Page 24 of Cowgirl's Christmas Partner

West’s little face fell. Sarah wagged the ruler.

“Surely an hour wouldn’t hurt.”

“Yeah, Dad, one hour. I can grab my snowpants in two seconds, and put them on in the truck.”

“In the truck? Where are we going?” Tad set down his pencil, sensing imminent defeat.

“There’s this great little hill behind the old barn,” Sarah explained. “It’s like its own little world, closed in by pines. It’s perfect for sledding, so are you in, or what?”

Tad stood and stretched. His back popped and crackled, and maybe hecoulduse a break. “I’m in,” he said. “But, West, get your hat and mitts, not just your snowpants. And grab a scarf too. It’s freezing out there.”

West took off at a sprint. Sarah rose up and kissed him, just a peck on the cheek.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll have you back in time to finish today’s work before dinner.”

Ten minutes later, the three of them stood at the crest of the hill, West dragging his sled, Sarah cradling a Thermos of cocoa. West edged his sled to the tipping point and cocked his head.

“It’s almost too pretty to mess it up.”

Tad smiled to himself—the kid had a point. The sun had come out and the hill gleamed and sparkled, a blanket of fresh snow stretching to the trees.

“Almost,” said West, and pushed off with one foot. He flew down face-first and wiped out at the bottom, rolling over and over and popping up covered in snow. His laugh sent a flight of redpolls flapping from the trees.

“I fell off,” he called.

“We know. We saw you.”

“We should all ride down together,” said Sarah when West had trudged up the hill again. “The sled’s big enough.”

“I don’t know about that.” Tad moved back from the edge. “I’m pretty heavy, and we’re wearing all this padding.”

“I think you’re chicken,” said Sarah. Her eyes danced with mirth. “You saw this sled hold me and Amy and Ann and Beth, plus two buckets of snowballs and Amy’s crutches.”

Tad shot her a black look. “Did you just call mechicken?”

“If the shoe fits…bok-bok-bok.”

Tad scooped up some snow and flung it at her head. Sarah dodged adroitly and returned fire. West ran between them, kicking snow on them both.

“Dad’s chicken? Why’s he chicken?”

“Because he won’t ride with us on the sled.”

“Hewon’t?” West thrust out his lip. “Why won’t you ride?”

“I never said that,” said Tad. “I just—”

“So youwill!” Sarah’s voice was victorious.

“Okay, but just once, and no horsing around. No pushing off till we’re all on.” Tad straddled the back of the sled and lowered himself down. Sarah climbed on in front of him, and he nestled her to his chest.

“It’ll be a squeeze,” she said, “but we can make it work. West, hop on my lap.”

West clambered on and Sarah got her arms around him. Tad gripped the sled tight and sent up a silent prayer—please, whoever’s listening, don’t let us wipe out.He pushed off with one foot, and the sled inched forward. He pushed off again, and then they were flying, a bump and a bounce, catching air as they went. A plume of snow stretched behind them, and still they gained speed, faster and faster, straight for the trees.

“We’re gonna crash,” yelled West.

“Everyone jump!” Sarah rolled off the sled, West in her arms. Tad hung on grimly, thrust out his legs. His heels dragged in the snow, but still he kept going.

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