by Jill Downey
“I appreciate the sentiment… I do, but the answer is still no. I want to make it on my own. I just signed that contract and I have a real shot at it. I’m already humbled by the opportunities the Bennetts have provided. I wouldn’t have gotten this contract if not for those connections. I know that.”
“You don’t know that. Nobody makes it alone; we have all been helped along the way by someone… a teacher, a friend, a mentor…a favorite aunt…hint hint,” she said, elbowing him in his side.
“I’m so grateful to you Faye. You believed in me right from the start. Even when you didn’t know I was your nephew.” His voice was thick with emotion. “I love you Faye. Now I just have to figure out the best time to tell them.”
“Do you want me to do it for you?”
“No. I have to do it myself. I can’t stand behind you forever.”
Faye felt her eyes welling up with tears. “Tyler, I am so stinking proud of you. Don’t get me wrong, I think you’re making a mistake by not accepting the trust, but I love how strong and sure you are. You know who you are. You’re being true to yourself…and that’s not always easy. You are so brave.”
“I’m not brave at all. I’m dreading telling them. I don’t want to hurt anybody. I’d rather hop on the first plane out of here than face them.”
“But as they say, courage is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. You are sweet and kind…You’ve enriched my life so much Ty. I can’t even imagine my world without you in it. We all feel that way. You are a part of our family no matter what and I accept your decision. So will Mother and Father.”
His vivid blue eyes met hers, suddenly filled with certainty and determination. “Thanks Faye. I’ll wait until tomorrow and get them alone to tell them.”
Much later as Faye and Jesse snuggled in bed together, she shared Ty’s decision with him.
“I totally get it. I don’t think I’d be comfortable with it either. I grew up in a working-class family, watched my dad build his construction company from the ground up. It gave him motivation. He wanted to provide a better life for his children. Made me realize the importance of purpose.”
“I guess. It’s weird and easy for me to say since I grew up so privileged, but money has no meaning for me. It doesn’t define someone, make them better or worse than anyone else. It doesn’t replace character or integrity; which money can’t buy. Money can’t buy anything that really matters. Love, loyalty, friendship…I’m not trying to imply creature comforts don’t matter or to minimize poverty either…”
Jesse lightly bit the end of her nose. “That’s why I love you even though you’re filthy rich…you’re not a snob. You are one of the most authentic people I’ve ever known, Faye Bennett. Now will you marry me?”
“Jesse Carlisle you’re like a dog with a bone, I swear!”
He began tickling her and she struggled against him until their desire overtook the play and they made love at the stroke of midnight, ushering in Christmas with a bang.
33
Penelope
Penelope was eager for Giselle to open her present from her. The adults had waited until the kids had finished unwrapping their booty before handing out the presents from the name draw.
Unlike most of the rowdy crowd, Giselle was opening her present painstakingly slow. She pulled back the tissue paper and pulled out the handmade batik silk scarf and said, “J’adore—c’est beau!”
“Are you sure?” Penelope asked.
“Oui! My favorite color.”
“There is something else under the paper.”
Giselle gasped as she held the framed photograph of Griffin holding Savannah. Penelope had captured a beautiful moment in time when Griffin was so joyful that he looked radiant. He had just looked up at her when she’d called out his name. He was smiling, eyes sparkling, the love he had for her almost leaping from the picture.
Giselle wiped her finger across her eyes. “Ah ma chérie, it is exquisite. You have made mon fils so happy. Merci. Joyeux Noel.”
Penelope felt like she’d been gifted with priceless rubies. Her heart swelled from the warmth in Giselle’s eyes. They might never have the warm fuzzy relationship of her dreams, but this was more than she would have thought possible a mere week ago and a great start.
Suddenly they heard Jesse exclaim. “Yee haw!”
“What’d ya get Uncle Jess?” Finn asked.
“Two ticket to Vegas baby, leaving tomorrow! I’m getting hitched!”
