Christmas at Archer Ranch

by Cindy Caldwell

  Christmas

  “As I sit here in the parlor of the new home that my husband has built for me and our three children, heavy once more with child, I can only marvel at the joy and comfort I’ve found in motherhood. I write this as Hank, Rose and Meg help their father with decorations—red velvet bows everywhere. Meg is the littlest, and her brother Hank helps her reach up on the mantle to place her bows, and to place the figurines in the beloved manger. I wonder what the introduction of yet another baby will do to our family celebrations—certainly only make them more joyful.”

  Sadie glanced up to what she imagined was almost the very same scene, except there were more Archers and they were grown. But the joy on their faces was almost childlike, and she could see in each and every one of them the honor they held for the traditions—and their mother.

  She looked around the parlor, the dark wood walls adorned with festive ornaments made of glass, but couldn’t locate a nativity scene. That must have been what Maria was referring too, the one Beau couldn’t locate, and now that she knew how much it had meant to Katie, she was worried about it, too.

  Saffron and Sage bickered over how many bows should adorn the windows, and Sadie smiled, turning back to the journal.

  “In all my days, I would never have thought I would have twins. And beautiful twin daughters, no less. When the baby was born, I’d breathed a sigh of relief that yet another birth was relatively uneventful, but when my pains started up again, Maria and I both were amazed. But not as amazed as Beau as Maria placed two babies in his arms. I thought he might faint! As I hold Saffron and Maria holds Sage, I have no idea how I would manage without my friend and confidant to help me. She is incredibly devoted to the Archer clan, and I once hoped that she would have a family of her own. Some nights, I find her on the porch, staring at the horizon, and I can only wonder if she still carries Diego in her heart. I still find it difficult to believe he never returned for her, and I hope desperately that she someday finds love and a family of her own that she has so generously granted to our family.”

  The heavy, oak door swung open and all eyes turned toward it. Beau Archer, his hat in his hand, stepped through, closing it behind him with his eyes on his boots.

  “Papa?” Pepper asked as she rushed forward, hope radiating from her eyes. “Did you find it?”

  Beau looked from his boots to Maria, then to Pepper and back down at the floor.

  “You know, sweet pea, I looked everywhere,” he said, turning his hat in his hands before he hung it on the hook by the door. His collar hung open and his tie loose, his satin vest unbuttoned. Dust covered the shoulders of his coat, and his pained expression had Sadie sighing.

  Sadie tightened her grip on the journal, guessing that he was referring to the nativity scene. He’d mentioned that Hank had stored it somewhere, and now with Hank and Tripp late—well, more things were left unattended to than the arrival of her baby.

  Sadie shifted in her seat, reaching forward and placing the journal on the table in front of the settee. She thought of how much Katie loved that nativity scene and hoped that Mr. Archer would be able to find it before the festivities the following evening.

  As she sat back up in her chair, she felt a familiar twinge, a pain tightening her midsection.

  “Oh,” she said was Maria glared at Mr. Archer and the girls crossed their arms over their chests.

  “What is it, Sadie?” Saffron asked as she rushed to her side.

  Sadie held her hands on her stomach, hoping that it was nothing but the coffee she’d had earlier that was causing her discomfort.

  “Nothing. I’m fine. I had coffee today and I don’t normally do that.”

  She looked up at Sage, who arched an eyebrow and said, “Hm. Coffee,” before turning back to the tree she was adorning.

  She smiled her best smile, and Saffron returned to the mantle, admiring Maria’s handiwork, but she gasped as Sadie doubled over.

  “Goodness!” she said as all activity stopped and every eye on the room turned to Sadie.

  Sadie really didn’t want the attention, but she supposed there was nothing she could do about it. Tripp and Hank weren’t back, but it appeared that this baby wasn’t willing to wait for its papa. It was coming now.

  Chapter 11

  Maria filled large pots with water and set them on the wood stove to boil as the girls went into action.

  “I’ll go for Tripp,” Mr. Archer said as he rushed out of the kitchen. “Hank can handle the burros and Tripp can just ride on. They must be on their way back by now.”

