by Linda Bridey
“Oh, Tessa,” Sasha said and laughed. “I’m sorry, but that is so amusing. I have never had designs on Dean or any married man. I think he’s a very kind man, and yes, handsome, but I have no feelings for him. So please don’t be worried about that.”
“I’m not now. I trust Dean implicitly. I’m sorry for having thought such a thing about you,” Tessa said.
“Think nothing of it,” Sasha said. Her gray eyes held amusement. “It’s actually a little flattering that you think I’m attractive enough to sway a principled man like your husband.”
Tessa chuckled. “I’m so glad you’re not offended.”
“Not in the least. Would you like some help with making dinner?” Sasha asked.
“Yes. That would be wonderful.”
The sound of hoof beats interrupted them. Owl came through the door and was heartily greeted by everyone.
“I have news,” he said. “Hannah had the baby early this morning! It’s a boy!”
The house erupted in noise as everyone congratulated him and they urged him to give them the details.
“His name is Bobcat because I saw one yesterday and it came quite close to me. It looked at me for the longest time before running away,” Owl said. “Hannah says we can call him Bobby. It is a good name.”
Maddie said, “Bobby Night Sky. I like that. I can’t wait to meet him!”
“So everything went ok?” Dean asked.
Owl nodded and had to look away for a moment as strong emotion gripped him. He had lost his first wife and their five year old son over ten years ago and had been very afraid of something happening during the delivery of his and Hannah’s baby. Maddie hugged him and said, “It’s ok. They’re both all right, Owl.”
He said, “Yes, they are. He has my hair, but I think he will have Hannah’s eyes. He’s beautiful.”
Katie said, “I want to see him!”
Owl smiled as Maddie released him. He knelt next to the child and said, “You will as soon as the weather is a little warmer. Or after Christmas you could come visit him?”
“Yeah!” Katie and D.J. said in unison.
Seth said, “Speakin’ of Christmas, I’d say little Bobby is the best present you could ever get.”
Owl said, “You’re right, Stone Face. He is.” Owl didn’t necessarily believe in the Christian holiday, but he thought that any chance to exchange presents was good. He loved the secrecy and the joy of opening the presents.
“I wonder when Jamie will have their baby,” Tessa said. “She’s due anytime, too.”
“Luke should be along soon,” Dean said. “I told him only to come if everything was ok at home. I’m glad they live fairly close. It gives him a chance to go home and check on her. Plus Lacey has been going over to visit almost every day.”
“That’s good,” Owl said. “I will see you later. I’m going to the camp to tell them about Bobcat. Marcus said the trails are clear now.”
Jack said, “Yeah. We came up one and there wasn’t any trouble.”
Owl nodded. “I am glad that you are both safe now.”
“Thank you,” Sparrow said. “It is good to be home.”
“It’s good to have you home,” Owl said with a smile and went out the door.
Tessa needed some things from the store and Mike volunteered to go get them. Dean was hesitant at first, but Jack interceded on his brother’s behalf.
“C’mon, Pa. Uncle Owl just came that way and there was no trouble. You can’t keep him here forever. He’s gonna be sixteen soon,” Jack said.
“Yeah, Pa. Please let me go. I want to see Jenny Cartwright, too,” Mike said.
Tessa said, “Do you mean Jenny from school?”
“Yeah.”
Dean smiled. “You like this girl?”
“Yep. I’m gonna marry her someday. She just doesn’t know it yet,” Mike said.
They laughed at that and Dean said, “Ok. Go ahead, but don’t be longer than you have to be.”
Mike said, “Thanks, Pa. Mama, where’s the list?”
Tessa took it out of her apron pocket and gave it to him.
“Ok. See ya,” Mike said and hurried out to the barn.
Dean laughed. “How about that? He’s already picked out his wife. Sounds like me and Sarah. So what’s this Jenny like?” he asked Tessa.
Tessa smiled. “She’s in his grade. Hazel eyes, blonde hair. She has a slightly ample figure.”
