Christmas at Hope Ranch

by Loretta C. Rogers

  “You could be right, son.” Ward Grey harrumphed. “And ironically, she’s right back where she started.”

  “How did she get her name? Was there a piece of paper with her name on it pinned to her?”

  Ward shifted his gaze from the fireplace’s flickering flames to his son. “Nothing that simple. When a doctor examined Addison, he estimated she was about eleven months old. Of course, she didn’t know her name and was barely talking. No, there was no note.” Ward Grey chuckled. “The bus station sits at the corner of Addison Boulevard and James Avenue. CPS decided it was as good a name as any—thus, Addison James.”

  Wade gave his dad a quizzical smile. “Pop, it seems everyone assumed Addison was brought in on a bus and left inside the depot. With all you’ve told me, doesn’t it make sense that the mother simply walked inside and left Addison on a bench? I mean, a bus station is usually filled with people. The mother probably figured someone would find her baby and give her a good home.”

  Ward stretched his long legs toward the fire. “Uh-huh. We thought of that, too. Stu canvassed the surrounding businesses and apartment complexes, looking for witnesses. ’Course, it brought a lot of loco yokels out of the woodwork, claiming they’d seen this or that and then asking if there was a reward. All of it just led to one dead end after another.”

  Wade smiled wearily. He wished he had better news from his father. He fought against feelings he didn’t understand and wondered why he felt the need to protect Addison. “She’s ready to run again. In fact, she’s fighting hard to stay in Meadow Creek. I think that’s why she volunteered to take charge of the bazaar. Hell, she even admitted she hates Christmas.”

  He snapped his fingers. “Wait…” He lifted the article from the coffee table and read, “…found on Christmas Day.” He raked a hand through his hair. “My God, Pop, what kind of mother abandons her child on Christmas Day? Even though Addison was barely a year old, she probably innately remembers things like decorated trees and Christmas carols. The day I picked her up at the airport, I turned the radio on and “Jingle Bells” was playing. She asked me to turn it off. No wonder she dislikes Christmas.”

  He paced back and forth in front of the fireplace until his father beckoned him to sit. “Son, that was thirty-odd years ago. Things were different then for young mothers, especially if they were unwed and destitute or married to some sorry-assed no-good.”

  A husky timbre filled Wade’s voice. “Ava and I were so fortunate. At least we knew our parents loved us. When they were killed, it was a real scary time, with us having no known relatives and being afraid Ava and I would be separated. We’re mighty thankful for you and Mom, and we love you more than we show. I’m just sorry Addison wasn’t that fortunate.”

  Ward stood and embraced his son. “Your mother and I are the fortunate ones, and don’t you ever think otherwise.” He patted Wade on the back. “Besides with you and me having names like Wade and Ward, we took it as a sign that you and Ava were meant to be ours.”

  “Thanks, Pop.” Wade heaved a sigh. “It’s late. I’ll say goodnight to Mom on the way out.”

  Ward waited by the front door. His gaze slowly met his son’s. “I just had a thought. No one ever thought to take a DNA sample from the little girl and run it through the databases. ’Course back then, DNA testing wasn’t all that reliable.” He shrugged his shoulders. “If Addison is serious about knowing who she is, it’s something to consider. Good or bad, she has to be prepared to live with the results.”

  Wade gave his dad another quick hug and a pat on the back. “’Night, Pop. You’re the best. If or when the time is right, I’ll consider mentioning it to her.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Saturday reminded Addison of a picture-postcard, a perfect morning with cloudless blue skies and a blanket of snow. The two Percheron geldings stood patiently while Emmett showed Joey how to harness the horses and then hitch them to the sleigh. Addison and Julie had helped Nell in the kitchen. The girls loaded egg salad onto homemade yeast bread, wrapped up the sandwiches they made, and packed them along with a container of gingersnaps and two thermoses each of hot chocolate and hot coffee into a large wicker picnic basket.

  Julie scampered toward the sleigh. Addison helped Nell tote the wicker basket. Emmett rushed forward to relieve them of their burden. “Good day for picking out a Christmas tree, wouldn’t you say, Nell?” He handed her into the sleigh while tucking the basket of food under the seat.

