Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
E llie’s heart felt as if it would burst. She wondered if Jim had been right all along. Were things aligning exactly as they were meant to?
The ride in the snow flurries was beyond the most romantic thing she had ever experienced. She half expected him to go down on one knee and fulfill his promise, but he hadn’t even tried to kiss her.
Or had he?
She rolled over on the hard floor of her parents’ house, getting lost in the day she had yesterday. Two years of getting up at three o’clock in the morning didn’t go away easily. Unable to turn off her internal alarm clock, she decided to use that time for reflection.
Last night would be the last night she slept on the floor. Today she would go to Mama’s and start as her cook/house cleaner until it was time to go back to the city…she bit her lip as indecision roiled in her belly.
When Jim had dropped her off the night before right as the snow really started coming down and sticking on the road, she had been floating on air. Spinning and twirling, and in such a good mood even the direness in the house hadn’t consumed it.
Though once the girls were in bed, and she talked to her mom about going to Mama’s, her happiness had been tested. Ellie internally cringed as she remembered what she had said to her mom.
“Are you that unhappy with your life, Mother? Money doesn’t bring happiness!”
Her mother had looked up at her with exhausted eyes. “Well, neither does scraping for every penny.”
“You’re right!” Ellie had stood up, hands fisted on her hips. “Happiness is a choice, a choice you’ve neglected. Instead, you blame your unhappiness on the rest of us. It’s not like we asked to be born!”
Ellie buried her head in her pillow, remembering the shock in her mother’s face slowly fading into welling eyes. How could she have been so cold?
Her mom did her best, and life had been hard on her, especially since dad had lost his ability to work. His depression had been a dark cloud over the house.
Part of her wanted to gather her suitcase and leave now before anyone woke up to avoid the shame of looking at her mom. Instead, she decided to get up and, using the eggs and leftover supplies she had from her baking project with Jim, she made breakfast for everyone.
By the time the sun peeked over the mountain, the house smelled sweetly of pancakes and maple syrup. The wonder in her sister’s eyes filled her heart, and the relief on her mom’s face helped ease her guilt. It was time Ellie helped out more in ways that would take stress off of her mom.
While everyone ate, she packed up her suitcase and replaced the comforters she had been using. When she returned to the kitchen, taking empty plates to the sink, Jenny came from the table, her lips still sticky with syrup. “Are you really leaving again, Sissy?”
“I’ll be just down the road, Jenny.” She dried her hands on the dish towel. “You can come visit me, and I’ll be here to visit, too.”
“Are you gonna stay there? Like even after Christmas?” Jenny’s hands clapped together.
Ellie could feel her mother’s eyes on her boring down. “I’m not sure yet. There are a lot of decisions to make once you become an adult.”
“But what about Jimmy?” Martha, the next older sister, asked. “You won’t leave him again, are you?”
Ellie sighed. “Like I said, there are a lot of decisions to make. For now, I’m here, and I’ll be back a little later today with a surprise.”
She and Jim had waited to bring the tree until she could prepare decorations, but during her morning, she thought of an even better plan. After hugging her family, she picked up her suitcase and left the house to walk the half mile to Mama’s.
The day dawned clear, bright, and icy. The snow at her feet was light, and she easily walked through it, her boots barely getting any snow inside. Each breath held such freedom; the icy crystals billowed into clouds of steam she walked through. Magic.
She stopped by the grocery store on her way, picking up a few things for Mama’s, and still arrived in time to make them breakfast. Using eggs and sausage for protein, she made biscuits out of almond flour. She was still playing with ideas on how to get them less dense and more fluffy like regular biscuits, but they didn’t turn out half bad.
Pops wolfed his down, kissed Mama goodbye, then came to Ellie with a hug. “Great breakfast, El. Thanks for doing this. I know it helps ease Mama.”
“Of course,” Ellie said, smiling as he pulled on his jacket and left for a cold day of work at the mill.
The mill. She shivered, trying not to think of what that place had done to her father.
“He’s right, you know. It does ease my heart to have you here,” Mama said as she cleaned up the table.
Ellie reached for the dishes. “That’s why I’m here.”
Mama waved her off. “You’re here to help me, dear, not let me sit around like an invalid. Now tomorrow, you’ll show me how you made those biscuits. I haven’t seen Pops eat that quickly or fully since I started having to eat differently.”
“They’re easy, but I’m still playing with the recipe a bit. We’ll figure it out.” Ellie grabbed the rest of the dishes, doing her best to do most of the work. “What’s on the list today?”
“Oh, surely you have things you want to do?” Mama said. “Isn’t Jimmy coming over for you?”
“He has a few chores at the ranch, but then yes, we’re going to take the Christmas tree to my parents’ house for the girls.” Ellie thought about how happy the girls would be. They hadn’t had a tree for the last four years, since her father could not cut one down.
“That’ll be nice, dear. Oh, that reminds me,” Mama said as she hustled out of the room. “I took up a collection from a few people whose girls are now grown and out of the house.” She returned with two large garbage bags full of clothes.
