Hope for Christmas (Hope Ranch Book 1) Page 2

  Chuckling at her horse-crazy boy, she dragged his backpack closer and dug through the mess to find the red folder that was supposed to hold any important papers, like permission slips and notes from the teacher. Of course, she’d found both of those things floating amongst the other ephemera in his bag before, so she usually tried to go through and sort everything at least once a week. With the extra time this afternoon, she might as well.

  The red folder held a history test she needed to sign—a C minus. Maria dug in the bottom of the backpack for a pen and signed across the top. She couldn’t blame him for missing some of the dates. After a while, they all started to blend together, and she hadn’t yet found any of those dates critical to her adult life. Still, she’d try to make sure he studied more.

  The teacher had also included a note asking if Calvin had been getting enough sleep lately as he’d been acting lethargic off and on for the past couple of days.

  Maria frowned and looked up as the front door opened. “Hey, baby. You’re done with the horses already?”

  Calvin nodded as he kicked his shoes toward the basket where they were supposed to go. He shuffled over to the couch and slumped onto it. “You found the test?”

  “I did. It’s signed and everything. We’ll study harder next time, okay? But a C’s still okay.” Maria ruffled his hair and surreptitiously slid her hand onto his forehead. He didn’t feel warm. “You feeling all right? Mrs. Perez says you’ve been tired a lot at school.”

  He shrugged.

  Maria sighed. Sometimes getting her son to talk was like pulling teeth. “Are you sleeping okay?”

  “I guess.”

  “If that changes, you let me know?”

  He nodded. “Okay if I go read in my room for a while?”

  Maria paused. Calvin was a good reader, but it wasn’t usually something he asked to do. Generally, she had to cajole—or threaten—him into it. “Of course. You’re still going to help me decorate the main house on Friday, right? You know how Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt like their Christmas decorations.”

  He gave a weak smile. “Yeah. Maybe it’ll snow and we can go cut down the trees.”

  “We’ll cut the trees either way, but snow would make getting out there more fun.” Her boy loved the snowmobile. Wayne loved riding on it with Calvin. It was win-win. She watched him drag himself toward his bedroom. Maybe she’d talk him into letting her take his temperature anyway, just to be safe.

  Drumming her fingers on her legs, she grabbed her cell phone and punched in Mrs. Perez’s number.

  “Hello?”

  “Mrs. Perez? It’s Maria Sanchez. I saw your note about Calvin seeming off—could you tell me how long you feel like he’s been that way?”

  “Sure. I wasn’t trying to alarm you, it’s just so unlike Calvin that I thought I’d mention it. Maybe since last Wednesday?”

  Had she noticed? She’d been so busy, knowing Thanksgiving kicked off the start of the Christmas season on the ranch, and Wayne and Betsy liked to do it up. They had sleigh rides, with or without snow, and caroling sing-a-longs by a huge bonfire every weekend leading up to Christmas. It was worth it, but it was a lot of extra work for everyone. Consequently, she tried to get as many of the once-monthly chores done before the madness kicked off. “Okay. I can’t say I saw anything, but I do today. I’ll take his temperature before dinner. Is there anything going around school?”

  “Just the usual sniffles, nothing major. You know, if you need to keep him home tomorrow, it’s not like he’s going to miss anything. I’m not assigning any homework over Thanksgiving other than thirty minutes of reading each night.”

  Maria smiled. “That’s awesome. Thanks.”

  Mrs. Perez chuckled. “You’re welcome. Tell Calvin I hope he’s feeling better soon.”

  “I will. Thanks. Have a good Thanksgiving.”

  “You, too. Oh. Are the usual Christmas celebrations starting up at the ranch next week?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Fantastic. Mr. Perez owes me a sleigh ride, and there’s nowhere nicer than Esperanza.”

  “I don’t disagree. We’ll look forward to seeing you one night. Bye.” Maria ended the call and blew out a breath. Almost a week. She headed to the bathroom but found the door closed. He’d gone to the bathroom in the big house after lunch, before heading to the horses. She tapped. “You okay?”

