Page 52 of Mountain Men’s Nanny

“If we’re going to be locked in, then we need to get a jump on Christmas preparations,” I announced, digging through the drawer for place mats.

“Christmas?” Tobias asked, wide-eyed. “We haven’t done Christmas here before, and we didn’t do any Christmas shopping on our last trip.”

Of course he was panicking. Tobias had become more relaxed about things, but the thought of an extravagant spread still set him off.

“Relax, nothing major. I was thinking we could go outside and find a Christmas tree. I figure with all the pines growing out back, Lexi will have her pick of the very best. Picking a Christmas tree was a big deal when I was growing up,” I explained.

I finished laying the table just as Gideon brought steaming bowls of oatmeal and set them down in our places.

“Please, Daddy,” Lexi squealed. “We can make decorations and put them up and make cards!”

She rushed about the living room, already collecting all her art supplies. She grabbed colored paper from the bookshelf, then opened a drawer and brought out pots of paint and tubes of glitter. Everything was set up on the coffee table before Tobias could even answer her.

“Only after breakfast,” he relented.

Gideon and Gunner seemed relieved they didn’t have to add their two cents to Lexi’s pleading this time and sat down.

“We didn’t really do holidays when I was growing up, but we never missed a Christmas,” Gideon said.

The morning felt nostalgic. We traded stories of our best and worst Christmas gifts, the rush of leaving on vacation, or getting a Christmas tree too late and having to make do with sparse, scraggly little trees weighed down with decorations meant for something bigger.

“Well, I guess Lexi and I will have something else in common,” Gunner laughed. “Our parents planned far ahead for Christmas, and like me, princess, you have a whole forest of the best pines to choose from right in your backyard.”

Lexi nodded proudly. “Yes, and I know exactly what to look out for.”

Tobias looked from Lexi to me and smiled. “Then we‘ll have to get moving on breakfast and head out before the weather takes a turn.”

There was a harmony in how we all moved around the cabin, passing the dishes to the sink and packing them away. After tidying up, we passed coats from the hook to whoever they belonged to, and like a well-rehearsed chorus line, we headed out.

Gunner and Gideon led the way, already inspecting the surroundings, while I helped Lexi with her coat.

“Careful,” Tobias said, taking my hand as we walked out. “The ground is icy.”

Lexi ran to catch up with Gunner, who hoisted her onto his shoulders. As we walked deeper into the woods, she touched the trees, feeling the pine needles curiously.

The smell was familiar. It was the smell of Christmas all over America, but this was different. In many ways, it was better. It was like living in a snow globe. Real trees, growing sporadically instead of in perfectly straight rows. Thick snow, a cold breeze; it was the white Christmas I would have wanted as a little girl. And watching Lexi live it made me happy in an unexpected way.

I guess the whole situation made me happy in an unexpected way. I was far from home, with three men I loved and a little girl who had stolen my heart.

“What about this one?” Lexi said, pointing to a tall pine tree that was obviously much too big to fit inside the cabin.

“Maybe something smaller,” Gideon suggested.

“And easier to carry,” Tobias laughed.

“Worried you won’t manage it, old man?” Gunner laughed. “Don’t sweat it. I’m here. I’ll get it for you.”

The ribbing came easily and sometimes out of nowhere. Small, insignificant tasks could turn into a competition: who was stronger, who was faster, and who had more endurance. As entertaining as it was for them, it was also reassuring for me. I hadn’t disturbed the balance. I had just become a part of it, and that felt good.

Gunner let Lexi down from his shoulders, and she ran ahead before stopping in front of a tree that was twice her height, had full, bristly branches, and a sturdy, thick trunk.

“I want this one!” she said proudly. “It’s perfect, and the perfect tree makes the perfect Christmas.”

Gunner walked around the tree, nodding his approval. “You’re sure? Because once we’ve cut it down, there’s no turning back.”

Lexi inspected the tree some more. She touched the branches and stroked the trunk, the wheels of indecision turning in her little head.

“Now, who’s worried?” Gideon laughed. “You think the trunk is too thick for you to cut through? Come on, Gunner, it’s not like you to back away from a challenge.”