Christmas at Reindeer Ranch by Megan Squires

Author:Megan Squires
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Megan Squires

Chapter 17

It was nice to have a full table.

The old oak dining table hadn’t had more than two people seated around it in years. And even then, it was just Daphne and her mother, and only when her mother was up for it. Those last couple of years, Daphne would serve meals on a T.V. tray that Audrey could prop up over her frail body, inclining just enough to watch the horses roam the hills outside her bedroom window while she moved her food around her plate more than into her mouth.

But tonight, there was fellowship and laughter, all while breaking bread together. It was restorative for Daphne’s soul.

Sophie even pulled up a chair for Dusty. The snoozing cat didn’t partake in the meal, but he never left Sophie’s watchful sight, and that in itself was such a lovely thing to witness.

“This is delicious, Lila.” Hudson gestured to his loaded fork before he popped a piece of red potato into his mouth.

“It’s the same stew my mother used to make growing up. She called it Wintertime Beef Stew. Not sure why since we ate it year round. But it does taste especially good this time of year, doesn’t it?”

“Your mother’s recipe is definitely one to hand down.” Hudson switched his gaze between the two women as he doled out the well-meaning compliment.

Something in Daphne’s chest ticked. He’d read the situation wrong, and she didn’t know if she should correct him. Before she could summon the words, Lila spoke in her stead. “We actually have different mothers.”

But the same deadbeat father. Daphne didn’t have any difficulty locating those words. Thankfully, she didn’t give them a voice.

“Interesting,” Hudson murmured before diving in for another bite. Daphne enjoyed watching him eat, how he heaped big portions onto his plate, leaving only a sliver of the edge uncovered. “Do you have the opportunity to get together often?”

The women exchanged a brief but telling look. Rather than wait for Lila to serve as their mouthpiece again, Daphne said, “This is the first time we’ve seen one another in…” She looked up at the ceiling as she did the math. “Twenty years?”

“About that,” Lila affirmed. She ladled another serving onto her plate and sat back, spine pressed to the chair.

“Really?” Hudson moved a napkin over his mouth. “I never would have guessed. You have so many of the same mannerisms.”

“We do?” They spoke in complete unison.

“Yep. Your right eyebrows arch into a point the exact same way when you’re surprised.” He waggled his finger between them. “You’re both doing it right now.”

“And you both whistle when you’re working.” Sophie joined the commentary. “I heard you whistling when you were mucking the stalls in the barn yesterday, Aunt Daphne. And Mom, you were whistling all morning when you were chopping up the carrots and potatoes for the stew. You sounded like a little bird.”

Lila laughed. “I never realized I did that.”

“Neither did I,” Daphne echoed. “I guess we will have to chalk that up to the whole nature versus nurture thing.

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