All I Want for Christmas: A Kinnison Legacy Holiday novella Read online

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, Liberty swiped the tears from her cheeks and walked to meet the two. She brushed her hand over Cody’s angel fine hair.

  Ellie joined them. “Here’s his backpack,” she told Liberty, then motioned her aside to speak privately. “The judge accepted Mrs. Conner’s recommendation that Cody be placed in temporary custody with the two of you.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful news. Isn’t that the woman from Social Services who stopped by our house that day?”

  Ellie smiled. “Yes, and apparently she was quite impressed with you both. She gave the judge her report from that day. It should go a long way in helping the judge to decide on permanent custody.”

  “And Rowena? There’s no other family?” Liberty asked.

  “None that has shown up thus far.” She shrugged. “The aunt up north she spoke of wasn’t real. It’s very sad. I wish I could have done more to help her.”

  Liberty took Ellie’s hand. “You did the best you could, Ellie. You always do. No one could have predicted this would happen.”

  “I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

  Liberty watched Rein speaking quietly to the child. “Cody’s going to need some special help, I think, to get over this. What a horrific thing to experience.”

  “For an adult or child.” She glanced at Cody, who had a death grip around Rein’s neck. “We’ve arranged for counselors to come in and speak with everyone at the house. And we’re revisiting our security policies. We just can’t have this happen again.” She looked at Liberty and squeezed her hand. “But today is Christmas Eve, and I think we should enjoy and be thankful for those around us.” She glanced toward Angelique and the baby she held. “If I’m lucky, I’ll get to hold Sawyer a few minutes before his daddy comes back. It’s tough prying that little one away from Dalton.”

  “Agreed,” Liberty said, and pulled the woman into a warm hug. “Merry Christmas, Ellie.”

  “Merry Christmas, Liberty, and thank you, both, for all you’ve done.”

  Liberty’s phone buzzed in her back pocket. She peeked at the number. It was a call she’d been waiting for. Turning to face the cathedral windows, she looked out on the blanket of fresh snow. In the distance, she saw Michael Greyfeather bringing the sleigh across the field. “Hello, Dr. Stephens. Merry Christmas, and thank you for taking such good care of my brother, Wyatt in the ER the other night. We all appreciate what you did.” She paused taking a fortifying breath. “About my tests. Do you have some news for me?”

  “I do,” he said. “And provided you abide by a few staunch rules, young lady, I think you’re going to be able to carry this one to term.”

  She bit her lip to keep from squealing. “You’re sure?”

  “As sure as I can be, Liberty. Things can and do happen. I don’t need to tell you that. But based on the fact that you’re already almost to your second trimester, I’d say things are looking very good.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Stephens. This is a wonderful Christmas gift for both Rein and me.”

  “Don’t thank me just yet, Liberty. I want to put you on a strict regimen of plenty of water, rest, and getting enough protein in your diet. If you don’t, I’ll have to sic my nurses on you, and trust me, they make a New York fishwife seem docile.”

  She smiled. “I understand.”

  A movement outside caught her eye, and a snowy owl landed on the corner of the deck railing. Its great yellow eyes blinked at her. She grinned and placed her hand on the cool glass, watching as the great bird flew off into the tall pine forest.

  She sniffed and turned to find Rein. Their gazes met across the room. He pointed at Cody and sat him on the ottoman beside Emilee. He tossed her a wink as Emilee looked over her shoulder and placed her arm around Cody, tucking him in as they waited for Wyatt to read the story. Rein skirted around the edge of the room, ducking into the one of the bedrooms down the hall to transform into Santa with the help of Jed’s suit. She swallowed the lump that had formed suddenly in her throat. There was so much to be grateful for.

  Though the week had been riddled with sorrow—three lives lost in senseless violence, a young boy orphaned, the lives of others changed forever—somehow, someway, the world righted itself again. Love found a way through the worst of situations. “I’m fine, Dr. Stephens. Truly, I have all I want for Christmas… and so much more.”

  “That’s true for all of us. On that note, I will bid you Merry Christmas and see the both of you next Tuesday,” he said.

