A Montana Christmas Reunion

by Roz Denny Fox

  “I’ve seen you perform. I hope you’ve canceled with the kids expecting you to appear at their high school Christmas concert. Oh, and the Cattlemen’s banquet if you arranged that with Sarah Jane Watson.”

  “You are so pigheaded. At the risk of sounding like the Terminator, I’ll be back. Go and watch the country show with Leland.”

  Jewell heard his phone disconnect. She tossed hers in the passenger seat and drove off to her next appointment, her head aching.

  Late that night it began to snow in earnest. Ranchers scrambled to cover cut hay and move cattle. Jewell kept super busy, too.

  Saturday morning Doreen called her. “Are you coming to Leland’s tonight to watch Saxon sing at that CMA award show? It’s on at eight. I’m serving veggies and artichoke dip.”

  “Don’t count on me. I’m worn out, Doreen.”

  “But you’ll watch the show, right? Leland asked me to make sure.”

  “Maybe, unless I fall asleep first.”

  Jewell arrived home from her last job at seven. She fed Shadow and heated soup for herself. Taking it into the living room, she lost the battle to ignore the show and turned on the TV. She scrolled through channels until she found the CMA Awards. She supposed in Saxon’s world it was a big thing to appear at Madison Square Garden. And the announcer listed some huge stars. The first she realized just how big it was for Saxon was when his last single had a chorus played and a presenter indicated he was one of four performers up for Entertainer of the Year.

  Glued to the TV, Jewell let her soup get cold. Near the end of the show, when the host shouted that Saxon had been voted by his fans to receive the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award, Jewell hugged Shadow and cried. And she cried. And cried harder when again Doreen phoned, bouncing-off-the-walls excited. “Honey, don’t cry your eyes out. Saxon will be home Monday.”

  Pleased as Jewell was for him, she was more relieved her schedule was fully booked, because she knew after that win she’d lost him for good. His career had hit a new peak.

  * * *

  EVERYWHERE SHE WENT the whole week, all people wanted to talk about was Saxon winning the award. She operated by rote and avoided his calls.

  For two full weeks she didn’t answer him. When home, she made sure no lights were on in her house lest he get it in his head to stop by.

  October ended in flooding rains. Jewell slopped through mud on a daily basis.

  November dawned with spotty but cold sunshine.

  Late that week Jewell ran into Tawana at the Tractor Supply Store. “Hey, did you hear Zeke and Myra lost a steer to a brown bear yesterday? Shelley’s husband saw tracks in his area of the national park. He contacted Eddie, Aaron and Saxon. The guys all met Zeke and Seth to track the bear. As a ranger, Shelley’s husband will tranquilize the animal, but he needed extra muscle to load him in a cage so they can haul him higher up into the mountains. Hunter wanted to go in the worst way but couldn’t, because it’s rough terrain and he does have the prosthetic.”

  “Saxon went?” Jewell set her feed sack on the counter. “I can’t picture him out in the wilds.”

  Tawana delivered her an odd look. “Doreen said you’re avoiding Saxon.”

  Jewell shrugged, and they parted without saying more.

  Her days continued to be filled with work. Frankly, although it’d been her aim, she was hurt when Saxon stopped phoning her. She heard via the grapevine that the men had caught and relocated the bear. She’d also heard Saxon had agreed to sing at the Cattlemen’s banquet. That meant he’d be around to the end of the year.

  Downtime she spent fiendishly knitting hats, gloves and scarves for the bazaar. If they really kept the money from this year’s sale, she’d invest hers in nursery furniture.

  Days and nights passed, and her stomach began to pooch.

  Not long before Thanksgiving, Lila phoned. “Hey, the Grange Hall is set up for the bazaar. I’m checking to see if all the Artsy Ladies want to take our projects there tomorrow around two-ish. I’ll take coffee, tea and muffins. Once we’re set up, we can discuss Myra’s shower. Zeke offered to host it at their place. That way Myra won’t have to load up gifts and drive home at night. Have you seen her? I swear she looks uncomfortable to even walk.”

