That was done. Badger accepted Jim’s congratulations as the sleigh skimmed over the clean, white snow so perfectly it was almost like flying. Hayley had been subdued for a little bit, but eventually she’d started acting like her old self and seemed to be having fun.

The way she’d looked at him when he’d fake-proposed bothered him, though, like a burr he’d picked up hiking through tall grass. He’d only been trying to make sure the story she told her momma was close to the truth.

He’d expected her to find the episode amusing, but instead she’d been freaked out. His father was fond of saying words have power. They certainly did when Thaddeus Calhoun the Second used them in a courtroom. Evidently they also had power in a sleigh in Montana.

When the ride was over, he showered Jim with thanks and so did Hayley. They said goodbye to Bert and Ernie and climbed back in the truck.

Hayley continued to praise the sleigh ride experience as they drove away. “Loved those two horses, too,” she said.

“They did a super job. I can’t believe this is their first season pullin’ that sleigh. Bert and Ernie were pros.”

“They were. Which reminds me, why didn’t you watch Sesame Street? Didn’t you like it?”

“Never got a chance to find out.”

“Why not?”

“My folks didn’t believe TV was a good idea for kids under the age of six. Before I started school, I had tutors.”

“Oh.”

“Listen, Hayley, if I threw you for a loop a while ago, I’m sorry.”

She didn’t say anything. Didn’t look at him, either.

“Ah, so I did make a mess of things. I really didn’t mean to—”

“I know you didn’t. You played your part exactly right. I was the one who had trouble pulling it off. How’d you know my middle name was Renee?”

“Found it online. Figured I might need to know.” He peeked over at her. She was fooling with her ring, turning it around so it faced her palm, then turning it back again. He cleared his throat. “Proposin’ on the sleigh ride might’ve been a mistake.”

“Not at all.” But she still wasn’t looking at him. “When I had a chance to think about it, I figured out that you were only trying to make sure I had a scenario in my head for when I told the story to my mother.”

“That was the plan but maybe it was a bad plan.”

“It’s just that things are a little confusing right now. I have this ring, which feels weird, and you’ve proposed, although you didn’t mean it. But on the other hand, we like each other and we’ve had great sex.”

“Is that what’s throwin’ a monkey wrench into it? The sex?”

“No! That’s the one thing that feels real.”

“So you want to keep doin’ that?”

Finally she looked over at him and smiled. “Yes, please.”

He let out a breath. “I’m mighty glad. But I would give it up if it’s makin’ things more difficult for you.”

“Badger, you’re not making anything more difficult for me. You stepped in to make things easier and they are. By now my mother would have paraded at least two, maybe three men in front of me with more to come. This is the best Christmas I’ve had in years.”

“Me, too.” Best Christmas ever, but he wasn’t going to say that.

“We need to decide how we’ll do the ring reveal, though.”

“Okay.”

“You’ll have to come in, but you don’t have to stay long.”

“Which I can’t. I have that thing with—”

“Zane’s raptor center. I know. Just come in the house with me. I’ll find Mom wherever she is, show her the ring, and she’ll come screeching out into the living room to hug you. Then you can leave.”

“Any chance your dad will be there?”

“Oh, yeah. He might be. He had an appointment this morning but it’s lunchtime. They’ll likely both be in the kitchen eating. She’ll still come barreling out to hug you. Dad will be more reserved.”

“Because he’s worried we’re rushin’ things.”

She reached over and squeezed his thigh. “And you’re taking his feelings into account. And my mom’s. That’s admirable.”

“Their feelings matter to me. I didn’t know they would, but they do. They’re good people. Your momma’s way too intent on marryin’ you off, but she means well.”

“She does.”

“That’s why I want us to part amicably. I’m hopin’ they won’t be too upset if we can tell them we’re still friends.”

“Amicably.” She laughed. “That sounds like lawyer talk.”

“I’ve been around it some.” He pulled into the driveway of the parsonage. “Ready to do this thing?”

“Aye, aye, cap’n!” She managed a salute, but it wasn’t very crisp.

He smiled and shook his head. “You need to work on that salute, soldier.”

“Did you really have people salute you when you were in the Air Force?”

“Is that so hard to believe?”

“No, but it sure is sexy.”

He laughed. “Whatever works. Now stay put. If anybody’s lookin’ out the window, I want them to see me openin’ your door for you.”

“Nobody’s looking out the window.”

“Maybe not, but after that first time, I’m paranoid about bein’ watched.” He rounded the front of the truck and helped her down. Her ring flashed in the sunlight. “That sapphire sure is pretty.”

