Page 52 of His Christmas Star
“You did? When?” Dawn asked, passing out coffee for us while we waited for Cece and Poppy to arrive.
“The night I took Joe for a sleigh ride.”
“Oh, I thought you’d taken him on the same route you took us,” Heaven said. “I’m glad you thought of it.”
“I didn’t. It was Joe. He asked me to take him there. It’s the best place on both ranches to see the stars, and Daddy Nash’s star is hidden if you’re on the Nash ranch.”
“Daddy Nash’s star?” Heaven asked, and I nodded.
“You can’t miss him twinkling up there in the night. Joe and I saw it come to life not too far from Cody’s the night Daddy Nash passed. Since then, it’s gotten brighter and brighter. Joe wanted to spread his ashes while we were out there.”
“Wait, he spread his ashes already? Why didn’t anyone tell us?” Heaven asked.
“I know we talked about having a service for Daddy Nash, but Joe said he was unassuming in life, and he would want to remain that way in death. Alfred always told me that our final resting place wasn’t the end. It was a new beginning. A starting point where we’ll get picked up by the wind and carried to a new adventure. He was about the new adventure, and Joe knew more than anything, he’d want that adventure to start with the bison.”
“Wait, did Joe spread his ashes on Bison Ridge?” Dawn asked, leaning forward on the table.
“He did,” I agreed, glancing at Heaven. “I didn’t think you’d mind if he spread them in the pasture. He said Daddy Nash would love to be in the same place as his friend and start his journey from there.”
Heaven had her hand to her heart. “I don’t mind at all. Joe is a good son for thinking of that. Did you show him the cabin grounds then?”
“No, he said that was sacred land for you and your family, and he wouldn’t encroach on it. Instead, we spread him at the pond, and the wind took his ashes across the ice to rest. He knows come spring when the bison head to the watering hole, they’ll pick him up, and he will ride with them the way he always wanted to.”
“I’m so glad he found closure here on Heavenly Lane,” Heaven said. “This land is magical in that respect.”
“He also found the beginning here at Heavenly Lane,” Dawn said. “The beginning of a new life without Daddy Nash, but with someone who loved him just as much. Don’t discount the part you played in helping Joe through the last few weeks.”
I nodded and then shrugged. “It’s what you do when you love someone.”
“So true,” Beau said, walking into the room to kiss his wife. “This one did the same for me. She saved me from making a mistake that would have cost me my life over something that was unimportant. I’ve heard straight from Nash’s mouth that you did the same for him. He doesn’t know where he’d be if you hadn’t been there when he reached out. This Christmas, he’s grateful to have you by his side.”
Beau gave me a wink and then walked down the hallway to the bedroom to change his clothes for the ceremony.
Heaven pointed behind her. “What he said.”
“I’m grateful to have Joe by my side now,” I said with a shrug that wasn’t nearly as nonchalant as it should have been. “He’s given me hope back this year. There is no greater gift than hope. It’s taken twenty-two years to know what hope feels like, and it’s only because of Joe. We’ve been in love for the same number of years, but finally, being able to live that love has changed my life. Not to sound like a Christmas romance movie or anything, though.”
Dawn and Heaven started giggling, and Dawn waved her hand in the air. “God no, we don’t want Tobi to sound like a Christmas romance movie heroine. The world might tilt on its axis.”
I stuck my tongue out at her just as Cece came in the door with Poppy Rose. “Who’s ready to get married?” she asked, her face glowing with excitement.
Poppy Rose ran to me, and I scooped her up to sit on my lap while everyone talked at once. I smiled at Poppy, who smiled back and clapped her hands with excitement. She might not be able to hear what was going on around her, but she could feel the happiness in everyone’s heart, and she was ready to share her joy with all of us. I hugged her gently and glanced around the room to count my blessings this Christmas Eve.
The ranch was packed with people, which didn’t make Joe’s job easy. Thankfully, Blaze had hired a security team that had everything in hand. They were directing traffic, parking, and keeping people out of Heavenly Lane. I stood to the side of the barn and smiled as Caleb stood at the front with Beau. To say the place was standing room only was an understatement. It was packed to the roof with people. I was so thankful we had the tent next door. The barn would host the wedding and the food, but the dancing would be in the tent, which would spread the people out and make it safer for everyone.
I had never seen Caleb as nervous as he was tonight. He shifted his weight, and I noticed Beau glance at him, knowing that was a tell that he was getting tired. The music stopped, and everyone turned their attention to the back of the barn. Ash stood holding Poppy Rose in his arm, with Cece’s arm wrapped through his other. Caleb took a step back, and Beau grabbed his upper arm to steady him. Cece’s gown was the most unusual you’d ever seen but was perfectly her. The bodice was denim, and it met a long white skirt of tule and lace at her middle, where she wore a rope belt. She carried a bouquet of red and orange poppies, but the five blue roses stood out from the greens, oranges, and reds. Those were the five angels Caleb had lost so many years ago, and Cece wanted them to be part of the ceremony. Little Poppy Rose wore a bright Christmas red velvet dress with white lace tights and patent leather shoes. Her red hair, which matched her momma’s, was in a French braid, with a white baby breath halo on her head.
They started up the aisle in silence, something Caleb wanted so he could concentrate on his new family. As an empath, distractions made it hard for him to concentrate on the emotions of just one person. In the silence, he could focus on the woman walking toward him wearing a smile for no one but him. Poppy saw him at the front and yelled, “Ba!” then started waving the I love you sign in the air, the same way she does every time she sees him. Caleb waved the sign back, probably so she’d stay in Ash’s arms until they got to the front.
Arms slipped around my waist, and I jumped. “It’s just me,” Joe whispered. “I snuck away for a minute. I didn’t want to miss this.”
I wrapped my hands around his and smiled. “I’m glad you’re here. I missed you.”
“I love you,” he whispered back, kissing my cheek.
He was cold, but it felt so good to have him with me again, even if it was only for a few minutes.
Ash and Cece stopped before Beau, who said, “Who gives this woman to be married?”
