All I Want for Christmas: A Kinnison Legacy Holiday novella by Amanda McIntyre Read Free Book Online

had joined in celebrating the resurrection of the town lighting. The Git and Go, Tanners Meat Market, the bowling alley, Dusty’s Bar and Grill, even the fire station and Doc Johnson got on board, outlining their buildings with white lights.
    Wyatt held Gracie as he flipped on the generator he’d bought to offset electric expenses to the nearby courthouse. His face as he watched his daughter’s joy was nothing short of a Christmas miracle.
    “Good Lord.” Betty sniffed. “I never thought I’d see the day,” she said as she observed the sight.
    “Ding, dong the Grinch is dead,” Dalton said, tossing a grin to Betty. The Kinnison clan had designated the bakery as a sensible meeting spot to watch the parade. Dalton nudged his daughter's shoulder and pointed out that it’d started to snow. The two occupied themselves with catching snowflakes on their tongues.
    “He may never grow up,” Angelique commented as she snuggled with baby Sawyer under a blanket, watching her husband and daughter.
    Liberty chuckled. “Isn’t everybody a kid at this time of year?” she asked, watching her stepbrother.
    Rein laughed. “In particular, that one.” He nodded toward Dalton, who stood with his arms spread wide, face upturned, mouth wide open.
    Beneath the gargantuan tree, Reverend Adam Bishop, newly appointed pastor at the Trinity Lutheran church, led the combined voices of his church and that of Reverend Leslie Cook’s choir from the First Church of Christ in several secular holiday songs as well as tossing in a couple of holiday hymns. Reverend Cook, still fairly new to the area, was End of the Line’s first female pastor.
    “I’m glad to see the two church choirs joining forces,” Betty remarked. “Maybe it will make things a little easier for Pastor Cook and the old-timers who don’t seem to realize that women can be as committed to God and church as any man.”
    “I’m just glad that you all were able to convince the businesses in town to resurrect this tradition,” Rein said.
    “You all know this was originally Jed’s idea,” Betty said as she passed around a tray of cocoa and mini holiday cupcakes. “He would’ve loved to have seen you boys involved with your families like this.”
    The town lighting had kicked off just after dusk and the lighted holiday parade with participants from surrounding small towns as well as a school marching band from Billings was slated to begin in a few minutes.
    Betty with her sparse but newly opened bakery had been handing out samples of her Snickerdoodle cookies, mini holiday cupcakes, and hot chocolate since just after the supper crowd at the café. This event was one of the very few times Jerry and Betty closed the café in the early evening--and only for one hour, and then it was back to work in case any of the holiday revelers wished to get a bite to eat before heading home.
    “Where are Rebecca and Michael?” Liberty asked.
    “He was asked to pull the trailer bed for the Crow nation entry,” Angelique replied. “Aunt Rebecca wanted Emilee to dance, but this was her first parade and I wanted us together as a family.”
    Rein nodded. “It’s a good thing. Someone has to keep an eye on Dalton.” He lifted Cody off his shoulders, placed him in Liberty’s arms, and kissed his sister-in-law on top of her head. “You’re a saint, Angelique.” He gave Liberty a quick kiss. “Try to save me one of those holiday cupcakes.”
    She grabbed his coat sleeve and kissed his cheek before whispering in his ear, “There are so many uses for icing.”
    He turned his face so they were nose-to-nose. “Do you want Santa to think you’re a naughty girl?” he asked quietly.
    She lifted a brow and smiled.
    Rein shook his head. “You’re killing me.” He turned his attention to Cody. “You be a good boy” he said, kissing him on the cheek. “See you all later.” He waved and disappeared through the throngs of parade-watchers.
    Accepting a chair from Dalton, who’d been