Snowflake sniffed:I could have done that.
Billy rubbed her jaw. “Yeah, but there’s no other you, Snowflake.”
“Her name’s Snowflake?” Natasha asked. She slowly reached out and touched the center of the reindeer’s forehead.
“Yeah. She likes it.” Billy rubbed under her chin. “She likes carrots too, but I can’t give her more than one a day.”
Mitzi nudged him. “She’d talk you out of a bushel if I let her.”
Snowflake giggle.
Mitzi shook her head. She must have imagined it. “What do you think about movie making?”
“it was fun,” Billy shrugged.
“You’re so nice to let us be a part of this, thank you,” added Mitzi.
Natasha warmed her hands. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves.”
Mitzi’s eyes sparkled. “What are you doing tonight?”
“Thawing out.” Natasha’s knees were knocking together as they spoke.
“Well, as soon as you manage that, come to our cookie decorating party.
Natasha’s heart leaped. “They have a huge cookie decorating party in my hometown. I haven’t been in years.” Cookie decorating was a must in Harvest Ranch. She had holiday memories of sugar cookies and friends.
“Sounds like it’s about time.” Misty gathered her son in front of her and walked away. “It’ll be in the big house at seven tonight. Don’t be late, or Drake will eat all the frosting.” She pointed to the ranch house.
The house where Jack lived.
The house with mistletoe over the front door.
She looked around for the wrangler but didn’t see him. He was probably in the barn with Sparkle. Did he know Mitzi was going to invite her?
She drew in a chilly breath and told herself to get it together.
If tonight was the night, she’d be ready.
CHAPTERTWELVE
“Two… Three…” Jack spun in a slow circle, counting the mistletoe that hung from the ceiling, doorways, and other opportune positions. Though he hadn’t hung the decorations, Natasha was coming, and she owed him a kiss. The more chances he had to collect, the better.
“What are you doing?” Mitzi asked, as she entered the room with another plate of cookies. She must have baked all day, though you wouldn’t know it to look at her in her designer sweater and her hair perfectly done. There were no less than seven different shapes of sugar cookies.
It’d taken Mitzi a while to get used to being taken care of—she wasn’t used to any of her needs being important. She’d been a single mother before marrying Forest and joining the family. The kind of single mom who went without new clothes and skipped the salon so her kid could play baseball and have warm boots and a coat each winter. Forest loved showering her with gifts—he wanted to ensure she knew she was incredible. On the ranch, gift-giving was a love language they all spoke well. Over time, she’d blossomed within Forest’s love and within the protective family circle to this confident, graceful woman who owned a room the moment she walked in.
“Just counting the mistletoe. My brother is a smart man.” He chuckled because Forest was quick with the mistletoe.
Mitzi smiled knowingly. “Who said it was your brother who hung those?” She winked at him before making her way back into the kitchen. Not only was Forest smart, but he also was darn lucky. He wasn’t the only Nicolas who would put the mistletoe to good use this afternoon.
Even though it was only five-thirty, the sun was down, and the stars were out.
Jack had come early to the cookie decorating party because he didn’t know what else to do with himself.
Pax was on duty to protect the barn tonight.
Drake was in charge of keeping dad company in the master bedroom, which meant that Jack was the only single Wrangler in attendance. Normally, that wouldn’t bother him, but tonight he felt like his single status was on display. Forest bounded into the room carrying a large bowl of white icing with several plastic knives sticking out the top. Red, green and blue lined up on the main table. There were also piping bags full of frosting laid out.
