It was the strangest Christmas Hubert had ever experienced in his life. His family was filled with joy, seeing as all of them were together for the first time in seven years. Lael had returned from college late on Christmas Eve, surprising everyone with gifts and stories of crazy professors who were running him ragged. Heather’s fiancé wasn’t able to be there, but he’d sent a giant basket of treats from Seattle that they all dove into after the candlelight Christmas Eve service. Everyone in his family was smiling, laughing, and giddy with joy.

Hubert was suspended between the warm satisfaction of having made love with Bebe, the nerve-wracking rage of Price leaving her family high and dry, and the expectant happiness of knowing that the way was clear for him and Bebe to make a life together. He had no idea whether to laugh along with the rest of his family, confess everything that had happened and everything that would happen soon, or to rush back to the Bonneville ranch to spend Christmas Day with Bebe. Especially since none of the Bonnevilles had shown up for the Christmas Eve service.

“You can go out there if you need to,” Athos said to Hubert halfway through Christmas Day, as the two of them stood by the fireplace sipping mulled wine while the younger kids opened the last of their presents. “No one would think less of you.”

“I know, Pops.” Hubert frowned and took another long drink.

His father stared at him in thought. “You said that Price left without a fight yesterday?”

Hubert nodded. “I tailed him out to the ranch, then stood by while he packed his belongings. The scoundrel barely even looked at me the whole time. It took him ten minutes to throw everything he owned into a suitcase and leave.”

“And he didn’t try to take anything that belongs to the Bonneville girls?”

“Not a thing.” Hubert sighed.

He should have been happy to get Price out of their hair so fast. Except that seeing the backside of that rat for the last time meant the end of the Bonneville ranch and Bebe’s life as she knew it. Although he’d make sure she was happy again in no time. It was those blasted sisters of hers and that spoiled nephew that were the fly in the ointment. No one in town would treat them kindly. Hubert was fairly certain they had relatives back east, but Vivian wasn’t the sort to run for help with her tail tucked between her legs. She was the kind of woman who would stick around and make life miserable for as many people as she could. Which would only make Bebe miserable.

“Go out to the ranch,” Athos said as Hubert sighed over his conclusions. “I can tell that’s where you want to be.”

“It is, Pops, but I don’t know if they want me there.”

Athos hummed sagely, taking a drink.

“Because it’s not just about Bebe,” Hubert went on, voicing his thoughts. “It’s the rest of them that concern me.”

“Uff.” Athos shook his head. “Vivian Bonneville in a snit isn’t anything any man wants to deal with.”

“I’m just afraid I’ll have to deal with it for the rest of my life,” Hubert said, rubbing a hand over his face.

“Well, son.” Athos clapped him on the shoulder. “Vivian Bonneville, and Melinda and Reese, aren’t your problem to solve. Neither is their ranch. You should focus your efforts on making Bebe happy.”

Hubert glanced sideways at his father.

“You are going to marry her now, aren’t you?”

“Of course.” At last, Hubert broke a smile. “It’s all but a done deal at this point.” Because he wasn’t about to walk away from Bebe after bedding her. Not only would that be cruel beyond measure, now that he’d had a taste of her, he wanted more. Much more.

“Good for you.” Athos slapped his back one more time as Hubert’s face went hot with the memory of being with Bebe. “It’s just a shame that, thanks to Price’s duplicity, it’s too late to pay off that mortgage loan.”

“Yeah,” Hubert sighed.

But as soon as his father moved away to turn pages for Ivy as she played Christmas carols on the piano, a thought struck Hubert. It wasn’t too late to pay off the Bonneville debt. They had until New Year’s Eve to pay the amount in full. One week. And no, the Bonneville sisters didn’t have a penny to their name, at least not enough to settle the debt, but that wasn’t the only source of income available to them.

Christmas Day wore on, and the idea that Athos had seeded in his mind grew. It kept him lost in thought for the afternoon as his family played games and sang songs. It stuck in his throat as he joined them for their Christmas feast. And it kept him awake through the night, doing sums and making plans.

By morning, he had a fully-formed plan of action. It wouldn’t be easy. It would mean sacrifices needed to be made, but it was something he was increasingly convinced he had to do.

Which was how he found himself standing outside of The First Bank of Haskell before it opened, stomping his feet and rubbing his hands together to ward off the cold as light snow drifted down, dusting Main Street.

“Hubert?” Solomon greeted him as he arrived to open the bank. “What brings you out so early this morning?”

“I need to talk to you,” Hubert said, following Solomon inside when he unlocked the doors.

