Rodeo Rancher

by Mary Sullivan

On impulse, she picked up huge bulk skeins of yarn to make mittens for all the boys. It was only acrylic, but the boys wouldn’t care. For Michael, she picked up dark gray wool and a pattern for a hat with a thick, ribbed border.

  Certifiably crazy for expecting to be able to get all of this done in a week, she nonetheless walked out of the store wearing a huge grin.

  * * *

  FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, she returned to the diner, priding herself on finding everything so quickly.

  The front booth was empty. Spinning around, she searched the diner for her children. Gone.

  Heart pounding, she raced to the counter.

  Sure, Manny d’Onofrio had said that he’d called off his dogs, but Samantha doubted she would ever fully relax again.

  Vy came around the counter, saying, “Hey, it’s okay. Rachel and the girls took them to the park. They finished their lunches and got restless.”

  “Oh.” The sudden absence of fear left her deflated. “Where is the park?”

  “At the opposite end of town. Turn left when you leave here.”

  “Okay. First, I’ll settle the bill.”

  “Already done. The girls put their money together and paid.”

  “But—”

  “Don’t worry. They were happy to do it. Every one of them loves children.” Vy carried a coffeepot to a table and refilled cups. “By the way, your boys are adorable. So polite.”

  “Thank you,” Samantha responded faintly, overwhelmed by the warmth of these women. Of this place. Maybe Travis had been right about Rodeo.

  Vy studied her. “You planning to stay around?”

  Samantha nodded.

  “What kind of skills do you have?”

  “Skills?” Strange question. “Why do you ask?”

  Vy laughed. “No need to look so suspicious. I phrased it wrong. The girls and I are trying to resurrect the town’s old amusement park for next summer.” She returned the pot to the burner.

  “Why?”

  Vy looked at her blankly. “Why what?”

  “Why are you resurrecting an old amusement park?”

  “We need to do something to save the town. It’s a great place to live and we love it here, but businesses and ranches are failing. We have no manufacturing. No industry.” She wiped the already-clean counter. “But what if we could bring in tourist dollars every summer? What if we could convince our young people to stay by giving them jobs, especially if we could lengthen the season?”

  She took a lungful of air. “Sorry. That was quite a speech, wasn’t it? It’s just that we get excited when we think about it. We might be able to pull it off. To actually save our town.”

  Samantha smiled. “I admire your passion.”

  “You hungry?” Vy asked.

  “Starving.”

  “I’ll pack up a lunch to go. Take it with you to the park.”

  Sammy ordered from the menu then said, “I’m an accountant.”

  Vy’s eyes widened and she whispered, “Perfect.”

  “Why?”

  “We don’t have anyone to make an operating budget for us and set up ticket sales and take care of money.”

  “I don’t know... I guess I can take a look at what you have planned.”

  Vy put a brown paper bag on the counter. “Go ask Rachel about it. She’ll talk your ear off.”

  Samantha paid for her lunch and walked to the park where she found everyone, adults and children, involved in a snowball fight.

  She brushed snow from a bench and sat down to eat. Inside the diner lunch bag, she found her sandwich wrapped in waxed paper held closed by a rubber band. Totally retro.

  The sandwich, on the other hand, was so cutting-edge it was almost California personified. Avocado, sprouts, goat cheese with pepper and cranberries and some kind of mild aioli were wedged between thick slices of an excellent rosemary focaccia that tasted like it had been grilled in olive oil. The entire thing had been toasted so the cheese melted.

  Lily ran over and sat beside her. “Did you get presents, Sammy?”

  “Yep, but that’s all I’m saying about that. You can stick me with hot pokers, but I won’t tell you what I bought for you.”

  Lily giggled.

  “You’ll have to wait until Christmas-in-February morning. Okay?”

  “’Kay.” A small frown furrowed her brow. “Did you buy your own present?”

  “No.”

  “Who will buy it? We gotted Daddy’s and you gotted ours, but no one gotted yours.”

  Samantha shrugged. “It’s okay. It doesn’t matter.”

  Lily’s mouth drooped and her eyes filled.

  Samantha cast about for a quick distraction. “What did you have for lunch?”

  “I had a slider and roasted potatoes. Vy made me have two slices of cucumber, too. I eated it all.”

  “I ate it all,” Samantha corrected automatically.

  “No, you didn’t, Sammy. I did!”

  Samantha burst out laughing. This town was good for her.

  Smart Vy for serving the child one slider instead of a whole large burger.

  “I drinked my milk, too.”

  Sammy didn’t make the mistake of trying to correct her grammar again.

  “What’s those red things in your sammich?”

  “Cranberries. These are sweetened, though, not like the fresh ones we used for the tree. Try one.”

  She fed Lily a dried cranberry. “It’s good, Sammy. I like it.”

  “Do you want more?”

  “No. I have to go play.” She ran off, falling down and tumbling in the snow. She picked herself up and kept on running.

  Rachel joined Samantha on the bench.

  “Vy told me to ask you about the amusement park.”

  Rachel glowed like the Christmas tree they’d all just decorated at Michael’s house.

