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“Ready for this?” I asked, unable to stop smiling.
“Do I have a choice?” Her hand tightened on mine.
We rolled down the drive, which split two pastures: horses on one side, cattle on the other. Her head bobbed as she looked from one field to the other. When my parents’ house came into view, I was glad she was finally here.
“Stone, it’s beautiful.”
My sentiments exactly. It had been built by my great-grandparents back in the 1920s. They’d struck oil on part of the property, and that had provided the means to build a good-sized house for the time. It was a two-story farmhouse with white siding, black shutters, and a wraparound porch. White Christmas lights woven through garlands framed the front door, though they were barely visible in the afternoon sun. Evergreen wreaths were attached to every window by wide red velvet ribbons.Wonder if Dad or Mitch hung those this year?
“There’s Sissy.” The old girl munched on grass just outside the fence she was supposed to be on the other side of.
“I thought she only escaped in the morning.”
“Guess Mama told her you were coming to visit.”
I parked next to a red Escalade I’d never seen before. It seemed criminal for a car like that to have a layer of dirt on it dulling its shine. Just a hazard of life on a ranch.
I threw on the parking brake and cut the engine. Instead of waiting on me to go around to the passenger side to help her out, Muriella slid out behind me. Before I closed the car door, I grabbed the bouquet of flowers. We walked hand in hand up the steps to the porch. Potted poinsettia plants flanked either side of the steps. I opened the screen door and didn’t knock before turning the old brass handle on the wooden door. The scent of pine and cinnamon instantly hit my nose.
The Christmas tree twinkled in the living room to the left of the foyer, and I laid the bluebonnets on the console table on the right. My brother said something unintelligible before laughter filled the air.
“Who’s Cadillac is out front?” I asked as we strolled into the kitchen, where everyone was gathered. All eyes turned to us.
“It’s mine. A loaner while mine is in the shop,” Mulaney said.
I’d already guessed it was hers. “You got one of those long-ass things?”
“No,” she huffed, hand on hip. “They only had the extended version, and it’s a miracle I even got it. Damn thing is like driving a bus.”
“Mulaney’s gotten too high falutin’ for us with her Cadillacs,” I teased, shaking my grandfather’s hand since he was closest to the entrance. His grip was as strong as it had always been, no matter that he was in his eighties.
“That’s rich, coming from you, Hollywood,” she shot back, throwing a wadded-up napkin at me across the island in the center of the kitchen.
“Tell me about it. I was admirin’ that vehicle this morning at breakfast. She asked me if I wanted to drive it and tossed me the keys,” Granddaddy said.
“You didn’t fall for that?” I asked.
“I’m an old man. I tell you that one’s got no respect for her elders. I wasn’t a mile down the road and that damn gas light came on. The tank was dead empty. Hell, I just made it back. Been standin’ at the gas pump since six o’clock this morning, filling it up.”
“She did that shit to me all the time when we were in high school,” Mitch piped up.
“Does anyone watch their damn mouth anymore?” Mama asked, giving my grandfather and Mitch an admonishing look.
Muriella drank in the scene with thirsty eyes. Hope filled me. I’d always known if I could just get her to the ranch, she’d see what her family might look like.
“Why are you in a car anyway? Old man Carter finally take away your jet privileges?” I asked. My sister didn’t usually have time to make the long trek from Houston. Unease flickered in her eyes before it disappeared.
“Obviously I drove, and don’t give me any shit. I beat you here by a mile,” she said. No one but me seemed to notice something wasn’t quite right with her. Or maybe they’d already had time to figure out what was going on.
“Muriella, honey, we’re so glad you’re here. Let me introduce you to everybody,” Mama broke in like she’d known her all her life. We’d skipped pleasantries, but that’s just how we were. Mama took her hand and led her around the kitchen. I couldn’t remember a time I’d felt more pride than when Muriella exchanged hugs with my family. Except Mulaney, who thrust out her hand and gave Muriella’s a hard shake, intimidating as hell. I gave my sister a look to cool it, which she blatantly ignored.
Daniel and Vivian appeared from the hallway, apparently saving their surprise appearance for last.
“You two.” Muriella pointed at the both of them, giving them a menacing look before throwing her arms around them.
I made the rounds behind Muriella. I got long hugs all around from everyone except Mitch, who shook my hand and gave me a disapproving look. When I got to Mulaney, I kissed her cheek, and she didn’t even protest.
“Where’s Grandmama?” I asked, her absence noticeable.