  Nell drew a deep breath as she settled under the lap blanket. “It’s a good day, for sure.”

  Addison suspected the tinge of pink that colored Nell’s cheeks had nothing to do with the crisp air. She was careful not to let her cool exterior crack. “Too bad Wade couldn’t make it.”

  Emmett shrugged as he lifted Julie into the sleigh. “That’s the way it goes when you’re the sheriff.”

  She didn’t respond. Instead, she accepted his help getting in the sleigh. She settled next to Nell, with the little girl tucked between them. She hoped Wade wasn’t avoiding her.

  Emmett climbed up on the driver’s box, with Joey seated next to him. “Wanna help me drive the team, son?”

  The little boy’s voice squeaked, “Me?”

  “You’re the only boy here, aren’t you?”

  Addison listened with interest as the man gave an easy explanation on how to hold the long set of reins between his fingers. At the boy’s skepticism, Emmett said, “Don’t worry. I’ll have hold of the reins too.”

  Joey fretted. “I don’t know what to do.”

  Emmett adjusted his hat a little tighter on his head. He lifted the youngster to his lap, his arms wrapped around him. “All you gotta do is flap the reins, call ’em by their names, and tell ’em to walk on. These ol’ hosses are good boys. They’ll obey.”

  Joey’s little voice trembled when he flapped the reins and ordered, “Walk on, Chipper and Bud.”

  At the command, the wagon moved forward. Julie squealed and clapped her hands. “You’re doing it, Joey!”

  Joey giggled with delight as he flicked the reins again.

  Conversation was spare, leaving Addison time to mull a plethora of thoughts. There was something appealing about the wide expanse of country, the miles and miles of snow-covered terrain without honking horns, neon signs, and the crush of crowds all bustling to get somewhere fast. Along the way, Nell pointed out a black-capped chickadee, a couple of rabbits, and a herd of deer.

  Addison had a vision of herself never leaving Hope Ranch. The thirty-minute ride gave her time to think about ways to save Nell’s home. Lost in thought, she almost didn’t hear Nell say, “I can’t remember the last time I tended to the trees. My mind says I can still do all the things I did when I was young.” With a voice gruff from suppressed emotions, she added, “My body and my mind are often at war with each other.”

  Emmett glanced over his shoulder. “That’s the plain truth, Nell. One thing for certain, gettin’ old isn’t for the faint of heart.” And then he added, “Haul up on the reins, Joey.”

  Emmett helped the youngster pull the team to a halt. “All right, little man. A gentleman always helps the ladies, and you and I are gentlemen. Give your sister a hand down while I take care of Aunt Nell and Miss Addy.”

  Nell sighed as she licked her lips. “If you don’t mind, Emmett, I’d like to wait in the sleigh.”

  The concern in Emmett’s voice matched his furrowed brow. “You all right, Nell? We can do this another day.”

  “And disappoint the young’uns? Not on your life.” She made a shooing motion with her hands. “Besides, it’ll be nice to decorate the house again after so many years.”

  “Can we pick out a tree now?” the twins chimed.

  Addison said, “Don’t worry, Emmett. I’ll stay with Nell. If we need you, I’ll yell.”

  Emmett nodded. He grabbed the chainsaw from the rear of the sleigh and cautioned the twins to stay where he could see them.

  Youthful chatter and giggles, mingled with Boo
mer’s excited yips, drifted back to the sleigh. Addison opened the thermos of coffee and poured two cups. She handed one to the woman across from her. Meaningless chitchat passed between them until, no longer able to contain her concern, Addison blurted, “I know you’re in financial trouble and on the verge of losing the ranch.”

  An incredulous scowl settled on Nell’s face. “You have no right snooping into my business.”

  “I wasn’t snooping, not exactly. That day in your office when I telephoned my agent, the letters from the bank were there. Nell, if you needed help all you had to do was ask.”

  “Who was I to ask…you?” Nell harrumphed. “Not a word from you in all these years. Every one of my kids calls me Aunt Nell. Not you. Why is that, Addison?”

  She called me Addison! Not Addy. Disaster number seven: sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. Shocked to the core at the reality of Nell’s words, she didn’t blame her foster mother for being upset with her. She was angry at herself for starting a conversation like this one here in the middle of a snow-covered field. She wanted to move to another topic. A happier topic.

