All I Want for Christmas: A Kinnison Legacy Holiday novella (6 page)

Cody wiggled from her lap, and she followed him to the curb. He looked up, raising his arms, his smile unstoppable. Lifting him up, she watched the excitement of the crowd as they welcomed the horse-drawn sleigh. They’d had to add substantial padding around Rein’s midsection, but he looked every bit the part with his white beard and black Stetson. He waved at the crowd, taking special notice of the children as he bellowed a deep “ho-ho-ho.” Tears pricked at the back of Liberty’s eyes and she glanced up, having only skated on the fringe of faith her entire life, and said a silent prayer that if any man deserved to be a father, it was this one.

“It’s Santa!” Cody squealed, clapping his hands with glee.

“That’s right, Cody.”

His little hands clamped her face as he looked at her with eyes wide in wonderment. “He looked right at me and waved.”

“I saw that, sweetie. He looked right at you. He must think you’re a very good little boy.” She hugged him.

He pushed back in her arms and studied her with a frown. “Will he know if I’m not at Miss Ellie’s?”

“Santa knows everything, sweetheart. Of course he’ll know where to find you.”

Satisfied with her answer, he hugged her neck.

***

“Careful, don’t get soap near his eyes.”

Rein glanced up as Liberty placed a warm towel within his reach.

“Why is everything so wet? Let’s try to keep it in the tub, gentlemen.”

He picked up the shampoo bottle and squinted at the tiny print. “Nate said this one didn’t sting eyes.” From the corner of his eye, he noticed Cody taking aim with the plastic water pistol he’d also picked up at the drugstore.

“You two have been up here for over an hour. I’m surprised he isn’t wrinkled as a prune.” She turned to leave as Cody fired. Rein ducked to one side and he felt a drip of water whizz past his ear. He watched in amazement as it stuck Liberty square in the back.

“Oh, buddy, you’re in trouble now,” Rein cautioned quietly as he filled up the second water pistol he had concealed beneath the sudsy water.

Cody’s laughter echoed through the bathroom as Liberty turned slowly and fisted her hands on her hips. Rein gave her credit for trying to look angry, but he’d seen that glint in her eye before.

“You two are dangerous.” She laughed as Cody squirted the side of Rein’s face.

He glanced at the boy and smiled. It was a guy thing. “One, two--”

“Rein Mackenzie!” Liberty issued a stern warning.

He grabbed her ankle and held her in place as he unloaded the water pistol on her. Cody joined in, his laughter lightening the earlier heaviness in Rein’s heart.

“You rats!” Liberty screamed. “Two against one isn’t fair.” She struggled, twisting to get to the sink, where she dumped a towel under the water. After soaking it, she slapped it down over Rein’s head, much to Cody’s unmitigated joy. “Playtime is over, cowboy,” she said through her laughter.

He pulled the sodden towel off his head and checked the front of his T-shirt, which was pretty much a lost cause. “Okay, buddy, she’s right. It’s been a long day and it’s time for bed.”

Since his arrival Cody had spent nearly every moment with Rein or Liberty. He’d gone with Rein on errands. He’d met Nate at the drugstore where he’d had his first Green River at the soda fountain. They’d gone to the Git and Go where they’d shared a cherry slushy. They’d even been able to squeeze in a matinee at the movie theater. All firsts for Cody, it seemed, and for Rein a joy he hadn’t experienced in years.

The sullen little boy who’d at first seemed quiet and shy had blossomed into a happy little boy under their care.

Tomorrow would be their first Sunday supper with the family, what with it being postponed the last couple of weeks due to work, illness, and the like. Though Cody had been around members of his family, this was another first—everyone at once. Rein hoped that his family would accept Cody as one of their own.

After reading the book about the magical dragon who’d befriended a little boy at least three times through, Cody had finally fallen asleep.

Rein watched him sleep. There was so much he should be thankful for, but he feared losing the people he loved. His Parents. Jed. Their unborn son. And one day, Cody. Hearing the sound of water splashing in the master bath, he smiled. He had Liberty. He had his health. She had hers.

He leaned against the master bathroom door, smiling at his beautiful wife soaking up to her neck in a tub of bubbles. “Hey, thanks for being a good sport about those water pistols. Impulse buys.”

She returned his smile. “You’re getting used to this dad thing, aren’t you?”

