A powdery snow was dancing in the chilly air as the three brothers jogtrotted into the barnyard.
“Boy Howdy! It’s sure feels good to be back home,” Heath enthused as he gracefully dismounted his horse.
“You’ve said, Little Brother,” Nick replied as he steered Coco into the stable with a click of the tongue.
Heath and Jarrod followed with Charger and Jingo. They handed the reins over to Nick before heading back out to get the stallions.
“I’m mite grateful for Erin’s new family. These people seem real nice,” Heath commented as he steered the two stallions into the barn.
“They certainly are, Brother Heath,” Jarrod agreed, following Heath into the barn with the third stallion. “I don’t foresee any problem with making the adoption legal.”
Nick came out of Charger’s stall. “What are you two babbling about?”
“We were just saying how happy we were for little Erin finding a new home,” Heath said.
“Yeah,” Nick said with a tinge of melancholia. “But most of all, I thank the O mighty for sparing your life.” He heaved a shuddering breath and put his hand on Heath’s shoulder, giving it a light tug. “It was close.”
Jarrod echoed Nick’s gratefulness by tapping Heath on the shoulder. “Amen to that.”
Heath cracked a lopsided grin. “Glad to still be here. It was a rough road. I never thought I’d make it through.”
“Argggg!” Nick pulled Heath into a brotherly neck grip. “Come on, let’s sneak through the back door and steal some of Silas’s cookies,” he proposed eagerly with a mischievous expression.
The three brothers laced their arms around each other’s shoulders as they marched toward the house. The stopped at the kitchen door and glued their noses to the window to see if the coast was clear. Nick carefully opened the door, taking heed not to make the hinges squeak.
With saucer-wide eyes, they spotted the freshly baked cookies on a platter by the counter. They each reached for one and sank their teeth into it. They closed their eyes as they savored the taste that lingered on their palates.
“Boy Howdy! I died and gone to heaven. These cookies are delicious.”
“Mighty good,” Nick added.
“Silas really outdone himself this year,” Jarrod commented.
“Thank you. I baked them myself,” Audra announced with delight as she watched her three brothers enjoy her first successful baking attempt.
Nick choked. Heath and Jarrod tapped him distractedly on the back as their stared at Audra in bewilderment. “You baked these?” Nick bellowed between coughs.
“Yes I did!” she snorted, fists on hips in a defiant stance. “Well? I heard you say they were good. I recall Heath saying they were delicious.”
“They are, sis. Mighty delicious,” Heath agreed, eating the last morsel to attach credence to his statement.
“Thank you, Heath.”
“I have to agree with Brother Heath. They are simply delectable,” Jarrod said, finishing his cookie.
“Ah well!” Nick grouched, flinging his arm in the air before he flashed an approving grin at his sister.
As they each reached for another cookie, Audra was quick to slap the back of their hands. “Hands off! It’s for Christmas supper,” she scolded, taking the platter away from those hungry eyes.
“Where’s Mother?” Heath asked.
“In the living room. We have guests. Come,” she clasped Heath’s hand, “we’ll introduce you.”
All three followed Audra into the living room where Victoria was sitting in the charming company of an old friend of Tom’s, Thaddeus Higgins, and his three young alluring daughters, Abigail, Nora and Sally.
Abigail was 30, medium height, short dark brown hair and piercing green eyes. She ensnared Jarrod at first glance. He was utterly mesmerized. Events appeared in slow motion as he extended his arm to shake her hand upon introduction.
Nora was 27, tall and slender, brown eyes and light brown curly hair going down to her waist. Nick was her prey, caught in a bear trap, unable to move an inch as she slowly stepped up to him to shake his hand.
Heath’s fetching blues twinkled at the sight of the enthrallingly beautiful, blue-eyed, fair-haired twenty-four-year-old shy Sally. Like Heath, she buried her head in her chin when Victoria introduced her to her handsome son. She dared not gaze into his angel eyes, afraid to get lost and not being able to come back down to earth.
“Boys, the Higgins have agreed to join us for Christmas supper tonight. I’ve invited them to stay at the ranch during the holidays before they head back East.”
All three nodded their approval at their mother. Hard as they tried, they were unable to wipe the permanent grin on their faces.
“Boys, why don’t you go upstairs and wash up. Afterwards, you can begin to trim the tree,” Victoria suggested to allow her sons to recompose themselves after the shock.
“We’ll help you, if you want?” Nora offered with an ebullient enthusiasm.
“That’s a good idea,” Nick agreed, ogling the pretty girl.
Heath, Nick and Jarrod slouched out of the living room, glancing back at the girls who like them, could hardly peel their eyes off their suitors.
Up the stairs, they stopped. Nick put a hand on both brothers’ shoulders. “Help me, I’m falling,” he joked. “God they sure are a sight for sore eyes, especially that Nora. She’s got the hots for me.”
“You can have her. Sally’s the one for me,” Heath mused with eyes beaming.
“Then I guess that leaves Abigail for me,” Jarrod surmised with a wink that spoke volume.
Nick guffawed.
“Shuuuuuu,” Heath admonished. “They’ll hear you.”
“I don’t care. I’m in love!” Nick gripped Heath by the neck and planted a smack on his forehead.
“Aw Nick!” Heath chided, wiping his brow with the back of his hand in utter disgust.
“That’s the best Christmas present a guy could ever have.”
“Let’s go spruce ourselves up for our ladies,” Jarrod urged on.
“Right behind you.”
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