Page 31 of More Than a Little Spark

“I thought you wanted us to leave you alone.That we were a bother.”Her voice cracks on the last word.

I grasp the rail and drag my cheek against my shoulder to wipe away tears.“That’s not true at all.You aren’t a bother.None of y’all are.I feel bad that I didn’t even drop off gifts for you.But Mom said it was best to wait.”

“I’m sorry I’ve been distant.Mom said we needed to give you space.I thought that’s what you wanted.”

I’m not sure why my mother wants me cut off from my family.Payback for moving out maybe?But it hurts and makes me irrationally angry.“No.I miss you, Denise.And I’m really glad you called me.”

“Merry Christmas.I have my license now, so maybe while I’m out of school this week, we can go get lunch somewhere.”

“I’d love that.So much.”

“Great.I’ll text you.But I need to run.Everyone else is here now.”

“Have fun.I can’t wait to see you.”I stay on the line until she ends the call, then lean against the rail looking out at the stars.

Footsteps on the wood porch catch my attention, and I turn.

Carson smiles and reaches down to pick up my crutches.“You’ll need these.Carrying you here might give away our secret.”He rests them against the post, then wipes a tear off my cheek with his thumb.“You’re upset.”Concern twinges in his gorgeous eyes.

“It’s a mix of happy tears and fury tears.I’m trying to focus on the happy.My sister called me.She was really little when my dad died, and I took care of her more than my mom did.Denise was eight when I moved out, and since then, she hardly speaks to me.It tears me up inside because I feel guilty for leaving.I don’t want her to hate me.”

He rests his forearms on the rail next to me, and his flannel shirt brushes my arm.“But she called you.That sounds like a good thing.”

“It is.It sounds like my mom had told her that I wanted space.Told her not to bother me.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah.But Denise suggested we meet for lunch, and I’m excited about that.”

“Good.”He glances back toward the mess hall, then leans in closer.“You look amazing tonight.”

“You’re always amazing, Carson.I hope having me here isn’t too awkward.”A gust of wind slices through my sweater, and I shiver.

“Not at all.Let’s get you inside before you freeze.”He holds out my crutches and strolls beside me to the door.

In the game room, three kids are clustered in front of a screen.The girl, who looks younger than the two boys, has a controller in her hand and is leaning from side to side, mimicking her character’s movements.One of the two boys must be Fred.

Carson stops before opening the door to the main house.“Fred, Mason, and Bailey, y’all ready to eat?”

“Yep.”Bailey sets the controller down.“Fred, you can sit by me.”She reaches for one of the boys.

He steps out of her reach but nods.“Mason and I will sit with you.”His gaze lands on me, then snaps to Carson.

“This is Daphne.She’s Rose’s good friend.Remember how I helped someone who had an accident?This is who I helped.”

The boy Bailey didn’t reach for sticks out his hand.“I’m Mason.It’s nice to meet you.Christmas on the ranch is the coolest.”He glances at my foot.“Sorry you got hurt.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mason.”I extend a hand to Bailey.“Hi.”

She cocks her head and studies my foot.“What happened?”

“I was in a car accident, and I broke a bone in my foot.”

Eyes squinted, she stares ahead as if deep in thought.“I don’t know much about feet.But I’ll google it later on Anderson’s phone.He lets me use his phone a lot.”

Fred steps closer and reaches out like Mason did.“Hey.Uncle Car told me that a bad driver hit your car.Sorry about that.”

“Yeah.But your uncle was a big help that night.”I keep my tone even, trying not to gush.

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