An hour later, the Steele family arrived back on The Cross Creek Ranch. Dax and Tom went upstairs to change and get ready for bed. They had school tomorrow. “Jesse, before you go to your separate corner of the world, I need to talk to you,” Ray said. He thought it best to address it at home than at the party.“Yeah?” Jesse said.“Why are you advising Dax about a girl he likes?” Ray asked. “I’m his father. You should have directed him to me.”“Hold on,” Ava interjected. “That wasn’t Jesse’s fault. You see, Dax came to me first about the girl. Well, we were talking about something else, and Dax brought it up, actually. I advised him the best I could, but I told him that if he didn’t like my advice he should go to Jesse.”“What? Why would you send him to Jesse and not me?” Ray asked, offended.“For one thing, I got the impression that Jesse was the ladies’ man in the family,” Ava said.“And your assumption was correct,” Jesse said with a nod and a small smile.“So
Ray got up at five a.m. the next morning. He had only gotten three hours of sleep. Ava’s words and the conversations he had with the boys last night had plagued his mind. Ray put on a pair of dark brown cowboy boots, black jeans, and a turtle neck and sweater over it and hit the kitchen. He fixed himself a turkey sandwich and gobbled it up and left. What he needed this morning was solitude – and a good hard ride. Ray went to the stables and saddled up Nicklaus and he was off. He trotted the horse for a few minutes, letting him stretch his legs and then he broke out into a hard ride. It was thirty-four degrees. The cold prickled his face as he rode as hard as he could across the land. The leaves on the trees were shades of red, brown, and orange. The grass – not so green as it was this summer. Fall was definitely here. Ray rode across one of the more shallow creeks. The splashing was like music to his ears. A few moments later, he jumped a fence and then slowed
Ava whipped the towel off and padded herself dry. She opened her closet and grabbed a long, light gray cable knitted sweater with a turtleneck collar and a pair of dark gray leggings. After getting dressed, she put on white socks and a pair of tennis shoes. “I’ll just be another minute, Ray.” “It’s fine. Take your time,” Ray yelled back. Ava grabbed a fresh towel and tried to dry her hair a little more. Then she ran a comb through it. She would blow dry it later. She walked back to the living room and rounded the kitchen. “One brandy coming up. Do you want a sandwich or some chips or something?” “No, the brandy is fine.” Ava poured herself a glass of red wine and she poured the brandy in a short glass. She walked back to the living room. And handed Ray the brandy. “Thanks,” he said as he took it. He took a sip of it as Ava sat down next to him. “So, what brings you by?” Ray pulled an envelope out of his
Ray thought the first thing he could do to fix the rift between him and his sons was to make a conscious effort to be at as many meals as he could. He knew Ava was right about attending Dax’s games, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. So, last night he had stayed home as usual – and as usual the Bulldogs had won. They were now in the semi-finals. If they made it through that, they would play in the championship game. Now that it was fall it got dark earlier. He walked Nicklaus to the stables. Most of the hands were making their way to the barracks for some grub and to relax. They ended up putting the heifer and the calf down. According to the vet, if they were going to get better, they would have by now. It was for the best to end their suffering. Ray got to the stable door and stopped when he heard Dax and Jesse talking. “So, Lana accepted your apology and believed that you just wanted to spend time with her – not trying to pull a Hallowee
Three weeks later . . . Ray had been floundering, trying to figure out how to connect with the boys again. They weren’t five and seven anymore. At that age, kids always wanted to be with their parents. When they were teenagers, they rather not have their parents underfoot as much. Ray’s situation didn’t only have to do with how old they were now but how they had grown apart to begin with. He had been so distant and busy, using the ranch as an excuse not to engage – to forget about his hurt and pain. Now, he was ready – he hoped. During the past three weeks, he had only been able to eat as many meals with them as possible. He tried to strike up conversations with them. Tom was a little more responsive to it than Dax. Ray could see some hope with Tom but Dax? It was still a little bleak. This morning Ray had gotten an idea to spend time with the boys outside of meal time. They were all having breakfast together this morning. Ava served what she called
The next morning . . . The Steele family sat down for breakfast, including Jesse. As usual, Ava sat at the table with them to eat her breakfast. Ham and cheese quiche. After breakfast, Jesse and Tom went to the living room. Jesse wanted Tom to look at the pictures he had taken of him yesterday with the buck. Jesse had said he was going to have the best ones printed and framed. Dax stood. “Before you go to your corner of the world, Dax, I got something for you,” Ray said as he reached into his pocket. He had Dax folded bills. Dax slowly took it as confusion showed on his face. “It’s the money I owed you for doing extra work on the ranch,” Ray said. “Oh,” Dax said with realization. “I didn’t think you pay me so soon.” “It’s been a little over two weeks. I meant to give it to you yesterday but Tom bagging that buck distracted me,” Ray said with a little smile as he continued to sit
Three days later . . . It was two days before Thanksgiving, and Dax was a nervous wreck. He rode in the back of Uncle Jesse’s green Jeep Cherokee as Ava and his father rode upfront. Uncle Jesse let them borrow it for the afternoon. “You’re awfully quiet,” his dad said as he glanced in the rearview mirror. “Wouldn’t you be if you had an audience when you’re about to . . . you know,” Dax stammered. “Ask a girl out on a date as you present her with hearts and flowers,” Ava guessed. In this case, it was candy and flowers. “Son, do you really think Lana’s father is going to let you speak to her alone when you show up? Especially after the way you had treated her last year? And he probably won’t let you take her anywhere without some sort of guarantee concerning her . . . person. Trust me. You want your father with you in a circumstance like this,” Ray said. “For back up.” Dax eased out a breath.
