Page 28 of The Mountain that Saved Christmas

“That too.” His sparkling eyes hit mine as he arches his brow. “Any idea what they've got planned?”

“Nope,” I say, accentuating the p. “For all I know, they're goin' to dress all of y'all up as gnomes and take incriminatin' photos of you.”

The look of horror on Red's face makes my teasing worth it. It's only when Mags giggles that his horrified expression narrows into a knowing—albeit, half-hearted—scowl.

I pat his arm to placate the man. “Don't worry, Red. I don't think they'd evenhavegnome costumes to fit all of you ranchers. But I bet whatever it is, it'll be a night you won't forget.”

14

LEE

After we've returned to our cabins and cleaned up, we all head in another convoy of trucks to Harry's land where George and the Arrys are waiting to give us our planned surprise.

When they lead us into Harry's giant equipment shed, the very last thing I expect to see inside is a bunch of snowmobiles and gear. That's not to say I'm not excited as all get out because it seems like years since I last rode one.

What makes it even better is that I have my sexy husband here to cuddle up to as we glide through the crisp white snow.

Colt's eyes widen as he takes it all in. All of the men seem excited about our presumed plans. It doesn't take long to realize why.

“Oh, it'ssoon,” Toby says, rubbing his gloved hands together. “I'm goin' to smoke the whole lot of y'all.”

“Never thought all of y'all would be so competitive,” George says with a laugh. “It's sure goin' to be fun to watch though.”

“Believe me, growin' up with four brothers and a little sister whostillthinks she's the toughest out of all of us. Means we had no choicebutto be competitive,” Rhett says with a laugh.

“Never had siblin's,” George says wistfully. “It was just me and my parents. Now it's just me.”

“Naw, Georgie. You've got us,” Larry says, hooking an arm around his friend's shoulders and roughhousing him a little.

“Yeah, George. We're your brothers by choice. You ain't gettin' rid of us now. We've helped you give the town Christmas. That's a bond for life,” Gary adds.

“Thank you,” George says, looking all of the Arry's in the eye before turning back to the Bull Mountain crew. “OK. Since we know y'all love a good challenge, we decided to incorporate our thank you surprise for all of y'all with one last contest–winner takes all. I've even made another special Rainbow Springs Christmas Challenge trophy for whoever reigns supreme.”

“You did that for me, didn't you,” Toby says with a wicked grin. “I knew you were a good one, Georgie.”

“Not too sure aboutthat, but we figured y'all needed one last hurrah before you head on back home to Bull Mountain,” Cary explains.

Red nods. “As long as y'all are comin' to have some fun right along with us.”

A wide toothy grin appears on George's face. “Wouldn't miss it. Then I can cross 'bein' part of a Bull Mountain contest' off my bucket list.”

After Harry explains what the plan is—race to the edge of the glacier five miles away—we all choose our snowmobile of choiceand gear up, the shed echoing with the sound of engines revving up as we get ready.

“Climb on, Lee,” Colt says, pulling me close as I move in behind him and wrap my arms around his waist.

Turning his head, he dips down to kiss my lips, his warm breath tickling my skin. “Get ready, sweetheart. We're ridin' to win.”

“Aren't we always,” I reply.

Harry and Cary slide the back doors to the shed as wide as they can go, revealing a blanket of untouched snow trailing through the moonlit trees. A rush of cold crisp air washes over us but by the look on everyone's faces, it's adrenaline and our deeply embedded competitive spirit that's keeping us warm now.

One by one we move toward a makeshift starting line. George and the Arry's buddy up in two teams of two, bar Gary who tells us that he'll be the start-finish man and the ultimate judge on who becomes the champion.

Grinning wide, Gary stands to the side of everyone, rugged up nice and warm with a bright red and black-furred trapper hat and balaclava covering most of his face. “Follow the markers till the glacier. There you'll find a checkered flag just like this one,” he explains, waving his flag in the air. “The first team past the line wins.”

Toby looks around. “Where's the trophy I'll be claimin'?”

“It's safe and secure, Toby. But don't start countin' your chickens before they hatch. Maybe it's Rainbow Springs's turn to claim a trophy,” Harry says with a laugh before turning to the rest of us. “Y'all ready?”

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