“It should be considering what you paid for it. I can’t believe I’m wearing something worth that much money. And it doesn’t do anything except sit there on my finger.”

“Some things aren’t supposed to be practical. They’re just supposed to be beautiful.”

“This ring qualifies.” She spread her fingers and gazed at the deep blue stone. “There’s not a single practical thing about it.”

“That’s not true.” He caught her hand and turned it this way and that so the stone reflected the light. “It’s goin’ to convince your folks that I mean business.”

For some reason that gave her the giggles.

“What? What did I say?”

“You sound like a gunslinger at high noon.” She attempted a gruff delivery except she kept cracking up. “See this here ring?” She held up her hand and wiggled her finger. “It says I mean business. Don’t mess with me, y’all.”

“Hey, I like that approach. Would it work?”

“Dad would love it and Mom would think you’d ruined a special moment by acting goofy.”

“Then we won’t make jokes. I want your momma to be happy. Let’s go.” He followed her inside and as she’d predicted, the murmur of voices and the clink of dishes suggested her parents were at the kitchen table eating lunch.

Her dad’s voice was more distinct. “I wish she’d spent more time with him, that’s all. A few weekends isn’t enough.”

Whoops. He glanced at Hayley.

She shrugged, gave his arm a pat and walked into the kitchen.

Moments later, her mother started screeching like a teenager at a rock concert. She ran into the living room, arms extended, and gave him the hug to end all hugs. She was stronger than she looked and she nearly squeezed the breath out of him. Knocked off his hat, too.

Eventually she let go and stood back, panting. “That is the most beautiful engagement ring I have ever seen. Wherever did you find it?”

“That’s my little secret.” He retrieved his hat from the floor and dusted it off.

She pressed her hand to her chest and took several deep breaths. “Excuse me. I’m hyperventilating. I’ve imagined this moment for so long.”

Oh, God, now he was feeling guilty. He focused on Hayley’s dream of a Christmas without prospective boyfriends being shoved at her. This woman had ruined several holiday seasons for her daughter. No reason to feel guilty.

Next Warren came through the kitchen door. He was smiling, but he didn’t look completely at ease. Stepping forward, he shook Badger’s hand. “That’s a beautiful ring. Nice choice.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I asked Hayley if you two had set a date. I was relieved to hear you haven’t.”

“Warren!” Virginia gave him a nudge. “Is that any way to talk to your daughter’s fiancé?”

“I think it is.” He held Badger’s gaze. “Marriage requires a solid commitment and a plan for the future. I like you, but you seem a little adrift.”

He fell back on his standard response. “I haven’t been stateside very long, sir. Takes a while to get acclimated.”

“I appreciate that. But my daughter just accepted your proposal. I’d feel a whole lot better if I knew you had some plans, son.”

So would he. “Sir, you have my promise that before we set a date, I’ll have decided what I want to do with my life. You’re right to be concerned. No father worth his salt would want his daughter to marry a drifter.”

Warren nodded. “Eloquently put. Hayley obviously adores you and there’s nothing wrong with starting from scratch and building from there.”

“That’s my thought, too. Especially if you build it together.”

He studied Badger. “You have promise. I’m eager to find out what that leads to.”

“Speaking of promises,” Hayley said, “Badger has to go. He has an appointment to tour Zane’s raptor refuge.”

Her father beamed. “Now there’s a noble cause if I ever saw one. Zane and his brothers put together a little fundraiser at the Guzzling Grizzly last month. Virginia and I had a blast.”

“It was fun.” Virginia wiggled her hips. “The Whine and Cheese Club taught us some new line dances.” She looked over at Badger. “Before you run off, are you hungry? I could fix you a sandwich to go.”

“Thanks, but Hayley and I had a big breakfast.”

“Then we won’t keep you any longer. You’ll be back here at five, anyway.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll see y’all then.” He started out the door. Then he paused and turned around. A guy who’d just had his proposal accepted would kiss his fiancée goodbye.

Hayley covered his lapse beautifully. “It’s okay, Badger.” She walked over and wound her arms around his neck. “You can kiss me goodbye. Mom and Dad can handle it.”

“Oh, we certainly can,” Virginia said.

“Yes, we can,” Warren said, “but let’s allow them some privacy and go finish our lunch.”

“Of course, of course. I’m just so happy that Hayley’s—”

“I know, sweetheart.” He put his arm around her shoulders and propelled her back toward the kitchen. “I know.”

Badger drew Hayley closer. “Thanks for the save. This bein’ engaged takes some gettin’ used to.”

“For me, too.” She lowered her voice. “Don’t mind Dad. He doesn’t need to know your plans and he especially doesn’t need to find out you’re financially independent.”

