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The sun had setby the time we reached the ranch.As we pulled up to the main entrance, I saw Quint and Decker had gone all out this year.The gate itself was adorned with lights and garland, and on either side of the road leading to the barns were massive light displays.One was of a cowboy on horseback, and another was a heifer with her calf.There were Christmas trees made solely of lights, shooting stars, an animated display of a couple of elves making toys, and flying reindeer.Right before we reached the main house, Santa and Mrs.Claus, again depicted only in sparkling lights, were on display next to the barn they towered above.
“This is brilliant,” I heard George whisper.Her eyes wide, and her smile dazzling.
“We’ve done it every year for the families of the people who work the ranch, but it’s never been this elaborate,” said Wren.
“I have a feeling the older our children get, the more extravagant it will be,” added Wilder.
I had one arm around George’s shoulders and rested my other hand on her stomach.I couldn’t explain it, but I just knew she was pregnant.It was too early on for a test to confirm it, but I attributed it to a father’s intuition.
Decker, Mila, and Huck were waiting with Quint, Darrow, and Wells when Wilder pulled up in front of the house.We’d all have dinner together here tonight before going to the guesthouses where we’d stay while visiting.
Quint had offered up the main house, but I told him that it was his and Mila’s home now.It hadn’t been mine for a very long time.More importantly, it had never been George’s and mine.
That Katherine and I had begun our life together in the townhouse was one reason I hadn’t wanted to make that our main residence.George had said what happened in the past didn’t bother her.However, as I told her, I wanted to make memories in places that meant something to both of us.
“Ready for this?”I asked after I’d exited the vehicle and held my hand out to George to do the same.
“If you are.”We’d agreed to announce our plans to marry once all of us were together.I had no doubt everyone would be thrilled for us.Like me with them, the only thing any of us wanted was for the people we loved to be happy.I was that in spades.
Once we were seated at the table in the main dining room, which was rarely used, I stood and held up the glass of wine Quint had poured.“I have an important announcement, everyone.”
I held my love’s hand when she stood beside me.Wren’s eyes opened wide when she noticed George’s glass was filled with water.“We’re getting married,” I blurted, knowing if I didn’t, Wren would beat me to the punch by asking if we were expecting.
As I’d anticipated, there were shouts of congratulations from everyone at the table, followed by hugs for both George and me.
“Are you making any other announcements tonight, Daddy?”Wren whispered.
“Not tonight,” I said with a wink.
“So, when’s the weddin’?”Decker asked after we were all seated again.
I looked at George.“Christmas Day,” she responded.
“ThisChristmas?”Quint asked.“In three days?”
I nodded.“Which means we will go to Austin tomorrow to secure the license.”
“They seem pleased,” said George, smiling.
The two of us sat and listened to the rest of those at the table talk over one another in their excitement to make plans for our wedding day.
“Perhaps overzealous would be a better word,” I whispered.
“I hope this won’t eclipse Christmas,” she whispered back.
“Huck and Wells won’t care.They’ll probably be as interested in the brightly colored wrapping paper as they are in the gifts,” said Deck, who was seated on the opposite side of me and must’ve overheard George’s concern.“A couple years from now, they’ll be all about Santa comin’ down the chimney.”He cleared his throat and looked up at the ceiling.
“Are you all right?”I asked.
“Hell yeah.I was just thinkin’ about the first Christmas I spent with y’all.”He looked around me at George.“Z here got all decked out in a Santa suit, even though we were old enough to know it was him.”
“I think we were thirteen,” said Quint.
“I know we were because I hadn’t celebrated a single Christmas until that year.Let me tell you, Z, Quint, and Wren more than made up for it.”
“And Te-Te,” said Wren when the woman walked into the dining room with a platter of the kind of steak you can only get in Texas.
“Mr.Decker was such a sweet boy back then,” Te-Te said, pinching his cheek after he took the platter from her arms and set it on the table.
