Yuletide Cowboys: The Cowboy's Yuletide Reunion / The Cowboy's Christmas Gift

No—it was more than that. Maybe he was releasing his stress from their conversation about his mother. Or was it being here with her that was causing him concern? They hadn’t anticipated encountering each other after all these years, and he hadn’t planned to stay cloistered in the cabin with her and her family until the weather had given him no other choice in the matter.

Now not only were they stranded, but he’d have no option but to be thrown together with her entire brood in order to stay warm. Nothing like being a confirmed bachelor locked in with an ex-girlfriend, a cranky old couple, a fussy baby and a raucous preschooler. Marcus was a nice guy—the best—but this situation went beyond inconvenient and straight into uncomfortable.

She returned to the living room and set up the porta-crib so Jewel could amuse herself with her toys. Onyx was still playing with the flashlight, and Sarah could hear Carl and Eliza quietly spatting about something or other as they rummaged through the hall closet.

A couple of minutes later, Marcus shuffled in, his arms loaded with wood for the fire. Tiny icicles glistened in his golden hair like a crown.

“I think the temperature dropped a good ten degrees just in the time I was out there,” he said, dropping to his knees in front of the fireplace and carefully arranging the logs around wads of newspaper. “I filled up the bin just in case the blackout lasts beyond tonight.”

“Thank you. And I’m so sorry,” Sarah apologized.

“For what?”

“I didn’t mean for you to have to chop all that wood yourself. When I sent you out, I’d forgotten that I used the last of what I had back in October during the first flurry. It just slipped my mind that I needed to chop some more logs and refill the bin.”

He leaned back in a catcher’s crouch, bracing his forearms on his knees as he watched the fire roar to life. He glanced back, grinning at Sarah.

“Trust me, it was no problem. My long legs have been cramped in my truck for two days. I enjoyed getting the chance to stretch and swing the ax. That little bit of exercise did me good.”

“Well, I apologize just the same. Now, why don’t you relax by the fire for a while?”

He stood so fast that she didn’t even see him coming. He took her by the shoulders and guided her to the easy chair, gently pressing her into it. He spoke sweet nonsense words to Jewel as he picked her up and placed her on Sarah’s lap. “You’re the one who needs to relax.”

“But I’ve got to scrounge something up for dinner. Open a few cans of whatever I’ve got in the pantry.”

“Nope,” he said, holding his hands palm out to stem her flow of words. “I don’t think so.”

Chapter Four

Marcus wasn’t about to sit around and let Sarah do all the work while he lounged by the fire.

“You sit tight and take care of those beautiful children of yours. I’ll get supper on for us.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

He flashed her a toothy grin. “I know. I want to.”

“Oh. Well, then...” She didn’t appear to have the energy to argue with him, which was just exactly why he wanted to take care of her right now. Er—take care of the meal. Sarah had enough on her proverbial plate just watching out after her family.

“Hot dogs. I want a hot dog,” Onyx exclaimed, jumping up and down and clapping her hands.

He laughed and gave the child a friendly bow. “Hot dogs it is, little lady. Your wish is my command.”

He paused and raised an eye at Sarah. “Guess I should have asked first—do we have hot dogs?”

“In the meat drawer. Try not to keep the refrigerator door open too long or you’ll let out all the cold air.”

He winked. “We wouldn’t want cold air in the house, now, would we?”

She chuckled. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, darlin’, I do.”

“I also have marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars in the pantry.”

“S’mores.” He smacked his lips exaggeratedly. “Sounds like a meal to me.”

“Sounds like dessert,” Sarah corrected, wagging a finger at him. “After a healthy, well-balanced meal.”

He burst into a hearty laugh. Marcus had the most contagious laughter of anyone she’d ever known, and it wasn’t long before everyone in the room joined in.

“We may have to resort to canned fruits and vegetables to round out the meal,” Sarah said. “We had fresh apples and green grapes in a basket on the kitchen table, but I think they may be gone by now. The grapes, anyway. Little fingers love to sneak a few when Mama’s not looking.”

Eliza murmured something to Sarah and Marcus headed to the kitchen. It didn’t take him long to scrounge up a meal, with no cans included or necessary. A quick glance into the refrigerator brought him cheese, bread and the package of hot dogs Onyx had requested. It made him happy to make that little girl smile.

There were a few apples left in the basket on the table. Not enough for everyone to have one, but he could cut them into slices with a paring knife.

Rummaging through the pantry for the goodies for the s’mores, he stumbled across a picnic basket. He looked inside and discovered a red-checked tablecloth and plastic plates, cups and utensils. Perfect. An idea of how to make the adventure more fun for everyone popped fully formed into his mind.

Grinning, he packed his stash in the basket, including a bottle of sparkling cider and a couple of large wooden skewers that would be just right for cooking hot dogs over an open flame.

“Anyone up for a picnic?” he called as he entered the living room. “I’ve got hot dogs. And fixings for s’mores.”

“I am, I am,” Onyx exclaimed. It seemed to Marcus that once the child started talking, she had two volumes—loud and louder. He liked everything about her. She was the cutest little thing he’d ever seen. Well, maybe after her mother.

He glanced at Sarah, who mouthed a silent, “Thank you.” He grinned and nodded. It was his pleasure. Truly.

While Marcus assisted Onyx in cooking her hot dog over the fire, Sarah laid out all the goodies on the red-checked tablecloth, which she spread across the floor in front of the coffee table. She even lit a couple of fragrant green pillar candles that filled the room with the pleasant scent of pine trees. Fitting, considering where they were.

Carl offered a blessing, and conversation hummed as they shared their simple meal together. Carl and Eliza were full of stories about the Christmas tree farm. They spoke of their love for the guests who visited with such nostalgia it put an ache in Marcus’s heart. Clearly they weren’t running the business this year. Justin’s death had hit them all hard. They were good people. He wished there was some way he could bring some joy back into their lives.

Sarah regaled him with some crazy antics involving the reindeer, Snort and Crash. Onyx loved the horses and riding in the sleigh.

Marcus swallowed around the lump in his throat when he realized he was here to take the horses away. What kind of Christmas present was that?

No. He couldn’t do that to the little girl, or to her mama. He wouldn’t. He’d call up Grandma Sheryl as soon as his cell phone service turned back on and tell her he was leaving the Percherons right where they were. He’d pay her back with his own money and purchase another team of draft horses for Grandma, if it came to that.

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