Although Hayley would have loved to walk around the block to settle down after that lollapalooza of a kiss, her parents would worry if she didn’t come back in right away. She took several deep breaths, slipped inside and hung her parka on the coat tree.

Her mom, the spymaster, sat in her easy chair wearing her reading glasses and pretending total absorption in a book. Hayley would almost buy it if the book weren’t upside down. Her dad, who’d received intel from the spymaster, leafed through a journal from one of the many organizations he’d joined. His reading material was right-side up.

She returned to her seat on the couch and folded her hands in her lap. “I hope Badger and I didn’t break any house rules or shock your neighbors just now.”

Her mom glanced up, innocence personified. “Were you doing something shocking out there?”

“Maybe. Depends on how strict you two are these days. I remember getting lectured about that very thing once upon a time.”

Her dad put aside his journal and nudged his glasses into place. “Yes, well you were seventeen and I was a lot more worried about appearances back then. I’ve loosened up.”

She grinned at him. “Good to know, Dad.”

“I think it’s lovely that you two are so passionate.” Her mom laid her book on her lap. “And tasteful about it, too. Some young couples can’t keep their hands off each other even though other people are around.”

“Well, we are both over thirty. Let’s hope we’ve developed some restraint.”

“That kiss didn’t look very restrained.” Then her mother blushed. “Sorry. I only took a quick peek.”

“It’s okay, Mom.”

“It’s just that I’m so happy for you. I meant to ask this before, but have you met his parents?”

“Not yet.”

“Has he told them about you?”

“No, but—”

“Really? Not a word?”

“Isn’t it better to deliver that kind of info in person? Don’t you think that’s better, Dad?”

“Mostly, but if you wait too long they might not be too happy.”

“Oh, we won’t.” Spin it girl, spin it. “But it was logical to start with you guys because of the Eagles Nest connection.”

Her mother nodded. “To think that you had this town in common. What are the chances?”

“Kismet.”

“I know. So romantic. Still I wish I knew more about his side of the family. I mean, if we’re going to be related, it would nice to—”

“I’m sure he’ll be happy to tell you.” Or not. “I don’t know all that much, myself. It’s like we’ve been enclosed in this bubble of bliss, oblivious to the rest of the world.”

Her mother sighed. “Just like your dad and I were. Remember, Warren?”

“It’s called being snowbound, Virginia. We couldn’t get out and nobody could get in.”

“Yes! It was a bubble of snow! Every young couple should be lucky like that. By the time they dug us out, we were engaged.”

“If we hadn’t been your dad would have come after me with a shotgun.”

She laughed. “Go ahead and joke about it but you wanted to get married as much as I did.”

He smiled at her. “Yeah. Best decision I ever made. But, since Hayley and Badger aren’t snowbound, and we’re in the digital age, let’s find out some basics about his parents.” He picked up his phone from the lamp table next to his recliner.

“Dad! That feels like snooping.”

“I agree and I promise not to let Badger know I looked this up. But since your mother brought up the subject, I’m curious.” He spoke into the phone. “Find information on Thaddeus Livingston Calhoun the second in Atlanta, Georgia.”

“This seems wrong. Mom, doesn’t this seem wrong?”

“No, dear, it’s a great idea.”

“But—”

A melodious woman’s voice stopped her cold. Information located.

“Let’s see what it says.” Her dad began to read. “Thaddeus Livingston Calhoun the Second, fifty-eight, is a senior partner in the law firm of Calhoun, Lipcott and Gervais. He’s married to the former Stella Louise Jorgenson, fifty-six. They have one son, Thaddeus Livingston Calhoun the third, thirty-three.”

Her dad clicked off the phone and set it back on the lamp table. “That’s enough. At least we know they’re gainfully employed. Or rather, Thaddeus is.”

All of it was news to Hayley. During the flight, she’d been so focused on preparing Badger for her family that she hadn’t asked about his, not even whether he had siblings. Evidently he was an only child born to what sounded like highly educated and likely affluent parents.

Her dad glanced at her mom. “Does that help, Virginia?”

“It does, but now I have so many questions. Hayley, you said he’d been in the service for ten years so that means he didn’t enlist until he was twenty-three. Do you know what he was doing between high school and enlisting?”

“I, um, no, I don’t. Not really. Like I said, we haven’t spent nearly as much time together as couples who live in the same city.”

“I wonder why he didn’t become a lawyer like his father?”

“I’m sure it’s because he loves to fly. But you won’t ask him that, right? Because we don’t want him to know Dad looked up his parents on the internet.”

“I suppose not. It is better if we let him tell us of his own accord.”

“Absolutely.” And her mom would make a dash for the computer the minute she had a private moment. “That includes anything else you might find out online.” She must have a lot of her mother in her, after all, because now she was tempted to look him up, too.

“Okay.”

“I won’t announce that I looked up his folks online,” her dad said. “But I’d be surprised if he didn’t expect me to research both him and his parents. That’s what people do these days.”

“I know, Dad.”

“You should do the same.”

