“I celebrate with the family on our ranch. I can see a lot of similarity between the two places really. I feel like mine is the only family who really cares for me, though. I’m glad you don’t feel like that .”
“No, I really don’t. It’s been harder here since my roommate Liz got married and moved away, but I still feel like I’m welcomed by everyone. I love doing the festivities here on the ranch, because even if I am alone for Christmas, it doesn’t feel like it .”
When they’d finished the tour of the ranch, they returned their snowmobiles. “Are you hungry?” he asked. “I’m not quite ready for this day to end. We could go to the restaurant again, or I’d take you to dinner somewhere in town. Whatever sounds good to you .”
She frowned for a moment, thinking about it. “I am hungry. Let’s go get some dinner .”
He grinned, catching her hand and pulling her toward his truck. “I think I want to get off the ranch. Where’s a nice place to go ?”
“There are a couple of places in Riston, but there’s a good steak place in Post Falls, if that sounds good .”
“Sounds wonderful. Can you direct me, or should I set up my GPS ?”
Joni climbed into her side of the truck and buckled. “I can direct you.” She didn’t know about him, but she wanted this night to never end. “It’s thirty minutes. Is that too far ?”
“Not at all. Just make sure you let me know which way to turn .”
“Left out of the ranch, and then left at the first four-way stop.” After he’d turned, she said, “Now it’s straight for about twenty minutes .”
“All right. You want music or talk ?”
“Talk. Tell me about your mother .”
He frowned. “That’s not a topic I really like .”
“All right.” She was quiet for a moment. What was so bad that he didn’t want to talk about them ?
He took a deep breath. “All right. My mom was from a rich family, and she got pregnant with me at sixteen. Her parents let her keep living with them, but they weren’t super excited about being grandparents .”
“I see .”
“But by living there, she didn’t have to work. She never told anyone who my father was, including me, but she went through lots of boyfriends. When I was five, she moved out with one of them. He wasn’t a good man. He drank a lot, and he liked to hit both of us. She stayed with him for five years. And then went on to someone worse. Each of the men she chose was violent and just plain mean. I never really liked any of them.” He glanced at her to see if she was listening and then turned back to the road. “When I was twelve, she hooked up with this guy who was dealing drugs. He started using me to make some of the drops. When I was fourteen, I got caught by the police, and they put me in juvie for a bit. When I got out, my mother was gone from him and had signed over custody to the state. So I ended up on the ranch .”
“What about your grandparents? Have you seen them again?” Her heart ached for him. It wasn’t that he’d been a delinquent. Well, it didn’t sound like it to her. It just sounded like he’d been a victim of circumstance .
He shrugged. “I haven’t tried to find them. I figure they’re glad to have me out of their lives .”
“I doubt it. Maybe you should call them. See if they are interested in seeing who you’ve become. I can’t imagine that after living with you for your first five years they weren’t attached .”
“I have very few memories of them. I know when we left, they said not to come back, so I never did .”
“We live in the age of the internet. Why not find an email address and shoot them a message? Or find them on Facebook. Do you know their names ?”
He nodded. “I do. I just don’t think they’d want to see me .”
She decided to drop it, but she knew she wouldn’t drop it forever. She wanted him to have family who loved him, and it sounded like he could have that with the grandparents he’d all but forgotten. “So what’s Christmas like on your ranch ?”
“It’s wonderful. The boys all get new jeans. They usually just get jeans from the church that sponsors them, so new is special. Lillian makes a huge feast and the boys come to the house in shifts to eat it. I really don’t know how she does it, even knowing she has three ovens. Then each boy is given a handmade gift by one of the McClain brothers who feels particularly close to him. The boys exchange gifts with each other too. They get paid for the work they do on the ranch, and every dime is saved for them. It’s pretty incredible .”
“So money was saved for you ?”
