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When the digits flipped over to 4:30, he stirred, eased himself away from her, and sat up. She opened her eyes, gazing up at him, still muzzy from sleep.
“I need to go,” he said.
“I know,” she whispered. “Don’t worry, I’ll be all right.”
“I’ll see to Murphy and call you later.” He bent and kissed her, feeling the warm response of her lips. Resisting the urge to stay and taste them again, he picked up his boots and carried them into the living room. After pulling them on, he found his medical bag, where he’d left it next to the fireplace. He glanced around for his coat before he remembered that, in his haste to get here, he’d left it at the ranch.
Locking the front door behind him, he stepped out into a world of white. Fresh snow, six inches deep and still falling, blanketed the roads and walks, the lawns, the houses and trees, and the cars.
Snow. This time it was deep enough and cold enough to last for weeks. Branding Iron was going to have a white Christmas.
* * *
Tracy rose at 6:00 and turned up the heat in the house. She was tempted to crawl under the covers again until the place warmed up, but she was too restless to sleep. Wrapping her warm robe over her pajamas, she pattered barefoot into the kitchen to make coffee.
The sight of Murphy’s empty bed by the fireplace almost undid her. Tears welled in her eyes. She blinked them away. He’s with Steve now, she told herself. They’re together. They’re happy.
After she got dressed, she would roll up the bed and take it out to the trash. Then she would box the leftover canned food and save it as a treat for Bucket.
Last night she had shut Rainbow and her kittens into the laundry room. Now, from the other side of the door, she could hear a chorus of meows. When she opened the door, the four kittens came charging out into the hall, looking for any trouble they could find. Rainbow followed more sedately, pausing to rub against Tracy’s legs and purr a greeting. Tracy picked her up and snuggled her close, kissing the heart-shaped orange spot on her head. “I guess it’s going to be just us girls,” she said.
When Rainbow meowed, Tracy put her down to round up her active babies. Only then did Tracy glance out the window and see the snow. Her breath caught. Overnight, the snow had transformed the world into a white fairyland. Trees had become lacework, the ground a glittering carpet, untracked except for Rush’s half-buried boot prints, leading to the curb where he’d left the Hummer.
The whole town had been waiting for Christmas snow. This had to be a sign of something good, she told herself as she headed back to the bedroom to get dressed.
The patchwork quilt where Rush had lain beside her still bore the imprint of his weight. She remembered how tenderly he’d held her, and how he’d kissed her good-bye that morning. She’d kissed him back, and everything about it had felt right.
Steve’s photograph still smiled at her from its place on her nightstand. It was only paper, she reminded herself again. And it was time to put it away.
After wrapping the photo in a spare pillowcase, she lifted the lid of the cedar chest at the foot of the bed and slipped it inside. For now she would leave the beach picture taken with Murphy in its place on the mantel. But later on, that would be put away, too. It was time she looked to the future.
If fate and heaven willed it, her future would be with Rush. She wanted to believe what he’d told her about creating a family. But what if he changed his mind? What if he realized that he wanted to father his own children, with a woman who could make it easy?
Tracy gazed out the window at the falling snow. Believe, a voice inside her whispered. Take a chance. Trust your heart.
But what if her heart was wrong? What if she was about to get it broken again?
* * *
For the next hour, Tracy forced herself to sit at her desk and tackle the rest of the legal briefs she’d put off reading. She would need to be familiar with their contents when the court took up its business again after the first of the year. Today, she also needed a way to keep her mind occupied.
It was almost 10:00 when Rush called to let her know he’d made the drive to Cottonwood Springs and left Murphy’s remains at the clinic. The ashes would be ready in a couple of days.
“How about some breakfast before I head home?” he asked. “Even on a weekday, the B and B serves up a good plate of bacon and eggs.”
“I don’t think I’m up for going out in public,” Tracy said. “But how would you like to lend me Clara for the day? I could use some cheering up, and she’s the most cheerful person I know.”
“That would be great!” he said. “She’s been asking and asking. But are you sure you’re up for a day with a four-year-old?”
“I think a day with a four-year-old is exactly what I need.”
“She’ll be over the moon when I tell her,” Rush said. “I’m just getting into town. I’ll head straight home and have her at your door in about an hour. Oh—and thanks. Things are crazy busy at the ranch, especially with the snow. Think sleigh rides.”
“I’m thinking more like snow angels, and maybe a snowman. Have her bring her warm clothes. I’ll see you soon.”
Tracy ended the call and grabbed Ginger, who was headed into the broom closet. Midnight and Tiger were chasing a spider they’d scared out from behind the stove. Snowflake, the quiet, snuggly one, was enjoying a tongue bath from his mother. She would miss the kittens when they were gone. But at least the place would be quieter.
By now she had a half dozen people on a waiting list in case the original adoptions fell through. Several people wanted Snowflake, but Tracy remembered her promise to Clara. She would save the white kitten, at least until Christmas.
