Page 21 of Save a Horse

Beth’s mom wraps Mitch in a tight hug, then does the same with me. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Anderson.”

“Please, call me Liv. Can I get you boys something to drink? Amy said Mitch likes tequila, so are we doing shots?” She calls over her shoulder to her husband, “Are you up for tequila, honey?”

“Mom!” Beth sighs, sidling up beside her. “Let them settle in before we start tequila. Also, it’s ten in the morning, so at least class it up and make them tequila sunrises.”

We make our way to the kitchen where Beth and Axl prepare a dozen or so drinks. They both took side jobs bartending at Jamie’s Lodge for events, as well as sporadic shifts at The Boos, so I’m not surprised they have our drinks ready in under a minute. The last glass in the line is missing tequila when she pours in the orange juice and grenadine. Suddenly, the idea of a baby daddy reveal doesn’t seem so far off.

Liv passes them out and Axl toasts, “To friends who used to be more, to friends who became more, and to the two horny fuckers who are banging my cousin.”

“Ax!” Beth shrieks, smacking his chest with the back of her hand. “There are children present.”

He looks around and we all do the same; Amy is the youngest person here. “What kids?” She places his hand on her belly, and Axl gasps, a wide grin painting his face. “Are you serious?”

Called it.

“Yeah, we’re having a baby.” Beth takes a sip of her tequila sunrise, and he quickly snatches it from her. “It’s virgin! Unlike anyone in this room.”

Everyone laughs, and while they are celebrating Beth’s announcement, I’m lost in thought. Would Amy want to have kids? I know Mitch does, and so do I, but does our girl? It could complicate things down the road.

As if reading my mind, Amy tucks into my side and kisses me on the cheek, whispering, “Don’t worry, cowboy. That’s not in the cards anytime soon. But we can practisea lotuntil we’re ready.”

Mitch leans in and adds, “Oh, I’m totally putting a baby in you.”

“Good luck with that,” she chuckles, squeezing me tighter. “Are you ready for your presents?”

We make our way to the tree where there is a small box about the size of a shoebox for me and a larger one for Mitch. He rips his open first and bursts into laughter. I peek over and inside is what appears to be a five-gallon bucket. As he pulls it out, Tristan and Beth laugh even harder—it’s fucking lube.

“You know, for all the butt stuff!” Tristanyells.

Next to him, Myles grumbles, “At least Amy had a warning before it was delivered. I wasn’t given the same courtesy.”

Mitch puts it back in the box and kisses Amy. “Thanks, baby.”

Liv is beside herself in laughter, drinking her second tequila sunrise—likely not her first drinks of the day. I’m still waiting for the shoe to drop, since everyone is a little too happy, considering the company.

“Open yours next,” Amy suggests, sitting on my lap. With one hand, I rip the wrapping paper and open the box, it’s red jute similar to the one she found in my Christmas decorations. I quickly close the box before anyone can see. “You know, for hangingwreaths.”

I fucking love this woman.

Yeah, I said it. She stole my heart the day I met her and kept it.

“Thank you for the gift that will keep on giving, to, uh… help with tying up myholiday decor.” I then whisper, “I’m so tying you up like a damn present for Mitch tonight.”

“I better be hogtied, or I don’t want it.”

Who needs presents when I have Amy?

Epilogue

Amy

One Year Later

“I’m not piercing my clit, Mitch,” I huff. Of course, he waits until I’m coming on his tongue to suggest things like piercings or tattoos.

“Please, baby,” he whines. “I want to play with it between my teeth.”

“Jasper!”

---