A Texas Christmas Wish

by Jolene Navarro

  He took Karly’s hand and moved to his father. He couldn’t quite let her go yet, but he needed to get to his dad.

  “Dad, I’m so sorry. I know I pulled some stupid stunts in high school. Ran away to Florida. When Mom died, I should have been here. I was in Europe when you got the news of Carol’s death. And now I almost kil—”

  His dad grabbed him. “You landed the airplane without an engine or runway.” A sob sounded from the man who never cried. His grip tightened around Tyler’s shoulders and he pulled him in for a hug.

  He looked over his dad and saw Karly crying again, but this time she had a faint smile. Dub finally stepped back and rubbed his face dry with his callused hands.

  John joined them. “I’ve talked to the sheriff. Apparently Anthony cut the line then went to grab Bryce, but couldn’t do it. He said he had called to stop you, but it was too late. He called the police. The sheriff says he’s a mess and for us not to touch anything out here. It’s a crime scene now.”

  Karly started trembling again. He could see the guilt she held over her face. His hand moved up and cupped her jaw. “You’re strong. You handled dropping from the sky like a pro. Anthony can’t hurt you.”

  John nodded. “Y’all need to go by the office and let them interview you about the incident. He says they’ve call the FFA and they’re going to send someone out to take pictures and do whatever they do at a crime scene.”

  Tyler shook his head. “I feel as though we’re in a bad CSI show. This is so surreal. Karly, let’s get you to Bryce. You ready to see your son and give him a huge hug?”

  “That sounds like the best offer I’ve ever gotten.”

  How would she respond if he offered himself up to her? He was probably better off not knowing.

  * * *

  Opening the car door before Tyler turned off the engine, Karly jumped from the cab. Her legs threatened to give out. The door supported her while she took a few deep breaths.

  Tyler stood by her side. “You need to be careful. You’re still wobbly.”

  “I’m fine.” She hated feeling weak.

  “Ha. Now you sound like Dad.” He put his arm around her as they moved to the front door.

  “There are worse people to sound like.” Winking at him, she stepped ahead of Tyler.

  “That’s what I’m learning.” He stayed right behind her as she went up the steps. The door swung open.

  “Momma!” Bryce lunged at her. He’d been hanging out with Celeste too much; jumping on people in greeting was a new habit.

  “Easy does it, Cowboy. Your mom had a rough day.” Tyler put out a hand to keep Bryce from knocking her down.

  Karly went to her knees, sitting back on her heels, arms so tight around her little man Tyler was sure he couldn’t have separated them if he had wanted to try.

  “Momma, are you okay?” Little hands patted her back.

  Karly started crying.

  Tyler couldn’t stand there watching. Bryce’s bright eyes, so much like his mother’s, were huge. Tyler dropped to his haunches, all of his weight balanced on the front of his boots. One hand on Karly, the other on Bryce. “The plane ride got a little rough. She missed you, but she’s okay now.” He leaned in closer to Bryce. “You know how moms just need to hug you and cry sometimes?”

  Bryce twisted his neck so he could see Tyler. He nodded with the understanding of a little boy who had experienced too much. “Did someone hurt her? Did you do something to make her cry?” Tyler’s heart twisted at the thought of Bryce feeling the need to protect his mother.

  As a kid, Tyler had been so safe and protected his whole life. How had he ended up ungrateful for everything he had been given? Selfishness was truly ugly.

  Karly lifted her head and cupped Bryce’s face. “Oh, no, baby. Tyler was great today. You know what? He found out we have family in Hawaii, and they want to talk to us. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.”

  “Really? Your mom’s family?”

  She nodded. “We can talk to them over the internet. What do you think about that?”

  “I think that’s cool. Is that why you’re crying?”

  “No and yes.” She laughed, picking up her son and holding him so close an ant would have been squashed.

  From the edge of his sight, Tyler saw John and his dad hanging back, giving Karly time with her son. “Hey, guys, why we don’t go in the house? I could use a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. This is getting hard on my old knees.”