  Maria held her hand to her forehead, remembering the many times they’d been in this position before. Always expected, but forever a surprise, the babies had come when they wanted to, not when the parents had anticipated. Her stomach fluttered with excitement—another one on the way.

  “This baby will come fast, Maria,” Sage said as she rushed into the kitchen, pulling her gloves on and tying the strings below her winter hat. “I’m going for the doctor. Just keep Sadie calm until I get back.”

  Keep Sadie calm? Maria hoped that the journal had done its work and that Sadie could be calm, but from her experience, babies never came amidst calm. At least not for the mother.

  “Maria, it’s really time?” Sadie’s twin sister Suzanne said as she rushed into the kitchen, pulling her gloves off as fast as Sage had put hers on. She threw her hat on the hook by the door and began to pace. “Where is she?”

  Maria held her palms up to Suzanne. “Little one, you know as well as I do that a steady hand is what’s needed here.”

  Suzanne continued pacing the tile floor, her hands in and out of her pockets. “I’m trying not to worry. But with Mama and Papa gone—well...”

  Maria crossed over to Suzanne and rested her hands on her shoulders, stopping her pacing. She locked eyes with Suzanne and said, “She will have her baby, Suzanne, and she will do as fine a job as you have with Lucy and Lily.”

  Suzanne’s shoulders hunched as she fought back a sob. “I’m sure she will. I’m just so worried. We don’t have much family, and I’m not sure how much help I can be—”

  “Hush, now. You do have family. You have all of us, and we’ll get through this together,” Maria said as she pulled on potholders for the pots of boiling water. “And you need to stop thinking of all of that. Right now, all we can think of is Sadie. I need you to rip that sheet into smaller strips and meet me over at the casita. Can you do that?”

  Maria smiled as Suzanne took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Yes, I can do that.”

  “Good,” Maria said as she opened the swinging doors and carried the pot through. “We all need to be helpful here. Everything will be all right.”

  Maria pushed her way through the side door and down the short path toward the casita.

  “Where are Sage and the doctor?” Saffron asked, concern flashing across her face. “I don’t—I don’t know how to do this.”

  Maria set down the pot of water and reached for Saffron’s hand. “Little one, this is the most natural thing on God’s green earth. We are all here for Sadie, and Sage and the doctor will be here shortly.”

  “The doctor didn’t make it last time, with Sadie’s false alarm,” Saffron said as she gripped Maria’s hand.

  “No, he didn’t. But it’s only recently that men, or doctors, have attended births. We can be here for Sadie. All will be well,” Maria said as she squeezed Saffron’s hand and nodded. “Can you open the door for me?”

  Saffron took a deep breath and held the door open for Maria as she swept inside. She looked from Saffron to Pepper and Tara, who all surrounded Sadie. Their eyes were wide and terrified, and Maria chuckled and shook her head.

  “I think Suzanne needs some help in the kitchen. She’s tearing up fresh rags. Pepper, Tara, why don’t you go help her?”

  The girls nodded vigorously as they squeezed Sadie’s hand and gratefully sprinted up toward the main house.

  Sadie groaned as they left the room, then turned to
ward Maria. “I don’t blame them for wanting to run,” she said as she brushed hair from her face. “I’d run, too, if I could.”

  “Now, now, little one. That won’t do. Didn’t you read Katie’s journal?”

  Sadie doubled over and breathed deeply as Maria stroked her shoulder. When the pain passed, Sadie said, “Yes, I did. I know that I’ll be happy once this is over—but it’s not over.”

  Maria ran her hand over Sadie’s belly, as she’d done so many times with Katie. She’d noticed that Sadie should be ready soon. As gentle as she was, Sadie cried out as another pain engulfed her.

  “Where is Suzanne? And Tripp?” she managed through gritted teeth.

  Maria rubbed her hands together, making sure they were warm before she touched Sadie again. She’d learned after helping Katie with Hank’s birth that those small things mattered. She’d shared many births with Katie, and even though she’d never have children herself, the joy she felt at Sadie’s impending bundle of joy swelled her heart. Even though God hadn’t placed her own children in her hands, she was grateful that she could help those who had been so graced.