  “We’ll be there.”

  Sometime later, after the guests had gone and the remaining family had been bedded down for the night awaiting Christmas morning, Liberty stood with Rein in his old room as he prepared to retire the suit for another year. “Santa, have you got a minute? I didn’t get to tell you what I wanted for Christmas.”

  He grinned and pulled her onto his lap as he sat in the overstuffed reading chair he’d made. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Well, now Miss Liberty Belle,” Rein said in his best Santa voice. “Have you been a good little girl this year?”

  She leaned down and whispered in his ear. “You know I have, Santa.”

  Affirmation flickered in Rein’s blue eyes. He cleared his throat. “And what would you like for Christmas?” he asked, his gaze holding hers.

  “All I want for Christmas this year is my husband, and our lovely boy, Cody.” She paused as if in thought. “Oh, and a newly designed nursery where my husband’s office used to be.”

  He pulled off the fake beard, wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, and drew her into a soft, thorough kiss. “Already thinking of some ideas.” He grinned, searching her eyes as she backed away.

  Liberty eyed him, realizing then that her secret had been revealed. “She told you.”

  Rein kissed her again. “About ten seconds after you left the couch to talk with Ellie.” He pulled her into his arms. “Don’t be upset, sweetheart. Everyone already knows. I’m pretty sure Aimee’s already planning a shower.”

  “Seriously, can’t there be any surprises in this family?” Liberty stood, planting her hands on her hips.

  Rein grinned and held out his hand. “Hey, you want a surprise?”

  She eyed him warily. “Should I lock the door?”

  He stood. “Probably.”

  He pulled out his cell phone and, after a moment, laid it on the nightstand. He guided Liberty to the edge of the bed and stood in front of her. The music began, and Liberty recognized the chords of Mariah Carey’s rendition of one of her favorite songs, “All I Want for Christmas.”

  “I don’t need a lot this Christmas,” Rein crooned as he began to remove the Santa suit.

  Liberty shook her head and tried not to laugh. So some of the words were questionable. The intent was right. Apparently, surprises were still alive and well in End of the Line. “Is that a candy cane in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?” she asked with a wry grin.

  “But there is something I need.” Clearly on a roll, he pulled the Velcro closure open with one yank and tossed the coat aside, revealing suspenders over his sleeveless muscle shirt.

  “Are you seriously stripping for me?” she asked, tugging at one of the suspenders.

  He offered a wicked grin. “Turnabout is fair play,” he said, referring to a time when he’d asked the same from her during their torrid summer affair. “You wanted a surprise. I aim to give the lady what she wants.” He danced and offered some seriously tantalizing moves through to the next chorus—piece by piece, leaving all notions of Santa on the floor. “All I want for Christmas,” he sang, turning to face her without a stitch, and pointed at her with more than just his fingers.

  She raised her brow. “Hell, yeah, you can surprise me anytime, cowboy.”

  And he did. More than once.

  Dear Reader,

  I loved revisiting End of the line, especially at my favorite time of the year—Christmas! There is so much community
spirit, traditions that remind me of my own small-town upbringing, which I am able now to appreciate so much more than I did when I was young. There’s more on the horizon for the folks in End of the Line, Montana—new visitors, new generations, and with it new businesses. In celebration of Betty’s new bakery, Sunrise Bakery—I’d like to share one of the special recipes for Christmas that is tradition around our house. These are great for tucking into a tin or gift box and giving out as special gifts during the holiday. (Provided they make it out of the house!)

  Watch for more recipes coming from Betty’s Café and the Sunrise Bakery!

  CRACKLY GINGER COOKIES

  2 cp. sifted flour * 2 tsp. baking soda * 1 tsp. cinnamon * 1 tsp ginger * ½ tsp cloves

  1 tsp salt * ¾ cp. oleo or butter (softened) * 1 cp. white sugar * 1 egg * ¼ cp. dark molasses.

  Sift dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and molasses. Beat with mixer until fluffy. Stir in dry ingredients. Chill (30-40 min) Roll into walnut size balls. Roll in sugar. Bake on greased baking sheet 350 oven for 10 minutes.

