Second Chance Christmas. Pamela Tracy

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СКАЧАТЬ her spot kneeling in front of the loom, Eva said, “I thought he’d be back by now. I’ve called twice and texted once.”

      “He’s probably by a mountain,” Timmy said, sounding just like Jacob, and at six already a well-informed cell phone user. When Elise went to bed just after ten, Jesse still wasn’t home. This visit, since the Lost Dutchman was sold out, she was sleeping in Eva’s old room. Eva and Jesse were building a home on the west side of the property. Dad had given them the master bedroom until it was finished. He was using the apartment over the stable that had been Jesse and Timmy’s when they first moved to the ranch because Eva’s bedroom was “too plumb small!” Even smaller was Emily’s old bedroom—now converted into a bedroom for Timmy, just as Elise’s old room had been turned into an office.

      After what felt like just a few hours of sleep, someone rapped on the door. The sound was soft, polite, at first. Then it got louder, a heavy knocking on the door until she muttered, “Come in.”

      Timmy opened the door, stuck his head in and then tiptoed over. “It’s five in the morning. You’re going to miss breakfast.”

      Elise doubted that’s what had him here, waking her up, sounding so much like her dad.

      “Thanks.” She closed her eyes and turned over.

      Timmy didn’t leave. Neither did his puppy, Goober, who jumped on the bed and landed next to Elise, his head on the pillow next to hers. Timmy cleared his throat. “Daddy got home an hour ago. He’s sleeping. Grandpa says we’re full up, and he can’t get away. Eva said to ask you.”

      “Ask me what?” Elise mumbled into her pillow, figuring her one attempt at sleeping late had just ended.

      “If you’ll take me on the gold-panning ride this morning.” Then his words came tumbling out. “If you do, I’ll never ask you for anything again, and I’ll forgive you for not getting me a present last Christmas.”

      “I got you a present,” she protested, still talking to her pillow.

      “A whole week after Christmas!”

      “I’m going back to Two Mules today, honey. I can’t.”

      In the hallway came Eva’s voice, soft but firm. “Can’t or won’t?”

      “I’ve got things to do.” Elise rolled over and stared at the ceiling, wide awake now and trying to think fast.

      “More important than your nephew?”

      “You know that’s not the case.”

      “You’re right.” Eva stepped to the door. “What has you the most scared is going on a ride with Cooper. Stepping into your old life. Helping out the family. We’ve got three horses in a trailer needing to be delivered to him. Guess the ride’s full. Say the word and we’ll load Pistol as well as Timmy’s horse.”

      “I’m riding Harry Potter. He can really fly,” Timmy bragged.

       This is why I don’t come home.

      “I’m not scared of anything.” Now, Elise realized, she sounded very much like a middle child who always rose to the occasion when Eva baited her. Timmy’s head ping-ponged as he watched the sisters. Goober ignored them all and jumped on Elise’s stomach as if saying “You might as well get up.” Elise’s dogs often did the same thing.

      “Prove it,” Eva said.

      “I don’t have to prove anything.”

      “Tell me, then, one thing you have on your appointment calendar that absolutely has to get done today or the world will end. I’ll add you to the church prayer list. You’ll receive a hundred cards. Then you’ll get phone calls.”

      Elise threw off the blanket.

      “Please, Aunt Elise, I need you to say yes. I want to go.”

       Apache Creek needs you.

      Looked as if she’d be going on a ride.

      As the early morning fuzz cleared from her head and she looked out the window at the Arizona sunshine, she could only wonder about the power of prayer.

      She knew for a fact that her father had prayed she’d stay the whole weekend.

      Funny how this was working out.

Chapter Four

      The Last Water parking area already boasted a dozen vehicles. Some with horse trailers, some not. Cooper parked his horse trailer near a corner slot and went around to let PJ out.

      The AJ’s Outfitters horses and pack mules would be meeting them via Jesse Campbell and the Lost Dutchman Ranch horse trailer, in a few minutes. Jesse would unload the horses while their clients admired the majestic view in front of them and Cooper assigned mounts.

      Before Cooper had time to check his watch—something he did more and more now that he was in charge—the horse trailer from the Lost Dutchman Ranch turned onto the dirt road. Cooper watched as it entered the parking area, edged toward the side and then backed into an open area for unloading.

      Behind it came Garrett in his old truck with a small horse trailer attached. He’d picked up John Stanford, a teen involved in the Apache Creek Church’s youth group who Cooper wished was still Garrett’s best friend. John and four of his friends were panning enthusiasts. John had called this morning bemoaning his dad needing the family truck. Cooper had volunteered Garrett to give him a lift.

      Garrett parked, stepped out of his truck, and made a face at the Lost Dutchman trailer before coming over to stand next to Cooper and noting, “That’s their old one.”

      They were the first civil words Cooper had gotten from his brother this morning. Eighteen-year-olds didn’t take well to being grounded for skipping school.

      Cooper frowned. It had only taken the Lost Dutchman truck and trailer but a minute to maneuver into the spot. Usually Jesse was a “slow turn, careful back-up and three attempts to get it perfect” kind of guy. Cooper figured it took more than the year Jesse had been working for the Lost Dutchman to get used to hauling several horses in a gooseneck trailer that made it feel as if you were in charge of a semi.

      Elise stepped down from the driver’s side. She wore an emerald green button-down shirt that he was certain was Eva’s and form-fitting jeans. The boots were hers, well-worn. She gave him a slow wave, said something to the passenger in the truck, and then started to unload the Lost Dutchman’s horses as if she’d never been gone.

      Garrett muttered something about “needing to get back to the store.”

      Cooper wondered what was wrong this time. Yesterday, she’d been there to let him know his brother was again causing trouble. Today couldn’t possibly be something she wanted to do: not in Apache Creek and certainly not with him.

      Elise worked slowly, walking into the trailer, standing at the first horse’s shoulder, cueing him to move backward. Giving that horse a gentle pat and a good word once he was out, she moved on to the next. He’d ordered three, knowing he’d get СКАЧАТЬ