  The door swung open and Calvin nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “Since you’re here, hang on. I want to take your temperature.”

  He sighed but went back in, flipping the toilet closed and sitting on it.

  Maria smiled and stuck the thermometer under his tongue. One of these days she’d upgrade to the ear kind that was practically instantaneous, but for now, the digital thermometer was good enough. After a minute, it beeped. “Normal. Maybe it’s just a cold. Tell me if something starts hurting?”

  “Yeah, Mom, I said I would.”

  She winced at his tone. She probably ought to correct him. It wasn’t super respectful. On the other hand, he had said that and she needed to let it go rather than spinning into worry over something that was probably nothing. “Okay. Go read.”

  “I’m gonna get some water. Can I take it in my room?”

  “Yeah, okay.” Normally, food and drink were supposed to stay in the kitchen or at the little table they used for meals when they weren’t in the main house. But it was just water.

  Maria headed back to the couch to dig through the rest of Calvin’s backpack. Then maybe she’d spend an hour or so reading herself before heading next door to start supper.

  * * *

  Maria switched on her music streaming app and hesitated. Was it too soon for Christmas music? She tapped the station. It was close enough. The guys didn’t usually come for dinner, so it’d just be the Hewitts—all three of them—Calvin, and her. Each of the three ranch hands had their own cabin like hers, complete with a roomy enough kitchen, so it wasn’t like it was a hardship to have to fend for themselves. Maria liked the cozier, family-like feeling of dinners with the Hewitts.

  Tonight was a simple casserole of chicken, green chiles, rice, and cheese. She’d throw it together, get it in the oven, and then have another hour before she needed to do anything else. Maybe Calvin would be up for a board game.

  “Need any help?”

  Maria turned at the voice and nearly dropped the casserole dish. Cyan was light on his feet, she hadn’t heard his approach. “No. I’m good. Thanks.”

  “Mind if I watch?”

  What did she say to that? The man made her itchy. She shrugged. “If you want.”

  He chuckled and slid onto one of the stools at the island.

  She sighed and measured rice into the dish. “Did you have a good afternoon?”

  “I did.”

  “You sound surprised.” She glanced over before unwrapping the chicken and starting to arrange it on top of the rice.

  “Maybe I am. It’s a little surreal to meet grandparents for the first time when you’re twenty-six.” He shrugged. “They’re good people though. That’s been obvious since I first started calling. It’s kind of them to take me in. I’m sorry it makes more work for you.”

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t. Not really. One more person to feed in the overall scheme isn’t anything to worry about. It’s good you came.”

  “You think?”

  Maria stopped working and turned to study him. Why did he care what she thought? “I do. The Hewitts love your family. Your dad’s treatment of them breaks their heart. When you started calling, you brought a little bit of joy that couldn’t come from anywhere else. Your sister being here earlier this month? Even more. They love you.”

  “They don’t know me.”

  “Doesn’t matter. They love you all the same.” She smiled and went back to fixing up the casserole. He might try to hide it, but there was hurt under the skin there. Maybe he didn’t even realize it. He needed Jesus. If he stayed here long, it didn’t seem likely he’d l
eave without Him. “Did you go see the horses?”

  “Not yet. I was chatting with Betsy. Then Wayne came home. He said he’d take me around after supper.”

  “Make him wait until tomorrow when the sun’s up. It’s going to be cold tonight. You don’t want to wander around in the dark and cold.”

  “You’re right about that.” Cyan grinned.

  Those ridiculous flutters in her belly started up again. Her face edged into a scowl. Maria dumped cheese over the top of the concoction and carried it to the oven. “I’ll be back in about an hour to finish up. There’s a drawer with snacks in the fridge if you get munchy before then.”

  “Can I come?”

  She frowned. “What? Why?”

  “Betsy and Wayne drove into town. They said something about needing more Christmas lights.” He shrugged. “I don’t have anything else to do.”

  He should’ve gone with them. They would’ve loved to show him around Taos. And it would’ve kept him out of her hair. She sighed. “Yeah, all right. Come on. Any good at Chinese Checkers?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never played.”

