McGavin Brothers 13 - A Cowboy's Holiday

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “Why no cousins?”

  “My mom was an only child. And my dad’s brother never had kids.” He reached the outskirts of town and slowed as he cruised down Main Street, which was dressed up like Christmas Town, USA. The old-fashioned lampposts were decorated with holly and red bows, the storefronts all had wreaths and garlands, and larger garlands hung at intervals across the street.

  “Eagles Nest is so pretty decorated like this, especially at night.”

  “Yeah, the town council does a terrific job.”

  She turned toward him. “You mentioned your dad has a brother?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Uncle Brendan.”

  “Have I met him? I confess I might have forgotten if I did.”

  “You haven’t met him. He didn’t make it to the wedding, and my dad said he was bummed about that, but it couldn’t be helped.”

  “What does he do?”

  “He’s a wrangler on a guest ranch in Australia. Or jackaroo, I should say.”

  “No wonder I haven’t met him.”

  “He’d arranged time off to attend the wedding, but a couple of people came down sick and they needed him. They gave him Christmas off, instead.”

  “He sounds like an interesting guy. Why Australia?”

  “Dad says he saw The Man from Snowy River as a teenager and was hooked on Australia from then on.”

  “Great movie. One of my mom’s favorites. And mine. It didn’t inspire me to head for Australia, but it might have influenced buying the ranch.”

  “I’m sure glad you ended up here instead of Australia.”

  “Me, too. I fall more in love with this area every day.”

  “So do I.” And she was one of the reasons.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  This outing with Pete was the closest Taryn had come to a date in almost two years. And she was liking it a lot. She had no business liking it because she wasn’t going to get involved with him, but she couldn’t shake the date vibe they had going on.

  For the first time since they’d been working together, they were going to a social event. Prior to this they’d either been on a mission to buy a horse or they’d been out picking up supplies for the ranch.

  Sometimes they’d grabbed a quick bite to eat while they’d been away from the ranch, but the dynamic had always been work-focused. Tonight, though, was just for fun.

  “That’s Michael and Roxanne up ahead.” Pete flashed his lights and got a quick horn toot in response. “I wonder who the heck’s minding the Guzzling Grizzly tonight.”

  “Maybe they left Tansy in charge.” The fuchsia-haired bartender had been on duty several times when she and Pete had gone to the GG for lunch. “I’ll bet she could handle things for a couple of hours.”

  “Yeah, she could and they probably did that. Word’s spread about the baby, so nobody will expect the GG to be fully staffed, or Bryce and Nicole to perform like they normally would tonight. Gage is their backup bartender, which is no help in this situation, either.”

  “Sounds like they might need to hire more people who aren’t family.”

  “Right.” As the road curved, Pete glanced in his side-view mirror. “Wes and Ingrid are behind us. Thought that was them. Holy cow. The cars just keep coming around that bend. It’s like a rock concert.”

  She swiveled in her seat. “That’s quite a lineup. Think of the stories everyone will tell this little girl when she’s older. She’ll feel like a princess hearing about this crowd arriving to welcome her into the world.”

  “I’ll bet she’ll feel like a princess long before she’s old enough to understand what happened tonight. It’ll be very good to be Noel Lorraine.”

  “I hope someone’s planning to get a video of this.”

  “With my dad, Faith’s dad and Kendra involved, there will be video. They might even have hired someone.”

  “If they have, I want to locate him or her and get a card. I’m at the point where I need some professional quality shots of Crimson Clouds.”

  “I’ll be on the lookout, too.” He put on his signal and swung the truck onto the Wild Creek Ranch road.

  “I may not book it until after the first of the year, but I—oh, wow. Look at all the little white lights they’ve put up everywhere. The porch, the bushes, the trees, even the barns! It’s like a fairyland.”

  “Sure is. Beautiful. I heard something about lights going up but I haven’t been out here at night recently.” He slowed. “Will you look at that? Ryker’s directing traffic with one of those batons for parking planes at the airport.”

  “That’s funny. Who but a pilot would think of such a thing?”

