A Texas Christmas Wish

by Jolene Navarro

  “Good night, Karly.”

  “Night, Tyler.”

  * * *

  Karly bit the inside of her cheek as Tyler made his way to the back door. Could she trust him to help her? She had made a vow to stand on her own feet, to take care of any problems without expecting to be rescued.

  Or, like the Childress men, was she letting pride get in God’s way?

  She rushed through the kitchen, trying to reach him before he made it to the bunkhouse. “Tyler!”

  At the edge of the patio, he stopped and turned to her. “What is it, Karly?” His charming smile melted her heart. “So you want to go flying?”

  She stared at him, then at the moon playing hide-and-seek behind the tree branches. Just say it. It doesn’t mean you’re giving him your life. Focusing on his face she took in a deep lungful of air. “I need help.”

  The smile was gone, and his eyebrows formed a V. He moved closer to her. “What’s wrong?” He took her hand into his.

  “My stepfather, he’s telling people that they need to start a fund-raiser for Bryce. He wants to use Bryce the way he used me. He said he would leave town if I gave him ten thousand dollars. I thought of selling my car, but it’s not worth that much. I need help telling him to leave town.” There she said it.

  He stiffened and pulled away. “So you want money?”

  “No, I—”

  “Really? Is this the routine? You come into town and get people to trust you, then he follows and, bam, you got the money? Do you always pretend you don’t know you had family in Hawaii?”

  She stepped back. His words confirmed her greatest fear. If people knew the truth, they would doubt her, look at her with suspicion. “I don’t want your money. Never mind.” She needed to find a way to do this on her own anyway. “Forget I said anything. Good night, Tyler.” She turned to go back into the house. God, please let me know what to do.

  Tyler stopped her from going through the door. “Karly, I’m sorry. When I heard money it was a knee-jerk reaction. Which makes me a jerk.” His fingers gently touched her cheek. “How can I help?”

  “This was a mistake, Tyler.” Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around her middle. “I just want to avoid drama. I hate conflict.”

  Strong arms came around her, pulling her against him. “Conflict can’t always be avoided. We can’t let the bad guys win.”

  “Anthony told me over and over again that my mother didn’t have any family. I just want him out of my life. I thought maybe you could go with me. I’m not sure what to do. He keeps calling, following me around town.” She moved away from him. Needing some space to sort out her emotions and thoughts, she moved to the rocking bench. “He actually hasn’t done anything wrong here, and all the other stuff happened years ago. I can’t go to the police.”

  He followed and leaned against the column next to her. “When he showed up, you were ready to run. I don’t understand why your stepfather would keep you from your mother’s family.”

  “Anthony is manipulative and selfish. I wasn’t allowed to go to school. He told me I had cancer.” She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms tight around them. “For the longest time I thought I was dying, but at about eleven I realized he had never taken me to the doctor. We would live in some small town for six months to a year, then we’d take off. He would con people into providing exotic trips for us so I could—” she made air quotes “—‘recover’ or get a last wish granted. Once the money ran out we moved to another town in another state. He never hurt me or even hit me. He just made me feel so ungrateful.” Her stomach hurt. “There were so many people who wanted to help. When I was little I loved the attention and gifts, but as I got older I realized we were lying to them and taking their money. I couldn’t get the dirt off me.”

  Her muscles ached. Standing, Karly walked over to the edge of the patio, pulled her jacket tight around her middle and searched the sky for answers. Why had Anthony kept her from her mother’s family and, if he’d lied about them, what else had he lied about? She didn’t like thinking about the past. She definitely never talked about it.

  “Karly, I can’t even imagine that kind of life.” Tyler joined her. He stood right outside the light coming from the house. He stared out into the night, not looking at her. Good. If she didn’t see any judgment it made it easier to keep talking.

