Chapter Eight

Loretta

T he rhythmic sound of scissors slicing through wrapping paper filled the air of the Last Stand fire house, punctuated by the occasional rustling of ribbon and the soft murmur of conversation. Loretta Keller sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a sea of colorful paper, bows, and an assortment of toys waiting to be wrapped. The annual toy drive was in full swing, and volunteers had gathered to ensure every child in need would have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Loretta glanced over at Taylor, a fond smile tugging at her lips despite the worry that had taken up permanent residence in her chest. He was slumped against the wall, his head drooping forward, scissors dangling loosely from his fingers. The poor man was exhausted, pushed to his limits by long days of ranch work followed by grueling bull-riding practices.

As she watched, Taylor’s head jerked up suddenly, his eyes blinking rapidly as he tried to focus on the half-wrapped toy truck in front of him. Loretta’s heart ached at the dark circles under his eyes, the weary set of his shoulders.

“Taylor,” she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. “Why don’t you take a little break? I can handle this for a while.”

He shook his head stubbornly, straightening up. “No, no, I’m fine. Just resting my eyes for a second.”

Loretta bit back a sigh. She knew how important it was to Taylor to contribute, to be a part of the community they were slowly building here in Last Stand. But she could see the toll it was taking on him.

“All right,” she conceded, “but at least let me get you some coffee. You look like you could use it.”

Taylor managed a tired smile. “Thanks. You’re the best.”

As Loretta made her way to the small kitchenette area, she marveled at the generosity on display around her. Tables groaned under the weight of donated toys, everything from stuffed animals to board games to shiny new bicycles. The people of Last Stand had gone all out for this drive.

She poured a cup of strong black coffee for Taylor, adding a generous spoonful of sugar the way he liked it. When she returned, however, she found him fast asleep, his chin resting on his chest.

For a moment, Loretta stood there, torn between waking him and letting him rest. The need for him to sleep won out. They had a busy night ahead of them. She’d promised Kelly and the rest of the Three Sisters Ranch crew that they would babysit Kelly and Trent’s kids and Nate and Janice’s dogs, while the Sullivan family went out to do some Christmas shopping. Setting the coffee down, Loretta gently eased the scissors from his slack fingers and draped a nearby blanket over him.

“Take a nap, cowboy,” she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. “You deserve it.”

As she settled back into her wrapping, Loretta’s mind wandered to the financial pressures that had been weighing on her lately. Christmas was just around the corner, and while they weren’t extravagant gift givers, she wanted to get Taylor something special.

When there was a temporary lull in the need for gift wrapping, she put Georgie in his stroller and decided to take him for a walk down Main Street. There were a few apartments above some of the local stores and she wondered if she could pull off a Christmas miracle and sign a lease for the new year.

As Loretta pushed Georgie’s stroller, her eyes drawn upward to the apartments nestled above the quaint storefronts of Last Stand, Texas. She sighed, imagining a cozy home for her and Georgie, a real place to call their own instead of the cramped Winnebago they’d been living in.

“Admiring the view?” a friendly voice called out.

Loretta turned to see a man in a crisp button-down shirt and slacks approaching her with a smile.

“I’m Devlin Snyder,” he said, extending his hand. “I couldn’t help but notice you looking at those apartments. I’m a real estate agent here in town. Are you in the market for a new place?”

Loretta shook his hand, feeling a flutter of excitement in her chest. “I’m Loretta,” she replied. “And this is Georgie.” She gestured to her son, who was contentedly chewing on a teething ring in his stroller. “Yes. I’ve been thinking about finding an apartment in Last Stand. Do you have any two-bedroom ones available?”

Devlin pointed up. “I do. Would you like a quick tour?”

Loretta hesitated, glancing at her watch. She needed to get back to the fire station before Taylor woke up and the presents piled up. But the opportunity to see an apartment was too tempting to pass up.

“I have some time,” she said, trying to keep the eagerness out of her voice. “A quick look would be great.”

“Wonderful,” Devlin said, leading her toward the building’s entrance. “It’s just up these stairs. Do you need help with the stroller?”

Together, they managed to get Georgie and his stroller up to the second floor. Devlin unlocked a door marked “2B” and ushered them inside.

Loretta’s breath caught as she stepped into the apartment. Sunlight streamed through large windows, illuminating a spacious living area with hardwood floors.

The perfect painting spot.

To her right was a small but modern kitchen with gleaming appliances.

“This is the main living space,” Devlin explained, gesturing around. “Good for entertaining or just relaxing after a long day.”

Loretta nodded, already picturing where she could put her drawing table. It was currently collecting dust under the bed in the Winnebago. She followed Devlin down a short hallway.

“Here’s the main bedroom,” he said, opening a door. “Plenty of closet space. The second bedroom is smaller, but perfect for a child.” He turned to the room opposite and opened that door as well.

