The question seemed to take J.J. by surprise. “I have no experience, sir, but it’s certainly something I’d seriously consider. What kind of schooling is required?”
Wade filled her in on the requirements and other job-related details. “In the meantime, you could work with me on the condition that you successfully complete the training at the academy. You’d be on the payroll.” He finished off his coffee and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “There’s no need to make an immediate decision. Think about it.”
“What’s the first step, sir? I mean do I fill out an application?”
“The first step is to obtain an honorable discharge from the Army.”
J.J. furrowed her brow with incredulity. “I don’t need to think about it, sir. My answer is—yes! Thank you for this opportunity. I won’t let you down.” She swallowed hard. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever. I can’t wait to tell Joey and Julie.” She drew a deep breath and grinned. “Addison, will you help me select gifts for my children, and a couple of new outfits for myself, and something for Mrs. Hopewell, too?”
Addison didn’t try to suppress her own smile. “It’d be my pleasure. And she prefers to be called ‘Aunt Nell.’ ”
Wade situated the cap on his head. “Duty calls, ladies.” His eyes glinted with humor. “My dispatcher and her sister shared a house that’s a duplex. Cora moved to Florida last week to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. I know for a fact that Millie plans to rent out the side her sister lived in. It’s two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and located across the street from the elementary school, only two blocks from the office. I’m sure the rent is reasonable. If you’re interested, stop by the office and talk to Millie.”
J.J.’s voice hitched. “My head is spinning. I don’t know what to say except…thank you.”
Something that was definitely the faint stirrings of Christmas spirit filled Addison. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d witnessed this type of generosity.
Night was closing in by the time Addison turned the car off the main highway and up the lane. Smoke curled from the chimney of the ranch house. Christmas tree lights twinkled from a living room window.
The sight brought a smile, reminding Addison of innocent, long-ago days as a kid. What Nell couldn’t afford in material gifts, she’d made up for in love. Pleasant memories of snowball fights and making snow angels with the other foster kids brought a surprising sense of nostalgia.
J.J.’s voice interrupted Addison’s musing. “I hope Julie and Joey like their walkie-talkies and story books, and the extra special surprise.”
“They’re good children, J.J. The best gift you’ve given them is yourself.”
“I can’t wait to tell them that we’re staying in Meadow Creek.”
“Why don’t you give them the news tonight as an early Christmas gift?”
J.J.’s laughter mingled with Addison’s as they entered the house. Two exuberant children, one excited black lab, and a smiling Nell acted as the welcoming committee. Nell said, “Supper’s waiting.”
At the table, J.J. clapped her hands together in glee. “I have an early Christmas present for Joey and Julie.”
The twins giggled. “Is it under the tree? Can we unwrap it? Did Santa bring it?”
J.J. glanced at Addison who gave an encouraging nod. J.J. grinned. “No, it’s not under the tree, and no, you can’t unwrap it because it’s not a thing, and yes, in a way Santa did bring it. Now, hurry and finish your supper. Aunt Nell, do you mind if we have hot chocolate in the living room by the fireplace?”
“You betcha. I’m as excited as the twins.”
A vast happiness permeated the kitchen. During the evening meal there were unexpected lapses in the conversation until after the meal was finished and the dishwasher loaded. With a carafe of hot chocolate in Nell’s hands, the twins carried the cups and saucers to the living room.
Nell sat in her favorite chair by the fire and proceeded to fill each cup with hot chocolate. The twins settled on the floor next to Boomer.
Almost whispering, doubt shining on her face, J.J. said, “Joey, Julie, how would you like to live in Meadow Creek and go to school here?”
Their eyes filled with tears. Julie’s face crumpled into a picture of sadness. Joey wrapped his arm around his sister’s shoulders. He sniffled. “I guess you’re going back to the Army.”
J.J. scooted off the couch and gathered the children in her arms. She kissed the tops of their blonde heads. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. Please don’t…don’t cry. I meant this to be a happy surprise. I’m leaving the Army and I’m going to work for Sheriff Grey as his deputy. And I already have a house for us. It’s right across the street from the school you’ll attend.”
