Page 35 of The Way Back Home
Noah wasn’t kidding about his big family gathering here for the holidays.
Remembering Noah’s earlier words, she squeezed his hand when things got to be too much.
“Where are Mom and Dad?” Noah asked immediately, answering her squeeze with one of his own.
“Mom’s in the kitchen,” Miriam said. “You’d better go see her. She’s been looking out the window every two minutes for you.”
Noah excused them and, with a hand lightly resting on Teagan’s lower back, he guided her into an adjoining hallway.
“That was the worst of it, I promise,” he told her. “Everything from here on out is easy.”
Teagan took a deep breath and nodded. She’d trusted him this far; she could do so a little longer.
“Noah!” his mother exclaimed when they stepped into the kitchen.
The Ziegler matriarch was nothing like Teagan had pictured, based on the tall, golden-haired, amber-eyed members of the family she’d met thus far. The older woman was petite, like Teagan, her dark hair slightly streaked with silver.
When she embraced Noah, she barely reached his shoulders. He picked her up easily and kissed the top of her head.
“Hi, Mom,” he said, putting her gently back down.
His mom peeked around her son, greeting Teagan with a warm, friendly smile and sparkling eyes.
“Come on in, dear, but keep hold of Bear, will you?That beast has eaten more of my cookies than all the kids combined.”
Teagan took a few steps forward with her hand still on Bear’s collar. Noah took her other hand, and that helped. She refused to analyze it.
“Mom, this is Teagan. Teagan, my mom, Molly Ziegler.”
Mrs. Ziegler took a good look at Teagan. “I am so pleased to meet you, Teagan.”
“Thanks for having me,” Teagan said.
“Anyone who brings my boy home for Christmas is more than welcome! Oh, you must be hungry,” Mrs. Ziegler said, bustling around the kitchen with renewed energy. “Sit. I’ll make you a little something.”
Before she could protest, Noah said, “Maybe later, Mom. I promised Teagan we’d get a tree tonight. The guys are getting the sleigh ready now.”
“Oh, what a wonderful idea! Give me five minutes and I’ll just pack something for you to take back with you then.”
“So,” Mrs. Ziegler said, speaking over her shoulder as she gathered goodies together. “Noah says you met at the ranch.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Molly. I wouldn’t know how to answer to anything else,” Mrs. Ziegler said, eyes twinkling.
“Teagan has quite a gift with animals,” Noah said.
“Yes, I can see that.” His mom chuckled, shooting a glance at the tail peeking out from under the table. “Maybe you can swing by the stables. Chester hasn’tbeen himself lately. You might see something we missed.”
Teagan’s mood brightened slightly. Stables, horses. She could definitely do that. “I’d like that.”
“Where’s my boy?” a booming voice said.
The back door opened, bringing with it a swirl of snowflakes on a rush of crisp, clean air. A large man wrapped in winter gear made the room suddenly seem much smaller. As he unwrapped himself, Teagan saw an older version of Noah.
There was no doubt which parent had the dominant genes. The man was tall and still quite muscular, and had short-cropped golden hair liberally sprinkled with white. His amber eyes lit up at the sight of Noah rising from the table.
Mr. Ziegler greeted his son with a vigorous bear hug, relief etched into his features. Teagan wondered what could have kept Noah away from such a loving, caring family, then reminded herself that it wasn’t any of her business.