Everyone was in the foyer of a very fancy house filled with expensive looking furniture and knick knacks. A dark varnished short table with two drawers with gold looking handles was against the wall under a large oval mirror on the wall. The floors looked to be white marble in the foyer. A brass coat rack was in the corner. A painting Dax figured was a copy of the Mona Lisa was on the opposite wall. “I don’t think any of us have formerly met,” the blonde haired woman said. “I’m Helen Anderson, Lana’s mother and this is my husband, Langley.” Ava and Ray introduced themselves. Ray didn’t make an overture to shake Langley’s hand. He looked like he was about to shoot all of them. “Would any of you like some hot chocolate or coffee?” Mrs. Anderson asked. “None for me, ma’am,” Ray said. “Oh, please, call me, Helen.” “All right,” Ray said. “Helen, why don’t you take um . . .” Mr. Anderson trailed
“Mom?” Tom stretched out. It’s like he couldn’t believe it – just like Dax couldn’t believe it. “Oh, Tom,” she nearly cried. “My god, look at you. You’ve must have grown a foot since I’ve last seen you. Maybe a little more. My baby boy is growin’ up.” “A person can do a lot of . . . growing in two years when you don’t see them,” Tom said with a frown. “Oh, honey. Please know I’ve missed you – and your brother. But . . .” “But what?” Tom asked, urging her to go on. “But Uncle Luke meant more to you than us? But you were too busy to even call? But you were more concerned about singing for strangers than your own family? But –” “Tom,” Dax interrupted. “What you’re saying isn’t helping.” Tom whirled on him. “It’s helping me!” Dax rocked backwards, taken aback by Tom shouting in such a deep voice. Tom’s voice wasn’t changing – yet. Or he didn’t think so anyway. “Tom, I can explain, h
After Ava had made Dax shower and get dressed, he took his new truck out for a spin with Ray. Then the guys cleaned the den up for Ava while she enjoyed her gifts – especially her new jewelry. She even had time to call Redd and Mrs. Porter to wish them a Merry Christmas. Then Ava prepared an early lunch.It was now twelve-thirty in the afternoon. Ray and Ava were curled up on the sofa watching The Santa Clause with Tom in the floor watching it, too, as he played around with his new cell phone. Jesse had left a few minutes ago to give his various girls their gift cards for Christmas. Dax walked into the room wearing a pair of jeans, his new boots, and a navy blue sweater with a white dress shirt underneath. “Dad, can I go to Lana’s and give her a ride in my new truck?” Ray raised one brow wondering if he should let him. “I don’t know, son. It is Christmas.” Ava turned to her love. “Let him go,” she cooed. Ray snorted with amus
Christmas Day . . . Ava had woken at six a.m. to get a big Christmas breakfast on the table in the dining room. She wanted Christmas Day to be special for all of them. This morning, the boys didn’t bother getting dressed. They came downstairs in their robes and pajamas. Ray was dressed in a pair of jeans and a long sleeved sweater. Jesse showed up wearing a sweater, too. At least they weren’t those ugly Christmas sweaters. There was at least four inches of snow outside. It had snowed a little yesterday and overnight. Ray went outside and asked Ava to keep the kids busy in the dining room while he was out there. She wasn’t sure why, but she could tell he was up to something. He had returned just when they were starting to eat. The boys sucked their breakfast down so fast that Ava worried that they were going to make themselves sick. They were excited to get the exchanging of gifts underway. They practically ran thr
Christmas Eve . . .Dax, Tom, and their father walked down the sidewalk in Helena. Snowflakes fell from the sky. Last night, there was a snowfall that resulted in two inches on the ground when they all had woken this morning. The street was full of last minute shoppers, rushing around with large bags and packages. Wreaths hung from the light poles and stoplights.His dad had asked Dax if he wanted to tag along to Helena with him and Tom to get a Christmas gift for Ava – at a jewelry store. Dax had said, yes, because he thought he might see something for Lana. Of course, Dax had already bought Lana a gift but if he could get her a better one that would help him score more brownie points with her than he was all for it.“We’re coming up on it,” Tom said as he strode ahead a few steps.Tom was getting taller that was for sure. There was a time Tom had a hard time keeping with Dax’s and their father’s strides. Today, he was in step with them and even faster at times.“This place. Sands Je