  “When I started questioning him, things got ugly. It wasn’t as easy to use me after I outgrew the little girl role. Somewhere in my early teens, he started dating older women. Women with money and no family. I couldn’t take it, so I ran away.” She sat down. The thin cotton material of her long skirt was not much protection against the cold concrete step.

  “He’s a con artist who used a young girl.” He sat on the step below her, close enough to touch if she wanted to. “He needs to be in jail.”

  “At sixteen, I thought a boy I had met was my Prince Charming. He even had a white car. I was so in love and such an idiot. Well, as you know, that didn’t work out, either.”

  “Karly, you can’t give Anthony money. He’ll just want more. I’ll go with you in the morning.” He reached for her hand. “The day he showed up I told you to not be afraid to ask for help. I know you want to be strong and independent, but I don’t think God ever intended for you to do everything all alone.” He laid his warm hand on her knee and gave her a slight squeeze. “It’s not a sign of weakness to need help.” He shook his head. “And you call me stubborn.”

  She gave him a weak smile. It wouldn’t change his mind if she tried to explain how scared she was of falling into that old pattern. Tyler made it easy to slip back into believing she could have a happy ending.

  Tyler smiled. “Okay, tomorrow morning we go talk to Anthony. Tomorrow night we go to the pageant. Sunday after church we go flying.”

  “Sounds like a deal.” Then he would be gone. For the safety of her heart and sanity, she needed to plant that fact firmly in her brain. Thinking about talking to Anthony unsettled her nerves. She hated conflict, but sometimes there was no way to avoid it.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The temperature had actually dropped below freezing, which was unusual for this time of year. Karly had on the heaviest jacket she owned. She adjusted the scarf around her neck and focused on the sound of her boots on the cabin steps as she made her way to Anthony’s door.

  She stopped. Standing in front of Anthony’s rental, she felt a cold sweat break out over her skin. Right behind her, Tyler looked all cool and confident in his black leather jacket.

  If she’d been alone, she would have already run for the hills. With an encouraging smile, Tyler nodded to her. Please, God, give me the words and the perseverance I need to get this done.

  One more step and she knocked on the door. Three solid knocks. Tyler rested his hand between her shoulder blades as if gently holding her in place so she couldn’t give in to her desire to flee.

  The door swung open. After a flash of surprise, Anthony had his best smile in place. “Karly, I’m so happy to see you.” He nodded to her partner. “Tyler, right?” He stepped back. “Come in, come in.”

  “No, Anthony,” she said. “I’m here to tell you I’m not giving you any money and you are not getting anywhere near my son. You will be leaving Clear Water by the end of the week.”

  His smile fell and his gaze shifted to Tyler before coming back at her. He reached for her shoulder, but she stepped back before he made contact.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  Tyler moved closer, cutting Anthony off from her.

  “Karly, what did you tell him?” He relaxed with his hands in the air as if to surrender, then smiled at her new bodyguard. “She does lean toward the dramatic. I mean, look at her choices. You can’t believe half of what she says.”

  “I’ve learned to believe everything she says. You’ll fi
nd most of the town does, also.” Tyler’s normally warm eyes where hard as steel.

  Anthony glanced at Tyler, then back to Karly. “I can’t leave now. I want to see my grandson. Remember how we used to travel to the greatest places? We can do that again. You don’t want Bryce growing up thinking this place is the whole world.”

  “Actually, I do. This is my home, and Clear Water is full of good people that I want to be in my son’s life. I won’t argue with you. If you’re not gone by the end of the week or if I hear you are talking to people about fund-raising, I’m going to the sheriff. There is nothing for you here.”

  “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “Goodbye, Anthony.” She turned and headed back to her old car, her heart beating so fast she could hear it.

  Pulling out of the Pecan Farm, Karly took a deep breath. “I did it. Usually, if the con’s not easy, he’ll leave.”

  “I hope so. Maybe you should go ahead and call the sheriff. Let him know what’s going on.”

  “And tell him what? Over fifteen years ago Anthony shaved my head and took money from people? Anyway, it would just be his word against mine. I’m a high school dropout that has had some trouble with the law and ended up as a runaway and teen mother.”