The lobby was warm, thanks to the radiators that had been installed the year before, which encouraged Hubert in his mission.

“What can I do for you?” Solomon asked, gesturing for Hubert to follow him behind the counter and back to his office.

“It’s the Bonneville loan,” Hubert said, heart beating as though he were about to go into battle. “How much to they owe?”

Solomon glanced over his shoulder at Hubert in surprise as they turned into his office. “A lot.”

“I need to know how much,” Hubert pressed on.

“I’m not really in a position to reveal that information to anyone outside of the family.” Solomon took off his coat and hung it on the stand in his office.

“I won’t be outside the family for long,” he explained. “I’m engaged Bebe.”

“What about Price?” Solomon arched a brow.

“Price is gone,” Hubert said, unsurprised that the rumors hadn’t started circulating yet. “And it turns out he was a lying, cheating thief.”

“Bebe told me,” Solomon said, sitting and gesturing for Hubert to do the same. “But she didn’t tell me he was gone.”

“He left yesterday,” Hubert explained, then launched into an explanation of everything that had happened since Bebe had come to him on Christmas Eve.

He back-tracked to explain some of the story of what Price had done to the Bonnevilles as well, and between what he knew and what Solomon knew, they pieced together an even broader, darker picture. Solomon listened with a concerned frown and agreed with Hubert that the whole thing was a crying shame that could have been prevented if people had paid a little more attention, but also that Vivian hadn’t exactly inspired people toward charity where the Bonnevilles were concerned.

“So you see,” Hubert finished the story, “that’s why I need to know how much the Bonnevilles owe.”

“I still don’t see why.” Solomon frowned, steepling his fingers in front of him.

“Because I intend to pay off the remainder of the loan.”

Solomon’s brow flew up. “You intend to pay off the debt?”

“Yes.” Although the thought of doing so filled him with as much dread over how Vivian would react as it did confidence in how overjoyed Bebe would be.

Solomon let out a long, low laugh, shaking his head. “Those women never did anything to deserve you.”

“Bebe did,” Hubert said, both irritated that Solomon would discount her so quickly and understanding exactly why he did.

Solomon nodded in agreement. “Are you sure you have the money?” he asked.

“I’ve done better than people think these last seven years,” Hubert explained. “I have a substantial sum in a bank in San Francisco. Now, I fully expect that it will take every penny I have to pay off the loan, but I’m willing to do it.”

“And then what will you do?” Solomon asked. “Wasn’t the whole point of you going away to earn that money to provide for Bebe in the style she’s become accustomed to?”

Hubert let out a breath, shoulders dropping. “It won’t be easy. But my editor in San Francisco said there will always be a job for me if I want it.”

“In San Francisco.”

Hubert nodded. He could tell from the look in Solomon’s eyes that they both knew what would happen when he told everyone, especially Bebe, he was going back to San Francisco. But Hubert hoped he was already one step ahead on where he had been last time in his plans. Still, he had to have a long talk with Bebe.

“All right.” Solomon grinned and shook his head and stood to walk to a filing cabinet. “If you want to pay off the loan and own that ranch, then so be it.”

“I don’t want to own it,” Hubert said. “The Bonneville sisters will still own it. I just want to clear their debt.”

Solomon’s lips twitched. “You’re a better man than most, Hubert Strong.” He opened the filing cabinet and took out a form. “I think I’m going to like having you as a brother-in-law.”

“And I’ll be proud to call you family.”

Solomon chuckled and brought the paperwork to his desk. As they dove in to cutting the Gordian knot of Bonneville finances, Hubert felt as though things were heading in the right direction for the first time in a while. As soon as he and Solomon were done, he’d ride out to the Bonneville ranch to tell them the good news. Then he’d explain to Bebe why he had to go back to San Francisco. But this time, he wouldn’t leave her. This time he’d give her the choice to come with him. After all, Rex wasn’t around anymore, so who would stop him and Bebe from being together this time?

* * *

Bebe’s Christmas Day was…well, she was glad that she had made it through in one piece. There was no tree and no decorations at the ranch. Vivian had sunk all of their funds and their energy into decorating for the wedding…which never happened. She had bought a few things for Reese—who spent the entire day in tears, wailing about how Santa didn’t love him and therefore he hated everyone and everything—but that was it.

Instead of exchanging gifts and singing carols, Melinda spent the day in tears, Vivian spent it in the attic, searching through their belongings for things to sell, and Bebe spent it keeping the kitchen fire from going out and putting her meager cooking skills to the test. She made a note to ask Julia or even Honoria to teach her how to cook as soon as possible so that she could feed Hubert once they were married.

