Christmas at Blue Moon Ranch (28 page)

“No.” He went to stand by the window, watching the kids string
lights around the posts of the carport. “I never lied to you.”

“Then how can you leave? When I love you, too?”

Daniel swallowed hard. “You never said that.”

“I was still working it out. And you made me mad.” She joined him
at the window and put a hand on his arm. “I was terrified when I knew you were
missing. I might have lost you, and I thought that would be the worst thing
that could happen.”

“You’ve been through it once, already.”

“Yes, I have. But guess what I realized?”

“I don’t know.”

“There’s something even worse than losing the person you love.”

“What’s that?”

“Never having loved them at all.”

He looked at her and saw the light in her eyes, the smile on her
face. “You think?”

Willa nodded. “I know. I loved Jamie, and we had a good life. He
left me three children I adore and a ranch I’m proud of. If I had been afraid
to marry him because he might die or leave, I would have missed all of that.”

Stepping even closer, she placed her hands on his chest. “And if
I lose you because I’m afraid of what might happen, or because I let you doubt
yourself, then I’ll miss all of the joy we could find together. I don’t want to
miss that joy, Daniel. Please, stay. Stay and marry me.”

A knock on the window drew their attention outside. Toby,
Susannah and Rob stood on the other side of the glass, all of them wide-eyed
with an easily understood question.

“Yes,” Daniel told them. “Now go away.” He pulled the blinds
closed for good measure. Then he bent his head to Willa’s for a kiss.

She put her fingers against his lips. “Tell me,” she ordered. “I
want to hear it.”

“Yes,” Daniel said. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I may not be the
world’s greatest cowboy, but I’ll love you every day of my life.” He kissed
her, then lifted his head and grinned. “Which, by the way, lady, is a no-risk
guarantee!”

T
HE
M
ERCADO
N
AVIDAD
CELEBRATION
was in full swing. They’d
attended midnight Mass—the Rooster Mass, it was called, for the bird that had
announced the dawn on the day of Jesú’s birth. Now they were all seated around
the dining room table, enjoying the feast Lili and Rosa had prepared.

Sipping on fruit punch, Willa leaned back in her chair and
watched the celebration with pleasure. Nate and Lili sat together on the other
side of the table, caught up in the private world of a newly engaged couple.
The diamond on Lili’s finger wasn’t large, but the stars in her eyes would have
outshone a much fancier stone.

Willa knew the feeling. Daniel’s hand cradled hers on the arm of
her chair. She turned her head to look at him and found his gaze waiting.

“Having fun?” He leaned close so she could hear him despite the
noise…or maybe just so he could kiss her cheek.

“It’s wonderful. I’ve never seen everybody so happy.”

“And we haven’t even opened presents yet.”

She squeezed his fingers. “I’ve got mine right here.”

“Me, too.” He raised their joined hands and kissed her fingers.
“But I think Toby wants something more tangible.”

The child in question left his seat and came to stand behind
them, with a hand on each of their shoulders. “Is it time, yet?”

Willa pretended to think. “For bed? Well, it is after two.”

He scowled at her. “For presents, Mom. When do we get to open our
presents?”

Willa glanced at Rosa, who nodded. Then she looked back at her
son. “I guess now is as good a time as any.”

Toby whooped, and shouted to his brother and sister to join him
in the parlor. The adults followed more slowly but arrived in time to see the
flurry of wrapping paper and the cries of pleasure as gifts were revealed.

Willa stood with Daniel behind her, his arms wrapped around her,
his heart beating strongly against her back. “Three months ago,” she said, more
to herself than to him, “I would never have believed life could be this good
again.”

“We’re very lucky.” He rubbed his cheek against her hair. “We’ve
both been given a second chance at life…and love.”

Willa nodded. “You’re right. It is good luck.” She thought for a
moment. “And you know what they say. Luck like this…”

Looking up at him over her shoulder, she waited for Daniel to
finish her thought.

He gave her that wonderful grin. “Only comes around once in a
blue moon?”

Willa smiled, nestling more closely into his embrace. “Exactly.”