Her Christmas Surprise

by Cheryl Wright

  “Oh, of course,” he suddenly said. “You arrived in the dark.”

  “It’s really beautiful,” she said quietly. “How much of this is your family’s property?” She continued to look around.

  “All of it. We own all the land for as far as you can see, and then some.”

  Her eyes opened wide. “Seriously?”

  “Ever ridden a horse?” He glanced across at her momentarily, keeping his eyes on the road.

  She laughed. The sound of it lifted his heart. “You’re kidding, right? I’ve never seen a real horse, let alone ridden one.”

  He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. But he should. He’d heard of this before – city people having no contact with farm animals.

  Beau felt sad for her. “We’ll work on changing that,” he said.

  She nodded and continued her perusal of the area while he drove.

  * * *

  Somewhere along the way Simone had nodded off. It was a long day when you weren’t used to it, but she was getting there, he was certain.

  He lightly shook her shoulder. “We’re here.” No response. “Simone?” A little more loudly this time.

  Her eyes fluttered open. “Hmmm?”

  “I must have fallen asleep. Is this it? Hidden Valley?”

  “Sure is. We’ll take a quick wander to stretch our legs, then get some lunch before we go shopping. Is that okay with you?”

  She stifled a yawn. “Whatever works.” She let her hair down and began to put it back into a pony tail. He reached out and touched her hand.

  “Leave it out? I never get to see you with your hair down.”

  “It’s a mess. It has to be.”

  He stared at her. “It’s not a mess. You’re beautiful.” He suddenly pulled back and stopped the car. He could easily sit there with her all day, but it would be a trap. He’d want to stay put, with her in his arms.

  Beau showed her around town. Not that there was much to see, but it was all they had without traveling a lot further to the city. If they did that, they flew in the ranch plane.

  “Not much choice for lunch, I’m afraid.” He pointed to a couple of buildings. “The hotel or the diner. They’re both good.”

  She nodded but didn’t answer.

  “You choose,” he told her.

  “I, uh,” She looked bewildered. “Beau, I don’t have any money for lunch,” she finally said.

  He frowned. Didn’t he make it clear he was paying? “It’s my treat. Along with the clothes. Now you choose. Please?”

  Not for the first time he wondered about her situation. He’d fully intended to pay for her, no question. But why was she so flat broke?

  He shook his head. Nope. Wasn’t his business.

  He hooked his arm through hers and stared into her pretty face. “Which way?”

  * * *

  “I can’t eat another thing.”

  Beau laughed. He loved to see her happy, and right now she was happy and very relaxed. He couldn’t begin to imagine the stress she’d been under at the ranch.

  She’d been thrown in the deep end. He was certain she hadn’t known what she was getting into when she answered that advert.

  From his perspective, he had no idea she would need so much training. His father had discussed the position with his sons when her letter arrived. After all, it affected them too.

  Reading between the lines they should have realized she had no experience, but with no other applicants, they had to take the chance.

  “Coffee?” The waitress was standing over him waiting for an answer.

  “Sorry. Yes please. For two?” He looked across at Simone and watched as she cringed. She was still worried about the cost. “My shout, remember? Coffee for two, thanks.”

  “Tell me about the ranch.” She seemed keen to know, but he wondered if it was just a ploy to change the subject.

  “Where do I start? I guess at the beginning. It has been in family hands for over a hundred years. The ranch itself has been restored over the years. It was a pretty awful mess at one stage.”

  “I know you employ a lot of people,” she said. “But what do they all do?” Heat crept up her face. He wasn’t sure why she was embarrassed to ask, but the pink flushes in her cheeks suited her. She was way too pale for his liking.

  “We’re a cattle ranch. We have a few thousand head. Okay, maybe more.” His mouth twitched as he tried not to grin. It was definitely a lot more.

  “But, I,”

  “Haven’t seen any cattle?”

  She nodded.

