While Sadie played on the rug in the living room with a set of vintage Lincoln Logs Christa had picked up at a flea market, Christa stole a few surreptitious glances out the window, hoping to see the lights of Mick’s tractor. Instead, there was only darkness.
What was taking him so long? He said an hour. Two had passed. He had her number. He would have called or texted if there was a problem. Right?
A feeling of dread threatened to overtake her, but she refused to give in. Mick was fine. The weather must have caused things to take longer than usual, that was all. And if she called him, it would only delay him further.
A gust of wind rattled the windows on the old house.
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw that Sadie was oblivious.
“What are you building?” Pulling her cardigan around her, Christa moved to the sofa and plopped down.
“A doghouse for Dixie.”
Christa eyed the miniature structure. “I don’t think she’ll fit in that.”
“I know. But we could build a big one that looks just like it.”
A thud on the back porch had Christa standing. She’d just started into the kitchen when she heard something akin to a knock coming from the door. Her steps quickened as she hurried into the mudroom. Shoving the curtain aside, she saw an ice-coated Mick.
She jerked the door open. His coat and insulated overalls were covered in a layer of white while miniature icicles hung from the brim of his hat and his face was beet red. Without thinking, she reached for his arm and pulled him inside. “What happened?”
“B-battery died on the tractor. Had to w-walk b-back.”
“In this weather? Why didn’t you call me?”
“My ph-phone was dead, too.”
“Oh, Mick.” She helped him out of his coat then urged him into the kitchen as Sadie bounded in with Dixie at her side.
“You look like a snowman, Uncle Mickey.”
“Yeah, I feel like one, too, princess.” He pulled a chair away from the table and dropped into it. He looked exhausted.
Christa emptied the pockets of his coat. “I’m going to put this in the dryer and get you a blanket.” Momentarily setting the coat aside, she hastily grabbed a handled bowl from the cupboard, filled it with soup and set it beside him. “Be careful, this is really hot.” She grabbed a spoon from the drawer. “But at least it’ll warm you up.”
“Smells good.”
“It is good.” Scooping up the coat, she returned to the mudroom as another wind gust shook the house. A moment later, everything went black.
* * *
The only thing Mick could make out in the darkened kitchen was the flame under the pot on the stove.
“Uncle Mickey?” A tremor laced Sadie’s voice.
“I’m right here, princess.” He reached in the direction she’d been standing when the power went out.
She quickly latched on to his arm before crawling into his lap, her warmth as welcome as a rain shower in a drought.
Seemed he couldn’t catch a break today. First the weather, then school letting out early, a broken-down tractor, having to trek two miles through the wind and ice, and now, before he’d even had a chance to thaw out, the power was gone. And to think folks in other parts of the country spent months with weather like this. Not him. He hated the cold, which was why he lived in Texas. God was proving He had a sense of humor today, though.
“Well, that was bad timing.” Christa aimed the flashlight on her phone in his direction. “Now I can’t dry your coat.”
“At least we’ve got hot soup.” He nodded to the bowl she’d given him.
“Stand by.” Her light retreated into the mudroom then reappeared, growing brighter as she drew closer to the table. “I knew this stash of flashlights would come in handy someday.” She clicked one on and handed it to Sadie.
“Oh, thank you.” She danced the beam across the ceiling.
Turning on the other two, Christa stood them on the table, their beams aimed upward, affording them some much-needed light. “There. Now we don’t have to eat in the dark.” Her gaze moved to Sadie. “You ready for some soup?”
“Yes, please.” She shone the beam on Christa’s dog. “Look, Dixie. I got my own flashlight.”
Suddenly the darkness had turned into an adventure for Sadie. No telling how long it’d be before the power came back on. And that created a major dilemma. One he wasn’t ready to bring up just yet. Not when he felt completely wrung out.
Reaching to his left, he pulled out the chair beside him. “Sadie, why don’t you sit here next to me while we eat our soup?”
“Okay.”
Christa approached, carrying two more bowls with handles. “Here you go, Sadie.” She set the first bowl in front of his niece before sitting across from him with her own.
After a quick prayer, Mick wrapped one bone-chilled hand around the bowl while the other ladled a spoonful of the steaming broth into his mouth. “Mmm, this is good.” He grabbed a second spoonful. “And not just because it’s hot.”
“If the heat’s not enough to warm you up, the garlic and red pepper flakes should.”
“That’s what I’m tasting. I wondered what that kick was.” It felt good going down.
“We have cookies, too.” A noodle dangled from Sadie’s bottom lip. “Miss Christa letted me help.”
“I’m sure they’re delicious then.” He took another spoonful. “I think I’ll need a second helping of soup before I have a cookie, though.”
Things fell silent then. But as Christa finished her soup, she said, “So what do we do about the electricity?”
“You can call in the outage,” he said. “Don’t know how long it’ll take ’em to get on it. Maybe not until the storm passes. Even then, depends how many folks are without power.”
“You don’t think they’ll get to it tonight?” That was a crazy question. She’d lived in Bliss long enough to know things out here operated at a different pace than in the city.
“Wouldn’t count on it.”
