A CALLAHAN CHRISTMAS MIRACLE by Tina Leonard Page A

and with a glance over her shoulder at Galen, Rose followed the chief.
    “Where are we headed?” Galen asked.
    “With Rose’s permission, I would like to talk to her father. He knows much that may help us.” Running Bear got into the jeep, waved a hand at Galen. “Drive, please.” And with that, they took off into the storm.
    Rose sat in the front with Galen, since Running Bear seemed content in the back. “Dad would love to talk to you. I’ll let him know we’re coming.”
    She dialed her father, relaying the information as Galen drove. “Dad says he’s home, and to come on over. He’ll enjoy having a visit from you.” She glanced at Galen. “He specifically said ‘the Callahans are welcome anytime.’”
    “Good,” Galen said. “Always good to know the welcome mat’s out. So, Grandfather, why are we bothering Mr. Carstairs?”
    “Sheriff Carstairs,” Running Bear said. “Once upon a time, Sheriff Mack Carstairs was a Texas Ranger. That was a while ago, but he knows many people here in New Mexico.”
    “You’re going to talk to Dad about the tunnels?” Rose asked.
    “We need counsel,” Running Bear said. “Government agencies are going to want to know that there are tunnels under our lands. We need advice on how to proceed before the government agents arrive.”
    “Dad has a lot of contacts still, Running Bear. He’ll be happy to help.” Rose looked out the window as the rain poured down. “He’ll be pleased you’re taking him into your confidence.”
    “Thank you,” Running Bear said. “We need all the friends we can get now.”
    Rose glanced at Galen. His sidelong gaze met hers and she smiled at him. It seemed as if last night had happened forever ago.
    And the kiss, even longer.
    * * *
    R ETIRED S HERIFF M ACK was a big man, bigger than Galen, who was no small fry himself. He was at least six-four in his boots, with long, shaggy white hair crowned by a worn straw Resistol cowboy hat. He enveloped his tiny daughter in a bear hug, and Galen saw at once that Rose was the apple of her father’s eye.
    He didn’t blame the sheriff one bit for being very fond of his cute little apple.
    “What you’re coming to talk about, Chief,” Mack said as he waved them to chairs, “is tricky business. The Feds are going to come in, make a mess of your property. It’ll be on TV. The whole stew will have everybody in New Mexico up in arms, because they’ll wonder where else tunnels are being dug.” The big man tossed his hat on a sofa and grabbed a couple bottles of tea from the fridge. “Sorry. Don’t have time to make my own.”
    “Dad,” Rose said, “making tea doesn’t take any time. You just like this sugary stuff.”
    “That I do.” He grinned mischievously. “Now that you’re gone and your sisters are married off, I can drink sugary stuff all I like.”
    “Dad!” she protested. “I’ll brew up some real tea for you. Will you drink it?”
    “I’ll drink anything you make for me. It’s hard not having her at home,” Mack told Galen. “Hope you folks are taking good care of my little girl.”
    Galen was about to say, Yes, indeed, when Rose said, “Dad, I’m twenty-eight. No one needs to take care of me.”
    “That’s what she always says.” Mack grinned and looked back at Running Bear. “You could always try to flush them out, Chief. The problem is, they’ll come back. And it’s sort of skirting the law not to mention that they’re there, you see. Smugglers and mercenaries and the like bring trouble, not just to your property, but surrounding ranches. Crime goes up. Soon you’ve got bigger problems on your hands.”
    Galen and Rose glanced at each other. She could tell he was giving her father’s words his complete attention. Mack respected Running Bear and Galen. Maybe the four of them could figure out a solution.
    “And it’s dangerous for your kids,” her dad added. “I’ve heard you’re growing quite the brood out at Rancho Diablo.”
    Galen nodded.