  “That’s because they’re in the back paddocks at the moment. We rotate the paddocks they’re in regularly. Next month they’ll be closer in, and you’ll likely see them.”

  “What about the horses?”

  He wondered when she would ask. “Purely work horses. There was a time we bred them, but that’s seriously hard work with no guarantees, so we stick with cattle now.”

  The waitress returned with their coffees. “Can I get you anything else, Sir?”

  Beau looked up at the waitress, then across to Simone who shook her head.

  “No, I think we’re done for now. Thank you.”

  He lifted his coffee to his lips.

  “I have an idea,” he suddenly said. “Since you’ve never met a horse, let’s say I introduce you to one?” He reached across and covered her hand with his.

  “I don’t know…”

  “Don’t be scared. I’ll hook you up with one of the more placid mares.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s a date then – Sunday after breakfast.”

  She didn’t look too sure, but Beau would help her through it. “Drink up, and then we’re off to do some shopping.”

  It wasn’t his favorite thing to do, but Simone needed to be kitted out with decent weather-proof clothes, and he was there to see she was.

  * * *

  “I, I can’t.”

  They stood at the shop counter while the assistant rang up the purchases. This was a store Beau used regularly – they stocked everything from cotton shirts, to thick pullovers, to boots, to snow gear.

  The pile was high, and there were already three large bags worth, with more yet to be filled.

  “You can, and you will.” Beau pulled out his wallet and flashed his plastic. “It’s a done deal.” He winked at the assistant who was carefully watching their exchange.

  She was fighting a losing battle, and was finally beginning to give in. He leaned forward and whispered to the sales assistant. “Do me a favor and don’t mention the total.”

  She nodded. “My friend is very upset about me buying this stuff for her, so…”

  “Oh. Sure.”

  Simone stood in the doorway, moving from one foot to the other. Her nerves getting the better of her.

  He struggled to carry the five bags and passed one over to Simone. “It’s too much, Beau,” she said. “I’ll pay you back, I promise.”

  “You won’t you know. I won’t let you.” Now he was getting annoyed. Why couldn’t she just accept his gifts and move on.

  And then it hit him. She was too proud. She’d obviously been in a bad situation and had to fend for herself for a very long time.

  “We can talk about that some other time.” That seemed to cheer her up, which made him happy.

  After placing the bags in the 4x4 he grabbed her hand and guided her toward another store. “Here’s my plastic. Get yourself some, um, delicates and um, unmentionable, er, lady stuff.” He felt the heat crawl up his face. “Whatever you need. I’ll wait here.”

  Simone’s face went beet red.

  “We don’t come into town very often, so make sure you get plenty.” He started to walk away. “I’ll be across the road at the park. Call my cell if you need me.”

  “I can’t, Beau.”

  “You can. If you won’t go in alone, I’ll come with you.”

  She shook her head. He watched as she walked into the store and headed toward the back.

  Twenty minutes later sh
e resurfaced with three bags of goodies. “All done?”

  “All done.” She handed over the credit card, along with the receipt. “Keep it. I don’t need to know what you bought.” He smiled and watched as the tension left her face.

  “Unless there’s anything else you need, we’ll head back to the ranch.” She reached out and took his hand. Despite the cool afternoon air, her hand was warm. And small.

  He wanted to hold her, not just her hand. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe forever. He’d never felt like this before.

  Mrs Simpson told him it was because they don’t see many women way out there in Grand Falls, but he knew better.

  She was totally wrong.

  There was something about Simone. He felt a real connection to her. He sensed it the first time he met her.

  When he was working, his thoughts would turn to her. His concentration wasn’t like it used to be. Little things reminded him of her. The lavender in the garden reminded him of her perfume. The sunlight reminded him of her eyes.

  And the aroma that drifted out from the kitchen was a constant reminder.

  “Thank you, Beau,” she said when they were on their way home. “No one has ever done anything like that for me before.”