He nodded. “When I finished school, I found out a trust fund had been set up for me. I don’t know how the McClains do it, but they put any money that’s extra from their big fundraiser every year into funds for the boys. They must do really well at the fundraiser, because I had a very nice portfolio.” He shrugged. “Still do. I’ve never touched it, and it’s continued to grow .”
She smiled. “That’s really cool. It’s hard to believe they do so much for boys they aren’t biologically related to .”
“That’s what’s so amazing. You feel as if you are biologically related after a little while. It’s like you’re growing up with thirty other boys, and you think nothing of it. I can’t imagine living anywhere else .”
“It really does sound wonderful. I think I’d feel right at home on that ranch, just as quickly as I did here. Which of course doesn’t mean I won’t miss my friends here. It’s hard to think of what life would be without the café every day, but I’m not going to waste the degree I spent seven years getting .”
By the time they’d finished dinner, she had a plan in her head for finding a way to contact his grandparents. She loved the idea of helping him connect with them. She just had to figure out a way to get their names…maybe she could ask around when she was visiting Texas for her interview. Surely someone at the ranch could help her .
When he dropped her off at her car, he leaned over and brushed his lips against hers, kissing her for the first time all day. “I’ve been waiting to do that, you know .”
She smiled. “You could have done it sooner. I wouldn’t have stopped you. I kind of like it when you kiss me .”
“Oh, yeah ?”
She nodded emphatically. “Yup .”
“Well, I’ll consider doing it more often, then .”
“If you have to consider it, then it must not be as pleasant for you as it is for me.” Joni sighed. “Story of my life! Don’t worry…you don’t have to kiss me anymore .”
He laughed, pulling her closer to him. “Try and stop me.” His lips caught hers again, toying with them softly. “Okay, get out of my truck. I’ll see you for breakfast in the morning. Don’t forget you’re going on a sleigh ride with me. I need someone to hold my hand and keep me safe .”
“And in between, I’ll be packing for my trip to Texas. Don’t forget you said you’d make the arrangements for me .”
“I’ll give you the flight information when I get to the café in the morning.” Max pulled his phone from his pocket. “Oh, first I need your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and all that good personal stuff .”
She gave him the information, and he typed it into his phone with his thumbs. “Now, can I go? I have to get up really early, you know. Not all of us are on vacation .”
“Go! I’ll see you in the morning.” Just as she reached for her door handle, he caught her arm and pulled her in for another kiss. “Now you can go .”
“G’night, Max .”
“G’night, Joni.” He watched her as she got out of the truck and hurried to her old beat-up car. He hoped she wouldn’t ever try to take that car very far. Waiting until she’d started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, he drove back to his solitary cabin. It was much more luxurious than where he was used to staying, but he lived in a cabin at home too. Maybe he was just meant for cabins .
As he got out of the truck, he saw Jaclyn hanging around his bushes again, another bunny on a leash. “I’m starting to fee
l like you’re stalking me,” he told her .
“Me stalking you! I was here first. You came to the ranch where I live and work and every single night you show up where I’m walking my bunnies, minding my own business. I think you’re the one stalking me !”
He sighed, certain he wasn’t going to get anywhere trying to talk to the crazy old woman. “Have a good night, Jaclyn .”
“Does that mean you’re admitting to stalking me?” she asked, stepping toward him. He opened the door to his cabin and shut it softly, hearing her yell, “Come back here! I’m not done with you yet !”
He shook his head and stripped down, putting on his swim trunks. There was something about sitting in his hot tub there on the ranch that he found particularly soothing. He could sit and do it all day. His view of the lake and the mountains behind it was spectacular. It was too dark to see them now, but they had left an imprint on his heart. He could close his eyes and see them .
Before bed, he searched online for the best flight rates for the Texas trip, and booked two flights. He was going to be there when Joni saw Texas for the first time .