Giselle put her hand over her mouth. “I don’t know if I can handle all of this excitement!
Penelope and Faye exchanged a smile and Faye nodded to her, putting her hand to her heart. Penelope was touched that she’d maybe played a small part in this big event.
James was staring down at the gift he’d received from Tyler, a gold pocket watch on a chain. He looked like he was fighting back tears.
Penelope glanced over James shoulder and saw that it was engraved inside the lid, ‘To my grandfather, with love, Ty’.
Penelope had a lump the size of an apple in her throat. Oh my God, she’d gone from no family to this. It was almost too much.
“I can’t wait any longer for the contest to start…I’m going nuts,” Finn said.
Griffin raised one eyebrow, looking challengingly at Ella. “Sorry to say sis, but you’re winning streak is over.”
Ella sprang to her feet, “Ha, dream on. I can’t disappoint my loyal fans. By the way, do you have any? I haven’t heard of anyone but Jess admit to casting their ballot for you.”
“They’re just being secret squirrels. They don’t want to hurt your feelings…as if you have a heart.”
Finn clapped his hands in glee. “Come on Mom, let’s go beat him.”
Ella put her hand to her throat, stunned. Penelope had never heard Finn call Ella Mom before. She recovered quickly but her large hazel eyes glistened as Finn grabbed her hand to drag her to the den.
The gang followed and found seats to watch the show. They’d used tape on the wooden floor to demarcate two three by three boxes where they had to stand facing one another. “You have to stay in your designated area, standing on one leg,” Finn explained. “The first one to lose their balance or touch the floor with the other foot loses…you’re out.”
“I’ll put on some Christmas tunes,” Penelope said.
Griffin and Ella faced off. “On your mark…get set…go!” Finn said.
They shifted their weight until they settled into their positions of balance.
“How’s that yoga been treating you?” Griffin asked.
“I could stand here all day,” Ella sassed back.
“Did I ever tell you the story of the time your husband took a yoga class just to ask the teacher out?”
“No, but he did.”
“Nice try Uncle Griff,” Finn said, grinning. “Are you trying to cheat?”
“Of course not. Just making conversation.”
Griffin squinted at Ella, “You’re looking a little wobbly.”
“Oh really? I was thinking the same about you.”
“Two minutes,” Finn called.
The dogs, who had just come in from the cold, barreled in, Lucy brushing against Griffin as she raced by. He held both arms out to regain his balance. “Hey no fair.”
Ella smiled wickedly. “I guess even the dogs voted for me.”
“Hardy har har.”
“Five minutes.”
“Is that all? Feels like we just started,” Ella said.
“Are you sure Finn, I would have guessed two minutes tops,” Griff said.
“You two are hilarious,” Faye said, doubled over with laughter. She grabbed her cell from her back pocket and took a few pictures.
“Penny you have to take a couple of pictures with your good camera.”
“I’ll go get it.”
When she returned, they still held their positions but she could see they were both getting wobbly. She snapped a few shots of both of them then zoomed in on their determined
expressions. Giggling she said, “I know what everyone is getting for Christmas next year.”
Suddenly Griffin’s arms started pinwheeling as he flailed wildly. Jesse wailed, “No, Griffin don’t let me down Bro. You got this!”
Time moved in slow motion…as he pitched forward, he reached out and touched Ella with his index finger, throwing her off so they both lost their balance at the same time. They laughed hysterically.
“Why you rotten sore loser! I win because you cheated,” Ella declared.
“What? That was an accident.”
“Accident my patootie.”
Finn was rolling around on the floor holding his stomach, “You cheated for sure, Uncle Griffin.”
“Where’s the bro code?”
“I can’t wait to see who got the most votes.”
Faye pulled out the bag with the ballots. One by one she called out the votes as she opened the slips of paper.
“Are you keeping count Finny?”
“Yep, it’s Mom five Uncle Griff four.”
With Justine’s added vote, she’d be the tie breaker if one was needed.
