Page 49 of Deck the Halls with Cowboys
“Already done,” Valerie croaked, shooting up and running toward her sister-in-law. They collided with arms around each other, sobbing happily.
Abbie and I could only take a second of it before we joined them. The cowboys said their congratulations around our huddle, hands slapping together, deep chuckles all around. It was a beautiful moment. When we broke apart, Harmony started rambling. “I feel so bad for keeping this a secret from you three for so long. The second we decided to lean toward adoption, I wanted tocall. Then, when we put in an application, I wanted to scream it from the top of the world. Then, when they called us saying that Micah was ours, I nearly blabbed it all out during our Wine Wednesday.”
“You don’t owe us an explanation,” I said, Abbie and Valerie nodding in agreement. “We’re just so happy for you.”
Harmony blew out a breath. “It all happened so fast, and then we had to set up the nursery.”
“About that,” a deep voice cut in. Our circle broke apart to let my cowboy butt in. His hand went to my lower back, but his dark eyes were on Harmony. “I’m going to look at the crib. It’s probably not worth shit. I’ll build him a new one.”
“Mags, you don’t have to go through the trouble. He’ll be here next week—”
I smiled at his profile as he leaned in and growled, “I’m making you a new one.”
“Okay,” she squeaked.
He grunted, turned to me, and kissed my cheek. Then he was gone, disappearing into the kitchen.
“When Beau and I decide to start a family, I fully expect the same treatment.”
I giggled. “You’ll get it, I promise. Mags is very protective over you three.”
Valerie snorted. “Yeah, he is.”
“Just because you’re a father now doesn’t mean we won’t beat your ass over this ham,” Lawson clipped from somewhere behind us.
“Well,” I sighed. “Let’s go see if we can save this dinner.”
“I’m fine with just eating sides,” Abbie told us as we began our migration. “I don’t like eating a big old hunk of meat with every meal.”
“Ugh, tell me about it,” Val groaned. “Every meal, Den and Caleb need some form of meat on their plate or they’ll combust and die.”
I hummed. “I could eat buttered noodles for a week and be fine.”
“That’s the best girl dinner, in my opinion.”
We rounded the island, the plan set, and got to cooking while Caleb turned onChristmas Vacationin the living room before running into the kitchen to snag the last two cookies.
“Didn’t your daddy ever teach you to share?” Lance griped. “Give me a cookie.”
“Bite me,” the teenager replied.
Chapter Fifteen
Denver
I rounded the corner, stopping just outside the dining room to watch my wife double-check every single place setting while our daughter munched on corn, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes in her high chair beside my chair at the head of the table. The Christmas tree in the corner was bright and oozing with Christmas cheer, adding a cozier feeling to the room.
The table, I had to admit, was a work of art. From the dark green tablecloth to the red candles placed along the center, their flames burning steady and bright. The red and gold trimmed china had been Nancy’s, which she brought to Colorado when she moved in with us. Unfortunately, she never got to see them used at this table. That was something else I had to carry with me. I’d been too stubborn in the past to let Valerie do anything over-the-top during Christmas. Now, seeing itand experiencing it, nothing about this was over-the-top. It was perfect in every way.
All because of my enchantress.
“Mama! Mama!” NJ sang, flapping her hot pink spoon in the air.
“Yes, sweet girl, I hear you. I hear you,” Val cooed, straightening the last fork.
“Baby, I don’t know why you keep fussing with everything,” I said, startling her. She jumped, her spine snapping straight, hand on her chest. “It looks gorgeous.”
“I didn’t even see you,” she breathed. “How long have you been standing there?”