* * *
E arly Monday morning, Max got up, dressed, and went for his run. He wasn’t sure if Joni was still working as early as she had been, but he certainly hoped so. When he got to the café, out of breath and sweaty, the door was opened by a blonde who looked like she was a year or two younger than Joni .
“Hungry?” she asked, opening the door wide. “I’m Kelsi Clapper .”
“Oh, I talked to your husband Shane at church yesterday. How are the twins ?”
Kelsi’s face lit up. “They’re just fine. I dropped them off at the daycare this morning. Pick a seat, and I’ll bring you a menu .”
Max looked around the café, hoping to see Joni’s smiling face, but she didn’t appear to be there. How was he supposed to eat breakfast if she wasn’t the one bringing it to him? Even if Bob did make it, he needed her there as well .
When Kelsi pushed the menu toward him, he asked, “What’s Bob got for a special today ?”
“Breakfast special is breakfast burritos with egg, cheese, potato, and bacon .”
“I’ll have that and a cup of coffee.” Max frowned as he looked around. “What time does Joni work today ?”
“Joni?” Kelsi looked at him for a moment, and then her eyes widened. “Oh! You must be Max !”
Max frowned. “How did you figure that out so quickly? You’ve been home with sick babies, from what I understand .”
She shrugged. “Sure, I’ve been home with sick babies, but this ranch is my home and my livelihood. I know what’s going on here, and you’re the one who’s trying to lure Joni to Texas to work there. Probably good for her, but bad for me.” She started to walk away. “And she’ll be in within the next fifteen minutes. I usually open alone, and she comes in a few minutes later .”
He watched her go with a frown. Were people really talking that much about them already ?
8
W hen Joni parked in front of the café, she didn’t see Max’s truck. She was a bit disappointed until she remembered that he’d run there on Saturday, so perhaps he’d done the same that day. She had a few minutes before her shift started, so she’d have Bob’s special before starting her day .
She groaned when she thought of Bob. She was going to have to tell him how amazing their dinner had been Saturday night, because of his help. He wouldn’t fit through the kitchen door, his head would swell so big !
She straightened her ugly polyester uniform and hurried into the café, her gaze immediately going to where Max always sat. Her face lit up as soon as she saw him and she hurried to the kitchen. “Bob, I need your breakfast special for me. And I have to tell you…dinner was fabulous on Saturday. You’re not only a great cook, but you’re a good teacher .”
Bob raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. “Was that so hard ?”
“Yes!” She hurried back out of the kitchen, stopping for a minute to talk to Kelsi. “How’re the babies ?”
“So much better. They’re both breathing normally again.” Kelsi grinned at her friend. “Tell me about Max !”
“Not with him sitting right there!” Joni shook her head. “You’ve lost your mind !”
“I heard that!” Max called from the booth where he waited for her .
“Hush you!” Joni called back. “I’m going to go have breakfast with him. I’m not on for another twenty, so I should have time to finish .”
“Sounds good. I can handle any crowd we get. I owe you for covering for me. Again .”
Joni grinned at her. “I’m happy to do anything I can for those adorable little rug rats .”
“They’re awfully cute, aren’t they? I think little Tori looks just like her auntie Dani, and little Willow looks just like me. Don’t you ?”
Joni sighed. “Did you forget that you and Dani are identical twins again ?”
Kelsi shrugged. “Maybe to the untaught eye .”
“I’m going to go sit down with Max now .”
“I will do my best to go about business as usual, and not watch you two make cows eyes at each other .”
Joni ignored her friend as she slid in across from Max. “Good morning .”
Max smiled. “Morning. Kelsi’s something else, isn’t she ?”
“Yes! I’m not sure what that something is, but she’s definitely something else .”
“I heard that!” Kelsi yelled out. “I’m bringing your breakfast in a minute. Don’t get up, Joni .”
Joni shook her head. “Did you get my ticket ?”
“I did. You’re round trip from Lewiston, with a layover in Salt Lake. You need to be at the Lewiston airport by ten tomorrow morning .”