Hubert. He was the only thing that kept her from falling into despair along with her sisters. The memories of his arms around her and, well, other parts of him fitting with her, brought grins to her face at the most inopportune times throughout the day, which earned a shout or snort from Vivian or Melinda. She made up her mind to ride into town to spend the day with Hubert more than once, but every time she tried to leave, someone had another catastrophe on her hands that needed immediate attention.

She finally escaped the house and fled into town the day after Christmas. Her intention was to head straight to Vernon’s house and to fly into Hubert’s arms. She hadn’t bought or made him anything for Christmas, but she could certainly shower him with kisses, and, if they were daring enough, other things. But she ran into Honoria just outside of the livery, and, instead of looking for Hubert, she found herself in Honoria’s parlor, her nieces and nephews scattered around her, telling Honoria the story of everything that had happened with Price—and, indeed, in the last few years. When the two of them ended up awash in sisterly tears of regret for the wedges that had come between them, paradoxically, Bebe knew everything would be all right.

She headed to Vernon’s house after that, only to find out that Hubert wasn’t home.

“Honestly, I thought he headed out to your ranch,” Vernon told her, unable to keep the knowing smile off his face.

“We must have crossed paths,” Bebe sighed. “I’ll head home now, and hopefully I’ll find him there or on the way.”

But once again, her plans were diverted when she bumped into Julia coming out of the mercantile. Rather than going straight home, Bebe ended up heading to the saloon, where she and Julia exchanged stories of their Christmases in lightning-fast chatter over tea. Julia’s Christmas with Sam and her little ones had been a delight, but she was more interested in hearing the whole story of everything that had come to light in the past few days.

Which was why it was getting well on toward sunset by the time Bebe rode back out to the ranch. She settled Glory in the stable, then braced herself for more misery in the house. At least there was a chance Hubert would be there still, since she hadn’t spotted him on the road home.

But when she walked in through the kitchen door, she was met by the most unexpected sight imaginable.

“We’re saved, we’re saved,” Melinda was singing as she whirled around the front parlor with Reese.

“New curtains,” Vivian exclaimed from the dining room. “First and foremost, we’ll buy new curtains. And more fashionable dresses. I’m sick of wearing these weeds.”

Brow furrowed in utter confusion, Bebe walked to the hallway, where she could see into both the dining room and the parlor. “What’s going on?”

“We’re saved,” Reese exclaimed. “It’s a real Christmas miracle. Santa saved us. Santa loves me best of all.”

Bebe opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. She could only gape at her nephew, then glance past him to Melinda with a confused shake of her head. “The loan has been paid off,” Melinda said, laughing to the point of sounding hysterical. “We’re not going to lose the ranch. It’s safe. Everything is perfect.”

“The loan was paid off?” A thrill of excitement zipped through Bebe’s chest, making her feel light.

“Yes. We’re free and clear.” Melinda went on laughing, then suddenly burst into tears.

Still utterly perplexed, Bebe shook her head and turned to Vivian.

“And a maid,” Vivian said as though she’d been talking to someone all along. “We will most certainly hire a maid. And a cook. I’m tired of your pitiful excuse for cooking.”

Bebe’s mouth snapped shut, and she flinched. “I’ve only been trying to cook for two days.” That didn’t seem important, though. She shook her head and stepped into the dining room. “What happened?”

“The loan is no more,” Vivian said, throwing her arms wide in rejoicing.

“But—”

“Next year will be tight, but we have enough ranch hands who stayed on and enough of a herd to make a good start. And the profits from the whorehouse will be enough to buy anything we need until it’s time for slaughter.” Vivian clapped her hands to her chest as though slaughter were the brightest part of her day. “I’m going to learn everything there is to know about cattle ranching, everything I don’t know already. And I’m going to learn how to manage our finances far better than Papa, or that weasel Price ever did. No one is ever going to take this ranch from me again, as God is my witness.”

Bebe inched back. She’d never seen Vivian so determined in her life. There was a gleam in her eyes that could almost be described as manic. But nothing about the situation made a lick of sense.

“How?” she asked. “How on earth was the loan paid off?”

Vivian’s far-off gaze sharpened as she focused on Bebe. There was something else there besides determination and victory, something that chilled Bebe to the bone.

“He paid it off,” Melinda called from the other room. “The letter from the bank said so. The loan was paid off by—”

“Shut up, Melinda.” Vivian launched out of the dining room and charged into the parlor so fast that she nearly knocked Bebe over. “Shut up!”