“But it’ll be freezing in here. What am I supposed to do without any heat? Light my oven and sleep in the kitchen?”
“Wouldn’t recommend it.”
Even with the dim lighting, he could see her glaring at him from across the table. “Then what would you advise? And yes, I know that if I’d gotten my fireplace fixed we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“You brought that up, not me.” He scooped up the last piece of carrot and a chunk of chicken.
“Oh, like you weren’t thinking it.”
“No, I wasn’t.” He grabbed a napkin from the holder on the table. “What I was thinking, though, is that we’re going to need to head down to the camp house pretty soon. I stoked the fire before I headed out on the tractor, but I don’t want to let it get too low.” Not that he relished the thought of going back out in that cold.
“Do you think you have electricity at your place?”
“No. I mean it’s possible, just not probable. Depends if the problem is here at your place or somewhere else. Since I didn’t hear anything that sounded like a limb falling, I’m guessing it’s somewhere up the line. But you should still notify them that you’re in the dark.”
“But if your electric is out, too, why do I need to go to your place?”
“Because I’ve got a woodstove for heat. Downstairs anyway. Which means you two will be camping in the living room.”
“I like camping.” Sadie grinned. “Can Dixie sleep by me?”
Christa looked more than a little chagrined. “Why didn’t I grab one of those indoor propane heaters we carry at the store?”
“Probably would have been a good idea.” Bowl in hand, he stood and crossed to the stove for a refill.
“By the time I thought about it, we were sold out.” Leaning back in her chair, she blew out a brea
th as he sat back down. “Only had two to begin with.”
“You oughta start making a list of all the things you wish you’d done and then go ahead and do them once this storm is over, so you’ll be prepared next time.”
“You mean in another twenty years.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“At least you’ll be prepared.”
“You sound like my father. He always said the best time to prepare for an emergency is before there’s an emergency.”
“Smart man.”
“He was.” She stared at her empty bowl. “He passed away four years ago.” Standing, she grabbed her dishes and moved to the sink. Turned on the water. Or tried to anyway. “Oh, come on. Now I don’t have any water?”
“Your water runs on a pump and when there’s no power to the pump—”
“All right, I get the picture.” She released a sigh before addressing him again. “So, what’s the plan?”
“For starters, why don’t you go gather your things. I’d recommend clothes you can layer, some heavy sweaters, if you have any.”
“How long do you think I’ll have to stay with you?”
“That’s going to depend on the weather and you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, ’cause I’m pretty sure that if you get mad enough, you’re going head back up whether there’s power or not.”
“Funny, Ashford. Beyond clothes, what should I bring?”
“Got any bottled water?”
“I always keep two cases on hand.”
“Good. Bring it.”
“What about food? You have a gas stove, right?”
“Yes, and they just filled my propane tank so we can cook up a storm.”
“Bad choice of words.”
“By the way, we’ll need to take your vehicle down to my place. I went out on the tractor, so my truck is at the house.”
When Christa finished gathering her clothes, a couple of blankets and a comforter, she and Sadie proceeded to comb the kitchen with their flashlights, gathering food items, while he warmed up Christa’s SUV and began loading.
The wind swirled around him, ice pelting his face. Hard to believe this all started with some pretty snow.
He’d just set Christa’s suitcase in the cargo area when he saw headlights coming up the road. “I’d hate to be that person.” He was about to close the hatch when he realized it was a sheriff’s vehicle. But why was it pulling into his and Christa’s drive?
Mick waved as the headlights illuminated the space around him. Maybe they were just covering the area, looking for stranded cars and happened to see him. Since he knew most everyone on the force, they might just want to make sure everything was all right.
The Chevy Tahoe came to a stop beside him and, a moment later, the door opened.
Mick recognized his old classmate Rhett Connors right away.
Using his gloved hand to shield his face from the icy onslaught, he said, “Hey, Rhett. How’s it going?”
“Well as can be expected.”
Mick turned up the collar on his coat as the deputy drew closer. “How are the roads holding up?”
“Gettin’ worse by the minute.” Keeping one hand on his Stetson to prevent it from blowing off his head, Rhett scanned the sky. “Sure wish I didn’t have to be out in this mess.”
“Well, so far so good out here.” Mick poked a thumb toward the house. “Christa’s power’s out and her fireplace is out of commission, so my niece and I are helpin’ her pack up so we can head down to my place. I’ve got plenty of wood, so we should be able to ride things out just fine.”
“That’s good to know.” The man lowered his gaze, leveling it on Mick. “I hate to tell you this, Mick, but I’m here on official business.”
“Business? In this weather?”
Rhett reached inside his heavy coat, pulled out an envelope and handed it to Mick. “Sorry, but someone’s filed a lawsuit against you. You’ve been served.”
Chapter Four
An hour and a half after the power had gone out, Christa stood in front of the wood-burning stove in Mick’s living room, grateful to have heat again, and curious as to what was bothering the rugged cowboy. A scowl marred his handsome features on the short ride to his house, and he’d seemed annoyed as he added more wood to the fire.
