Page 39 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

A belch worthy of a much larger person escaped the teeny baby, and the crying vanished.

“There we go. Much better, princess, right?” Mack turned, proud grin in place as he handed the baby to Petra, who had settled in the open chair next to Brooke. “Leia is ready to say hello.”

Finding a way to cradle the baby around her oversized belly was a challenge, but looking into big eyes and a small pouting mouth, a bit of peach fuzz on her head⁠—

Worth it, Petra thought.

And yes, every moment of waiting to say hello to their own was worth it too.

“She’s gorgeous,” Aiden whispered from his spot beside Petra. He glanced up at Mack, mischief in his eyes. “She takes after Brooke, not your side of the family.”

“Ha.” Mack grinned wider. “I’m Teflon right now. No insult can possibly stick. Besides, it’s true.” He lifted Brooke’s hand to his lips and kissed her fingers tenderly. “You’re beautiful and brave and I can’t believe I get to share this with you.”

Brooke blew him a kiss then accepted Landon’s hug as the sleepy-eyed two-year-old climbed into her lap. “Hello, my big boy. Did you have a good nap?”

“Yup. Baby Leia needs cuddles?”

“Soon,” Brooke promised.

“First, we have something for the new big brother,” Aiden announced, pulling a brightly wrapped present from his pocket.

Delighted, Landon tumbled off his mom’s lap, reaching out eagerly. He unwrapped the soft-sided book about big boys. “Book! Thank you.” He hugged both Aiden and Petra then caught Aiden by the hand. “Read to me.”

A contented quietness held in the house, even with the new life and a toddler. Petra couldn’t help thinking her world wasn’t going to be quite as calm.

On the drive home, she suddenly remembered. “Have you noticed something’s up with Jinx lately?”

Aiden glanced at her briefly then focused back on the road, but not before she spotted his grin. “That question tells me you’re not your usual self.”

“Don’t poke the pregnant bear,” Petra warned.

Aiden held up a hand, but he laughed. “If you’re talking about how Jinx seems to absolutely not be interested in anything Logan has to say, or in sitting beside him, or in being alone with him… Yet he’s taking her to her grad in three weeks? If that’s what you’re talking about, I might have noticed a time or two.”

God, was she really that dense? “Do you think she’s scared to go but doing it because⁠—”

“Petra,” he interrupted. “I don’t think it’s anything bad at all. Honestly? I think they like each other.”

Shock hit, hard and fast. “Boy, do I feel as if I’ve had my head in the clouds.”

She paused. It would be a huge step if Jinx was interested in a guy, considering her background. Logan had a rough time as a youth as well, in entirely different ways.

“Two damaged kids interested in each other. Is that a recipe for disaster?”

Petra was glad Aiden paused and considered before answering. “If they’d hooked up when he’d first arrived, I’d have been concerned. But they’ve both had time to grow and learn that we’re there for them. All of us here at High Water.” Aiden coughed lightly. “Don’t get me wrong, I still have a few issues with the idea. Seems all my dad urges to protect showed up, no problem. I expect Logan to behave far better than I did at his age.”

Petra snorted. “Troublemaker.”

“I was, but I somehow don’t think Logan will be.” Aiden caught her fingers in his and held on as he pulled into the High Water driveway. “I think it’s an okay situation that we need to keep our noses out of. If possible.”

Dear God. “Tansy stay out of it? Good luck.”

“I think she and Sydney already know, and neither of them have said a word to you, have they?”

Shock struck again. “My gal pals betrayed me?”

He shrugged. “They’re a tad protective of you right now, if you haven’t noticed that either.”

Fair enough.