“I like that he doesn’t know that. He treats me like a regular guy. I didn’t tell any of my buddies in the Air Force, either. Then I had to confess it to Ryker before he’d take the money for my half of the plane.”

“And I flat out asked you.”

“I can see why. The ring and the B and B reservation caught your attention.”

“Luckily my dad knows nothing about the price of jewelry. My mom’s slightly more knowledgeable, but I doubt she’d ever guess how expensive this was. She might think it was cheaper because it’s not a diamond.”

“That would be great. I hope everybody thinks that.”

“My point is, you don’t have to come up with a set of goals to please my father.”

“What if I come up with a set of goals to please myself?”

“That’s up to you.” She hesitated. “Do you want to?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I do. Ryker’s already pointed out that after being told what to do for ten years, it’s now up to me to organize my days. Which means I need a job, one that makes me excited to get up in the mornin’.”

“Then I hope you find one that gets your juices flowing.” She rose to her tiptoes and kissed him gently on the mouth before stepping back. “Now skedaddle or you’ll be late.”

“Speaking of juices…” He pulled her in tight. “I need more than a little taste to get me through the next few hours.” He settled his mouth over hers and took the kiss deep, so deep that he finally had to back away or risk leaving the parsonage with a full-blown erection.

She gasped for air. “Badger, that was—”

“More than you bargained for.” He sounded like a long-distance runner at the finish line. “I know.” Breathing hard, he backed toward the door. “Got carried away.”

Her eyes sparkled like the sapphire on her finger. “I like that in a person.”

Cramming his hat on his head, he touched two fingers to the brim and left. Sometime later he pulled up in front of the Raptors Rise visitor center and had no idea how he got there. Hayley had been front and center the entire drive.

Get it together, Calhoun. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he climbed out of the truck and entered a room filled with windows and light. Life-sized black cutouts of raptors in flight decorated the ceiling, each with a label identifying the bird. An easel stood nearby with informational pamphlets tucked in various pockets of the board propped on it.

No one sat at the sleek wooden receptionist’s desk. Badger glanced at his phone and by some miracle he was right on time. Must be his military training kicking in.

Then Zane came down a hallway to the right. Badger had expected him to look different when he was over here, maybe wear a dress shirt and pants, but no, he still looked like a cowboy complete with a hat.

“Hey, Badger!” He extended his hand and clapped him on the shoulder. “Sorry I wasn’t here to meet you. My volunteer’s out having lunch. She should be back in a few minutes. Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?”

“Thanks, I’m good.”

“Then let’s get on with the tour. There’s one place I want to show you first thing. I think you’ll like it.” He gestured down the hallway he’d just come out of. “It’s this way.”

“I expect I’ll like all of it.”

Zane grinned. “Yeah, we get that a lot. People love these birds. I’m guessing you and Ryker have a special understanding after spending so much time in the air like they do.”

“That’s the truth. I was sittin’ on the banks of the Chattahoochee one day watchin’ a hawk and that’s when I decided to join the Air Force.”

“Do you miss flying?”

“I do.”

“Ryker sure would like to have you join him.”

“I know. I’m thinkin’ about it.” And every damned time he did, his parents’ voices yammered at him about wasting his education and his opportunities. Now that he was back, he had one more chance to redeem himself. If he chose Montana and Badger Air, they’d never forgive him.

“Well, here we are.” Zane paused outside a closed door. “Welcome to the Badger Calhoun Raptor Nursery.”

“The what?”

Zane pointed to the plaque next to the door. “This is what I did with your donation, so it seemed right to put your name on it.”

Badger stared at his name engraved on the brass plaque. “I’ll be damned. I didn’t expect that you’d—”

“I know, but that was a hell of a lot of money. And I thought you’d get a kick out of having your name on the nursery. I asked Ryker if I should use Thaddeus instead, and he said that would be a big mistake.”

“Yeah, it would have been.” He turned to Zane. “I’m honored. Thank you.”

“Are you kidding? I’m the one who’s grateful. We needed a special room to house the nestlings. When I first started, we didn’t get many babies, but that’s changing now that the word’s out.”

“Are there any in there?”

Zane shook his head. “Wrong time of year. If you show up next spring, you can see it in operation.” He opened the door. “Right now it’s just empty cages and boxes of supplies. But go on in and look around, anyway.”

“I’d like that.” He walked the perimeter of the room checking out the cages and the examining table. He’d helped make this happen. That was a good feeling. A very good feeling.

He glanced at Zane leaning in the doorway. “I’ll be back in the spring.”