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“I’m not her favorite person right now.”
Jake went to her and took her hands. “Has she said something to you?”
“No. I can just tell. It’s okay, though. I totally get it.”
“Still. I don’t want her being rude to you.”
Ember shook her head. “She’s not. If anything, she’s overly polite.”
“Okay. I guess that’s acceptable. For now.”
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I didn’t mean to bring down your enthusiasm over Christmas tree day.”
He smiled. “You didn’t. Now for the second, or one hundredth time. Get dressed.”
“Yes, sir. I have a flannel shirt and a wool sweater.”
“Good. You’ll just need to borrow long johns and wool socks from Sage. You’ll want gloves, too. And a stocking cap. It might not be terribly cold out there. But sitting on a horse and not expending any energy, it’ll start seeping in.”
“Got it. Can I wear my new insulated snow boots?”
“Sure. I think you can ride in those. Now—”
“I know. Getting dressed.”
Fifteen minutes later, they left Ember’s house and drove the mile to the family home. When they came into the living room, J.T. was tending to the fire in the woodstove and Jacob was sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee.
Jake nodded a good morning. “Genny’s not here yet?”
Jacob shook his head. “No. The snow slowed her down a bit. She wants to make sure her birds are okay for the day.” He took a sip of coffee. “And ah… Lucy is joining us this year.”
Jake raised an eyebrow. “Okay.”
“I thought we could get her a tree for her place while we’re out.”
“Sure.” Jake winked at Ember. “I figured we get a tree for Ember, too.”
Jacob nodded. “There hasn’t been a tree in that house in over twenty years. I guess it’s about time.”
“So. Four trees, then?”
J.T. stood. “I wouldn’t mind a small one for my loft.”
“Make that five trees.” When they heard raised voices coming from the kitchen, Jake shook his head. “You guys know not to leave those two alone together for too long.” He headed for them.
Sage was standing in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips and Sawyer was laughing with a saucepan in his hands. Some of the hot milk had splashed onto the floor.
“What’s going on in here?”
Sawyer put the pan back on the stove. “I was just getting ready to make the hot chocolate.”
Sage turned to Jake. “He nearly scalded me.”
Sawyer raised a hand. “It was an accident. She walked right into me.”
Jake looked at Sage. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. It didn’t get me.”
