The Girl that No-one See

Morning before the storm

Tuesday, 15th December

Paradise Valley Ranch looked completely different when everyone woke.

During the night, the temperature had dropped, and a blanket of fresh snow covered the fields, fences and rooftops. Snowflakes still drifted lazily from the grey Texas sky, settling on the pine trees and turning the ranch into a winter wonderland.

Sienna stood on the porch with a mug of hot chocolate in her hands, taking in the view.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

Kristopher stepped beside her.

"It really is."

Gramps opened the front door behind them.

"Beautiful or not..." he chuckled.

"The animals still need feeding."

"The horses still need looking after."

"And the ranch certainly isn't going to run itself."

Everyone gathered in the kitchen after breakfast, where Gramps unfolded a notepad from his shirt pocket.

"Right then," he announced with a grin.

"Job list for today."

The boys exchanged amused looks.

"Here we go," Josh muttered.

Gramps pointed at William first.

"William, you're helping Kenny repair the north fence."

William nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"Josh and Paul, you're clearing the snow away from the paths around the house, the barn and the stables."

Josh sighed dramatically.

"I was hoping for an easier job."

Kenny laughed.

"Welcome to ranch life."

Gramps looked at Louis.

"You're helping your dad feed the cattle."

"Already planned on it," Louis replied.

"Heather."

She looked up.

"You're taking Sienna with you."

"We need fresh eggs from the chicken coop, and Grandma wants the two of you to start decorating the dining room afterwards."

Heather smiled.

"Sounds like a good morning to me."

Sienna nodded happily.

"I'd love that."

Gramps folded his list and slipped it back into his pocket.

"Right..."

"Everyone knows what they're doing."

The family began heading for the door, pulling on coats, gloves and boots against the falling snow.

Just as Kristopher reached for his jacket, Gramps spoke.

"Kristopher..."

He turned around.

"Yes, sir?"

Gramps smiled kindly.

"You stay behind for a minute."

"I'd like a word with you."

Kristopher glanced briefly towards Sienna, who gave him an encouraging smile before following Heather outside.

"Don't worry," she whispered as she passed.

"You can't be in that much trouble."

Kristopher laughed quietly.

"I hope not."

Once everyone had left the kitchen, the room became peaceful.

Only the crackling fire and the ticking of the old clock could be heard.

Gramps poured two mugs of coffee and motioned towards the table.

"Come and sit down, son."

Kristopher did as he was asked, wondering what Sienna grandfather wanted to discuss.Gramps sat opposite him, studying the young man for a moment before smiling.

"This won't take long."

"But it's something I've been meaning to say."

Kristopher listened carefully, sensing that whatever came next would be important. An awkward silence settled over the kitchen.

Kristopher wrapped both hands around the warm mug of coffee, unsure why Gramps had asked him to stay behind.

Gramps let out a slow breath before speaking.

"Kristopher..."

"I need to ask you something."

"Anything, sir," Kristopher replied without hesitation.

Gramps looked towards the frosted kitchen window.

"You know Alexander, Pearl, Willow and Jordan are arriving this evening."

Kristopher nodded.

"I do."

"I've been thinking about it all night."

"So have I," Gramps admitted.

He turned back to face him.

"I'm not worried about Alexander."

"I genuinely believe he's realised how badly he's let Sienna down."

"And I think Pearl has too."

Kristopher listened quietly.

"But..."

Gramps paused.

"I am worried about Willow."

Kristopher's expression became serious.

"So am I."

Gramps nodded.

"Sienna has made incredible progress since she arrived."

"She's smiling again."

"She's laughing."

"She's sleeping."

"For the first time in a long time, she's beginning to believe she matters."

He sighed.

"I don't want that disappearing because of one careless comment."

Kristopher lowered his eyes.

"I understand."

Gramps leaned forward.

"So I'm asking you..."

"When they arrive..."

"Keep an eye on her."

"If you notice she needs a few minutes away..."

"Go with her."

"If she's overwhelmed..."

"Be there."

"If she needs someone to listen..."

"Listen."

"If she doesn't say a word but you can see she's hurting..."

"Stay beside her anyway."

Kristopher answered immediately.

"I will."

Gramps smiled faintly.

"I thought you would."

He continued.

"The rest of us will be watching too."

"Grandma."

"Kenny."

"Rachel."

"All of us."

"But there are moments when she'll naturally turn to someone her own age."

"And I think..."

He smiled knowingly.

"That someone is you."

Kristopher felt a lump form in his throat.

"I'll never let her face it alone."

Gramps nodded with quiet approval.

"I believe you."

Kristopher looked down at his coffee before speaking again.

"I made her a promise yesterday."

Gramps raised an eyebrow.

"What promise?"

"That we'd always be honest with each other."

"That no matter what happens, we won't bottle things up anymore."

"And..."

He smiled softly.

"I promised I'd always be there if she needed me."

Gramps smiled warmly.

"Then keep that promise."

"Not because I asked you."

"But because that's exactly what she needs."

Kristopher nodded.

"I will."

"No matter what happens today..."

"I'm staying by her side."

Gramps reached across the table and placed a reassuring hand on the young man's shoulder.

"I've watched the way you look at my granddaughter."

"I've watched the way you protect her."

"And I've watched the way she looks at you."

He smiled.

"She trusts you.

Don't ever take that trust for granted."

Kristopher's voice was quiet but full of determination.

"I won't."

"Not ever."

Gramps stood carefully, leaning on his cane.

"Good."