  He reached across and squeezed her hand. “You are very welcome.” He let go of her hand and concentrated on the road. “Maybe tonight we can watch the sunset together. You’ll be able to endure the cold now.”

  “I’d like that. I really would.”

  Simone’s cell phone rang. “Amy? Is that you? You’ll never guess where I am!”

  Beau concentrated on the road and zoned out while Simone talked to her caller. A friend perhaps? He couldn’t wait for sunset. He’d love nothing more than to sit with Simone and watch the day end.

  * * *

  Simone couldn’t believe how much stuff Beau had bought for her. It must have cost a fortune. She felt really bad, because he wouldn’t let her pay him back, despite what he said in town. She also knew arguing about it was futile.

  Her day was now done, and it wouldn’t be long before the sun began to set.

  She’d put most of her new clothes, her warm clothes, away in the wardrobe, but pulled a thick pullover over her head. It was so warm and cozy, and she stared at herself in the mirror.

  It was really pretty.

  She knew Beau liked it; he’d worn a big grin when he saw her wearing it in the store. It also had a big price tag and she’d tried to put it back on the shelf.

  He’d snatched it from her and given it to the sales assistant to put aside.

  She pulled on the thick woolen socks and cowboy boots he’d bought for her and dragged the gloves onto her hands. Last of all she pushed her arms into the snow jacket.

  It was so snuggly and warm.

  She didn’t think she would need the beanie but shoved it into a pocket in the jacket anyway.

  He was already waiting on the porch when she arrived. Two hot beverages sat on the low table used for that very purpose.

  She headed for the chair right outside the door. “Come over here,” he told her. “Next to me. You’re too far away over there.”

  She moved but wasn’t certain it was a good idea. They were getting far too close already.

  “The gear looks good,” he told her, pulling his own jacket around himself.

  She zipped up the jacket against the cold. “It’s lovely and warm. Thank you again. I can’t believe the difference it makes.”

  She sat, and he handed her a mug of hot coffee. Despite the thick gloves covering her hands, she felt a tingle when their hands brushed. His eyes shot up and stared into her face.

  “I know you’ve only been here for a short time,” he began. “But I have feelings for you, Simone.”

  She glared at him. “No you don’t,” she said quietly. “You can’t. Not this soon. It’s like Mrs Simpson said, you just think you do.”

  But what if he did? She was starting to have feelings for him too. She sighed. The end of her trial period was closing in on her. She hoped Mr Hadley let her stay.

  She had no idea what she would do, or where she would go, if he didn’t. Not to mention her feelings for Beau.

  He reached across and held one of her hands in his. “I don’t care what Mrs Simpson says,” he told her, still holding her hand. “She can’t know how I feel.”

  Simone reluctantly pulled her hand away and rested it in her lap. His eyes burned her.

  She watched the sun go slowly down and reveled in the fact Beau was there with her.

  Tonight, she wasn’t alone. But what about in a week’s time? Or even a month? She could be banished from this place.

  This beautiful place that truly felt like home.

  * * *

  Beau chose the quietest horse in the stables.

  Blaze was a five-year-old Palomino with a white blaze running from her forehead, almost to the tip of her nose.

  She was born on the ranch and would live her life out there. “Hello, Blaze.” He held his hand out for her to get used to his smell, then pulled a piece of carrot out of his pocket.

  She greedily gobbled it up, then rubbed her head against his shoulder.

  “Give me your hand.” He knew Simone would be nervous, so was taking it easy. He slowly pulled her hand toward the laid-back mare.

  He felt her stiffen. “She won’t bite, will she?”

  He laughed. “Blaze, bite? Never.” He continued to pull her hand to the horse’s face. “Let her sniff you, then you can give her some carrot.”

  Simone nodded and relaxed a little. Blaze brushed her teeth across her trembling hand. She quickly pulled her hand back.

  Beau grabbed her hand. “Don’t stress. She’s just searching for more carrot. Shall we try again?”

