The Girl that No-one See

Christmas has started

A few moments later, Sienna smiled and stood up.

"Come on."

"Gramps will think we've got lost."

Kristopher laughed as he picked up the axe.

"Or that we found the world's biggest Christmas tree."

Hand in hand for just a moment before letting go to carry the equipment, they walked towards the tall pine tree, both quietly believing that this Christmas would mark the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. With the tree finally cut down, Kristopher wrapped a length of rope around the trunk and began dragging it across the open field.

At first, it seemed easy enough.

Then the branches caught on every little bump in the ground.

Kristopher leaned forward, putting all his weight into the rope.

"This thing..." he puffed.

"...looked much smaller when it was standing up."

Sienna burst into laughter.

"I did tell you it was a big tree."

He looked back at her with a grin.

"You forgot to mention it weighed as much as one of Kenny's horses."

"I thought you wrestlers were supposed to be strong."

"We are..."

Kristopher replied between breaths.

"...just not against Christmas trees."

They had barely made it halfway across the field when the tree snagged on a small tree stump and refused to move.

Kristopher gave one final determined tug.

Nothing.

He sighed dramatically.

"I officially surrender."

Sienna laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes.

Just then, the familiar rumble of an engine echoed across the ranch.

Uncle Kenny drove over in the ranch utility vehicle, slowing to a stop beside them.

He leaned out of the window with a knowing smile.

"I had a feeling I'd find you two somewhere around here."

Kristopher laughed.

"What gave it away?"

Kenny nodded towards the enormous pine tree.

"The fact you've picked the biggest Christmas tree on the entire ranch."

Sienna folded her arms innocently.

"It's tradition."

Kenny chuckled.

"So is needing help getting it home."

Kristopher smiled sheepishly.

"I was just about to ask."

"I thought you might."

Kenny climbed out of the vehicle, grabbed the other end of the rope and gave the tree an experimental tug.

He laughed.

"Yep..."

"You've definitely got your grandfather's taste."

"Bigger is always better."

Together, Kenny and Kristopher lifted the front of the tree while Sienna guided the branches clear of the fences.

Within a few minutes, they had it safely loaded onto the trailer.

Kenny dusted off his hands.

"There."

"Much easier."

Kristopher smiled.

"Thanks, Uncle Kenny."

Kenny clapped him on the shoulder.

"You're family while you're here."

"You don't have to do everything on your own."

Sienna looked at Kristopher and smiled.

"See?"

"I told you someone would rescue us."

Kristopher laughed.

"I'll remember that next Christmas."

The three of them climbed aboard the utility vehicle, the enormous Christmas tree secured behind them as they made their way back towards Paradise Valley Ranch.

Waiting on the porch, Gramps spotted the tree from a distance and smiled proudly.

"Now that's a proper Christmas tree."

Grandma laughed as she shook her head.

"I knew she'd pick the biggest one."

Sienna grinned.

"Would you expect anything less?

As the ranch utility vehicle pulled into the yard, everyone stepped out onto the porch to see the enormous Christmas tree.

Gramps let out a loud laugh.

"I knew it!"

"Only my granddaughter would come back with the biggest tree on the whole ranch."

Grandma looked at the towering pine, then at Sienna, before smiling and shaking her head.

"Granddaughter..."

"You're just like your grandfather."

"Neither of you has ever understood the meaning of small."

Everyone laughed.

Gramps grinned proudly.

"That's my girl."

Kenny and Kristopher carefully lowered the tree onto the ground while William, Josh and Paul admired its size.

Josh whistled.

"That'll take some decorating."

Grandma clapped her hands together.

"Right then, everyone."

"Boys..."

She looked at Kristopher, William, Josh and Paul.

"I need your help."

"Come with me to the third shed."

"That's where we keep all the Christmas decorations."

She then looked at Kenny and Rachel.

"You two as well."

"We've got boxes that haven't seen daylight since last Christmas."

Rachel laughed.

"I wondered when we'd be fetching those."

Kenny smiled.

"I'll grab the keys."

Grandma turned back to Sienna with a warm smile.

"Sienna, sweetheart..."

"Why don't you stay here with Gramps while we're gone?"

"He'll appreciate the company."

Gramps nodded, patting the rocking chair beside him.

"I've got hot chocolate waiting."

"And I don't fancy drinking it on my own."

Sienna smiled.

"I'd like that."

Grandma gave her granddaughter's shoulder a gentle squeeze before leading everyone else towards the third storage shed.

As the group disappeared across the yard, laughter echoed behind them as Josh wondered aloud how many decorations one family could possibly own.

Gramps chuckled.

"Oh..."

"They're about to find out."

Sienna laughed and sat down beside him on the porch.

For a little while, grandfather and granddaughter simply watched the sun begin to set over Paradise Valley, enjoying the quiet before the house would soon be filled with the excitement of decorating for Christmas