Where They Belong: A Sweet Cheyenne Christmas Story (The Sweet Cheyenne Quartet Book 5)

by Caroline Lee

  They were at it again, sitting behind her in the buggy. Had they been driving into Cheyenne for one of their weekly visits, Brixley would have been driving, as was proper. But since they were just going to Mr. Barker’s spread for the noon meal, she’d had one of the hands hitch up the buggy for her and she was driving, protected by leather gloves and a wide-brimmed sun hat.

  Serena was listening to the debate—interspersed with inane chatter about fashion and accusations of ancient wrong-doings—while she guided the horse around a small stand of pines. When she was a child, her father would have a tree fetched from this bend in the creek for their Christmas tree, and on two occasions she’d been allowed to go along. It had been a wonderful memory. It was also a convenient half-way mark between the two houses.

  Ash Barker had owned the stretch north of the Double-S since before she was born, but he’d always been solitary, even after his younger brother came to live with him. It wasn’t until he married Molly that he became more sociable, particularly towards a little neighbor girl who’d recently lost her mother. Their home had always been a safe haven of acceptance and laughter…. And of course, the most wonderful food imaginable.

  Molly always made a point of cooking each person’s favorite foods on their birthdays, and once Serena had come into their lives, the older woman included her in the tradition. Serena always cherished her birthday visit. Her aunts had a standing invitation as well, and she knew that Agnes and Agatha would rather cut off a finger than miss a chance at Molly Murray Barker’s cooking. Which is why they were perched behind her, happily bickering all the way to the Barkers’ spread.

  Like the Double-S, the Barker home sat in the middle of a small rise, with gorgeous views in every direction. There were three large barns, and several corrals, a testament to Ash and Nate’s success with their horses. Ash heard them coming—he seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to horses—and was standing ready when she pulled hard on the reins to slow the animal.

  “Miss Selkirk.” He wore one of those new Stetson hats that Molly had purchased for him for Christmas last year, and tipped it politely to her. She couldn’t help the smile that crept across her lips at his attempt at formality. Ash Barker was just as coarse as the rest of the cowboys out here on the Wyoming range, but his roughness made him somehow endearing. He was the biggest man she’d ever seen—bigger than Cam MacLeod, even!—but she’d never been intimidated by him. Perhaps it was because she saw how loving and kind he could be to his brother and the women in his life. She tied off the reins, stretched out her arms in a childish impression of wanting to be picked up, and he lifted her down from the buggy. But before putting her on the ground, he spun her around and squeezed her tightly, like he used to do when she was a girl. “Happy birthday, Serena.”

  She laughed out loud and hugged him back. “I’ve missed you all so much!”

  “Ash Barker! You put that poor young lady down before you break her in half, and come help me down!”

  “Help us down, I think you mean, Agatha.”

  “I’m older, so if that fine example of manhood is going to be helping anyone down, it will be me. You he may help after.”

  “Perhaps, but since I am ever so much lighter than you are, I should be the one—”

  Serena heard her aunt gasp in outrage. “Agnes Elizabeth Selkirk! You ought to be ashamed!”

  A giggle escaped once more when Ash sighed and put her down. “Annie’s in the barn. She’s excited to see you.” He raised his voice and turned towards the buggy. “Miss Selkirk! And Miss Selkirk. You’re both looking even prettier than the last time we were in town, if that’s possible. Can I help you down?”

  Serena left them bickering over who would go first, and ducked into the barn.

  It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but even after they did she didn’t see her friend anywhere. She knew better than to call, though, so she took a few cautious steps towards the center of the building, and jumped when one of the horses turned his head towards her and blew, hard. Having grown up here in the Territory, she’d known how to ride since she was a young girl. But she’d always thought of horses as a necessary evil, preferring the convenience of a buggy when possible, and rarely having to saddle or care for a horse herself.

  So she’d never understood little Annie’s affiliation with the big beasts. The girl loved horses, and even Ash admitted that she’d been a tremendous help in building their stock. Nate called her a centaur, after Wendy had read them all a story about those mythical half-horse creatures, and Annie loved the comparison.