He shrugged and sat down on the edge of the tub, letting his hand drift lazily through the sudsy water. “I guess so. You going to tell me that the ‘mom’ thing doesn’t get to you just a little bit?” His fingertips brushed her knee. He loved when she sighed at his touch.

“He’s only been here less than a month and already he’s set up a permanent spot in my heart.” She glanced at him, those eyes he adored shimmering with concern. “What am I going to do when he has to leave?”

“Whoa, slow down, sweetheart.” He patted her knee. “One day at a time, okay? Think of it as a training ground.”

“Is that how you do it?” She tossed him a curious look.

“Do what?”

“Manage not to get emotionally tangled up in all of this.”

He smiled. “I don’t know if that’s true.” He stood to empty his pockets before peeling off his clothes and easing into the frothy bubbles. “I nailed it with this oversized tub, didn’t I?”

“You’re invading my space,” Liberty stated with an arch of her brow.

“Oh, sweetheart, I haven’t even begun my invasion of your space,” he said, running his hands up the sides of her calves. “I don’t believe I’ve formally tested the sturdiness of that two-sink vanity you had to have.”

Liberty leaned forward and cupped his face with her wet hands. “Why do you think I was so insistent?” She brushed her lips to his with a smile, then met his mouth in a fiery kiss that led to yet another water mess to clean up.

Sometime later, after the structural validity of the vanity had been fully tested, they lay together in the dark, listening to the radio. Rein figured that Thomas Rhett had it right when he sang about being able to die a happy man. If this woman was to be his family, he’d gladly live with that. He hummed softly to the tune, languid in his thoughts, glad to be alive, here and with Liberty.

Her fingers traced concentric circles on his stomach, as always awakening his desire. “Did that bubble bath help to relax you, darlin’?”

She made a soft sound of approval. “Among other things,” she said, sliding her leg against his.

The north wind outside howled through the tall pines beyond the clearing of their yard. Another Christmas was upon them and with all the chaos of getting the bakery done and Cody’s arrival, he hadn’t yet had time to go shopping for her. “You know; Christmas is coming up. I happen to have an in with the guy in the red suit. You thought about what you’d like to ask for?”

He drew her close, letting his hand rest on her hip. They’d grown accustomed to wearing pajamas in bed now to guard against being caught unawares. Still, the long gown she wore teased his mind knowing she wore no panties beneath. Rein turned to breathe in the scent of her hair, his hand caressing her hip.

“Have you thought about what you want?” she asked, tapping his chest with her finger.

The song he’d heard earlier—the one that rang so true in his heart—played in his head, even though the radio had moved on to a new tune. “Sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head. “I have everything I need, right here.” He kissed the top of her head.

“So, I should take back the Rolex?” she teased. Her cheek flexed against his chest with her grin.

“Yeah, and you can cancel that trip to Paris while you’re at it.” He shifted to his side, holding her gaze as he ran his fingers down her cheek. “Honestly, Liberty, what more do I need? To hell with need. What more could I possibly want than what I already have?”

She pressed his hand to her cheek and kissed his palm.

Guilt for how he’d behaved the other day in front of his brothers surfaced, nudging his conscience. He’d said things in front of Liberty while wrapped up in his pity-party about not having a linage, and he’d been blind to how it might have sounded to his wife. “Baby, I’m sorry for how I behaved the other day with Wyatt and Dalton. I was feeling sorry for myself and I wasn’t thinking about you—us—and everything we have together.”

Liberty silenced him with her finger to his lips. “It has been a stressful time, Rein, and if trying to have a child right now is adding to that stress, we can wait.”

He pulled her into his arms. “Listen, I want a child as much as you and I don’t mind being determined about getting there.” He grinned. “But I want you to understand, if—and I mean if—there is some unknown reason that we don’t have kids of our own, I’d like to adopt. Maybe five or six.”

She sat up and looked at him. “Five or six?”

“Too many?”

She smiled. “I can’t recall that we’ve even discussed numbers. We’ve been so busy just trying to have one.”

He stroked her bare arm. “I guess what you said made a lot of sense. Look at Wyatt, Dalton, and me. We were raised by a single rancher. No mother figure, unless you count Betty’s watchful eye. And I think we turned out okay.” He pulled her down into his arms. “Besides, how lucky could a kid get to have a mom like you?”

She rested her forehead against his chest, then looking up, searched his eyes. “But you do think we should keep trying, right?”

