Page 81 of Between a Rock and a Hard Cowboy

Eva perked up as William presented her gift to Linc. She watched as he frowned, reading the legal papers for what felt like a full minute, before his eyes widened.

“Well? What the heck is it?” Olivia asked.

“I’m no lawyer but I think it’s the paperwork for a not-for-profit organization named The Wilder Foundation with me named as the head of it. And it’s got a one-million-dollar endowment.” Linc glanced up, looking shocked.

“Jeezus, we really should put a limit on the amount we can spend on this Secret Santa thing,” Ethan said, wide eyed.

Ha! Ethan should talk. The endowment might have been a bit over the top but Eva had never seen such extravagant Secret Santa gifts in her life. Of course, she also wasn’t used to hanging with rich families like the Wilders or the Van Cliefs at Christmas time.

Linc continued to read through the paperwork before looking at Eva. The intensity of his gaze said he suspected her, even though she had put the endowment in a bank on Long Island to throw him off the trail. She’d thought she could pin this gift on Poppy, since the girl’s family probably had a million dollars lying around for a rainy day.

“Grandpa, can we give him to her now?” Darcy hopped up and ran to her grandfather.

“Yes. Can you get him yourself?”

“Yes.” Darcy scooted from the room as Eva tried to not look guilty of being the giver of the gift that had everyone so amazed.

But the focus soon shifted when Darcy came in barely able to carry the puppy spilling out of her arms. “Auntie Eva. He’s for you. Because you never got to have one.”

Now it was Eva’s turn to get misty eyed. She reached out and rescued the little yellow dog from Darcy’s precarious grasp. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s a dog bed, food, food bowls and toys in the other room. And a one-hundred-dollar donation was made in your name to the animal shelter,” William elaborated since the secret was already out that Darcy, with his assistance, had given her the gift.

“I’m thinking she had a little help with this. Or you’re giving her way too big of an allowance,” Eva said as the warm little puppy laid his head over her shoulder and sighed.

“Told you we take Christmas seriously.” Ethan grinned.

A puppy. She’d never even had a houseplant. What was she going to do with a dog? One thing she was sure of was that she’d have to figure it out because she wasn’t going to give it up.

“What are you going to name him?” Darcy asked bouncing in front of her.

As the dog repositioned itself, falling asleep in her arms on its back with its round little puppy belly in the air, Eva said, “I don’t think it’s a boy, sweetie. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s a girl.”

“How can you tell?” Darcy asked, accompanied by a few chuckles around the room.

Eva was not getting involved in a puppy penis conversation with a five-year-old. Her family could handle the birds and the bees talk.

“Grandpa or Daddy will explain that. But I think I’m going to name her Holly. Do you like that name?” Eva asked Darcy.

The girl nodded her head enthusiastically. “Yes.”

“Now, I think it’s time for Darcy’s gift from Secret Santa,” William said.

“Yay! Where is it?”

“Out in the barn,” Wyatt answered. “Get your coat. I’ll come out with you.”

“Okay!” The girl took off.

When she was out of earshot, Eva asked, “What’s in the barn?”

“A damn pony.” Ethan laughed.

“What can I say? She wanted one.” Wyatt shrugged.

Eva shook her head. This family truly was serious about their gifts. Good thing she hadn’t taken the easy way out by buying Linc a pair of gloves. Jeez.

“Wait. I’m not seeing another gift.” William glanced up, looking concerned. “We haven’t gotten to Poppy yet.”

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