His face turned sober. “With all those men who came to attack the ranch and mine, I don’t think this place is still a secret. Thankfully, God’s been working on me a couple years now, helping me rest in Him. Trust that He’s taking care of all of us, even if it’s not the way I’d do it. His way actually turns out much better in the long run.” He glanced at Dinah with an intimate smile.
Then he faced the rest of them. “Anyway, I think it's time for a change. What about if we split the ranch land into seven equal parts, one for each sibling? I’ll hold Lucy’s portion until Lilly and Sean are old enough.”
Whoa.
Split up the ranch? The idea felt foreign. Certainly not something he’d ever expect from their protective eldest brother.
The rest of the family seemed as surprised. Murmurs rose as his family spoke to each other, some calling out questions to Jericho.
Jericho’s voice rose above the ruckus. “You can each choose which acreage you want, so long as we agree together. I imagine those of you who’ve already built cabins will want to keep the property around you."
He turned to the couple on the other side of Dinah. "Eric, Naomi. Dinah and I want to share our portion with you."
Eric’s brows shot up. “Really? Just the land around our house, right?”
Jericho shook his head. “We’d like to go half and half. This is your home too.”
"I…don't know what to say." Eric wove his fingers through Naomi's as grateful tears tracked down her cheeks. "Thank you. Truly."
Before chatter could start up again, Jericho turned to Jude. “We can talk about the fairest way to split up the mine. Maybe you’re paid a wage to oversee it, and we split the sapphires, or maybe the rest of us pitch in more and help with that work. We can all decide together how to handle it.”
Jude dipped his chin with a nod, but his eyes sparkled.
The group broke out in excited chatter, discussing potential plots and plans for their land.
But Sampson let the news settle fully. He would have his own portion of land, him and Grace. He’d always known he possessed a seventh of the ranch and mine profits, but he’d always thought it’d be a stake in the whole. He’d never imagined Jericho would agree to give them all their very own property, where they could each choose how to manage it. He and Grace could build the home of their dreams.
He stroked his thumb over her side, and she looked up at him. Her gaze shimmered, filled with a happiness that settled his insides with a warm peace. Their own plot of land was just an extra blessing. As long as he had Grace and Ruby, he was home.
But getting to build their life here with all their family—that made the future look even sweeter.
She rested her hand on his knee and smiled up at him. “Merry Christmas, husband.”
He couldn’t help lowering his mouth to hers for a quick brush—just a taste. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Coulter.”
He had to force himself to lift his head and focus back on the group.
Jericho was watching him, a half-smile curving his mouth. Sampson met his gaze and nodded a quiet thanks.
This would be a new season, a new chapter for the Coulter family.
Jericho stepped back against the wall and wrapped his arm around Dinah's waist with a contented smile.
But Dinah held up her hand. "Hold on, everyone. There's actually one more gift left to open.”
Once more, the family fell silent. All eyes turned to her as she faced Jericho with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You should know better than to think you get the final say, my love." From the pocket of her skirt, she produced a small, neatly wrapped package and pressed it into her husband’s hands.
Jericho raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Is that so, Doc? And here I thought I was the head of this family."
"Oh, hush and open it." Dinah swatted his arm playfully, her eyes never leaving his face.
As Jericho eased the paper open, anticipation charged the air around them. The wrapping fell away, revealing a piece of folded cloth. Jericho unfolded it, holding up a baby gown.
It’s meaning grabbed Sampson at the same instant that Grace gasped.
Realization took a second longer for Jericho, but his eyes widened, and he looked at Dinah, his mouth parted. "Is this...? Are you...?"
Dinah nodded, her smile radiant. "Sometime in the summer, if my calculations are correct."
