It's a Christmas Thing (The Christmas Tree Ranch 2)

In an instant, he was wide awake. “Tracy—” He paused to clear his throat. “Is something wrong?”

When she spoke, her voice was slightly breathless. “Sorry, I hate waking you, but I’m worried. When I got home from work last night, some food was gone, and the litter box had been used, but the cat was under the bed and wouldn’t come out. She’s still there and I keep hearing these little squeaking noises. I think she might be having her babies. What should I do? Should I try and move her to her box?”

“That’s not a good idea. Just leave her alone for now. She should be fine.”

“You’re sure?”

“Do you want me to come?” Rush felt like a fish rising to the bait. What was he thinking? Hadn’t he resolved to keep his distance from the woman?

“Oh, could you? I’d pay you whatever you charge for an emergency call.”

“I’ll settle for another batch of those brownies.”

“Oh, no—at this hour, I couldn’t ask you to come without paying you for your time.”

“Double batch. Double chocolate. I’m on my way.” Rush was grinning as he hung up the phone. This was crazy. But he could think of no better reason to get up in the wee small hours than Judge Tracy Emerson.

Tracy was just worried about the cat, he reminded himself as he pulled on his clothes, brushed his teeth, and finger-raked his hair back from his face. All she needed was to know that the little mother and her kittens were all right. He would give her that reassurance and leave.

With his bag, he walked quietly down the hall to the front door. His partners might have heard the phone, but they were accustomed to his late-night emergencies. Bucket, nestled in his blanket near the stove, raised his head, thumped his tail, and went back to sleep.

A chilly wind struck his face as he came outside to the Hummer. Leaves were blowing off the tall cottonwoods that lined the road to the ranch. By morning the hundred-year-old trees would be bare, the leaves carpeting the ground with brown and gold.

A storm wouldn’t bode well for the second night of the ranch’s Halloween celebration. But last night, at least, had been a success, with plenty of families showing up for the hayrides and fun. Maggie had come to help and to be with Travis. In a quiet moment, she’d taken Rush aside.

“I tried to talk Tracy into coming with me,” she’d told him. “I think she was tempted. But in the end, she said she wasn’t ready.”

“Thanks for trying to play matchmaker,” Rush had said. “But that doesn’t surprise me. After talking to her, I’m not sure she’ll ever be ready.”

Maggie had given him a smile. “Well, don’t give up on her just yet,” she’d said. “Tracy’s a lovely person. She deserves some happiness, and so do you.”

The words came back to Travis as he drove into town and wound through the back streets to Tracy’s house. Maggie had meant well. But Rush wasn’t sure he believed her. Some women only loved once in their lives. Tracy, he sensed, was one of those women.

She’d left her porch light on. After parking partway up the block to avoid any chance of gossip, he took his bag, walked back to her house, and climbed the front steps.

Tracy was waiting at the front door. Dressed in sweats, her hair tousled, her face bare of makeup, she still managed to look delicious. Rush bit back the temptation to tell her so. This visit, he reminded himself, was strictly professional.

“Thanks for coming,” she said, ushering him inside and closing the door. “I’ve put some coffee on. It’ll be ready in a few minutes. I don’t want you falling asleep on your way home.”

“Good idea.” Rush paused next to Murphy’s bed and reached down to scratch the elderly dog’s ears. “How’s the cat?”

“Still under the bed. I have a flashlight, but it needs batteries. Anyway, I’m not sure about shining a light in her eyes. It might scare her.”

“Let’s take a look. Lead the way.”

Carrying the small flashlight from his medical bag, he followed her down the hall to the bedroom. He’d seen the room earlier, but he still couldn’t help noticing Steve’s photo next to the bed. It served as a constant reminder that this lady was off-limits.

“I was hoping the cat would stay in the box I fixed for her.” Tracy knelt on the floor and lifted the edge of the quilt. “But she seems to have a mind of her own.”

“Most cats do.” Rush knelt beside her, steeling himself against her nearness. No doubt, Tracy’s intent in calling him had been totally innocent. But being close to a beautiful, vulnerable woman

he couldn’t help wanting was putting all the wrong thoughts into his head.

Damn! He gave himself a mental slap and switched on the flashlight. He was here to check on the cat and her kittens. That was all.

The bed was too low for Rush to look underneath without lowering himself onto his belly. Stretching out on the rug, he directed the beam toward the underside of the bed, letting the reflected light fall on the cat and her new family. Turning his head, he gave Tracy a grin. “Come on down and take a look,” he said.

She eased onto her elbows, her shoulder resting lightly against his as she peered beneath the bed. “Oh . . .” She breathed the word. “They’re so tiny. And she’s got four of them—one orange, one black, one gray tabby, and one white. Look—she’s licking them with her tongue. Do you think she’ll have more?”