Seth laughed. “He likes his women with a little more meat on their bones. Nothin’ wrong with that.”
Tessa frowned. “I feel so old. Our children are growing so quickly. Too quickly.”
Jack looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes. “I think Mama’s thinkin’ about having another one.”
“I am not!” Tessa said. “I love all of you, but I think I am done bearing children.”
“If you say so,” Jack said with a yawn. “Damn laudanum.”
“Jack, there are children here,” Tessa warned.
“Oh, sorry. Darn laudanum,” Jack amended as he laid his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes.
Everyone except Sparrow left the room so he could rest. She sat in one of the chairs near the sofa and ended up nodding off herself.
Sparrow was awoken by someone shaking her. She opened her eyes and saw Katie standing by her.
“Supper is ready,” Katie said with a smile.
Sparrow reached out and enfolded the child in her arms. “Ok. I remember when you were little. You grew so much.” She kissed Katie who hugged her back.
“I liked it when you played with us at the camp,” Katie said. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too. Now we can play all sorts of games again,” Sparrow said.
“Yeah. Go wash up. I’ll wake up Jack,” Katie said.
Sparrow smiled. Katie sounded a lot like Dean, which made sense since the girl thought the sun rose and set in her father. “Ok.” Sparrow said.
Katie crawled up on Jack and kissed his cheek. She adored her big brother almost as much as her father. “Time for supper, Jackson.” She liked his full name and used it often.
Jack heard her and struggled to wake up. He put his arms around her and said, “Give me five minutes, ok?”
Katie laughed and said, “I can’t stay here.”
“Sure you can,” Jack said and held her tighter.
“No, I can’t,” Katie argued. “I have to go to the outhouse.”
Jack released her and said, “Well, that’s a different story then.”
Katie was careful of Jack’s leg as she slid back onto the floor. She ran off and Jack pulled himself up into a sitting position. The smell of food turned his stomach. Sparrow came in to see if he was hungry.
“I just can’t eat, honey,” he said. “I feel bad because they cooked a good meal, but I can’t put anything down there except maybe some tea.”
Sparrow ran a hand through his hair and kissed him. “It’s ok. I’ll make you some.”
Jack encircled her waist and pressed his head against her. “I could sleep just like this.”
Sparrow laughed and Jack liked the way it sounded in his ear. “Well, I’m not standing here like this all night.”
“Ok. Go ahead,” Jack said and sat back against the sofa again.
Sparrow smiled and went to make his tea.
Mike returned just as supper was starting. He gave Tessa the items she’d wanted, but kept one of the bags.
When Tessa looked at him, Mike said, “It’s for Christmas. Pa, after breakfast tomorrow, we gotta go get a tree. I know where there are some good ones.” He ran upstairs to his room before Dean could answer.
Jack came hobbling out to the kitchen with Sparrow following him closely. “That’s right, Pa. We need a tree.”
Maddie said, “Yes, and we have some decorations from last year, but we’ll have to string more popcorn.”
“I can help with that,” Jack said. “I can’t help with the tree, but I can do that.”
Suddenly they all
began deciding who would help with what and supper became a festive affair as they became excited about the holiday. Jack told Sparrow funny stories about Christmases when he was growing up and she laughed until she had tears in her eyes.
When supper was over with, Sparrow helped Jack get settled again. It had felt good to Jack to sit up for a while, but his leg was complaining loudly by this point and he was ready for more laudanum. It wasn’t long until he was out of it and it didn’t matter that the family was gathered together in the parlor for the evening because his slumber was so deep. Jack never woke up until sometime after midnight and he was disoriented in the darkened room. He looked around and saw that Sparrow was asleep on the floor next to him. Frowning, Jack shook her a little. Sparrow lifted her head and looked at him.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Jack said. “Come here. Why are you on the floor? You should be in a bed somewhere.”
“I didn’t want to leave you. Also, I sleep on the floor all the time, remember?” she said as she got up and carefully lay down with him on the sofa.