  “It’s old. It’s been on the outskirts of town for almost a century. The town is named after the rodeo that was part of the annual fair.” Rachel turned to face Samantha. “The owner grew too old to keep it going every year. He retired fifteen years ago and it’s been down since then. We want to bring it back, to make it a paying venture. This town needs it, to provide jobs and keep our youth here.”

  “Wonderful goals. Who exactly are we?”

  “Nadine, Honey, Violet, Maxine and me.”

  “Vy mentioned that you need someone to handle the money. I’m an accountant.”

  “Yes. Travis told me. I was hoping to convince you to volunteer your time. We can’t pay you. Not this year, anyway. Not until we see whether the fair makes any money.”

  “Did Travis also tell you about the problems I had with my former boss?” Might as well get it out in the open.

  Rachel frowned. “He said you testified against him and he went to jail. Travis’s old girlfriend came to town and said his men were coming here. Travis also said everything’s all right now.”

  “Yes. Manny backed off and called off his men. He’s gone through quite a change. He’s become religious.”

  Rachel’s skepticism showed. “Do you believe him? Can people really change that much?”

  “I believe him, yes. His letter was more heartfelt than anything I ever read from Manny in the past.”

  “Why did you bring this up?”

  “I wanted to gauge your reaction. See if you thought I had anything to do with Manny’s extortion.”

  “Did you?”

  “No.”

  Rachel smiled, bringing out the sun. “That’s good enough for me. If you don’t mind brutally long hours for no money whatsoever, you are now a member of the Rodeo Amusement Park and Fair Revival Committee.”

  Samantha laughed. “How can I resist such a generous offer? I’ll give you whatever time I can spare once I start work.”


  Rachel stood. “I have to tell the others.”

  Samantha finished her sandwich and packed up her garbage.

  When she heard a lot of squealing, she glanced up. All of the women converged on her, chattering and asking her questions.

  It seemed that even before she’d moved into her new home with Travis, she was already part of this town.

  Jason approached solemnly, with Lily by his side.

  “Mom, can I have twenty dollars?”

  “May I have twenty dollars?”

  Jason frowned. “No, Mom. I’m asking you for it.”

  Samantha laughed. It seemed that grammar lessons didn’t work on older children, either.

  “Why do you need the money?” she asked.

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “It’s a secret, Sammy,” Lily said. “You aren’t supposed to know we’re going shopping for you.”

  Jason glanced down at the girl, his expression part frustration and part affection. He sighed. “Pretend you didn’t hear that part, Mom.”

  “I can do that.” She opened her purse and took out a twenty-dollar bill. “Call the boys and let’s go. You and Lily can shop and then we’ll head back to the ranch.”

  Minutes later, they were on Main Street, waiting outside a small gift shop while Jason and Lily browsed inside.

  “Are you two cold?” she asked Mick and Colt.

  “Only a little, Mom. Can we have hot chocolate when we get home?”

  “Sure, Colt. How about you, Mick? Hot chocolate for you, too?”

  Jason and Lily emerged from the gift shop, grinning. Jason carried a small bag. “We can go now, Mom.”

  “Okay, everyone into the car. We did good work today, kids. We’re going to celebrate with hot chocolate and cookies when we get home.”

  The kids cheered and Samantha drove back to the ranch. When she turned onto Michael’s land, the unique, unsettling feeling of coming home flooded her.

  She followed the chattering children into the house, with Lily sound asleep in her arms.

  Inside it was toasty warm and smelled like simmering beef.

  The boys took off their boots and raced to hang up their outdoor clothes in the mudroom.

  Michael emerged from the kitchen, wiping his big hands on a tea towel. A small smiled hovered at the corners of his mouth. Was he glad they were all home?

  “You buy out the town?” he asked.

  “I was good. I found some bargains.” She smiled. “Take Lily, will you? She’s tiny, but...”

  “She’s heavier than she looks.” Michael returned her smile and took his sleeping daughter from her arms. He deposited her on the sofa, eased her out of her winter clothes and covered her with an afghan.

  He might not be happy about Christmas in February, but she thought he liked the happiness on the children’s faces.

  “I promised everyone hot chocolate and cookies.” She hung up her coat and slipped out of her boots. “Oh, Michael, they were so good. Full of beans, sure, but such caring children. We’ve each done a good job with them, haven’t we?”

  “I like to think so.” His smile dimmed, and she realized her making Christmas for them implied disapproval of how he was raising his children.

  “We have.” She passed him in the hallway on her way to put on milk to heat up. He smelled like fried onions. “What are you making?”

  “Stew. I didn’t know anything vegetarian to make for you.”

  “I picked up frozen spinach and some feta in town. I’ll make myself an omelet.” She snapped her fingers. “Shoot. I was carrying Lily and forgot to bring in the packages.”

  “I’ll get them.”

  She nodded and went to the kitchen.

  Minutes later, she heard him return and realized he might be able to see his gift.

  She rushed to the hallway, but all of the bags had their tops folded down.

  He looked curious, but didn’t ask to see anything. She needed this man on her side and fully committed to this if the children were going to be happy.

  “Do you want to see what I bought for the children?”