“I can do that.” She wasn’t sure who she’d have drive her yet, but there were any number of people who would be willing .
“Want me to drop you off? Pick you up ?”
“That would be great if you don’t mind.” She hadn’t even considered asking him, but she had no idea why. He was a good guy, and she loved the time they spent together. “Tell me about Adam. How do I impress him ?”
He shrugged. “Same way you impressed me. Just be yourself. The ranch needs a social worker, so just talk to him and explain your credentials. And tell him Kevin will vouch for you. It never hurts to have a pastor on your side. Especially one who is known and loved by the family who is hiring you .”
“Okay. I’ll do my best .”
Kelsi interrupted then to slide their plates in front of them. “You’re going to love the breakfast burritos. I had Bob put extra jalapeños in mine, so they’d be extra delicious .”
Joni shook her head. “Aren’t you still nursing? You’re going to give those poor babies heartburn .”
“Oh, they got my constitution. They love spicy stuff. I give them jalapenos to eat with their cereal every morning.” Kelsi walked away with that parting shot .
Joni shook her head. “She doesn’t really. Shane would strangle her if she hurt those babies, even if she just burned their mouths .”
“I have a hard time picturing the mostly-serious sheriff with Kelsi. She’s just a little too wild for him, in my mind .”
“Their story is super sweet.” She took a sip of the orange juice in front of her. “Kelsi was dating this idiot guy Donn the Dreadful for years. The day she broke up with him, she sheriff came in and asked her out. They were married within two weeks. Turns out he’d been in love with her for years, but he wasn’t about to ask another man’s girl out .”
“I don’t know if I could have sat on the sidelines waiting for them to break up if I’d had feelings for her .”
Joni shrugged. “The sheriff is a very patient man. You should see him with those babies .”
Max looked at her for a moment, a thought entering his mind. “Do you want children ?”
“I’d like a couple. You?” Had he asked her that because he wanted to get more serious? She wasn’t sure, but she really hoped so. There was
something special about him .
“I don’t know. I’m not sure what kind of parent I would be. I didn’t have the best example .”
“No, you didn’t, but you did have a good example later. Just be the kind of father your foster dad was. You seem to have a lot of love and respect for him, so he must have done something right .”
Max nodded. “That’s true. I’ll think on that.” He looked down at the half-eaten burrito he had left. He’d already demolished the first. “These are amazing .”
“Bob really can cook. He’s as good a cook as he is annoying !”
Bob stuck his head out of the kitchen. “Don’t mess with me, Joni, or I won’t tell you my secret !”
Joni laughed. “You don’t have any secrets, Bob. You’re just trying to get me to be quiet .”
He smiled, stepping out of the kitchen and behind the counter. “Actually, I do have a secret.” He reached into the pocket of his apron and pulled out three bubblegum cigars, one for Kelsi, one for Joni, and one for Max. Kelsi carried the two for Max and Joni over to them. “Miranda’s expecting .”
Joni grinned at him. “Oh, that’s wonderful! Congratulations !”
Bob smiled. “I was starting to think it would never happen. We want a houseful of kids .”
“I bet Debbie’s walking on air,” Kelsi said, referring to Miranda’s mother. “This is her first grandchild, right ?”
“Oh, yeah. Scott’s way too young to be having kids .”
“How’s Miranda feeling?” Kelsi asked. “I remember my early pregnancy. I couldn’t stop throwing up. Or grinning .”
Joni laughed. “I remember. You kept stopping random guests you’d never met before to tell them you were pregnant .”
“I only did that a couple dozen times.” Kelsi laughed. “I think I was the happiest pregnant woman alive .”
Bob smiled. “Miranda’s pretty happy, but she’s also pretty sick. She can’t hold anything down at any time of day. Not sure why they call it morning sickness. Seems more like all-day sickness to me.” He shrugged. “She’ll get through it, and we’ll all be happy .”
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