“Yes. You always have.”
While I sat in the middle of all this holiday joy, a part of it yet apart, I couldn’t stop thinking about the decision I still had to make.
California meant advancement, recognition, and the chance to finally launch my dream. It was the culmination of everything I’d worked for.
Lonesome Creek meant Becken. A makeshift family. The golden mark on my wrist and whatever future it promised.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“That I have a decision to make. A big one.”
“Whatever you decide, I want you to be happy.”
My eyes burned. No one had ever prioritized my happiness before.
But Becken did.
And somehow, in this small tourist town with its orc cowboys and Christmas traditions, with its makeshift families and mating magic, I’d found something I hadn’t known I was searching for.
I just had to decide if I was ready to grab onto it and hold on tight.
Chapter 22
Becken
The function hall echoed with holiday music as Ostor and I hung the last of the silver stars from the ceiling. Tourists would expect a magical experience tonight for the Christmas Eve cocoa judging contest and the starlight ride, and Lonesome Creek would deliver. Even if it meant spending my morning balancing on a ladder while my cousin handed me decorations from below.
“A little higher on the left,” Ostor called up. “Rosey wants them to catch the lantern light when people come inside after the ride.”
I adjusted the star, securing it to the beam. “This enough magic for you?”
“There’s never enough magic for Rosey.” Affection softened his voice. “She has plans for a bonfire at our place later, with those packets that turn the flames different colors.”
“She and Carla should compare notes.”
“They already do. Where do you think all these ideas come from? Carla’s been working with Rosey on this for days.”
That explained the hushed conversations I’d noticed between them, the shared smiles whenever I walked into the room.Carla’s enthusiasm for Christmas traditions had infected the entire town, creating a festive energy even my grumpiness couldn’t dampen.
“Almost done here.” I descended the ladder, studying our work. Silver stars hung from the rafters, catching light and throwing sparkles across the wooden floor. Evergreen garlands draped the walls, studded with pinecones and red berries. It looked amazing, like Christmas. Like what Carla had described wanting as a child.
The thought of her face when she saw it made my throat close off.
“Looks good,” Ostor said, coming over to stand with it. “The humans will love it.”
“One particular human, you mean,” Ruugar said with a laugh.
Ostor’s grin widened. “My brother here mentioned you had a development in that area.”
I tightened my lips. “Don’t you males have anything better to discuss?”
“Not really. This is far more interesting than anything else these days.” Ostor began collecting leftover decorations. “You and Carla have mating marks, and here you are, still scowling instead of celebrating with her because…”
“She’s leaving the day tomorrow. And now she’s been offered her dream job in California.”
“Ah.” Understanding dawned on his face. “The phone call at breakfast.”
“Wildwind Ranch. An amazing operation, exactly what she’s been working toward for years.” The words tasted bitter. “It’ll give her everything she wants.”