  Karly laughed and stood. “Yeah, your old knees.” Still holding Bryce, she shifted him to her hip and smoothed out some of his more unruly hair. “So tell me what you were doing while I was flying over the hill country.” She carried Bryce through the door, his nonstop chatter bringing a smile to her face.

  The scene hit Tyler hard. He wanted them in his life every day. He wanted to see Karly and Bryce every morning at the ranch table. The thought of not seeing them was scarier than living the rest of his life in Clear Water.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The night she had been working toward for weeks now had finally arrived. It was Christmas Eve. Karly pulled the sheet of cookies out of the oven. They smelled right, looked perfect. The real test would come when she gave them to Tyler and Dub. Did they taste like the cookies Cindy had made for them?

  During Christmas Eve service, one of Dub’s favorite mares had gone into early labor, so all of the boys had headed out to help as soon as they got back to the ranch. Tyler assured her Bryce would be fine with them, and it worked out for her.

  It gave her time to get all the food out and to bake the special cookies she had made last night. She hadn’t been able to sleep after being interviewed by the sheriff and the Texas Rangers, then talking with her mother’s family on Skype. There had been so many tears and questions answered.

  Years before, Karly’s relatives in Hawaii had hired a private investigator to find her mother. Learning she had died of a drug overdose, the PI had talked to Anthony. He’d told them she had lost the child she’d been carrying before she left Hawaii. They stopped looking for any child.

  Believing Anthony lied to them was easy, but she still had a hard time understanding how he could cut the fuel lines. The idea that he’d tried to kill her and Tyler so he could grab Bryce... Well, no wonder she was having problems sleeping.

  She took a deep breath. He couldn’t hurt her anymore.

  Dear God, please give me peace and let me lay my worries at Your feet. You are my refuge and strength.

  She heard voices coming in through the back door. Wiping her hands on the red-and-green ruffled apron, Karly checked the food she had laid out on the island. Tamales from the church fund-raiser filled two steamers. Chili, sausage balls and a sweet corn casserole sat next to them. At the other end of the island she had trays filled with assorted pickles, olives, cold cuts and cheeses. Queso and guacamole with chips and breads sat in the middle. Karly had made everything Cindy had listed as the Christmas Eve essentials, plus the pigs in a blanket Tyler had requested.

  “Christmas Eve gifts!” Celeste was the first through the door, bags in each hand. Right behind her, Rachel, Lorrie Ann and Pastor John followed. They each carried a wrapped dessert from Maggie’s house. Oh, her cookies had some tough competition. She hoped they could hold their own.

  Lorrie Ann set down her containers and hugged Karly. “You should have let us help with the food.”

  Karly could not tell if her statement was based on doubts she could cook real food or a pure desire to help. Maybe both mingled up together. “I wanted to serve you after everything you’ve done for Bryce and me.”

  Pastor John grabbed a sausage ball and popped it in his mouth. “This reminds me of the spread Cindy had every Christmas Eve.”

  Karly’s stomach knotted up. “I found her recipe box and used her notes on what ev
eryone liked. She had your names on the card for those.”

  Everyone laughed as he stopped his hand midway to his mouth. He grinned and ate another one. “These were my favorites. Thanks, Karly.”

  With her apron twisted in her hands, she looked over the food. “I hope it’s okay. I don’t want to upset anyone. I threw in some of Bryce’s favorites, too.”

  Lorrie Ann hugged her again. “It’s all about being together. You did a great job. Now, where are the boys?”

  “One of the mares went into labor a couple weeks too early. They’re at the barn. I wanted to set up the kitchen without people watching.”

  “I want to see the new baby horse!” Celeste grabbed her father’s hand. “Please, Daddy. Let’s go to the barn.”

  “I want to see the foal, too.” Rachel looked at her father.

