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Jessi’s face lights up when she sees me. Finally, one of my kids is excited. She runs to me, throwing her arms around my neck.I hug her tight and spin her around. Kissing the top of her head before I put her down.

“Daddy, I want you to meet Kai and his parents, Xavier and Maya King.”

I held out my hand and shook Kai and Xavier’s hands. Maya King had other ideas and enveloped me in an embrace. Jessi introduces Tillie, Clyde and Dalton to the Kings.

“I hope you’re all hungry. Ruby’s going to prepare some of your favorites.”

“Who’s Ruby?” Clyde asks.

“Where’s Dee?” Jessi asks at the same time.

“Dee is on a cruise. I sent her and Clay on a two-week cruise when I thought I was coming out East. Ruby is the new bakery owner and a lifesaver. She’s agreed to help us out for the holidays.”

Clyde starts laughing like crazy the moment he spots the church van. It’s one of those big fifteen passenger vans.

“Is that the church van?”

“It is. It’s the biggest vehicle I have access to that’s going to fit everyone and their luggage.”

The ride back to the ranch is pleasant, with the kids filling most of the time with chatter, catching up. Tille says Debbie is taking good care of her dad and that her kids came first thing this morning with their grandmother. Buck is still out of it, but I don’t think he’ll care.

Chapter 23

Ruby

I’m making chicken fried steak tonight instead of for lunch. For lunch, I’m making something lighter. Along with a couple pitchers of sweet tea and sangria.

Tonight, alongside the tea, I’ll serve whiskey sours, long island ice teas, and beer. A few cocktails should help ease any tensions and loosen up everyone enough to enjoy the holidays. After today, I’ll get a better grasp on everyone and what they might want at meal times.

I found a section in the notebook about holiday decorations. Dee is very organized. After I’ve pounded out steaks and have them marinating, I begin to unpack the boxes and set up the decorations.

I put on Christmas music and sang and danced while I unpack the boxes. I’d made good headway when I heard a vehicle door close. I hurried to the kitchen to put out snacks. I have a cheeseboard, a snack meat tray, pecan rolls and banana nut muffins. Beside that I set ice water with slices of lemon and lime, fresh squeezed orange juice and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

“Ruby.”

“In the kitchen.”

“Something sure smells good.” A younger version of Effrem says walking into the kitchen.

“I hope it tastes good, too.”

Effrem walks into the kitchen next, followed by his other children and three more people. I’ve seen pictures of the kids onthe walls. The other three must be the Kings. Effrem introduces everyone. I stir the soup while everyone has a snack.

“What’s for lunch?” Clyde asks.

Effrem ruffles his hair. “That’s my boy, always thinking with his stomach.”

“I made loaded baked potato soup and lobster bisque. I’m making onion burgers, cheese stuffed yeast rolls, and cheddar biscuits to go with it.”

Dalton comes and throws an arm around my shoulder.

“I think we should keep her.”

I blush and laugh. While Dalton is only a few years younger than me, his dad, Effrem, has my complete and total attention.

Effrem

I can’t believe I feel a pang of jealousy when my son puts his arm around Ruby’s shoulders. The realization that I want to be that comfortable with her hits me like a ton of bricks. I fight the urge to head to the barn and check on the horses. Evie would give me some time before she followed me out and we talked. She was always good about knowing when I had something to say, but didn’t know how to say it.