Good thing he’d never told her his secret grand plan — that if he moved to a larger publishing house, he’d take her with him. Talk about arrogant. What a deal. She could hitch her wagon to his star. He’d deserved to crash and burn.
This indie concept was also designed to coax her away from a job she loved. Was he despicable because he couldn’t stop thinking about it?
She’d told him brainstorming with his mom and Andy had reminded her of discussions at Square Glasses. He had a hunch a Wenches meeting would, too. And her family was here….
Damn it! He’d made a big enough mess as it was. He should probably forget everything Irving had said and?—
“Stand up. We’re gonna sing.”
Irving’s soft murmur penetrated the battle being fought in his head. Why was that so? Because Irving’s voice was his voice. They sounded the same.
He stood and looked over at his front porch. Granny came out wearing her wool coat and knit hat. She’d found a piece of cardboard somewhere and some markers to make a sign that saidHappy Christmas to My Grand Family!As she held it up,the smile on her cherubic face was brighter than the lights on the railing.
His throat tightened. Moving to the ranch had been so good for her and life-changing for him. He loved being part of this large brood, but there was a downside, especially since he and Lucky had come as a matched set. He’d had very few one-on-one experiences with someone older and wiser than him. Until Granny.
Faye hummed a note and he did his best to clear his throat and sing. He still sounded like a frog as he launched into the irreverent tune Granny had requested.
She cracked up as Kieran had predicted she would, which cheered him up enough to think that maybe he should at least mention this concept to his mom. If she thought it was crazy, that would be the end of it. But what if she was intrigued?
Irving was no angel come to save Christmas, but his idea had provided a tiny glimmer of hope just when all seemed lost. If it worked — for Lani, her family, his mom, the Wenches — Irving might earn his forgiveness, after all.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
To say Lani had fun caroling would be a stretch, but she’d enjoyed some highlights. Granny’s sign had touched her, and she’d laughed until she was out of breath at Beau’s antics when they’d sungI Want a Hippopotamus for Christmasto Jess and the kids.
She’d always remember her parents standing on their porch, arms around each other, as the group sangSilent Night. They’d had a full life in Trenton, maybe a little too full. Here they were learning to relax. It was beautiful to see.
She envied them a little bit. Their warm smiles had radiated peace and joy. Those emotions weren’t within reach for her right now.
She was at odds with the cheerful mood of the carolers as they gathered by the fire in the ranch house living room. She faked it as best she could and vowed to sneak out the moment she could get away with it.
That said, she was dying to know what had sent Rance into a huddle with his mom and Andy. Irving attempted to join their clearly private discussion and was rebuffed. When he started in her direction, she turned her back and dived into a conversationGil and Faye were having with Beau about what songs to include next year.
Next year. She couldn’t even think about it. Rance might have found somebody new. She might have, too, although the prospect of dating made her stomach clench.
“Lani?” Rance’s voice, so close, made her jump and twirl around so fast she almost spilled hot chocolate over both of them.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s okay.” She gulped for air. “I just wasn’t…” She met his gaze. “Have you… did you think about….” She couldn’t make herself say it. Going to a different publisher was her suggestion and she hated the thought.
“Let’s duck into the library.”
“Um, okay.” She glanced at her mug of hot chocolate. “I should probably?—”
“I’ll take it.” Faye held out her hand.
“Oh.” The discussion of caroling choices had screeched to a halt as the three of them gazed at her with great interest. She gave Faye her mug. “Just don’t take outHippopotamus. That’s a winner.”
“They’ll take that out over my dead body,” Beau said. “And Jess’s.”
Gil laughed. “I’ll be sure and tell her you put her life on the line for that tune.”
“Let’s go.” Rance took her hand.
She shivered as he wove his fingers through hers and led her to the open door of the library. Sam started to follow, but a quick word from Rance sent the collie back to the crowd in the room.
Would this be their last private conversation? He didn’t bother to close the door, so he wasn’t planning to kiss her. Maybe this was the way they’d say goodbye, surrounded by books. That was appropriate.
