Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(88)

“Tell Martin what news? What are you talking about?” Callie’s whole body quivered like a dog shaking water one more time.

“Polly heard Finn propose to you last night. Didn’t you say yes?”

Callie fanned her mouth until it cooled enough that she could speak. “I did not! My mama had two girls by two different cowboys and never married either of them. She died when I was sixteen, and I lived with my sister, who followed in her footsteps. It’s in my genes, Verdie. Finn deserves better than that.”

“You aren’t your mother or your sister, girl,” Verdie said sternly. “If you were, you wouldn’t be doing the work of five hired hands, raisin’ four kids who aren’t yours, and puttin’ up with a bitchy old woman like me. Any one of those things would have already put you on the run. Trust me. You’ve got roots and you are a settler, not a runner,” she said.

“That’s what Finn says. I want to believe him,” Callie said.

“We don’t get a whole lifetime of days, Callie. We get them doled out to us one at a time. At my age, I open my eyes in the morning and just tell the big man thank you. And if I’m still breathing come night, I have a drink of Jack, and I hope I get to start all over tomorrow, because I’m happier than I’ve been since my boys were little kids. Don’t question. Just follow your heart, girl. It won’t lead you down the daisy path.”

“How do I know that?”

“You don’t. That’s where faith comes in,” Verdie answered. “You’re in love with Finn. You wouldn’t love him if you couldn’t trust him or believe him.”

Callie hugged Verdie tightly. “Thank you.”

“Who’s in love with who?” Finn stumbled into the kitchen, took one look at the tomato concoction, and downed it in four big gulps. “Tastes just like what Grandpa used to mix up. Hell in a glass, but it works.” He kissed Callie on the forehead.

Callie was glad that the kids came out of their bedrooms in a whirlwind. Olivia’s hair hadn’t been braided and hung in strings down in her face; the boys were still in their pajamas and clamoring for breakfast.

“We’re starving,” Adam and Ricky said at the same time.

“What’s in that? Do we have to drink tomato juice for breakfast? I really don’t like it too good. It’s too thick,” Olivia said.

“No, it was just for Callie and Finn. They had headaches after the party last night,” Verdie said.

“And next year, Verdie is going to the party and we’re keeping the kids,” Callie announced.

“Not me. I’m too old for parties. I’m the granny, and the granny gets to call all babysitting duties and decisions about parties,” Verdie said. “Bacon, eggs, and biscuits for breakfast. Olivia, it’s your turn to set the table. You boys go get dressed for chores. Finn is going to need lots of help this morning.”

“Why don’t you kids watch cartoons this morning? I’ll do the chores,” Callie said.

“You serious? We can’t let you do that. We need to make the money for our Christmas shopping on Monday,” Martin said. “We done been talkin’ about the things we want to buy.”

“Okay, then.” Callie smiled. “Who’s going to the barn today and who’s helping with housework and laundry?”

Olivia raised her hand. “I’ll be staying in the house with Granny. Can I please dust? I’d rather do that than fold clothes. And I love to dust off the pretty Christmas things.”

“Well, that’s a good thing, because I hate to dust,” Verdie said. “Now let’s have some breakfast so the whole bunch of you can get your work done. You know what I want for Christmas? I want some new hot pads. Mine are looking like they should go to the ragbag, and I have to use two just to keep from burning my fingers.”

Callie would have pasted a gold star on Verdie’s forehead if she’d had one. She had just provided the kids with something useful and inexpensive that would thrill her for Christmas. Callie decided to use the opening and do the same.

“Well, I need some good warm socks. And I would really like a stocking hat so I don’t have to borrow one of Martin’s. And I just bet you that Finn would like some new work gloves, those brown kind that he uses out in the barn. He’s constantly putting them down and the puppies chew holes in them.” She laughed.

The kids’ minds were working like gears in the backside of an old wristwatch. Bless Verdie’s heart. She was a genius…or maybe a Christmas angel.

***

Finn nodded and added two or three things to his list when he caught on to what Verdie and Callie were doing. But his mind wasn’t on presents or kids that morning.

He’d been serious when he asked Callie to marry him the night before. She might think it was just so they could adopt those kids, but it was because he’d fallen head over heels in love with the woman. And that little conversation just proved why. She’d make a wonderful mother whether she’d birthed the children or not.

Oh. My. Sweet. Jesus.

His mother’s words when she was worried shot through his mind. Children! They’d been going at it hot and heavy, sleeping together in every sense of the word, and he hadn’t even asked her about birth control. Surely to God, she would have said something if he’d needed to provide protection.