Chapter 17 #2
Tucker spoke up. “Sasha has held her tongue very firmly. She hasn’t said a word of any of this at Silver Stone to me or the rest of the family.”
Frank eyed Tucker for a moment then dipped his chin slowly. The tension eased a notch.
The silence stretched, but rather than judgment, it felt like a man forcing himself to listen to something he didn’t particularly want to hear.
Finally, Frank spoke. “Maintenance board in the shop.”
Sasha blinked. “What?”
“We can try it.” His tone was gruff but no longer condescending. “But this isn’t a kindergarten class. No color-coded nonsense.”
“I wasn’t planning color-coded nonsense,” Sasha said quietly, standing taller but her shoulders relaxed a hint.
“Good.” He pointed toward the parked machines with the rag. “And you can put a note on it about fueling.”
“Okay.”
“For two weeks,” Frank added. He turned to Tucker. “That sound fair? Long enough to see if it’s useful or if it’s only one more thing people ignore.”
Tucker considered. “Sounds fair to me.”
Frank studied Sasha again. “You’re right. I need to get over myself a little. The next time you’ve got a thought, say it.”
Sasha gave him a look.
He exhaled sharply. “I’ll try not to bite your head off.”
She smiled. “That would help.”
“And maybe you can try not to make it sound as if I’m some old fool who’s been holding this place together with binder twine and stubbornness.”
“I can do that,” she said. “But Kelli says there’s a time and a place for a little binder twine.”
Tucker laughed at that, sharing a smile with Sasha as Frank stepped back toward the door then paused.
“Sasha.”
“Yes?”
“This place does need adjusting.” The admission seemed to cost Frank something, but he made it anyway. “Doesn’t mean I’ll like hearing it every time.”
“I don’t need you to like it.”
His gaze met hers again, direct and steady.
“No,” he said. “I suppose you don’t.”
He disappeared into the yard, leaving Sasha and Tucker standing in the cool quiet of the disorganized shed.
Sasha turned to Tucker, a wild look in her eyes. “So that happened.”
Tucker laughed. “Good for you, kid. You were not too wimpy. Not too rude.”
“Just the right amount of rude, it appears,” Sasha offered with a smile. “Thanks for being here.”
He stepped in close and gave her a big hug. “That’s what uncles do best.”
“Still don’t know my final answer,” Sasha told him softly even as she squeezed him tightly.
“Good.” Tucker walked her out of the shed and toward his meeting with Adam, arm wrapped around her shoulders. “I’ll admit I like having you around Silver Stone, and I’d miss you. But you’re solid no matter what you decide.”
Truth was, after that conversation, a little of his own fears regarding her stepping out had faded. Sasha could hold her own when needed.
Still, Silver Stone would always have her back.
Grandma Sonora and Grandpa Ashton’s small home on the edge of the woods beside Blue Sky lake felt like contentment. A fire crackled in the hearth, and the rich scents of sage, turkey, and pumpkin pie warmed Tansy from the inside out.
The cabin felt spacious despite having only two bedrooms. The kitchen flowed into the living room, and the view out the windows was the wide expanse of the lake and endless pine trees, branches laden with the postcard-perfect white snow caps.
The Rockies in the distance were sharp and brilliant against a pale November sky.
The Fields family Thanksgiving gathering—albeit a month later than usual—was a chance to celebrate the past year, Lily’s arrival, and all the other good things in their lives.
Tansy rearranged the cookie tray under her fingers for the third time. So many things to celebrate…
Grandma Sonora jostled her shoulder as she walked past to turn the kettle on. “You’re smiling at nothing again.”
It was impossible to stop her grin from getting even wider. Tansy shrugged. “It’s nice to have all the family together.”
“If you say so.” Her grandma had far too knowing a look, but she was also a very good secret keeper, so Tansy kissed her cheek then went to rejoin the rest of the party.
When Ivy and Walker arrived with Carter, Chloe, and Harper in a flurry of scarves and mittens, Tansy’s son Jeffrey pounced on his cousins. The four of them disappeared into the second bedroom with the shelf full of toys that their great-grandma and grandpa kept stocked.
Lily was in the room, cradled in her Grandpa Malachi’s arms.
“She’s getting so big already,” he boasted to the room at large.
“The diaper bag seems to get heavier every time I pick it up, as well,” Chance complained.
Chloe slipped back into the room and snuck up to Tansy’s side. “Auntie Tansy, do you want to see my choir pictures?”
“Absolutely.”
They settled in a couple of chairs by the table, backs to the room at large, as Chloe flipped through images on her phone. “I have a solo in the Christmas party.”
“Is that a good thing?”
Chloe laughed. “Yeah. I like choir, and I like performing. It’s going really well, and I’m happy that I get to do something special during the first official event at the new hall.
” She glanced across the room to where Ivy was tucked into the corner sipping her tea quietly.
“Mom and Dad said they’re excited to come.
Carter only complains because he’s being a butt.
And Harper is singing in the junior choir.
They’ll perform at the school next week. ”
“I didn’t know that.”
“She wanted to come to practice with me, but Dad said my choir is for the older kids. So she’s singing with the nine-year-old-and-under group.” Chloe lowered her voice. “She’s not very good tone-wise, but she’s really enthusiastic, so can you come to cheer her on? Just in case?”
“I’d be honoured to support enthusiasm, even slightly out-of-key enthusiasm.” Tansy squeezed Chloe’s shoulders with one arm. “You’re a good big sister.”
“Thanks. She’s special, you know?” Chloe stood, pushing her phone into her pocket. “I’m glad I have her.”