Colorado Christmas by C. C. Coburn Page A

happen.” Will couldn’t tell how much Nick knew about domestic violence, so he hedged around the subject and said, “They’re in situations where they have no power and they get very angry about that and want to lash out. But instead of lashing out at the person they’re really angry with—usually because that person is much bigger than them—they take out their anger and frustrations on smaller kids. It gives them a feeling of power.” Will shrugged. “It’s screwed up, but it happens.”
    The kid gazed up at him with something akin to hero worship. “I guess that makes sense. But I wish it wasn’t happening to me.”
    Unable to think of anything else to comfort him, Will said, “Me, too, buddy.”
    “I wish my mom could throw them in jail.”
    Will couldn’t help smiling. “I doubt you can make citizen’s arrests on bullies. But the idea has merit.”
    “My mom can throw anyone she wants to in jail.”
    And now the kid was fantasizing. Will let it slide. If it made Nick feel better to believe his mom could throw people in jail, then what was the harm in that?
    They sat in silence for a while, watching the other swimmers. What was it with his mom that she couldn’t come to the pool to see how he was doing? Will was going to give the woman a piece of his mind when he met her.
    But, for now, he needed to lift the little guy’s spirits. “Would you like me to apply for that job?”
    Nick’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, and he hugged Will around the neck so fiercely he was nearly strangling him. “Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes! When?”
    “How about at the fundraiser tomorrow?” he said, disentangling Nick’s skinny arms so he could breathe. “Your mom will be in such a great mood after eating some of that barbecue, she’ll think it’s the best idea she ever heard.”
    “Yeah! She loves barbecue…She likes red wine, too.”
    Will made a mental note to ensure that they’d serve red wine. It would be good to get the job as Nick’s caregiver. The judge would respect him if he had a paying job and might agree to go out with him. The flowers certainly hadn’t worked. Will hadn’t sent any more since her second request that he stop—and after Matt had sternly pointed out that Will’s unwanted deliveries might be construed as stalking.
    Will got to his feet. “I’d better head out, buddy. I’ve got some stuff to do before the barbecue. See you there, and don’t forget to bring your mom, okay?”

Chapter Ten

    Saturday was sunny and clear, a perfect high-country winter’s day. Up before dawn, Will attended to final preparations and snowplowed the car parking area. Matt and Jack arrived to lend a hand. Will could barely wipe the smile off his face when both of them complimented him on his latent organizational skills.
    By eleven, the temperature had climbed into the mid-thirties and a steady stream of vehicles was entering the gates of Two Elk. So much for Matt’s doubting the success of a barbecue in the middle of winter.
    The response from the community was overwhelming. Frank had hired the winners of the summer barbecue festival cook-off. Mrs. C. had organized several community groups to serve food and drinks. A mobile coffee van was dispensing hot chocolate and coffee of all varieties, while the Boy Scouts sold sheets of tickets to be exchanged for food and drink at the stalls. A local band had donated their time. The strains of their tuning up emanated from the barn.
    With the beer wagon in place and the tempting aromas of barbecue, kettle corn and funnel cakes filling the air, it promised to be a very successful event.
    Will watched fondly as Sasha helped direct cars to park, then raced back to report who’d just pulled in.
    He ruffled her fair hair. “You’re doing a great job, honey,”he said and pointed back toward the parking area. “Better go catch those folks before they slip into the wrong spot.”
    “As if! Daisy’s herding them with her bullwhip, so they don’t stand a