  “You don’t feel safe, but this town loves you and Bryce. You’re not alone, Karly. Just give the sheriff a heads-up. There might be more he can do for you or not, but you should talk to them. You don’t want him moving on to the next town to con other people.”

  “You’re right. I’m not used to trusting anyone, especially the law.” She bit her lip. “At one point, because I was so young and homeless, they talked about putting Bryce in foster care.” She wasn’t that girl anymore. She glanced at Tyler. He was looking out the window, so she couldn’t see his reaction.

  “But you kept your family together,” he said. “You did what you had to do to take care of your son. He’s happy and well adjusted. You’ve done a great job. Better than I would have done in the situation.” He put his arm on the backrest and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know you want to be strong and do it on your own, but asking for help from the right people doesn’t make you weak.”

  She gave him a quick glance. He looked so intense, as if he needed her to believe what he was saying was the absolute truth. “You’re right. I’ll talk to the sheriff. I should see him at church on Sunday.”

  Tyler’s phone vibrated. Checking it, he looked back at her and grinned. “Christmas secret project is ready. Let’s head home.”

  “Secret project. What is it?”

  “Well, if you knew, it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?” He started singing along with “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t really like surprises, and you have all your teeth.”

  “I didn’t in first grade, and every time Dad picked me up from school he would sing the song as loud as he could. Carol would join him. I was so embarrassed.” He sang the chorus with full gusto one more time before smiling at her. “I wasn’t sure how to go about doing the secret project, so I asked Lorrie Ann, John’s fiancée, if she could help. She has everything set up at the house to make the angel handprints, like my mom did every year. I thought it would be great to do with Carol’s girls. Rachel has them for her first two or three years. It makes a good Christmas memory for Bryce and you, too. With the pageant later today I wasn’t sure we could get it done.”

  “Are you sure about this?” She didn’t want to see him so hurt again.

  “Mom would be heartbroken if the tradition didn’t carry on to the next generation. I threw a fit as a teenager, but I’m not a kid anymore. I want to do this for my mom, the girls and you.” He looked out the window. “I want it, too.”

  “I love the idea, Tyler.” He was making it so hard not to love him. He was just being nice to her, she told herself. It didn’t mean anything else. She gripped the steering wheel.

  She was strong. Her faith was larger than any of the monsters from her past, and she could walk into her future alone. Tyler would move on with his real life, and she would be here where she wanted to be with Bryce. A soft rain started falling. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” started playing on the radio.

  Tyler laid his head back against the headrest. His baritone voice joined the music. He turned his head and winked at her. “Come on, sing with me.”

  That was safe, so she did. As she drove toward the ranch they sang about home, dreams and Christmas Eve.

  * * *

  The kitchen had been transformed into a kid’s craft corner. Newspaper covered every surface, and cinnamon filled the air. Lorrie Ann stood at the center island rolling out dough. Laughing with Rachel was a tall, lanky boy who Tyler thought was Vickie’s son, Seth. He could believe she was married to Jake Torres now. And there was talk of the two kids having a budding relationship. There was no way Rachel was old enough for a boyfriend. He wondered if John knew the boy was here.

  Karly bumped him with her shoulder. “Stop glaring. They’re friends.” Her voice was low, and the softness of her breath fluttered across his cheek.

  “You should know that boys at any age cannot be trusted, and girls fall for their stupid lines.” He knew he sounded grumpy, but the thought of anyone hurting his niece hit him hard.

  The humor left her eyes. Oh, now he regretted the words. “Karly, I—”

  “You’re right, but she has a family that loves her and is watching out for her. If you’re so worried, maybe you should stick around.” She charged away from him into the middle of the mess.

  “Maybe I should,” he said under his breath before following her.

