Page 8 of The Yes at Yuletide

“I’m sure Uncle Wyatt will keep you clothed in the highest of cowboy fashions,” Uncle Liam said as the rodeo champion approached.

He lifted Ollie right up off his feet, both of them laughing.

“Wyatt,” Dad chastised. “Don’t rip his tuxedo. For the love.”

“I’m not gonna rip it,” Uncle Wyatt said, still chuckling as he set Ollie on his feet. “You’re the luckiest man in the room today, my friend. I loved getting married, and I’m so glad you found someone so early in your life.”

Surprise lifted Ollie’s eyebrows. “You are?”

“Oh, yeah,” Uncle Wyatt said easily. “You’re the smart one. Have you seen how tired we all are all the time? It’s because we have tiny children in our forties. You’ll actually be able to get out there and enjoy your kids.”

“When you have them,” Dad said quickly. “You don’t have to have kids right away, Ollie.”

“No, you don’t,” Uncle Skyler said. “But if you don’t, Momma will badger you about it every day. She’s dying to be a great-grandmother while she’s alive, and well, Ols, you’re her only chance.” He laughed, and Ollie sank into the warmth from his hug too. “No pressure or anything.”

Micah stepped into the empty space in his arms as Skyler backed out of it, and Oliver had known he was loved at Seven Sons. He’d felt it the very first time his dad had taken him to the ranch. The very first time he’d seen that big barn with the huge American flag painted on the side. The first time he’d met Uncle Liam’s horse.

“I love you,” Micah said. “You remember who you are, now, y’hear? When I left home the first time, I sort of forgot.”

“I’ll try,” Ollie said, trying not to let his emotions swell and choke his voice.

“You’re a Walker, son,” Micah said, indicating himself and all the men who stood beside him, all of them crowded in around Oliver. “Where’s Daddy?’

“Right here, boys.” They parted for Grandpa to come through. He hugged Oliver, his older body still full of strength and love. “He’s right, you know. You’re a Walker, through and through.”

Grandpa smiled fondly at Ollie and touched the tie tack with the shiny W on it. “You won’t always be wearing this when you go to class or work or even around the house. But you should have it branded in your heart,” he said. “That was something Momma’s daddy taught me. We carry things with us no one else can see. You carry our name, even though your last name isn’t technically ours.”

“I wanted it to be,” Ollie said, losing the battle against his emotions. He noticed his dad turn away and brush quickly at his eyes.

“We know that, Ollie,” Grandpa said. “Which is why you’re ours, and we’re yours. Any of us would drop anything to be with you if you needed help. Don’t you forget who you are and who you represent. First, the Lord. You can be a powerful advocate for goodness and kindness in the world. Second, the Walkers. It means something to be one of us.”

Oliver nodded, wishing and hoping and praying with every fiber of his being that he could be a good representative of these men. “I really will do my best.”

“I know you will.” Grandpa hugged him again, and this time, all the uncles and his dad joined in, the eight of them cocooning him inside their arms of safety.

“All right,” one of them said. “My alarm is goin’ off, and that means it’s time to get started.”

Everyone started lining up, but Ollie stayed near the back of the room where he’d been, the windows behind him letting in weak winter light.

His father didn’t move more than two feet from him, and Oliver was glad for the support. “You’re ready for this, Oliver.”

“I want to marry her,” he whispered, facing the door as Uncle Rhett opened it and led the brothers out.

“And you’re going to.” His father grinned at him and added, “Let’s go. I’m sure your mother is dying to see you for a minute before we need to get you to the altar.”

Chapter Six

Aurora Martin stepped into her dress and let her mother zip it up in the back. All of the women she had known and loved for the past several years had arrived in the room, including Ollie’s mom.

Aunt Jackie stood on Aurora’s left, and she slid her hand down her hip to straighten the dress. “This is such an amazing alteration.”

“Thank you,” Aurora murmured, admiring herself in the mirror. She’d sewn a skirt of feathers onto the once-simple dress. She felt light and airy, like she could flap her arms and she could take off, fly the world, and see everything from the sky.

Almost as one, all of the women started to gather around her as she stood in front of the mirror. A sunbeam came through the window above and in front of her, landing on her hair and touching it with gold.

“You are exquisite,” her mom said, gripping Aurora’s shoulders as she rested her chin on her shoulder. “I’m so happy for you, and I’m going to miss you all at the same time.” She touched her lips to Aurora’s cheek and stepped away.

Aunt Jackie slipped her hand along Aurora’s waist, her tears prevalent and flowing down her face. “I love you to the moonand back, darlin’.” She too kissed Aurora’s cheek and followed Mom to the side of the room.

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