Page 16 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

She handed me the phone before Keltie could respond. I took it, shooting her a glare before stepping toward the window for some semblance of privacy.

“Hey,” I said, my voice rougher than I’d intended. “I realized I never gave you my number. I wasn’t sure if you had it from the Goat.”

“Actually,” Keltie replied, a smile in her voice, “Miguel called this morning to check on Luna. He gave it to me then.”

“Oh. Great.” I cleared my throat. “How is she doing today?”

“A lot better. The fever’s down, and her energy is good. She’s currently dismantling the living room to build a fort.”

Relief flooded through me. “That’s good to hear.”

“It is,” she agreed. “Though my sofa cushions might disagree.”

I chuckled, then remembered why Sam had called in the first place. “Listen, about Christmas at the ranch?—”

Sam snatched the phone from my hand before I could finish. “Keltie? Sam again. Sorry to interrupt. The schedule is dinner, followed by a visit from Santa. After that, Buck will readtheNight Before Christmas. By then, we figured the kids will be worn out enough that they’ll fall asleep before he gets to the end.”

I watched Sam’s face anxiously, trying to gauge Keltie’s response from her reactions. When she smiled, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.

“Oh, and I talked to Flynn. There’s room for you and Luna to stay in the main house tonight,” Sam continued. “It has loads of guest rooms. And she said that with Luna, Buckaroo, and the twins, it’ll be the most exciting Christmas they’ve had in years.”

Sam looked over at me. “Do you want Holt to come pick you up and drive you out here?” She paused, listening. “Oh, that sounds perfect. We’ll see you later this afternoon.”

She ended the call and shoved the phone in her pocket before I could ask her to send me Keltie’s number. “I guess Luna’s been pleading with her mom about having breakfast at McGill’s, but after that, she’ll get their stuff together and head out.”

“It’s settled, then,” I said, trying to sound casual despite the ridiculous grin threatening to take over my face.

“Which means we need to get moving. Juni and I are going shopping for gifts for Keltie. You need to get stockings for her and Luna—they can be personalized at Lucy’s Toy Shop—plus something for Santa to bring for Luna.”

She scribbled the list on a notepad and handed it to me. “Get going. We have a lot to do before they arrive.”

Thirty minutes later,I pulled up in front of the toy store, which happened to be next door to McGill’s. After I cut the engine and jumped out, I spotted Keltie and Luna sitting at thetable closest to the front window. The moment the little girl saw me, her entire face lit up, and she waved frantically.

I couldn’t help but wave too, changing course and heading into the diner instead. I’d handle the shopping after saying hello.

“Mr. Wheaton!” Luna called as I approached their table. “We’re having pancakes!”

“I can see that,” I said, smiling at the maple syrup already smeared across her cheek. “They look delicious.”

“Would you like to join us?” Keltie asked, gesturing to the empty chair.

“I’d love to,” I replied, sliding into the seat. Stacey, who I’d gone to high school with and whose family owned McGill’s, appeared almost immediately. “What can I get you, cowboy?”

I chuckled. “You know the drill. Coffee before I can even look at the menu.”

“You got it,” she said, turning on her heel to fetch me a cup.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Luna asked.

“I am, actually,” I admitted. I glanced at the specials board, deciding on the Smoked Salmon Benedict.

“Mommy said we might spend Christmas at your ranch,” Luna informed me solemnly. “She said Santa will know where to find me.”

“He absolutely will,” I assured her, then remembered the errand I still needed to run. “Actually, I need to step next door for a minute. Business to take care of. But I won’t be long, okay?”

Luna’s attention was already on her pancakes.

I found Stacey near the counter and placed my order before rushing out.

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