Holidays on the Ranch (Burnt Boot, Texas #1)(95)

Chapter 29


Angel made a game of running through wrapping paper and chasing ribbons, but the kids were so enthralled with their new boots and toys that they scarcely even noticed the animals on Christmas morning.

“Is this the Christmas you’d planned when you moved to Salt Draw?” Callie asked Finn over the noise and confusion of eight people talking at once.

“This is the Christmas I’ve always dreamed about, but I damn sure didn’t think it was possible in such a short time.” He leaned over a stack of boot boxes and kissed her.

Verdie held up her hand and whistled.

The only noise in the house was that of Pistol snoring beside the fireplace and the rustling of paper when Angel poked her head out to see why things had gotten so quiet.

“What is it, Granny Verdie?” Olivia asked.

“I found another present hiding back behind the tree. It’s got Callie’s name on it, so I thought maybe she should open it.”

Verdie pulled out a big box and handed it to Sawyer, who’d claimed the recliner that morning. He handed it off to Finn, who passed it on to Callie with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

“Open it, Callie,” Martin said.

“Is it from you?” she asked.

“No, you already opened up my gloves and stocking hat, remember?” Martin said.

“Yes, I remember, but I thought maybe you’d drawn a picture for me.”

“I did, but I couldn’t get Shotgun and Pistol to look like dogs. They looked more like sheep,” Martin said.

Callie looked at all four children, who had put on their new boots from Verdie the minute they opened them. She’d taken a picture of them in their pajamas, hair uncombed, little faces smiling so brightly that it dimmed the bright sun just rising over the horizon.

“Well,” Sawyer said, “if you don’t open that last present, Verdie won’t let us at those homemade cinnamon rolls she made special for Christmas morning, and the kids and I won’t get to go out and build a snowman before dinnertime. We are all itchin’ to get to wear our new hats and gloves and scarves.”

She looked at Finn, who shrugged. “You have to open it to see who it’s from.”

“But it’s too pretty to open.” She ran her hands over the shiny red paper and gently touched the big gold bow.

“I’ll open it for you,” Martin said.

“I’ll do it.” Callie slipped the bow off the end and carefully removed the paper, only tearing the places where the tape stuck tightly.

She opened the box to find a gorgeous pair of cowboy boots, the very ones she’d looked at in the Western-wear store and gasped when she saw the price tag. They were black leather with aqua stitching around the phoenix cut into the front.

“Black for your hair. Aqua for your eyes. A phoenix for what has risen out of the ashes,” Finn said. “Let me help you put them on.”

Callie shoved her right foot into the boot and then pulled it back out. Had the salespeople left cardboard down inside the boot? She reached in, wrapped her hand around a little velvet box, and brought it out as she locked eyes with Finn.

“We waited until today to tell y’all,” Finn said as she popped it open.

“Tell us what? What have you got? Oh, that’s a pretty box.” Olivia pushed closer to Callie.

Callie held up the box. “It holds wedding bands.”

Joe made his kissing sounds and then let out one of his loud wolf whistles. Then he yelled, “Bring out the bourbon.”

Verdie laughed so hard that she had to wipe tears with the tail of her apron. Callie threatened to shoot the bird, and the kids all squealed that she couldn’t harm a feather on Joe’s body.

Finn draped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her on the forehead. “Don’t you love it all?”

When the noise died down, Finn announced, “We’ll be getting married Sunday night. On Saturday the families will start arriving. Now, Callie, you can tell the rest of the story.”

“What? That Sawyer is moving over to Fiddle Creek because he got the job as foreman for Gladys Cleary?” she teased.

“Well, there is that,” Finn said.

“Oh, man! We like having you here with us,” Ricky said.

Sawyer patted him on the head. “Grow up, and I’ll steal you away from Salt Draw to come work for me.”

“No, sir. My home is right here on Salt Draw,” Ricky said.

“Is there more?” Martin asked.

“Yes, but it only involves you, Martin. The man who is in prison for shooting that guy…” She paused. The other kids didn’t know about it, but they were going to be family, so maybe there shouldn’t be secrets.

Martin picked it up from there and told the story in only a few short sentences. “Do they want me to come sit by the judge yet?” he asked.

“No, that’s the news I got just a few minutes ago. The prosecutor called even though it’s Christmas. They worked out what’s called a plea bargain. The man pleaded guilty to avoid the death sentence. He will be serving life without parole in prison, so you don’t have to testify, and it’s all over. At his age, there’s no way he’ll ever get out,” Callie said.

Martin pumped his arm up and down. “Yes! Yes, yes, yes!”