The twins hugged their mother. “For real, Mommy?”
J.J. explained to the children that after Christmas she’d have to return to her command base to officially leave the Army. “I’ll be back to enroll you in school. When I return, we’ll go shopping for furniture to fill our new home.”
Joey continued to stare down at his shoes.
J.J. lifted her son’s face to look at hers. “What’s wrong, Joey? Aren’t you happy about living in Meadow Creek and going to a new school?”
He sniffed. His eyes filled with tears. “The kids at our old school didn’t like us. Maybe the kids here won’t like us either.”
Julie chimed in, “No, they didn’t like us. They said bad things about us.”
A muscle in J.J.’s jaw ticked as she shifted a puzzled glance toward Addison and Nell. Her words dripped with compassion. “What kind of bad things did the kids say about you?”
The little boy looked at his mother with tears in his eyes. His chin quivered as he spoke. “’Cause we didn’t have a mama or a daddy, and Gram was really old, and ’cause…’cause of our clothes, they said we were throwaways and nobody wanted us. Then Gram died and some people came and got us and brought us here.” His voice trembled.
Julie wiped her nose on her sleeve. “Yeah, they said only trash got thrown away.”
The words stung, causing J.J. to flinch. She lifted her son’s drooping chin with her finger. “It was mean of those children to say such ugly words to you and your sister.”
She opened her arms and gathered the twins close. “I want you, and I love you. Together we’re going to make a wonderful new life in Meadow Creek.”
Nell lifted her shirttail and dabbed at the tears in her eyes. She lifted her cup. “I propose a toast to—family.” She added, “I’m sure Clare is up there in heaven wearing a great big smile.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The next few days were busy, with everyone helping Nell bake gingerbread men and a variety of cupcakes for the festival. Hours of mulling over ideas on how to decorate the sleigh for the parade ended with the twins standing in a corner whispering to each other.
Joey timidly stepped forward. “We have an idea.”
“Yes, we have an idea.” Julie smiled.
Nell dusted flour from her hands. “Don’t keep it a secret. Tell us.”
Joey pointed to his mother. “Mommy’s in the Army, and Uncle Emmett was a Marine. They could wear their uniforms, and Julie and me and Addison and Aunt Nell can ride in the sleigh and wave flags.”
Not to be left out, Julie said, “Yes, and with a Christmas tree, too.”
When no one said anything, Joey hung his head and looked down at the tips of his shoes. “It’s okay. It was just an idea.”
Nell clapped her hands together, sending up a cloud of flour dust. “It’s a grand idea. We can string red, white, and blue lights and tinsel, and I can whip up a couple of blankets that look like flags to drape over Chipper and Bud’s backs. Somewhere in the attic is an old artificial Christmas tree that we can decorate to match the sleigh.”
J.J. bent down and planted a kiss on her son’s cheek and hugged Julie. “The two of you are geniuses.”
Joey giggled and brushed at his cheek. “Aw, Mommy.”
&nb
sp; Addison grabbed her cell phone and dialed a supply warehouse to place an order for all the supplies needed to decorate the sled. “Yes, you heard me correctly. Overnight delivery. I need this order tomorrow.”
Nell used the landline to place her own call. “Hello, Emmett…Nell. Listen, I have a favor to ask, and it’s important.” She explained about the children’s idea to use a military-patriotic theme for their sleigh. “So will you wear your uniform and drive the sleigh?”
Four pairs of eyes and ears waited for a response. Even Boomer sat quietly as if he, too, was waiting.
Nell nodded. “I owe you one, Emmett.”
She cradled the receiver. A wide grin spread over her face and crinkled the corners of her eyes. “He said, ‘You’re danged tootin’ I’ll do it.’ ”
The twins pumped their little fists up and down in victory. “Yippee!”
“Let’s pray the weather holds.” Nell expressed her concern.
Addison checked the weather app on her phone. Her eyes lit up. “Clear skies the entire weekend.”