  Maria’s jaw dropped. “How? That’s practically unAmerican.”

  “Or unChinese?”

  She snorted out a laugh. “Who knows if the game’s even from China? All I know is Calvin loves it. I was going to see if he wanted to play while the food cooked.”

  Cyan looked up from swiping and tapping at his phone. “Says here the game was invented in Germany.”

  Maria laughed. “Of course it was. Well, you read the rules, I’ll get the board and Calvin.”

  He nodded and followed behind her.

  She forced herself to stop looking over her shoulder. He’d either come or he wouldn’t. At the door to her cabin she took a deep breath. Other than Wayne, she’d never invited a man into their space. Her stomach twisted into knots. Maybe this was a mistake.

  * * *

  “You sure you don’t want to play another round of checkers? Chinese or otherwise?” Cyan leaned back in one of the deep chairs in the living room of the main house.

  Calvin was curled up on one end of the sofa, his eyes drooping. He shook his head.

  Maria dried her hands on the dish towel and hung it on its hook before turning off the light in the kitchen and joining the rest of them. She ruffled Calvin’s hair, pausing with her hand on his forehead. Still cool. Maybe it was a growth spurt.

  “Dinner was delicious.” Cyan smiled at Maria. “Thanks for including me.”

  “We’re just so glad you’re here. You’ll stay for Christmas, won’t you?” Wayne leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees. “We can always use another hand at the bonfire.”

  “Bonfire?” Cyan frowned. “You have a Christmas bonfire?”

  Betsy laughed. “Thursday through Sunday every weekend leading up to Christmas. There are sleigh rides and carol sings and crafts for the kids. It’s one way we try to give back to the community, by giving them a little extra joy around the holidays. Plus, it’s a chance to tell them about Jesus.”

  Cyan nodded.

  Maria watched him for a moment before adding, “Some people come up to cut their trees, as well.”

  “Wait. Cut a tree? Like a real tree?” Cyan frowned. “Isn’t that bad?”

  Wayne shook his head. “Nope. The men have been out marking available trees for the last couple of weeks. We look for the ones that are too close to larger, more established trees. Cutting out the suckers helps the forest thrive. Maybe people don’t get a perfectly shaped tree, but they get the satisfaction of having sawed it down themselves and a fun afternoon hiking with their family out of it.”

  “Calvin was already asking if we were still going Thursday.” Maria rested her hand on her son’s leg. He didn’t brush it off like he normally would. She peeked closer. His eyes were nearly shut.

  “That’s the plan.” Betsy winked. “There ought to be some perks for living on the ranch. First pick of the trees is one. Is he feeling okay?”

  Maria sighed. “He says he is. But I think I’m going to take him home and make it an early night. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry.” Cyan stood as Maria did. “Can I carry him for you?”

  “Carry—no, he can walk. Calvin, come on, let’s go.”

  Calvin tried to uncurl and stand, but sank back into the sofa.

  Maria chewed her lower lip and glanced at Cyan. “You’re sure you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.” He stooped and scooped the boy into his arms. “Come on, champ, let’s get you home.”

  Maria glanced over her shoulder at Wayne and Betsy and held her hands together, mouthing the word pray at them. Something was wrong with her son, and she hadn’t the faintest idea what it might be.

  In the cabin, Maria gestured for Cyan to set Calvin down outside the bathroom door. “I can get it from here. I appreciate the help.”

  “Happy to do it.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Let me know if there’s more I can do?”

  Maria gave a jerky nod and prodded Calvin in to use the toilet. “I’m sure he’s fine. Just tired. Maybe growing or fighting off a cold.”

  She’d keep saying that to herself as long as she needed.

  3

  Cyan padded into the living room of his grandparents’ home. It was still dark outside and everything was quiet. He’d always been an early riser. On the converted school bus with his parents and siblings where he had grown up, that was a distinct disadvantage. It had, at least, taught him to move quietly. He crossed to the floor-to-ceiling windows that made the back wall of the two-story room and peered outside. He could just make out the shapes of some of the cabins where Maria and the ranch hands lived. His lips curved. That would make an interesting band name.