Jack smiled. “Yeah, I remember. I don’t know why it doesn’t bother me when we’re in camp, but it does when we’re here. Doesn’t make sense, does it?” He kissed the top of her head as she laid her head on his chest.
“Sort of. If we’re here, it seems like we should sleep in a bed, but we never have beds at camp so we can’t sleep in one,” Sparrow said and laughed softly as she heard how illogical and yet logical her statement was.
Jack chuckled. “I agree. Mmm. This is nice.” He tightened his arms around her a little.
“It’s Christmas Eve.”
“Yeah, it is. So what did you get me for Christmas?” Jack asked.
“I don’t have anything for you. When did I have time to shop?” Sparrow said.
“Sure you do,” Jack said. “You’re the present, Sparrow. That’s all I need or want.”
His statement brought her such happiness. “You’re my present, too, Jack. As long as I have you, nothing else matters.”
“Mmm hmm,” Jack said as he became sleepy again.
Sparrow smiled as she knew he was about to nod off again. She snuggled closer and let sleep claim her, too.
Chapter Fifteen
Dean and Tessa sat out at the kitchen table early the next morning drinking coffee. It was quiet because no one else was up yet. They always enjoyed the quiet time together before things became busy. Dean started chuckling and Tessa looked at him.
“What?” she asked.
“I don’t know what we’re gonna do when that sofa finally goes. It’s been used hard by a lot of people,” Dean said.
“It’s very comfortable,” Tessa said. “Even when you’re sleeping two in it like right now.”
They’d found Sparrow and Jack curled up together on the sofa and had smiled at each other over it.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to get rid of it. I’ll put it out in the barn and cover it,” Dean said. “It’s one of those things that you just can’t let go. Too many memories.”
“Well, that’s not for a long time, so don’t worry about it,” Tessa said. “It’s going to be a busy day.”
Dean nodded. “Yeah. We gotta get that tree. At least we know where it’s going. Seth is going to get one for them. I love the scent of pine.”
“I know you do.”
Mike had crept downstairs and sat on the stairs just listening to his parents. He sometimes did that. He smiled over some of the things they said. Their easy conversation told him how comfortable they were together. He could hear the love in their voices when they talked about their children and spoke of their love for one another.
He only ever listened for about five minutes or so before announcing his presence. It was rude to eavesdrop, but he liked to hear them talk for just a little bit.
Mike stood up and went into the kitchen. He poured some coffee and sat at the table with them. Tessa smiled at him.
“Good morning, Mike. Drinking coffee now are we?” she said.
He said, “Good morning, Mama, Pa. Yeah. I like it black.”
“Just like Seth,” Dean said. “You’re growin’ up too fast, Mike. You’re interested in girls, you’re a genius, halfway to being a doctor, and now you’re drinkin’ coffee.”
Tessa ran a hand over his hair and sighed.
“It’s ok, Mama. I’ll always be your little boy,” Mike said.
“I’m glad of that,” she said.
“When’s breakfast?” he asked. “I’m hungry. We gotta get that tree, Pa.”
Dean said, “Don’t I know it.”
Mike wasn’t the only one who listened to Tessa and Dean. Sparrow and Jack had woken and were doing the same thing.
Jack whispered to her, “Pa’s right. Mikey’s really growing up now. I didn’t know he was sweet on Jenny. Isn’t that somethin’?”
Sparrow nodded against his chest. “I know. He’s so cute.”
“Yeah. I just wish he wouldn’t keep stuff so close to the vest, though. I don’t like it that he felt he had to,” Jack said.
“Some people are just more private than others,” Sparrow said.
“Speaking of privacy…” Jack pulled the blanket up over their heads and kissed her. When they parted, he said, “Good morning, my little bird.”
“Good morning, deputy,” Sparrow said with a smile. “I like your badge.”
Jack said, “You do?”
“Yes. You wear it well,” Sparrow said.
“Thank you. I’ll remember that. So you’re gonna be able to handle being married to a lawman?” Jack said.
“As long as the lawman is you, yes,” Sparrow said.
“Good.”
They shared another kiss and then got up.
