Page 67 of Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas
“Pretty quickly, Justin got tired of doing it one at a time, so he decided to throw the whole thing in the air. I knew it was over. There’d be no way I could get to all of them in time to pick them up before they were stomped on and ruined. He started to toss the portfolio, this huge, stupid grin on his face, and then Steve was there. He grabbed the portfolio right out of Justin’s hands, midthrow.”
“Go, Dad!” Maya yelled, and the rest of them laughed.
“He handed me the portfolio and just loomed over Justin, staring him down until that dumb grin of his disappeared and he ran off, his tail between his legs. Steve didn’t have to threaten him or hit him or anything. He just looked at him with that stern expression he gets.”
“I know that one,” Will said ominously, and the others made sounds of agreement. “It’s why his ‘serious talks’ are worse than his punishments.”
“I hate when he does the ‘I’m disappointed in you’ face, too,” Zoe said.
“Well, he must’ve been born with the ability, because he was doing it before you guys even existed,” Camille said.
“What’d Dad say after he chased away Justin?” Maya asked.
“He asked if I was okay and then helped me put the paintings I’d just picked up back in the portfolio. Only one had a shoe print on it, and it was on the back, but Steve still did his best to wipe it away. Then he said, ‘You’re a really talented artist,’ and walked me to my classroom.”
“What grade did you get?” Micah asked.
“An A, and two of my paintings went into the school showcase.”
His grunt sounded approving.
“So Dad’s always been really nice,” Zoe said.
“Yes. He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met.” Camille concentrated on lining up her piece of tape exactly square so she didn’t start getting all mushy and teary-eyed over Steve. “All those kids just walked by, but Steve didn’t. He stopped and helped, and that one moment made a huge difference in my life.”
The kids were quiet, as if processing, and Camille decided she needed a distraction.
“How can we be wrapping presents without Christmas music playing?” she asked, keeping her voice intentionally light as she found a station on her phone.
Will groaned dramatically. “I’m so sick of Christmas songs from working in the store.”
“Too bad.” Camille unrolled the gift wrap and centered Micah’s present on it. “We’re going to be filled with Christmas spirit while we wrap, and you’re going to like it!”
They chatted about other things as they finished wrapping and only ended up having one crumpled-paper fight. As they stacked up their presents on the “gift-transport sled” that Zoe had made just for this purpose, Maya gave Camille a quick, unexpected hug.
“I’m glad he’s with you now,” she said quietly enough that just the two of them could hear. “It’s like it’s supposed to be. You love him for what’s on the inside, not just because he’s handsome.”
“Thanks.” A little overwhelmed, especially by the mention of love, Camille gave her a shaky smile. “You have to admit he is really handsome, too, though.”
“Gross.” Maya made a face. “He’s my dad.”
Camille laughed and hugged her back.
* * *
After they stacked the gifts under the tree, Camille stepped back and eyed them. “That’s a lot of presents.” Lucy sauntered over to investigate the presents but was sidetracked by a dangling ornament, which she started to bat. Camille moved the temptation higher on the tree, even though she knew that Lucy would just climb up to get it.
“I know, and Dad and the uncles haven’t added theirs yet,” Maya said, sounding delighted.
“Maya,” Steve called from the entryway. “Come here.” At his serious tone, she and Camille glanced at each other and headed into the kitchen, the other kids following.
“Are you in trouble?” Zoe asked in a whisper.
“I don’t think so, unless he knows about the hay thing.”
Camille blinked, but she didn’t get a chance to ask about the “hay thing” before they reached the entryway where a grim-looking Steve was standing. He didn’t have the exasperated-but-loving expression that he usually wore when the kids had gotten into some mischief. Instead, he looked serious…and concerned. Camille’s chest tightened with worry as she wondered if someone was hurt—maybe one of his brothers?
“What’s wrong?” Camille asked, bracing herself for bad news.
