He’d already thanked Jordie for inviting him out to the ranch on that fateful July Fourth, but it had been a generalized statement of gratitude. Someday soon he’d thank her specifically for the life-changing opportunity to share space with Mila.
They’d almost finished their simple dinner by the time the music ended. Mila put down her beer and applauded the trio. “Well done Rufus, Buster and Shorty!” She turned to him. “They’re fantastic, Cole. I love that Rufus talks. The raccoons don’t do that.”
“They might, soon. Clem said he felt an update coming on, probably after the first of the year.”
“You inspired him.”
“We inspire each other. It never occurred to me I’d run into another animatronics nerd.”
“He’s probably thinking the same. But he doesn’t have time to fool with them during the Christmas season. Speaking of that, have you thought about giving the Beaver Bunch Santa hats like the raccoons have?”
A flicker of unease invaded the happy glow he had going on. “I didn’t. Probably too late to order any.”
“True, but I’ll bet we could still find regular ones in town. I’m pretty good with a needle. I could modify them for you.”
Mild panic set in. “I’d hate to put you to the trouble. You must be busy doing?—”
“Not really. All my family gifts are ready to go. Claudie and I mailed off the Christmas cards to the Hearts & Hooves supporters last week. Our holiday adoption push winds up tomorrow. How soon would you like to unveil these guys?”
“It can be anytime, now that you’ve seen them. How about this weekend?” He needed to get it done before the twenty-third, when he was scheduled to get sick.
“Part of me wants to do that, but you’ve kept the secret this long. Wouldn’t it be more spectacular if it was part of the celebration, like on Christmas Eve?”
He managed to control a shudder. “Well, I?—”
“No, that might be too dicey, weather-wise, but if Christmas Day is sunny, you could do it then. So far they’re predicting decent weather on Christmas. We might get snow before then, but then it’ll clear off.”
He started to sweat. This is what he got for being so focused on completing the project so he could show it to Mila. Even without that single-mindedness, he might not have realized the holiday was coming up. He’d spent fifteen years ignoring it. “Don’t you—” Pausing, he cleared his throat. “Don’t you have plenty of other things going on that day?”
“We deliberately don’t have a lot going on. We just hang out with each other, eating and playing whatever game Mom gets for the family. If the conditions are good for the sleigh, we hitch up Woody and Buzz and take turns going for a ride.”
“There’s a sleigh somewhere?”
“That’s what’s under the tarp in the tractor barn.”
“Huh. I never looked.”
“We haven’t taken it out yet because you need at least six inches of packed snow and lately it keeps turning to slush. If we get fresh snow, we build forts, make snow people, have snowball fights. In other words, it would be a perfect day for introducing the Beaver Bunch.”
As he gazed into those beautiful eyes, the excitement and anticipation shining there made his chest hurt. What now?
He could tell her how he felt about Christmas and watch her happiness turn to sadness and concern. He could agree to the plan knowing he’d sabotage it in the end. Or he could white-knuckle it though Christmas Day.
There really was only one choice. At least she hadn’t set her heart on Christmas Eve. He’d find a way out of celebrating that with the family. Food poisoning was an option.
He sucked in a breath. “Then let’s bring those critters out on the big day.”
“Awesome! Do you want me to make the Santa hats? I’d love to.”
Might as well go all in. “That would be great.”
“It also gives me an excuse to be here. I can tell everyone I’ve seen your secret project and we decided to add a festive element to it. I’ll modify them here instead of at home.”
“Good plan.” He might not like the hat idea, but if she’d work on them here, he’d learn to like it.
She laughed. “I thought you’d approve. Could we pick them up together sometime tomorrow? What’s your schedule like?”
“Your mom asked me to look at the hinges on the main gate in the morning. If I end up replacing them, it could take me a while, but so far my afternoon’s free.”
