The Wrangler’s Christmas Gift (The Malones of Grand, Montana Book 4) by Roxanne Snopek

Author:Roxanne Snopek [Snopek, Roxanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2024-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“You did it!”

Father Patrick walked toward the corral at Belle Vista, where Colt had just unloaded three camels.

“Told you I had skills,” he said with a grin.

“Sue Anne will have kittens.”

The priest walked up to the animals, who were padding around, investigating their new enclosure. Bayleigh Sutherland had generously agreed to allow Father Patrick to keep his animal actors at Belle Vista. The festival ran for a full week, and the nativity scene would be open for three hours each evening. The animals would travel to and from Belle Vista each day, which wasn’t ideal, but the owner promised that they were accustomed to trailering and, so far, Colt hadn’t seen any behavior to suggest otherwise.

“Where on earth did you find them?”

“Finding camels in Montana isn’t the problem,” Colt said. “The army brought them out here in the 1800s, as pack animals. They’re tough as nails, can survive on the roughest of graze and sagebrush and can easily travel thirty to fifty miles per day. But handling them can be a challenge. They don’t tolerate abuse. The invention of the railroad ended the need for them and other pack animals, of course, and they were sold off. Some escaped, though, and rumors abound about feral camels still out there in the wild.” He reached out to pat the neck of the nearest. “These are nice ones, though.”

The festival opened in two days, and between the camels, the donkey and the sheep, they were set with livestock. The temporary enclosures had been set up, straw and hay delivered, lighting installed and actors chosen from among the high school drama club for the main players. They’d be using a doll to play the Christ child, however. It was too cold to use a real infant.

Even Sue Anne Nylund was happy with what they’d accomplished. They would meet their goals for attendance and donations, the city would match the dollar figure, and the women’s shelter in Forsyth would get a badly needed cash infusion.

After discussing the last remaining details, the priest thanked Colt again, gave Festus a pat on the head, and left. Colt double-checked the enclosure and feed supply for the camels, was about to head for his cabin when he encountered Ted, the owner’s son.

“Camels, huh?” said Ted, who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old. “Cool.”

“Yeah,” Colt replied. “Your mom is kindly letting them stay here when they’re not in use at the festival.”

“They rideable?”

Colt laughed. “Not if you value your life.”

“Aw, come on, man.” Ted rested his elbows on the top rung of the corral. The camels looked at him through narrow eyes.

“Father Patrick needs them to keep someone named Sue Anne off his back.” He glanced at Ted. “Do you know her?”

Ted raised his eyebrows. “Everyone knows her. She’s the school secretary and on the town council and the welcoming committee and the book club and who knows what all else. Mom says she’s a menace.”

Colt grinned. “How’s your mom doing?”

Ted’s smile faded. “Tired.”

“You excited about becoming a big brother?”

“I guess.

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