter and son-in-law and family on their move to this small town. Fingers crossed that soon Sonora’s chicks would be settled and happy in their new home here in Heart Falls.

  “Ready for school?” she asked as she started on Ivy’s braid.

  “I am. I guess,” Ivy added softly. “I know moving when we did was best for Tansy, and I’m really glad we took the couple of months to get to know her while we homeschooled. But I’m a little afraid that because we moved so late, it’s going to be hard to make new friends. Everyone else has been together since September.”

  Sonora snorted indelicately. “Not that you want this reminder, darling, but this is a very small town. Everyone else might have been together since kindergarten. I doubt starting in September would have changed much.”

  Ivy gasped then laughed. “That doesn’t make my first-day stress levels better. You’re terrible, Grandma.”

  “I’m honest,” Sonora returned. “Which is why, when I tell you the second part, you can absolutely trust that I’m not pulling a fast one. I hear you and your concerns. I have some of those same worries, you know. I’m beginning again as well, and I don’t have school to line people up for me to find kindred spirits.”

  Ivy tilted her head. “I forgot you need to find new friends too.”

  “We’re both entitled to be a little anxious.” Sonora tightened the elastic then paused to take Ivy’s face in her hands. “The second part I want you to remember is that not everyone needs to like you. One friend. One friendly face is all we need to start the journey.”

  “For you too?”

  Sonora nodded. “I’ll tell you as soon as I find that one friend. And you do the same, okay? We can cheer each other on.”

  Ivy dipped her chin. “Okay.”

  Sonora smoothed the braid back, the long length falling nearly to Ivy’s waist. The instant she was done, her granddaughter hugged Sonora fiercely. “I love you, Grandma.”

  “Love you too. Now let’s go find Rose and Tansy and see if your sisters are prepared for their junior high debut.”

  “At least they have each other,” Ivy said wistfully before ducking away from Sonora’s tickling fingers. “I know, I know. One friendly face.”

  Half an hour later, Malachi’s voice boomed as he summoned the family. “Front door, everyone. I need a picture for the family album.”

  There were the usual wiggles and squirming to get them in place. Sonora smiled in amusement as she beheld her three oldest granddaughters.

  Ivy stood to one side calmly, only the white-knuckle grip on her sky-blue coat giving away her nerves. In contrast, the two twelve-year-olds beside her buzzed with energy. Rose’s long dark hair held barely any wave, she’d tamed it so hard. Next to her, Tansy’s dirty-blonde hair stuck up in an unruly bob, and her eyes flashed before she offered a tilted grin and looped an arm around Rose’s shoulders.

  Ivy’s skin was whiter than white, Tansy’s shades of pale cream, and Rose’s a light brown. Their shirts were green, yellow, and red.

  Their mother, Sophie, laughed out loud then shifted the three-year-old in her arms to the other hip. “You girls dressed to match your names. You should have told me. I would have put Fern in green as well.”

  Malachi gestured frantically. “Timer is on. Family portrait in ten, nine, eight…”

  All seven of them crowded together. Fern leaned sideways in her mom’s arms, catching hold of Sonora and impulsively kissing her grandma’s cheek just as the flash went off.

  “To the car,” Sophie announced, passing Fern to Malachi. “Grandma is driving. She and I have some exploring to do after you’re all checked in.”

  Tansy and Rose paused to kiss their youngest sister goodbye. Ivy stayed by the door and gave Fern a heartfelt finger wiggle that the toddler answered with generous air kisses.

  By the time the girls were dropped off at school, Sonora was ready to suggest a coffee with a kicker to calm her own nerves.

  Her daughter seemed to agree. Sophie peered out the window and examined the shops going past. “Is there time for coffee? I could use a jolt of caffeine.”

  “What about the diner on Second Street?” Sonora frowned as she headed in that direction. “I don’t know that I saw any other options.”

  “Heart Falls is a lot smaller than Calgary, but I think the pros will outweigh the cons in the long run.”

  S & J Café was the same layout and decor as every small-town mom-and-pop operation Sonora had ever seen. Same beige-white ceramic mugs she’d seen in a million church cupboards. Same metal chairs with plastic seat cushions, same fake-wood tables in the booths. There was a comfort in that sameness, though. Sonora didn’t disapprove.

  When the tired-looking waitress filled their cups with a black liquid Sonora assumed was coffee, she held in her amusement.

  Sophie eyed her cup before sipping cautiously. The speed with which she reached for the sugar bowl and ripped open three more packages said it all.

  “That good?”

  “It’s very…exciting.” Sophie blinked hard then spoke softly. “We’ll set up a coffee station at the bookstore for Malachi. He’ll never survive otherwise.”

  “Smart move. Nothing big enough to rock the boat, but a chance to give people with taste buds an option.” Sonora sipped from her own cup then gasped. “Oh, no. Forget about not rocking the boat.” She leaned in close. “Can I convince you to open a coffee shop instead of a bookstore?”

  Sophie laughed. “Nope. Now tell me more about your plans. I know the sale is confirmed. When do you officially own the house in the country?”

  Sonora leaned back against the plastic-covered bench, abandoned the coffee, and focused on the delightful new adventure about to arrive. “January first. It’s a little unreal, though. Just think, I own a parcel of land, a barn and arena, and a four-bedroom house. I’m so thrilled I can’t even describe the sensation.”

  “I can’t believe you’re really doing it,” Sophie said then quickly raised her hand. “Scratch that. I can definitely believe it, and I’m happy for you, Mom. I’ve adored having your help with the girls, especially during these past six months while we dealt with Tansy’s adoption and welcomed her into the family. But you deserve to have your own place and not be at my beck and call all the time.”

  “Being a help has been a joy,” Sonora said. “But it’s time for you to enjoy your family without me constantly underfoot. That’s important too, you know. Making your own traditions. Plus, you and Malachi finally get to talk things out without another opinion intruding.”

  “You’re not an intrusion,” her adopted daughter insisted, “and Malachi would say the same thing. But I will agree to you not living with us as long as you promise to visit as much as you’d like. If you’re ever lonely, come over. Please?”

  Sonora squeezed her hand. “Of course. I love all of you, and I plan to get at least a weekly dose of family.”

  Their meals arrived. The food was good and hearty, and as they ate, they talked in the easy way of family who liked each other. At only nine years apart, Sonora had always felt her role as more a guide than a parental figure to Sophie.

  Deep-toned laughter billowed from the corner of the restaurant, and they both turned to examine the group of men gathered there.

  Six or seven of them, a couple standing as they chatted with the ones seated at the table. Men of t
he land, Sonora guessed from the sturdy winter coats and cowboy hats on the ones who’d stopped to talk.

  A couple of them sported beards that needed trimming. Sonora kept her opinion to herself, or at least she planned on it until Sophie leaned over and whispered, “Santas in training for those two, you think?”

  “Terrible child.” Although Sonora knew where the younger woman had gotten it from. She winked at her daughter. “You might be right. They can use the next twenty years to master the look.”

  “They probably have it, although if they don’t do some grooming before then, they’ll end up Rip van Winkle instead of Kris Kringle.”

  One of the men standing shifted position, and Sonora’s attention sharpened on the final person in the gathering.

  Now there was an attractive man. Clean-shaven, about her age, she guessed, with dark hair and tanned skin. He definitely wore the outdoors on his skin, but it suited him. A little rough around the edges, but she’d always liked that in a man. Good to know there were some finer gentlemen in town to admire.