Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(49)

“See there, the decoratin’ business is takin’ his mind off it.” Verdie set the cookie jar on the coffee table and pulled out a small nativity scene. “We used to put this on the mantel. I see that Finn hasn’t put anything on it yet. What do you think? Mantel or foyer table?”

“Mantel,” Callie said. “I’ll put the cookie jar in the kitchen, and then we’ll work on the mantel together.”

Verdie handed the jar up to her. “I’ll sit here and unpack. My old bones are like Pistol’s. We like to settle in and get comfortable. You’re like Angel, climbing trees to get a better look at the world. And them boys out there are like Shotgun, full of piss and vinegar. You can arrange the mantel while you tell me a story about that boot in the tree. I haven’t ever seen a real leather boot ornament before. Aha, that brought a smile to your face. It must be a good one.”

“It is, but first we’ve got to go brag on the outside lights.”

“My coat is hanging on the back of the rocking chair in my room. Would you get it for me, please?” Verdie asked.

***

A pang of guilt hit Finn right in the gut when he realized snow was over the top of Martin’s shoes. He should have fought harder to get the kid a pair of boots.

The guilt trip was cut short when he saw Callie’s face. She looked as if she’d been crying, and only one thing could have caused that. Polly had called with bad news. He quickly went to her side and took her hands in his.

“I’m sorry.”

“He’s going to be devastated. Don’t tell him now. It’ll spoil his fun,” she whispered.

“Dammit, Callie! I want to hold you and kiss you and make it all go away,” he said.

“Me too. Maybe later.”

Verdie pushed outside in an old coat not so very different from his grandmother’s work coat. Callie was right; they couldn’t let her go back to that impersonal place for the holidays. They had to invite her to stay on at the ranch and enjoy Christmas in Burnt Boot.

“Goin’ up good and tight,” Verdie said.

Martin clapped his hands in excitement. “It’s going to be beautiful. Santa won’t have a bit of a problem finding this place in the dark. With that big old roof and these lights, he’ll think he’s on a landing strip.”

Verdie laid a hand on Martin’s shoulder. “You got that right. When you get that strand up, you need to come inside for some hot chocolate and have some cookies. Your nose looks like it’s about to freeze and fall plumb off. A boy would look just plain weird without a nose.”

“Yes, ma’am. Now y’all got to come all the way to the back side of the house. We got a lot done.” Martin took off in a run, oblivious of the snow packing around the hem of his jeans.

“Boy needs boots,” Verdie mumbled right behind him.

Finn nodded. “I been tellin’ this stubborn woman that ever since they got here.”

“Don’t say a word to me about boots or snow or strays,” she said.

“I was fixin’ to tell you how beautiful you look out here in the snow.” Finn kissed her on the forehead in front of Verdie and Martin. Verdie winked. Martin made fake gagging noises.

She shook her head at him. “You were thinking about how right you were in the Western-wear store and how wrong I was. This isn’t our first rodeo, Finn. I practically lived inside your head for a whole year, remember?”

He shivered. “Yes, darlin’, I remember.”

“I know his feet are cold, but I still don’t want him to have cowboy boots.” Her body had stiffened and her tone was colder than the snow.

“Callie, you aren’t losing control, I promise,” he whispered.

“I’m not a control freak,” she said.

“Yes, you are, and with good reason, but it’s okay to let go,” Finn said.

“What are you two whispering about?” Martin yelled.

“Nothing,” Callie said. “We’re just talking about your Christmas presents.”

“I hope it’s cowboy boots. I want to grow up to be just like Finn.”

“We’ll talk about it later,” Callie said.

Finn whispered for Callie’s ears only, “And, honey, this is not the time or the place to pick a fight so you can get mad and run away.”

She took a few steps toward the porch. “You could just write my weekly paycheck, and I’ll…”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “You will what? Walk twenty miles to town? There’s very little traffic out there on those twisty roads, so you wouldn’t have much luck hitchhiking with a boy who doesn’t even have proper boots. You are the most bullheaded, stubborn woman I’ve ever encountered.”

She shook his arm from her shoulders and stormed into the house, slamming the door. He followed her, with Verdie and Martin right behind him. They stopped in the living room, but he followed her right into her bedroom, not giving a damn if he left bits of snow on the floor in his wake. He didn’t even knock on the door but plowed right into her room.

Callie was standing in front of the window, staring out like a bird in a cage. He crossed the room in long strides, scooped her up, and sat down in the rocking chair with her.

“I’m scared,” she said.

“I know. So am I.”