“Good Lord, woman, there isn’t any place I’d rather be than here with you—day and night.” He held her face. “All I’m saying is that whatever happens—whether we have ten kids of our own or adopt that many—or whether we’d decide it’s just going to be you and me out here. Either way, I’m a happy man.”

“Just when I think I can’t love you more,” she said, “you raise the bar.”

Her lips found his and he locked his arm around her waist, the other sneaking beneath her gown, finding the warmth of where she straddled him.

She reached between their bodies and eased her hand into his boxer shorts.

“What are you doing there, darlin?” he asked, grabbing the headboard with both hands as he watched her bunch her gown around her hips. She freed him from the confines of the Ninja Turtle boxers he’d found that matched a pair for Cody. Incentive to get potty-trained, he’d explained to Liberty.

“What was it Doc told us? Patience and—” She took him in fully, bracing her hands on his chest.

“Dee-termination,” Rein said with a groan of pure pleasure. He lifted his hips, pushing deep. “Oh, yeah, I like your determination, darlin’.”

“Then you can tell Santa…” she said, moving her body with his.

Holding onto her thighs, trying to keep up nearly made Rein’s eyes cross.

“That all I want for Christmas is…” A gasp tore from her throat.

There was something different about this time. He felt it as he rose, pushing deep, giving her everything—his heart, his body, his future.

“Is you, sweetheart,” she sighed. “Just you.”

Chapter Four

Per the judge’s orders, Cody had gone every Friday afternoon with Miss Ellie to visit his mother for a few hours.  Each time had proved to be more difficult in terms of his behavior when he returned to them. It was as though his demeanor had changed. Sullen, quick-tempered, aggressive—he usually took a nap, preferring to be alone until he was ready to be social. Liberty had brought it up to Ellie when she met them at the diner that Friday. “I know you said to expect some changes, but it seems to be getting worse,” Liberty said to Ellie after buckling Cody into his car seat. “Is there any reason why? Something we should be more aware of?”

Ellie glanced at the car and sighed. “His mother made him a promise that she’d be out before Christmas and that they would spend it together. Today, however, she seemed preoccupied. She seemed hypercritical of Cody—his hair, his clothes, how he spoke to her, and then would tell him how much she missed him. Mixed messages.”

“We’ve been trying to teach him to use his manners. We’re not trying to overstep anything.”

Ellie patted her arm. “I doubt that teaching a child a few manners is going to harm anyone.” She shrugged. “As long as they are basic manners that anyone would teach, I think you should go ahead, just as you’re doing.”

“Sunday is a family dinner over at Wyatt and Aimee’s. Do you think it’s too much to force him to be social?”

“You can see,” she replied. “But honestly, I think he needs family. Children tend to respond favorably when they’re welcomed into an environment of love and acceptance.”

Liberty nodded. “Taking my cues from you, Ellie,” she said, accepting Cody’s backpack.

“There is something you need to know. Rowena’s lawyer is trying to get enough collected to post her bail before Christmas. And, I’ve heard something about a plea bargain. If that should happen, there’s a good chance she’ll get Cody back.” Ellie stated. “That said—I’ve made the offer that she and Cody are welcome to live at the house, with the caveat that she get a job and keep her nose clean.”

Liberty realized for the first time the weight that Ellie placed on her own shoulders when it came to caring for and helping these displaced families.

“It’s a gamble,” she said, “but I’d rather have her living in the house so my staff and I can keep an eye on Cody.

Not thrilled by the news, Liberty headed home, knowing Rein would be even less enthralled. When he arrived home that evening after helping Nate with some renovations at the pharmacy, Cody was still in his room.

Rein dropped his tool belt over the hook by the back door. He gave her a kiss and glanced in the family room. “Where’s Cody?” He narrowed his gaze. “Did he come back the same as before?”

Liberty nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid so, but there’s more. It seems Rowena’s lawyer is trying to strike a deal to get her three-month sentence reduced and post bail before the holidays. She’s claiming she was a victim, that she didn’t realize she was meeting up with a drug dealer, claiming that she thought it was a job interview her friend had set up for her.”

Rein frowned. “Christmas is just a few days away.”

“I know. His mom apparently implied strongly to Cody that they’d spend Christmas together. She made it sound like a done deal.”

Rein leaned back against the counter and listened. His eyes focused on his boots.

“Has he been in his room since you brought him home?”

“He took a short nap,” Liberty said. “When I checked on him a bit ago, he was sitting on the floor playing with the farm set.”

