Page 52 of Cowboy Stolen Kiss for Christmas

“Got myself another sister-in-law to annoy and a new nephew to spoil rotten.” Flint planted a noisy kiss on her cheek. “Best day of my life!”

Behind his joking, though, she picked up on a hint of loneliness. She imagined a guy who enjoyed being the center of attention as much as he did was starting to feel a little left out. She also couldn’t help wondering where things stood between him and her sister.

Was Lucy right about him? Now that he was back in Dallas, would he simply move on like a buzzy bee to the next pretty flower? He was more complex than a lot of people gave him credit for, which made him hard to read.

Laura secretly hoped he wouldn’t give up his pursuit of Lucy just yet. Maybe if he tried a little harder, he’d finally wear her down. She sure didn’t mind the idea of having her sister join them in Texas. Eventually.

As soon as she had a moment alone, she dialed her sister so she could share her news.

It took several rings before Lucy picked up. “You finally remembered you had a sister, huh?”

“Giiiiirl,” Laura scolded. “What kind of question is that?”

“A fair one,” Lucy snapped. “You landed hours ago, and I’m just now hearing that you made it safely. Thanks a lot!”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Laura hadn’t thought about it that way, but she should have, everything considered. “I truly am.”

“You’d better be.” Lucy’s voice shook. “I almost lost you not too long ago.”

“Well, you didn’t.” Laura wasn’t sure where her sister’s uncharacteristic burst of worry was coming from. “You’re not getting out of being my sister that easily.”

Her younger sister sniffed. “So? How are things in Texas? Details, details!”

“Oh, wow! Where do I start?” Laura pushed back a handful of hair. “So much has happened already.”

“I said details,” her sister reminded tartly. “As in the nitty gritty?—”

“Ames proposed,” Laura blurted, unable to keep it to herself a second longer.

Lucy gave such a loud shriek of elation that Laura had to hold the phone away from her ear. “Well, keep talking,” she commanded after she stopped shrieking. “What did you say?”

“I said yes.” Another ear-splitting scream on the other end of the line made her wince. “Right afterward, Noelle went into labor, and Nash Dayton Carson, Junior arrived into our lives. They’re calling him Day for short.”

“That’s so precious,” her sister moaned. “I’m assuming he came out of the oven as good looking as all the other hunks of burning Carson?”

“Lucy,” Laura spluttered, blushing.

“Hey, you know it’s true. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be marrying one of ‘em.”

“That’s not the only reason.” A giggle of happiness bubbled out of her.

“But it’s one of them,” her sister insisted.

Laura glanced around the nearly empty waiting room and shielded the mouth piece before responding. “Pretty sure Flint is feeling a little left out. He’s happy for everyone. Don’t get me wrong, but a little sad at the same time, if you know what I mean.”

Her sister was silent for a moment. Then she sniped, “He would try to make it all about him.”

“No, I think it’s more than that.” Laura wasn’t sure how to make her understand. “Maybe you could give him a call tonight and try to cheer him up.”

Lucy made a huffing sound. “Pretty sure he’s forgotten all about me already.”

“Pretty sure you’re wrong.” It was just a gut feeling, but it was a strong one.

“I’ll think about it.” Lucy sounded noncommittal.

Disappointment flooded Laura. She heard the no even though her sister didn’t come right out and say it. “You do that. I love you! Gotta call Mom and Dad now.”

Her parents were beside themselves with happiness for her and Ames.

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