The Girl that No-one See

Learning How to trust again

Sienna stood up and gave each of them a hug.

"I'll let you know this evening," she said quietly.

Gramps smiled.

"That's all we ask, sweetheart."

Sienna made her way across the yard towards the paddock, where Uncle Kenny was finishing the morning riding lesson.

The boys were brushing down their horses when they saw her approaching.

Kristopher smiled.

"Everything okay?"

Sienna nodded.

"Yeah... everything's okay."

She looked at the group with a grin.

"I've got your next jobs."

Josh groaned dramatically.

"Oh no..."

"Gramps has another list?"

Sienna laughed.

"Not quite."

She pointed at William.

"William, Grandma wants your help back at the house."

William looked surprised.

"Me?"

"Yep."

"She said your muscles might actually come in handy."

Everyone laughed.

Sienna continued.

"Gramps is doing his physiotherapy this afternoon, and because of his injured foot he needs someone strong to help support him with some of the exercises."

William smiled.

"I'd be honoured."

She then looked at Josh and Paul.

"You two are with Rachel."

Josh frowned.

"Doing what?"

"Learning how to make homemade bread, strawberry jam and a few other ranch recipes."

Paul laughed.

"I was expecting hard labour."

Kenny grinned.

"Trust me."

"Rachel's kitchen can be just as demanding."

Finally, Sienna turned to Kristopher.

"As for you..."

He raised an eyebrow.

"What have I been volunteered for?"

She smiled.

"You're coming with me."

"Where?"

"To find this year's Christmas tree."

Kristopher's face lit up.

"Seriously?"

Sienna nodded.

"Gramps lets me choose the family tree every year."

"This year..."

"I'd like your help."

Kristopher smiled warmly.

"I'd love to."

Kenny folded his arms with a grin.

"Well, that settles it."

"The rest of you get to work."

He pointed towards the ranch house.

"And don't even think about sneaking away from Rachel's baking lessons."

Josh sighed dramatically.

"I survived horse riding..."

"I don't know if I'll survive bread making."

Everyone burst into laughter.

As Kristopher and Sienna walked towards the woods surrounding Paradise Valley, Kristopher glanced across at her.

"You know..."

"I'm really glad you're smiling again."

Sienna looked up at him and smiled.

"So am I."

Together, they headed off in search of the perfect Christmas tree, while behind them the ranch buzzed with laughter, work and the beginning of another unforgettable Christmas at Paradise Valley.

The winter air was crisp as Sienna and Kristopher left the ranch house and headed towards the pine woods on the edge of Paradise Valley.

Each carried a pair of work gloves, while Kristopher balanced an axe over his shoulder.

"Gramps said we can take as long as we need," Sienna said with a smile.

"He always says the best Christmas trees aren't the first ones you see."

Kristopher chuckled.

"So we're looking for the perfect one."

"Exactly."

The two walked in comfortable silence for a while, listening to birds singing overhead and the wind rustling through the tall pine trees.

Eventually, Kristopher glanced at Sienna.

"You've been thinking a lot since your grandparents spoke to you."

Sienna nodded.

"I have."

She stopped walking for a moment and looked out across the trees.

"You know..."

"I don't hate Mum and Dad."

Kristopher wasn't surprised.

"I didn't think you did."

She sighed.

"I still love them."

"They're my parents."

"No matter what happened..."

"I'll always love them."

She looked down at the pine needles beneath her boots.

"But loving someone..."

"...doesn't stop them from hurting you."

Kristopher quietly nodded.

"No."

"It doesn't."

Sienna took a deep breath.

"I've been thinking about what Gramps asked."

"About Christmas."

She wrapped her coat tighter around herself.

"I'm not angry because they missed one competition."

"I'm hurt because it wasn't just one day."

"It was years."

"Years of putting Willow first."

"Years of telling me to understand."

"Years of pretending I didn't notice."

Kristopher listened without interrupting.

She needed someone to hear her—not solve it.

"I don't want revenge."

"I don't want to punish them."

She looked at him.

"I just want them to understand."

"They can't fix this by buying me presents."

"They can't fix it with another apology."

Kristopher spoke gently.

"So... what do they need to do?"

Sienna smiled sadly.

"They need to fix what they broke."

She paused before continuing.

"If a fence breaks on the ranch..."

"You don't paint over the c***k and pretend it's strong."

"You rebuild it."

"You replace the broken pieces."

"You make it stronger than it was before."

She looked back towards Paradise Valley in the distance.

"I think families are the same."

Kristopher smiled.

"I think Gramps would be proud of that comparison."

Sienna laughed softly.

"He probably taught it to me without me realising."

Kristopher stopped walking and faced her.

"I've watched you your whole life, Sea."

"You always forgive people."

"You always see the good in them."

"But this time..."

"I hope they earn that forgiveness."

Sienna nodded.

"So do I."

She looked towards the woods ahead.

"I think I will let them come."

Kristopher looked at her.

"You do?"

She nodded slowly.

"Not because everything's okay."

"It isn't."

"But because if they really want to change..."

"They deserve the chance to show me."

She smiled faintly.

"And if they don't..."

"Then I'll know I tried."

Kristopher reached over and gently squeezed her hand.

"Whatever happens..."

"You won't face it on your own."

Sienna smiled.

"I know."

"And that's made all the difference