  Maria reached forward and stroked Sadie’s forehead with a warm cloth. “They’re coming, little one. But for now, I am here, and all will be well.”

  Chapter 12

  Tripp shielded his eyes from the evening sun as he scoured the horizon. Diego and Hank had insisted they shelter for the night rather than arrive with a ragged inventory. The burros traveled much more slowly than cattle and Tripp struggled against his frustration, stirring a pot of beans over the camp fire as they settled in for the night. He’d set his mind—they’d rise before sun-up and make it back to Archer Ranch by noon. It wasn’t until he’d poured three cups of coffee that he realized tomorrow would be Christmas Eve...and he’d promised Sadie he’d be back well before then.

  They’d sheltered in the hills of Nogales and would be home by the next day, but they were two days late and an itch tugged at Tripp. He knew Sadie would be worried and when he’d agreed to help, he’d never thought that would be the case. But nothing ever went according to plan on the trail. He should have remembered, and asked if he and Hank could leave after the baby was born.

  Too late now.

  “What’s that over yonder?” Hank asked as he held his cup out for a re-fill of Tripp’s camp coffee.

  “Don’t know. A rider, seems like. Probably heading straight past us,” Tripp said as he poured another cup of coffee for Hank.

  Diego tossed the last of his coffee in the fire and hung his thumbs in his vest. “I don’t know. Seems like he’s coming straight toward us.”

  Tripp and Hank had had a chance to get to know Diego on the ride up so far, and Tripp knew he’d had vast experience, both on a ranch and on the trail. The hair prickled on the back of his neck as the rider came closer, and both Hank and Diego stood at alert.

  Tripp’s breath hitched in his throat as he took a step back from the campfire, the sun setting behind the rider fast approaching. He squinted, pushing his hat back up on his forehead.

  “Pa?” Hank said as he stepped forward.

  Diego let out a loud breath as he clapped Hank on the shoulder. “My old friend. To what do we owe this pleasure?” He strode forward as Beau dismounted and extended his hand.

  “Diego, my old friend. So good to see you,” as he pulled the man forward, his smile wide.

  “Same to you,” Diego said, his eyes soft. “We would have arrived tomorrow. No need to send the cavalry.”

  Beau laughed as he took off his hat and tossed it on the nearest bedroll. “I have no doubt you fellas have things well in hand. It’s just that—well, you might need to hurry things up a bit. Tripp, anyway.”

  Tripp stepped forward, searching Beau’s eyes by the light of the campfire. Smoke swirled, and he hesitated for a moment. “Sadie?”

  Beau circled the fire and rested his hands on Tripp’s shoulders. “Yes, son, it seems it’s time. I’ll ride back with the boys. You need to get a move on, now.”

  Tripp glanced at the setting sun. Leaving now would mean riding through much of the night—not something he’d done for a while, certainly not since his accident. But Sadie needed him, and he his hands curled into fists as he searched the grove for his horse.

  “I’m on my way,” he said as he started toward his bed roll.

  “You won’t be needing that. Just take a canteen. It’s only a few hours’ ride,” Hank said. “We’ve got this covered, brother.”

  Tripp tipped his hat at Hank and shook Beau’s hand. “Thanks, fellas. I just kind of wanted to—”

  “Just get on the road, Tripp,” Beau said as he looked away and cleared his throat. “Not that the women will let you do anything, but I wanted to be there. I know how it is.”

  Tripp smiled as he shrugged on his coat and hefted himself on his horse—and spurred it toward Tombstone. And Sadie.

  Chapter 13

  “Sadie’s fine?” Carol asked as Will pushed her wheelchair into the parlor at Archer Ranch. “Oh, my goodness.”

  Maria pulled the door open wide as they entered. Carol was such a dear soul, and Maria’s heart hurt each time she saw her in her wheelchair. But after she’d been with her even for minutes, she knew that Carol was joyful, happy with her life, and Maria’s concern left her as quickly as it had come.

