THE BLUE STALKER (38 page)

             
Last week Maria brought clean white linens from the closet and readied the bed for the beautiful rose comforter, shams and pillows.

             
Ella opened the package and the bedding unfolded filling the room with a bouquet of roses.

             
“This is so beautiful.”  Maria said tossing it around and feeling the soft texture of the comforter to her face.

             
Maria pressed the drapes and Juan attached the rod to the window. Ella stood on the step ladder and attached the drapes to the rod.

             
After pressing all the pieces, filling the shams and pillows and layering them on the bed the ladies stood back and smiled at their work.

             
“This room is fit for a queen.”  Maria said a she twirled around looking it over.

             
Juan opened the drapes to let the sunlight in as the ladies retired to the kitchen to find a soda.

             
It had been a long day and tomorrow was a work day for everyone.

             
The flower shop was busy with many orders and Juan was working on a few things around the house. Trying to get as much accomplished on Ella’s house before he started on his new jobs.

TWENTY-NINE

             
Ella woke Christmas Eve morning to laughter in the distance.  She pulled the drapes back to see Maria and Juan throwing snow balls at each other.  The land was covered with the beautiful drifting snow. The road was free of tire tracks.  The snow was beautiful but….  Ella wondered if the highway to Baker and to her house would be cleared today.

             
When Juan and Maria came in the house Ella had them a nice cup of hot cocoa ready.  They set around the table sipping on their hot cocoa.  Watching the flakes lightly float to the ground. 

             
“Ms. Ella look!”  Maria ran to the window.  “The snow is starting to come down heavy. Isn’t it beautiful? I’ve never seen it snow like this. Are we in a snow storm?”

“That’s possible.”  Ella said thinking how the roads would be snowed over, possibly for days.

             
“I hope we get snowed in for a day or so.  We don’t need to be going anywhere till after Christmas.”  Maria was filled with the excitement of having a white Christmas.

             
“Now Maria how will Santa get here if the roads are covered with snow?”  Ella said with a smile as she peered out the front plate glass window.                         
             
“Oh my,” Ella said under her breath.  “A four-wheel shuttle bus is coming up the drive.”  Ella didn’t say a word.  She made her way to the kitchen and called Juan to join her.  Within moments the front door bell was ringing.

             
Juan started to the door as Ella caught his hand and pulled him back.  Putting her forefinger over her lips.

             
“I wonder who could be out in this weather.”  Maria said

             
“I don’t know Maria.  Why don’t you answer the door?  Whoever it is they’re probably freezing out there.”  Ella told her.

             
Maria made her way to the big front door as the bell rang again. 

             
“Just a moment.”  She called to the person standing at the door.

             
Maria opened the door.  There stood a small woman totally bundled head to toe.

             
“Can I help you ma’am.”  Maria asked stepping back to allow her to enter from the cold.

             
The small lady pulled the scarf covering her face from frost bite and Maria screamed.

             
“Mama!”  Maria threw he arms around her mother.  They hugged and danced around the floor. Tears of joy were over flowing from every one’s eyes.

             
A nice gentleman was standing behind Juanita when she knocked at the door. 

             
“Thank you for making the drive from Baker in this terrible weather.  The canyon must have been treacherous.”  

             
“My orders ma’am.  We were to get this young lady to this address on Christmas Eve.  Not to let rain, sleet or hail stop me. They didn’t mention snow.” He said as he laughed knocking the snow from his shoulders.

Young man can you help me with her luggage?”  The driver asked.

             
“Of course, you have made my wife very happy.”  Juan said smiling holding the door open for the driver.

             
The driver brought in four large boxes and one small suit cases.

             
“Mama, you brought what looks like all your earthly possessions.”  Maria said a little puzzled.

             
“You wouldn’t want me to leave the pictures of your art work or my personal keepsakes there for whomever to destroy, would you?” Juanita asked?

             
“I don’t understand.”  Maria said looking at Ella for some answers.

             
“Maria you know the guest room we fixed for guests?  Well, we will be fixing up another guest room for guests because that is your mother’s room. She is not a guest, your mother came to live with us.”  Ella said as tears streamed down her face. To see Maria so happy touch Ella‘s heart

“Ms. Ella, my angel, I love you so much.” Maria cried out as she embraced Ella. 

