Page 6 of Roaring Fork Rockstar (Roaring Fork Ranch #3)

HOLT

A fter a restless night of worrying about Luna and her mother, one thought kept circling through my mind: I hadn’t given Keltie my number.

How had I spent hours with her at the hospital—playing guitar for Luna, bringing coffee, offering to drive them to Denver—and somehow forgotten something so basic? I knew the Goat had my contact information, but it was Christmas Eve. Keltie had mentioned the bar would be closed today and tomorrow.

Rolling out of bed, I pulled on a clean shirt and jeans, grabbed my keys, and headed for my truck. I’d drive into town, maybe see if anyone who could connect us was at the Goat, or maybe stop by Miguel’s and see if he’d put me in contact with her.

I’d gone out to my truck, gotten in, and was about to pull away from the cabin when I hit the brakes instead and put it in park. What in the hell was I doing?

I cut the engine and went inside.

For the next hour, I paced the wooden floors, picking up my phone and setting it down again, unable to decide on a course of action. I had Miguel’s number, but if I called him, I’d have to explain why I needed to reach Keltie so urgently.

A knock at the door interrupted my spiraling thoughts. I pulled it open to find Sam and Juni standing on my porch.

“So?” Sam asked, pushing past me into the cabin. “Are they coming for Christmas?”

Juni followed with an apologetic smile. “Sam’s been planning since you left yesterday.”

“Planning what?” I asked, closing the door behind them.

“Operation Christmas Miracle,” Sam declared, unwinding her scarf. “We need to know if Keltie and Luna are coming, so we can prepare. Did you invite them like you promised?”

“I mentioned it at the hospital.”

“The hospital?” Juni gasped.

“Luna was, err, sick. Well, not really sick per se. At least not the contagious kind of sick.”

“What do you mean?” Sam asked.

I hesitated, not wanting to share too much of Keltie’s private business. “The doctors aren’t exactly sure what’s wrong. They’re running more tests, and she has to take her to Denver next week.”

“You’re sure it isn’t contagious?” Juni asked.

Based on what I’d overheard, it was much worse than that. “Positive,” I responded instead of giving details.

Sam’s expression softened. “All the more reason they shouldn’t be alone for Christmas.”

Before I could reply, she pulled out her phone and began typing.

“You have her number?” I couldn’t keep the surprise from my voice.

“I do.” Sam glanced up with a knowing smile. “Why? Did you want it?” She winked.

“No. I mean yes,” I mumbled, watching her phone for Keltie’s response. When no immediate reply came, I felt my patience wearing thin. “Maybe you should call her.”

Juni laughed. “It’s been thirty seconds, Holt.”

“She might be busy with Luna,” I reasoned.

Sam and Juni exchanged a look that made me want to crawl under the floorboards.

“Fine,” Sam said, pressing the call button. “But only because you look like you might spontaneously combust if I don’t.” I could hear it ringing on the other end, then Keltie’s voice.

“Hey, it’s Sam. Holt mentioned you had to take Luna to the hospital last night. How is she this morning?”

As I listened to Keltie thank her for asking, then say her daughter seemed much better now, I shifted my weight, fighting the urge to grab the phone.

“Actually,” Sam continued, “I’m with Juni and Holt right now, and he’d really like to talk to you. Mind if I put him on?”

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 read the Night 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 the table 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.

“You want your coffee to go?” she asked.

“Nah, I won’t be gone that long.”

The bell above the door jingled as I entered the toy store that always smelled like cinnamon and pine. Holiday music played softly, and when Lucy emerged from behind a display, her face lit up. “Holt Wheaton! What brings you in? Last-minute shopping?”

“Hey, Lucy. I need some Christmas magic.”

“What kind of magic are we talking about?”

I pulled out Sam’s list. “Personalized stockings for two special guests at the ranch tomorrow—Keltie and Luna. And I need toys for Luna. She’s four.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow. “The little girl who comes in with the new owner of the Goat? Sweet child.”

“That’s the one,” I confirmed, already moving through the aisles.

A stuffed unicorn with a rainbow mane and silver hooves caught my eye immediately. “This,” I said, grabbing it. Nearby was a matching robe-and-slipper set with the mystical animal dancing across a starry sky. “And these.”

I continued through the store, adding picture books, a children’s keyboard, art supplies, and a doctor’s kit. Something about the last item felt right—maybe it would help Luna process her hospital experience.

“Holt,” Lucy called, laughing. “I think that’s enough to keep any child occupied until next Christmas.”

I looked down at the growing pile in my arms. “Too much?”

“Well, it’s not my place to say, but…” She gestured to the mountain of toys.

“I’m gettin’ it all,” I decided after thoughts of what I’d heard the doctor tell Keltie last night echoed in my head.

I handed over my credit card without asking for the total.

“It’s nice, what you’re doing,” she said as she rang up the purchases. “Keltie and her daughter are new in town. No family around for the holidays.”

“They’re not alone anymore,” I said, the words coming out before I could think about them.

She smiled. “I’ll get this delivered by midafternoon,” she said, handing me the receipt and my card.

“You’re the best, Lucy.”

I hurried over to McGill’s, where Stacey was setting my breakfast on the table. “Sorry for the delay,” I said, sliding into my seat.

“Where did you go?” Luna asked immediately, curiosity shining in her eyes.

I glanced at Keltie, then leaned conspiratorially toward Luna. “Well, I happened to run into Santa at the toy store. He asked if I knew whether a girl named Luna would be at the Roaring Fork Ranch tonight, and if he should bring her presents there.”