Free A Rancher's Christmas (Saddlers Prairie) by Ann Roth

He joined in. After the weighty day, laughing felt good.
    As soon as Gina hung up her coat and tugged off her boots, she moved toward the stairs. “I’m going to make a few calls. I’ll be down in a little while.”
    Zach shook his head. She couldn’t even take the full day off for her uncle’s funeral—a needed reminder that he wasn’t interested.
    * * *
    “D AMN YOU , C ARRIE ,” Gina muttered as she sat on the bed and checked her phone messages.
    Out of respect for her family and the funeral, she’d left her phone in her room today. At some point this afternoon, Carrie had called with an update and numbers. Unfortunately, she’d repeated the same information she’d already shared. And she didn’t mention the client calls she’d failed to return.
    She was exhausted, but Gina also suspected that despite Carrie’s assurances that she could handle the temporary responsibilities she was saddled with, she wasn’t ready.
    Gina thought about telling Kevin, but she wasn’t ready just yet. She definitely needed to ask one of her colleagues for help. As busy as they all were, they wouldn’t appreciate having to take on more work. Carrie wouldn’t like it, either, but she obviously couldn’t handle the workload by herself.
    Marsha had also called with the names and numbers from the past two days’ calls and let Gina know she’d contacted them.
    Outside, darkness had fallen. Gina checked her watch. The funeral, reception and spreading the ashes had taken longer than she’d imagined. In Chicago it was after five and the Friday before Thanksgiving to boot. The office was already gearing down for the holiday and upcoming short workweek, and Gina doubted that anyone would be there now. All the same, she left a message for Carrie.
    She also tried Carrie’s cell, but her assistant didn’t pick up. Well, she had that dinner date tonight. Gina left a message that ended with, “First thing Monday morning, you and I need to talk. Expect my call at nine a.m. Chicago time.”
    Having done all that she could for now, she stood. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Somehow, her makeup had disappeared, and she looked all washed out. If only she’d realized sooner. Wanting to look better for her family, and yes, for Zach, she freshened up her makeup and ran a comb through her hair. There.
    She looked better, but between the funeral and worrying about Carrie, she felt as if she’d been through the wringer.
    Needing the comfort of her family and Zach, she headed downstairs to rejoin them.

Chapter Six
    A roaring fire crackled in the fireplace, as if this were a normal November evening at the Lucky A. It wasn’t. Uncle Lucky had been a huge presence in Gina’s life, and his passing left a big hole in her heart. That he wasn’t here to tease her and make her laugh put a definite damper on things, but Zach and her family were good company.
    Having consumed one of his delicious hot toddies before dinner and two glasses of wine with the meal, she was finally relaxed. Zach and Uncle Redd had brought up a set of old TV trays from the basement and they’d eaten in front of the fire, polishing off a whole casserole, most of a chocolate cake and two bottles of wine—with numerous toasts to Uncle Lucky.
    Uncle Redd set down his cake plate and patted his belly. “That was real tasty,” he said, stretching and yawning. “It’s been a long day, and I’m ready to go home.” He gestured at Sophie and Gloria. “Get your coats, girls.”
    Too full and comfortable to move just yet, Gina scrutinized her uncle from her chair. “It’s stopped snowing, but there are at least a few more inches on the ground. The roads are sure to be slippery, and you’ve had quite a bit to drink. Plus it’s dark. Why don’t you stay here? There’s room for all of you.”
    Uncle Redd shook his head. “We’ll do that at Christmas. I can’t leave the dogs alone overnight. I’m not driving more than a few miles and I could do it