  “Or have access to one? Works, though. Evidently the family anticipated the need for a parking attendant.” He rolled down his window. “Hey, Ryker. Where do you want me to put my truck?”

  He pointed the baton toward the corral. “Head on down that way. Badger will find you a spot.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Taryn leaned across Pete. “The place looks fabulous, Ryker!”

  “Thank you, ma’am. Gave us something to do while we waited for Miss Noel Lorraine to show up.”

  “See you out by the A-frame, bro.”

  “You bet.” Ryker patted the top of the cab. “It’ll be great.”

  As Pete rolled up his window and drove toward the corral, Taryn let out a happy sigh. “It’s already great. I love that so many people came out. I’m just beginning to realize how close-knit this community is.”

  “I didn’t get it until Fourth of July. That was my first inkling that Eagles Nest was more than a cute little town. Folks here care about each other. A lot.”

  “Yes, they do.” She counted the cars and trucks up by the house, over in front of the barn and next to the corral, where they were headed. “There’s more than fifty vehicles already and they’re still coming. You said there was food involved, but I can’t imagine how Kendra could feed—”

  “Oh, she won’t. You’re probably looking at the biggest potluck you’ve ever seen. If I know my dad, he’s got the fire pit ready to go with the touch of a match, so we can all converge over at the picnic area by the house.”

  “Okay, good. I was trying to imagine how she’d handle this crowd in her house.”

  “She won’t try. Her secret to pulling this off is the Whine and Cheese Club. Those ladies will organize the food that folks brought and set up the serving line. It’ll go like clockwork. They—excuse me. I need to check with Badger.” He rolled down the window again. “Where do I go?”

  “Right next to Michael and Roxanne. I’ll get in front and wave y’all in like you were a 747 cozyin’ up to the jet way.”

  Pete chuckled. “I think I can manage on my—”

  “Not doubtin’ you, Pete, but I have my orders. Miss Kendra wants to keep folks from bangin’ into her fence. But first let me give y’all your kazoos.”

  “Kazoos?” Pete started laughing. “Oh, dear God, my dad’s behind this, isn’t he?”

  “Matter of fact, he is.” Badger handed over two of the small plastic instruments. “How’d you know?”

  “Long story. When are we supposed to play them?”

  “I’m not privy to that intel. But you’d best let me wave y’all in. Traffic’s stackin’ up.”

  “You got it.” Pete handed her the kazoos, one red and one green. “Pick your color.”

  “Red.”

  “Good, because I really wanted the green one.”

  She was still smiling about that when he helped her out of the truck. “Did you have a kazoo when you were a kid?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Was it green?”

  “No, it was yellow. Gage got the green one and I never could talk him out of it.”

  “Hey, you two.” Roxanne came around the back of the truck with Michael right behind her. Pete’s sister was tall like all the Sawyers, but she didn’t look much like Pete. Instead she had the same dark curly hair and brown eyes as Wes and Gage.

  She cam
e forward, hands outstretched. “Taryn, how cool that you’re here!” She pulled her in for a quick hug.

  “I think so, too. I haven’t seen you guys since you got back from your honeymoon. How was Hawaii?”

  “Terrific.” Roxanne turned and gave her husband a fond glance. “But it’s good to be home. Whoops, we’d better move so Wes can park.”

  Soon afterward Wes and Ingrid piled out of their truck and joined them. Wes glanced at Roxanne. “Gage is coming, right?”

  “Last I heard,” she said. “Ah, there he is. I don’t recognize his truck since he bought that four-door so he could put Josh’s car seat in it.” She held up her kazoo. “Can any of you play this thing?”

  “Of course.” Pete took his out of his jacket pocket. “You don’t remember Dad getting these for us when we were kids?”

  “No.”

  “Well, he was enamored of them.”

  “That he was.” Wes grinned at him. “And I see you managed to snag a green one this go-round.”

  “And what did you get?”

  Wes held up his blue kazoo. “Got my favorite color. Déjà vu all over again.”

  Roxanne peered at them. “How are you two remembering all this? I sure don’t.”

  “I don’t think you were into it like we were,” Pete said.

  “Clearly I wasn’t.”

  “Well, this is my first kazoo experience,” Taryn said.