  Celeste reached across Bryce to get a cookie cutter. On the other side of Cowboy was a little blond girl he didn’t recognize. She had to be Vickie’s youngest. Music mingled with laughter as the kids worked. Dub sat at the table, a cane leaning against the table. Where was his father’s walker?

  “Hey, guys. Are you making cookies?” Tyler inspected the creations.

  “Uncle Tyler!” Celeste jumped from the stool she had been kneeling on and threw herself at him. He swung the bundle of energy around. He wished he greeted life with half of the joy she did every day.

  Lorrie Ann pushed a strand of her dark hair out of her face with the back of her hand. “Not in the kitchen, guys. I thought while we were waiting, it would be fun to make dough ornaments before we do the handprints. It turned out to be more complicated than I thought, but we’re having fun.”

  The kids all agreed. Celeste shook her head. “It’s not compli...complicated. It’s messy and fun! They smell like cinnamon. This is our last batch. I made hearts.”

  “Momma, I made a horse. I also made sheep and a camel. From the Christmas story of baby Jesus. They’re in the oven.”

  “Oh, the horse is wonderful, Bryce.” She looked at Lorrie Ann. “Can I make one?”

  “This is our last batch. I didn’t make very much dough. Here, use the extra to make your ornament.” The timer went off. “Okay, guys, put your last ones on the tray so I can put them in the oven.” As she took out the baked ornaments, she glanced at Tyler. “Vickie called. She and Jake had some last-minute errands for the pageant. I told her it wouldn’t be a problem for the kids to hang out with us. I know this is a special activity, so I hope—”

  “Mom used to invite our friends over and everyone made their own handprints to take home. It’s all good. Hey, Dad, how are you feeling?”

  “I’m going to read.” Dub struggled to stand.

  Karly left her dough and rushed to his side. “I think you might have done too much the past couple of days.” She supported his arm.

  “I’m fine. I just want to lie down for a minute and read.” As he shuffled out of the room, he stopped by Celeste. “Make me something pretty.” He kissed the top of her head.r />
  Lorrie Ann hustled around the kitchen organizing and directing the kids. “Okay, clean up all the tools, and we’ll wash them before we start the next project.”

  Tyler looked at Karly’s dough. She had started making a B. He picked up the extra and made a K. With the fork, he gave it wavy lines. Adding dots with the butter knife, he finished it with a hole on top for a ribbon and put the date on the back.

  “Oh, you made one, too.” Karly had walked up behind him.

  “It’s for you. To go with the one you’re making.” With the letter on his flat hand, he held it out to show her.

  Long graceful fingers covered her mouth as she gasped. Wide eyes teared up.

  “Karly, it’s just a letter.” His voice was hushed. He hadn’t meant to upset her.

  She shook her head and raised her gaze to his. “I’ve... No one has ever made me a Christmas gift before. I mean...I know it’s not a gift, but it’s for Christmas and it’s for me... Ugh.” Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, Karly stopped talking.

  “Finish your B, then you’ll have a memento from your first Childress Christmas.” Moving to the other side of her, he placed the K on the cookie sheet with the other creations of the day.

  Gathering everyone around the table, Lorrie Ann started the kids making their handprints with white paint.

  Tyler’s heart skipped an extra beat as he helped Celeste. His mother and Carol would be delighted and perhaps a little proud of him.

  His tongue out, Bryce pressed his left hand on the dark blue paper. “Mom, my angel will only have one wing, or can I use my left hand again?”

  Celeste reached over with her clean hand and touched the end of his short arm. “You should use your short arm, than you’ll have an angel perfect for you.”

  “I don’t know.” The doubt in his voice twisted Tyler’s heart.

  “Bryce, I volunteer in a hospital where several of the kids are missing hands and arms because of...accidents.” Fire seemed a little too dark for this crowd. “Each year they send out thank-you cards, and they have all sorts of handprints and most didn’t include five fingers or palms. So make wings with each of your hands. Over the years your mom will get to see how much you’ve grown as your angel gets bigger.”