The day began at that point and grew more chaotic as it went along. In midmorning, Luke and Jamie arrived with their three-year-old daughter Rosie who had Jamie’s auburn hair and Luke’s big brown eyes. She was a little shy like her pa, but after some coaxing from the twins, she went out to play in the snow with them.
Dean, Mike, and Seth came back with two beautiful trees that were quickly put up. The children had a wonderful time helping decorate the two trees. Jack had helped string popcorn as promised and had even cooked a little since he could stand on his good leg for a while. His injured leg felt a little better and he held off on taking pain medicine as long as possible.
Around one o’clock that afternoon, jingle bells sounded in the lane and Joe and Lacey Dwyer appeared in Joe’s sleigh. His trusty Standardbreds, King and Rook pulled the vehicle with ease. As soon as Dean had heard the bells, he told Mike to go into the parlor and not to come out. Mike protested at first, but then did as he was asked.
Everyone went out to greet the couple and little Emily. Emily was five now and full of herself. She jumped out of the sleigh and joined the other kids. She talked a mile a minute and there was a slight Texas accent to her voice, something she’d picked up from hearing Joe so much.
“Merry Christmas, folks,” Joe said. “You’re all lookin’ well. Except for Hop-a-long over there.”
Jack laughed. “Yeah, but it gets me out of work, so there’s an upside I guess.”
Lacey said, “I’m sure they’ll put you to work doing something.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Jack said.
Dean wasn’t paying much attention to the conversation. He was instead looking at the three-year-old Thoroughbred colt that had been trotting along behind the sleigh. He was a beautiful creature. Dean had approached him with caution, but the colt was curious and friendly as he nuzzled Dean’s chest.
His black coat shone with good health and his lines were clean. Power and grace were evident in his movements. A white blaze extended from his forehead to his nose and he sported four white stockings.
“Joe, he’s beautiful,” Dean said. “And he’s well broke and trained?”
Joe had come back to watch Dean look the horse over. He didn’t an
swer Dean; he simply untied the colt and let the lead rope drop to the ground. Joe made a hand signal to the colt and he knelt on one leg. Joe gave him another signal and the colt got up again. Joe gave him a sugar cube. Joe whistled and the colt whinnied loudly. Joe just stared at Dean pointedly.
Dean grinned. “I guess so. He’s gonna love him. What’s his name?”
“Duncan,” Joe said.
“He’s almost sixteen hands so he won’t outgrow him like he did Shadow,” Dean said. “Tessa, go get him, please?”
Tessa was excited as she ran inside to the parlor. “Ok, Michael. You need to close your eyes and let me lead you. All right?”
Mike said, “Ok. They’re closed.”
“Keep them closed, mister,” Tessa said.
She guided Mike outside and around to where Dean had led the colt. All of the kids had been instructed to stay quiet. She positioned him in front of the colt and Duncan sniffed Mike’s hair and whickered. Mike instinctively put out his hand and Duncan lipped it a little.
“Open your eyes, Michael,” Tessa said.
When Mike did, standing before him was the most beautiful horse he’d ever seen.
Dean said, “Merry Christmas, Mike.”
Mike gave Dean an incredulous look. “You mean he’s mine?”
Tessa said, “Yes, he’s yours.”
Mike would have let out a whoop, but he didn’t want to scare the colt. Instead he laughed and hugged Duncan who whickered again. Mike was his father’s son when it came to horses and began running his hands over Duncan.
Joe said, “Owl and Marcus took turns training him to ride Indian style. Try him out, Mike.”
Mike took off Duncan’s halter and let it drop to the ground. He spoke to Duncan in Lakota and the colt’s ears flicked back and forth at the familiar command. Mike backed up and ran at the colt who stood still as Mike grabbed his mane and hauled himself onboard. The boy landed lightly and put Duncan through some simple steps before turning Duncan up the lane and setting the colt free.
Seth said, “Look at the speed that thing already has even though he just took off.”
Tessa said, “He doesn’t have a coat on. I forgot to have him put a coat on.”