Ellen returned with her hair in a long braid down her back. She wore jeans, a chunky sweater almost the same shade of green as Missy’s eyes, and a pair of cowboy boots that looked as though they’d had a considerable amount of wear. Burke gawked at her choice of footwear, but managed to snap his mouth shut and hand her a plate as she sank down on the other side of Missy.

  The three of them enjoyed fried chicken, corn, potatoes, and biscuits. After the dishes were washed and the leftover food put away, Ellen made sure Missy was sufficiently bundled against the cold. She borrowed a scarf of Burke’s to wrap around the child’s neck before they went outside.

  “Almost forgot someone,” Burke said, opening a side gate on the yard and whistling.

  Lovey raced out and yipped with glee when she spied Ellen and Missy. Missy dropped down and hugged the dog, scrunching her nose as Lovey washed her face with slobbery kisses.

  “Load up, Lovey,” Burke said and tapped the side of the pickup. The dog took a few running steps and leaped into the back, happily running from one side to the other. “On second thought, it’s probably safer if you ride inside, Lovey.”

  Burke opened the back passenger door and the dog sailed out of the pickup then jumped into the back, settling on an old blanket Burke tossed onto the seat.

  Ellen helped Missy into the back then took Burke’s hand as he helped her into the front passenger seat.

  “Are we ready for an adventure?” he asked.

  Missy cheered and clapped her hands while Ellen tossed him a coy smile. “I’ve yet to be around you and not have one.”

  “Just part of my irresistible charm, Ellen.”

  An hour and a half later, Ellen and Missy gaped in surprise as Burke parked the pickup.

  “Well, what do you think?” he asked as he unfastened his seatbelt.

  “I think you’re a genius,” Ellen said, pecking his cheek while excitement glistened in her eyes. “Snow. I can’t believe you brought us up here in the snow.”

  “It wouldn’t be a Christmassy kind of horseback ride if we didn’t have snow. Mount Hood has some great trails. When I heard there was a fall of new snow, I decided I had to bring you girls up here.”

  “Do we really get to ride the horses in the snow?” Missy asked, leaning over the seat between the two of them.

  Burke tweaked her nose. “We sure do. Pull on your mittens and wrap that scarf around your neck. It’ll be cold out there.”

  “Okay!” Missy said, quickly following his instructions while Ellen did the same.

  Burke opened Ellen’s door and helped her out then swung Missy to the ground before he went back to get the horses. Lovey jumped down and raced around in the snow, barking and yipping.

  Missy giggled when the dog dipped her face in the snow then came up wearing a white beard and mustache. “Lovey, you’re silly,” the little girl chided, brushing the snow off the dog.

  “Don’t get wet, Missy. We don’t want you to get cold on the ride. If you aren’t frozen when we finish, you can play in the snow then.” Burke cautioned the child as he led out first Sugar Bear and then Comet. Ellen closed the horse trailer gate then stood back, admiring both horses.

  “Where did you get this horse? Is he a member of the Mounted Patrol Unit, too?” she asked, holding out a hand for the horse to sniff then gently scratching the neck of the beautiful sorrel paint gelding.

  “No. Comet belongs to a friend. Cooper lives down near St. Paul. He and his grandfather have a ranch. This time of year, he’s in Las Vegas for the rodeo, but he sent me a text that it was okay to borrow Comet today.”

  “What does Cooper do?” Ellen asked as Missy started to race over to the horses.

  Burke caught her with one arm then set her down, keeping a hold on her shoulder. “Missy, horses can get spooked real easy, so you can’t scream or squeal or race right up to them. They like you to approach slow and easy. Okay?

  “Okay,” the little girl said, walking with exaggeratedly slow steps over to Ellen.

  With a smile, she lifted the little girl so she could pet Comet.

  “He’s a clown,” Burke said, drawing Ellen’s attention back to him.

  “The horse?” she asked, confused.

  Burke chuckled. “No, Cooper. He’s a rodeo clown, although the correct term is barrelman. He’s a really good one, too.”

  “Oh, wow. That seems like a dangerous profession,” she said, then realized it probably didn’t seem any more dangerous than a police officer or fireman for that matter.