****
The next afternoon, a half hour after lunch, Boomer’s toenails clacked across the floors and his frenzied barks notified everyone in the house that a strange vehicle approached the yard. Joey raced ahead of Addison, down the hall, and into the living room. He peered out the window. “Addison, it’s a delivery man.”
Addison rushed to the door. She ordered the black lab to stay while she opened the door and walked out to the porch. She pointed and shouted to the driver, “Would you mind driving your truck to the barn? We’ll unload the boxes inside there.”
She grabbed her jacket and pulled it on while trotting down the steps. She heard J.J. order the twins to put on their jackets and caps. “C’mon, we’ll help, too.”
J.J. held Joey and Julie’s hands as they skipped across the snow. After Addison signed for the packages, an assembly line was formed, with the delivery guy handing out boxes. The twins toted smaller and lighter packages inside the barn.
Finally, the driver wished the group a Merry Christmas, climbed into the truck, and drove away.
The sled sat in the barn’s wide aisle. Curious barn cats and the horses added their own excitement with meows and nickers. The chickens clucked, and Boomer raced up and down the aisle.
“Can we start decorating now?” The twins bubbled with enthusiasm.
Nell answered seconds later, “I’ll keep the hot beverage and snack line going while all of you work your creative magic.”
Shortly before eight o’clock that evening, Emmett and Nell entered the barn. Emmett held a plastic container. “I’ve brought over a small generator. Let’s hook ’er up and see if the lights work.”
Shouts of glee filled the drafty old building as red, white, and blue lights twinkled around the sleigh and lit up the Christmas tree. The twins declared, “It’s really beautiful, isn’t it, Mommy?”
J.J. gathered the children to her side. “Yes, it really is.”
“Once the horses are hitched, I’ll run a string of lights along their harness.” Emmett tucked Nell’s hand in the crook of his arm. “I vote we go to the house and toast marshmallows in the fireplace and make s’mores. All this hard work calls for a celebration.”
Emmett’s intimate gesture wasn’t lost on either Addison or J.J. and brought a smile from each of them.
Nell grumbled, “But Emmett, I don’t have the marshmallows or the fixin’s to make s’mores, and it’s too late to drive to town.”
He tossed a conspiratorial look at the twins. “There’s a big paper sack in the front seat of my truck. I brought marshmallows, peanut butter, chocolate, and graham crackers. Why don’t you young’uns fetch the bag and meet us in the house.”
A smile lit the little boy’s face. “Race you, Julie!” Joey sprinted ahead of his sister toward the truck, with Boomer hot on their heels.
J.J. laughed out loud. “Thank you, Addison.”
Addison scrunched a puzzled look at the young woman. “For what?”
J.J. expelled an audible sigh. “For making things happen. I think you know what I mean.” She, too, dashed to the truck.
After satisfying themselves with ample toasted marshmallows and treats, the twins lay in front of the fireplace with Boomer snuggled between them. The fire crackled and popped in the quiet as the adults sipped steaming cups of hot chocolate.
Emmett rolled the cup between his hands. “J.J., I’m glad you’re gonna live in Meadow Creek. Wade’s as good a sheriff as they come. I don’t think you’ll regret becomin’ a deputy.”
“Thanks.” J.J. finished off her cocoa. “I’m looking forward to a new start and providing a promising future for my children.” She set her empty cup on the coffee table. “If you’ll excuse me, it’s time to put these two sleepyheads to bed. They’ve had a busy day. I think I’ll turn in also.”
Joey and Julie rose from the floor and yawned as they hugged Nell, Addison, and Emmett. “G’night.”
The old man stared after the young soldier and her children. He scratched the end of his nose.
“You got something on your mind, Emmett?”
“What would make you think I’ve got something on my mind, Nell?”
“Because you always scratch the end of your nose when you’re troubled, or trying to make a decision, or both.”
Addison uncrossed her legs. “If you’ll excuse me—ˮ
Emmett cleared his throat. “Uh, would you mind stayin’, Addison? This concerns you, too.”
Addison and Nell exchanged curious glances. She settled back on the couch. “It sounds serious. You’re not ill, are you?”