  The cold was damp, causing her arm to ache, and Addison drew the coat more tightly around her. She was overcome with a conviction of possible irreparable loss. Searching for the proper explanation, she stared out at the mountains, thinking the ridges resembled purple and gray crushed velvet. She lowered her gaze. In spite of the cold, her cheeks burned hotly.

  Addison offered a lopsided smile at her foster mother. “I’m sorrier than you will ever know that I’ve hurt you so deeply. You can be upset with me all you want. The most important issue at the moment is to figure out how to save your home. As I see it, you have two choices: flaunt your stubborn pride and become homeless, or be the sensible woman that I know you are and let me help you.”

  The buzz of the chainsaw chewing through wood and then its silence signaled the perfect Christmas tree had been found and that this conversation was over—temporarily.

  Nell’s stiff composure and reluctance to express any of her feelings was beyond reserved or constrained, as if she denied the gravity of her situation. The silence between them became excruciating.

  Exuberant shouts intensified the moment. “Aunt Nell…Aunt Nell…look at our tree!”

  Addison’s voice brimmed with commiseration. “Aunt Nell?”

  Nell tossed off the lap blanket and stood. “Not a word of this to Emmett. I’m not his or anybody else’s charity case.” She stepped down from the sleigh. “I just have to—think about all of this.”

  Addison noted the rise and fall of the older woman’s chest. It pained her to cause the only mother she had known such stress. “Thinking about it and procrastinating has brought you almost to the point of no return, Aunt Nell.”

  Nell glowered. “Stop with the Aunt Nell. All of a sudden it sounds like a…a mockery.”

  Addison wasn’t about to apologize. She continued. “All right. Nonetheless, let us help you, and that includes Emmett. It’s as obvious as the nose on your face that the man would walk through fire for you. Besides, Wade is coming out tomorrow. If we put our heads together, we can formulate a solid plan before it’s too late.”

  Boomer raced toward the women. He jumped up, placing his large, snow-covered paws on Nell’s chest. She scratched his head and crooned that he was a good boy. The sight of two six-year-olds struggling to help drag a blue spruce through the snow released the pent-up tension in Addison.

  With little effort, Emmett loaded the six-footer in the back of the sleigh and secured it with rope. “The young’uns and I have worked up a powerful appetite gettin’ this beauty.”

  Joey’s red-cheeked face overflowed with pride. “Uncle Emmett let me help with the chainsaw.”

  “And I picked out the tree. It’s taller than me.” The words practically bubbled out of Julie’s throat.

  Emmett walked from the rear of the wagon. He gazed, bewildered, at the two women. “Something goin’ on I should know about?”

  Nell handed him a cup of coffee and an egg salad sandwich while Addison tended the children. Nell glanced at Addison with a tight-lipped, humorless smile. Relief washed over Addison when Nell said to Emmett, “Come for lunch tomorrow or not. Suit yourself. Seems Addison and Wade have some business to talk over with me.”

  Emmett lifted his bushy eyebrows skeptically. “By the looks on your faces, whatever is going on must be mighty serious.”

  Nell offered a doleful look. “Serious enough, I reckon.”

  The little boy wolfed down his sandwich. “Aunt Nell, can we decorate the tree as soon as we get home?”

  Julie clapped her gloved hands together. Through chattering teeth she chimed in, “Can we…can we?”

  Nell started to say something, but Emmett abruptly lifted Joey and then Julie to sit next to him on the driver’s seat. “I expect we’ll have to climb up to the attic to find the decorations. Maybe later in the afternoon, after Nell has rested a bit, you can decorate the tree. For now, you and your sister can help me drive the team back to the house.”

  ****

  When Emmett guided the team across the yard and halted them at the front porch, Nell took in the dismal-looking old rustic two-story ranch house. She sighed deeply and, as though speaking to herself, said, “It’s in sad need of repair and a paint job.”

  She leaned forward and touched Addison on the arm. She smiled, her voice steady. “You know, the meeting tomorrow might be just the ticket. Can you forgive a foolish old woman for acting like a sore-tailed she-bear?”

