Page 58 of Loving Luna

“Okay. Are they settled now?”

“Mostly.” Sadie grinned, then cleared her throat. “Eli’s going to go first, since he’s the event planner.”

“Of course.” I smiled at the only male Little in the group, and he stood, his cheeks pink as he stared down at the floor for a moment, then back up at me. Eli was known for sometimes having a shy streak, but he could be just as mischievous as the rest of them when he wanted to be.

When he looked back up at me, his eyes sparkled with excitement. “We’ve decided on an old-fashioned Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. We’ve never done one on the Ranch before, and it will be a great excuse to get Master Drake out to the Ridge. Of course, when he gets there, the park will be set up with all kinds of fun Christmas goodies and stuff, but there won’t be a tree. At least… not where he’s expecting.”

“There won’t?” I cocked my head to one side, not quite following and waited for him to continue. “What do you mean? Where will the tree be?”

The Littles all leaned forward, ready to hang on his every word, even though I was certain every single one of them already knew what he was about to say. Their eyes seemed to bounce in their sockets as they looked excitedly between me and Eli.

“The tree…” Eli paused for effect, then said, “Drumroll, please.”

I rolled my eyes and smirked as the Littles complied happily, proceeding to create a drumroll by smacking their fingertips on the table. It went on for almost a full minute until Eli held a hand up in front of him, their signal to stop and let him talk.

“The tree will be in your new home.”

I gasped, then corrected, “Drake’s new home.” Though I’d been staying with him more often than not, we hadn’t talked at all about moving in together since right before his dad died and I wasn’t about to try to force his hand on something I wasn’t even sure I wanted.

The Littles all rolled their eyes at my insertion, as did Mia, but they conceded. “Well, Drake’s and his mom’s for now,” Hayleigh conceded. “It will be yours too eventually. I have no doubt about that.”

I bit back a grin. “Okay, so I guess I need to make a trip to town and pick up some lights and ornaments. I don’t really know what Drake or his mom have in the way of Christmas decorations and I’m sure I have no way to sneak theirs out to the Ridge without them noticing.”

“Daddy’s already talked to Nanny J and Moses,” Sadie piped up. “They are going to go into town tomorrow and get whatever supplies we need. We just have to give them a list by tonight.”

I blinked, surprised at how many details they’d already apparently thought of. “Oh, okay. Well, I guess I need to make a list then.”

Eli, trying to get the room back, shook his head. “No need. Georgie’s already started one.”

Georgie pushed a piece of paper in front of me, and I glanced at the list, reading it out loud. “Tree, lights, garland, ornament hooks, star tree topper, stockings, tree skirt…. Wow! This is awesome. Great job guys. You forgot ornaments though. Probably just the bulbs for now.” I picked up a pen and lifted it, prepared to write, but Wren yanked it from between my fingers. I looked up shocked. “Hey!” I exclaimed.

She just shook her head with a smile. “Georgie didn’t forget anything. Just listen to Eli.”

Huffing, I turned my attention back to the young man. “We’re going to have all the Ranch staff and residents contribute a special ornament for your tree. It can be either homemade or purchased, and we’ll have a contest with prizes for the best ornaments,” he explained.

“Oh wow!” I cried, my huffiness instantly melting. “That’s amazing! You guys really have thought of everything!”

“We’ve pretty much already got the whole thing planned,” Sadie confirmed.

“Do you even need me here?” I asked with a laugh, only half kidding, and unsurprised when Sadie and Hayleigh both shook their heads and spoke in unison.

“Not really, no.”

“Okay… well, I guess I’ll stop trying to help. Just fill me in and tell me what you need me to do.”

Lifting my mug, I brought it to my lips and concentrated on drinking my cocoa so I wouldn’t be tempted to interrupt while they outlined the most amazing plans that far exceeded anything I could have dreamt up on my own.

“Holy moly,” I breathed when they were finished. “You guys are amazing. They should give you an official title. Like The Merry Magic Makers or something!”

“Yaassss!” Sadie cheered, pumping her fist in the air. “Let’s put it to a vote. I hereby declare that we should from now on, between November 1st and December 31st of each year have an active committee henceforth known as the Merry Magic Makers, whose job it is to plan and execute Christmas miracles on the Ranch. All in favor, say aye!”

“Aye!” The answer was unanimous, with even Mia and I casting our vote in their favor. After all, how could we not?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

DRAKE

Iwasn’t surprised to see Luna’s note about picking up an extra shift when I woke up the morning after our explosive heart to heart and mind-blowing sexcapades. I was glad she was taking the initiative herself to make up for the work she’d missed. Getting back to normal was something we both needed to do.

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