far as I’m concerned, a horse is part of a working ranch and not a pretty work of art to be pranced around an arena.
Like I said—different paths, neither right nor wrong.
It’s clear, though, that John’s never going to fully take charge of his section. We’ll deal with it easily enough, and he’ll never want. He’s a fantastic worker—when things are going well. I’ve done everything I can to get him to see a doctor or a therapist, but he’s stubborn. Like all us Colemans, so I guess I’m not surprised. But the land will be his, and when he’s up to it, we chat about his ideas, but mostly, he hangs out with Mark and works beside his twin.
I’ve asked Mark if he’s okay with that, and he insists he is. If it ever changes—
Well, I’m keeping an eye on it.
Three of us are married now—myself, Ben, and Randy. George and Sally got engaged over the holidays and plan to get married the summer after next. Not sure why they’re waiting so long on the wedding because George told me they already plan to move in together into the house he’s working on as soon as it’s done. Again—different paths.
I keep hoping Mark will find someone he’s interested in. Even sent him to the Stampede and on as many buying and selling trips as I could wrangle in the hopes someone from outside Rocky would catch his eye, but so far, no luck.
His business is his own, but I’ve made sure he knows he’s welcome to bring anyone home, no matter who he falls in love with. Colemans are smart enough to accept a person for who they are, not anything else.
In other news, Marion had an idea. Said we’re all getting to the point that our individual families need to build some of their own traditions, even as we spend time together. Christmas Day is for families, Boxing Day for the entire Coleman clan. She has spoken—and I’m not about to argue, because she’s right. As usual.
Still, we don’t want to leave anyone out. Since they don’t have extended families yet, Mark and John were invited over to Ben and Dana’s for Christmas Day. For some reason, Mark ended up here instead. Said he promised Blake he’d take him tobogganing. No idea what’s going on there. Maybe he and Ben had another fight—oil and water those two at times—but I didn’t mind having my kid bro around. Marion just rolled her eyes, set another place at the table, then made him wash the dishes.
The party on Boxing Day was just what we needed. Adults all caught up with each other, the four kids tangled happily like pigs in a pen.
I’m going to suggest we do it all over again later this year—maybe Canada Day. While we get together often, putting those dates aside could make it extra special. Family gatherings are important. I can see them getting even more so as the Coleman clan continues to grow.
3
Jaxi pulled the final batch of cookies from the pantry where she’d stashed them and handed the container to her mother-in-law. “I think that’s it for us at the main house. Ashley’s got everything ready over at the Peter’s house for the guys.”
Marion glanced around the home that had once been where she raised her six boys. “You did the place up nice.”
“Not much different than usual,” Jaxi insisted. “Although the poinsettias you and Mike got us really brighten up the room. Thanks for that. Makes it look extra festive in here.”
Marion picked her coffee off the table and gestured toward the easy chairs. “Come sit for a minute. Chaos will arrive soon enough.”
Jaxi grabbed her own drink, happy to have a moment alone with the older woman. She paused to peek into the playpen to check if Justin was still covered up. “What are the chances he’ll try and stay awake the entire time people are here?”
“There’ll be enough hands that all the babies will get passed around just fine,” Marion assured her. She took a sip of her coffee and smiled contentedly. “I kind of like that we’re holding an extra holiday get-together for the Colemans this year.” She glanced at Jaxi. “Of course, I can say that because I’m not the one who did all the extra organizing.”
“It made sense. I’ve missed seeing the Whiskey Creek girls since they moved away. When they said they wouldn’t be coming north for Boxing Day, it made sense to put in a