Page 6 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

“Is it almost Christmas?” he asked, his innocence piercing her heart.

“Pretty soon, sweetheart.” The half-lie tasted bitter on her tongue. Dates held little meaning when each day was a battle just to survive. It was just barely November now, but Christmas decorations had already taken over Denver, the world seemingly eager to skip straight over Thanksgiving.

“Will Santa find us here?”

Kaitlyn’s chest tightened. She pulled him into her lap, cradling his small frame. “Santa always finds the good little boys,” she whispered, praying her voice didn’t tremble with the weight of her unspoken fears. “Do you remember where Jesus was born?”

“In a stable,” he said, though he seemed unsure.

“Yep, that’s right. And since Christmas is His birthday, we can be extra sure that it doesn’t matter where we celebrate it.” She forced cheerfulness into her voice.

Stetson nestled against her, but she felt the distance of a thousand miles between her promise and the truth. He deserved a Christmas morning filled with joy, not the cold reality of their existence. The decision made itself in her heart; she would do whatever it took to give him more.

Her eyes found the phone screen again, the blinking cursor a silent challenge. With a deep breath, she let the words flow, her fingers finally steady as she typed.

“If you’re still open to this… unusual arrangement, I’d like to come to you. I can get a bus ticket. But if you’ve changed your mind, please let me know so I can make other plans.” She knew her car would never make the trip that far. But maybe she could sell it and get a little extra cushion, enough for the tickets.

The email sent, Kaitlyn wrapped her arms tighter around Stetson, the weight of the future momentarily lifting. If Zeke said no? She’d have to figure something out. But for now, she let herself imagine.

She envisioned Redemption Ranch, the lodge aglow with festive lights, a place where Stetson could wake to Christmas magic. It was a dream worth chasing, worth every ounce of courage she could muster.

“Momma, will we have a tree?” Stetson’s voice was soft, hopeful.

She hesitated, wanting to promise him the world. Her phone vibrated with a message from Zeke. It was short, just a handful of words.

“I guess we’re doing this. Let me know when you’ll arrive.”

Not exactly a profession of commitment or enthusiasm, but it was something.

“Will we, Mom?”

She glanced up, refocusing on Stetson. What had he asked? Oh yeah, a tree.

“We will, my love,” she promised, the image of a pine tree standing proudly in the corner of some warm, inviting room in Zeke’s house blossoming in her mind. “And it’ll be the most beautiful tree you’ve ever seen.”

“Promise?” His wide eyes searched hers, seeking reassurance.

“Promise.” She sealed it with a kiss on his forehead, her determination solidifying. They would go to Redemption Ridge. They would face whatever future awaited, together. And maybe, just maybe, they would find a place to call home.

In that moment, Kaitlyn’s resolve burned bright. For Stetson, for herself, she would walk into the unknown, faith guiding her steps toward the chance of a better life.

She just prayed the grumpy cowboy was an honorable man. She’d gotten a good feeling about him, but this could go horribly wrong if she wasn’t careful.

4

Zeke’s boots crunched on the gravel drive as he made his way back to the main house, just visible through the gathering dusk. A frigid breeze tugged at the edges of his jacket, but he barely noticed, his mind churning with thoughts of Kaitlyn McCallum.

She was arriving tomorrow—a woman he knew only from letters, yet he was ready to bind his life to hers. Would she find solace here, away from the hardships that had whittled her down? She’d sent him a photo through email, and he pictured her face, dark eyes that held a quiet strength and a sass that sparked even through the written word.

A knot tightened in Zeke’s stomach as he strode down the hidden drive toward the family home. Could he really be what Kaitlyn needed? Was he the protective haven she sought or merely a man with his own set of scars, cautious and grumpy? A man who found solace in rules and the predictability of ranch life, and was using her to further his own desires and ambitions. The thought unsettled him.

Marriage should be for love, shouldn’t it? Not for selfish gain. Maybe that was why he’d gravitated to her letter. She seemed to need him as much, if not more, than he needed her.

As he reached the porch, he paused, his hand resting on the cool metal of the doorknob. He needed to trust—not just in himself, but in the God he leaned on, the one who had led him down this path.

Zeke stepped into the dimly lit living room of the family home. Gideon lounged on the sofa, his legs sprawled out, eyes fixed on the flickering images dancing across the television screen. The ambient glow cast a comforting warmth against the walls, yet it did little to ease the tightness in Zeke’s chest.

“Hey,” Zeke offered, his voice steady despite the churn of his thoughts.

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