Christmas at Blue Moon Ranch

by Lynnette Kent

  Willa shook her head. “Um…no. He hit the ground about a second after he left the gate. And broke his arm in the process.” Her gaze connected with Daniel’s for a second and then went to Robbie. “What do you remember, Roberto? You know, your dad rode with you on his saddle, just as his father had done with him.”

  Rob lifted one shoulder. “I don’t remember that.”

  There was a silence, as they waited for him to add his thoughts. But Rob didn’t say anything.

  Because, Daniel thought, I’m here. For Rob, if for no one else, he was an intruder. He would say his piece and then go.

  “I had three friends while I was in Iraq,” he said, leaning forward a little. “Rick, Dave and Wayne. We called them The Three Stooges.” He saw by the kids’ blank looks that they didn’t understand the reference. “They were always clowning around, pretending to beat each other up, making jokes. Nothing really special about them, or me—we were like all the other men and women over there, trying to do a good job for our country and for the people of Iraq.

  “Each of those guys, though, was a hero in one way or another. I saw Rick save two little boys from a sniper attack by lying on top of them and shielding their bodies with his own. Dave refused to leave an old woman in a building he knew was going to be bombed any minute, even when she fought him every step of the way as he pulled her out.”

  He took a deep breath. “And Wayne…well, Wayne was driving our vehicle the day I got hurt. I was lying in the road right next to the burning car and Wayne used the one arm he had left to drag me far enough away to be out of range when the gas tank exploded. He went back for Rick…” Swallowing hard, he managed to finish. “But they didn’t get away in time.”

  He met each pair of eyes in the room, Rob’s last. “I’m sure that Jamie Mercado was the same kind of hero. He would have similar stories to tell, except he’d be embarrassed to let anyone know how many people he’d helped, how many lives he’d saved.”

  Pushing against the arms of his chair, Daniel got to his feet. “You are rightfully proud of the man your family has lost, and right to celebrate his life. I appreciate the chance to share that with you.” He nodded to Lili and Rosa. “Thank you for a delicious meal, ladies. Have a good night.” To Willa, he said, “Don’t get up. I’ll let myself out.”

  She followed him, though, all the way out to the veranda. “That was a lovely thing to say.”

  “Your husband was a decent man.” He grinned and shrugged. “With a few flaws.”

  “Like everyone.” Willa nodded. “You’ve helped me see him in a more balanced light.”

  “That’s good.” For Jamie, anyway. Daniel wasn’t sure whether he’d helped or hurt his own cause. He turned toward the truck, parked nearby. “Have a good evening.”

  “Daniel.” Her hand on his arm brought him back around to face her. When he looked into her face, there was no doubt that she was waiting to be kissed.

  Aware of the house windows, he kept his hands at his sides, saying everything with just the press of his mouth over hers. That seemed to be enough—they were both panting when he raised his head.

  “Rodeo tomorrow,” Willa said, smiling. “We’ll see you bright and early.”

  Driving home, Daniel decided he would celebrate El Día de los Muertos every year from now on.

  AFTER A WEEK SPENT WORKING around Robbie’s defiant silence, Daniel was relieved when Willa asked him if her aunts could ride with him to the rodeo. He half expected the ladies to be wearing their matching flowered dresses, but when he pulled into the drive at the Mercado house, they waited for him on the veranda in neat jeans and Western boots, with long-sleeved shirts worn under colorful vests.

  “Are you sure you two aren’t part of the show?” He helped Rosa into the front passenger seat with a hand on her elbow, then assisted Lili into the back. “Do they have a best-dressed cowgirl contest?”

  Rosa clucked her tongue at him. “You’re a flatterer, Daniel. No wonder Willa likes you.”

  He couldn’t help grinning at the thought that Willa liked him. She responded to him, sure…they’d had chemistry from that first moment in the lawyer’s office. But at this point he was grateful for any evidence hinting at more than just a physical connection.

