Page 74 of Lone Wolf in Lights
As expected, he dodged the compliment with a small smile. Together, they lifted the bench and approached Betty, the silence of the cemetery wrapping around them like a thick winter shawl.
Eli cleared his throat as they neared. “Betty,” he called gently.
She turned, her eyes widening at the sight of the bench cradled between them. “Hi, dears.”
“Got something for you,” Eli said, and there was a tenderness in his voice that made Willow’s chest tighten.
They set the bench down with care at the foot of Henry’s grave, the cedar wood glowing warmly against the cold gray stones. Betty’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“I made this for you,” Eli said, stepping back but keeping his gaze locked on Betty’s face. “A place to sit...to spend time with Henry.”
Willow watched on, her heart swelling as the words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. She saw the way Betty’s shoulders shook, the tremble of her hands as she reached out to touch the smooth wood, tracing the lines.
“Thank you, Eli,” she whispered. “This is so very wonderful.”
Eli nodded, his own eyes betraying a rare vulnerability. “You’re welcome, Betty. I just wanted to make sure you had a place here with him.”
“I have never seen anything more beautiful.” Betty took him in a long affectionate hug. The sight of the grizzled cowboy showing such tenderness warmed Willow from head to too.
When Betty leaned away from Eli, she enveloped Willow, and Willow hugged her back tight. She couldn’t help but feel grateful for Betty’s presence in her life and the Christmas magic she sprinkled over Eli and Willow.
Betty sat a moment on the bench, stared at Henry’s tombstone. “How lovely is this. It’s just perfect.” She sat a moment longer and then rose. “While I would love to enjoy it longer, we do have a party to get to. I’ll meet you there.” She squeezed Eli’s hand. “Thank you again, dear, this is a special gift.”
“You are so welcome, Betty.” Eli smiled.
As they walked back to the truck and Betty headed for her car, Eli slid his hand in Willow’s before tugging a little, stopping her. She followed his gaze and spotted two gravestones that clenched her heart.
There were a million things she could say, but she figured to start at the beginning. “Hi, Marianne and Miranda, I’m Willow, Eli’s girlfriend,” she said with a little wave. “It’s nice to meet you. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Merry Christmas.”
Eli turned to her with a chuckle. “God, you’re cute.” He pulled her in close, kissed her forehead and chuckled as he led her away. “And they would have loved you.”
Willow smiled in return, wishing she’d had the chance to meet them.
They were back on the road in no time, and twenty minutes later, the Timber Falls Ranch sprawled before them. Its rustic charm magnified by the twinkling Christmas lights that wound around porch rails and draped over the shingled roof. Willow had been hearing about Jaxon’s legendary Christmas Eve party for a while now, and she realized no one was downplaying it. He went all out.
Some of the ranches’ cowboys were laughing over some unknown joke by the crackling fire pit, drinking beers. The children, bundled up in colorful winter gear were engrossed in their own world—lassoing fake bulls and missing most times, while others, cheeks rosy from the cold, rolled hefty snowballs to build a snowman.
“City kids are cute, but country kids are seriously adorable,” Willow pointed out. She paused to watch a little girl tug on a makeshift lasso, her tiny hands determined and sure.
Eli followed Willow’s gaze and smiled. “She’s a natural,” he commented. “Her father is one of the best ropers I know.”
A snowball whizzed past, narrowly missing them, and they turned to see a boy with a sheepish grin wave apologetically. Willow couldn’t help but laugh.
“Careful, you’ll start a war you can’t finish, kiddo!” Eli called back with a wink, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Maybe later,” Willow teased, bumping her shoulder against his playfully. “For now, let’s get inside.”
The warmth of the ranch house enveloped Willow as she stepped over the threshold. Inside the house, laughter and shouts echoed through the expansive living room, where a group of cowboys huddled with their children and better halves. They were engaged in an intense Christmas scavenger hunt.
“Got it!” a little girl squealed, triumphantly holding up a shiny red deer ornament, her father’s pride evident as he lifted her into the air amidst encouraging cheers.
“Willow, honey, you made it!” The familiar voice cut through the loud voices, drawing her gaze.
There, amid the crowd of festive sweaters and happy faces, stood her parents, their eyes crinkling with delight. Her mother’s arms wrapped around her in a hug.
“Hi,” Willow breathed out, allowing herself to be folded into the embrace.
“We’ve gotten into Jaxon’s fine whiskey,” her father said, grinning blissfully from ear to ear as he joined in the hug.
