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“Come on, Lauren!” Callie shouted, taking her sister-in-law’s hand and pulling her toward the sleigh.
The rest followed behind and Adam fell into step with Max. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my little girl so excited. ”
Max smiled. “I plan to spend the rest of my life making her smile just like she did tonight. ”
Adam slapped him on the back and then returned to his wife. They ushered her into the sled while Max slid in beside Callie and Lauren. When everyone was tucked underneath the blankets, the man Max had hired to drive the sleigh urged the horses forward.
They glided over the snow, through the meadow, and higher into the aspens and pines that surrounded the Colter cabin. Max wrapped his arm around Callie and pulled her in close. Lauren sat next to Callie, her eyes aglow with happiness.
Everything that mattered most to Max was right here, in his arms, sitting close to him. Seeing Callie’s and Lauren’s smiles had been worth every bit of planning and money he’d put into having the meadow lit up.
There was nothing more beautiful than the woman resting against his side, and he’d go to hell and back to make her happy. Always. Every damn day for the rest of his life.
CHAPTER 18
CHRISTMAS morning dawned clear and cold. Everyone began to crawl out of bed and make their way downstairs in their pajamas. Ethan had gotten up early to set the fire, and by the time everyone gathered in the living room, flames danced merrily in the hearth.
Snow was coming down harder. Big, fat, fluffy flakes descended, covering the ground in a fresh blanket of white. The windowpanes were frosted over and the women snuggled into the couches with their husbands.
Lauren seemed hesitant to barge in. She paused, feeling a little silly in her pajamas as she stared at the Colter family enjoying cups of hot chocolate while they waited for breakfast to be served.
Then Max looked up, a smile softening his face. He patted the spot beside him and she quickly moved forward, eager and yet afraid all at the same time to find her place in this family Max had married into.
“Hey kiddo,” Seth said, leaning over to give her head an affectionate tousle.
She smiled and murmured a greeting before settling back to grip the cup Ryan Colter handed her.
Christmas with the Colters had instilled a fiery ache so deeply rooted that it seemed to take her over completely. She was filled with longing for what they had. Love. Caring. Deep and abiding loyalty.
These men adored their women. Unapologetically. Unabashedly. They didn’t give a damn who knew it.
She wanted that. She deserved that. It had taken her long enough to believe it, but damn it, she did.
A few minutes later, Adam came in with cinnamon rolls and buttery croissants. Ryan followed with a pitcher of milk as well as juice that he set on the coffee table.
No one was shy about diving right in. It was a free-for-all that nearly developed into a food fight before Adam eyed his offspring sternly and said, “Now, children. ”
Lauren found it amusing that even at the Colter children’s ages, they immediately snapped to attention and adopted a meek attitude when their father took them to task.
But the good times and teasing resumed, and after they polished off the light breakfast, Holly announced that it was time to open presents.
“I want to be Santa!” Callie exclaimed.
“You can’t be Santa. That’s the dads’ job,” Dillon protested.
Callie glared at her brother. “Says who? I want to pass out presents this year. ”
“Of course you can, baby,” Holly said.
“Mama’s baby,” Dillon mouthed at her.
Callie shot him a smug smile and then scrambled up to start passing out the gifts.
The living room was soon covered in torn wrapping paper, pieces of ribbons, and bows strewn from one end to the other. Everyone oohed and ahhed over each gift, but it was Lily’s gift that stole the show.
After everything had been opened, Dillon and his brothers rose, conspiratorial smiles on their faces.
“We have one last gift for Lily,” Michael said. “We’ll be right back with it. ”
Lily watched them go, her brow furrowed in confusion. A moment later, they tromped back into the house from outside, shaking the snow from their boots and pajamas.
They carried a blanket-covered object into the living room and placed it front of Lily, and then Dillon carefully pulled the covering away.
Lily gasped as she stared in wonder at the magnificent handcrafted cradle. She knew immediately that Dillon had done this. Probably with his brothers’ help.
Her fingers slid over the stained finish with reverence, taking in all the intricate lines and designs that had been carved. But when she got to the end, her vision blurred and she swallowed hard to keep the emotion at bay.
There at the head of the cradle, at the top of the curve, was a simple rose. A gentle remembrance. Letting her know that they hadn’t forgotten, that they understood.
She touched it, running her finger over it again and again, so choked up and filled with overwhelming love for her husbands that she couldn’t have spoken if she wanted to.
“Thank you,” she finally managed to whisper. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. ”
Everyone beamed at her, though Holly sniffled and Callie hastily dabbed at her eyes. Even the dads’ eyes were suspiciously wet.
“It’s a fine piece,” Adam proclaimed. “You boys did good. ”
His declaration lightened the mood and everyone returned to sorting the gifts, collecting the paper, and stacking boxes in a corner.
When all was done, Holly pushed herself up from between Ethan and Adam. “I have an announcement of my own to make. ”
She stood before her family, a serene smile sliding across her pretty features. Holly Colter reminded Lauren of an angel. The very best kind of angel.
“I’m cooking Christmas dinner today. ”
There was a series of chokes and wheezes. Spasms crossed the faces of the rest of the Colter family as they tried very hard not to react to her announcement.
Lauren watched them all in puzzlement, not understanding why such an announcement was not only odd but greeted by such an arresting array of responses.
There were even groans. Ryan’s face whitened. Ethan looked panicked. The Colter offspring just dissolved into raucous laughter.
Holly glared at them all, hands on her hips.
