by Marie Force
“Your folks must be on pins and needles,” Linc said to Gavin.
“They can’t wait to meet her,” Gav said, his gaze fixed on his fiancée and daughter. “They’re so excited.”
Bob and Amelia Guthrie had been part of the Abbott family for a long time, since Hannah married Caleb and made them family.
With rest stops and food breaks figured in, it took seven hours to reach the Vermont border, and a cheer went up inside the bus when they crossed the state line as a light snow fell.
“Ugh,” Molly said. “I hope the snow doesn’t slow us down.”
“It might,” Linc replied, leaning around her to see the snow coming down at a good clip. It was apt to be more significant in the mountains.
Sure enough, the closer they got to home, the slower they had to go to navigate snowy, icy roads.
“Should we stop somewhere?” Molly asked Linc in a soft tone that ensured they wouldn’t be overheard.
“The kids would probably walk to get home if they had to, and knowing our kids, they’d do it.”
“They get that from your people.”
“No way,” Linc said, smiling. “My people are refined city folk who know enough to stay inside when it’s cold. Yours are the mountain people who think it’s fun to go looking for people in a blizzard.”
“For the record,” she said, “that was never me. My father and his brothers and cousins, my brothers, yes. But never me.”
“It’s in your bloodline.”
The friendly bickering helped to keep their minds off the increasingly hazardous weather conditions.
Caden was crying to be let out of his car seat, but Max told him he had to stay put for a little while longer.
Right before they would’ve lost reception in the mountains, Max’s cell phone rang. “It’s Cam. Hey, what’s up?” After listening for a minute, he said, “Sure, I’ll tell them. See you soon.” After he ended the call, Max said, “Cameron and the others are at the barn waiting for us. She said they’ve set up beds for everyone, including you, Gramps, and have Christmas ready to go. They even have a bassinette for baby Sarah. They thought we’d want to be together this year.”
“That’s so wonderful,” Molly said.
“They’ve been busy while we were gone,” Linc said, touched by the efforts the others had gone to in their absence.
“They were busy making sure you’re going to wake up to Christmas morning with your entire family,” Molly said. “How amazing is that?”
“I can’t imagine anything better.”
What should’ve been a twenty-minute ride took two hours in the snow as the bus crept toward home on slick mountain roads. The usually boisterous group was mostly silent as the tension grew. They were used to driving in snow, even blizzards. But they drove four-wheel-drive vehicles designed to navigate mountain roads in the snow. The bus was not equipped for this weather.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t pull off the road?” Molly asked Linc.
“We probably should, but where would we go? Everything is closed, and there’s not a hotel for miles.” Linc wrapped both his hands around hers. “It’ll be okay, honey. Bill’s the best. He’ll get us home safely.” He said what she needed to hear, but his anxiety spiked. Being stranded in a blizzard wasn’t an option, especially with a newborn and two other little ones with them.
Linc didn’t breathe easily until they reached the outer limits of Butler a half hour later. “Home sweet home,” he said to a visibly relieved Molly.
“Thank goodness.”
“Hey, Bill, watch out for a welcoming committee in the form of a very large moose who likes to stand in the middle of the road.”
“On the lookout,” Bill replied.
Linc directed him through town, over the single-lane covered bridge and to the righthand turn that took them onto Hells Peak Road. Finally. Nearly ten hours after they’d left Philly, they were home. Every light was on in the barn, or so it seemed, and the outdoor holiday lights were illuminated.
“I’ve never been so happy to see our formerly falling-down barn where cows used to live,” Molly said.
“Me either.”
Everyone thanked Bill for getting them home safely as they got off the bus and trooped into the warm, welcoming barn where the rest of their loved ones waited.
“Will you be all right getting home, Bill?” Linc asked.
“Sure thing. I only have to go to St. Johnsbury to drop the bus and pick up my car, and then it’s a short way home from there.”
Linc shook his hand. “Thank you again for sacrificing Christmas Eve with your family to drive mine.”
“It was a pleasure, Linc. Merry Christmas to you and yours.”
“Same to you.”
When Linc stepped off the bus, George and Ringo danced around in the driving snow, barking with joy to have him home. As the last one in, Linc noticed coats hanging from every one of the ten hooks in the mudroom, and a feeling of profound peace came over him even as the sound of bedlam echoed through the big barn.
They were used to bedlam around there, so it was only fitting that this Christmas should be a throwback to years past.
In the kitchen, he encountered Hunter in a passionate embrace with Megan and continued past them to the dining room, where Hannah and Nolan were kissing around Callie, who wanted her daddy’s undivided attention after a couple of days without him.
Wade walked by with Mia wrapped around him as he made for the stairs, and Colton had Lucy pressed up against the hallway wall while she giggled madly at something he was saying.
