Holidays on the Ranch by Carolyn Brown

Author:Carolyn Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2021-07-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The front yard was full of vehicles when Callie and Finn returned from doing the feeding that morning. And right there in the midst of a very suspicious-looking van and two fairly new trucks was the sheriff’s car.

Finn parked and then leaned over the console to kiss Callie on the cheek. “Whatever it is, missing kids or feudin’, we’ll get through it together. Besides, I’m sure Verdie has it under control.”

Callie pulled the stocking hat off and shook out her dark hair. She didn’t have her makeup kit from her purse, so whatever the problem was, she’d have to face it with a windblown face and most likely a few bits of straw in her hair.

“You are beautiful,” Finn said.

“You weren’t supposed to know that I was fretting about facing people looking like this,” she told him.

“We were closer than twins, Callie. We can read each other’s minds. That’s what kept us alive,” he reminded her.

“Then thank you for the compliment. Let’s go see what Martin has done now.” Thank God that he couldn’t really read her mind or he’d be running for the hills.

“What makes you think it’s Martin? Maybe it’s Verdie. She might be having a town meeting to discuss the Christmas program at church tomorrow.”

“And that would include Orville?” Callie asked.

Finn held her hand tightly in his. “You never know what she might have up her sleeves.”

Guns weren’t drawn, and the six people already around the table were laughing and telling stories when Finn and Callie went inside. Her eyes went from Orville to Verdie and back around the circle.

“Martin?” she mouthed to Verdie.

“In his room, but he’s fine. He’s not sick anymore.”

Polly waved at Finn. He let go of Callie’s hand and waved back.

“Hello, Polly. What brings you out to Salt Draw?”

“Tryin’ to help Verdie out,” Polly said.

“Y’all pull up a chair, and we’ll get down to business,” Verdie said.

“Hot damn! Joe wants a drink,” the bird said.

“Don’t mind the bird.” Verdie laughed. “He’s crazy as hell, but he entertains me. I hated him at first, but he grows on a person. I wish I’d gotten one like him years ago.”

Finn seated Callie first and then sat down so close to her that their thighs were plastered together. “Verdie?” Callie asked.

“Okay, I’ll introduce the bunch of you. I forget that everyone don’t know everybody else. This here is Amanda. She’s the lady from the social services in Gainesville. She’s the one who handles the kids staying with the Laytons. That’s Arlan Layton and his wife, Beth. Y’all know Orville. We’ve got ourselves a problem, and we can’t go no further until I get your opinion, Finn.”

Callie laid a hand on Finn’s thigh and squeezed. She’d known that this group of people had nothing to do with a church program.

Finn covered her hand with his. “It’s got to do with the kids, right, Verdie?”

“They are hiding out in Martin’s room right now. Probably been there since last night. Amanda drove out here on slick roads so

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