One month later . . . HELP WANTED Experienced nanny who can cook and clean. Will be required to cook for over twenty-five ppl at times. Living quarters included with salary at The Cross Creek Ranch in Townsend. Salary neg. and depending on experience. Ava lowered the classified section of the paper and looked at Maeve Porter. “You want me to apply to this ad? I don’t have any experience with children – or doing anything that the ad mentioned. “I know, honey, but you do know how to do those things except the nanny part and well, that will be a piece of cake
The next day . . . Maeve pulled her SUV into the drive way of the five-bedroom ranch house. There was a two-car garage in front of them. Ava and Maeve got out and walked to the front door. Ray was supposed to be waiting for them inside. Maeve had called ahead to tell him that she had the perfect candidate for him. Ray opened the door before they could think about knocking. His brows rose at Ava. “Ladies,” he greeted. “Miss Ava, are you the one Mrs. Porter was talking about? The one who was interested in the job?” “I am,” Ava answered softly. “I . . . see,” he sounded out slowly. “Come in.” He stood aside to let them cross the threshold. They walked into the living room. It hadn’t changed much for the exception of the pictures of Lillian being gone. The furniture was hunter green, including the two oversized arm chairs. The wall to the far side of the room with the fireplace was painted dark green. The
The Cross Creek Ranch was over thirty thousand acres. Ava couldn’t comprehend that much land. The Steele family raised cattle and bred horses. Mrs. Porter had helped Ava grocery shop and gave her a few recipes to choose from but that was it. That was the limitation of her help for the exception of giving her a few tips. One being, to arrive at the ranch as early as possible to start cooking the meal. The ranch hands were coming off the range after being out there for almost a week. They were expecting a good hot meal. Mrs. Porter arranged for Jesse Steele to pick Ava up along with the weighty pound of groceries to drive her out to the ranch. Jesse drove a dark gray Ford Ranger. It looked brand new. Jesse and Ava had made small talk until they left the Helena city limits. “Mrs. Porter told us you were in a plane crash out in Willow Springs,” Jesse began. “I was.” “She said you lost your memory. Like you have amnesi
The ranch hands were filing into the room like they were starving to death. Dirty and tired from the range, they were looking forward to a home cooked meal – and they wanted it on time. It was five minutes after twelve and there was no sign of Ava. However, stacks of bowls were already on the table and place settings with spoons and napkins were already down.“What she do? Cook the meal and leave?” Ray asked flippantly as he crossed his arms over his chest.Ray and Jesse stepped inside.“I doubt it since I drove her here. I’m sure Ava has everything under control,” Jesse said. “I smell food and it doesn’t smell bad at all.”Ray grunted.“I’m going to let her know we’re ready.”“Oh, no, you don’t,” Ray said. “You’re going to check on her and try to help her. She has to get through today on her own.”“I guess if she doesn’t you won’t hire her.”“That’s right.”The boys began beating their fists on the table. They didn’t have much patience this time around.Jesse’s right brow crinkled. T
Two days later . . . Ava walked to the back of Ray’s home with Ray behind her. She carried her trusty carry-on as Ray carried her one suitcase. She only had the clothes Mrs. Porter had given her. It was about a week and a half worth of clothes at the most. Mrs. Porter had also given her a hundred and fifty dollars for spending money, kissed her goodbye, and wished her luck. Ava had tried to tell her she didn’t need the cash. She still had most of the money she had found in her carry-on after the accident. “Stay in touch now,” Mrs. Porter had said as Ava got into the Uber. “Keep walking past the pool. The place you’ll be staying is up ahead,” Ray said behind her. Ava did as instructed. He could be a gruff speaking man at times, but as long as she did the job to his satisfactory she shouldn’t have any big problems from him. “Here?” She pointed at a small building that was only a few feet away from the pool.
It was half time and the game was tied fourteen to fourteen. Jock and Gill went with Tom to the bathroom as Ava and Jesse got refreshments at the concession stand for everyone. Ava thought it was a good time to pick Jesse’s brain as they waited in line. “It’s a hell of a game, isn’t it?” Jesse said. “It is. Very exciting. And I had no idea that Dax was the quarterback – or that he could run so fast.” “So, you like football.” “It appears so,” Ava said. “Who knew?” “Are you following the game all right?” “I got the gist of it.” “If you’re confused about something, just ask, okay? I won’t mind.” “Thanks. But right now, I have questions that isn’t about the game itself,” Ava said. “Why can’t Ray make time for Dax’s games? Even some of the ranch hands are here to support him and they’re not his uncle like you.” “Well, they’ve all known Dax since he was a baby, number one
As told, Ava had breakfast on the table at eight. Ray asked Dax for more details concerning the game last night. If you would have come last night, you wouldn’t have to ask. Yet, she kept quiet as Dax answered his father’s questions. That’s when she realized that Dax wasn’t as enthusiastic as he was last night at the diner or coming home when talking about the game. Ray didn’t ask Tom anything at all. Matter of fact, Ray hadn’t even said good morning to anyone. He just sat at the kitchen table and started talking. Ray finished his breakfast and told the boys he would see them at lunch at left. No have a good day. I’ll be at such and such in case you guys need me. Nothing of the sort at all. Ava began to clear Ray’s dishes. She had been quietly eating in the corner next to the sink. She did that because she didn’t want to infringe on their family time, but she wanted to be close enough just in case one of them needed something
Ava, Ray, Jesse, and the boys had ridden out to the stables. Ray was a little surprised when Ava immediately took an interest in the horses. Her brown eyes literally lit up. “Oh, aren’t you a beauty,” Ava said as she approached the American Albino. “I just finished breaking him in two weeks ago,” Ray said. “So be careful. You never know.” “Oooh, I’m sure we’ll get along fine,” Ava cooed as she rubbed the side of the Albino’s jaw. “What’s your name, darling?” “His name is Whisper,” Tom answered. “How cute. I’ll ride this one,” Ava said with too much confidence. She hadn’t ridden before. “You should ride Ella instead. She’s used to beginners,” Ray stated. Ava opened the door to the stall like he had never said a word. “Well, looks like we’re saddling up Whisper,” Jesse commented. Ray didn’t like it but the way Ava was acting she didn’t give a damn. What had gotten into
“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