Page 42 of A Cowboy Home for Christmas
I blindly find his hand beside us and lace my fingers in his. “Thank you for being here for all of us.”
He glances down at me. The love and respect behind those amber eyes says everything I need to hear from him. “Thank you for having me.”
We hold hands until story time ends. My girls feet drag and their eyes are heavy. However, the walk back to the cabin gives them their second wind. They bolt inside talking a mile a minute. Moving from meemaw to pawpaw to Savi and back again, until I call them into the kitchen to get Santa’s treats ready.
Lark fills a mug with milk while Clara picks out cookies. They leave both on the table by the fireplace for Santa. Barker plays a Christmas movie and we all curl up on the sofa together. His parents take the loves seat. They hold hands during the entire movie, and share a bucket of popcorn. Savi and Alison sit in separate chairs. Barker, the girls and me take the big sofa. I try to watch the movie, but Barker makes it a challenge. First, he slyly sticks his hand in the popcorn bowl every time I do to cop a feel. Then when the girls stretch out, and force each of us to an end of the sofa, Barker makes eyes at me. Delicious, seductive, damn sexy eyes.
The movie ends and the girls are sleeping.
“Ohhh.” Alison grabs her middle as she stands.
“You alright?” Marilyn asks.
“I’m fine. Yes.” She breathes deeply through her nose and breathes out.
“Contractions?” Savi asks.
“No. I’m not sure due for another two weeks. “He’s probably just kicking.”
The adults gather their empty popcorn bowls and glasses and carry them to the kitchen.
I cover the girls with a blanket and kiss their heads before I grab mine.
Barker catches me around the waist. “I was thinking tonight is as good as any to tell my folks about us. And Savi.”
I lean into his side. “We might as well rip that bandage off.”
“I agree.” He kisses the top of my head. He drops his arm and laces his fingers in mine.
In the kitchen, Savi and Alison fill plates with cookies and Marilyn puts on the kettle. Apparently Alison is joining us for our announcement.
Barker looks at me for the go-ahead. When I nod, he clears his throat. “Lauren and I would like to talk to y’all.”
“They’re hooking up.”
Barker glares at his sister. “Thank you, Savi.”
Savi shrugs like it’s no big deal. She doesn’t understand how much her approval means to me.
“This has not bWe are going to start dating.” Barker’s fingers tighten around mine.
“Secret dating,” I rush in. “We aren’t telling the girls until they’re ready.”
Savi’s gaze fleets from mine to her brother. “So you’re going to be creeping into their house in the night and sneaking out in the morning?”
Barker’s lips draw a thin line. “I see your mind is solely in the gutter -“
Savi bites a cookie. “It lives in the gutter.”
“I’ll be helping at the ranch more.”
“Sex in a stall. We’ve all done it.”
Marilyn hits Savi with a tea towel. “Hush child.”
“I’ve never had sex in a stall.” I don’t mean to say the words out loud. Everyone is looking at me. “Have y’all?” No one denies it. Not even Alison. “With my husband?” I ask her.
“One time.” She holds up a finger, but then sucks a breath through her teeth. Everyones attention turns to her. “I’m fine. Continue.”
