The Mechanics of Mistletoe - Liz Isaacson Page 0,56
had taken him into the old, dank office and given him a folder with the official ranch documents in them. He’d shown Bear his will and said the ranch would pass to him whenever he died. Until then, Bear was in charge.
Ranger, who was five years younger than Bear, had gotten the same paperwork a few years after that, and the two of them had been running Shiloh Ridge for fifteen years.
“Link.” Bear crouched down in front of the boy. “How many cards should I have found today?”
“I don’t know.” The little boy looked down at his hands, which was a tell-tale sign of Lincoln’s nerves.
“I don’t want your momma to be upset that I didn’t get them all.”
Lincoln looked over his shoulder, and then back to Bear. “I, uh….”
“Bear,” someone called, and Bear closed his eyes and hung his head.
“What’s going on?” Ranger asked as he entered the kitchen, Bishop and Preacher right behind him. “Link, did you get those buckets out of the barn like I asked?”
“Uh, no sir.”
“Come on,” Ranger said, plenty of frustration in his voice. Bear straightened, his knees protesting the crouch. He wanted to tell Ranger he could get the buckets tomorrow, but he didn’t want to undermine his cousin either. Lincoln was a good little worker, and if he’d said he’d get the buckets out of the barn today, he should’ve done it.
His phone rang, and Bear flicked on the call from Sammy. “Hey, sweetheart,” he drawled, turning away from everyone in the house.
“Bear,” she said, her voice heavy. His heart sunk. “I’m going to be there,” she said. “I am. I’m just going to be late.” She sighed. “Things haven’t gone well this afternoon with the Mazda, and I promised Marc it would be done.”
“It’s fine,” Bear said, but the minutes until he could see her were suddenly too long.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” he said again. “Honestly. With all the cards in random places around the ranch, this is already the best birthday I’ve had.”
“Oh, I’m glad,” Sammy said.
Bear grinned, wishing they were together. Then he could say such things and kiss her afterward. “I just need to know how many cards I was supposed to find today.”
“How many did you find?”
“Eight,” he said.
“You’re short a couple,” she said. “Well, you’re short about half.”
“Half?”
“Maybe a dozen.”
“A dozen?” Bear scoffed and turned around to find Bishop and Cactus had settled on the living room couches.
“I’m sure you’ll find them all.”
Bear didn’t see how. He wasn’t even going back out onto the ranch that day. “Okay,” he said, his tone full of doubt.
“I’ll call you when I’m leaving,” she said. “Don’t let them hold dinner. I can eat when I get there.”
“Okay,” he said, but his mother wouldn’t like eating without her. Bear didn’t like it, but he knew better than to get between food and nine men.
Things got considerably louder and more chaotic as Preacher, Ward, and Ace arrived at the homestead. A moment after them, Zona arrived with a cake, Mother following her with a sheet pan full of veggies. Fajitas. Bear’s mouth watered, and the steak hadn’t even been brought in yet.
“Preacher,” Mother said. “Go get the meat from the truck. Bishop, your sister needs help with the presents. Cactus, get over here and give your mother a hug.”
Bear smiled while he waited his turn for a mother’s hug. He loved his mother, and there was nothing better than one of her hugs. She stepped away from Cactus and beamed at Bear. She opened her arms and said, “Get over here, birthday boy.”
“Mother,” Bear said with a chuckle. “I’m not a boy. When are you going to realize that?” He hugged her, lifting her petite frame right up off the floor. “See? Could a boy do that?”
She laughed, and he set her down. She hugged him tightly and patted his back. “You’re such a good man, Bartholomew.”
“Thanks, Mother.” He stepped back, his smile genuine and his happiness radiating through his whole soul.
“Where’s Sammy?” Mother asked, her voice on the high side.
“She’s going to be late,” Bear said, turning away. “It’s fine. What can I help with?”
Preacher entered the house with a cookie sheet full of sliced steak. Bear was surprised the meat wasn’t cooked yet, and he watched as Preacher took it into the kitchen.
Judge and Mister came through the front door arguing, which was all they ever did. Bear honestly wondered how they managed to live together with how often they went at each other’s throats.