Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(58)

“Oh, honey, with what I’ve got planned and what I know right now, it’s not going to be a problem at all. Matter of fact, I’m thinking I just got handed a special Christmas present.” He grinned.

“Then let’s go tell them we’ve made a decision,” she said.

Conversation came to a screeching halt when Finn and Callie were back in the kitchen. Six sets of eyes were on them when they sat down, and Amanda asked, “Have you made a decision?”

“We’d love to have the children here, but we do have a question. What would it take for us to become foster parents so they can stay past the holidays? We’ll be attached to them by then, and it’ll be even tougher to see them leave,” Finn said.

“It would be unusual but not impossible. You’d have to be the primary foster parent, but with Callie as hired help and Verdie as a nanny figure, there’s a good chance it could work,” Amanda said. “We can take it a step at a time. The first is settling them in for the next three weeks. Would you be willing to keep them until after the New Year?”

“We are.” Finn nodded.

“We thought Amanda would be taking them from here, so we brought their things,” Beth said. “I’ve enjoyed having them, but since you are taking them, we are planning on leaving first thing in the morning. All we have to do is load up the truck. We sold our home as is, so we don’t have to move furniture.”

Callie laid her hand on Beth’s. “We’ll take good care of them, I promise.”

“I know you will. Y’all have got your work cut out for you. We were their sixth home, so they don’t trust too good.”

“We’ll give it our best,” Callie said.

“I’ll help you unload,” Finn offered.

“Appreciate it.” Arlan shoved his arms into the sleeves of his coat, which had been hanging on the back of his chair.

“Verdie, if you’ll show me where the kids are hiding, I need to visit with them,” Amanda said.

“So my services aren’t needed anymore?” Orville asked.

“I guess not,” Polly said. “Me and you can get on down the road about our business. These folks can finish up the process here.”

“I’m glad it’s turning out this way. A family doesn’t need to be separated during the holidays. Finn O’Donnell, you are a good man, and, Callie, you are one of a kind.” Orville shot another brilliant smile her way.

Finn grinned. “Thank you, Sheriff. Next time you come back to Salt Draw, maybe it won’t be on official business.”

“I hope not.”

“Verdie, keep me posted on the news out here. I’ve got a feelin’ you are going to be pretty busy with four kids underfoot.” Polly laughed.

“Best Christmas present I’ve got yet. Just think of all the bossin’ I get to do. Come on, Amanda, and, Callie, you and Finn best come along, too. We’ll just get the introductions done all at once,” Verdie said.

Verdie threw open the door to find a kid on each bed, books in hands and eyes bugging out as four adults paraded into the room with them.

“Don’t put Martin in jail,” Olivia said. “He was just helping me. I don’t want to lose my brothers. They’re all I have for family.”

“And we don’t want to lose Olivia. She takes care of us,” Ricky said.

“Callie, I just couldn’t let them go away in different homes, so please don’t be mad at me,” Martin said.

“It’s okay, kids.” Verdie pushed her way into the room. “We’ve made a deal, but you have to hear Amanda out before it’s final. Don’t cry, and, little dark-haired boy, don’t you dare throw up on that pillow. You’re going to have to sleep on it tonight.”

The dark-haired boy nodded. “I’m Ricky and my brother is Adam and my sister is Olivia, and I do feel sick to my stomach.”

“Ricky is going to sleep here tonight?” Olivia asked.

“Finn O’Donnell has agreed to let you kids stay here on Salt Draw Ranch until the holidays are over. He’s asked about being your foster parent, but there’s a lot of red tape we’ll have to take care of. But right now, you get to stay in Burnt Boot if you promise me you will not run away again,” Amanda said.

“For real?” Olivia asked.

“Yes, and you can thank this lady for making it happen.”

Verdie nodded at Olivia. “Martin calls me Granny Verdie, so y’all can, too, if you want to.”

“I can’t believe it,” Adam gasped.

Verdie went on, “This is Callie and Finn. We live here with Pistol and Shotgun the dogs and Angel the cat and Joe the bird. Any of y’all allergic to animals?”

“A bird? For real? Can I see it?” Olivia climbed down from the top bunk and hugged Verdie first and then Callie. “Thank you so much for not letting them put us in different places. We’ll be good, we promise.”

She gave Ricky and Adam a long stare. “Well?”

“We promise, too,” they said in unison.

“What we want you to be is happy,” Callie said around the lump in her throat.

“And to promise us as well as Amanda that you won’t run away again,” Finn said.

“We promise. We won’t never ever run away from here,” Olivia said.