Loretta peeked inside, a wave of tenderness overtaking her as she imagined Georgie in his very own room, in their first real home together.

“And here’s the bathroom,” Devlin continued, showing her a tidy space with a combination tub and shower. “Recently renovated with all new fixtures.”

As they made their way back to the living room, Loretta was trying to do the math in her head. This apartment was perfect. It had everything they needed and would give them so much more space than the Winnebago.

“So, what do you think?” Devlin asked, his smile warm and encouraging.

“When can I move in?” Loretta said, unable to keep the longing out of her voice.

“Right away.”

Could they even have their first Christmas in their new home? Talk about a Christmas miracle.

“Now, let’s talk about the details. The rent is $1,500 per month, which includes water and trash pickup. You’d be responsible for electricity and internet.”

A wave of disappointment washed over Loretta. Fifteen hundred was a stretch for her budget, but maybe she could make it work. She might have to find some remote work to make ends meet.

“For the lease,” Devlin continued, “we require first and last month’s rent up front, plus a security deposit equal to one month’s rent.”

Loretta’s hopes crashed around her. “So…$4,500 just to move in?” she asked, her voice small.

Devlin nodded, his expression sympathetic. “I know it’s a lot up front, but it’s pretty standard for the area.”

That was more than she had budgeted for and she didn’t have it. Not yet anyway. Not for another few months.

“I…I don’t think I can manage that right now,” she said, fighting to keep her voice steady. “But thank you so much for showing me the apartment. It really is lovely.”

Devlin’s face fell slightly, but he maintained his professional demeanor. “I understand completely. Here’s my card if your situation changes or if you’d like to look at some other options in the future.”

Loretta took the card, tucking it into her purse. “Thank you, Mr. Snyder. I appreciate your time.”

As they made their way back down to the street, a heaviness settled over her. She’d allowed herself to hope, to dream of a better life for her and Georgie, only to have reality come crashing back down.

“Good luck with your search,” Devlin said as they parted ways. “And happy holidays.”

Loretta managed a small smile and a wave before turning to push Georgie’s stroller toward the fire station. She blinked back tears, not wanting anyone to see her upset.

Taylor was lightly snoring when she got back, which was good. She didn’t want to talk about the riotous emotions flinging around inside her right now. The presents to be wrapped had piled up again, and she was grateful for something to keep her busy.

So much for a new apartment for Christmas. She tried not to feel bitter about it. Refused to even let the gremlin say that they might have been able to swing it, if Taylor wasn’t taking bull-riding lessons. She would not let that gremlin ruin this Christmas for her.

In fact, that made her even more determined to give Taylor a special Christmas present to show him that she supported his dreams, even if they didn’t align with hers.

The protective rodeo vest she had her eye on wasn’t cheap, but it was top-of-the-line. Padded and reinforced to take a kick in the chest, it could be the difference between a bruise and a broken rib. If he was determined to shoot his shot next season and be a bull rider instead of a bullfighter, Loretta wanted him as safe as possible. But she didn’t want to dip into her apartment savings fund to get it for him. It was four hundred dollars.

As she tied a perfect bow on a doll’s box, an idea struck her. The drawing table under her bed. It wasn’t being used and it didn’t look like she’d have need of it for a while. Besides, they could use the extra space, and more importantly, the extra money. The four hundred dollars wouldn’t get her anywhere near the forty-five hundred lease payment. So why shouldn’t she use it for something special?

Before she could think twice about it, Loretta pulled up a picture of it from the art supply store and put in an ad on Facebook Marketplace. When it was done, she felt a mix of relief and sadness. The table represented a part of her past, her dreams of being a full-time artist. But Taylor’s safety was more important than holding on to old aspirations. And it would be a special Christmas present from her to him, marking their first Christmas with Georgie.

For the next hour, Loretta threw herself into the wrapping, her fingers moving swiftly and surely as she transformed plain boxes into festive packages.

She forced her mind away from the disappointment and thought instead about the upcoming babysitting session. It would be a handful, managing Georgie along with Kelly’s three children, but she was grateful for the chance to repay some of the kindness the family had shown them. And if she was honest with herself, she enjoyed the chaotic energy of a houseful of children. It reminded her of her own childhood, growing up in a bustling household with her sisters.

As the clock ticked closer to their babysitting commitment, Loretta reluctantly approached Taylor. She hated to wake him when he so clearly needed the rest, but they had made a promise.

“Taylor,” she said softly, gently shaking his shoulder. “We need to go. Remember, we’re watching Kelly’s kids tonight.”

Taylor’s eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding his features for a moment before recognition set in. “Right, right,” he mumbled, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. How long was I out?”

“A couple of hours,” Loretta replied, helping him to his feet.

“No wonder I’m so sore.” He stood up and stretched. “Sorry about leaving you in the lurch.”

“Don’t worry about it. You needed the rest.”