  “That’s what carrying twins will do. I’m finally seeing my baby bump. Nothing like Myra at this same stage in her pregnancy.”

  “With Rory I looked like I’d swallowed a basketball. You’re so willowy maybe you won’t gain much.”

  “I have another ultrasound tomorrow. Dr. Archer said it probably won’t be until the one after this when I find out the baby’s sex.”

  “Is Saxon getting anxious?”

  “I’ve no idea.”

  “So...I promised myself I wouldn’t bug you, but you know we’d all love to plan another wedding. Hint. Hint. We are approaching the season of miracles.”

  “If that miracle ever comes to pass, you’ll be the first friend I call. But don’t hold your breath.”

  “Sorry. But I must say, according to my husband, for a superstar, Saxon fits well with the men’s group. They were happy campers tracking that bear. Oh, did Saxon tell you they all stopped to see the snowy owls and discussed where to fence and place the refuge signs Hunter’s carving?”

  “Lila...Saxon and I haven’t spoken in weeks.”

  “That’s a shame. I thought he wanted to be involved. Oops, I hear our new guests arriving. See you tomorrow afternoon at the Grange.”

  Jewell finished knitting a last scarf, then packed all her wares in a box. Outside, it was crisp and cold, but with no sign of snow like they’d dealt with last year.

  Feeling restless, she called Shadow and took him for a walk around the property. Part of her restlessness came because she’d finally called to inform her folks that she was pregnant. At first her mom had freaked. Later she calmed down and sounded happy at the prospect of being a grandmother. So typical of her dad, he’d advised her to contact a lawyer and get every detail spelled out regarding custody and child support. When she’d insisted she didn’t want or need any money from Saxon, her father casually pointed out how every year costs rose for clothing, athletics or things like dance and music lessons. Or proms and college tuition.

  Her baby wouldn’t even arrive until March. It seemed preposterous to talk about things like prom or college.

  * * *

  JEWELL WAS SHOCKED the next morning when she ran smack-dab into Saxon at the clinic. All the same, her heart puddled of its own accord. Right then she knew she’d been living a lie. She didn’t want Saxon to leave. But from his stony expression, she wasn’t sure how to begin to convince him to stay.

  Eyeing her coolly, he said, “Leland’s recheck with Dr. Hamlin fell at the same time Doreen said you’re seeing Dr. Archer. We were across the hall.”

  One other patient sat in the waiting room reading on an electronic device. The nurse called her.

  “Since you’re here, it’s okay if you want to go in for the ultrasound,” Jewell said. “That is, if you’d like to.”

  “I would.” He dropped into a chair as the nurse came for her.

  “It’s the same routine,” she explained. “Once you’re gowned and ready, Mr. Conrad can go back. By the way, congratulations on the CMA award.” The nurse smiled at him.

  He nodded.

  “Yes, congratulations,” Jewell murmured before rising to follow the nurse.

  Leland walked in before anyone summoned Saxon. “Jewell didn’t expect me, but she’s letting me go in for the ultrasound. I’m not sure how long I’ll be. By the way, what did Hamlin say?”

  “He said I’m good to go about my normal business.”

  “So the pig valve you didn’t want did the trick?”

  Leland grimaced. “Must you remind me? I tell Doreen every time I catch myself sno
rting at the start of a laugh—check to see my nose hasn’t turned into a snout.”

  Saxon laughed but glanced up as the nurse beckoned him. “Be right back,” he told his uncle.

  The picture had already come up on the screen. “How’s everything?” he asked, moving to stand next to Jewell.

  She sought his eyes. “Dr. Archer said I’m in tip-top shape. Can you see any specifics on the screen?” she queried, again studying the wavy lines.

  “I know you two are anxious to learn the baby’s gender. But the fetus is still curled a little tight. Normally we get a good, clear view at six months. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for your December visit.”

  Jewell sighed. “I’m disappointed. I’m meeting my women’s group later to set up for the bazaar. I’d hoped to share if I’m having a boy or a girl.” She brought up Myra’s shower on December 1. “Is that too soon for me to come in again?”

