He knocked and walked in. Roam had said they left their front door unlocked and had an open house rule because he and Sprite would never hear the doorbell over the kids.
Speedy stood for a second, letting his ears adjust. With Sprite and Roam’s six kids, plus all the extras hanging out today, Speedy counted at least fifteen kids.
“Hey, Deacon, you ready?” he asked when he finally spotted his kid staring at David and Grant racing on the game system.
“Yep, I lost. Where are we going?” Deacon asked.
“I thought you could help me with something,” Speedy said.
Deacon nodded and said his goodbyes. Speedy was thankful for the friends Deacon had made in the short time he’d been living at Bluff Creek. They walked outside. Speedy laid his hand on Deacon’s shoulder.
After they’d walked far enough away from the house, Speedy led Deacon through a field to where the racetrack was. There was a huge tree that Bear had mentioned was a great place for conversations.
He sat down and Deacon cuddled up against him.
“I love you a lot, Deacon. I’m glad I get to see you now, but I am sorry that your mom’s gone. My mom and dad died recently, and I miss them,” Speedy said.
“I miss Mommy. But I love living here with you and Lettie. Do I get to stay?” Deacon asked.
Speedy hugged Deacon a little tighter and turned them so they were face to face.
“Deacon, I’ll always be your dad, and yes, you get to stay forever,” Speedy said. Holding Deacon in his arms made him equally thrilled and petrified. He really wished his dad was still around so he could ask him questions and share the kids. At least with all the men at Bluff Creek, he could ask them, but it wasn’t quite the same.
“What do you need help with?” Deacon asked.
Trust Deacon to remember what Speedy had said.
“Well, I love you. I love Tessie and I love Violet too. I want us to be a family. What do you think about that?” Speedy asked.
The breeze blew a tumbleweed across the dirt track. Speedy kept his concentration on it because then he wouldn’t be wondering what Deacon might say.
“I want to be a family. Can Violet be my mom too? I think my mommy in Heaven would be okay with me having another mommy since she can’t be here,” Deacon said.
Speedy’s throat tightened. Out of the mouths of babes was so true. As much as Anita loved Deacon, she would want him to have it all.
“I love you and think she would too,” Speedy said softly. Another tumbleweed blew across the racetrack. Until Violet, that tumbleweed was how Speedy had felt. He’d been doing his job and just following where the wind led him—from Texas to Kansas.
“When will she be my mommy?” Deacon asked.
“Well, about that. I’m going to need your help,” Speedy said.
Violet carried Tessie as she, Beth, Savi, and Frankie walked over to the orchard. Flick was working the orchard rides tonight along with Speedy.
This year, the animals were available for a petting zoo, and there were wagon rides through the orchard. It was cool, crisp, and dry. No sleigh rides this year. But Violet would be here next year too, and she couldn’t wait for what the new year held.
“Okay, do I get my turn holding her?” Savi asked.
“Sure, do you want the carrier?” Violet asked.
“Yes, please,” Savi said.
“I love this time of year. I know a lot of people hate the holidays, and I have to admit the first couple after Mom died were really hard, but I still love seeing the wonder in kids’ eyes,” Beth said.
After Tessie was situated with Savi holding her, Violet kissed Tessie’s head.
“Well, I never did before this year. It wasn’t good growing up with my mom, and as an adult, I’d go because she’d make my life miserable if I didn’t, but honestly, it was horrible with her. This December has just been magical,” Violet said.
Frankie slipped her arm around Violet and hugged her.