They said their goodbyes to the other volunteers and drove back to the Winnebago to collect a few things that they would need tonight. Glancing at the bed longingly, Loretta pushed aside her own exhaustion. A nap sounded nice right about now.

The Campbell house was a whirlwind of activity when they arrived. Kelly and her family were rushing around, gathering last-minute shopping lists and going over the details of what the kids and the dogs would need while they were gone.

“Thank you so much for doing this,” Kelly said breathlessly, passing baby Roy to Loretta. “We shouldn’t be more than a few hours. There’s formula in the fridge if Roy gets hungry, and the girls have already had dinner.”

Loretta nodded. “Don’t worry about a thing. We’ve got it under control. You guys have fun shopping.”

As the door closed behind them, Loretta surveyed the scene before her. Alissa was sprawled on the couch with a book, while three-year-old Pearl was gleefully scattering blocks across the living room floor.

“All right, team,” Loretta said, injecting cheerfulness into her voice. “Who’s ready for some fun?”

The next few hours were a blur of activity. Loretta found herself constantly in motion, rocking Roy when he fussed, helping Pearl build increasingly elaborate block towers, and discussing Alissa’s book with her while simultaneously keeping Georgie from putting everything in sight into his mouth.

Taylor did his best to help, reading stories to Pearl and entertaining Georgie, but Loretta could see the fatigue pulling at him. More than once, she caught him stifling a yawn or rubbing his eyes. And then in between Goldilocks breaking a chair and finding a bed that was just right, Taylor fell asleep again. At least Janet and Nate’s dogs decided to cuddle up with him for a few Z’s as well, so they weren’t underfoot.

As she changed Roy’s diaper, a task made more challenging by Pearl’s insistence on “helping,” Loretta felt a twinge of frustration. She was tired too. She’d been working hard, juggling her art business with caring for Georgie and trying to build a life here in Last Stand. But she pushed the bitterness aside. This wasn’t a competition, and Taylor was doing his best.

“Loretta,” Alissa called from the living room, “can we make Christmas cookies? Mom said there’s dough in the fridge.”

For a moment, Loretta was tempted to say no. The thought of adding more chaos to the evening was daunting. But then she caught sight of Alissa’s hopeful face, and Pearl’s excited bouncing at the mention of cookies.

“You know what? That sounds like a great idea,” Loretta said, mustering a smile. “We’ll have to bring the pack and play into the kitchen so Georgie can watch. And I’ll put Roy in the baby sling.”

As they rolled out cookie dough and pressed festive shapes with cookie cutters, Loretta couldn’t believe she was doing this. Four kids. One room. No one was crying. She was Super Mom. A snore from the living room, though, made her want to chuck a rolling pin at Taylor.

“These are going to be the best Christmas cookies ever,” Alissa declared, carefully placing a star-shaped cookie on the baking sheet.

“I think you’re right,” Loretta said.

The sweet smell of baking cookies soon filled the house, bringing Taylor into the kitchen.

“Good morning, sunshine,” she said, not quite between her teeth.

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly.

His apology only made it worse, but Loretta didn’t know why.

As they all gathered around the table to decorate the cooled cookies with colorful icing and sprinkles, she watched as Taylor helped Pearl glob an excessive amount of green icing onto a tree-shaped cookie, his tired eyes crinkling with genuine laughter at the toddler’s enthusiasm. Georgie sat in a high chair, more interested in mushing a cookie between his fingers than eating it, while Alissa meticulously created intricate designs with different colored icings.

The scene before her was chaotic and messy, but filled with so much happiness that Loretta couldn’t believe it was real. They might be struggling, stretched thin by work and financial pressures, but this was no time to be a grinch.

As the evening wound down, the Three Sisters Ranch crew returned home to a houseful of sugared-up but happy children and sleeping dogs. Sorry, not sorry. Loretta and Taylor had managed, despite the exhaustion and stress, to create a memorable evening for the kids.

Later, as they tucked a sleepy Georgie into his crib in the Winnebago, Taylor pulled Loretta close. “You were amazing tonight,” he murmured into her hair. “I don’t know how you do it all.”

Loretta leaned into his embrace, allowing herself to draw strength from his solid presence. “Me neither,” she said honestly.

As they settled into bed, her phone pinged. She had an offer for the drawing table. While Taylor was in the bathroom, she made arrangements for the woman to come by Kelly’s portrait studio tomorrow for the exchange. She wondered again if she should use the money for the protective vest or if she should bank it.

She’d just have to look for another apartment with lower rent and better leasing terms, that was all. But that was something to worry about for tomorrow. Loretta closed her eyes, letting the quiet sounds of the Winnebago and Taylor’s steady breathing lull her toward sleep.

And then Georgie woke up crying.

Before she could flip back the covers, Taylor was out of bed and heading over to him.

Yeah, he definitely deserved the vest.