Rein pushed away and sighed. “Maybe we should do a pizza and movie night? He likes those. We could watch that movie he likes. The one about the little fish that gets lost.”

“Finding Nemo?” Liberty said. Her heart twisted thinking of just how many times they’d watched that movie, Cody’s attention intently focused on the dynamic between the father fish and his son.

“Yep, that’s it. Why don’t you go ahead and place the order? Since the Git and Go got that new pizza oven, they’ve started a delivery service.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll go talk to Cody.” He paused, resting his hands on her shoulders. “Hey, it’s going to be okay, sweetheart.” He kissed her forehead.

Later that evening the three sat at the low coffee table in front of a roaring fire in the fireplace and watched the animated movie for what seemed like the hundredth time. They munched on Git and Go pizzas, delivered by a senior that Denise had hired over the holiday break. Liberty had managed to eat one slice of cheese pizza, while the other two annihilated the better part of the double pepperoni pizza they’d ordered.

Sunday ushered in a bank of low, steely-grey clouds as the three of them drove to Wyatt and Aimee’s for noon dinner. To many in the community, it would always be known as the Kinnison ranch, named after the cattle baron who built and ran it for years. After his death, Rein had found his uncle’s journal and realized that his Uncle Jed had wanted to make the ranch a place of second chances, of finding healing through hard work and nature. To set it apart, they’d dubbed it the Kinnsion Last Hope Ranch, to include the set of nine cabins that Rein, his brothers, and friends had constructed for the purpose Jed had intended. Ever since, they’d hosted both horses and individuals passing through End of the Line, as well as offering it as temporary housing to those in need. They’d started riding programs for kids with special needs, and nature outings for the families that lived at Miss Ellie’s house in Billings.

Liberty hopped down from the truck, feeling better than she had a couple of nights before. She grabbed the cheesy potato casserole she’d made as her contribution to the meal, while Rein helped Cody from his car seat. Her eye caught the presence of the white owl seated amid the evergreen of the tall pine that grew between the house and what was once Rein’s wood-working barn. Saved from the fire two years ago that damaged much of the back of the ranch, the tree remained a symbol of Kinnison longevity.

The wood-working barn now stored much of the furniture that Rein had built over the years. It was part of her’s and Rein’s future plans to open an online business for custom-made pieces crafted in the rugged, rustic style that represented their love of repurposing vintage pieces into modern-day usefulness.

She chose not to mention the owl to Rein. While earlier tensions seemed to have been resolved among the three brothers, they hadn’t revisited the topic of Jed’s alleged visitations to his brothers.

Michael Greyfeather, an old family friend of Jed’s and now the head of the ranch’s equine rescue mission, opened the front door to greet them. “Hey, guys, I saw you coming and thought I could help out.” He nodded toward the casserole. “Let me take that for you.” He smiled at Rein and then at Cody. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure yet, young man.” He leaned down and held out his hand in greeting to Cody.

Cody shied away, ducking behind Rein’s leg.

Michael smiled and nodded. “I’ll just take this in. Come on, hang up your things. Everyone except Clay and Sally are here.”

Rein hooked his hat on the antler rack that hung in the foyer. Cody stayed close to Rein’s side.

Aimee smiled as she emerged from the kitchen and saw them. Hugging them both, she smiled at the reclusive little boy. “Hi Cody, welcome to our home.”

“Can you say hi, Cody?” Liberty asked quietly.

Aimee smiled, giving Liberty a look that she understood the boy’s shyness. “It’s great that we’re all be together again. It’s been too long.” She smiled. “Then again, I’m spoiled. I love having everyone under the same roof.”

Rein tossed Dalton a wave. He sat in Jed’s old rocker near the fireplace, cradling his son, Sawyer.

Wyatt hugged Liberty and then Rein. “Good to see you. Dad would have been really pleased with how well the parade went.” He was referring cryptically to Rein’s performance as Santa.

“Guess we’re lucky Santa was able to stop by with it being so close to Christmas.” Rein knelt down at Cody’s side as Sadie, the Kinnison’s golden retriever, meandered over to greet the new scent in the house. The dog, almost ten years old now, showed signs of aging. Her brows and chin were graying, her eyes less bright than they once were. Nonetheless, she continued to have approval of who entered her house. She sniffed Cody’s hand, bumping it with her cold nose.

He jerked his hand away and pushed close to Rein. It startled the dog and she backtracked from the boy, unsure of his intent.

“Sadie won’t hurt you, buddy. She’s just smelling you. That’s how she says hello.”

