Page 25 of Christmas at the Ranch
She ate a bite of squash and smiled at the woman. “Of course, I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
After dinner, Arthur insisted everyone attend the torch parade in Teton Village. Samantha made sure she was in a different car than Drew and Beatrix. When they arrived, she slipped off by herself.
The village was more festive than Samantha had seen it yet. The ice-skating rink was lit up with colored lights, and giant candy canes were wrapped in red bows. Carolers dressed in pioneer costumes strolled around the square and children waited in line to sit on Santa’s sleigh.
A woman sat by herself at one of the outdoor tables. She was in her late forties and wore a long overcoat and suede gloves. She took off her hood and Samantha recognized her. It was the woman from the gift store who had lent her the arrowhead necklace.
“Marigold.” She walked over and joined her. “It’s nice to see you.”
Marigold glanced up. It took a moment for her to recognize Samantha. Then her face opened in a smile.
“It’s nice to see you too, please sit down.” Marigold waved at the bench. “I almost didn’t come this year. It’s beginning to feel like a snowy version of Main Street in Disneyland,” she said. “It will be worth it when the ski patrol starts down the mountain. It’s like watching a ballet.”
“What a pretty coat.” Samantha admired the bright colors and long fringes. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It was handmade by a Native American artisan, they sell themat Beaver Creek Hats and Leather,” Marigold replied. “These days, we have down parkas and thermal underwear to stay warm. For centuries, Native Americans didn’t have anything like that. They became very skillful at keeping out the cold,” Marigold continued. “The men wore jackets and hats made from buffalo hide, and the women had deerskin leggings.”
“I can’t imagine anyone in Brooklyn walking around in deerskin leggings,” Samantha said, laughing.
“I suppose not,” Marigold agreed. She noticed Samantha’s necklace. “You’re wearing the arrowhead pendant.”
“I’ve hardly taken it off,” Samantha acknowledged. “The strangest thing happened yesterday. An icicle almost landed on my head. It missed me at the last minute. I couldn’t help but wonder if…” Her voice trailed off.
Suddenly, she felt silly. The arrowhead didn’t have magical powers. It had been a coincidence.
“There’s nothing to wonder about,” Marigold returned. “I told you the arrowhead protects the wearer from danger.”
Samantha twisted the pendant. All day she had felt lighter. As if she was part of things, instead of standing anxiously on the sidelines. Perhaps the arrowhead was responsible for her new confidence.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” Samantha said.
“It’s my pleasure. Even the strongest people sometimes need help.” Marigold nodded. “It reminds me of one of my favorite legends. There was a farmer with a wife and two children. He worked very hard to give his family enough to eat. One year, there was an early frost and his crop was ruined. He made a small fire and offered tobacco to the Master of Life. He told him he’d always been grateful for his blessings, but now he was stuck.
“The Master of Life gave him special seeds and told him to plant them. The next morning, the frost had gone and the weather was as warm as summer. For the next few weeks, the weather stayed warm and the seeds grew into corn and beans. Then as quickly as the summer weather came, it disappeared and the long winter began. But the farmer and his family had enough to eat all winter,” she finished. “You see, it’s all right to ask for help. We can’t always do everything alone.”
Samantha recalled the hours she spent with her therapist after Roger left. Dr. Gruber counseled that Samantha had to learn to rely on herself. Maybe it was all right to love her career but want a marriage and a family too. To enjoy her nights watching Netflix with Socks, while still missing trying new Italian restaurants with Roger. She knew she could eat at a restaurant alone, but it wasn’t the same as spending time in the company of someone she loved. The wine served by the glass was never as good as wines sold by the bottle, and she couldn’t sample different types of pasta when she was by herself.
“I never thought about it like that,” Samantha said slowly.
“Native Americans are very wise. They learned from watching the animals in the forest. Animals have to help each other to survive.” She smiled at Samantha. “What better time for people to help one another than Christmas?”
“I would do anything for my dog, Socks, and sometimes I think he would do anything for me.” Samantha nodded. “Last October, I took Socks apple picking. I told him to stay with me but he ran straight into a patch of poison oak. I carried him all the way to the car. By the time we got back to Manhattan, I was covered in itchy welts. And the other night, I had a terrible toothache. I think he knew I wasn’t feeling great. He dragged the hot water bottle thathe sleeps with onto my bed. I put it under my pillow and my tooth felt much better.”
“There are many lessons we can learn”—Marigold smoothed her coat—“if only we’re open to receiving them.”
Music blared and Samantha turned her attention to the mountain. A dozen strobe lights illuminated the slopes and figures dressed in neon ski suits lined up on the ridge. The song changed to “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and the ski patrol started down the slope. Marigold was right, it was like a ballet. The torches turned the snow fluorescent colors and the whole mountain seemed to glow.
She turned back to Marigold but the bench was empty. She was about to go look for her when someone called her name.
It was Drew. He was walking toward her. He wore a green parka and navy après-ski boots.
“Drew,” Samantha said awkwardly. She wondered if he noticed she was avoiding him. “Where’s Beatrix?”
Drew waved at the mountain.
“She’s with the ski patrol. She went night skiing.”
“She’s up there?” Samantha squinted into the lights. Clusters of skiers were following the ski patrol down the mountain.
