She glanced up as Logan crossed to the fireplace and stowed the logs in the basket. A few strategic turns of wood with the poker and he had the fire flaming high again. The red flames and glow of yellow light accentuated his muscular profile.
Amy pulled the gift boxes closer to her belly and tried to calm the tremors running over her skin. Four weeks. It’d been four weeks now since they’d made love and her hopes of a possible pregnancy had grown stronger than ever.
Despite her excitement, she hadn’t been able to follow through with confirming it. The past week with Logan had been especially sweet and she wanted to hold on to it. They smiled and laughed together often. They’d become more than best friends again. Only, she wasn’t quite sure what they’d become.
She knew Logan was aware she loved him. But she’d never heard it from him and it was time to face the possibility that she never would. Friendship was the strongest bond he offered.
Logan turned, his expression cast in darkness by the flames at his back, his face as difficult to read as his carefully controlled emotions.
How would he handle the news of another pregnancy? He’d made it clear that he didn’t believe it was possible for them to have another child. And four years ago, he’d reminded her of how dangerous a pregnancy would be every time he’d given in to her persuasions.
Amy curled her fingers around the corners of the gift boxes in her lap. Back then, things had played out exactly as Logan had predicted. They’d had no luck conceiving. But now...
Now, there was a real chance. She stilled her bouncing knee. As excited as she was, she was equally dismayed. She wanted Logan, but having him out of obligation was no longer something she could accept. She needed more than loyalty and so would their child.
“Sustenance for Santa’s elves,” Betty chimed.
Betty and Pop entered with trays of hot chocolate and set two red mugs in front of Amy and Cissy.
“Bless you,” Cissy murmured, picking up her cup and sipping.
Traci and Dominic each grabbed a mug and plopped down on the floor in front of the fireplace. It was quiet for a few minutes, save for the snap and crackle of the wood burning. They sipped their sweet beverages and watched the flames burn brighter.
An additional crackle sounded at Amy’s back. She frowned, glancing over her shoulder to find four small hands reaching over the arm of the couch and digging around in the shopping bags.
“Boys,” Amy whispered, “there’s no peeking at Christmas.”
Their blond heads popped over the arm of the couch and two pairs of wide blue eyes blinked at her.
“Oh, for goodness’ sakes,” Cissy grumbled. “Haven’t I told you two to stay out of this room until tomorrow morning? Santa’s going to fly right over the ranch if he finds out you’ve been sneaking into presents early.”
Both boys jumped out from behind the couch and held up their hands.
“We ain’t took nothing, Aunt Cissy,” Kayden said. “Promise.”
Cissy sighed. “You mean you haven’t taken anything.”
“That’s right.” Kayden nodded, his face scrunching up with confusion. “I ain’t took nothing.” He turned to his brother. “Did you?”
“Uh-uh,” Jayden protested, waving around his empty hands. “We ain’t took nothing, Aunt Cissy.”
Cissy smiled and shook her head. “I give up.”
They all laughed. Logan walked to the couch and rummaged around in the bags, a slow smile lifting his cheeks.
“Well, you’re in luck, boys,” he said, pulling out two small cowboy hats. “These, you can have now.”
The boys whooped and jumped around, barely holding still long enough for Logan to settle a tan hat on each of their heads.
“What do you say?” Cissy asked.
“Thank you, Uncle Logan,” they both chimed, hugging his legs.
Kayden strutted away to stand beside Dominic, poked his chest out and propped his hands on his hips. “We’re bone-a-fine cowboys now, Uncle Dominic. Like you, Uncle Logan and Mr. Jed.”
Traci snorted. “Like I keep telling you squirts, it’s bona fide.”
“That’s what I said,” Kayden argued.
The bag rattled again. Jayden burrowed around in it. “There’s another one, Uncle Logan. Who gets it?”
Logan reached over Jayden and tugged out a black straw hat. A row of silver-toned rhinestones circled the band, giving it a classic, stylish look.
“This one’s for your aunt Amy,” Logan said, placing it on her head. His broad hands moved over the brim, bending and shaping the edges. His narrowed eyes roved over her face as he adjusted the hat then stilled with satisfaction. “Beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Logan nudged the brim up and kissed her. “You’re welcome. Thought it was time you had one of your own.”
“You’re a real cowgirl now, Aunt Amy.” Jayden beamed with pride. “You got a hat and everything.”
Amy smiled. “I suppose so.”
“It’s stunning,” Cissy said. “Don’t you think so, Betty?”
Betty beamed. “It’s gorgeous.” She blinked rapidly, gathering up the dirty mugs and pausing on her way out. “You boys better get ready for bed if you want Santa to drop by.”
The twins darted to the window, shoved aside the curtains and peered out.
“Is he on the way now?” Jayden asked.
“Will be soon,” Cissy said.
“What’d you ask Santa for, Aunt Cissy?” Kayden scampered over, placing his hands on Cissy’s knees and leaning in.
Cissy winked and rubbed her belly. “Your baby cousins, Grace and Gwen.”
Kayden scowled. “Is that all?”
Dominic laughed. “You’ll think differently once they get here. You’ll be like their big brother.” He nodded at Logan. “Someone they can look up to.”
Amy’s chest swelled as the Slade men shared a smile. It was wonderful seeing them so close again. It seemed Dominic’s return to Raintree had worked all sorts of magic on the family. A magic she was beginning to feel herself.
Jayden looked thoughtful then whispered something in Kayden’s ear. He seemed to agree and the two took off, clutching their new hats to their heads.
“Best get them to bed, pronto.” Dominic moved toward the door. “Looks like they’re up to something.”
“I’ll give you a hand.” Pop laughed, following him out of the room.
“All right,” Cissy said, “I think we deserve a break. Thanks for the help with the shopping, Logan. We never would’ve gotten it done without your help.”
“No problem.” Logan grinned. “Why don’t you get a bite to eat? I’ll get the other presents out of the truck. The wrapping can wait. I have a feeling it’ll be a while before Dom gets the boys settled.”
Right on cue, the twins barreled back into the room, shoving past Amy and Traci toward the fireplace. They carried a large bucket between them and sloshed water onto the hardwood floor with every step.
“What in the world?” Cissy murmured.
“Hold