She shouldn’t be so hard on him, though. If she’d been forced to walk even a short distance in this weather, she’d be out of sorts, too. But given that he was already frozen to the bone, why had he been talking to that sheriff’s deputy for so long? A welfare check was one thing, but chitchatting in the midst of an ice storm was just plain dumb.
Blowing out a breath, she tried not to take his foul mood personally. Mick probably wasn’t any happier about this turn of events than she was. Which would explain his eagerness to go out to his truck to charge his phone once they’d unloaded her SUV.
In the dim light provided by the fire and a battery-operated lantern that had been positioned on the kitchen island separating the cooking and living spaces, Christa’s gaze drifted to the couch where Sadie lay on one end. Still wearing her coat and boots, she had one arm draped over the side so she could pet Dixie on the floor beside her. Evidently the cold didn’t bother them, while Christa couldn’t seem to get warm.
Though they’d been without power at her place for only an hour or so, it didn’t take long for the temperature to drop inside. That’s what she got for deciding against new, energy-efficient windows. But no matter how hard she tried, no matter how logical it seemed, she couldn’t bring herself to let go of those old windows. The variations and bubbles in the glass held a charm that simply couldn’t be replaced.
As Sadie’s eyelids began to droop, Christa checked her watch, surprised to discover that it was almost nine. She scanned the area around her. With only the sofa and a recliner, their sleeping options were fairly limited. Though, perhaps she and Mick could bring down the twin mattress from Sadie’s room once he returned.
The door opened then, and Mick slipped inside, quickly shutting it behind him. “I need some coffee.” His voice was gruff, and he continued into the kitchen without so much as glancing her way.
“How?” She started toward him. “No power means no coffee maker.”
“I’ll improvise, all right?”
Christa stopped in her tracks. Either the cold or exhaustion had gotten to him, because in the three years she’d known him, she’d never heard Mick use a sharp tone like that. With her boots riveted to the vinyl floor, she continued to watch him. Even in the low light she could see the exaggerated rise and fall of his shoulders.
He turned. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped like that.” Then he went back to his mission, pouring water from a gallon jug into a saucepan.
Christa tiptoed to the couch to check on Sadie. Despite Mick’s sharp words, she was sound asleep.
With a fortifying breath, Christa joined Mick in the kitchen. “Hey.” She set a hand on his back.
He looked down at her, his green eyes filled with an ache that made her heart go out to him. He’d been trying so hard to take care of Sadie, his cattle, even Christa, yet the cold had all but sucked the life right out of him.
“Sadie’s asleep,” she said. “Do you want to leave her on the sofa?”
Using a long-tipped multipurpose lighter, he ignited the gas burner beneath the saucepan. “The couch folds out into a bed.” His voice was softer now. “You and Sadie can sleep there, or you can take the recliner.”
“Where are you going to sleep?”
“In my bedroom.”
“Upstairs? It’ll be freezing up there.”
“I’ve got a subzero rated sleeping bag. Besides, I like to sleep in my own bed.”
Christa knew good and well he’d be sleeping in the living room if she wasn’t here. Yet even after all he’d been thro
ugh tonight, he was forgoing a warm space for her. His gallantry warmed her almost more than the stove.
She hated to add more to his already overflowing plate, but better to get things done now so he could relax. “Would you mind taking care of the bed while I get Sadie ready?”
“No, this water’s gotta heat anyway.”
Christa scooped up the sleeping child and moved to the recliner to take off her coat and boots while Mick pulled out the bed and added sheets, pillows and the down comforter and blanket Christa had brought.
Once the bed was ready, she settled Sadie beneath the covers before joining Mick in the kitchen. After ditching his coat, he’d prepared the coffee maker as usual, except he was pouring the hot water from the saucepan into the filter a little at a time.
“Smart idea.” She moved alongside him, noting the battle-weary look on his face. “You’ve had a rough day.”
“I’m a rancher. I can handle rough.” He added the last of the water and watched it drip into the carafe as the aroma of coffee wafted around them. “But that deputy didn’t stop by just to be friendly. He was here on business.”
Business? But Mick was still standing here and hadn’t been arrested. “I don’t understand.”
“He served me with papers.”
“For what?”
He glanced toward the couch then cleared his throat. “Sadie’s grandparents, Kyle’s parents, want custody of Sadie. They’re claiming I’m unfit to raise her.”
Fiery heat prickled through Christa as her blood began to boil. “You’ve been nothing but wonderful with Sadie.”
“But I’m a single guy.”
“So was my dad.” Her hands fisted, what little nails she had digging into her palms. “And he raised me just fine.”
A hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “You might want to keep your voice down, so you don’t wake Sadie.”
She slipped off her coat and tossed it over the back of a chair. “Needless to say, I have a very strong opinion on this.”
“You don’t say?” He picked up the carafe. “Why don’t I explain things over coffee.”
He poured two cups then joined her at the table. “I’m pretty sure Kyle’s parents are upset because they thought they were going to be raising Sadie. You should have seen the looks on their faces when they learned Jen and Kyle had appointed me as Sadie’s guardian.”
A Brother's Promise Page 4