  And Serena should have known better than to think that Annie didn’t know she was there in the barn. Annie seemed to know everything that went on in ‘her’ barn; the horses’ interest in this interloper must have communicated to her, because soon enough Serena saw her friend’s face peering around the corner. When Annie realized who it was, she launched herself at the young woman, and Serena hugged her back just as fiercely.

  “Ahbee bah-day, Seea!”

  “Thank you, Annie!” It was rare to hear the girl speak, so Serena knew it was a special occasion. “My aunts are outside, and we are excited to see you all again.” As always, Serena spoke slowly to the deaf girl, knowing that she could understand much just from the shapes lips made when they spoke. Annie had been left without hearing after fighting German Measles at age three, so she was able to understand words and even speak a little. But the best way to communicate had been a sort of sign ‘language’ Wendy had developed over the years. And she’d been reading and writing from a very young age. Serena fondly recalled perfectly silent afternoons in the sisters’ room, the three girls communicating only in writing and sign.

  “I can’t wait to see Molly and the boys, but first….” She smiled down at the thirteen-year-old, “How are your foals? Do you have any more?”

  Annie’s smile grew even wider, if such a thing were possible, and nodded excitedly. “Six!” she happily signed. When Ash took Nate’s advice about breeding their mustangs, it didn’t take long for them to realize that Annie had a special way with the baby horses. They were her own private domain, and she adored caring for them, and helping to train them. Over the last years, she was often the first one to ride the horses, and she took great pride in knowing that she was helping her brothers-in-law.

  The girl was excited to show off the latest additions to their herd, and lingered over a beautiful pale foal, hardly taller than her. She told Serena that this one had been born late.

  “But she’s your favorite? I can tell.” Annie nodded happily. “She’s lovely, prettier than the others, definitely.” Serena might not love horses, but she couldn’t resist stroking this one’s velvety nose. She really was adorable. “But I’ve lingered too long in here already. My aunts are certainly making life difficult for Molly. I’m a poor guest if I ask her to cook for me, and then leave two nosy old ladies in her house!”

  Annie giggled, and hurried to lead the foal back to her mother. Then the girl linked her arm through Serena’s, and they strolled towards the house.

  The welcome was warm, and the meal delicious, as always. Serena loved visiting the Barkers, because of all the laughter. Even Annie joined in the teasing, with Molly translating for Aunt Agnes and Aunt Agatha.

  As Serena had hoped, the meal was almost entirely baked goods, since Molly knew of her sweet tooth. The older woman had once wanted to open a bakery, and her desserts were still phenomenal; Serena adored them, and always looked forward to her one meal a year of cookies, cakes, pastries and pies. And as he did every year, Nate moaned and groaned about missing meat and potatoes… and then ate everything with gusto. The rest of them might not have such a big sweet tooth, but they all loved Molly’s desserts just the same.

  And just like in years past, Serena was the last one eating. Molly laughed, as Ash pushed his plate away with a groan and patted his stomach, and Serena reached for one more cookie. “I swear, Serena, I don’t know where you put all of this! You’d think you’d be my siz
e, the way you eat my pastries, but you’re still as tiny as Annie!”

  Serena blushed, but finished the cookie anyway. Primly wiping her mouth with a napkin, she stood up to help Molly clear the dishes. “I only get to do this once a year, and it’s worth it!”

  “Well, I’m sending the rest of the cookies and that cake home with you, so you can enjoy them again tomorrow at least.”

  Nate and the boys started to protest, but Molly shook a spoon in their direction. “You get whatever you want on your birthday, and just a while ago you were complaining about all these sweets.”

  “No I wasn’t!” Noah was three now, and very aware that he was the youngest. He tried his hardest to make sure that his brother got his share of the blame. “It was Peter!”

  Peter flicked a juicy pie blueberry to land on Noah’s cheek. “No it wasn’t, brat. It was Uncle Nate.”