  “I’m not sure they want us all out there.” Pastor John glanced at Karly. “What do you think? Should we go?”

  “Everything’s already here.” She slipped off the Christmas apron and hung it on the hook in the pantry. “I think we should join the boys.”

  “Yay! Come on, Rachel. Let’s go.” Celeste grabbed her sister’s hand and ran for the door.

  “Easy, girls,” their father called after them. “We don’t want to upset the mare.”

  Karly followed them to the barn. The light from the barn shone like a beacon, welcoming new life to the ranch. Inside, they followed the sounds of the hushed whispers to the far end of the barn.

  Standing outside the stall, Tyler held Bryce on his shoulders. Dub leaned against the metal bars that ran from the half wall to the ceiling. Mia, Adrian’s daughter, stood on her toes.

  Celeste went straight to her grandfather. “Is the baby here yet?”

  The small group turned and looked at them. Adrian stepped out of the stall door. “Y’all are just in time to see the little guy stand.”

  John picked up Celeste so she could see over the wall.

  Karly gasped. A long-legged colt lay in the bedding, his mother nudging him, nickering softly as she cleaned him off. He was dark red with black legs, except for one white sock on the left leg that stretched out in front of him.

  “He’s beautiful.” Rachel’s hushed voice expressed the awe Karly was feeling.

  They all watched as the little guy struggled to stand. The spindly legs would give out and he would try again. They would gasp when he fell. In less than fifteen minutes, he was standing, looking for his mother’s milk.

  Karly couldn’t believe it. “That’s amazing that he can walk so soon.”

  Tyler smiled at her. “He’s got heart. How about we leave the new family alone so they can settle?”

  As a group they turned back to the house. “Adrian, you want to join us for dinner?”

  “Thanks, Tyler, but Mom will get upset if I don’t get Mia back in time to open the gifts. See y’all later.”

  The kids chatted all the way to the house, the excitement of the new foal overshadowing the bitter cold and Christmas Eve dinner.

  Dub and Tyler both stopped at the entryway into the kitchen. “Santa must have stopped by early. Look at all this food.” Dub walked to the stack of Christmas plates. “Haven’t seen these since...” He looked at Karly. “You did this?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  Tyler had his arm around her before she could finish. “It’s perfect. Thank you. You did all this while we were in the barn?”

  “What are these?” Dub picked up one of the sausages wrapped in croissant dough.

  Tyler took it from his dad. “My new favorite Christmas Eve food.”

  Dub’s scowl made her laugh. Then he turned it on her. Spine straight, she bit down on her lips. He winked. He got another and chewed slowly, before nodding. “Well, I think they’re my favorite now. You have to make them next year.”

  Next year. Two words that made her want to cry and dance at the same time. She wanted to grab him and dance a grand waltz. Those two little words changed her world. She had spent her whole life getting through the night or worried about the next day. Plans for next year with people she loved made her heart sing.

  “Yes, sir.” She settled for giving him a smile.

  Everyone filled their plates. With nerves on edge, she watched Bryce place a pile of everything on his dish that precariously balanced on his stubbed arm. Several times she had to stop herself from taking it from him. Tyler was right—she needed to let him fail and succeed without her intervention.

  At the table, everyone joined hands for the prayer. Bryce didn’t even hesitate to hold his short arm out to Tyler. She had forgotten to make sure to sit on her son’s right side.

  Tyler looked at her and winked before bowing his head for prayer. Pastor John’s words of praise and thanksgiving never had seemed truer than right now, right here surrounded by people that were good and true, not out for themselves.

  Thank You, God, for bringing these people into my life right when I needed them most. Thank You for Tyler and showing me a man can be a friend and protector without using me. Please hold my heart when he leaves. Let me lean on You.

  Dub squeezed her hand. Everyone was looking at her, waiting for her to finish her private prayer. “Sorry.”

