The Texan's Christmas Bounty by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Author:Cathy Gillen Thacker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-09-21T19:04:44+00:00

EPILOGUE

One year later

“What do you think?” Trace asked. “Walk or drive?”

Poppy stepped out onto the porch to stand beside him.

The December night was beautiful. Starry and clear, with a slight breeze. She turned, admiring her husband’s handsome profile. “It’s only what—forty degrees?”

“I think so.”

“If we bundle them up...?”

“They’d probably enjoy a stroller ride over to your folks’ home.”

Hand in hand, they went back inside.

The twins were lying on the blanket on the living room floor. Dressed in matching red-velvet dresses, white tights and satin ballet shoes, their wispy blond hair sporting matching bows, they looked adorable. As usual, they were facing each other, waving their stuffed toys at each other, and talking softly in a series of gurgles and coos only they could understand.

Trace paused to survey them, too, all the affection she had ever hoped to see in his hazel eyes. “I just want you to know,” he stated huskily as he knelt with her, “they’re not dating until they are thirty-five.”

Poppy laughed as they each gathered an infant in their arms, and stood. “I think Ella and Emma might have something to say about that.”

“Yeah, well,” he continued to tease sternly, all doting dad, “I expect you to back me up.”

Poppy patted the swell of his bicep. “I think they’ll be okay. They’re half McCabe and half Caulder, after all. Women don’t come any stronger than that.”

He grinned. “True.”

He put on one coat and cap, she the other.

Together, they settled the girls into the double stroller, donned their own jackets, locked up and headed off down the street. All the decorations were up. Some of the houses even had Christmas music playing. As usual, the twins were enthralled with all there was to see and hear.

“I love this time of year,” Poppy admitted as they paused to study a particularly delightful display of Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Trace put his arm across her shoulders.

When they’d looked their fill, he continued pushing the stroller down the sidewalk, in the direction of her parents’ home, where the McCabe family Christmas party would soon be starting.

“I love it, too.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze, kissed her temple. “Now that I finally have the happy family I’ve always wanted.”

Poppy basked in his love, returning the affection full-force. “Is your mom still planning to visit after New Year’s?” In the throes of yet another divorce, Bitsy had elected to take a Christmas cruise for singles to the Bahamas. His father was headed out west, to check out a new strain of cattle.

Trace nodded, having made peace with the fact that his parents were just not meant to be married to anyone for long. “Both are.” He smiled good-naturedly. “At separate times.”

“That’s good,” Poppy said. She wanted him to be close to both his parents, and thanks to their new grandkids, that finally seemed to be happening.

“The question is,” he mused as they turned the corner and walked down another festively decorated street. “What are we going to get each other for Christmas this year?”

Poppy sighed wistfully, thinking about all the changes the past year had brought.

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