Page 54 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

“As evidenced by more than a few detentions and trips to the principal’s office?”

Yeah, Tamara and Caleb had visited the school more than the average set of parents. “That’s the strong part. Sasha doesn’t tolerate bullies.”

“For good reason,” Ginny offered sadly. “I wish she’d never had to learn that lesson.”

“Not your fault,” Kelli repeated automatically. “Her and Emma’s mom was a piece of work but sneaky about it. The fact Wendy got away with what she did is regrettable but also all on her own head.”

“We know,” Ginny said slowly. “Still feel guilty that as adults, or at least older than the little girls, we didn’t notice and stop it sooner.” She wiggled to vertical and helped both kids back into the pool. “That’s the thing I think will make Sasha really good at Crooked Creek. She’s hyper-vigilant. That kid notices things that fly right past most of us.”

Kelli considered. “You’re right.”

“Combine that with being strong and flexible, she’ll be able to see what’s happening and then either make tough choices or figure out a new plan that fixes what she spotted.”

“Or rewards what she noticed.” Kelli nodded. “Agreed. Although if she does head south, I’m going to miss her a ton.”

“She’ll be calling you on the regular,” Ginny assured her. “How else will she keep up on her Kelli-isms? Not to mention her hero worship of you?”

Embarrassment and joy flashed in Kelli’s gut. “It’s been a strange and wonderful thing to mentor her over the years. I love that kid. I mean, young woman. She’s grown up well.”

“She has. And she’s had a ton of guidance along the way. That won’t stop even if she does move to Crooked Creek.” Ginny stretched then groaned. “My back is killing me these days. I do not want back labour again.”

“I’m hoping to avoid the C-section nonsense,” Kelli confessed. “Doc says she’ll induce me two weeks early if possible.”

“Kyle was a big boy,” Ginny agreed. “Two weeks less means this one might not be nearly ten pounds.”

Kelli rubbed her belly softly. “Feels like a bowling ball already. What’s the average weight of one of those?”

“More than you want to know.” Ginny adjusted her sun hat before waving at Tucker in the arena. “Going forward, I plan to outlaw sex during the months of November and December.”

A hoot of amusement escaped Kelli. “That’s going to go over well with Tucker.”

“Oh, I’ll help him get off, but I’m not having a baby in August or September ever again. Since we’d like to have a couple more, that means doing something non-dramatic to avoid heat wave deliveries.”

“Don’t tempt the gods,” Kelli warned. “Lisa’s as far along as we are, and this is her third baby in August. Three years in a row.”

Ginny shuddered. “Three years in a row is extra oh my God, but it’s the full-on carrying a baby in summer part that’s a no-go from now on.”

Too funny. “Also, I think the guys would claim no-sex months was a very dramatic solution.”

Demi swooped in on Ginny. She pressed her little hands to her mom’s cheeks then leaned in to offer a dainty kiss.

“Thank you, sweetie. I love you too,” Ginny told her before glancing at Kelli. “Even the hot and sweaty parts of being a mom are worth it.”

Copycatting, Kyle crawled into Kelli’s lap the best he could. He kissed her with a lot less grace than Demi but a ton of little-boy enthusiasm, and Kelli squeezed him tight.

Kids were a ton of work, both the raising and building of them, but over all? Ginny was right.

Being a mom was pretty okay.

A soft summer wind drifted past the edge of the barn, wrapping Logan up in the scent of green growing things. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, appreciating the moment the best he could with anticipation rippling through his veins.

High Water was a pretty place, with the wide expanses of fields stretching to the east and the main highway. The Rockies to the west were close enough to be impressive without overwhelming a man.

Having landed here? Logan couldn’t have picked a better location.

But it wasn’t the land that made High Water special; it was the people. He needed to not fuck this up. For so, so many reasons.

At the edge of the western field, two dark silhouettes appeared, black against the afternoon sunshine. The outline of cowboy hats and reins, one smaller body, one larger, both mounted and riding toward him.