  He could see how terrified she was of the horse. It was obvious she’d had little exposure to animals throughout her life.

  Simone nodded, very unenthusiastically. He wondered if he was pushing her too hard. She took a deep breath, and he could see she was psyching herself up to do this.

  Atta girl!

  He placed her hand in his, both cupped ready for the carrot. “We’ll go more slowly this time,” he said. “I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

  He reached out with the other hand and rubbed the horse’s back. She leaned in toward Simone’s hand and the carrot and sniffed. Then she swooped on the piece of carrot, gobbling it up quickly.

  Her head suddenly went down looking for more. Simone jumped back, scaring Blaze who whinnied, then quickly stepped back.

  Beau saw the terrified expression on Simone’s face. “It’s fine, she’s fine. You gave her a fright, that’s all.” He grinned knowing that was exactly what the horse had done to Simone.

  He opened the door to Blaze’s stall, reins in hand.

  “What are you doing?” She looked downright terrified.

  He looped the reins over the horse’s head and began to lead her out. “We’ll just go for a short stroll around the paddock with her. You can get to know each other better.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out some apple this time. “Here, give her this.” He watched as Simone’s expression changed. A moment ago, she was terrified, now she was deciding if it was worth the risk.

  She reached out and offered the cut-up apple, even stroking the horses face.

  They walked slowly but surely around the paddock, Beau holding the reins. “Here, you take over. Walk slowly, but steadily. Talk to her gently as you go.”

  He thrust the reins into Simone’s hands, not giving her a choice. She frowned.

  “You can do this.”

  And she did. They walked around the small paddock twice. He was surprised at how well she’d managed her first time. Blaze was a big part of that familiarization, which was the reason he chose her. He needed a calm and quiet mare, and that she was.

  It was a bitter-sweet moment, since Blaze had been his mother’s horse. No one wanted to ride her, to honor their mother, but she
needed to be exercised. He dutifully walked her every day, then let her run, but it wasn’t the same.

  He hoped he could eventually convince Simone to ride her. Blaze deserved as much.

  He closed his eyes against the emotions forcing their way out. It had been nearly a year since Marianne Hadley had died but it seemed like only yesterday.

  The family were still trying to come to terms with her sudden death.

  Blaze whinnied and rubbed her head against Simone’s shoulder. “She likes you,” he said quietly. “I’ll take the reins off and she can have a run for a while.”

  The horse took off in a trot, then moved into a canter, running from one end of the paddock to the other. She finally came to rest next to Simone, rubbing her head against her shoulder, then sniffing her hand.

  For the first time since they started this adventure, Simone smiled.

  “She really likes you,” Beau told her.

  “I like her too,” she said. “A lot.”

  He hoped this was the beginning of a long relationship between the pair.

  * * *

  “Ready?”

  Beau was more than a little enthusiastic this morning. “Almost.”

  Simone removed her apron and carried the cut-up banana bread out to the dining room. The urn was hot, and everything else was ready.

  “Now I’m ready.” She was excited about seeing Blaze again. She was such a sweet and gentle horse. Not that she had any idea whether that was normal.

  “You’ll need your jacket,” Beau said. “It’s pretty cold out this morning. Won’t be long and the snow will come.”

  “You’re kidding, right? It doesn’t snow here does it?” She knew she was frowning, but she couldn’t help it.

  “Closer to Christmas. We always enjoy a white Christmas here in Grand Falls. You just wait and see – you’ll love it too.”

  She shrugged on the thick jacket and her gloves. “I might not be here,” she said quietly, still unaware if her position was secured.

  Beau stared at her for long moments. “You’ll be here, I’m certain,” he said, as he helped her into the warm jacket.

  “Forget about that. Let’s go.”

  Blaze was standing in her stall looking at them and whinnied. It was almost as if she’d been waiting for them. “Hello Blaze,” Simone said, extending her hand. Blaze took the offered carrot, then looked for more.