  “Yes. Sorry. Book closer to Myra’s due date around the tenth, or we could even wait until after New Year’s.”

  Jewell groaned and sat up. “My parents may come for Christmas. I’d like to tell them what I’m having. I know Mom will want to start buying everything in pink or blue.”

  Saxon touched her arm. “I didn’t know your folks were coming. It’d be nice to see them. Leland and Doreen said to invite you to have Christmas dinner with us. Maybe we can all get together. Uh, think about it, okay? Uncle Leland’s waiting in the outer room. Decide and let me know at the bazaar.”

  “How is Leland?” Jewell asked, holding her gown together in the back.

  “Good. He said Dr. Hamlin gave him a green light to get on with his life. He’s debating going to the bazaar. He said it’s a big thing.”

  “It is. We started having the sale after you’d moved away. Parking is at a premium, Saxon. If you bring Leland, get there early so he doesn’t have to walk so far.”

  “Since he’s cleared by the doc to get on with his life, I assume he can walk as far as he likes.”

  Jewell frowned and pinched her lower lip. Did Leland’s clean bill of health mean Saxon’s time at the ranch was finally, truly nearing its end? She didn’t know why that depressed her, since she’d been expecting it.

  Chapter Twelve

  Five minutes to two Jewell drove into the Grange parking lot and saw Hunter and Tawana unloading her car.

  “Hi,” she hailed them as she jumped out.

  They waited for her to join them. “Here comes Lila,” she said. “I wonder if Rory’s class decorated the booths again this year.”

  “You’ll be surprised and ecstatic when you see how everything is decorated this year,” Tawana said.

  “Oh?” Jewell jogged up the steps and pulled open the door. There were no turkeys and pumpkins as usual, but snowy owl cutouts everywhere. And lighted trees. “It’s gorgeous. Who thought of this?”

  Lila peered over her shoulder. “The middle school art teacher. The kids worked from your photos of our snowy owls.”

  Juggling her big box of knitted wear, Jewell spotted Hunter’s booth. “Oh, I love that! Put a sold sticker on that rearing white stallion. He looks as if he’ll explode right off the leather.”

  “Jewell, you should spend your money on the cute baby sleep sacks I’m selling,” Lila called from her booth.

  “I’ll buy from you, too—never fear.”

  The outer door squeaked open and they all turned to see who was coming in. Myra staggered in carrying one of her two-story dollhouses. Jewell and Lila ran to assist her.

  “Myra, you shouldn’t be lifting these,” Lila scolded.

  “Where’s Zeke?” Hunter asked. He helped Jewell take the unwieldy house, but he wasn’t yet fully steady on his prosthetic leg, so she bore the brunt of the weight.

  Myra hunched over, hauling in deep breaths. “Zeke’s mending a fence. We had a section down. Last night we heard wolves, so he had to repair it today. He told me not to bring the houses until he got home, but I wanted to be here with everyone. Oh. Oh!” Her face contorted and she grabbed her belly. “You guys, my water just broke. Lordy, I should’ve waited for Zeke. If the babies are coming, they’re too early.”

  Jewell plunked down her end of the dollhouse and had her phone out calling the EMTs. “Dan and Ralph will be right here with an aid car to take you to the hospital.”

  “I’ll have Zeke meet you there,” Hunter said, taking out his phone.

  “Breathe in and out slowly,” Lila advised. “Are you in pain?”

  “Some. I’ve had Braxton-Hicks contractions for two weeks. Who knew it’d be different today?”

  They heard the siren and soon the firemen came in with a portable gurney.

  Shelley and Mindy showed up with their wares, looking worried and confused when they had to jump aside to let the firemen pass.

  “Did Myra fall? Is she okay?” Mindy asked.

  Jewell explained that she was probably about to deliver her twins.

  “The back of her pickup is full of dollhouses,” Shelley pointed out. “Let’s unload them and the rest of my ceramics. Myra’s booth is between Mindy’s and mine. We can handle her sales, too.”

