Page 11 of A Crossroads Christmas

“Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.”

Her lips brushed my jaw. “I promise.”

Later in the afternoon, I heard a knock on the front door, and I opened it, grinning, when I spotted Mammoth, Rowen, Jakey, and little Jonah.

“Give me my new nephew,” I demanded, holding my hands open for the newest Riggs family member.

Rowen gently placed him in my arms, and I cradled his tiny body to my chest, cooing at him as his big blue eyes stared up at me. “He loves it when you do that.”

“So did Colter,” I replied, thinking of my son when he was born. Many years ago, I held Colter in a similar way, marveling at the new life I’d created. I had such a short time with him. Only seventeen years. As I stepped back and let my family in, I swallowed down the memories that were so hard to handle this time of year.

Rowen placed her hand on my arm and squeezed. “I bet. The love of family is all around you, Papa.”

She was right.

I nodded, leading them into my living room. Jakey rushed upstairs to Noah’s room, and I heard him knock before he entered. They’d find a game on Xbox or something else to occupy their time.

Mammoth and Rowen sat opposite me on the other couch.

Bess rushed in from the kitchen. “Mammoth! Rowen! I’m so glad you stopped by.”

The women fell into easy conversation, and Mammoth, my cousin Waylen, moved to give them room. He sat on the end of the sofa, not too far from me, and ticked his chin at his son.

“Who would have thought I’d have a baby this late in life?”

I grinned. “It’s never too late.”

He arched a brow. “You and Bess?”

“No,” I laughed, “but we sure practice enough.”

Mammoth snorted. “That’s what got me here.”

“You love it.”

“I do.” He sat back, eyeing me as I held his son.

I could tell something else was on his mind. “What is it?”

“Rael.”

“Eh, he’s always a pain in the ass.”

“Yeah, but he’s stirrin’ shit up.”

I shrugged. “So?”

“It’s about you.”

I frowned. “What the fuck is he sayin’?”

“He’s spreadin’ around that you’re keepin’ the Santa Clause role this year since you’ve gone all white in your hair and beard.”

That little shit. “I’ve got an idea about that. Gonna set him straight.”

“Oh?” Mammoth looked doubtful.

“I’m gonna buy some of that comb in hair and beard dye. Blend it in so it looks natural but more salt and pepper than Santa. Well, more pepper at least.”

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