  Noah howled and would have launched himself across the table towards the five-year-old, had Nate not grabbed him by his collar. “Sit down, Noah. Pete, apologize now. You’re giving Miss Agatha palpitations, and embarrassing your mother.”

  It was Agnes having the palpitations, but Serena saw no reason to correct Nate. Besides, she was pretty sure her aunt’s act was merely for show, to shame the boys. The warning did the trick, and both boys mumbled apologies. Serena shared a smile with Molly as they gathered up the dishes.

  “So, Serena.” Ash leaned back in his chair and accepted the cup of coffee she handed him with a smile. “Twenty now, and full owner of the Double-S. How does it feel?”

  She sat down with a sigh. “No different than I felt last month. I’m still floundering, although I appreciate all of the help and advice you’ve given me. I’m just no good at this sort of thing.”

  “Sounds to me,” Ash exchanged a look with Molly, “You could use someone there full-time with you. A partner?”

  “A husband, you mean!” Aunt Agatha chimed in. “Ranching is a dirty, rough job, and Serena is a lady. No business being involved in it in any way!”

  “But she could if she wants.” Of course Agnes had to take the opposing view, just to spite her sister. “She’s a smart girl and could do anything she wanted. Ranching is in her blood!”

  “I’m not saying she couldn’t, only that she shouldn’t have to. She should get married and let her husband do the work.”

  “And I’m saying that she doesn’t have to get married for such a silly reason. She can run the Double-S as well as any man.”

  “But she doesn’t want to!”

  As always, her aunts’ bickering left little room for any other opinion, but Molly managed to squeeze a word in edge-wise. “What do you plan to do with the ranch, Serena?”

  She sighed again. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t want to run it, but I don’t think I have any other options.”

  Noah climbed into his father’s lap, and Ash rested his chin on the small head of brown curls. “Well, whatdya want to do instead, Aunt Serena?”

  She smiled at the cherub. “Honestly?” She sighed. “As much as I love being here with you, I really enjoyed the years I spent in Cheyenne at my aunts’ home.” When she’d turned fifteen, her aunts had convinced their brother that she needed a womanly influence, and she’d moved into their stately three-story home in the city. They were so devoted to her that they’d moved to the ranch upon Stanley Selkirk’s death, but they still made weekly trips to the city, staying in their old house on Saturday nights before church.

  “Why don’tcha move back?” Pete’s mouth was full; Serena suspected he’d pilfered another cookie.

  She gently corrected him. “Why don’t you.” He nodded, still looking expectant. “The Double-S supports us.” She glanced towards her aunts, smiling. “Someone has to run it, in order for it to make money. We can’t live in Cheyenne without any money.”

  Annie pounded on the table to get their attention, and then signed, “You could open a bakery.” They all chuckled at the reminder of how Molly had planned to do just that in Cheyenne, before Ash had hired her as a housekeeper. Annie continued, “There are plenty of other jobs for smart ladies in Cheyenne.”

  Serena smiled sadly. “I don’t have any experience, though. I can’t cook, I don’t like to clean, and I’m not very good at running the ranch, much less something less familiar. The only thing I’m good at is reading and daydreaming with you and Wendy!”

  The middle Murray sister had been gone for a little over a year now, since she turned nineteen, and everyone missed her terribly. They exchanged weekly letters, but it wasn’t the same as having her there with them. Serena noticed the look Molly and Annie exchanged, and was sorry she’d brought up Wendy’s name.

  But the person at the table that looked most haunted at the casual mention was Nate. Serena always thought he had lovely hazel eyes, but now she’d caught the positively tortured look in them before he turned away. She wondered if he missed Wendy more than he wanted the rest of his family to know.

  Years ago, the other girl had told Serena that Nate was going to marry her, whether he knew it or not. They’d giggled over the thought—Wendy and Nate were practically siblings!—but Serena had respected the claim enough to never consider Nate as a possible beau. And it had been difficult, as he’d grown into a fine figure of a man; lithe and sinewy rather than burly like his brother. He still wore his dark hair long, and when it wasn’t pulled back he looked just like the Indian his grandmother had been. And something about Wendy’s absence was painful to him.