  “It can be, but Cooper really is good at what he does.” Burke yanked on a pair of gloves and snapped up his coat then tugged down his Stetson. “Are you two girls ready to ride?”

  “More than ready,” Ellen said, wishing she’d worn an extra pair of socks, but not willing to miss the chance to ride for anything.

  Burke helped her up on Sugar Bear then handed her the reins. “He’s easy to ride and hard to spook. I think you’ll do fine on him. Need any instruction?”

  Ellen adjusted her seat on the saddle and relaxed. “I’m hoping, like riding a bicycle, it will all come back to me.”

  Burke gave her a few quick pointers then scooped Missy up. He settled her on the back of Comet then swung up behind her. “You doing okay, Missy?”

  “Oh, yes,” the little girl said, so full of anticipation, she could hardly sit still.

  “Then let’s go explore,” Burke said, clucking his tongue as Comet moved forward.

  For the next hour, Burke led them on easy trails through the snow. They stopped to watch a deer and Ellen pointed out a pair of birds on a tree branch. The day couldn’t have been more beautiful if Burke had special ordered it. The sun shone overhead, the breeze was nonexistent, and the temperature hovered just above the freezing point, meaning it wasn’t horribly cold for either of the girls.

  Ellen rode like she was born to it, with an easy hand on the reins, and a posture that would have put a ballerina to shame. Missy didn’t say much, but each time Burke glanced down to check on her, the child’s green eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and wonder.

  “You warm enough, Missy?” he asked, and she bobbed her head, as though she was afraid of missing a single second of their ride.

  When he rode back to the parking area, both Ellen and Missy looked disappointed. Yet, the rosy cheeks and red noses they sported confirmed his notion it was time to get them in out of the cold.

  “This was the best day ever!” Missy proclaimed as Burke swung out of the saddle then lifted her to the ground. Lovey, who’d trailed along after them, ran circles around the child, trying to get her to play. While the two engaged in a snowy game of tag, Burke moved over to where Ellen reined in Sugar Bear and gave her a hand as she dismounted.

  “I agree with Missy. It was the best day ever.” Ellen leaned against him for just a moment.

  “Legs feel a little weird?” he asked as Ellen struggled to take a step.

  She grinned up at him. “Yes, they do. It’s been too many years since I last rode, but the soreness tomorrow will be well worth it.”

  He bent down close to her ear. “If you need someone to help massage the sore muscles, I’m happy to volunteer.”

  She blushed and half-heartedly smacked his arm as he removed the saddle and bridle from Comet then did the same for Sugar Bear.

  “Want to see something fun?” he asked.

  “Of course,” Ellen said while Missy bobbed her head up and down in agreement.

  He led Sugar Bear over to a section of fence on the edge of the parking lot then whistled to Lovey. “Up you go, girl!”

  The dog barked and ran to the horse. She sprang up on the fence, then placed her front paws on Sugar Bear’s neck.

  Missy and Ellen both clapped, then Missy cheered. “Do more, do more!”

  “Get on up, Lovey,” Burke encouraged the dog.

  Lovey jumped onto the back of Sugar Bear then flopped down on his back, ears alert, tongue lolling out, proud of her accomplishments.

  “Oh, that is fantastic,” Ellen said, taking her phone from her pocket and snapping a few photos. “Did it take long to train them both to do that?”

  “Not as long as you might think,” Burke said, whistling once. Lovey jumped down to the ground and ran back over to Missy. “Bear enjoys it almost as much as Lovey.”

  “That was awesome!” Missy said, dropping to her knees and wrapping her arms around the dog.

  Burke quickly loaded the horses then flipped up the console on the front seat and set Missy inside. He helped Ellen climb in before he slid behind the wheel and gave Missy an authoritative frown. “I want you to get as much heat as you can on your cold fingers and toes, Missy. However, under normal circumstances, you should ride in the backseat in a booster seat. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir!” Missy said, and gave him a half-impressive salute.

  Ellen turned to stare out the window to hide her laugh. When she glanced back and caught Burke’s wink at her, she almost lost her ability to hold it in.