  At the fairgrounds, the bare bones of fences, corrals and bleachers set on a wide dirt plain had been fleshed out with flags, advertising banners, animals and people. Carts and trailers and tents were set up to sell everything from dream catchers to Polish sausage, with shoppers crowding the aisles between them. Country music blared out of the public address system, punctuated by an announcer counting down the minutes until the official start of the rodeo.

  They found Willa’s truck and horse trailer parked in the competitor’s lot. Susannah was giving her pony a final brush as they approached.

  “That horse shines as bright as gold,” Daniel told her. “I’ve never seen an animal so clean.”

  She flashed him a smile. “I gave him a bath yesterday, but then he rolled during the night, so I had to wash him off again this morning. He’s probably never been this clean in his life.”

  “You look terrific, too.” To complement her horse, Susannah’s chaps were royal-blue with gold fringe. Her blouse was the same blue, and she wore a blue hat that made her long black braid shine. “Where’s your—”

  A hand slipped inside Daniel’s elbow. He looked down, starting to smile at Willa…but it was Bev Drummond who stood beside him.

  He had to force himself to finish the smile. “Fancy meeting you here.”

  “I’m so glad you decided to come.” Her other hand, with its long red fingernails, came to rest on top of his arm. “Susannah’s going to make us all proud today. I just know it.”

  The girl gave a nervous smile and continued to groom her horse.

  Bev squeezed Daniel’s arm. “Let’s take a stroll through the booths. I haven’t had my breakfast yet, and there’s an elephant ear pastry over there calling my name.”

  He didn’t have an excuse to stay—he couldn’t do much to help Susannah. Willa and Toby were nowhere in sight. The aunts had already wandered off to do some shopping.

  “Sure. I could use some coffee, myself.” He looked at Susannah. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  But Bev had other plans. She dragged him from vendor to vendor, examining jewelry and knickknacks, asking his opinion of items he couldn’t care less about. Just as he was about to suggest they head back to the trailer, the loudspeaker above his head crackled.

  “In five minutes, the Grand Parade opening the Zapata County Rodeo will commence. Spectators, grab a drink and something to eat, then settle in for a great day of exciting rodeo action!”

  “Let’s find ourselves a seat,” Bev said, clamping down on his arm again and dragging him toward the arena.

  Daniel had long since gotten tired of being hauled around like a toddler. He started to dig in his heels and reclaim his arm…but then he caught sight of Willa, Toby and Robbie, also heading for the bleachers.

  “Look,” he said. “There’s Willa.” Changing direction, he pulled Bev along with him, pretending he didn’t hear her squawk of protest.

  He caught up with the Mercados at the corner of the grandstand. Toby saw him first. “Major Trent! The rodeo is about to start!”

  At Toby’s shout, Willa turned, her first expression a surprised grin. Then she saw Bev, clamped onto Daniel’s arm, and the grin faded to a polite smile. “Hi, Bev. Is Susannah ready to ride?” She flicked a glance at Daniel, without meeting his eyes.

  “We left her giving Lustre a final brush.” Bev flipped her long red hair in back of her shoulders. “We should find a place to sit or we’ll be standing along the wall.”

  Willa nodded. “My aunts were going to stake out some territory on the benches.” She turned and led the way through the crowd, past the ticket booth and then up the side of the bleachers to where Lili and Rosa sat on either end of an empty stretch of bench, in perfect viewing position. Rob filed in to
sit next to Rosa, followed by Willa. Daniel thought he could take the space beside her, but then Toby scooted ahead of him, to sit next to his mother. Somehow Bev slipped in after Toby, and Daniel ended up on her other side, with Lili on his right. He grinned at Willa’s aunt, winked at Bev and kept his disappointed sigh to himself.

  The Grand Parade started a moment later as the day’s competitors rode their horses into the arena and loped around the perimeter—bronc and bull riders, calf ropers, steer wrestlers and clowns and, finally, the barrel racers, all wearing their flashy chaps, their show clothes and their good hats. Susannah caught sight of her family and waved as she rode past.

  Last came a trio of gray horses mounted by pretty young women wearing red, white and blue. As the other riders lined up down the center of the field, the color guard circled the arena to display the American flag, with the Texas flag and the flag of Zapata County just behind. Section by section the members of the audience got to their feet, and the national anthem came over the loudspeaker. Listening, Daniel swallowed tears, as he always did. He wasn’t surprised that each member of the Mercado family knew every word of the song.

