In New York . . . Just like every year, Lester Bartholomew sat at the head of the dining table and whatever woman he was married to at the time sat at the other head. And as usual all twelve of his children were at the Thanksgiving table – minus one. Lester had fired the five private detectives he had hired to find Ava. Not one of them had a clue after five months of searching – or not searching. Lester believed at least three of the PIs were just cashing the checks and spending his money on other things. He had called Sheriff Wilson last week to see if he had turned up anything. He hadn’t but he had a suggestion. “Sir, why don’t you hire a PI that’s actually from and still lives in Montana? A guy from this great state would know all the small towns, cities, and hidey holes a person could get lost in.” “I have to admit it’s worth a try. I have also been thinking about slapping an award on Ava to anyone who has information of
The next day . . . The day after Thanksgiving, Dax’s first date. He had never been that interested in girls –until Lana Anderson came along. It was ten o’clock when Ray went to Dax’s room to check on him. Dax was playing it cool but the pile of clothes on his bed said he was everything but cool. “What’s with the clothes? Surely, they’re not all dirty,” Ray said. “Um, no. I was just . . . going through things. You know. What I still where and what I don’t where anymore,” Dax said. Ray couldn’t help but snort with amusement. “Couldn’t figure out what to where, huh?” “Nah,” Dax said taken aback. “That’s something girls go through. Not guys.” Ray chuckled. “When a guy goes out on his first date with a girl he is crazy about, we do.” He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Can’t get anything by you these days,” Dax mumbled as he turned to look in the mirror that was attached to the short dresser.
Ava had snacks ready for Dax and Lana when Jesse had brought them to the ranch – with a date of his own surprisingly. Ava had served homemade Chex mix, homemade pizza bites, and cookies she had baked that morning. The teens – and Jesse and his date, Rhonda, gobbled it up like they hadn’t eaten in days. Now, they were ready to ride. Ava and Ray were going to accompany Dax and Lana on their little ride. Thankfully, Ray had gotten back from Radersburg in time to go with them. Jesse and Rhonda decided to tag along. Lana had a black vest in her bag. She put it on under her coat before they walked out the door.They all rode in Jesse’s Cherokee to the stables. Ray was already there and he had already saddled the horses. Ava was on Whisper like she was last time. She and the horse had developed a relationship. During the times she rode with Dax in the old Ford, practicing for his driver’s test in a couple of weeks, they had stopped by the stables. While there Ava had
Uncle Jesse pulled up a few feet away from Lana’s door. He had dropped Rhonda off ten minutes ago. She seemed to have had a good time. Before Dax and Lana could get out of the Cherokee, the front porch light came on along with the lights that lined the walkway. The front door swung open. Mr. Anderson stepped out on the porch – with a gun holstered on his hip. “Oh, good grief,” Lana moaned as she placed her hand over her face. “Do you think it’s loaded?” Dax heard his voice crack. “Don’t worry, nephew. I got your back,” Uncle Jesse said as he leaned over and opened the glove compartment. He pulled out a hand gun. “Ever since that away game you had with the Columbus Cougars, I’ve started keeping this close.” “Oh my god,” Lana said nervously. “Please don’t shoot my dad. He just . . . overreacts sometimes.” “Honey, I won’t shoot him as long as he doesn’t shoot at us,” Uncle Jesse said. “Come on, let’s go.”
A week later . . . Late afternoon, before the big game at Broadwater High School. Ava knocked on Ray’s study door. He had been in there all morning and this afternoon. He hadn’t even joined them for breakfast. Ava assumed he had gotten up before anyone else and fixed himself something to eat. “Yeah,” Ray answered. Ava opened the door. “Hey.” “Hey.” Ray was sitting in his office chair at his desk. He was wearing a wool turtleneck, charcoal sweater and denim pants. “Ray, I’m not going to mince words. Are you coming with us to the game tonight?” “I . . . don’t know.” “Ray, I think Dax is hoping you be there tonight.” “Did he say that?” “Not directly but he did hinted that . . . he needed the support of his family tonight.” Ray blew out as he glanced down. “Ray, I understand your pain and I definitely understand how memories can rush back in your
Ray didn’t leave the study until he knew the house was empty. He knew when Tom, Ava, and Jesse left because Ava had knocked on the study door and shouted at it that they were leaving. Ray had suspected she waited there for a minute to see if he was going to come out or say anything. He hadn’t. Ray carried the wedding album into the living room. He sat down on the stool in front of the fire place. There was a small fire still burning in it. Ray opened the album and looked through it for the tenth time. He had looked through it on and off all day. His heart clenched as he looked at a few of the pictures. Ray stared at the picture of his father with Jesse. They had all worn bolo ties that day. Ray pulled the picture out and set it to the side. All the pictures that had him, Jesse, and their father in it he had pulled out of the album and set aside. Then he pulled out a single photo of Lillian. She smiled that million dollar smile of hers. Her blonde ha
Ray wasn’t sure what Coach Willis had said to the boys during half-time but it worked. The game was now 35 to 14. The Bulldogs – Dax had scored a touchdown right out the gate of the third quarter. All the boys huddled down on the field. They all watched intently as they all collided. The Falcons’ hefty looking quarterback whirled around the chaos, carrying the ball. Two line backers tried to stop him but he whirled around them with ease. “Uh, oh, here comes, Calhoun!’ the announcer yelled over the loudspeaker above. “Can he stop him?” Hank was the last line of defense to block the end zone. Hank was running hard, directly at the quarterback. He’s going to dodge, boy, stay light on your feet. Before Ray knew it, Hank jumped. If he didn’t know any better, he would say the boy was flying. Hank tackled the quarterback so hard to the ground it was a wonder there wasn’t a dent there. The Bulldog fans cheered
“Interception! Now, R.J. Morelli is bookin’ it down the field! The Bulldog fans are about to leap out of their boots!” the announcer shouted over the loud speaker. And he was right. Ava had literally jumped out of her boots. One was halfway off her foot. R.J. made it almost twenty yards before he was tackled by three big linebackers. “Damn! Now this is a football game!” one of the hands yelled on the third row. “I still can’t believe that guy didn’t go for a field goal!” Lance shouted. “I know. It’s like we’re watching an NFL game!” Shane said with excitement. No matter how things turned out tonight, Ray was damn proud of Dax – with his bad ass self. Scoring three touchdowns in one game. That was a bad ass if Ray ever saw one. Coach Willis called a time out. Everyone was on their feet on both sides of the field. He was talking to Hank, Dax, Billie and a few others Ray wasn’t familiar with.
“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