  “Would anyone be up for some hot chocolate?” Burke asked as he pulled onto the road.

  “Me! I would be!” Missy said, waving her hands above her head.

  “With extra marshmallows?” Burke asked.

  “Of course!” Missy proclaimed.

  Later, after they’d enjoyed cups of hot chocolate and slices of pie at a restaurant on their way back to town, Ellen went with Burke to take Missy home. The goodbye was tearful, but Burke and Ellen both promised to visit her again.

  Burke asked Ellen if she wanted to go with him to return the horses and she readily agreed. They stopped by the MPU barn and left Sugar Bear in his warm stall. The horse shook his mane and pranced around, as though he wanted to show off just for Ellen.

  Strangely, Burke knew exactly how the horse felt.

  Ellen looked with interest at the facility and Burke pointed out the highlights, introduced her to a few people, and then led her back out to the pickup where Cooper’s horse and Lovey waited.

  They drove to St. Paul and returned Comet to the ranch, spent a few moments speaking with Cooper’s grandfather, then drove back to the MPU barn where Burke left the trailer.

  “Want to join me for dinner?” Burke asked as they entered the freeway, heading back toward his place.

  “I’d love to. I hate to leave Lovey in the pickup, though.” Ellen reached back and scratched the dog’s ears.

  Burke grinned at the dog then let his gaze rest on her. Tendrils of hair escaped the confines of the braid she’d fashioned, dancing tantalizingly around her face. Cheeks remained pink from her afternoon outing, only enhancing the fine bone structure and incredible beauty of her face. Rich whiskey-hued eyes glowed with fun and life, and something Burke only dared dream was just for him. He wanted nothing more than to spend time with the enchanting woman.

  “I don’t want to leave Lovey in the pickup, either. I was thinking along the lines of something we could take to my place. In fact, if you aren’t in a rush, we could get a few groceries and I’ll cook dinner.”

  Ellen’s eyebrows shot upwards. “You cook?”

  “Sometimes, when the occasion calls for it.”

  Her playful grin made his heart skip a beat. “Then I hope this is the occasion.”

  After purchasing what he needed to create one of the few meals he could successfully make, Burke drove back to his place. Lovey kept step with Ellen as they walked inside the house, then the dog barked and raced to the utility room where she dug into her bowl of food.

  Working together, Ellen and Burke prepared a dinner of steak and baked potatoes with buttery slices of French bread and, at her insistence he needed to eat more vegetables, green beans.

  “This steak is so good, Burke. You can grill meat for me anytime,” Ellen said, taking another bite of the juicy, tender steak.

  “I’m happy to, anytime.”

  Once they finished their meal, Ellen helped Burke with the dishes. He made her a cup of tea and snagged a bottle of Dr. Pepper then they wandered into the living room. Lovey followed them, flopping down on her dog bed with an exhausted sigh.

  “Today was wonderful, Burke. I’m not sure if Missy or I was the most excited.”

  “Definitely you,” he teased.

  She whopped him with a throw pillow and he grunted in feigned pain. “I’ve been assaulted by an elf.”

  “Who are you calling an elf, cowboy?” she asked, inflecting an extra portion of bravado into her voice.

  “You, Elf,” Burke taunted. “You looked rather elf-like today with those rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes.” He leaned closer to her, brushing a wayward lock of hair behind her ear. “In fact, you looked so beautiful, you almost took my breath away.”

  “Burke,” she whispered, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “That might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  “It’s true, my little Christmas elf.” His finger traced the outline of her ear. “If you added some pointy ears and shoes with bells on them, you’d be set. Why, I bet you could easily get a job helping Santa at the mall.”

  Ellen rolled her eyes and took a sip of her tea. “If I have to play an elf, then you have to play something, too.” She studied him, tilting her head to one side. “You’re too big to play an elf, and you’d make a horrible Santa.”

  Burke frowned. “Why couldn’t I play Santa? I’ve got the laugh down. Just listen,” he said. “Ho! Ho! Ho!” He blended just the right amount of belly deep humor with holiday fun in his impersonation.

  She shrugged. “The laugh is good, nice and jolly, but you will never, ever pass as Santa looking like that.”