“Final count, Mom eight and Uncle Griffin five.”
“Has to be a miscount,” Griffin joked.
“Loser has to buy the champion a case of wine.”
“You strike a hard bargain, but I’ll concede.”
“Your whole family is loco,” Malena said to Ty. He grinned.
“I can’t argue with you there. You’ve been warned.”
34
Penelope
Griffin pulled the car around, and they gathered at the door to say goodbye to Giselle and James. Penelope’s eyes were misty as she hugged her mother-in-law goodbye. “I am so glad that you were here to share our first Christmas together.”
“Oui chérie. Merci beaucoup!”
Kyle said, “The first of many. I’d like to petition that this become an annual event. That the Bennett family Christmases will be hosted forthwith at the Winter Land Ranch!”
“Yes!” Finn jumped up and down.
“We’d like that. You are always welcome, anytime,” Penelope said.
Giselle leaned in close to Penelope’s ear and whispered, “I’m sorry. I wish you luck with your next film project.”
You could have knocked her over with a feather. Deeply touched, she whispered back, “Thank you and it’s already forgotten.”
James gave her a stiff hug, then held Giselle’s coat for her to slip on. “Griffin’s waiting. We should go. Thank you for everything. Griffin is a very lucky man.”
Penelope put her hand to her heart. “Thank you for saying that but I’m the lucky one. Not only did I get him, but now I have a family…I’m so grateful. We’ll probably be in Malibu for a few months starting in late spring. I hope we’ll see lots of you then.”
James stuck his hand out towards Tyler, and Tyler ignored it and gave his grandfather a big bear hug. “Thanks for everything,” Ty said.
James’s eyes were suspiciously bright as he gruffly answered, “I’m proud of you Tyler. Your grandmère and I will be there for you if you need anything. We hope you’ll come and visit us sometime in Palm Springs.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Giselle kissed Penelope on both cheeks, then they were gone.
Ella slung her arm across Penny’s shoulders. “I know I’m being nosy, but I’m dying to know what Mère whispered to you.”
“I’m still in shock. She said that she was sorry.”
“Wow, I didn’t see that coming. See, you’re now part of this big dysfunctional family.”
“Ella, thank you. You made me feel that way from the minute we met. You are like the sun we all revolve around. The heart of it all.”
“Stop! You’re going to make me cry.”
“It’s true!” Faye piped in, coming over to share in a group hug. “I now have two sisters and I couldn’t be any happier about that. I love you both!”
“Now, we’ve got to finish packing. We’ll have to leave almost immediately for the airport when Griffin gets back,” Ella said.
Faye chuckled, “You and Griff are both going to collapse after we’re all gone.”
“Yes, but it was worth it,” Penelope said laughing.
“I’m trying to hold it together about Tyler staying behind.” She looked over at Ty. “I’m not going to lie, I’m happy for you but I’m going to miss you like crazy.”
“I’ll miss you too Aunt Faye and that goofball you’re marrying.”
Justine came in from the cold, pulling her suitcase behind her. “All packed. Penelope thank you for taking such good care of us.”
“It was mostly Josie and Malena.”
“They are amazing, but so are you. Thanks for letting Tyler stay on. It will be a great experience for him.”
“You know you can come back and visit any time. Don’t hesitate.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll buy your ticket Mom,” Tyler said.
Faye held up her hand. “We’ll bring her with us, I won’t be able to go too long without a Tyler fix. And I’ll be a married woman! I’m going to head on over to the cabin now and see if Jess is all packed and ready. We’ll only have a little wait after the rest leave before our flight leaves for Vegas.”
“Kyle, Finn, let’s go,” Ella said.
“You can leave the girls with me,” Penelope volunteered.
Malena came out from the kitchen, “I’ll help watch them.”
“That would be great. Thanks Malena.”
Faye reached for Malena’s hand and said, “Don’t let my nephew boss you around too much.”
She smiled shyly, “I won’t.”