  Addison’s smile was genuine when she squeezed her foster mother’s hand. “It’s me who should ask forgiveness. Don’t worry. Together we’ll come up with a great plan, Aunt Nell.”

  Nell blamed the stinging wind for causing tears to puddle in her eyes. “Aunt Nell…has a nice ring to it.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  It took less time to find the two large blue plastic storage bins filled with Christmas decorations than it did to get Joey and Julie out of the attic.

  “Did you see the rockin’ horse, Julie? I wonder if Aunt Nell will let us bring it down from the attic so we can ride it.”

  “I bet if Uncle Emmett asks she’ll say okay.” This was followed by Julie’s frightened squeal. “Sp…i…der!” She ran to Emmett and hugged his leg. “Don’t let it get me.”

  “Here, now, little girl, hush up that screechin’. You ’bout scared ten years off me. It won’t hurt you if you don’t mess with it.” Emmett removed his hat and gently encouraged the hobo spider to move along. “Let’s get these decorations downstairs. Julie, help your brother with that smaller bin.”

  The children followed Emmett down the stairs to the living room, where they deposited their burdens. Emmett removed the lid and dug around until he found the tree holder and secured the blue spruce in it, then set the tree in front of the large window.

  Nell lamented, “I haven’t put up a tree in several years—don’t know if the twinkle lights still work.”

  Emmett assured her. “Don’t fret, Nell. We’ll get it figured out.”

  After an hour of untangling cords, stretching them out, and testing to make sure all the bulbs were screwed in, Emmett pointed and said, “It’s the moment of truth. Joey, there’s the wall outlet. Plug ’er in.”

  Addison held her breath. Nell crossed her fingers. Julie scolded, “Hurry up, Joey.”

  Much to everyone’s delight, the strands of red and green, blue and white lights twinkled. Nell helped Emmett wrap the strings of light around the tree. Addison’s heart twanged when the couple’s hands touched and Nell’s cheeks flamed when Emmett winked.

  “Let the decorating begin,” Nell stepped back and declared.

  Addison reached into the bin and drew out a miniature crocheted wreath. She sucked in her breath. A fat tear squeezed from the corner of her eye.

  “Why are you crying, Addison?” Julie’s childlike voice was a mixture of sympathy and curiosity.

  Addison held up the teal wr
eath adorned with a red bow for the twins to see the picture glued to the wreath. “Aunt Nell crocheted one for each of us. This is me when I wasn’t much older than you. It was my first Christmas at Hope Ranch.” She lovingly placed the ornament on a bluish-green sprig.

  Nell peeked around from her side of the tree. “If you dig around, you’ll probably find one with Ruby’s picture, and a lot of others, too.”

  “This is fun.” Joey pulled a spotted rocking horse from the box and hung it on the tree.

  Addison searched until she found a plastic bag filled with ornaments that were Nell’s creation. She recalled most of the names as she hung other colorful crocheted wreaths. She held up a blue wreath with a green bow. “Who is this cute guy?”

  “Oh, my goodness, that’s Wade. I think he was about eleven years old. He and Ava didn’t live here very long before Ward and Lucy adopted them.” She ran a finger over the picture. “He grew into a fine man.”

  Addison found a place for the wreath. “Yes, he certainly has.”

  “Look, isn’t she beautiful?” Julie crooned as she held up an angel tree-topper that wore a green coat with white faux fur trim and a green plaid dress with gold trim. The angel held a gold cross in one hand and a harp in the other. Her wings were snowy white feathers.

  The little girl’s happy face crumpled, tears rimmed her eyes, and she sniffled. Addison knelt. “Why are you crying, Julie?”

  Joey came and draped his arm over his sister’s shoulder. “She’s sad because the angels took our gram away.”

  Addison used the tip of her shirttail to wipe away the tears. “Your gram wouldn’t want you to be sad. In fact, you and Joey come with me.”

  Nell and Emmett exchanged curious glances and followed Addison as she led the twins outside to the front porch and down the steps. It was almost as if all of them had forgotten it was dark and cold.

  Addison pointed to the inky sky littered with stars. “Stars are angels that watch over us and make us feel happy and safe. Look carefully for the star that glitters the brightest. That will be your gram smiling down at you.”