“Only if you want to,” Drake offered.
Dunder snorted at him:Don’t interrupt.
She continued to stroke his fur. “I’d just graduated from high school, and I felt all alone in the world. I didn’t want to leave Grandma or go anywhere. I think I was scared that I’d run into my dad and I couldn’t have handled that. Anyway, I was in the woods behind the cabin and there was this rustling. My heart raced. I thought it was a wolf or a bear and I was trying to decide if I was going to lie down and play dead or take off at a sprint when there was this bleating noise. Thinking it must be a lost goat, I crept up on this large bush and pushed the branches aside. There was a little reindeer. A calf that could barely walk, he was so weak from hunger. I searched and searched for the mom, but she wasn’t anywhere to be found, so I took him home. Suddenly, I had a purpose—saving his life. I put him next to the fireplace to sleep that night, much to Grandma’s dismay. He became family in a night.”
“When did you learn he could fly?” Drake grinned, knowing this would be a good story.
“The next morning. He was on the ceiling. I thought I’d gone nuts!” She laughed. “He flew to me, giving me a reindeer-type hug and–” she paused. “You know, I always thought this part of my memory was a mistake, but there was this silver magical ribbon that wrapped around the two of us and tied itself into a bow. I blinked, and it was gone.”
“Your bond.” Drake nodded.
“Yeah.” She smiled at him. Then looked at Dunder. “I’ve raised him—if there're any flaws, it's my fault.”
Dunder pranced in place like a boxer getting ready to enter the ring:Can we get going?
She huffed. He wasn’t going to let her take the blame if Felix didn’t measure up.
The three of them walked to the indoor arena, and Drake grabbed the handle with his leather glove. He gave Dunder a look that the reindeer ignored, and then swung the door open. Both he and Dunder waited for her to go in first.
She’d been in here that morning as she explained what was happening to Felix and why she had to rescue Drake from jail. Then again, when they got out of jail to explain that she’d gotten married. Drake had told him that they would always have a spot on the porch for him and that he would always be theirs. Felix seemed happy with the arrangements, as long as there were oats and carrots involved.
The family lined up on the bleachers, just like Drake said they’d be. They ate caramel popcorn balls, the brown-sugar scent heavy in the air.
Abner and Anna were in the front row in matching ugly red Christmas sweaters. Abner held Anna’s left hand. She used the other one to hand out treats and make sure everyone was settled.
Caleb and Jack’s families were in the next row up. The twin men sitting together, their wives at their sides. Jack held his niece, Aspen, on his lap. She wiggled and squirmed, wanting to stand one moment and sit the next. He moved with her, allowing her to get her energy out and even take his hat off and put it on her own head. Natasha lifted it to play peek-a-boo with the one-year-old who grinned as if she’d invented the game herself.
Forest and Misti were up higher, with Billy sitting on the row in front of them. Aspen had fallen asleep and was tucked into her daddy’s arms. Pax sat on the other side of Mitzi, his gaze intense.
Billy waved at her. “Hi, Auntie Clove.”
Okay, that was adorable. She waved back. “Hi, Nephew Billy.”
He laughed, dropping his head back and leaning into Mitzi sitting behind him. She tickled his chin, making him squirm. Clove grinned. This was her new life, her new family. They loved and cared for her in a way she’d never known, but being here was like falling into the softest pile of blankets. The fall was kind of scary, but the landing was incredible.
Felix turned toward the open door and lifted his nose in the air.
Clove stepped to the side to let Drake and Dunder in—it was now or never. She had to let her reindeer face this moment, even though every part of her wanted to demand another way.
It seemed like everyone held their breath as they waited to see what would happen between the two bulls.
Felix held his ground in the middle of the track and let Dunder approach him. They both stood as tall as possible, their chests puffed out and their antlers on full display.
Drake slid his arm around her and pulled her to his side, leaning back against the wall.
“Is it bad that I’m incredibly proud of Felix’s rack right now? It’s almost as big as Dunder’s,” she whispered, her lips brushing his ear.
“Nope.” Their eyes locked and held a thousand promises, and I love yous surged between them.
A loud crash rang out, and they both turned. Clove gasped in horror. Dunder and Felix’s antlers locked together as they pushed, grunted and pulled at one another.
Clove’s hands flew to her mouth. Drake’s hold on her tightened, and his muscles tensed.
Mitzi covered Billy’s eyes. Faith glanced at Caleb, her forehead wrinkled with worry.
Back and forth, the large bodies went. Their snorts made the dirt puff around them. Neither of them wanted to give an inch. Dunder twisted to the side and pulled Felix around. Unbalanced, Felix stumbled but regained his footing.
Clove grabbed Drake’s arm and squeezed.
