by Jean Oram
“Oh, now they’re leaving with Brant.”
Maria forced herself not to react. “Is this all really about a tractor?” And why were her boys working with Clint so much? Were they okay with him, but only if she wasn’t dating him?
“It’s so busy right now with Christmas a few days away. Why don’t you wait and talk to Clint on the weekend?” Fiona poked at her hair, making the Christmas-colored gems entwined in it sparkle.
“I like your hairdo.”
“I know. Everyone does.”
Her friend flitted off again and Maria sat, thinking. Was Clint really that busy? Why else would Fiona suggest Maria wait to talk to him?
Chapter 10
On Christmas Day Maria entered the living room to tell her boys and their loved ones that supper was ready. Roy and Sophia would have dinner with them tomorrow, letting Maria have them all to herself today, a real Christmas gift.
Gratitude.
So much to be grateful for. Her boys were finding love. Ryan and Carly had seemingly fixed whatever had occurred between them, and Laura and Levi were curled up together like Myles and Karen were. She’d even caught Brant and April looking at each other in a special way. The only son missing was Cole.
Her new dog, a rescue found by Brant, leaned against her leg and she absently bent and gave Bingo a reassuring scratch behind the ears. He’d been such a skinny mess when he’d arrived a few days ago, but was already looking healthier.
The front door opened, and something inside her stilled. She turned, her nerve endings firing both flames, then ice. For a moment she couldn’t speak, couldn’t even gasp.
It was Cole. Her second born had returned home after five long years away. Her feet ate up the ground between them and she threw her arms around him. For long moments Maria held him tightly, unable to believe he was truly here.
The wish she’d made on that Christmas tree ornament had come true, even though she’d broken the Indigo Bay tradition. How did that already feel like months ago, when it had been only last week?
“Hey, Mom,” Cole said, after the excited hubbub had died down, his brothers had welcomed him home. “I hope I’m not late for supper.”
She just shook her head, still speechless. He said it so casually, as though he’d merely stepped out to take care of some chores before the meal. Not run off without a word five endless years ago.
“You’re never too late,” she said, her voice almost failing her.
He held her gaze, and she scanned him. He was broader, and looked more sure of himself, but had a shadow in his eyes she knew meant he would need some time to heal from what had driven him away. Away from her. Away from family. Away from home.
It wasn’t until everyone began moving toward the kitchen that the shock began to wear off. And as it did she caught sight of someone else familiar standing in the doorway.
Clint Walker.
Once again something inside her stilled, and then began to thrum.
Without thinking, she took several steps his way. The living room and entry area had cleared out, leaving them alone.
Clint had been wearing a cowboy hat, and he lowered it to his chest. “Merry Christmas, Maria.”
His eyes didn’t leave hers, taking in details.
He was clutching a box about the size of a softball in his free hand. “I thought you might like this,” he said, holding it out.
She stepped forward, accepting the box. It was light. “What is it?” She opened the flap and saw a Christmas ornament nestled in tissue paper, the one with her seascape painted on it. Almost flabbergasted, she looked up at him. “You kept it?” Then the artist in her had to study the scene. Her seascape wasn’t so bad. Here in Texas, it brought her nothing but warm memories of laughing with Clint while painting, going for scooter rides, and walking around town.
Lots of good, good memories. She hugged the ornament to her chest.
“Thank you, Clint.” He’d brought it home for her without saying a word, as if knowing that, given time, she might cherish the item and all it represented.
“I heard about your mermaid.”
“On the scooter?” Her cheeks heated thinking about the anger-fueled airbrush job.
He nodded, his gaze not leaving hers. “I hope you’ll keep doing things you enjoy.”
Before she could summon a reply, her five boys—all five!—came hurrying back into the room, Levi in the lead. “Mom! We almost forgot,” he told her.
“Forgot what?” she asked, turning to face them. Their eyes were smiling and their faces glowing like their dad’s used to when he was their age. They were happy. All of them.
“We have a surprise,” Levi announced.
She glanced at Cole, who gave a shrug and a smile.
“No, Cole isn’t our surprise,” Brant said solemnly, clapping his taller brother on the shoulder.
“Great. Now supper’s going to be late,” Carmichael grumbled, crossing his arms. Despite his tone, his lips twitched showing he wasn’t truly upset.
The boys kept darting quick looks in Clint’s direction, but before Maria could sort anything out, Levi was hustling her toward the door, Myles on her other side.
“You brought it, right?” Levi asked Clint as they shuffled Maria out onto the front porch.
“Sure did,” Clint replied, his voice so low and quiet it almost seemed as though he wanted to fade into the background.
“What are you boys up to?” Maria asked, anticipation swirling in her gut. They hadn’t given her a gift to open that morning, telling her one would arrive later.
Cole was here, but he wasn’t the gift. Clint was here, but he wasn’t, either, but he was somehow connected.
So what was it?
Several strong hands turned her to face the gravel driveway. To the right of the porch was a familiar red car.
Her Mustang.