  “Isn’t it wonderful?” she said as Olivia and Will’s brother Joe followed them inside.

  “Is she feeling up to visitors so soon?” Olivia asked as Joe took her coat and hung it on a hook beside the door. “We don’t want to be a bother.”

  Maria laughed. If she knew anything about Sadie—and she’d learned even more about her in the past few days—she would love the company, and she ushered them into the parlor, the flames flickering in the fireplace.

  “She’ll join us shortly. You know how Sadie is.” She was met with a round of knowing glances. Sadie’s tenacity was legendary.

  “We certainly could have made other arrangements for Christmas Eve,” Carol said as she held her hands out toward the fire. “These things are major events, and we don’t mean to intrude.”

  “Nonsense,” Saffron said as she swooshed into the room carrying plates of tamales. Lucy, Lily and Suzanne followed close behind, platters stacked with meat pies in their hands. “We’re all family here, and Sadie is looking forward to your making the acquaintance of the twins.”

  “Twins?” Carol said, looking up at Will with raised brows. “We had no idea.”

  “Isn’t it wonderful?” Lily said as she rushed to Carol’s side. “I have two cousins instead of one.”

  “Oh, I suppose it’s grand,” Will said as he looked at his brother.

  All eyes turned toward the hallway door as Tripp swept in, Sadie on his arm, a swaddled pink bundle in each of their arms.

  “Oh,” Suzanne cried as her fingertips flew to her lips and applause rang out across the room. “Sadie, sit down!”

  Sadie was ushered to the chair opposite Carol, closest to the fireplace, and Sadie reached out for Carol’s hand, squeezing it. “Thank you for coming.”

  “Oh, we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Carol said, and Maria wiped her eyes as she set the platters of food on the long, pine table under the window. She lit the candle in the center and re-arranged the pine boughs underneath it once more before turning back toward the room.

  “They’re beautiful,” Mrs. Allen said as she reached forward and brushed her finger across the baby’s forehead. Sadie looked up at Tripp as he paced in front of the fireplace, the other twin pulled close to his chest.

  “Thank you.” Sadie pulled the swaddling blanket tighter around her infant, smiling up at her husband.

  “Yes, they are,” he said as he smiled down at his wife. “Perfect.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Suzanne said as she tapped her finger on her chin. “Twins run in our family.”

  “You may not have been but I sure was,” Tripp said as he ran his hand through his hair. “I barely g
ot here in time as it was, and as I happily held my baby girl I heard another one. I about fell over.”

  Maria laughed as she glanced at Saffron and Sage. Beau could probably describe the birth of his twins exactly the same way—without the part about almost missing it. Will hung back and paled, and Maria hid her smile behind her hand.

  Lucy and Lily, sat at Sadie’s knee and waited patiently.

  “Can I hold her?” Lily asked.

  Sadie looked quickly up at Suzanne, who sat down on the hearth, lifting Lily onto her lap.

  “Maybe we can both hold her together,” she said gently.

  Lily’s eyes gleamed as she reached her small hands out for the baby. Suzanne made sure to hold her own arms underneath as Sadie slowly placed the baby in the hands of her family, sighing peacefully and leaning back into her chair.

  Maria stood behind Tripp, amazed that the boy she and Katie had taken in when he was thirteen was a father. She saw his arms tighten around his daughter, his back stiffening as he watched Lily and Suzanne closely as they cooed over the other twin.

  Maria lifted herself up on her toes and whispered in his ear. “Tripp, babies are born every day. You and Sadie will be wonderful parents.”

  He sighed and turned toward Marie. She reached up and rested her palm on his cheek. “I promise.”

  He turned and squinted at Sadie, seated by the fire. “I hope you’re right. I just want to be a good father. It makes me nervous at the moment for Lily to hold her. What if she drops her?”

  “Suzanne has her arms around both of them, Tripp. We are a big family...many hands.”

  Tripp turned toward Maria as he swayed back and forth with his baby in his arms.

  “I guess I don’t know about that. It was just me and my pa.”