“Maybe. But I’d rather hear these things from him.” Besides, she’d only be satisfying her idle curiosity by researching him. After the holidays, she had no plans to see him again.

“You’re in love.” Her dad’s gaze was filled with kindness and understanding. “You want to respect his privacy. I get that. I’m not in love with him and my darling daughter is considering marriage after only spending a few weekends with the guy.”

“Quality weekends.”

“I’m sure they have been. I trust your judgement and your instincts, but obtaining a little basic info like finding out who his parents are eases my mind somewhat.”

“I’m sure it does.”

“Don’t get me wrong. He made a great first impression and I can see how you two would get along. Christmas is a traditional time for couples to get engaged and you may decide to do that. But I would advise making it a long engagement so you can be sure you know each other before you take that big step.”

“Very good advice, Dad.” And that was why he was good at what he did. She had a new respect for his ability to be warm and welcoming while also intelligently assessing a situation and watching for potential issues. It was what she tried to do in her work with senior citizens. She’d learned a lot from her dad, more than she might have realized.

Her mom sighed. “It is good advice. But I’m dying to plan their wedding, Warren.”

He laughed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

* * *

Badger had always been vulnerable to jet lag. It prompted him to wake up at six in the morning. Still very dark outside.

He couldn’t fault the accommodations, though. Cody’s old bedroom was cozy and the mattress was extra-long so his feet didn’t hang off the end the way they usually did in most beds other than the one in his room at his folks’ house.

He tried to go back to sleep, but eventually he couldn’t lie there another second. Dressing quickly, he skipped shaving and went down the dark hallway, through the living room and into the kitchen.

Kendra had anticipated that he’d be awake early. She’d set up the coffee pot so all he had to do was turn it on. A loaf of bread sat on the counter along with an unopened jar of peanut butter and a table knife so he could make himself some breakfast.

He switched on the coffee, put bread in the toaster, and grabbed a banana from the bowl of fruit in the middle of the small kitchen table. He sat there to eat it until the toast and coffee were ready.

The gurgling coffee pot was the only sound in the room. He’d never been surrounded by so much stillness and it was a little spooky. His parents’ house was in Buckhead, an exclusive area, but traffic noise still penetrated the hedges enclosing the opulent estate where he’d grown up.

Once he’d finished and cleaned up his mess, he put on his borrowed jacket, unlocked the front door, and stepped outside. He counted it an act of bravery because he knew it would be ass-freezing cold out there.

He did it anyway. He’d always heard that ranches woke up at dawn, and he wanted to see that for himself. Since it wasn’t dawn, yet, he should be able to watch the entire show.

Shivering despite the borrowed coat, he sat on the porch steps and waited. Eventually a sliver of light had appeared on the horizon, but the wreaths still glittered over the double doors on both barns. He’d brought his phone so he pulled it out of his jacket pocket and tried to capture the magic of those wreaths.

He’d guess the wreaths were hooked into an outlet designed for security lights. For the holidays, though, the space was reserved for a bit of fantasy, instead. Mounting those wreaths would have taken some effort and a very tall ladder. He admired the enthusiasm for the season.

A truck chugged down the dirt road toward the ranch. Badger’s phone said it was seven-thirty, still full dark, and here was someone arriving, presumably to work. These ranch people were dedicated.

The driver parked in the area near the house. Badger walked over to introduce himself and satisfy his curiosity about who would voluntarily show up at this hour ready to work. The military kept this kind of schedule but soldiers didn’t have a choice.

A tall, lanky man climbed down from the truck. He wore boots, jeans, a blue plaid flannel shirt and a sheepskin coat like the one Badger had borrowed. His hat looked worn, but at least he had one. As the cold prickled Badger’s scalp, he envied that cowboy his hat.

The guy spotted him and called out. “Hey, there. I’ll bet you’re Ryker’s Air Force friend.”

“How could you tell?” He was getting used to the puffs of fog that appeared during an outdoor conversation.

“Couldn’t be anyone else. You’re the only guest staying at the ranch this Christmas. I see you borrowed Cody’s jacket. He should’ve given you a hat, too.”

“I don’t think Ryker asked him for a hat.”

“We can remedy that situation.” He stuck out his hand. “Welcome to Wild Creek Ranch. I’m Jim Underwood, Faith’s dad.”

“Badger Calhoun.” The guy had a calloused working man’s hand and a firm grip.

“Come on down to the barn, Badger. There’s always been a spare hat in the tack room. Bet it’s still there.”

“I’d be mighty grateful to borrow it until I can buy my own.” He fell into step beside Jim.

“Faith and Cody should be along any time now to start feeding. You met them, yet?”

“No, sir. Just Kendra and the Whine and Cheese ladies.”

Jim chuckled. “What did you think of that bunch?”

“They’re a hoot.”

“Aren’t they, though. A Christmas rap song for the talent show.” Jim shook his head. “You never know what they’ll get up to next.”

“I saw it. They’re doin’ a decent job.”

“They could do a prize-winning job and I wouldn’t know the difference. But I’ll get a charge out of watching them, anyway.”

