Page 63 of Black Ice
“Getting there,” she replied. She leaned over and kissed him. “You’re my hero,” she said.
“Same goes.” He grinned, starting to thaw out.
He drove back toward town, while Evie checked in with Lisa.
They were two blocks from the casino when he realized something big was going on. “Is there some event I forgot about?” he asked.
“Not on my schedule.” Evie checked her phone. “Then again, I’m tired enough I might’ve forgotten to update something.”
He tried to aim for the back parking lot so they could avoid the commotion in the guest area, but a sheriff’s patrol car blocked that driveway and the deputy waved him toward the winter wonderland area.
“Oh, my goodness, they didn’t,” Evie breathed.
A banner had been draped over the normal holiday sign:Thank you Jamesons!
“What the heck?” Wyatt could hardly believe his eyes. “I’m too tired for a party,” he confessed.
“Looks like we’ll have to find the energy. Just for a little while.” She pointed. “There’s Dad and the boys.”
He wouldn’t dare disappoint his sons. “Did he do this?”
“Not a chance. At least not on his own. This has to be the work of Deputy Clark or Lisa. Maybe Jack.”
They climbed out of the truck to a swell of cheers and applause. He saw folks from the sheriff’s department, the casino, and other familiar faces from around town. Each of them calling out thanks or holiday greetings.
Evie stepped up beside him, sliding her arm around his waist. “Focus on the boys,” she murmured. “Dad has them distracted near the hot chocolate stand.”
He did. The sight of his sons settled him and reminded him why they volunteered so often to help the people around the town they loved. The boost got him through the handshakes with Sheriff Russell, Deputy Clark, and so many others who were grateful for their efforts.
At last, the commotion seemed to ease up and he could embrace his boys and give them his full attention.
“You’re a hero,” Caleb said, rushing them.
“Mom too,” Cole chimed in. “Everyone says so.”
“We just helped out the search and rescue team,” Wyatt said. He scooped up Caleb while Evie knelt down to hug Cole. “We missed you guys.”
“You two.” Dale’s face was etched with worry lines. “You pulled off a damned Christmas miracle for that family.” He drew Wyatt and Caleb into a breath-stealing bear hug before Caleb squirmed free on a giggle.
“For us too,” he said for Wyatt’s ears only, clapping him on the shoulder. “I was more than a little concerned when I got Evie’s message.”
Wyatt summoned up the energy to give him a big smile. “Honestly, I was concerned and I was with her.”
That earned him the laugh he was hoping for. “No, my girl doesn’t have a quitting bone in her body.”
Dale hugged Evie close and they talked quietly for a few minutes before they all settled at a table with bottomless hot chocolate and a plate of warm cookies, courtesy of Jack. Together, they gave the boys a simplified version of how their grown-up date was interrupted to help out a neighbor. Wyatt couldn’t be sure how much the boys understood, but it was important to instill that sense of community every chance they had.
Beside him, he could feel Evie’s energy waning and he figured all five of them deserved a quiet evening at home where they could all relax and snooze as needed.
CHAPTER 7
Evie and Poncho were the first to come downstairs on Christmas morning. The baby had finally started to make its presence known, waking her early. But Evie had gotten her wish, able to keep her secret and tell the family all at once this morning. She counted it the best gift ever—for herself.
Ignoring her queasy tummy, she tucked “Best Big Brother” t-shirts into the stockings for the boys, and added a special card to her dad’s stocking.
For Wyatt, she’d put a big green and red bow on the positive pregnancy test, and left it on the counter in their bathroom.
She let Poncho outside to race through yet another fresh snowfall. Starting the coffee, she marveled and counted her blessings. This time next year, she’d be standing here again, but with a new baby. Life was so good.