  Was one of the three men who worked for his grandparents involved in Maria’s life? Not like it mattered, of course. He’d only just met her. Plus, she had a little boy. He shook his head. There was no point in lying to himself. He was interested in her. She was beautiful—that glossy black hair and her high cheekbones were arresting. Despite her initial prickliness, and continued guardedness, she was interesting to talk to. And that wasn’t something he’d found in entirely too long.

  Fat snowflakes fell from the sky and coated the ground. How much would they get? They were high enough up, they had to be used to getting absolutely dumped on, but he wasn’t. Unlike the majority of his family, he didn’t head south every winter, but he did tend to avoid places with lots of snow. There was no redeeming quality to snow. It was cold, wet, and it made everything slippery.

  He sighed and turned, moving to settle in one of the chairs grouped around the fireplace. Cyan could probably figure out how to light a fire. He pictured cheery flames crackling and warming the room. How noisy would the process be though? Not worth the risk. Just because he was up when it was barely four thirty didn’t mean his grandparents needed to be. If he woke them, they’d likely suggest he move to a spare cabin rather than the guest room he’d opted for when given a choice.

  Cyan dug his cell out of the pocket of his pajama pants and opened his work email. Technically he was on vacation this week, but that never seemed to keep the missives from coming. It was always better to respond sooner than later. Even if it meant he didn’t get a true vacation. It wasn’t like he was in an office forty hours a week having the life drained out of him with small talk and time-wasting meetings. Not that he didn’t attend his share of meetings, but the ability to mute them and do something else while his boss droned on was priceless.

  “You’re up early.”

  Cyan looked up as Wayne clicked on a table lamp and lowered himself into a chair. He looked like an older, softer version of Cyan’s father. The blue eyes and slightly bulbous nose were identical, but where his father’s chin was square with a sharp jaw line, Wayne’s jaw curved some. Maybe it was the neatly trimmed beard that made the difference? Had his father ever had facial hair?

  “Bad habit, sorry. Did I wake you?�
�� Cyan frowned at the latest email and hit the phone’s power button. He’d have to call his boss later.

  “Not at all. I’ve been getting up early my whole life. Early to bed, early to rise.” Wayne shrugged. “The animals always preferred it, though I don’t think the boys are even up quite this soon. Betsy, now? She can sleep until noon, if you let her.”

  Cyan chuckled. He couldn’t quite picture his bubbly grandmother as a late riser.

  “You want some coffee?” Wayne glanced toward the kitchen. “Maria usually leaves the pot set up, so all I have to do is turn it on.”

  “I’ll get it.” Cyan stood and studied the older man for a moment. “I really appreciate you letting me stay.”

  Wayne grinned. “Boy, if you think you had a choice once you showed up here, you’re kidding yourself. Betsy has her way, you’ll never leave.”

  Never leave. Surprisingly, that didn’t sound as awful as it probably should. Of his siblings, Cyan was probably the least inclined to wander. Well, after his sister Indigo. She’d settled down—married, even—two years ago and seemed to be thriving. That was why he didn’t have some sort of tiny home, though. He preferred to house sit or, in a pinch, find a hotel with weekly rates. He wasn’t opposed to settling down. He just hadn’t found his place yet.

  With the coffee brewing, he returned to the great room and his grandfather. “So what’s a typical day for you?”

  “It’s different these days. Now that we’ve got Tommy, Morgan, and Joaquin handling the horses, I don’t have much to do. Usually, I spend the first hour of the day with coffee and my Bible. After that, I try to take it as it comes. There’s always something to do, even if it’s just go for a walk with Betsy in the snow.”

  Cyan smiled. That was a nice mental image. “Don’t let me keep you from your reading.”

  “You want to join me?”

  Reading the Bible? Out of curiosity only, Cyan had downloaded the Bible app onto his phone after Azure had started talking about Christianity. There were all kinds of reading plans available. When he had time—or made time—he was working through one that was supposed to introduce him to Jesus. It was interesting. But some part of him held back, the raging tirades his father used to go on ringing in his memory. “Sure. I guess?”