“Are you here to help Cody and Faith feed the horses?”

“No, I need to do some repair work on the harness for the sleigh.”

Badger perked up. “A sleigh like the one in the Jingle Bells song?”

“Like that, only this is a two-horse sleigh. I came across it when I attended an auction. After a bunch of texts between Kendra and me, I convinced her the ranch needed an extra revenue stream during the winter months.”

“You give people sleigh rides?”

“That’s the idea.”

“I’ve always wanted to find out what that’s like.” He wouldn’t mind inviting Hayley for a sleigh ride.

“Then we’ll have to set one up for you.”

“Is the sleigh in the barn?”

“Yeah, but not this barn. There was more room for it in the new one. The hat I was thinking of is in here, though.” He slid aside a wooden bar holding the double doors closed, walked into the barn and flipped on the lights. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.”

All along the aisle, horses poked their heads out to gaze at Jim and Badger. One, a handsome butterscotch Paint on the far end, whinnied and tossed his head.

“Yeah, yeah, Winston,” Jim called out. “I know you’re starving to death down there.”

The horse responded with a loud snort.

“Don’t worry, buddy. There’s a hay flake in your future.” Jim glanced at Badger. “Winston likes to carry on a conversation.”

“He’s an eye-catchin’ horse.”

“That he is. Do you ride?”

“English. But I wouldn’t mind tryin’ a Western saddle while I’m out here.”

“It’ll feel like an easy chair after that little bit of leather you’re used to. If you go out with Ryker, ask him to put you on Winston. He has a smooth gait.”

“I’ll surely remember that.” He followed Jim into the tack room and breathed in the familiar scent of oiled leather. But the saddles were a complete change from what he was used to. Walking over to a particularly elaborate one, he traced the intricate tooling in the caramel-colored leather. “What a beauty.”

“Isn’t it?” Pride rang in Jim’s voice. “Cody got that for Faith last month. She objected to him spending his hard-earned money on an engagement ring, so he bought her the prettiest saddle he could find.”

Badger smiled. “I can’t wait to meet a woman who prefers a saddle to a diamond ring.”

“She’ll be along any minute, now.” He picked up a hat sitting brim-side-up on a shelf. After slapping it against his thigh a couple of times to knock the dust off, he handed it to Badger. “See if this fits. I don’t know who it belonged to. One of the boys probably donated it to the cause so we’d have a spare out here.”

“Thanks.” He took the hat by the crown and settled it on his head. “Perfect.” His scalp immediately was warmer.

“It’s a little beat up, but I personally like ‘em better that way. New hats might look snappy, but one with some miles on it sits easier on a man’s head, in my opinion.”

“Makes sense.” He tugged the brim a little lower. “Feels like I’ve been wearin’ it forever.” Funny how this hat affected him. As if he’d finally found the right headgear.

Jim nudged back his own hat and studied him. “Looks that way on you, too. You oughta keep it.”

“But then you won’t have a spare in the tack room.”

“We can round up another one. I have a couple at home I hardly ever wear. I can bring over—ah, I hear Faith and Cody coming in. Let’s go say howdy.”

Badger followed him out of the tack room and came face-to-face with his first cowgirl. Faith wore basically the same thing Cody had on – boots, jeans, flannel shirt, sheepskin jacket and a well-worn Stetson.

“Cody and Faith,” Jim said, “meet Badger Calhoun.”

Badger snatched off his hat as Faith thrust out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Badger. I love your name.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I was just admirin’ your new saddle.”

“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Her smile revealed a cute little gap between her front teeth. The absence of makeup and a sprinkling of freckles made her look like a teenager. But her handshake was as strong as Jim’s. “Cody outdid himself.”

“That was exactly my plan.” Cody stepped forward and offered his hand. “Good to meet you, Badger. Did Ryker tell you about the juggling?”

“He did. Sounds like fun.” Badger met Cody’s friendly gaze. His eyes were the same blue as Ryker’s and his hair was the same color, too, but there the resemblance ended.

People who glanced at Ryker might have the urge to take a step back. The guy was naturally intimidating, whereas Cody likely caused people to take a step forward, especially women. He looked like he could be in the movies.

“We should set up a practice or two,” Cody said. “But I hear through the grapevine that your time will be limited.”

Ryker had warned him that gossip would spread, and it had. “We’ll find time. I’ll need to. I haven’t juggled since—” Winston’s loud whinny cut him off. “That’s one hungry horse.” He put his hat back on. “Need help feedin’ these critters?”

“Sure. We can always use an extra hand.” Cody glanced at him. “Ryker’s old hat suits you.”

“It was Ryker’s?”

“Yep. He left it behind when he went in the service, said we could keep it in the barn as a spare.”

“Oh.” If the hat had history, no way was he keeping it. “I’m just borrowing it until I can buy my own today.”

“You’re not gonna find one that has that much character. Ryker doesn’t want it anymore or he would have laid claim when he came back. You should keep it.”

“That’s what I told him,” Jim said. “Sometimes the man finds the hat and sometimes the hat finds the man. This one has your name written all over it.”