Ellie’s heart fell knowing her mom would hate to receive charity, but she pushed a smile to her face for Mama’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you. They’ll appreciate it.”
Mama gave her a hard look. “Don’t you forget, girl, that I’ve known your mama longer than you. I know she doesn’t want charity.” Mama rolled her eyes. “So, this is what we’re going to do.”
Mama laid out a plan that included old Mr. Miller dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out presents to the girls. Their job, she said, was to wrap and label all the packages so each girl got what could fit her.
Ellie’s eyes teared up, and she hugged Mama close to her, nestling into her soft warmth. “You’re the best.”
Mama squeezed her and pulled away, wiping at her own eyes. “You know, sweet cakes, God never gave me the daughter I wished for, but he gave me the next best thing.”
Ellie turned away before Mama could see the tears slipping down her cheeks. This…this is what she had missed. The community pulling together to help each other, Mama’s embraces and kind words, joy on her little sister’s faces, and the miracle of Christmas.
When Jim knocked on his way in, calling out to them, she added one more thing on that list: Jimmy Johnson.
J im hooted as he drove Ellie the half mile to her house. Well, rather her parents’ house. “So, we’ll keep them busy stringing popcorn and making ornaments from the ornament cookies you made for them to paint. Then, when they least expect it, Mr. Miller will show up in his sleigh as Santa Claus! This is gonna be great!”
Ellie smiled up at him. “It will. Thanks to you and Mama.”
“Don’t discount yourself, Ellie-bird! You’re bringing joy to everyone this Christmas.” He got lost in her eyes long so long he almost missed the turn to the house.
Ellie ran up to the door while Jim grabbed the tree. From under the branches, he heard her shouting, “Merry Christmas, everyone!” Then stepped back to give Jim room to carry in the tree she had called the most perfect Christmas tree she had ever seen into the house.
He could still smell the sharp, tangy scent from yesterday when she had picked it out so he could cut it. She had told him, he had been right. The hillside, covered in perfect Christmas tree-sized trees, reminded her of a Christmas Tree Farm. The moment had been so perfect that he had been overcome with a shiver-shake and his arms broke out in goosebumps…or more like God-bumps.
Smelling the scent of the tree while he set it up in the corner, per her father’s instructions, reminded him of that sensation, and he wondered what would happen to the ranch if the Christiansens decided to sell it.
“Ellie! Did you really get that tree just for us?” Jenny clapped her hands together, jumping up and down.
The other girls fanned out around Jim, rocking the tree while “helping” him position it correctly.
“It was Jimmy’s idea,” Ellie said, and he caught her smile between the branches of the swaying tree.
Her mom stood by, nestled against her dad, watching the commotion and blinking rapidly. Jim watched as Ellie went to their side to ask, “Not too much?”
They shook their heads, their lips strained tight against the emotion that he knew filled them. They were proud people, but how could they deny such a gift from their own daughter?
“But we don’t have any decorations?” Maybell, the second youngest, cried in dismay.
“We’re going to make them.” Ellie opened the bags she had been carrying, letting the girls grab out the pasty cookie ornaments she had made, the paints, the string, and the popcorn.
This wasn’t their first Christmas decorating rodeo, and the girls needed no help to get started. For the first time in what felt like years, the house seemed brighter, full of laughter and love. Jim came over to Ellie and she leaned against him, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek and whisper in his ear. “Thank you.”
His arms came around her, and he rested his chin on her head. “This is what Christmas is all about.”
He watched as she blinked past the tears as her sisters giggled with joy while creating decorations, but bells coming from the road interrupted the moment.
“What’s that?” Jenny froze, her head popping up, listening to the sleigh bells. “Santa?!” She ran to the window, pressing her face against the cold glass. “Santa’s here!”
“What?” Her dad sat up, a frown on his face. “Honey, don’t get carried away…”
“No, Dad, he’s here! He’s here!” Jenny ran to the door and flung it wide, heedless of the cold.
“Ho, ho, ho!” Mr. Miller embodied the costume so well, Jim almost believed he actually was the real thing.
Ellie’s parents looked at them, their mouths dropped open. Ellie lifted a single shoulder, nestled back into Jim’s arms, and watched the delightful scene unfold. Even he had a difficult time fighting off tears of joy.
While Santa handed out the many wrapped gifts to the girls, Ellie’s parents came over to them. “I don’t think I want to ask how you pulled this off, honey.”
“You know we don’t like charity,” her dad said, his voice low and choked.
“It’s not charity, Mr. Watkins, it’s community,” Jim said before he could even think of speaking.
Mr. Watkins’ mouth opened, but he closed it slowly, giving him a brief nod. “That so?”
“Yes, sir. We pull together, sir. As it should be.” Jim held the man’s gaze, knowing he sized him up, determining if he was fit for his daughter.