  “Nate?”

  Hazel eyes darted towards her, and then away. He cleared his throat. “Speaking of marriage, though, Cam MacLeod rode over here a few weeks ago.”

  “Nate!” Molly scolded. “We weren’t going to tell her about that.”

  He shrugged. “She has a right to know that he’s interested in courting her.”

  “She knows!” Aunt Agnes’ shriek was positively gleeful. “He came wooing the other day, and—”

  “He kissed her!” Her sister interrupted to impart that juicy bit of gossip.

  “Oh, did he?” Ash suddenly sat forward in his chair, and Serena blushed.

  “Yes, but it was fine.”

  “Just fine?” Molly’s brows rose, and she put her hand gently on her husband’s forearm. Ash sat back again.

  “Didja kiss him back?” Peter’s question would have been impertinent had they not been like family, and Serena was blushing too hard to correct his grammar. His mother scolded him anyhow, though.

  Agatha harrumphed. “She most certainly did not. She feels nothing for that course lout.”

  “Agatha Marie! A few hours ago you said that he was a fine example of manhood.”

  Aunt Agatha turned her nose up at her sister’s inconvenient memory. “Be that as it may, he’s still a course lout, kissing our Serena. And you heard her; she said the kiss was ‘fine’. Manly or not, obviously she’s not interested in his kisses.”

  Serena attempted to make peace. “I said it was ‘fine’, I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”

  Molly and Ash chuckled, and her aunts looked smug. “If the kiss was ‘fine’, sweetie,” Molly reached out, and her husband twined his fingers through hers, “Then it wasn’t meant to be. A real kiss would be much more than fine.”

  Serena couldn’t help but be curious. Her aunts had never had these sorts of conversations with her, because they were as inexperienced when it came to men as she herself was. “How?”

  “Well….” Molly blushed slightly and looked at Ash, who cleared his throat and looked at the ceiling. “When you share a kiss with someone special, you just… know. It’s difficult to describe, but something… magical passes between you.” Annie, Molly, and Serena all sighed together.

  “Aaaaaand that’s my cue to leave.” Nate pushed back from the table. “Boys, you want to come over to my house and help me get Serena’s presents?”

  “Yeah!” Noah and Peter jumped down from their chairs, where they were obviously bored with the adults’ conversation,
and ran for the door in front of their uncle. Shortly after Peter was born, Ash had helped his brother build a small house nearby. Now the boys stayed there in the summer months as often as in their own little room their father had subdivided for them in the larger house.

  Annie giggled as she watched her nephews run out, and then knocked on the table to get everyone’s attention. “Tell Serena about the new teacher!”

  “Oh!” Molly chuckled. “How did we forget to tell you the big news?” She let go of her husband’s hand to sign for Annie while she spoke. “Ash and I have been talking about the possibility of sending Annie to Cheyenne for school. The Central School has been doing very well for years now, and we like the idea of a ‘high school’, where older students can attend. Wendy made sure that Annie is well-educated, but we’d like for her to have the opportunity—even for a year—to go to a school. We’ve been corresponding with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and he agreed to advertise for a teacher who had some experience with inclusive education.”

  “What’s this ‘inclusive education’?” Agnes was just as interested as her sister, but spoke up first.

  “Just that this teacher has taught different kinds of students, sometimes at the same time. We were interested in a teacher from one of the schools for the deaf out east, of course, but that was a long shot, with Annie being the only deaf student around. Instead, we’re getting a teacher who hails from New York, but who taught in England!” Molly smiled at Ash. “We’ve been corresponding with him—his name is Carderock—and we think he’ll be a wonderful addition to Cheyenne. He doesn’t use sign, because he’s an oralist, but we think that Annie will be able to learn from him. And it will be wonderful for her to have a chance to attend a school with so many other students her age.”