Linc stepped into the family room, where the massive ten-foot Christmas tree they got every year was the focal point, and a huge fire burned in the hearth. Will was on the floor with his arms around Cameron and baby Chase, who was asleep on his mother’s chest. Stella was holding baby Savannah as Lucas reunited with Dani, and Landon hugged Amanda.
Ella was already on the sofa, covered with a blanket as she nursed Sarah with Gavin seated right beside her in case they needed anything.
“You don’t have to stay if this is too much for you,” Linc said to them.
Ella looked up at him, her dark eyes bright with joy. “We wouldn’t miss this for anything. And Sarah needs to get used to the chaos she’s been born into.”
Linc bent to kiss his daughter’s cheek. “It wouldn’t be the same without your little family. Thank you for the gift of baby Sarah. She’s the best Christmas present we could’ve hoped for.”
Charley sat on Tyler’s lap, his arms around her, her head on his chest, seeming relieved to be back with him.
Linc loved them together. Tyler’s low-key personality was perfect for his delightfully complicated daughter.
“We have a ton of food ready,” Cam told Linc. “Are you hungry?”
“I could eat something.”
“We’re ready for you,” his daughter-in-law said with a warm smile. “And we all want to know how you’re doing.”
“I’m good. The trip went well. I made some peace with the past and came home with a new granddaughter to a house full of love. What more could I need?”
“We thought you might like to have everyone here this year,” Cam said.
“You thought exactly right. I can’t imagine anything better than this.”
“They even brought all the cars home from the store,” Will said. “They thought of everything.”
“We didn’t want you to have to think about anything other than enjoying the holiday,” Cam said. “It was the least we could do for the family that’s done so much for us.”
Linc squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.”
—John Lennon
Wade carried Mia into the former linen closet that he’d turned into a bedroom for himself so he could escape the madness of life in the barn when he’d still lived at home. He kicked the door closed behind them, put her down on the narrow twin bed an
d returned to the door to lock it, leaving nothing to chance after being without his love for six endless days.
He stretched out next to her and brought her in for another sweet kiss. “We’re never doing this again.”
“Doing what?”
“Spending six days apart.”
“It was brutal. I wandered around aimlessly from the time I got home until Cameron called to tell me the plan to get Christmas ready here.”
“That was a really nice thing you all did for my dad.”
“It was all her idea, and selfishly, I was glad to have something to do other than go crazy from missing you.”
“I’m secretly glad that you felt as crazy as I did.”
“It was bad. What does that say about us?”
“That we know a good thing when we’ve got it.” He wrapped his arms around her and held on tight. “I can’t believe it’s already been almost a year since you showed up half frozen on my doorstep and asked me to marry you.”
“Best thing I ever did.”
“Best thing I ever did was say yes to you.”
Their kisses became more desperate as they pulled at clothes until they were naked and he hovered above her, dying for her.
She reached for him, wrapped her arms and legs around him and sighed with pleasure as he joined their bodies.
“Yes,” he whispered against her neck. “That’s what I needed.”
“Me, too. I can’t remember how I ever lived without you.”
They rarely talked anymore about the years they’d spent aching for each other, but the reminder of what they’d been through never failed to stir deep feelings of gratitude for what they had now.
“It was pure torture, knowing you were out there but so far out of reach.”
She hugged him close to her, surrounding him in the kind of love he’d never dreamed possible until he’d found her.
They moved together like a well-choreographed dance team, their bodies straining for the release they craved until it rolled over them in waves of pleasure so intense, it took his breath away.
“Welcome home,” she said with a giggle that made him smile.
“Best welcome-home I’ve ever gotten.”
“She should be in bed,” Nolan said of Callie, who was running around with Caden, the two of them acting like they’d been shot full of jet fuel.
“We need to let them burn some energy from being cooped up all day,” Hannah said, “or they’ll never sleep.”
They sat on the floor in front of the fire, keeping an eye on their daughter and her cousin, who weren’t showing any signs of winding down.
Homer Junior was curled up on Hannah’s lap, as relieved to have her home as Nolan was.
Nolan put his arm around Hannah and brought her in closer to him. “My baby mama needs some rest. You look tired.”
“I know! I hate that.”
Nolan kissed both her cheeks. “You’re beautiful, but I don’t want you getting run down.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, thankful to be back with him in time for Christmas. For a while there, she’d worried they wouldn’t be able to get home in the storm. “How’s my baby Dexter?”
“He’s been a sad sack without you, just like me, Fred and Homie. I tried to tell them we should enjoy our rare boys-only time, but they weren’t having it.”
“Is Dude taking care of him while we’re here?”
“Yep. Skeeter said not to worry about a thing. They’d take the snowmobiles over to feed him and let him out. I told Skeeter if I find giant piles of moose poop in my house, he’s fired.”
Hannah giggled at that. “He’d never poop in my house.”
“He’d better not, or he’s gone.”
“Stop it. You know you love him as much as I do.”
“I do not. My problem is that I love you enough to let you convince me to allow a wild animal to live in our home.”