  “Like what?” he asked, glancing down and brushing a hand over his flat stomach.

  “A handsome, fit, muscular, amazingly wonderful guy,” she said, softly reaching out to clasp his hand. “What you did for Missy today was unforgettable, Burke. She’ll treasure the memory for a lifetime.”

  “It wasn’t much. The poor kid needed to get out and have some fun. I know her foster family is nice enough, but they are overcrowded and unable to give her much attention, especially with it being the holiday season.” He cast a worried glance her way. “I’m concerned she’s going to be there, or somewhere like it, much longer than anyone anticipated.”

  Ellen set her mug of tea on the table and gave Burke a questioning look. “What do you mean?”

  He sighed and took a swig of his pop before setting the empty bottle on the coffee table. “I spoke with her father and the caseworker this morning. It seems Child Protective Services will not place Missy back with her father until he meets certain requirements.”

  “Such as?” Ellen asked.

  “He has to be able to provide consistent food, clothing, and shelter for Missy. They want him to have a place to live, a steady income, and show that he can care for his daughter adequately.” Burke sighed and leaned his head against the back of the couch. “It’s going to be rough on both Missy and her father when they realize they can’t immediately be back together. I understand why CPS makes rules like that, but Missy should be with her dad.”

  “Agreed. Does Mr. Hayes have an attorney?” Ellen asked, shifting from a woman enthralled with the handsome man beside her to attorney willing to fight tooth and nail for a client.

  “No, he doesn’t, but I have the name of an excellent attorney I’d be happy to recommend. With a little coercion, I’m hoping she’ll even take on this case for free.” Burke reached out and slid his hands around Ellen, drawing her closer to him.

  The indulgent smile on her face coupled with her alluring scent all but obliterated his sense along with his restraint.

  “How would you coerce her into volunteering for the job?” Ellen asked with mock innocence.

  “Oh, I don’t know. I suppose I could ply her with chocolates or dazzle her with flowers. She might be cooperative if I promised another day of horseback riding, or offered to grill steak for her again.” He lifted her up and settled her across his lap, tipping her back so he could look into her face and fall into those magnificent eyes. “But I think this might work.”

  His head lowered toward hers and Ellen’s eyes drifted shut as her arms slid around his neck. Rather than kiss her, as she expected, Burke buried his face against her neck and started tickling her sides.

  She jumped then wriggled, trying to get away from him as she squealed and laughed.

  “No, that definitely isn’t it, Burke. Stop, stop, stop!”

  When they both were breathless from laughing, he shifted her on his lap, maneuvering until their faces were just inches apart.

  “Tickling is out. What do you think would work?” he asked in a ragged whisper, eyes focused on the pink perfection of her lips.

  “This,” she said, bracketing his face and rising up until her mouth brushed his. All pretense, all games, all silliness drifted away, replaced by a soul-deep yearning for each other. Sparks ignited as Burke took control of the kiss, wrapping her in his arms and lavishing her with his love.

  Finally, Ellen pushed against his chest with a reluctant sigh. “As much as I hate to say it, Burke, I think it’s best I head home.”

  “I don’t want you to go,” he rasped, eyes still glazed with the passion of their heated kisses.

  “I don’t want to go, but it’s best that I do and we both know it. If you text me the info on Missy’s dad, I’ll see what I can do to help him.” She stood and carried her now-cold cup of tea to the kitchen.

  “I’ll send you all the details this evening. He’s due to be released from the hospital on Tuesday. If he and Missy want to spend Christmas together, he’s going to have to find a job, a house, and show he’s capable of properly caring for his daughter in just two weeks.”

  Ellen tossed him an impish grin. “Then as one of Santa’s elves,” she waved her hand at him, “and helper, we’d better get busy.”

  They returned to the living room and he held her coat while she slipped it on.

  She gave him a long hug then stepped back. “Thank you, Burke, for a day I’ll never forget and for making that little girl feel so special and loved.”

  “That was my pleasure.” He followed her outside and opened her car door as she slid inside then bent down as she started it. “I hope the big girl on today’s outing felt special and loved, too.”