  Read more about Rein and Liberty’s tumultuous beginnings in the Kinnison Legacy trilogy. Here is a sneak peek to RUSTLER’S HEART! Enjoy!

  RUSTLERS HEART

  (Book II, Kinnison Legacy)

  Chapter One

  Rein wiped the sawdust on his jeans, grabbed his coffee mug, and took a long swallow. He’d been up since before dawn, starting in on the details left to make the cabin ready by Friday.

  Since Aimee’s arrival at the ranch on a semi-permanent basis, he’d spent more time on the cabins for more reasons than simply giving them privacy. Wyatt had had a sudden change in heart about the project. He’d relinquished hold on his share of the ranch in order to collectively refinance and put more money into permits and materials to build the cabins and ready them for use. They’d given themselves a target date of two years to complete the project. Dalton, Michael Greyfeather and Tyler Janzen from Janzen Plumbing and Heating had come on board to help. That gave Rein the freedom to do what he loved which was to design and build the rustic furniture that would grace the interior of each cabin.

  However, Wyatt’s unexpected news recently of a woman named Liberty who claimed to be their half-sister, punched up the clock for completion of the sample cabin when she stated she needed a place to stay. The idea of having a half-sister hadn’t settled well with Dalton, and frankly Rein questioned why she would suddenly make contact after all of this time. Then again, she was only twenty-one, a kid in most respects, still fishing around to find her place in this world.

  He stood for a moment at the screen door to the backyard and assessed whether there would be time to put in the brick patio he’d planned. The crisp spring air invigorated him. He loved to wake early and watch the sun climb high in the sky as it burned off the heavy mist over the mountains. Last night he lay awake on the cot he’d brought down to the cabin and with the windows open, listened to the sounds of the creek and the forest that had become a part of him. He’d come to the ranch a grieving young man, bitter about the way things had turned out for him, but found serenity and purpose in the ability to use his hands to create something from natures bountiful resources. His Uncle Jed had taught him to give back to the land and to others. For him, it was the force that drove his inspiration to see his uncle’s dream become a reality.

  “I see you couldn’t sleep, either.” Dalton rubbed his eyes and let the screen door slam behind him.

  Rein had just finished shaving down the front door prepared to place it in the frame when he had more help. Dalton spotted the cot set up in the corner of the living room and made a beeline for the coffee maker on the kitchen counter. “All the comforts of home. You may have a roommate soon if those two can’t keep it down.”

  “You’re just in time. Grab those hinges and help me get this up.” He lifted the solid pine door from the sawhorses set up in the middle of the vacant cabin. He was glad he’d chosen to put in a tile floor with the heat conductors beneath. With the three of them hard at work yesterday, they’d managed to accomplish getting the bedrooms, bath, and kitchen ready. Now they only needed Tyler to come in and do his thing with the plumbing. Aimee offered to pick up a few necessities to complete a temporary living arrangement—a few dishes, pots and pans, toaster and other incidentals that she would pick up when she went in to Billings this week for the last fitting of her wedding dress.

  Rein slipped the shims into place and had Dalton hold the door steady while he drilled in the hinges. “You do look a bit haggard this morning, Dal.” Rein smiled.

  Dalton narrowed his bloodshot eyes on him. “We’re going to need to get another cabin ready. Those two are like rabbits… loud rabbits.” He blew out a weary sigh.

  Rein chuckled. Of course, he’d had a good night’s sleep after he chose to come down to the cabin. He couldn’t have been happier to see Wyatt rescued from the self-imposed prison he was in. Aimee had changed him and for the better, but at the same time it sent a ripple of change through all their lives. Dalton as a rule was less receptive to change. He liked continuity, liked for things to be a certain way—in particular, his way. Though Rein knew that Dalton wished nothing but happiness for his brother.

  “I was so damn tired this morning from listening to those two last night that I nearly forgot the new rule of not walking naked through the house.” He scrunched his face and rubbed a hand over his unshaven cheek. “Aimee just about caught me in my all together suit if it hadn’t been for those throw things on the couch.”