Ava was still in her Santa Helper’s costume as Ray plowed away inside her. All he had taken off her was her panties. He had slipped them over her black thigh-highs and boots. He wouldn’t even let her take the stockings and boots off. He had said that she looked sexy in the outfit and he wanted her to leave it on – so she had. At first, he had her mount him and ride him for a little while as his hands roamed over her body. Now, he had her flat on her back at the edge of the bed. He was standing as he thrust in her. Sweat gleamed on his body. Ava gasped as the ultimate pleasure was coming on. She moaned and cooed and then grabbed her breasts as she felt her nipples ripen under the costume. Ava’s legs were wide open in the air. Her limbs trembled as she cried out his name in ecstasy. Ray grunted and then let out a loud growl as he stilled, pressing his pelvis hard against her. She felt the creaminess of his semen unloading into her soft, we
Some parishioners were in line at the buffet and others were in line with their children to talk to Santa and take a picture with him. Ava was doing the picture taking. Then another Santa’s helper sat at a small desk and sent a copy of it to the child’s parent’s email. It was a simple system. It wasn’t until the fourth child, Ava began looking at Santa with suspicion. “Hoo, hoo, hoooo. What do you want for Christmas, little girl?” “I want . . .” the shy four-year-old began softly. No. There’s no way that’s Ray. Ava nearly stumbled down the step to get to the camera. She took the picture. Santa gave the little brown-haired girl a sucker and helped her off his lap. Ava quickly approached St. Nick and bent down to be eye to eye with him. Her mouth dropped open. It was Ray. “Ray, why are you . . . Santa?” she whispered. “Where’s Phillip?” “He got COVID. Now stop staring and keep it moving befor
A week later . . .The past seven days had been a whirlwind. Dax had passed his driver’s test – he was finally a licensed driver no learner’s required. The family attended the last Boy Scout badge ceremony for the year. Tom had earned four badges. They had even taken a picture together. They had all insisted Ava be in the picture with them. Ava helped the boys with their Christmas shopping. Last night, for the first time in three years, the Steeles had a Christmas party for the ranch hands and their families. The ranch hands’ significant others had brought a dish so Ava only had to cook two dishes herself. And tonight was the Christmas service and program at St. John’s Episcopal Church.Ava was dressed in a Santa’s helper outfit. She donned the infamous Santa hat on her head. The hem of the red swinging skirt of her dress came to her knees trimmed in white fur along the hem. A five inch, black belt was around her waist and the collar of the dress was cut in a V-shaped with white rabb
Ray had to get back to the house quick. He couldn’t believe he had forgotten his yearly donation to the church. Then again, he had a lot going on during the past several weeks. He was able to get into the house and sneak to the study to quickly write the checks without no one seeing him. Then he emerged from the study to the living room. Thankfully, Ava was keeping them busy like he had asked her to over the phone. “Ray,” Father Calvin said as he and Mrs. Foster stood. “Father. Thanks for waiting on me. Both of you,” Ray said. “Here you go.” “Thank you for addressing the matter so quickly,” Mrs. Foster said as she dropped the envelope with the check in her medium size purse. “Yes, thank you. And are you and your family going to come to the Christmas program this year?” Father Calvin asked. “We miss seeing you and your sons every year.” “Oh . . . um.” Ray hadn’t been to church for Christmas since Lillian had left.
Monday . . . Ray and Ava had arrived back to Townsend around ten a.m. The boys were already in school and Jesse and the hands were out on the range. Ray and Ava had spent their extra day in Kalispell in bed. The owners had said that only Ray’s room was available for Sunday but Ava’s had been booked. It was no big deal as far as they had been concerned. Ava just moved into Ray’s room for one day – and it was the best day Ray has had in a very long time. After Ray had helped Ava to get her packages and luggage to the cottage, they had a quickie. Afterwards, he reluctantly left her to go to the stables. He wanted to check on Nicklaus and the rest of the horses. Ray had no idea how Nicklaus’s trip had gone so he radioed Jesse to meet him at the stables. Ray was looking over his favorite horse when Jesse walked in – with Gill, Lance, and Matthew. They caught him up to speed and said it was good to have him back.For some reason, Lance seemed