It was no longer coated in dust or cobwebs, but its Candy Apple body had been buffed, washed and waxed, and looked beautiful.
She took a few steps down off the porch to take a better look, then turned back to the boys with a questioning glance. They all smiled and turned toward Clint. His expression gave nothing away.
She walked to the car, trailed her fingers along the body.
“Sorry about the timing,” Clint said, appearing beside her with the boys. “I meant to get it here before suppertime.”
“One of the last parts came in yesterday,” Levi said.
“You were right. I should’ve ordered them sooner,” Clint said to him.
Levi had clapped a hand on Clint’s shoulder and was leaning against him. “But you got it done, and it looks amazing.”
Maria studied the Mustang. “You fixed the engine and that stalling issue?” she asked.
Levi launched into a diatribe, listing all the things Clint had done on the vehicle once they’d told him their Christmas plan. He’d not only spruced it up, he’d made the car reliable and roadworthy once again.
Kittim’s words about buying a new car if things failed with her and Clint ran through Maria’s head. Except now she had a car that was older than her grown boys and would surely need regular mechanical intervention to keep it on the road. And if she didn’t take care of it, her sons would be hurt and disappointed.
“Merry Christmas, Mom,” Myles exclaimed. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“She’s speechless again,” Carmichael called from the front porch.
“Do you want to take it for a spin?” Clint asked.
“But supper’s ready,” she answered, unable to look away from the car.
“You don’t get surprises often, do you?” he whispered.
She glanced around, realizing that all the other women, no doubt knowing about the big surprise, had stayed inside and were likely keeping the food warm.
“No worries. That’s being taken of,” Clint confirmed, as though reading her mind. He held up her old key chain, dangling it.
She took it and grinned. A feel
ing of freedom, joy and adventure ripped through her.
“We thought you could use some fun wheels again as you venture into the next phase of life,” Brant said.
“But we’re not calling you old,” Myles said quickly.
Maria opened the driver’s side door, noting the old familiar squeak was no longer there. She sank into the seat, expecting a musty smell. Instead, the interior gleamed, fresh and renewed.
Biting her bottom lip, she tentatively turned the key. The engine roared to life, just like the old scooter had back in Indigo Bay. Clint had a way with taking the worn and used and making them new again.
Just like her.
Maria was still reeling from having Cole home and had reached over more than once during the meal to give his arm a squeeze, as if making sure he was real. Each time, he’d smile, but the last time he asked if she was okay.
“Yes. It’s just so lovely to have you home.” She stopped herself from asking how long he would stay.
She found her gaze trailing down the table to where Clint was sitting near Carmichael. It sounded as though they were talking about diesel engines.
Clint must have felt her watching him, for he turned her way with a smile. How involved in all of her surprises was he? The car, for sure. But Cole’s arrival? Had he done that, too? Was that silly old car what had pulled him home from Indigo Bay? Was that why Levi had been fretting about ordering parts?
“The tractor was a decoy, wasn’t it?” she asked Levi.
He smiled.
He’d never planned to get it running again, but used it as something to keep her off the trail of their surprise.
If he only knew she would have rather had Clint with her for one more day in Indigo Bay. She watched Clint eat and laugh with her father-in-law, wondering when she’d have a chance to speak with him. The fact that he’d stayed for supper suggested she was still important to him and he hoped for a second chance.
Realizing she was off in her own world, she turned to Cole. “So, how did you know…”
“Know what?” he asked.
“That I wanted…” She shook her head. “I forgot what I was going to say.”
Clint had been watching her again. He said, loudly enough for her to hear, but not enough to interrupt the various conversations going on around the table, “It seemed important to you.” His gaze flickered to Cole.
He’d brought her son home. For her.
Brant had reached out to Cole several times over the years. But judging by his shocked, pale face and the way he kept giving his brother wary glances, she knew he hadn’t called Cole home this time. Not when he was making eyes at Cole’s ex-girlfriend and helping her regain her footing in life after divorce.
And Levi, her take-charge eldest, had tried to get hold of him back in the fall, but Cole had never picked up his calls. Myles and Ryan were a no, as well.
“You didn’t tell him I’m dying, did you?” she asked Clint, curious how he’d managed to get her son to return home.
“What? You’re dying?” Ryan turned to her, his eyes huge.
“No!” She lifted a hand, laughing. “No, I’m fine.”
Clint chuckled and shook his head.
“He said you needed me,” Cole interjected, when everyone at the table went back to their earlier conversations.
“Oh, I…” She wasn’t comfortable putting that kind of weight or pressure on her son. She wanted him to return home because he wished to, not because he’d been guilted into it or felt obligated.
“It was a good excuse,” Cole said with that mischievous smile of his. That hadn’t changed. He’d always been a bit of a brat. In the best way. Except for when it got him into trouble. Her gaze automatically tracked to April and her young son, Kurt.
Cole cracked a joke. “Come on, Mom. Everyone knows you don’t need anyone.”
That used to feel true.
“Time for dessert?” Myles asked hopefully, from farther down the table.
