One Tough Christmas Cookie - Lucy McConnell Page 0,80

budding feelings for the veterinarian.

He put his hand on Forest’s shoulder. “I agree with you that we should find her as soon as possible. But I don’t agree that you should leave now. One for the family and family for the reindeer. Remember?”

Forest shoved his hand away. “We were children when they taught us that. We’re not kids anymore.”

“It’s no less true now. We look out for one another first, and as a family, we care for the reindeer. We gotta look out for Mom, bro.”

Forest growled. “Mom should understand.”

Caleb thought back to Mom watching Dad and worrying about what would happen to him if the reindeer stopped flying. “She does. But she’s right in that family comes first—especially at Christmas.”

Forest shook his head. “I’m going to the feed store. We’re low on grain.” He stomped out of the barn.

Caleb found Dad studying him. They locked eyes, and Caleb knew he’d crossed into a new level of manhood and Dad knew it too. There was a welcome-to-the-club gleam in Dad’s eye, accompanied by a pinch of worry.

Pax clicked his tongue at Dunder, drawing both their attention to him and the reindeer. He put Dunder in his stall and shut the gate.

Dad folded his arms. “Let me guess: you agree with Forest.”

Caleb huffed. “You’re not one to hold back in the face of conflict, are you, Dad?”

“What?” Dad demanded.

“We aren’t all here to fight with you. Relax.” Caleb prayed Pax didn’t throw his glove down and challenge Dad to a verbal duel as well.

Pax didn’t jump into the fray. He thought about his answer, studying the beams in the rafters that the reindeer used as perches. “The longer Snowflake is out there, the higher the chance of her being caught or hurt or even injuring herself. But …” He scratched under his hat and then righted it. “She’s bringing hope to a lot of people who seem to be struggling this year. Have you noticed? Everyone is so short with each other.”

He gave Dad a pointed look. Dad had the humility to realize that he might have jumped on Forest a bit too quickly, and he ducked his head.

Pax went on. “I don’t want to see Snowflake in danger. Nor do I want to see Mom’s tears when one seat is empty at Christmas dinner. She has a tender heart and loves her family and Christmas, and putting the two together is her greatest joy—I don’t want to take that away from her.” He pushed off the stall door and left them thinking about his words.

Dad kicked the ground. “I don’t know if that boy should be a poet or …”

“A politician,” Caleb filled in for him.

Dad chuckled. “He can talk both sides of any situation.”

“It’s because he’s full of empathy,” Caleb agreed.

“And Forest has none.” Dad’s hand fisted.

“That’s not true—it’s just all directed to the reindeer. I don’t think he’s trying to hurt Mom’s feelings.” Caleb felt funny standing there talking about emotions and feelings, so he headed over to a bale of straw and moved it across the breezeway—just to do something manly.

Dad followed him and put his boot on the bale. “You were pretty cozy with Faith last night.”

Caleb brushed straw off his pants. “We’re enjoying one another’s company.”

“Anna invited them to Christmas dinner.”

Caleb wasn’t surprised. Doc was a part of dinner every year, and it made sense to invite his daughter along. “That was nice of her.”

“Yeah—so don’t screw this up.” Dad smacked him on the back.

“What do you mean?”

“If Faith takes over for Doc, either now or in the future—and you break her heart—it would be strained at best and horrible for the ranch at the worst.”

Caleb ran his hand down his face. “She’s going back to her practice after Christmas. That’s as far as we have planned out.”

“You saw Doc last night. He’s in no shape to work out here.” Dad dropped his chin to his chest. “Breaks my heart to see my friend like that.”

“I’ll bet it does.” Caleb glanced away to allow Dad a moment in his emotions. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with Faith, but if it ends, I’m hoping it will be on friendly terms.”

“I think you two ought to have a conversation about this.”

“Nope. That was part of the deal. We only have until Christmas.” Caleb looked around but couldn’t find another bale to move.

“Then make a new deal.” Dad nodded once as if the whole thing was decided, and then he headed out. “And put that bale