Solie tapped at her mother’s door then gently pushed it open. As expected, Niurka was nowhere near ready. Hair still in curlers and wearing only her full slip and stockings she was busy applying shadow to her eyelids.
“Mama, what’ve you been doing all this time?” Solie practically wailed. “I can’t believe you haven’t even combed your hair yet.”
“Stop complaining, hija, and come and help me.” Niurka waved her over and pointed to the curlers on top of her head. “I always have so much to do, Soledad. That is why I do not get the chance to get ready.”
Solie could have rolled her eyes but she didn’t. Her mother had probably been in her room procrastinating the whole time. She was notorious for getting distracted and sneaking in an episode of ‘Betty La Fea’ on the TV in her room when she should have been getting ready.
“It’s okay, Ma. I’ll help you.” She began to pull the curlers from her mother’s hair, dropping them one by one onto the dressing table in front of her.
“You did not talk to me since you came, hija.” Niurka gave her a little pout. “How is Fort Lauderdale? Are you keeping in touch with your uncle? When was the last time you visited him?”
Now Solie did have to roll her eyes. “Mama, why do you always insist that I visit Tio Jose? He’s so cranky. I hate going there.”
“But he is my brother. He is family. You have to visit him.”
Solie gave a noncommittal grunt. She knew her mother would not rest until she gave both time and date when she would be paying her uncle a visit.
“And how is it that you cannot find time to visit my poor brother when you have time to help this man next door? Are you still doing that?”
Solie almost coughed. She’d told her mother about Ransom? When had she done that? More important, why?
“Uh, I…no. Not anymore. He’s…fine now.” Then, wanting to dig without it being too obvious, she said. “What else did I tell you…about Ransom?”
“Ransom? That’s his name?” Niurka began to brush loose powder onto her face then she turned to look up at Solie standing over her. “Now that we’re talking about it, I have some questions for you. Who is that man, anyway?”
“Man? What man?” Solie decided her best line of defense was to play dumb.
“That one. Ransom,” her mother said, looking exasperated. “When I called that time you said you were rushing over to help him with something. Is he your friend?”
Solie cleared her throat, her fingers going still in Niurka’s hair. “You could say that.”
“But you did not sound like you were friends that time. Did he hire you, then?”
“No, I was just helping.” Solie went back to pulling out the curlers, her mind racing. She wanted to change the subject so bad. She was definitely not ready to talk about Ransom, not to her family. She was busy trying to work things out in her mind. Now was not the time to be talking about the man who was entangling her heart in so many wonderful webs. She didn’t know whether to give in and love him or give up and leave him.
A slight smile curled her lips as she thought about it. She already knew what her choice would be. And it was while she was standing there, her fingers in her mother’s hair, that she began to admit it to herself – she was falling madly and wonderfully into the web of love that Ransom had cast. She was in love and there was no nicer feeling in the whole world.
“Are you going to answer me?” Niurka was tapping her on the hand. “Why were you spending your time helping him? It didn’t even sound like you knew him that well. Was he paying you?”
Solie smiled at her mother in the mirror and shook her head slowly. “Oh, Ma, I did it because I wanted to. If I’d charged him for my time he probably wouldn’t have been able to pay. I don’t know if construction workers make that much money.”
“So he’s a construction worker, is he?”
“Yup. When he heads out to work he’s always in his yellow hardhat and safety vest.” Then she chuckled. “And he looks good in it, too.”
“Ay, mi hija. It sounds like you’ve been bit by a bug.” Niurka was smiling broadly now, her eyes sparkling as they met Solie’s in the mirror. “My Solie has found herself a man. Tell me all about him.”
Solie sighed and shook her head. She’d walked right into that one. “I’ll tell you, Ma, but after Christmas dinner. Now hurry up and let’s go eat.”
***
“Rafe, my dear, you sit right here between us.” Maggie patted the chair between her and Bill Kent.
“Yeah, Rafe, go sit by your mommy.” Ridge grinned at him across the table. “Mama’s boy.”
“Leave him alone.” Ransom was the only one who knew what it had taken for Rafe to decide to come back home. He was probably still as skittish as a colt. He didn’t want Ridge spoiling things now and sending him running. He jerked his head toward Rafe who still stood looking at the empty chair, his hands thrust deep into his pockets. “Sit, kid, before the food gets cold. I’m hungry.” The last words were said on a growl. Not bothering to wait, he reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes.
“Patience.” A well-aimed slap from his mother had him pulling his hand back.
Maggie looked over at her husband. “Thirty-odd years I’ve been teaching him manners and he still lets me down.”
Bill reached out to pat his wife’s hand. The smile he gave, so full of love, softened the strain on his face. “You’ve been a good mother, dear. If the boy goes astray it’s his own fault.”
That made everybody laugh, including Rafe who’d seemed so tense just seconds before. Ryder remained cool, just observing and Ransom gave his mother a rueful grin. “Sorry, Ma.”
After that, Rafe settled in between Mom and Dad, Ransom got the potato salad he’d been reaching for, Ridge started stuffing his face with roast chicken - which meant he’d have his trap occupied for a while so he’d have to hold off on teasing Rafe - and Ryder sat there grinning like a fool, observing the family together at last.