  Rein shook his head and laughed. “Okay, let’s see if this works.” Dalton stepped back and Rein opened and shut the door several times to check for fit. He’d get around to adding a lock later. They’d never had any trouble with prowlers of the two-legged variety at the ranch--raccoons, snakes and the occasional curious skunk were the worst offenders.

  Dalton trudged across the room to refill his cup.

  “That about does it. Tyler said he’d be out later today.” Rein flipped a switch and set in motion on an overhead light and fan combination in the middle of the living room ceiling. He studied it and was pleased to see that the balance was correct and the fan blades were nearly silent, even at high speed. He shut the light off and looked at Dalton. “I think we’re ready to haul the furniture up from the workshop.”

  Dalton eyed him. “You really like this, don’t you?” he asked.

  He picked up the broom, swept up the mess of sawdust he’d created, and dumped it into a box of debris ready to burn. “Getting to watch you work your ass off? Nothing makes me happier.” He tossed Dalton a grin and received the finger in return.

  “I mean this whole thing—this project.” Dalton waved his hand over the room.

  Rein shrugged. After he graduated with his business/marketing degree, he returned to the ranch to help by using his expertise, but it was the discovery of his Uncle’s private journal that outlined in specific detail his plans for the ranch that became his inspiration. Reading the journal, he saw himself between the pages and realized the idea was born of Jed’s experience of raising three ‘lost’ boys without a home and no clue where their lives were headed. It was in taking on his Uncle’s vision that Rein began to utilize a love he’d always had of design, and building with his hands. Eventually, it was Wyatt, who suggested that he turn the third section of the multi-car garage into a workshop.

  Rein leaned against the counter and gestured to Dalton with his cup. There was no better smell in the world than fresh coffee and wood shavings. “I just love to build shit. You know that.” He brushed off his comment and blew across his coffee.

  “Yeah, it’s more than that, isn’t it?” Dalton prodded.

  Rein sighed and shrugged his shoulder. “I don’t know, maybe. I’m twenty-nine, I have no kids, no wife or even a prospect of one. I’ve spent most of my life on this ranch. Maybe this is what I can create to leave as my legacy. Besides, from a business standpoint, if we can get this off the ground and rent out these ca
bins, we could put the ranch on the map, as well as improve things for End of the Line. More tourists equal more money, equals more business, equals…”

  “Yeah, I got it.” Dalton sipped his coffee and studied him. “And you think that’s what Jed wanted?”

  Rein shrugged. “His journal kind of intimates it, yeah. He was part of the chamber as you remember. He was always looking for new ideas to help, improve the community. You know that as well as me.”

  Dalton nodded. A short silence stretched between them.

  Rein narrowed his gaze and studied the man who was as close as any blood brother. “You aren’t normally this chatty of a morning. What’s up? I have a feeling you’re leading up to whatever is really bugging you. So let’s get it out, because I haven’t got all day to try to wrestle it out of you.” He knew Dalton’s moods like the back of his hand. Of the two brothers, he’d spent more time with Dalton, especially on business trips. Rein had the book knowledge for running the ranch, while Dalton was a good old boy with a flair for schmoozing the socks off the stingiest buyer. His only downfall was he drank too much. More than once, Rein and Wyatt had had to rescue Dalton from many a late night bar episode, and he realized that his troubled brother was still running from the demons in his past. Rein couldn’t imagine what being abandoned by his mom would do to a kid, but he’d observed the results of in both men he considered older brothers. Wyatt, who’d tried once tried to regain a normal life with a woman he’d fallen in love with was burnt. They accepted his choice to be a recluse that is the persistent school teacher taught him a hard lesson about love. Things were good now and with their wedding around the corner, even better. But Dalton found solace for his past in a bottle and, so far, nothing had been able to pull him away from his rebellious ways. Rein considered himself lucky in some respects, his grief eventually gave way to the realization that for the time he had them on this earth, his parents cared about him, just as Jed had done. Maybe that’s why he felt such a vested interest in seeing this project through. Rein took a wild stab at what his gut sensed was Daltons problem. “This is about Liberty, right?”