  All agreed it would be a nice thing to do. But worry over Myra put a damper on their gathering. They drank the coffee Lila brought, but no one felt like eating muffins. Not until after Zeke phoned his twin, who put him on speakerphone, to say, “Hey, Seth, Myra and I are the proud parents of Emily and Jacob Maxwell. Tell everyone Mom and babies are doing great. The twins are almost five pounds each. Dr. Archer says that’s exceptional. And they’re beautiful. We can’t wait to show them off.”

  “When can we visit?” the women chorused, nearly smothering Seth.

  “This evening. Myra’s worried about her dollhouses, though.”

  “Tell her the Artsy Ladies have her back there, so stop worrying,” Seth assured his brother. Everyone’s mood improved after he said goodbye. The rest of setup went smoothly, and the muffins got eaten.

  * * *

  THE FOLLOWING DAY the sale room buzzed with news of Myra and Zeke’s bundles of joy. By then the friends had all seen the twins and pronounced them gorgeous.

  What viewing the twins did for Jewell was make her long to hold her own baby. Watching how puffed up Zeke was as he moved through booths at the bazaar handing out pink and blue bubble gum totally demolished the barriers she’d erected around her heart about Saxon. She pictured him as a proud dad.

  Off and on, Jewell glimpsed him talking to people and buying gifts. She was busy with a customer when he stopped by her booth to buy a knit hat and comment on the new arrivals. “Now I’m really anxious to know what we’re having,” she said.

  He smiled. “That’s the first time you’ve said we.”

  Her hand automatically flew to her belly. “Maybe because it’s true. Saxon, I hate to ask a favor, but could you take that horse painting on leather out to my pickup? Hunter marked it sold, but a lot of ranchers are eyeing it. I don’t want someone stealing it away.” She started to get her pickup keys, but Saxon held up a hand.

  “I’ll put it in my SUV and bring it by tonight and help you hang it. That frame looks heavy.”

  “Thanks.” She thought he was being extra nice, given how she’d been treating him. Guilt dogged her the rest of the day.

  All the Artsy Ladies had sold out. At the end of the day as they cleaned up, they set a date to post Hunter’s signs at the refuge. “I contacted the Natural Resources Committee chairwoman,” Jewell said. “She’s delighted we have land and will start the ball rolling to get our refuge federally approved.”

  On that note, the friends parted. Tired but happy, Jewell drove home. Almost at her house she noticed a set of headlights bouncing off her side-view mirror.

  Stopping in front of the house, she climbed out and saw it was Saxon driving
in. Waiting, she watched him retrieve her horse painting.

  Inside, Shadow set up a ruckus.

  “I’m beat,” Jewell said, and dangled her house key. “Set the painting inside. We can hang it another day.”

  He didn’t take the key. “I need a minute. I have news.”

  “Good or bad?” Jewell rubbed her lower back but quirked a brow.

  “For you to decide.”

  Fear lanced through her when she saw his closed expression. Although she’d been preparing for him to announce his leave-taking, it hit like a gut punch to discover how badly she wanted him to stay. “I’ll make coffee,” she mumbled.

  Her hand shook, but she managed to unlock the door and sidestep the leaping dog.

  Saxon set the painting on the counter, then knelt to pet Shadow. “I’ll feed him while you get coffee going.”

  “Don’t drag it out, Saxon. Give me the news.”

  He glanced up from pouring kibble. “Today Leland asked Doreen Mercer to marry him.”

  Jewell gasped.

  “She said yes.”

  His news was so far removed from what Jewell expected she dropped a full scoop of coffee grounds and had to clean up the mess. “I’m shocked. But why might I consider that news bad?”

  “Maybe not for you. Bad for me. I’ll have to buy a house or rent somewhere.”

  Her nerves, which had gone numb, tingled to life. “I know you’re singing at a couple of Christmas events. Surely they won’t get married until after New Year’s.”

  Saxon screwed his lips to one side. “They want a Christmas Eve wedding. A small one. Doreen plans to ask your group to pull something together. Here’s the bad part for you. They’re pressuring for us to make it a double wedding.”

  This time Jewell counted too many scoops of grounds in the basket but drew the water and turned the maker on anyway.