  “Mine, too.” Ingrid held up her red one. “Matches my hat.” She waved her hand as Gage and Emma got out of Gage’s new truck. “Hey, guys, we’re over here!”

  “We see you,” Gage called out. “Just have to get the little guy out of his car seat.”

  “Sounds like he needs help.” Pete glanced at Taryn. “Excuse me a minute. Gotta go fetch my nephew.”

  “Hey, big brother,” Wes called after him. “If you think you’ve got first dibs on Josh just because you’re heading over there to help, you’ve got another think—”

  Pete turned around and walked backwards as he grinned at Wes. “I don’t think. I know.”

  Roxanne sighed. “Just like old times. He was always one step ahead of us.”

  “Except that he never got Gage’s green kazoo,” Wes said.

  “Yes, but he’s in the catbird seat now,” Roxanne said. “He’s got first possession of our nephew.”

  Taryn glanced over at Gage’s truck and sure enough, Pete came back carrying that little blondie with Gage and Emma on either side.

  Wisps of the baby’s flaxen hair stuck out from under the hood of his snowsuit. As Pete made faces at him, Josh giggled and tried to grab Pete’s nose, but his mittens foiled his attempts. He ended up patting his uncle’s face.

  “Good to see you here, Taryn!” Gage called out.

  “Hi, Taryn!” Emma pulled up the zipper on her parka. “How are things coming along at your ranch?”

  “Pete and I are making good progress. Josh sure looks happy and healthy.”

  “Yep.” Emma smiled. “Growing like a weed.”

  “Speaking of growing,” Gage said, “this crowd is getting huge. We need to hustle or we’ll be stuck in the back.”

  “Alrighty, then.” Wes gestured them forward. “Wagons, ho!”

  Taryn fell into step beside Pete as they started up a pathway lit by twinkling white lights. “Got yourself a buddy, I see.”

  “Yes, ma’am. This little guy loves his Uncle Pete. Isn’t that right, sport?”

  “Pee-pee!”

  Taryn choked on a laugh. “Sorry. It’s just—”

  “I know. But at least he’s taking a shot at my name.”

  “And it’s not like that will stick or anything.” Gage came up behind them and clapped him on the shoulder. “Right, Uncle Pee-pee?”

  Taryn lost it.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Pete would tolerate being called Uncle Pee-pee all night long if it made Taryn laugh like that, totally unrestrained with happy tears streaming down her cheeks. She’d never laughed that way before when he’d been around. It was wonderful to see.

  She had to stop walking as she struggled for breath, so he stopped, too, along with Gage and Emma. Evidently Taryn was caught in a laughter loop, because every time she looked at him holding Josh, she started giggling again. At this rate neither of them would make it up the incline to where the crowd was gathering.

  Better remove the source of hilarity. He turned to Gage. “Guess I need to give him up for a bit.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Thanks. See you, buddy.” He gave Josh a quick kiss on the cheek and passed him back to Gage. Then he edged closer to Taryn. “You look a little wobbly.”

  She gazed up at him, dark eyes sparkling. “Because I am. Haven’t laughed like that since…I can’t remember.”

  “It’s good for the soul, you know.”

  “I’m sure it is. I’m just out of breath.”

  “This might sound quaint and old-fashioned, but how about if you take my arm so I can assist you up the hill?”

  “I’d love that.” She hooked her arm through his. “Let’s go.”

  He set out, watching for patches of ice left from the last week’s snowstorm. Lights strung in the trees on either side of the incline helped with visibility, but the footing was a little tricky. Or so he told himself because he wanted an excuse to keep her close.

  “Come on over,” Wes called from his place in the crowd. “We made room for you.”

  “Thanks, bro.” His siblings had staked out their turf and left an open space in the middle. He guided Taryn into it. Then he glanced up at the A-frame. Colored lights decorated the roofline and the second-story balcony.

  “This is so festive!” Taryn slipped her arm free with a murmur of thanks. “I’m glad you saved us a spot, guys. I had a fit of giggles back there.”

  Gage gave her an innocent look. “Can’t imagine why.”

