Page 60 of Holiday Hire

"I'm ready!" Jacob Jr. says, taking the space next to Ace.

Alexander asks, "Where do you come up with these games?"

"You've never played these before?"

He shakes his head. "No."

"That's shocking to me."

"Why is it shocking?"

I point out, "Your family seems really into holidays."

"We are into holidays."

"Then how have you never played these games?" I ask in a teasing tone, a little bit shocked.

He shrugs. "Not sure."

Willow yells, "Mark, get set, go!"

I turn my attention back to the kids. They aim the balls at the pine cones.

Wilder's the first to knock his pine cones down. He pumps his fist in the air, shouting, "Yes."

I instruct, "Okay, go set your pine cones back up. We're going to do it for ten minutes and see how many times you can knock them down."

He furrows his brows. "What? I don't win?"

I shake my head. "Not unless you're the only one to knock the most sets down. Now, go set yours back up."

"Ugh!" he grumbles and then runs over to set up his pine cones.

Alexander chuckles next to me. "You crushed his dreams."

I laugh. "Sorry, but not sorry?"

He chuckles again and refocuses on the kids.

By the time the pine cone bowling's over, Ace has the most wins. He taunts his brother. "See! I beat you!"

Wilder spouts, "Whatever. I can still ride a horse better."

"Uh-uh-uh. Not allowed to say that," I remind him.

"It's true!"

"Did you want barn duty for a week?" Alexander warns.

Wilder quickly shuts his mouth.

"He should do barn duty. He went against the rules," Ace claims.

Alexander suggests, "I could have you do it with him so you two can learn to stop harassing each other."

Ace protests, "No!"

I interject, "Let's focus on beach day. Ace, go get your prize."

---