Cody eyed the dog who waited patiently, her tail in jubilant motion as Rein reached out to smooth his hand over her head. “My Uncle Jed brought us Sadie when we were in high school, that was a long time ago. She’s a good old dog. You want to pet her?”

Cody’s jaw set firm. He shook his head.

“Sadie, come, get your supper, girl,” Emilee called out, holding the dog’s dish. Her dark braids fell over her slim shoulders. The young girl looked like her mother, Angelique, with her dark eyes and hair, but as she grew older it was Dalton’s personality that she resembled most. Dutifully, the dog lumbered behind as they walked to the kitchen.

Cody released a small sigh.

A short while later, the large group sat around the massive dining room table. It had been built by Rein years before as one of his first furniture-making endeavors.

Liberty smiled as she had a flashback memory of her first meal at this table. Guarded, cantankerous, and more than a little rebellious, she’d just arrived from her former life as a dancer in a Vegas club. Wanting to escape her life, she’d found her half-brothers and requested sanctuary at the ranch until she could get on her feet.

“What are you thinking about?” Rein leaned over to ask quietly.

“Just thinking about my first morning here.” She met his blue-eyed gaze. “Your critique of my outfit. How I put you in your place.” She gave him a quick kiss. “I think I started falling in love with you that very moment, right here.”

He returned the kiss. “I was an ass back then,” he said quietly so the kids couldn’t hear.

“Back then?” Wyatt smiled as he leaned over to pass the potato casserole.

Rein narrowed his gaze on Wyatt and accepted the casserole.

“Your house looks beautiful,” Liberty told Aimee.

“I agree, Aimee. This is a step-up from those paper snowflakes you tried to teach me last year,” Angelique said with a laugh.

“I had to make them for her,” Emilee interjected.

Aimee shrugged. “Wyatt actually did the majority of it. I was so busy on the town lighting committee that he got tired of waiting. I think” --she leaned over to give Wyatt a kiss--“he did a beautiful job.”

Gracie clapped at the sight of her parents kissing.

“Cheap entertainment,” Dalton muttered, then offered Wyatt a surprised look. “What?”

“Who are you and what did you do with my brother?” Rein asked Wyatt. “Aimee, you’ve worked miracles with this one.”

“I know where you live, buddy,” Wyatt joked.

Baby Sawyer lay in a portable crib placed near Dalton and Angelique. Emilee, unusually quiet this evening, sat between her mother and the Greyfeather’s—Michael and Rebecca, who’d raised Emilee when her mom—their niece—was going through some tough times.

Liberty thought about all they’d been through in the short time she’d been in End of the Line. Yet, together—Dalton, Angelique, Wyatt, Aimee, Michael and Rebecca, Sally and Clay—they’d formed the bonds of a family. She dabbed at her eyes, damp from the unexpected emotions welling inside her. She was so grateful to have Rein, to be a part of this family.

Rein reached beneath the table and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. His smile showed his gentle concern. “You okay?”

She nodded. “Just not as hungry as I thought I’d be.” She leaned back and took a cleansing breath. “I just need to slow down and enjoy.”

Rein nodded and patted her leg.

“Has anyone heard from Hank?” Wyatt asked.

He had flown Julie and her boys to Chicago earlier in the week to meet his family and celebrate Christmas. They’d planned to be back here on Christmas Day to join in the gathering that Wyatt had planned. Several close friends, a few community members, and those in Rein’s construction firm had also been invited.

“You know, I’m not trying to pour salt in a wound, but I feel kind of bad for Julie having to put up with Hank’s sister,” Liberty said.

“The woman needs to find a rich cowboy to take care of her.”

“And hope that he has plenty of patience,” Rein added with a shake of his head.

“Hey, if Wyatt can snag someone as good as Aimee, there’s hope for Caroline Richardson.” He tossed his brother a wicked grin and got beaned in the head by a dinner roll.

“Wyatt!” Aimee gasped. “Careful of what you’re teaching your daughter.”

He picked up a roll and held it up to Gracie. “No, sweetheart, this is how I’d teach my daughter.” He leaned down and pointed to Dalton. “Toss this at your…I mean, to your Uncle Dalton. He’s the furry one at the end of the table.”

Before her mother could intercede, Gracie flung the roll and it landed no further than the end of her plate.

“We’ll work on that arm, baby girl.” Wyatt leaned over and kissed her chubby cheek.