All I Want for Christmas: A Kinnison Legacy Holiday novella by Amanda McIntyre

to be?”
    “Another thirty-forty minutes.” As she finished making supper, she wondered what Jed would have thought of her. Would he have been supportive of the fact that the daughter of his ex-wife, the woman who’d abandoned Wyatt and Dalton to Jed’s care had gone and married Rein, his one and only relative by blood?
    She looked out the kitchen window, startled by the streak of white flying through the twilight sky. She knew it was that damn owl. “So, talk to him already. What’s it going to take?”
    ***
    “Woo-hoo!”
    The sound of Emilee cheering as she stood jostled Liberty back to the present. The short rasp of the End of the Line fire truck signaled the beginning of the parade.
    For the next hour she watched as Dalton and Wyatt helped the kids collect the candy thrown to the curb and handed out by people dressed as elves and candy canes.
    Cody clapped and giggled, delighted by the colored lights and holiday music blasting from the various homemade floats.
    But nothing stirred her heart more than when Emilee pointed down the street and cried,” It’s Santa!”
    Cody wiggled from her lap, and she followed him to the curb. He looked up, raising his arms, his smile unstoppable. Lifting him up, she watched the excitement of the crowd as they welcomed the horse-drawn sleigh. They’d had to add substantial padding around Rein’s midsection, but he looked every bit the part with his white beard and black Stetson. He waved at the crowd, taking special notice of the children as he bellowed a deep “ho-ho-ho.” Tears pricked at the back of Liberty’s eyes and she glanced up, having only skated on the fringe of faith her entire life, and said a silent prayer that if any man deserved to be a father, it was this one.
    “It’s Santa!” Cody squealed, clapping his hands with glee.
    “That’s right, Cody.”
    His little hands clamped her face as he looked at her with eyes wide in wonderment. “He looked right at me and waved.”
    “I saw that, sweetie. He looked right at you. He must think you’re a very good little boy.” She hugged him.
    He pushed back in her arms and studied her with a frown. “Will he know if I’m not at Miss Ellie’s?”
    “Santa knows everything, sweetheart. Of course he’ll know where to find you.”
    Satisfied with her answer, he hugged her neck.
    ***
    “Careful, don’t get soap near his eyes.”
    Rein glanced up as Liberty placed a warm towel within his reach.
    “Why is everything so wet? Let’s try to keep it in the tub, gentlemen.”
    He picked up the shampoo bottle and squinted at the tiny print. “Nate said this one didn’t sting eyes.” From the corner of his eye, he noticed Cody taking aim with the plastic water pistol he’d also picked up at the drugstore.
    “You two have been up here for over an hour. I’m surprised he isn’t wrinkled as a prune.” She turned to leave as Cody fired. Rein ducked to one side and he felt a drip of water whizz past his ear. He watched in amazement as it stuck Liberty square in the back.
    “Oh, buddy, you’re in trouble now,” Rein cautioned quietly as he filled up the second water pistol he had concealed beneath the sudsy water.
    Cody’s laughter echoed through the bathroom as Liberty turned slowly and fisted her hands on her hips. Rein gave her credit for trying to look angry, but he’d seen that glint in her eye before.
    “You two are dangerous.” She laughed as Cody squirted the side of Rein’s face.
    He glanced at the boy and smiled. It was a guy thing. “One, two--”
    “Rein Mackenzie!” Liberty issued a stern warning.
    He grabbed her ankle and held her in place as he unloaded the water pistol on her. Cody joined in, his laughter lightening the earlier heaviness in Rein’s heart.
    “You rats!” Liberty screamed. “Two against one isn’t fair.” She struggled, twisting to get to the sink, where she dumped a towel under the water. After soaking it, she slapped it down over Rein’s head, much to Cody’s