“But Bebe should know that—”

Vivian reached Melinda and slapped her across the face, knocking her off her feet. Bebe gasped in horror. Reese burst into sobs and ran from the room. Melinda had been lucky enough to fall onto the sofa, where she buried her face and wailed.

“What did you do that for?” Bebe demanded, marching into the room. She glared at Vivian and tried to sit on the sofa to comfort Melinda, but Melinda pushed her away and kicked at her. Bebe took a step back, eyes wide with shock and fear. “What’s going on here?”

“The loan was paid off, and we’re going to make sure nothing ever menaces this family ever again,” Vivian said. The wildness in her eyes made Bebe’s stomach turn.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What aren’t you telling me?” she asked.

“All you need to know is that we’re out of debt, the ranch is ours, and I will never, ever let anything take it away from us or break up this family ever again.”

Bebe blinked, her mouth working, but no sound coming out. She glanced to Melinda, weeping on the sofa and holding her face. Somewhere in the house, Reese was crying his eyes out too. And that was the family Vivian was ready to go to war to hold together?

She straightened her shoulders. “I’m sorry if it upsets you, but I’m marrying Hubert. As soon as possible. And now that you don’t have to worry about the ranch, I won’t feel bad doing it.”

“Really?” Vivian crossed her arms, her eyes still unnaturally large and filled with energy. “You’re going to marry that lying pauper?”

“Vivian,” Melinda hissed from the sofa, her face a mask of alarm.

“Shut up,” Vivian said, lunging toward Melinda with her hand raised for another blow.

“Don’t!” Bebe shouted.

Vivian whirled back to her. “You’ll never guess what I found out today,” she said in a bizarre change of subject.

“Vivian.” Bebe shook her head, pressing her fingertips to her temples. “I don’t have time for—”

“Your precious Hubert is broke after all,” Vivian spoke over her, voice raised. “Turns out all that money he said he had? He spent it.”

Melinda squeaked. Bebe glanced to her with a frown, unnerved to find Melinda looking as though something terrible were about to happen. But Vivian had Bebe’s full attention.

“Hubert is no spendthrift,” she said, anxiety spreading through her. “He worked hard for that money and—”

“And he’s going to have to go work hard again,” Vivian rode over her again. “He’s going back to San Francisco.” She grinned as she made the revelation.

“What?” Bebe clutched a hand to her throat. He wouldn’t. He absolutely wouldn’t. Not after the promises he’d made her. Not after they’d made love. “He wouldn’t.”

“He is.” Vivian held her head high in triumph. “The news will be all over town by now. That fickle bastard made yet another false promise to you. You’re a fool, and you’ll never be anything more.”

“I don’t believe you.” Bebe crossed her arms and stood just as straight as her sister. “You’ve always been a petty, jealous cow—” Vivian yelped. “—and I simply don’t believe you.”

“You don’t?” Vivian shrieked. “Then go ahead and ask him. Ask him if he’s leaving.”

“Fine.” Bebe started for the door. “I will.”

A second later, Vivian had changed her mind. “No! Don’t! I forbid you to leave this house.” She caught up to Bebe in the hall, grabbing her arm.

“You can’t forbid me to do anything,” Bebe said.

“I’m your sister, and yes I can.” Vivian tugged hard on Bebe’s arm.

“You’re crazy,” Bebe gasped, struggling to get away from her. Vivian clamped her arms around Bebe’s waist, using all of her force to keep Bebe from reaching the door. “What’s wrong with you? Let me go.”

“You can’t go into town,” Vivian growled. “You can’t.”

“Let go of me.”

“He’ll tell you.”

“Who will tell me what?” Bebe managed to wriggle her way out of Vivian’s grasp and lunged for the door.

Vivian followed, grabbing a handful of Bebe’s hair and pulling. Bebe shrieked in pain, but continued to struggle. “He’ll tell you he’s leaving, that he’s going back to San Francisco.”

“He wouldn’t. We’re getting married.”

With a final yank that pulled some of her hair out at the root, Bebe managed to escape Vivian. She bolted through the door and out onto the front porch as Vivian screamed after her. “You ungrateful wretch! You’ll come crying back to me when he abandons you again. You’ll see. Men are pigs!”

Heart pounding with a sickening mixture of fear and confusion, Bebe sprinted to the stable. She felt terrible for saddling Glory so soon after putting him away, but she was determined to get to the bottom of the insanity that had suddenly befallen her family. She had to find Hubert, and the sooner the better. And if he really was about to leave her for San Francisco again, she’d kill him.