moment on, she would hold this feeling close to her heart, and each December she’d reach in there and clasp it tight because Christmas had brought her true love.
Chapter 36
Caleb
Caleb reached for a pumpkin cinnamon roll, his parents’ go-to Christmas morning breakfast. Dad made them the day before and let the dough proof in the fridge. Mom would get up and pop them in the oven and make cream cheese icing. They were just one more example of how his parents were a team, and for that reason, they tasted all that much sweater.
Because he hasn’t slept much last night, his eyes scratched when he blinked, but he could see that Santa had come during the few hours between dropping Faith off at her dad’s and sunrise. The stockings were stuffed to the brim with goodies and trinkets, while the tree overflowed with gifts. Santa always stopped at Reindeer Wrangler Ranch, no matter how busy her night. It looked like the elves had outdone themselves wrapping—despite Stella missing for part of December. Actually, now that he looked at it, the whole wrapping job looked more like something Robyn would do than what Stella usually ordered. What in the world was going on up there? Whatever it was, it all seemed to work out just fine, as Christmas Eve had gone off without a hitch.
Forest landed in the chair next to him and swiped a roll for himself. “Mornin’.”
“Good morning to you.” Caleb laughed at how happy he sounded. Now that everything between him and Faith was fixed and they were talking about a future together, the whole world looked brighter. “How was the parade?”
“Best one yet.” Forest popped a piece of bread into his mouth and chewed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they asked me to be Santa every year. I had children eating out of my mittened hands.”
Drake sat down across from them.
Caleb rolled his eyes. “You go ahead and enjoy that while I snuggle up to a warm body next Christmas Eve.”
Drake picked up his plate and went to eat in front of the fire, his ears bright red. Caleb and Jack exchanged looks and then burst out laughing at their little brother’s embarrassment.
Mom and Dad came in next, wearing matching sweaters Mom had bought online. Dad’s was a little tight around the middle, but he wore the blinking Christmas tree like a badge of honor. Caleb smiled behind his mug of cocoa, already planning sweaters for himself and Faith to wear next Christmas. Life was so good right now.
His cell phone lit up.
“Who would call this early on Christmas?” asked Mom as she made her way to the fridge. She put the eggnog in front of Dad’s plate before taking a seat. Dad smiled at her in thanks.
“Uh-oh.” The caller ID read Robyn Kringle. He flashed the screen at his parents. “It’s the North Pole.”
“Don’t just sit there—answer it.” Mom waved her fork at him.
He hurried to push the answer button before the call went to voicemail. Robyn wouldn’t take too kindly to being ghosted. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you and yours, Caleb. Are you with your family?”
Jack wandered in from doing chores. He’d drawn the short straw that year and had to get up to feed before breakfast. When they were younger, it had been torture waiting to open gifts. Now that they were all grown up, the process was more organized and a lot less messy. “We’re all assembled.”
“Can you put me on speakerphone? I need to talk to the troops.”
That didn’t sound good. He pressed the button. “Okay, we’re all listening.” If she said they needed a reindeer, he was sure he could have Rudy ready by next Christmas Eve. Even sooner if Rudy kept up his training schedule. The reindeer was determined to make it to the North Pole, and it seemed everyone was rooting for him, even the old-timer, Dunder.
“Last night was … pretty eventful,” she started. Pax got up from the fire and came closer to listen in. “Stella and Kris got married in Vegas.”
“Vegas! Ha!” Dad slapped the table. “That sounds about right.”
Jack leaned over Caleb’s shoulder. “Please tell me there was an Elvis impersonator involved.”
Robyn laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you. It was an old man with a combover.”
Forest snapped his fingers and made a face that said Stella had just missed the mark.
“Anyway,” Robyn continued, “somehow Kris picked up Snowflake in Yellowstone and flew her to Vegas for the wedding.”
The whole family breathed a sigh of relief at once.