Page 10 of A Triple C Ranch Christmas Wedding
“Well, it did happen, but I can’t imagine Jack doing that to you.” Sadie put her fork down and called for the check.
Lucy knew Sadie had a few other things to do today, and they needed to transfer the wedding dress from her car to Sadie’s, so she didn’t pursue the subject. It felt better to not think about the bachelor party, so she could focus on other things. Staying busy helped.
* * *
Phoebe “Red”Adams gazed up at the trees on the snow-covered mountain and said, “I’ve never picked out a live Christmas tree.”
“You’re kidding,” Timbers said.
“Nope,” Red shook her head. “Never had a real tree, or any other kind of decorations growing up, because my dad didn’t believe in celebrating Christmas. Or any other holiday, even birthdays. He wouldn’t let mom spend any money on special things.”
“I think that’s one of the saddest stories I have ever heard,” Timbers said.
They were on the mountain to cut the tree for the Triple C Ranch, for the wedding. Gunny and Lucy had picked the tree out and tied a big red ribbon to it, so it would be easy for Timbers to find.
He was carrying a saw to cut the tree and pulling a sled with a rope to tie the tree to the sled. Then he would pull the sled down the mountain to where his truck was parked, load the tree into the truck, and then drive it up to the lodge.
“Looks to me like a lot of work,” Red said, frowning slightly.
“Yeah,” Timbers shrugged, “but it’s worth it. Special day, their wedding. That deserves a special tree.”
“I’d be happy with a little one,” Red said under her breath, “Since I ain’t ever had one.”
She hadn’t said it for his benefit, hadn’t meant for him to hear it, but he had anyway. He was really good at hearing things she thought he wouldn’t. Like he was tuned into her somehow.
“We can cut you one, too, while we’re out here,” he said. “So be on the lookout for a tree for you.”
She didn’t answer, and her eyes were shiny and bright as she swallowed hard.
Looked like she was going to pick her first Christmas tree this year.
Yippee ki-yay and thank you Timbers!
* * *
Back at theTriple C Ranch, Buck and Timbers had finished bringing the tree inside the great room of the main ranch house and setting it up. Now, the Christmas tree stood tall in its stand in the corner of the room across from the big stone fireplace. The tree’s scent spread throughout the room, bringing a feeling of Christmas. Everyone who entered the room and saw the tree exclaimed over how beautiful it was.
It seemed Lucy would have her perfect Christmas tree and the perfect wedding she had always dreamed of. Outside, snow drifted down slowly. Not enough to cause anyone problems, but just enough to coat everything in a pretty white.
Buck stood viewing their handiwork and listening to the others talk about the tree, while he ate his second piece of pecan pie that day. Emma’s pies and cookies were the reason he’d gained weight working at the ranch. His doctor had been onto him, and he knew he’d have to start losing weight after the first of the year.
He told himself the second piece of pie was okay, since he didn’t have ice-cream with it this time, and pecans were good for you and healthy.
Timbers went outside to rearrange the little tree he’d cut for Red, which was sitting in the back of his truck.
Buck watched the couple through the big picture window and grinned.
Red’s tree had looked tiny next to the big one for the lodge. But Red was so happy, she couldn’t stop grinning.
Buck was glad to see her happy with her young man. She’d been an unhappy, cynical, and sarcastic woman when she’d first come to the ranch, but every morning she’d come out to help Buck work with the horses, and eventually, those hard edges had worn off before she graduated from the program. She’d started dating Timbers around that time, and he was a good influence on her now.
It’s good to see her happy and smiling.
As he watched them through the window, he wondered what they were saying. Taking a last bite of the pie, he turned to take his plate and fork into the kitchen.
“I’ll set the star on top of the tree, after I drop these off,” he said to Emma and Leah White Crane, who had planned the tree trimming as an organized activity with the new women residents. “I’ve got my ladder inside already. Emma, that pie was one of your best.”
“You always say that, Buck,” she said, smiling.
