Vivian Arend - Rocky Mountain Haven

His ma lifted her head, and he caught another glimpse of family that made him even happier. Robbie was curled up in her lap, body draped against her, hair wild as he slumbered.

“I told you he’d be asleep already.” Beth squeezed Daniel’s fingers and made as if to release him. He held on tight and tugged her across to the couch between his parents’ recliners.

“You’re not stealing him away yet, are you?” Marion Coleman rocked slowly, adjusting her grasp on the boy, her smile growing wider if anything.

“You’re not going to get him out of her arms without a crowbar, I’m thinking.” Mike’s chair squeaked slightly as he slid forward and headed to the liquor bottles on the side table. “Either of you want a drink? It’s a quiet party, I know, but we’re able to have a celebration of our own right here. Not as wild as what the rest of your brothers are up to, I bet.”

“I’m having a wonderful time, Dad. No need for the noise and craziness to make me happy.”

Beth’s bright laugh was quiet enough to not wake Robbie. “As if it was anything that could be considered quiet in here earlier. I’m sorry, Marion, the boys were so excited at dinner, I really didn’t…”

“Hush.” Marion waved her fingers in dismissal. “Trust me, they were nothing on our six back in the day. And frankly, I think it was mainly Blake and Daniel causing all the ruckus tonight, and not your angels.”

Daniel bit his lip as he accepted a glass from his father. Yeah, the noise of laughing and happiness wasn’t something he’d complain about. That wasn’t the part he wanted to change, and that’s what he had to make clear.

“You folks okay if I bring up a question I’ve got? Regarding the ranch?”

Mike and Marion exchanged glances.

His dad sat back down and looked over at the couch, examining Beth and Daniel closely. “Sounds serious.”

Daniel took a deep breath. “Serious but nothing too worrisome, I hope. I’ve wanted to run something past you for a while, and I think I’ve got the numbers figured out. You know how you mentioned it might get tight when the twins finished school? Trying to support everyone on the profits from the ranch?”

His dad sipped his drink. He nodded—didn’t say anything though, and for a moment Daniel hesitated.

Just because his dreams lay in a different direction didn’t mean the ranch wasn’t a fabulous place to make a living. This change wasn’t supposed to be a poor reflection on his father or his abilities.

“You’ve done good, Dad. Real good over the years, in the decisions you’ve made. Things like setting up the workshop and diversifying our livestock. You’ve never stood still and that’s why we’ve done so well. But with the changes in the market, you’re right. Finances will get tight, and I doubt there’s any way the ranch can support seven families, if at some point we all settle down. It’s not like in Grampa’s day—we can’t split the land any more without losing the advantage of having a big parcel. So I’ve been wondering—what would you think of me moving into something else?”

“You want to leave the ranch?” Marion rocked her chair steadily, sadness on her face.

“Not to move far away. If I was to run the workshop full time, I could actually increase the orders we take in. There’s the possibility we could end up making more money than we are now, but I’ve got to be full time in the shop. Juggling two major endeavors would just get us in trouble.”

Mike’s slow smile eased Daniel’s fears. The twinkle of amusement that flashed in his father’s eyes a moment later piqued his curiosity.

“You know, it’s funny to watch you and your brothers tiptoe around me. I never thought I was the intimidating kind of father, but heck if you all don’t still take it real careful anyway.”

Daniel looked him in eye. The confession was easy to make. “It’s not that we’re afraid of you, it’s that we respect you.”

The pleasure on Mike’s face was easy to read. He coughed lightly for a moment, taking a sip of his drink before continuing. “You’ve obviously given this a lot of consideration.”

“I have.” The words spilled out now that Daniel had started. “And while I’ve loved working with you over the years, I just don’t enjoy ranching like you do, sir. Not like Blake and Travis especially. Or maybe I should put it the other way. I enjoy the woodworking so much more, and since I think there’s a viable living there, I want to propose a buyout.”

“Well, I can’t say as this is a real surprise to me. Before we make any firm decisions, I need to see some numbers. But, son, it’s your life and you’ve got to be doing what’s going to make you happy. If it works financially to all our advantage, who am I to say no? You still think on keeping the shop here? Or moving her to a new location—?”

“Enough.” Marion broke in. “You can talk through all that later. I want to know the important stuff first. Like, where do you plan on living, and it had better not be too far away.”

“Ma.” Daniel grinned at her. “I’m not thinking about going anywhere except maybe into town.”

She wrinkled her nose then shrugged. “You’re the one who’s got to live there, so I won’t mention how much you’ll miss hearing the frogs in the spring. Always your favourite thing.”

He snorted. “I’m never going to be more than five years old to you, am I?”

Marion shook her head, her gaze darting over Beth. The questions were there in her eyes, but she held her tongue, and Daniel was grateful. Yeah, he had ideas that direction as well, but it wasn’t the place or the time. Yet.

The New Year was going to bring all kinds of wonderful things to him—to them —and he could hardly wait.

The look of disgust on his brother’s face made Gabe’s lips twitch as he fought to hide his amusement.

“It’s just mean.” Rafe growled out the words before twisting away and heading for the door.

Gabe felt for him, but there was not much he could do. “Don’t pout. You heard Dad as clear as I did—you’re working with him first thing in the morning. Going to a party tonight isn’t going to fly. Unless you think you’re good to get up at four a.m. and be alert enough to—”

Rafe kicked the garbage pail by the edge of the kitchen sink, the metal clanking as it struck the counter. The discord of the echo bounced off the walls of Gabe’s apartment like an out-of-tune cymbal. “I know why I can’t go out. Just, there’s all week to do the repairs in the barns. I don’t see any reason we’ve got to put in such an early day tomorrow.”

There was no reason Gabe could give him. No reason other than their dad had made the decision to work like a maniac, which meant they had to as well. “It sucks, but it’s life. Find something else to do tonight. Call someone. Text them, or organize a game online, or something.”

Rafe gave him another dirty look. “It’s New Year’s Eve. I had plans, remember? They’re all cancelled since I’m not allowed to grab a truck to get into town, and you’re being a shit and refusing to take me along with you.”

His kid brother might be feeling the weight of the world right now, but it wasn’t going to change Gabe’s mind. “Sorry, I highly doubt a seventeen-year-old would be welcome where I’m going. And besides, you’re operating machinery in the morning. I’m not keeping you up until all hours and then putting you behind the wheel.”

All the air went out of Raphael as he leaned unhappily against the door. “You sure you don’t want to stay home and play cards with me for a couple hours? It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m headed to bed like a baby. Having you stick around would make it a whole lot better.”