Page 88 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

“Oh my God, not the ribs. Sasha,” Emma’s words vanished into shrieks and uncontrollable laughter.

Her sister gave as good as she got, and by the time the two of them tapped out officially, hands to the mattress three times, Sasha was winded and happy and sad, all at the same time.

They lay on the mattress, side by side, panting as they stared at the ceiling.

Changes were good, weren’t they? Hard, but good, and damn it, she wasn’t going to cry at the thought of leaving Emma and Tyler, behind…

“When you’re gone, it’s like a toothache.” Emma said the words quietly. “It hurts, and then I get used to it. Then I see something that I want to share with you or tell you, and it flares up again.”

Sasha caught her sister’s fingers in her own. “I know.”

Emma twisted her head until she met Sasha’s gaze. “But you need to do this, so I’ll be okay.”

Had everyone figured out Sasha’s plans? Or had they known before she had?

“I’ll be here lots,” Sasha promised. “And you’ll come out to Crooked Creek as well.”

“All summer,” Emma agreed. “And anytime I can.”

“Except not all the time because you need to enjoy the rest of your grade twelve year,” Sasha warned. “And you need to be here for Tyler. And Mom and Dad.”

“I know.” Emma laughed softly. “It’s funny. Thinking about taking care of them seems like such a grown-up thing, and yet it’s right, you know? Like it’s the next thing I’m supposed to learn.”

“I know.” Sasha popped to her feet. “Now I need to go find Dad and Uncle Frank and make it official before the entire family figures out what I’m supposed to do.”

“Slacker,” Emma teased. “Get on that.”

Sasha blew her sister a kiss then marched out to the kitchen, ready to shove her feet into her boots, pull on her coat, and head out to the barn.

Her mom stood at the island, putting the final touches on Dustin’s birthday cake.

Sasha walked up beside her then snickered. “Looks great. The plastic horse looks like Molasses, but green icing for the grass outside the arena is what really makes it.”

“Dustin made a joke about how he missed the themed birthday cakes he used to get, so I thought I’d oblige.” Tamara put down her spatula then unexpectedly enfolded Sasha in a hug. She didn’t say anything, just held on for the longest time, and Sasha’s throat got tight all over again.

“Am I that easy to read?” Sasha forced out.

“No,” Tamara assured her. “And yes.” She pulled back, her own eyes watery. “I’ve been your mom for a long time now. You’ve got tells.”

“Not leaving forever,” Sasha assured her.

“You’re not; I know that.” Tamara wiped at her eyes then smiled softly. “Go talk to your dad and Uncle Frank. You can get this sewn up in the next half hour before the rest of the family arrives for the party.”

“Okay.” Sasha caught her mom for one last hug. “I love you.”

“Love you, too. Now hurry. They’re in the office going over some plans for January.”

The walk between the house and barn was familiar and bittersweet. She’d traveled it so many times, and would again in the future, but more of her life going forward would be spent in a new direction.

A shot of something very much like happiness rushed her, and as Sasha stepped into the barn, she knew it was the right choice.

Her dad looked up as she entered the office. “Hey. Is it party time already?”

“Not yet, so I hoped we could talk for a minute.”

Caleb’s easy smile slipped.

Uncle Frank nodded, though, pulling out a chair for her then settling into the one next to it. “Got more things for me to think about?”