“She already has me wrapped around her little finger. I’m the one you should be worried about,” Tyler groused.
“You two are adorable together,” Faye said, sighing. “My sullen teenage nephew who showed up on my doorstep from out of nowhere, is now a mature twenty-one-year-old. I can’t wrap my head around it.”
Tyler rolled his eyes at Faye as she headed out the door. “Aunt Faye, you’re still so extra.”
“You’re going to miss me,” she teased.
His next words stopped her in her tracks. His voice choked he said, “I’m going to miss you like crazy too.”
“Okay, now that we’re all crying, I’m really out of here,” Ella said.
Faye took several steps and Tyler met her halfway. He wrapped his arms around her and in a muffled voice said, “Aunt Faye, I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me and I’ll be grateful to you for the rest of my life.”
35
Penelope
“Thank God they’re all gone! Peace and quiet,” Griffin said, crashed out on the sectional, feet propped up on the coffee table and Penelope’s head on his lap. He idly played with her hair. “You were a superhero Pen. Thanks for everything you did.”
“Yeah, for real. But isn’t it just a little too quiet?” Tyler said, from the other end of the couch, sprawled next to Malena.
Too tired to even open her eyes, Penelope said, “It was a wonderful Christmas, but I could sleep for a year. I’m going to miss everyone but I wouldn’t have lasted another day.”
“That’s for sure,” Griffin said.
“But I’m glad you’re staying on Ty,” Penelope said.
“Me too,” Ty said.
“Me three,” Malena added.
Griffin said, “I think you handled the trust beautifully Ty. Pops seemed to take it in stride.”
“Thanks. It was hard to tell him…without it sounding like I was being an ungrateful jackass. But he seemed to understand and maybe even respected my decision.”
“Si. Personally, I think it was a good decision.”
There was a knock and Walt poked his head in the door. “Is this a good time?”
“Sure, Walt come on in.”
Trailing behind him was Levi, shoulders hunched and head bowed.
“Levi here has something he’d like to tell you.”<
br />
“Come have a seat,” Griffin said as everyone sat up.
Walt removed his cowboy hat and they approached the group and sat. “Go ahead boy,” Walt said.
“First off, I want to say I’m sorry, I never meant no harm… it’s just that I was desperate and I thought just once wouldn’t hurt nothin’.”
“Start at the beginning son,” Walt commanded.
“One of my buddies approached me a few weeks ago, when we were out drinkin’. He said he could get us some big money if I’d get him access to your land. He’d met a couple of guys at the bar the night before that were asking around about hunting some elk. He said it was a way to make some easy money. He’d take a small cut and I’d get five hundred bucks. I said no way and that was that.” He fidgeted with his coat zipper, hesitant to continue.
“Go on Levi.”
“Then my truck broke down and it was going to be over a six hundred bucks to fix it. My friend hit me up again… convinced me that since I wasn’t the one doing the shooting, I wasn’t taking no risks. I was drunk and I agreed.”
Penelope’s brows knitted, “If you’d have come to me or Walt, we would have helped…given you an advance…something.”
“I’m sorry ma’am. Nobody ever gave me or my ma nothin’. I had no reason to think that was going to change.”
Walt prompted him, “Go on.”
“So, I took these two dudes out… they were here visiting, just the one time I swear!”
“How dumb could ya get boy? Ya don’t have a lick of sense,” Walt said, disgusted.
Levi hung his head, “I guess not.” He pulled an envelope out of his Carhartt jacket and passed it to Penelope. “Here’s the five hundred. I’m sorry, I have no excuse ’cept stupidity.” Penelope took the envelope from him, her eyes narrowed.
Walt’s large hands fiddled with the rim of his hat. “Penny, here’s the thing, Levi would like to keep his job, and as your ranch manager, I’ve got to say that I’m on the fence. I believe everyone is entitled to make a mistake but this is a whopper. I won’t blame ya either way. If ya want to turn him in, I’ll understand that too.”