             
Juan stood back amazed. “Ms. Ella you have made Maria so happy.  How can I ever repay you?” He stood shaking his head in bewilderment.

             
“Remember Juan, you don’t repay a gift.” Ella made her way to the kitchen.

             
“Juanita you look like you could use a good cup of Maria’s hot coffee.”  Ella said as she pulled the dining room chair back for Juanita to set down. 

             
“Here set and make yourself at home, you are home and welcome to your new home.”  Ella grinned as she scurried around the table finding a chair and settling down in it.

             
Maria brought Jose downstairs.  Juanita was so happy to see him.

             
“He was so tiny when you left Mexico. I worried about him. He was so frail. Thank you Ella for rescuing my children.” Juanita said bouncing Jose on her lap.

             
Ella was anxious to hear all the details of the trip and to know more about Juanita. They sat around the table and talked for hours watching the snow drift to the ground

             
“Maria, why don’t you show your mother to her room.”   Ella suggested.  “I’ll clean up this mess.  Be sure to show her ’her bathroom’ and where to find all the toiletries, towels and washcloths.”  Ella told Maria.

             
Maria took her mama to her new room.  “This is beautiful, so beautiful.  I don’t need anything this nice.  I can sleep anywhere.”  Juanita said her eyes dancing all around the room, her small hands, calloused from hard labor touching the rose pattern comforter.

             
“Mama, we have been getting this room ready for guests.  Ella didn’t tell us we were getting it ready for you.”   Maria said.

             
“Juan,” Maria called downstairs. “Can you carry the boxes upstairs?”

             
“I’ll bring them right up.” Juan said.

             
Ella made her way to her bedroom. It had been a long Christmas Eve. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day.

             
Juan watched for Ella’s light to go off before he brought down the portrait of her Maria had painted with oils.

             
Thankfully there was already a nail in the perfect spot in the rock fireplace for Juan to hang the portrait. The nail was probably used to hang Amy Brandon’s portrait when she lived here. There was a light casting down on the portrait.  The look from her eyes was that of a woman with compassion and generosity. 

             
Christmas morning Juan, Maria and Juanita were up early. Juanita was bouncing Jose on her knee when Ella walked from her room.  She didn’t look up to see the portrait as she made her way to the table to join everyone.  She fixed herself a cup of coffee sat at the table swirling her milk in her coffee in a figure eight motion. 

             
Maria, Juan and Juanita were anxious for Ella to look up.  Juan in conspicuously turned on the portrait light.

Ella looked up from her coffee her eyes caught a glimpse of the portrait.  She immediately turned her head back to the portrait.

             
“Oh my word.” She jumped up from the table and ran to the living room.

             
“Maria did you paint me? Of course you did. How silly of me to ask.”  She said with tears of joy streaming down her face.

             
She ran to Maria hugging her. “It’s beautiful, Maria you are so talented.” She said running to Juan hugging him too. Thank you both so much. It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.” Ella said as she dropped her head in her hands and began to sob.  Memories of the days she didn’t feel pretty filled her mind. This day she felt beautiful.

             
Ella wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

             
“I have something for you.”  She ran to the bedroom and came out with three beautiful silver foil wrapped small boxes and a red rocking horse with a big bow. “I saw it in the toy shop window and couldn’t resist it. I know it will be a while before Jose can enjoy the pony but he will be big enough soon.”

             
“Ms. Ella, when he gets bigger he will love it. Thank you.” Juan and Maria said as they rocked the horse.

Ella handed each a small box. “Go ahead open them.

             
Each tried to open the package saving the paper. “Oh just rip the paper it’s too small to save anyway.” Ella laughed.

             
They each opened their little boxes. 

             
“Ms. Ella, this is beautiful.”  Maria said as she held up her cross on a chain. Maria was again overwhelmed with the love Ella showed her.

             
Juanita said, “It’s so beautiful you didn’t have to give me a gift. I don’t have one for you.”

             
“You are a gift to all of us.”  Ella told her.

             
Juan was having Maria latch his cross letting it drop on his chest. “I will wear this everyday and know my guardian angel is with me always.  Juan said.

             
“Anything I do or give is out of love for my friends.”  Ella said.

             
The home was filled with Christmas cheer. Even little Jose was smiling and standing on the side of his rocking horse letting it rock.