Page 76 of Wylder Ranch
“Clem just told us Mr. Giles is in the hospital?—”
“Okay—”
“And Story’s come back to help on the stall.”
There’s silence, and it feels like everyone’s holding their breath.
“She’s back?” Hendricks’s eyes narrow at his sister, and the grief he showed mere moments ago turns thunderous. “In Valentine Nook?”
“You didn’t know?” asks Clemmie.
Hendricks shakes his head. “Why would I?”
She shrugs, turning to Miles, who asks, “Have you seen her?”
“No, of course not. I’d tell you if I had.”
I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t know who any of these people are that they’re talking about. The only thing I can add to this scenario playing out is that I’ve never seen Hendricks look as pissed as he is now. Jaw clenched, shoulders tensed, eyes narrowed.
But after a “good for her,” his mood vanishes as quickly as it appeared, and he picks up another bauble, hanging it on the tree. Story and the Christmas stall aren’t mentioned again.
Morning turns to afternoon. Dogs run in and out, Max tries hanging baubles on Dolly, for them to be shaken off.More snacks are brought. The only time I excuse myself is to feed Everly and put her down for an afternoon nap, laying her in the crib she slept in last week on movie night.
And while we don’t mention any development of our relationship to Alex’s family, it’s obvious that something has happened. We hang baubles like it’s teamwork, never far from each other. He passes them over, along with a kiss. And when I’m up the ladder, Alex is right behind me.
There’s one moment when everyone notices Miles and Max have gone quiet, only to find them on the other side of the tree with Max dressed in twinkle lights with baubles hanging from each ear. It was funny before he was plugged in. After, it became hysterical.
And I realize how happy I am. It’s been a while since I felt this happy, but I do, because of a family I never thought I’d fit in with. But they love just the same, even a bit harder than mine did.
When Everly stirs on the monitor, I go and fetch her. After making quick work of changing her diaper, I feed her, then take her back down. It’s quieter when we walk into the hall, and Alex stands by the tree surrounded by his siblings. Miles’s arm is slung over one shoulder with Clemmie’s on the other. His head is dipped as his mother is saying something, and I hear him sniff loudly. But Everly’s gurgle is louder.
When Alex turns, I see how bloodshot his eyes are and how wet his face is. How wet everyone’s faces are, and my heart lurches.
I don’t know if this is something I should be interrupting, but then he jogs over.
Using the heel of his palm, he rubs the new tears away and takes a big sniff. “Hey.”
It takes all my willpower to swallow down the lump inmy throat. “Do you want to go home?”
He shakes his head and takes Everly, kissing her cheek. “Not yet. I need to do something, but I want Everly. Will you come with me?”
“Of course.” I take his hand, and we walk back to the tree.
Miles hands Alex a box and turns to me. “Do you recognize this?”
I glance down at the gold star laid out on tissue paper. The lights catch the pave stones lining the intricate filigree making up each point, and sparkle brilliantly. Alex paid four hundred dollars for it.
I nod. “The one from my store.”
“Yep, and it’s going on top of the tree.”
My neck cranes back so I can see the top. “You’re taking Everly up there?”
I hope he says no. Please let him say no.
“No.” He chuckles. “I just wanted her to see the star before it went on top.”
Handing her back to me, he takes the star from Miles and climbs up the ladder to the scaffolding. I can see his lips moving, but he’s talking so quietly that none of us can hear what he’s saying before he leans over and places the star on the top of the tree.
