“What?”
“Did you treat your ex like he was beneath you too?”
“That was uncalled for, Ely.” He was hurt. And lashing out. She could understand.
“No wonder your ex took off.”
Now he’d gone too far. “You need to leave.”
He left without answering or saying he was sorry or closing the garage door he’d so thoughtlessly opened. Well, she wasn’t exactly rolling out the apologies either. Maybe they could just move on from here. They could be polite—she could, anyway. After that display, she wasn’t sure about Ely.
Billy raced into the yard—alone. Mitzi searched the trees for Snowflake. She was shy around strangers, not allowing herself to be seen by anyone but Billy, her, and now Forest. The reindeer was back far enough from the house that Mitzi could barely make out her body shape in the waning light.
“Hey, kid. See you around.” Ely rubbed Billy’s stocking hat.
Billy swatted his hand away.
Ely stopped and Mitzi poised, ready to chase him down and defend her child if needed. He wouldn’t hurt Billy to get back at her, would he? For all his pushiness, Ely wasn’t dangerous. At least, she didn’t think so.
He stared up the lane for a second before asking Billy, “Do you know what happened to that guy’s arm? It wasn’t broken the other day when I saw him.”
“Oh.” Billy blinked. He looked at Mitzi and then back at Ely. “My mom broke it.”
Ely snorted. “You shouldn’t tell lies, kid. Santa will put you on the Naughty List.”
Mitzi growled. “He’s not lying.”
Ely spun around and sized her up. She folded her arms and glared. He muttered something she couldn’t hear well and then drove away.
Billy wandered into the garage, taking in the sleigh and the tools. Snowflake came in a minute later. “Mom?”
Mitzi moved from where she was standing sentinel, making sure Ely was long gone and watching for any sign of Forest’s truck. Maybe he would come back. He said he had feed for Snowflake. “Yeah?” Maybe being that blunt with Ely was a bad idea. Her conscience pricked and prodded her. How many Sunday school lessons did she need on being like Jesus before she was actually going to start acting like Him? Ely pushed so many buttons with that comment about her ex—giving life to all her old insecurities that she was the problem, that if she’d only given up more of herself, she could have saved them. By the time he’d left, there wasn’t anything left of her to give.
“Mom?” Billy asked again as he slid into her side, his arm around her back.
“I’m sorry, bud. I didn’t hear you.” She cupped the back of his head as he looked up at her.
“I’m hungry.”
“The steaks!” She tore off for the kitchen. The smell of home cooking hit her inside the door, wrapped her in its arms, and gave her a hug. Her stress decreased by a third with the promise of a hearty meal. As she dumped the water out of the potatoes, she smiled. Forest thought he was so smart, calling all this reindeer food. She knew what he was doing, and she was grateful for his efforts to save her pride.
“Is that dinner?” Billy sniffed the air as he came in behind her. The chicken-fried steaks were seasoned with just the right amount of spice, and the scent was heavenly.
Mitzi smiled, feeling a sense of happiness that reached right into her heart because she could answer, “Yes, it is.”
As she opened the fridge and took in the veggies, fruits, yogurt, and milk, she shook her head in amazement. Forest was sneakier than Santa, and she didn’t mind one bit.
Even as she settled in to pray over her plate, a worry grabbed her smile and tugged it downward. Forest wouldn’t be here forever. He wouldn’t even be around through New Year’s. She shouldn’t get used to his generosity. This meal was a blessing, and she’d take it with gratitude. But Forest wasn’t the answer to her problems or the solution for a better life. He was a part-time employer and maybe, someday soon, a friend.
She pushed the bites of meat around on her plate, suddenly wishing he was sitting at the table with them. He’d tease her about putting ketchup on her mashed potatoes, and then he’d tell her the toaster was perfect just the way it was because it could easily start a fire if the heat went out and that would keep them warm. His positive outlook on the ancient fridge and dilapidated kitchen was like a fresh breeze.
With a resolve she wasn’t sure she truly felt, she dug into the meal and decided to let Forest figure out his own life. He’d be back at the ranch soon and probably forget about her. Who was she to want to spend time with him anyway? She had other things to worry about.
Chapter Fifteen
“Come on, Snowflake. I need to send this video to Caleb and Faith.”
Snowflake trotted down the small hill, her head held high and her ears perked. She stared off into the distance, like she was looking beyond the camera.
