Yuletide Cowboys: The Cowboy's Yuletide Reunion / The Cowboy's Christmas Gift. Arlene James

bars in the pantry.”

      “S’mores.” He smacked his lips exaggeratedly. “Sounds like a meal to me.”

      “Sounds like dessert,” Sarah corrected, wagging a finger at him. “After a healthy, well-balanced meal.”

      He burst into a hearty laugh. Marcus had the most contagious laughter of anyone she’d ever known, and it wasn’t long before everyone in the room joined in.

      “We may have to resort to canned fruits and vegetables to round out the meal,” Sarah said. “We had fresh apples and green grapes in a basket on the kitchen table, but I think they may be gone by now. The grapes, anyway. Little fingers love to sneak a few when Mama’s not looking.”

      Eliza murmured something to Sarah and Marcus headed to the kitchen. It didn’t take him long to scrounge up a meal, with no cans included or necessary. A quick glance into the refrigerator brought him cheese, bread and the package of hot dogs Onyx had requested. It made him happy to make that little girl smile.

      There were a few apples left in the basket on the table. Not enough for everyone to have one, but he could cut them into slices with a paring knife.

      Rummaging through the pantry for the goodies for the s’mores, he stumbled across a picnic basket. He looked inside and discovered a red-checked tablecloth and plastic plates, cups and utensils. Perfect. An idea of how to make the adventure more fun for everyone popped fully formed into his mind.

      Grinning, he packed his stash in the basket, including a bottle of sparkling cider and a couple of large wooden skewers that would be just right for cooking hot dogs over an open flame.

      “Anyone up for a picnic?” he called as he entered the living room. “I’ve got hot dogs. And fixings for s’mores.”

      “I am, I am,” Onyx exclaimed. It seemed to Marcus that once the child started talking, she had two volumes—loud and louder. He liked everything about her. She was the cutest little thing he’d ever seen. Well, maybe after her mother.

      He glanced at Sarah, who mouthed a silent, “Thank you.” He grinned and nodded. It was his pleasure. Truly.

      While Marcus assisted Onyx in cooking her hot dog over the fire, Sarah laid out all the goodies on the red-checked tablecloth, which she spread across the floor in front of the coffee table. She even lit a couple of fragrant green pillar candles that filled the room with the pleasant scent of pine trees. Fitting, considering where they were.

      Carl offered a blessing, and conversation hummed as they shared their simple meal together. Carl and Eliza were full of stories about the Christmas tree farm. They spoke of their love for the guests who visited with such nostalgia it put an ache in Marcus’s heart. Clearly they weren’t running the business this year. Justin’s death had hit them all hard. They were good people. He wished there was some way he could bring some joy back into their lives.

      Sarah regaled him with some crazy antics involving the reindeer, Snort and Crash. Onyx loved the horses and riding in the sleigh.

      Marcus swallowed around the lump in his throat when he realized he was here to take the horses away. What kind of Christmas present was that?

      No. He couldn’t do that to the little girl, or to her mama. He wouldn’t. He’d call up Grandma Sheryl as soon as his cell phone service turned back on and tell her he was leaving the Percherons right where they were. He’d pay her back with his own money and purchase another team of draft horses for Grandma, if it came to that.