  The anthem ended with a cheer from spectators and competitors alike, and the rodeo got underway. Toby leaned over Bev to talk to Daniel. “First is the bareback riding. Then saddle broncs, calf roping and steer wrestling. Then they set up for the barrel racers, and the bull riding is last.” He glanced back at his mother, who was saying something to Rosa. “I’m gonna ride bulls one day,” the boy said in a stage whisper. “Don’t tell my mom yet.”

  Daniel nodded. “I won’t.” But when he glanced over Toby’s head, he could see from Willa’s face that she’d heard. He winked at her, sharing her amused apprehension.

  Toby hopped up at the end of the bareback riding and went to the concession stand for popcorn. After the saddle broncs, he wanted a hot dog, and Rob went with him—stepping across Daniel without a word. Halfway through the calf-roping, Toby stood up again. “I’m going to the bathroom, Mom. And then I need some lunch.”

  “How can you need something else to eat?” Willa stared at him, pretending dismay. “You’ve been eating all morning!”

  He shrugged and grinned, knowing she was teasing. “I’m a growing boy. What can I say? Oh, yeah…” He snapped his fingers. “I need some money.”

  “Of course, you do.” Willa handed him a folded bill. “Put that in your pocket now—don’t carry it around in your hand.”

  “Okay, okay.” He did as he was told. “I’ll be back in a little while.”

  His mother shook her head as he eased along the bench. “He’ll be seven feet tall, if he keeps eating like this.”

  “Or seven feet wide,” Bev said, with a laugh.

  Daniel looked at the redhead without comment. What she saw in his face, though, gave her second thoughts. “N-not really, of course. He never stops moving—he needs all the food he can eat.”

  As the last of the calf ropers left the arena, Daniel noticed Willa scanning the stands, looking for Toby. She said something to Rob, who stood up and gazed around, shaking his head. In a few minutes, Lili and Rosa were both on the lookout, as well.

  Daniel leaned across Bev and touched Willa’s arm to get her attention. “You think Toby should have been back by now?”

  Willa shrugged. “I would have thought so…but sometimes he wanders off on his own.” She was calm, but her eyebrows were drawn together in worry.

  “Why don’t I go look for him?”

  “No, don’t bother. I’m sure he’ll be back.”

  “It’s not a bother. I need to stretch my legs, anyway. I’ll just look around and then send him back so you’ll know he’s okay.”

  She couldn’t hide the relief. “Thank you. That would be nice.”

  As he stood up, Bev picked up her purse. “I’ll come with you.”

  Daniel put a hand on her shoulder. “That’s okay. You can’t really follow me into the men’s restroom.” He gave her a grin. “I’ll be back shortly.”

  “Well,” Bev said, her voice high with irritation. “I could have waited for him outside!”

  Willa kept her gaze on the action in the arena. “Maybe he wanted a few minutes alone.”

  “So he goes after a ten-year-old?”

  After a morning spent listening to Bev play rodeo expert, Willa was having trouble keeping her temper. “He’s doing me a favor, Bev. Toby’s been gone more than half an hour.”

  “Maybe you should have gone to look for him.”

  “But I can’t get into the men’s restroom, either.”

  After a moment, Bev slid down the bench toward Willa. “Listen, girlfriend, I think we need to get this settled, right now, before he comes back.”

  “Get what settled?”

  “You may not realize it, but I’m very interested in Major Daniel Trent. I think we could have some good times together, maybe even on a permanent basis.”

  Willa folded her arms over her chest. “Oh, really?”

  “Yes. I know he’s your neighbor, and I’m sure you see a lot of him, one way or another. But I’m asking you now, as a friend, to back off.”

  “You think Daniel’s interested in a relationship with you?”

  “I think he’s trying to decide—you or me. Which is why I want you to leave him alone.”