“He’s not a wild animal. He’s our little boy.”
“You’re off your rocker, as always.”
“That’s how you like me.”
“Wouldn’t have you any other way, but the moose poop is a deal breaker.”
“That’s good to know,” she said, yawning.
“Linc, would you please watch our wild child while I put the moose whisperer to bed?” Nolan asked.
“Yep, I’ve got her.”
“I’m here, too,” Max said.
“Be right back,” Nolan said as he helped Hannah up and led her toward the stairs, where he steered her up with his hands on her hips.
Hannah was so tired, she offered no resistance. “You’ll get Callie to bed?”
“I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry.”
“K.”
Nolan helped her change into the flannel pajamas she preferred in the winter and even went so far as to put toothpaste on her toothbrush for her before walking her back into their room and tucking her in under a down comforter.
It was all she could do to keep her eyes open long enough to kiss him good night. “Sorry to be so sleepy.”
“Don’t be sorry.”
“Missed you so much when we were gone.”
“Missed you like crazy. The boys and I agreed that nothing is fun without our girls.” He kissed her and leaned his forehead against hers. “Get some sleep, sweetheart.”
“Want to snuggle with you.”
“We’ll do that tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Hannah fell asleep with a smile on her face.
“I can’t believe you organized this for us,” Will said to Cameron, who had Chase sleeping in her arms.
“I thought your dad might enjoy having everyone together for Christmas.”
“You thought right, and I just want to point out that as someone who grew up as an only child, you’ve completely conquered the big-family dynamic.”
“You really think so?”
“Hell yes. We all think so. Look at what you did here, babe. You found a way for all of us to spend Christmas Eve together.”
“Thanks,” she said, seeming pleased by the praise.
The glow of the firelight on her pretty face made him want her so fiercely. Speaking close to her ear, he said, “Let’s go to bed.”
“I’m ready.”
He took Chase from her, held him with one arm and reached for her with his free hand to help her up. “We’ll see you in the morning,” Will said to the others as he took his family to bed.
“Sleep well, guys,” Linc said. “And, Cam… Thank you again.”
“My pleasure.”
With his hand on her lower back, Will guided his wife to the stairs and followed her up. He settled Chase in the portable crib in the corner, swept his fingers over the baby’s soft blond hair and left him to sleep, knowing he’d be up early.
Will stripped down to boxers and crawled into bed with Cameron, so relieved to be back with her and Chase. “That ride home was nerve-racking. I was so afraid we weren’t going to get here for Christmas.”
“We were so worried. We had a lot of loved ones on that bus.”
He released a deep sigh and then inhaled the distinctive scent of his love. “I missed you and Chase so much.”
“We missed you, too. It was only two nights, but it felt like two weeks.”
“I know. We all said that. I’m really glad we went, but I’m super glad to be home.”
“Your dad seems good.”
“He does. I think it gave him some peace of mind to have his dad tell him he was wrong to do what he did and that he regrets it.”
“That must’ve been nice to hear.”
“I’m sure it was, but it’s just so freaking sad and pointless when you really think about it.”
“I was thinking about it while you were gone, and I wonder if losing his older son did something to him, made him desperate to hold on to the others or something.”
“From what Dad said, that’s pretty much what happened. Who knows wha
t that kind of loss does to people?”
She shuddered. “God, I hope we never find out.”
“Me, too.”
After a pause, she said, “You know, I saw it in my own dad, how much my mother’s sudden death affected him and how he raised me at arm’s length, almost as if he was afraid to care too much about me out of fear he could lose me, too. Grief does strange things to people.”
“You’re right. It does for sure. I suppose all that matters is that my dad and his father had the chance to make peace before he dies.”
“Your dad is better off for having done that. I really believe that.”
“Speaking of dads, yours is still coming this week, right?”
“Yep. They’re in Florida with Mary’s parents for Christmas and coming here for New Year’s.”
“That's good. I’m looking forward to seeing them.”
“I am, too. He won’t believe how big Chase has gotten since they were here in October.” She yawned and snuggled into his chest. “I’m so tired.”
“Pulling off Christmas for twenty-six people is exhausting.”
“I had a ton of help, and it’s going to be closer to forty. Gavin’s parents, Dani’s parents, Hannah and Ray are coming tomorrow, and so are Gray, Emma and Simone. We also invited Dude, Skeeter and Mildred to come for dinner.”
“This barn is gonna rock this Christmas.”
“It sure is. I can’t wait. The sitcom families I used to watch growing up had nothing on the Abbotts.”
“The Abbotts are better for having Cameron Murphy around, especially this Abbott. I love you so much.”
“Love you, too.”
“How soon can we go to bed?” Landon asked Amanda, his lips close to her ear so he couldn’t be overheard.
“Not until Stella does.”
“When will that be?”
She turned to look at him, seated behind her on a chaise. “What’s your hurry, cowboy?”