The Lawman's Holiday Wish

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Bubble-bath clean, his short curls still damp, Aiden dived into bed, and Luke breathed in his scent. The boy’s innocence took him back to those first years, holding his baby son, so perfect, so awesome. They should have been the quintessential family, Mom, Dad, beautiful baby boy.

What wretchedness had stolen Martha’s self-confidence, or had Luke been fooling himself all along?

Maybe both, he realized as he read Where the Wild Things Are for the tenth time in as many days. And then he did a mine sweep underneath the bed to assure his son that none of Max’s yellow-eyed friends lingered in Aiden’s room.

Luke kissed him good-night, straightened the covers, then paused when Aiden said, “I think this was the very best day of my life, ever! Thanks, Dad.”

“You’re welcome.”

He didn’t have to dissect the boy’s emotions to figure out his meaning. The girls had been regular visitors over the past two years. And he’d gone to the McKinneys’ farm just as often.

The difference today was Rainey. Her warmth, her attitude, her calm acceptance. Her presence turned snack time into a royal event. Her composure helped the kids think anything was possible.

Aiden hadn’t wanted the day to end.

Neither had Luke.

The boy had begged for the girls to stay for supper.

Rainey declined gently, then explained there would be other days to get together soon. And that if Aiden followed directions, she and Luke would make sure it happened often.

Aiden believed her, and that in itself was a step forward. And now he was falling asleep, a happy child, a mood his father longed to sustain.

Sleep was the last thing on Luke’s mind, but his grown-up dreams weren’t made of make-believe. A lawman and father had to see the big picture. Yes, she was beautiful, and no male on the planet could ignore that.

But it wasn’t the superficial that drew him, it was the wounded spirit within her, and that’s what he needed to avoid. Pained souls called to him, like the menagerie of livestock living in his barns.

His phone rang. He glanced at the readout, saw his mother’s number and clicked on it. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

“Dad’s taking the boat out tomorrow. The weather’s supposed to be wonderful. He wanted to know if you and Aiden would like to hang out over here.”

“We’d love it.” Luke sank into a wide-backed chair. “What time is good?”

“We’re going to church first, so anytime after eleven.”

“That will give me plenty of time to take care of the animals,” Luke noted. He ignored the church reference. His mother left it alone as well, and that was almost worse than her nagging him.

Jenny Campbell didn’t hassle. She dropped little pearls of wisdom into innocent conversation and then let her children wallow in free will. But she and Dad were always there to pick up the pieces as needed.

That brought Luke back to the whole roots-and-wings thing. “Can I bring company?”

“Of course. Who?”

“Rainey McKinney and I are trying to train our naughty children into better behavior by working together with them. If she and the twins are available, I’d like to bring them along.”

“I’ll throw another chicken in the pot.”

Her comment made him laugh. There was always too much food at the Campbell house on weekends, but nothing ever went to waste. A phone call here or there brought folks over for an impromptu feast, and his mother’s calm but active nature kept it all running like a well-oiled machine. “See you tomorrow.”

Should he call Rainey now? He glanced at the clock, realized it wasn’t too late and dialed the farm.

“McKinney Farms, Piper speaking.”

“Piper, it’s Luke. Is Rainey around?”

She coughed once, a short, odd-sounding cough, then cleared her throat. “Right here, actually. Hang on.”

“Luke?”

“Hey.” He paused to breathe, savoring the way the single syllable of his name rolled off Rainey’s tongue. “My mom just called and invited us out on the lake tomorrow. I was wondering if you and the girls would like to go.”

“Oh, I’d love it.” There was no mistaking the upbeat note in her voice, and that made Luke smile. “But I can’t. I’m working all day tomorrow. After church, that is.”