Page 70 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“Oh!” Barb said, smiling up at her son while she pushed a sleeping Charlotte in the stroller. She looked at Zac. “We must remember that.”
“Of course,” Zac said. “As the three of us are going to make it, there’s going to be a lot of love in our chili.”
“I don’t really like chili,” Oscar admitted, shuddering. “It has weird stuff like beans and vegetables in it, and it burns.”
“That’s okay, buddy,” Zac told him. “We won’t make you eat it as long as you help us make it, as we need the extra bit of love.”
“Sure,” Oscar said, then pointed to the clear night sky sprinkled with stars. “Paige has been teaching me about the stars. She knows alotabout them and works with huge telescopes.”
“She does,” Zac told him. “It’s her job.”
“She said that one day she’ll take me to look through one,” Oscar said excitedly. “Paige is so cool.” He looked down at Zac. “She told me all your family were cool except your brother Jared, who is an egomaniac.”
“That’s a big word!” Barb said, biting back a smile and looking at Zac. “Jared is the brother that’s two years younger than you and Liam?”
“That’s right,” Zac confirmed. “And Jared is not that much of an egomaniac.” He laughed. “Your Aunt Paige and Jared fight a lot. They are both so competitive.”
“Oh, no!” Barb sighed, rolling her eyes. “Another competitive Shield.”
“Aunt Paige says he’s a rodeo clown,” Oscar repeated, his voice filling with excitement. “Does he ride the bulls? Do you think he’ll teach me?”
“No!” Barb and Zac said in unison, their eyes meeting, and they smiled.
“He’s not a rodeo clown, son. He rides the horses and not bulls,” Zac corrected. “He used to ride bulls, but not anymore.”
“That’s cool,” Oscar said. “I’d like to ride horses.”
“Well,” Zac looked at Barb. “If your mother wants to, your grandparents have invited us all to Montana to the ranch where I grew up for the new year.”
“Really?” Oscar asked in amazement. His eyes meet Barbs. “Can we, Mom, please?”
“We’ll see, honey,” Barb said, her heart picking up speed. “Now you’ll have to get off your father’s shoulders so you can get into the cabin. Then it’s bath time for you and your sister.”
“Can I watch on the tablet for a while before I get to sleep, please?” Oscar asked as they walked into the cabin. As always, one of the lodge’s staff members had lit a fire for the evening, so the bungalow was cozy and warm.
“Okay,” Barb said. “Now go get your pajamas out. I’ll start running your bath.”
“And I’ll take our little princess,” Zac cooed at Charlotte as she woke up.
As Barb went to start Oscar’s bath, she glanced back toward where Zac was making silly noises for Charlotte. Her eyes fell on the blood on his sleeve, and her heart squeezed. She could’ve lost him today if that bullet had gone more to the right. As she watched Zac for a few more seconds, Barb realized just how quickly things can change. Hanging onto the past didn’t get you anywhere, and the one thing she realized was that she didn’t want to have a future without Zac in it.
Three hours later, the scent of chili filled the cozy bungalow. Charlotte was asleep, nestled peacefully in her room, and the dinner dishes had been cleared away. Oscar was in his room watching his favorite cartoon on his tablet. Barb and Zac sat together in the lounge, a glass of wine in each of their hands. The warmth of the fire crackling in the fireplace added to the comforting atmosphere.
Zac took a sip of his wine, his gaze distant as he finally allowed himself to process the day’s events. “Barb, I’ve never been so frightened in my life as when I found out Oscar and Paige had been kidnapped.”
“You didn’t look frightened.” Barb turned to him, her heart aching at the vulnerability in his voice. “Youseemed so calm under pressure, Zac. I felt like I was falling apart.”
Zac’s eyes softened as he looked at her. “You held it together, Barb. You were remarkable. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in all of this.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of their shared experience sinking in. Barb reached out and took his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. “When I saw you get shot, Zac, my heart stopped. I realized then how much I love you. I was scared, so scared that I wouldn’t get the chance to tell you how I felt. I realized that I didn’t want to spend another day apart or without you in my life—I want us to be a family again.”
Zac set their wine glasses on the table and pulled Barb close, his arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace. “I love you too, Barb, more than I ever thought possible. I never want to spend another day without you.”
He leaned in and kissed her, a kiss that spoke of love, relief, and the promise of many more tomorrows together. Barb melted into him, the warmth of his passion washing away the last remnants of fear. She knew, in that moment,that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
The next morning was a crisp, clear day—the perfect day for the Christmas decorating competition judging. Barb felt a flutter of excitement as she joined the others outside their bungalow. The decorations they had put up sparkled in the sunlight, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in what they had accomplished.
When the judges announced the winners, Barb’s bungalow took first place. Heather and Giles came in second, with Emily, Hank, Paige, and Daven tied for third. Barb beamed with happiness, the victory a small but meaningful triumph after everything they had been through.