  “Some of us got luckier than others with the name thing.” Roxanne had appropriated Josh and she leaned down to rub her nose against his. “I get to be Rah-rah. I can live with being called Auntie Rah-rah.”

  “I’ll be sure and reinforce that one, then,” Gage said. “Hey, does anybody know the plan?”

  “The Whine and Cheese ladies are working their way through the crowd,” Emma said. “I assume they’re giving everybody instructions.”

  Pete surveyed the area. “Looks like Jo’s coming our way. Hey, Jo!” She wore a fitted black jacket with faux fur on the cuffs and the hood. Looked terrific with her silver-gray hair.

  “Hey, Sawyer clan. Hey, baby Josh.” She came over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Is everybody ready to sing?”

  “Depends on how you define the term,” Pete said.

  “Speak for yourself, big brother.” Gage punched him lightly on the arm. “Last time I was at a karaoke bar, someone told me I sounded like Tim McGraw.”

  Wes grinned. “And how drunk was that person?”

  “Doesn’t really matter how any of us sound.” Jo handed out the lyrics. “Not with all these people chiming in. Here’s the drill. Deidre will stand on that stepladder at the front with one of those plane-parking batons. She’ll be the choir director.”

  “Good choice.” Pete looked at the songs. “Ha! Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. Called it.”

  “It’s a shortened version,” Jo said. “We don’t want this to run too long.”

  Gage held up his sheet of paper. “We’re really going to play Silent Night on the kazoos?”

  “Yes, we are,” Jo said. “Your dad insists it’ll be very pretty when a whole bunch of people play it nice and slow. Then we’ll end with a quick chorus of We Wish You a Merry Christmas and we’re done.”

  Ingrid took the paper Jo handed her. “Do Faith and Cody know we’re out here?”

  “Believe it or not, they don’t,” Jo said. “We’ve managed to keep it a secret.”

  Taryn glanced at Jo in surprise. “But can’t they hear us?”

  “Not when the house is close
d up and the heat pump’s on. Once we start, they’ll hear us, though. Kendra, Quinn and Jim are up there with them. They used the excuse of bringing them dinner. They also smuggled a space heater out on the balcony so Faith and Noel can stay warm and cozy wrapped in a blanket in a deck chair.”

  Taryn nodded. “Good plan. This will be awesome.”

  “It will.” Jo glanced around. “Everybody set, then?”

  “I think we are,” Pete said.

  “Then I’ll move on. It’s almost time.”

  After she left, Taryn nudged him. “There’s a woman with a video camera up on Deidre’s stepladder filming the crowd. Bet she’s the photographer they hired.”

  “She is,” Roxanne said. “I heard Dad talking about getting her for tonight.”

  Taryn glanced at her. “Do you know her name?”

  “He might have told me, but I’ve forgotten. I think she’s relatively new in town. Are you looking for a photographer?”

  “Yes, and if your dad hired her, that’s good enough for me. I’ll make sure I track her down and get her card.”

  “If you don’t manage that, just call my dad.”

  “I will.”

  “And speaking of dear old dad, I hope he knows what he’s doing.” Gage shook his head. “Silent Night on the kazoo. Sounds like dicey city to me.”

  “We’ll soon find out if it is or not,” Wes said. “The photographer just came down the ladder and Deidre’s going up.”

  “I’ll bet she loves being the choir leader.” Pete enjoyed the heck out of red-headed Deidre, the most flamboyant of the five members of the Whine and Cheese Club. As she stood on the top step of the ladder and studied the crowd, the rhinestones that trimmed her bright green coat sparkled in the light from the decorated trees.

  She raised both hands, one holding the glowing orange wand. “Okay, everyone. On three,” she called out. “One, two, three!”

  The crowd launched into Deck the Halls. Shortly after that, the door to the balcony flew open and Cody barreled out, coatless and hatless. Calling Faith’s name, he hurried back inside.

  As the second verse of the song began, Faith came out all bundled up and supported by her dad and Cody. Kendra followed with the baby wrapped in a thick blanket, not a single part of that munchkin exposed to the cold air. Kendra moved close to the space heater and Faith eased onto a deck chair right next to it.