  He shrugged indifference, but a tiny sparkle in his eye betrayed him. He might be upset with her for forcing Christmas on him, but maybe he’d missed it just a little.

  “Follow me.” She turned down the heat under the milk and led him to his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

  “Just a sec.” She dropped the bags onto his bed and, with her back to him, rummaged through them until she found his ruler and the yarn to make his hat. She put those into their own bag and rolled the top down. “Excuse me for a second. I’ll be right back.”

  After leaving the bag in Lily’s room, she returned to Michael’s bedroom.

  “Mom, we’re hungry,” Colt called from the playroom.

  “I’ll be there in a minute.”

  She closed the door and pulled everything out of the bags and explained what was for each child. She looked at him with expectant eyes. “What do you think?”

  He picked up the jigsaw puzzle first and ran his finger over one of the horses. “This looks like Rascal.”

  “Does it? I think Jason will like it a lot.”

  “I think he will, too.” He put it down and picked up the Meccano sets. “These are great. Look, you can make a tractor.”

  “I know. The boys are going to have so much fun.” She picked up the fabric for Lily’s skirt. “It’s pretty, isn’t it? I think Lily will like that it’s sparkly. I know it’s meant for place mats and that sort of thing, but Lily won’t know that. She’ll only be wearing it for one day, anyway.”

  “I guess. I don’t know anything about fabric.”

  “Can you get me one of her dresses or skirts so I can use it as a pattern? The shop didn’t have any.”

  Michael shuffled his feet, but didn’t respond or head for the door.

  She glanced up. “What?”

  “I, um, I’ve never bought her a dress.”

  “Oh, dear. I’ll have to take measurements. She’ll wonder why. It might spoil the surprise.” She tapped her finger against her lips. “I’ll have to find a creative way to figure it out.”

  “What’s all of this for?” He picked up one of the bargain skeins of yarn.

  “I’m knitting the boys mittens.”

  Michael nodded. “Good idea. I know Mick can wear out a pair in half a season.” He seemed to be coming around and maybe getting into the spirit a bit.

  She packed the presents back into their bags.

  “Let’s make the kids a snack.” He left the room and Sammy placed the bags on the floor of Michael’s closet.

  She retrieved the bag with Michael’s present and hid that one in his closet, too.

  In the kitchen, Michael was already getting cheese and apples ready.

  Samantha made hot chocolate and called the boys.

  In the living room, Lily let out a wail. Michael went to her and carried her into the kitchen.

  “Where was everybody?” the sleepy girl asked from her father’s shoulder.

  “The boys were playing. Sammy and I were making snacks.” Michael rested his head on top of Lily’s. “You hungry?”

  Lily giggled. “You sound rumbly again, Daddy.”

  “I always do.” He kissed her forehead. “You want to sit by yourself or stay with me and listen to me rumble while you eat?”

  “Rumble.”

  Michael sat and settled his daughter onto his lap.

  Samantha put a small hot chocolate on the table in front of him. “That’s Lily’s.”

  He picked up the miniature mug with the bunny rabbits on the side and said, “I figured as much.” Then he lifted his pinky and mimed drinking from the tiny cup. The kids broke up.

  Amid the laughter, Sammy marveled. Despite his grumpiness, he real
ly was a kind man.

  Chapter Twelve

  Christmas-in-February preparations filled the following week.

  While Michael and Jason spent long hours tending to the cattle, the younger children did as they were told by Samantha.

  Today’s assignment, apparently, was baking and decorating gingerbread houses.

  The boys had already finished theirs and were playing on the veranda.

  Jason and Michael stepped through the back door into a spicy wonderland. He toed out of his boots and took off his jacket.

  Lily and Samantha murmured in the kitchen while they put the finishing touches on their houses.

  Michael did whatever Samantha and the children asked of him, but sometimes wandered his home wondering where all of this whirlwind had come from. How had it happened?

  Less than two weeks ago, he’d been living a life of peace, half-dead, yeah, but quiet. And now—

  A high-pitched scream from the kitchen cut through the silence.

  Lily!

  Michael launched himself down the hallway, his mind crowded with ugly possibilities. Had she burned herself? Been cut?

  He raced around the corner and through the doorway.

  Lily stood on the far side of the kitchen, Samantha crouching by her side. When Lily saw him, she burst around the table and launched herself into his arms.

  Only once she was there did her smile register with him.

  Relief gusted out of him. She wasn’t hurt.

  What would he have done if—? How could he cope were she—? It didn’t bear thinking about.

  “Daddy! Daddy! We made a happy house.” Her smile beamed on him like summer sunshine.

  What was she talking about?

  She wriggled to be put down. He let her go. She grabbed his hand and dragged him around the table where Samantha still crouched.

  “Come down here, Daddy, beside me,” Lily ordered, animated and happy. “Look!”

  Michael crouched beside his daughter. On one wall of a messily decorated house was a smiley face piped on with white icing.

  Candies, pretzels and licorice he’d picked up in town covered the rest of the house, but on this one end of the house just the smiley face stood out against the brown gingerbread.

  Lily rested her head on his shoulder. “Sammy made me a happy house.”