Page 42 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

Navigating past his parents, who were already teasing Stetson with gifts to shake and guess, Zeke reached the kitchen where Gideon was already pouring two glasses of eggnog, the creamy liquid making a soft glugging sound as it hit the bottom of the cups.

“Here’s to another Reynolds’ Christmas,” Gideon said, raising his glass in a toast after sprinkling nutmeg on top of the drink.

“To family traditions,” Zeke replied, clinking his glass against Gideon’s. He took a sip, feeling the familiar thickness coat his tongue, a taste that always brought him back to his childhood.

“Mom really outdid herself this year, huh?” Gideon gestured around at the decorations that adorned the living room—garlands intertwined with holly berries strung across the mantel, stockings carefully hung.

“Always does.” Zeke set his glass down, spotting a homemade cookie on a platter and picking it up. It crumbled slightly in his fingers, the perfect amount of sugar dusting its surface.

“Speaking of outdoing themselves,” Gideon said, leaning back against the counter with a knowing look in his eyes, “how’re things going with Kaitlyn? She’s been keeping busy.”

Zeke paused, a half-eaten cookie in hand, and couldn’t suppress the smile that stretched across his face. “Kaitlyn’s... she’s incredible, Gid. She and Stet… They’ve given me something I didn’t even know I was missing.”

Gideon’s eyebrows rose, his lips curving into a grin. “Sounds to me like this isn’t just some arrangement anymore.”

The warmth in Zeke’s chest flared hotter, his heart thumping against his ribcage like a drum. “No, it’s not,” he admitted, brushing crumbs from his fingers. “It’s real. Very real.”

“Good for you, brother.” Gideon’s voice was rich with sincerity, and he clapped Zeke on the shoulder. “You deserve happiness, Zeke. Both you and Kaitlyn do. Stetson too.”

“Thanks, Bro.” Zeke met his brother’s gaze, an unspoken understanding passing between them. “You know, you deserve it, too.”

Gideon hesitated, his glass pausing as it approached his lips. He shook his head. “I’m perfectly happy, bro. Don’t get any ideas about me. With you and Jason officially able to outvote Dad on ranch business, I’m perfectly content to just let it ride.”

Zeke clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Whatever you say.”

“As long as I can keep riding more mountain bikes than horses, I’ll be just fine.”

Zeke rolled his eyes at his brother. It wasn’t as if he didn’t understand the sentiment, seeing as he had his own dreams to chase that didn’t involve wrangling cattle.

“Let’s go see what I got Stetson for Christmas,” Gideon suggested, leading the way out of the kitchen.

“Right behind you,” Zeke said, tossing the last piece of cookie into his mouth, the sugary sweetness lingering as they stepped back into the celebration, into the heart of their family’s love.

Zeke watched from the edge of the room as Stetson, with his dark hair tousled and eyes shining brighter than the Christmas lights, became the undeniable center of attention. The boy’s laughter mingled with the crackling fire, a sound Zeke had grown to cherish in the short time they’d been family. Zeke leaned against the sturdy doorframe, allowing himself a rare moment of rest, observing the joy his new son brought into the room.

“Zeke, look!” Stetson called out, holding up a child-sized pair of cowboy boots, his small fingers tracing the intricate details.

“Wow, Stet, those are great,” Zeke called back, his voice threaded with pride. “You’re a real cowboy now.”

“Grandpa got them for me!” Stetson beamed, glancing over at the elder Reynolds who winked back, his own pleasure mirrored on weathered features.

Twinkling lights woven through the boughs cast a soft glow on Kaitlyn’s face as she laughed at something Gideon said. Her dark eyes sparkled, her thin frame relaxed amidst the warmth of family.

“Would you look at that?” his father whispered, joining him with a knowing smile. “She’s a natural fit for the Reynolds family.”

Zeke’s chest expanded with pride, his father’s words echoing his own thoughts. Kaitlyn had folded into their lives like the missing piece of a cherished family heirloom quilt. Paying off the loan shark had been stressful, but necessary. He’d never let anyone threaten his family. And with a little extra encouragement from Officer Lockheart at the meeting, Zeke wasconfident that Eddie would never step foot in Redemption Ridge again.

Cassie grabbed a couple of presents from under the tree and passed them out to everyone. Zeke frowned. They didn’t usually exchange gifts with each other. “What’s this?”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “Just open it. Everyone at the same time.”

Zeke ripped the paper off. A soft ripple of fabric cascaded out of the small package. He held it up and read. “Best Uncle Ever.”

“Uncle?” he said, looking up at Cassie in shock.

She nodded, looking around at everyone.

“What’s mine say, Mom? Best co-uh…” Stetson tried to read, his kindergarten “sound it out” skills not quite tackling the letters in front of him. “What’s this word?”

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