“Nothing so drastic, although I am gettin’ a little long in the tooth.” He pursed his lips and furrowed his brow. “Those fellas in that black limo, the ones I told you had driven back and forth in front of the house, paid me a call yesterday mornin’.” He whipped a business card from his shirt pocket and handed it to Addison.
The easy atmosphere was gone. A disquiet settled over the room.
Addison gasped, making her anger evident. “They didn’t threaten you, did they?”
“Not exactly. They said their boss wanted to make me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I didn’t exactly take kindly to the tone of their voices. I did call Wade and let him know.”
Nell frowned. “My gosh, Emmett, what’re you going to do?”
“I’ll tell you what I’m not goin’ to do. I’m not cowin’ down and I’m not accepting any offers from this Megala Corporation. I’ve got me a plan. It involves Addison, now that she’s the new owner of Hope Ranch and the two of you are partners. Thing is it’s late and I don’t see so well at night anymore. Maybe I should wait until I’ve worked out all the details.”
“You ol’ coot, that’s like dangling a steak in front of a starving dog! Why’d you even bring it up if you don’t have all the details worked out in your head? I won’t sleep a wink tonight.”
He stood and grabbed his hat and coat. He huffed. “Guess that’s what gettin’ old does to you, Nell. My apologies. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Nell’s voice held little patience. “Sit down. The rest of the week’s going to be too busy for any of us to have a spare moment, and then it’s Christmas. You’re not going anywhere until you’ve told us what’s on your mind.”
Emmett squared his shoulders and hung his coat and hat back on the rack. “I swear, Nell, you are one bossy woman.” The crevices on both sides of his face deepened with his smile as he settled on the sofa.
The question again crossed Addison’s mind as to why Emmett and Nell had never married. Even at his age he was a ruggedly handsome man and with an old-fashioned respect for women that most men no longer possessed.
“I’m sellin’ the Oxbow.” He held up his hand to stop any comments or questions. “Just hear me out. The only heir I have is a nephew who was born with dollar signs in his eyes. He’d sell the ranch in a heartbeat. I’ve worked too hard and too long to see the land ripped into little lots with c
rackerbox-sized houses built on them.” He drew a breath. “Couple of weeks ago, the university contacted me about sellin’ them two hundred acres. They plan to expand their agricultural science and animal husbandry departments. I told them to give me time to think it over.”
Emmett stood with his backside toward the fireplace. “The ranch is free of debt.” He heaved a hefty sigh. “Even so, the taxes increase every year. Not only that, the men who work for me are my age and ready to ride rockin’ chairs. It takes young men to run a ranch the size of Oxbow.”
He twisted the tip of his white mustache, a rascally glint in his aging blue eyes. “Those rapscallions with their implied threats made up my mind. Right after they left, I called the university and offered them the entire four hundred acres. They accepted my offer and my price with no hagglin’. Then I drove over and signed preliminary sale papers.”
He drew a breath and rubbed the back of his neck. He gave a light laugh. “From the looks on your faces, I reckon I’ve surprised the daylights out of you.”
Shaking her head in disbelief, Nell huffed, “For gosh sakes, Emmett. I don’t know what to say. I understand your reasoning, but I never in a hundred years thought you’d sell the ranch.”
Addison was as surprised as Nell at the man’s declaration. She fixed him with a questioning stare. “You said this involved Nell and me.”
Emmett returned to the sofa. “Addison, you mentioned that Hope Ranch will need a handyman. I’d like to apply for the job.”
At her expression, he shook his head. “Nope, hear me out. The university will convert my house to offices and livin’ quarters for the staff. A couple of the barns will become dorms. That way the students get hands-on experience and earn credits without havin’ to leave the ranch.”
His voice became a little raw and husky. “I’m not much on livin’ in town or in an apartment, and I’m dang sure not ready for a nursin’ home. I’ll remodel that ol’ tool shed behind the barn into suitable livin’ quarters, and with what I’ll receive from the sale of the ranch, plus my retirement, I won’t need a paycheck. Like I said, I’m gettin’ too old to run a ranch, but I’m still young enough to do odd jobs and the like.”
Christmas at Hope Ranch Page 16