“You’re still hungry?” Cole asked incredulously.
“Always.”
“I would have thought you’d have outgrown that phase,” Cole said, standing to help clear the table.
“Nope. Not yet.” Myles stretched his strong body, showing his flat stomach. Hard work on the ranch followed by coaching his football team kept him trim.
“I’ve got to get the pies from the cold room,” Maria said, not expecting anyone to respond.
Clint half stood, but Cole said, “I’ll help.”
In the basement, Maria loaded two pies into Cole’s hands, then picked up two as well.
“What are you going to do about April?” she asked him. Brant was finally having his moment with her, but Maria knew that could get blown up by Cole’s arrival.
“What about her?”
“Well, you’re home and…”
“I was waiting for her to call me, but I don’t think she’ll ever be ready for my return. So… Here I am.”
“What happened between the two of you? Really happened?” Maria had plenty of assumptions and had heard the town’s own speculation, but she’d never heard the entire story straight from the horse’s mouth.
Her son exhaled, his chest expanding. “Dad thought…” He shook his head.
“Roy? What did he do?” Sudden anger roared in her ears. “Did he send you away?”
There’d been the fight before Cole had left, but she hadn’t thought Roy had actually told him to leave town.
“I’m here now.”
Her shoulder sagged. “Your dad and I have very different views on things, and I hope you can stay. You’re always welcome here on the ranch. This will always be your home.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a soft smile. “I’ve missed this place.”
“It’s missed you, too. We all have.”
“Yeah, Levi’s already asking me which chores I want to do in the morning.” He grinned and Maria shook her head at the familiar argument between her sons.
“So what’s this about you and Clint?” Cole asked. “I was surprised when he called me up.”
“He phoned you?” she said, wanting to hear more.
“Yeah, he said it was important for me to come home for Christmas.” There was a hesitation in his voice and she hurried to assure Cole that his arrival was welcomed.
“It was. It is! I’m so glad you’ve come and I’m sorry I haven’t called you sooner and asked.”
“I needed some time. And I think April did, too.”
“But this is your home.”
“It’s also hers.”
It was. She’d been raised here like a Wylder. And that was half the issue with Cole’s return. Could they all figure things out now that there was so much water under the bridge?
“You’re a good man,” Maria told him.
“I try.” They were still standing in the cold room, pies in hand. “So you and Clint? Are you a thing? Dad’s remarried, right?”
“He and Sophia are doing well. They’re living in town and your brothers and Carmichael are going over there tomorrow for supper. I’m sure they’d be happy to see you.”
“And you? Have you moved on?” Cole asked, ignoring her attempt at a subject change.
“I have not.” She gave him a look that said she didn’t want to discuss the subject.
“Clint really likes you.”
She made a noncommittal sound.
“Mom!” Cole’s voice had a commanding note that had her focusing on him again. “How many times did Brant try to convince me to come home? He even tracked me down in Blueberry Springs, and I still never came. Not even for Dad’s wedding.”
Maria sighed. Of course he hadn’t come back for Roy. Not after the way he’d left.
“Clint made a very compelling argument about you wanting me home. He made points that could only be made by someone really close to you, Mom. Someone you’d shared things with.”
“It’s not like that,” she said gruffly. But she was starting to see that it was. She’d shared
her deepest worries and fears about Cole and her role in his absence. And Clint had listened, then lent a hand to patch up things in a way that even Brant had failed.
“I’ve forgiven Dad, you know,” Cole said.
She gave him a sharp, assessing look. “You have?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I don’t think I have. Not for scaring you off for almost five years.”
“Well, that’s a long story,” Cole said, hinting that she might not know all of it.
“Hey, did you guys get lost, or are you keeping all the pie for yourselves?” Clint appeared around the corner with a grin on his craggy face.
Cole tipped his head toward the man, giving Maria a secret smile while scooting from the room. “Mom could use your help.”
“Let me take one of those,” Clint said, stepping forward.
She shivered as his hand touched hers as he slid the apple pie from her grip, leaving her the blueberry.
“Still mad at me?” he asked.
“I don’t know what to be,” she admitted.
“How about being in love with me?” He winked, and she laughed despite herself. What was it about this man, anyway?
“Why did you leave Indigo Bay? What was so important?” she finally asked him.
“You haven’t figured it out yet?”
“I want to hear it straight from you.”
“Levi needed help with the tractor.”
“Nope.” She knew it was more than some silly old decoy tractor that had brought him home.
“Well, I did say I’d take a look at it. We were secretly restoring the Mustang for you. I needed to get back to finish the project so the boys could give it to you on Christmas Day.”
“And?”
“I had to pick up Cole from the airport this afternoon.”
“So let me get this straight…” She studied him for a moment, his heavenly brown eyes never leaving hers. “You cut short your time with me in order to help my boys, and you brought Cole home?”
“He paid for his own ticket.”
Maria was silent for a long moment. The man was very forgivable, and he’d done an amazing job of showing her that what was important to her was important to him.