He smiled proudly.

"Now...

We'd better get outside before Grandma comes looking for the two of us."

Kristopher laughed.

"And I don't think either of us wants to explain why we've been hiding in the warm kitchen while everyone else is working."

Gramps chuckled.

"Now you're learning how this family works."

The two of them walked out into the falling snow together, both knowing that by evening, Paradise Valley Ranch would be welcoming guests...

And facing a test that would challenge every promise that had been made.Just as Gramps was about to stand, the kitchen door opened.

Grandma walked in carrying a fresh batch of homemade biscuits.

She looked between the two men and smiled knowingly.

"I thought I'd find you both hiding in here."

Gramps chuckled.

"We've been talking."

"I gathered that," Grandma replied, setting the plate down.

She looked at Kristopher for a moment before taking the chair beside Gramps.

"There is something I'd like to say, if you don't mind."

Kristopher nodded.

"Of course, ma'am."

Grandma smiled warmly.

"You don't have to call me 'ma'am.'"

"It's Grandma while you're under this roof."

Kristopher laughed.

"Yes, Grandma."

She reached across the table and gently placed her hand over his.

"We know."

Kristopher blinked.

"Know what?"

Grandma exchanged a smile with Gramps.

"We know you're falling for our granddaughter."

Kristopher's cheeks immediately turned bright red.

"I..."

He looked down at the table, suddenly fascinated by the wood grain.

"I wasn't trying to hide it."

Grandma laughed softly.

"Oh, sweetheart...

You couldn't hide it if you tried."

"The way you look at her."

"The way you always make sure she's alright."

"The way your face lights up every time she smiles."

She squeezed his hand gently.

"It tells us everything we need to know."

Kristopher smiled shyly.

"I love her."

"I really do."

"I'm just waiting until she's ready."

Gramps nodded approvingly.

"That's exactly what you should do."

Grandma smiled.

"And that's why we trust you."

She looked him straight in the eye.

"I know you have our granddaughter's best interests at heart."

"You've proved that over and over again."

"When she disappeared..."

"You never gave up looking."

"When she cried..."

"You simply stayed beside her."

"You've never tried to fix her."

"You've just loved her."

Kristopher felt a lump in his throat.

"I only want her to be happy."

Grandma smiled warmly.

"I know. And when Alexander, Pearl, Willow and Jordan arrive this evening...

If anyone she's going to lean on...It'll be you."

Kristopher nodded without hesitation.

"I won't let her down."

Grandma smiled proudly.

"I know you won't."

Gramps stood carefully, resting one hand on Kristopher's shoulder.

"Then let's go and help decorate this house."

Grandma grinned.

"Before Rachel starts wondering if we've abandoned her with all those boxes."

Kristopher laughed as he stood.

"I think she'd put us to work twice as hard if we kept her waiting."

The three of them left the warm kitchen together, stepping back into the joyful bustle of the ranch—each quietly hoping that the love and safety Sienna had found at Paradise Valley would give her the strength she needed for what lay ahead that evening

About an hour later, the back door opened.

Sienna and Heather walked into the kitchen carrying baskets filled with fresh eggs and vegetables collected from the garden.

Heather carefully placed a basket of eggs on the worktop.

"Thirty-six eggs."

"None broken."

Sienna set down another basket full of carrots, potatoes, onions and fresh herbs.

"And enough vegetables for Grandma to work her magic."

Rachel smiled from the sink.

"Perfect timing."

"I was just wondering where my helpers had disappeared to."

Grandma walked into the kitchen, looking over the baskets with an approving nod.

"Wonderful."

"That should keep us going for a few days."

She paused for a moment, thinking.

"Actually..."

She looked at Sienna with a mischievous smile.

"Would you come into town with me this morning?"

Sienna smiled.

"Of course."

"What do we need?"

Grandma laughed.

"What don't we need?"

"With this many people under one roof—and another four arriving this evening—we'll need enough food to feed an army."

Just then, Kristopher came through the back door after finishing his conversation with Gramps.

Grandma's smile grew even wider.

"Oh, perfect."

She pointed at him.

"We'll borrow that handsome young champ of yours."

Sienna's cheeks immediately turned pink.

"Grandma..."

"What?" Grandma said innocently.

"I need someone strong to push the shopping trolley."

She looked at Kristopher.

"Do you think you can manage that?"

Kristopher grinned.

"I think I can handle a shopping trolley."

Grandma laughed.

"You say that now."

"But knowing this family..."

She looked around the kitchen.

"We'll probably need two trolleys."

Rachel nodded in agreement.

"Especially with Alexander, Pearl, Willow and Jordan arriving tonight."

Grandma chuckled.

"And if your brother Jordan eats the way he used to when he stayed here..."

She shook her head dramatically.

"We'll need another week's worth of groceries just for him."

Everyone laughed.

Kristopher looked at Sienna.

"So..."

"A shopping trip?"

She smiled.

"I suppose we'd better."

Grandma clapped her hands together.

"Excellent."

Coats on, both of you."

"The sooner we get to town..."

"The sooner we can get back before the snow gets any heavier."

As Sienna and Kristopher headed to fetch their coats, Heather quietly leaned over to Grandma with a grin.

"You do realise you just volunteered those two for a date disguised as grocery shopping?"

Grandma smiled knowingly.

"My dear...I've been married long enough to recognise when two young people simply need a little time together."

She gave Sienna a wink as her granddaughter walked back into the room.

"And besides..."

"It's much more enjoyable shopping with good company.”