  Willa had to laugh. “It’s that simple, is it? I leave, and Daniel falls for you?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Oh, Beverley, you’re priceless.” Willa wiped her eyes, but she couldn’t stop giggling. “Love doesn’t come with an on/off switch. And it’s not either/or. If Daniel is in love with you, being around me won’t make the least bit of difference.”

  Bev rolled her eyes. “What do you know? You’ve been married once, to your childhood sweetheart. I learned the hard way—with two husbands and a bunch of boyfriends.”

  “Or maybe you didn’t learn anything at all.”

  Bev stared at her in fury. “You bitch.”

  “Here’s the thing, Bev.” Willa put a hand on her former friend’s knee. “I think I could move to the other side of the planet, and it wouldn’t change the way Daniel feels about you in the least. But for the record, no. I won’t back off. Find yourself another trophy, girlfriend. This one’s mine.”

  While she was dealing with the fear and exhilaration of having admitted so much, Bev got to her feet and sidestepped to the aisle. She turned back before starting down the steps. “Just so you know, your daughter couldn’t ride her way out of a paper bag.”

  Willa simply waved her away. Susannah would prove that comment a lie when she streaked into the arena a little bit later this afternoon.

  Now that Bev was out of the way, Willa wanted Daniel to come back, wanted to share the fun and excitement of the rodeo with the man she’d practically declared her private property. But he’d been gone almost twenty minutes, and Toby hadn’t returned.

  “I’m going to look for them,” she told Rosa, Robbie and Lili. “You three stay here.”

  ROBBIE HEARD THE WHOLE conversation between his mom and Miss Beverley. He’d been afraid of this. Mom had decided she liked Daniel Trent enough to fight with her friend over him.

  Wasn’t there any way to stop this disaster from getting worse?

  He was thinking so hard that the light tap on his shoulder made him jump. He looked to his left, where Aunt Rosa sat smiling at him.

  “What are you pondering so deeply?” As he stared at her, she started looking worried. “Is something wrong, Robbie?”

  Would talking things over with Aunt Rosa do any good? He doubted it. “I think Mom’s getting interested in Mr. Trent.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  “She said he would only be here till Christmas.”

  “But he seems to be settling into ranch work and ranch life pretty well. Maybe she was wrong.”

  “She doesn’t really know anything about him.”

  “I suspect she’s learning, as we all are. Do you know something abou
t Major Trent we should be aware of?”

  He wished he had thought ahead of time to make something up. Something really bad, like killing people. Or dogs. “He probably shot up a lot of people in the war.”

  “That could be true. Unfortunately, war often demands that kind of sacrifice.”

  “He might have that mental problem…PMST or whatever.”

  “PTSD, you mean. Post-traumatic stress disorder.”

  “Right. He might freak out sometime and think we’re all the enemy and shoot us with those guns he has.”

  Rosa put a hand on his shoulder. “Or he might just take up more of your mother’s time and attention than you’re ready to hand over.”

  Robbie gave a snort. “I’m not a baby. But I think we’re good the way we are. We don’t need anybody else.”

  “Maybe your mother feels differently.” His great-aunt sighed. “Your mother’s a young woman, Robbie. You and Susannah and Toby will grow up and find your own lives one day. Shouldn’t she have someone special of her own to share the rest of her life?”

  “She’ll have all of us, just like you do, and be happy like you are.”

  “I’ll tell you the truth,” Rosa said, tucking her fingers into the bend of his elbow. “I once loved a boy—many years ago, now. He loved me, too. But he went to war and was killed there.” She sighed. “I love you and your brother and sister and Lili and your mother very, very much. But if I could have had a life with him…that would have been happiness. The kind of happiness I wish for your mother, and for you.”

  She turned back to watch the steer wrestling, and Robbie saw her dab at her eyes with her fingers.

  Great. She’s crying. Trent was making trouble for all of them. Butting in where he didn’t belong, making Suze all mushy and hard to talk to. Mom had started off marking the days on her calendar until he left, but then she’d stopped, as if she didn’t want to know anymore.

  Robbie was still keeping track. And all he wanted as a gift for Navidad this year was to see the cloud of dust as Daniel Trent disappeared from their lives forever.