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

husband gave her a quick side look, then focused on turning the coffee mug between his hands. He shook his head.
    “Yeah?” Dalton remarked, taking a swallow from his cup. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Maybe things have gotten to the point where he feels it’s not necessary.” He finished his coffee. “Need to pick up a few things before I go home.” Dalton eyed Rein. “We’ve been through a lot, the three of us. I’d like to think that Jed is happy with the way things are going. That we’ve done well continuing his legacy—the cabins, the Last Hope ranch, the equine rescue—and now bringing back the holiday traditions in town that he started.”
    Rein chuckled quietly. “At least he’s assured of his line being carried on through you two.”
    Liberty felt her heart squeeze. She’d never seen Rein like this. She felt partly to blame that they hadn’t yet had any children of their own. She touched his arm.
    Wyatt spoke first. “Rein, you’re his blood. We’re adopted. Remember that. Besides, you know that legacies are about more than having children.”
    She knew what Wyatt intended, but also knew how important having children was to her and Rein.
    “Yeah, you keep telling me that. It’s easier when you already have kids, though, right?” He sighed and shook his head. “Hey, I hear what you’re saying and I appreciate it. And I do feel good about all we’ve accomplished together.”
    “And man, I’ve never seen anyone as good with a kid than you are with Cody,” Dalton said.
    He met Dalton’s gaze. “For as long as we have him.”
    Dalton blew out a sigh. “Give it some time. I know it’s going to happen for you guys. I believe that, I really do.”
    “Like you believe Jed talks to you?”
    Wyatt’s gaze met Dalton’s.
    Liberty knew that things could turn ugly any moment. “It’s been a long day. Cody’s going to be waking from his nap soon. Maybe we could table this discussion for another time?”
    Wyatt stood. “Thanks for the coffee.” He looked at Rein and slapped his shoulder. “I’ll bring the team to the church on Thursday.”
    Rein nodded, and amiable handshakes followed.
    Liberty went back to the stove and allowed Rein time to mull over his thoughts. The strain of the bakery project deadline combined with sharing the duties of having a child in the house had taken their toll this week—on them and their lovemaking.
    “It sounds stupid, but do you think there is some reason Jed seems more interested in Wyatt and Dalton?”
    She stuck a pan of biscuits in the oven and turned, wiping her hands on a towel. “Baby, I don’t know that I believe this idea that Jed’s spirit is in this owl, or that he somehow spoke to Wyatt or Dalton. I never met him. What I know of him is what I’ve learned from the three of you, and what folks in town say about him. It seems that most people had a great respect for your uncle, and, more importantly, it seems to me that he loved the three of you a great deal.”
    He nodded. “What with the holidays and seeing that old Santa suit, and hearing about Jed’s sage advice through some means I don’t even understand…” he trailed off, sounding pensive, then shrugged. “I guess it made me realize that he was forced to take me in. He was the only family I had. You know, maybe having three boys to raise was too hard for him.”
    Liberty held up her hand. “Okay, you can stop there.” This was not the behavior of her otherwise confident and too-often cocky husband. “Don’t you dare say such things. You ask anyone in town and they’ll tell you how he felt about you three boys. Good Lord, hasn’t Betty sung the praises of you three enough times?” She leaned on the island and looked across the counter at him. “Don’t you see? He had no children of his own. You three—you are his legacy.”
    “Daddy?” Cody called from the top of the stairs.
    Rein pushed away his coffee cup and stood. “I’ll go see to Cody. How long is supper going