  Pastor John’s warm brown eyes glimmered with a smile. “Sometimes we need a little extra time with God. Tonight is a good time for that. Now, on to the tamales.” Stacks of the corn husks covered the table—not the traditional meal she dreamed of serving, but this was better than her dreams. Laughter filled the room along with the scent of vanilla and pine.

  Dub told stories of his childhood and of Carol and Tyler when they were small. “The rivers were raging after the flood, and Tyler thought he could build a raft like Huck Finn. I knew then we were going to spend a great deal of time praying for that boy.”

  “Uncle Tyler, you seem to have been in trouble all the time.”

  “My curiosity got the better of me time and time again.” He sat back and grinned. Karly had to smile. He didn’t seem to regret his Huckleberry past.

  Celeste rested her chin on her hands and nodded. “I must take after you, Uncle Tyler.” Her sweet little face was serious. “I try to stay out of trouble, but it never works.”

  Her father leaned over and kissed her on the head. “Hey, I hear there are a few gifts under the tree for some good girls and boys.”

  Celeste dropped her head to the table. “Does that mean I don’t get one?”

  Tyler went to her and picked her up. “From one adventurer to another, I guarantee you there are boxes with your name on them.”

  “What about me?” Bryce asked. “Do you think there is one for me, too?” His dark eyes widened, filled with worry.

  “Oh, I saw two or three.”

  “Really?”

  “Ready to go find out, or do you want another round of dinner?”

  Dub sat back and patted his stomach. “I think I want more tamales.”

  Celeste dropped to the ground and rushed to her grandfather’s side. “No. You can get more after we open gifts. Please, Grandpa.”

  John narrowed his eyes. “That’s not how you act, young lady.”

  “I’m sorry.” She lowered her eyes.

  “I’m just teasing.” Dub hugged her. “Let’s see if your uncle Tyler got coal this year.”

  In a whirlwind the dining room was empty. Karly started gathering the plates and taking them to the kitchen.

  Everyone had left but Tyler. He leaned against the archway, arms crossed. “What are you doing?”

  “I thought you were salutatorian of your class.” She held up the dirty dishes.

  “Ha-ha. The table can be cleared later.” He walked over to her and took the dishes out of her hands. “The family is waiting and the kids are about to storm the castle. So
come on, Cinderella, the party can’t start without you.” He tangled up his fingers with hers and led her toward the living room.

  “Wait a minute. I have something I’d like to give you before everything starts.” It was her turn to take charge. Pulling him into the kitchen, she lifted the cover off the cookies she had been working on for over a month now.

  She wouldn’t let herself get discouraged by the brief cringe she saw on his face before he planted a bright smile on his face.

  “You’re still determined to make cookies?” He took one and winked at her. At first he took a small nibble, probably afraid of a full commitment after the last one he’d eaten.

  She wasn’t insulted by his look of surprise as he took a bigger bite.

  His face stopped in midmotion. His eyes wide and full of questions, he stared at her. Holding the sugar cookie up, he swallowed. “Where did you get these?”

  All of a sudden her excitement turned to dread. What if she’d messed up? “I found your mother’s recipe box.” Karly pulled on her earring. “I’ve been practicing until I thought I got it right. I’m sorry it was a bad id—”

  “No, it was a shock. They taste just like my mom’s.” One corner of his lips pulled up, creating a dimple. “This is one of the most special gifts I’ve ever received.” He stepped closer, so close that his nose was mere inches from hers. “Thank you.” Lowering his head, his lips touched her cheek, and then he stepped back.

  She followed. He might have promised not to kiss her again, but she had not made the same vow. Standing on her toes, she wrapped her fingers around his biceps to steady herself. Before she closed her eyes, she saw the look of surprise on his face.

  She moved in to join their lips. She pressed closer. His hands surrounded her waist.

  He leaned into the kiss, taking over. Tentative, gentle and soft, as if she was a precious gift he didn’t want to break. Her hands moved up to his shoulders. No space remained between them. The pressure of his kiss went deeper, and she could taste the sugar cookie.