grabbed Nicholas’s hand. “Come play!”
Tarah laughed. “That’s right!” she exclaimed. “Only grown-ups are allowed downstairs, Mr. Boyfriend!”
Nicholas laughed as Irene and Gabi both pulled him along. “Jealous much, Dr. Boudreaux?”
She rolled her eyes as Nicholas’s sister Naomi eased to her side. “I think my brother likes you,” the woman said, her voice low.
Tarah giggled. “I think I might like your brother.”
Mason shook his head. “He’s not your type. Besides, we all like him, too. No one wants to see you break his heart. And you’re notorious for that!”
Tarah shot her brother a look. “I am not!”
Kendrick nodded. “Yes, you are! You chew guys up and spit them out like they’re nothing. It’s never pretty, so we definitely don’t need you throwing Nicholas off his game.”
“I know that’s right!” Mark echoed. “I’ve bet too much money on him, so I need my cousin’s head straight for game day.”
Tarah tossed up her hands. “I am not a heartbreaker!” she exclaimed as she dropped down into the seat Nicholas had just vacated.
Her siblings all gave her a look, and then everyone chuckled, amusement wafting between them.
“Who all’s going to the game?” John asked, looking around the room as he changed the subject.
“I think we should make it a family event,” Nicholas’s older brother, Noah Stallion, interjected. “Try to get everyone there to support him.”
Tarah clapped her hands together. “Ohh! The championship game! I can’t wait! I really hope I can get the time off.”
Marah laughed. “I thought you hated football?”
“I do, but it’s the championship game! Besides, football players are too cute in those uniforms. Who can hate a tight end with a tight end?”
Confusion washed over her mother’s face. “I thought you all said that boy was a quarterback?”
* * *
Tarah found Christmas Day to be one of the best she’d ever had. She had missed the energy of having her siblings and their extended family together in the same space. The fellowship reinforced how much she loved, and had missed, her people while she was living in Phoenix.
Everyone’s good mood swept from room to room. The laughter was intoxicating, and the whole family was drunk with joy. By midafternoon, all of the children had finally settled down, either napping away the morning excitement or cuddling quietly in a corner with a new toy or book.
Decadent kitchen smells wafted through the home as the final touches were being put on the holiday meal. Turkeys and hams had been pulled from the ovens, cakes and pies decorated the counters, and everyone’s favorite foods were being transferred to serving dishes.
Heading down to the stables, Tarah had followed her nephew Collin, who’d been excited to ride the new horse that Santa had brought him. The college sophomore stood as tall as the other men in the family, his growing maturity reminding her of how quickly time was flying. She couldn’t help but think that if she blinked, she might actually miss something. All the children were growing way too fast for comfort. She released a soft sigh as she sat perched on the top rail of the wooden fence that enclosed the pasture where the young man was putting the Appaloosa through his paces.
Collin’s grin filled his face as he pulled the horse up to a stop beside her. “You really should come ride, Aunt Tarah! I can saddle one of the other horses if you want.”
She reached out a hand to stroke the animal’s neck and it neighed, its large head bobbing slightly as if it were echoing the young man’s comment. “Not this time, Collin. But you go have fun. He really is beautiful!”
Collin nodded. “And here I was hoping they would get me a new phone for Christmas!”
“Sounds like you earned it. I hear things are going well for you at Morehouse.”
Collin’s chest pushed forward slightly. “It’s getting harder, but I promised Mom I would make the dean’s list every semester I’m there. I have to stay true to my word!”
Tarah smiled. “That’s my guy! We’re all so proud of you! Have you thought about what you want to do after college?”
He nodded. “I plan to get a law degree like Mom and Dad. And then I’m going into the family business. Stallion Enterprises keeps growing, so they are always going to need good lawyers!”
She nodded. “You go, boy! And if you change your mind, you can always practice medicine like your auntie!”
Collin shook his head. “Uh, no thanks! I don’t like going to doctors, so I know I don’t want to be one. I’m proud of you, though!”
Tarah laughed. “Go ride, kiddo! Enjoy that horse. What did you name him, by the way?”
Collin laughed. “Baby!”
As Collin pulled gently on the reins to turn Baby in the other direction, Tarah laughed with him.
“What’s so funny?” Nicholas questioned, seeming to come out of nowhere.
His sudden appearance behind her was startling and she jumped, pulling one hand to her chest as she steadied herself with the other. “You just scared the crap out of me!” she snapped, clearly not amused.
He held up hand. “Sorry about that. I just saw you sitting here and thought I’d come say hello.”
Tarah took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She cut an eye in his direction as he climbed atop the fence to sit with her. He shifted side to side, trying to make himself comfortable atop the narrow ledge.
He met the look she was giving him and smiled. The lift of his full lips dimpled his cheeks. “So, is there a trick to this that I’m not getting?” he asked, leaning his body forward for better balance.
She chuckled. “You need a little more cushion back there. It helps.”
He nodded. “No wonder you look so comfortable.”
“Excuse me?”
He grinned. “It was a compliment. I was just pointing out that you have a very nice rear view. Full...and round.”
There was a moment’s pause as her gaze locked with his. Her eyes narrowed substantially. “Why are you looking at my ass?”
“In all fairness, I wouldn’t have looked at all if the girls hadn’t pointed out that you had a big butt.” He laughed. “Irene thought I needed to be aware. She also said you have a big head, big feet and teeth that look goofy.” He shot her a look. “Her words, not mine!”
Tarah looked out to the horizon, then shifted her gaze back out to the pasture. “I swear those two are so lucky they’re short!”
“If