“Hmph,” Mr. Watkins said, but the hardness of his features softened as he turned his gaze back to the happiness on his girls’ faces.
“I’m cooking Christmas dinner, Mother,” Ellie said, and Jim felt her stiffen slightly in his arms. “And I’m not arguing about it.” Then she squeezed his arm before moving to Jenny’s side as she hugged a doll someone had donated.
Jim looped his thumbs in his pants, feeling a confidence he hadn’t felt in some time. He was doing what was right, something they should have been doing for years. It would be different in the Watkins’ house from now on. He’d make sure of it.
When it came time for him to leave to feed at the ranch, he asked Ellie to step outside with him.
“Don’t stay out there too long,” her mother said.
“Dear, let her be,” her father said as he pulled his wife back.
The girls all hugged Jim and thanked him before Ellie grasped his hand, tugging him out the door and away from the sight of the windows.
“Did you hear that?” Jim said, throwing his shoulders back. “I think I’m growing on your dad.”
Ellie laughed. “Well, it’s about time.”
“Yeah, it is,” he said, touching the outside of his pocket, feeling the shape of the ring that’s been waiting for the perfect moment. “What about you?”
“What?” Ellie smirked. “You mean, are you growing on me?”
“Yeah, something like that.” He cleared his throat. “Put any more thought into staying?”
She dropped her eyes, her sigh filling the air between them with icy clouds. “I’m putting thought to it, Jimmy.” She glanced up at him from under her lashes, in a way that had his hand slipping to cup her face.
“Good,” he said, his voice sounding husky in the quiet of the winter day, and he leaned in, pausing just a few ice crystals away from her lips. “Here’s something else to think on.”
Their cold lips instantly warmed as they touched, sending a wash of heat throughout his body as if he’d just rode down a hard to catch calf. He had missed her so much over the last two years, but the last few days showed him that he couldn’t give her up again. It was time to fight for what was his, and she was his, just as much as he was hers.
He leaned back, panting, breaking the contact before he pushed her too far as painful as it was for him to do. “Think, Ellie-bird. People here need you.” He touched his lips as he backed away toward his truck. “I need you.”
The kiss kept him warm all the way back to the ranch and through feeding. By the time he exited the barn, the sun had slipped behind the mountains, leaving the stars popping out in the dark overhead, but purples and dark pinks still silhouetted the mountain peaks. He stopped, leaned against the barn door and sighed.
“Beautiful isn’t it?” Mr. Christiansen said, watching him instead of the sky.
“Yes, sir. I haven’t found a more beautiful place on this earth.”
“It brings me joy to hear you speak of the ranch like that,” his boss said, the emotion in his voice bringing Jim’s eyes down to him. “You know, the Missus and I see you as a son.”
“That’s mighty kind. You two mean a lot to me too, sir.”
“Have you ever thought of having your own ranch?” His boss watched him, almost scrutinized him.
“Sure, sir. We all dream, you know.”
Mr. Christiansen nodded. “Good. Good. Well, son, the Missus and I have been talking.”
Jim gulped, knowing it would happen, but he had hoped it would wait until after Ellie accepted his proposal. Even Ellie would have a hard time accepting a jobless cowboy. “Yes, sir.”
Mr. Christiansen waited until Jim met his eyes again. “We’ve decided we want to be close to our kids and grandkids. The work’s getting too much, and you’ve been doing most of it.”
“So, you’re going to sell? How long do I have?” Jim held his gaze as the shadows darkened their faces, though he wished to hide his own.
“Well, that’s up to you.”
Jim shook his head. “What do you mean, up to me?”
“Well, the Missus and I want to sell the ranch to you, son.”
Elation filled Jim for a split second until reality sunk his heart. “I don’t have the capital for an investment this size, sir. As much as I want it, oh man, what a dream that would be…but I can’t. I can’t afford it, sir. I’m sorry.”
Mr. Christiansen waved off his words. “We’re not worried about money. We planned to pass down the ranch to family. None of our kids or grandkids want it. Our next family is you, Jim. You want her, you got her. Just promise you’ll take care of it.”
“What?” Jim stepped back until he hit the barn door. “You…you can’t just…you can’t just give me your ranch, sir.”
Mr. Christiansen lifted his brow. “Oh, I can’t? I’m pretty sure I can do whatever I want with it.”
“But…but what about your kids…inheritance…where are you going to live in the city? How will you pay your bills?” Jim’s mind roared with the reality of the situation.
His boss only laughed. “We have enough saved up to get by just fine, son. And we’ve talked to our kids about it. They said they’d be honored if you took over the ranch. It eases their heart because they know how much it means to me.” He gripped Jim’s shoulder. “Now, come on. The Missus is making us hot chocolate to celebrate.”
Jim allowed his boss to walk him toward the house, though he was numb with shock. His mind reeled with the enormity of what had just happened, and he couldn’t quite wrap his mind around it. Finally it settled, and he realized this might be exactly what Ellie needed to stay.