Westward Moon (14 page)

              Jack came hobbling out to the kitchen with Sparrow following him closely.  “That’s right, Pa.  We need a tree.”

              Maddie said, “Yes, and we have some decorations from last year, but we’ll have to string more popcorn.”

              “I can help with that,” Jack said.  “I can’t help with the tree, but I can do that.”

              Suddenly they all began deciding who would help with what and supper became a festive affair as they became excited about the holiday.  Jack told Sparrow funny stories about Christmases when he was growing up and she laughed until she had tears in her eyes. 

              When supper was over with, Sparrow helped Jack get settled again.  It had felt good to Jack to sit up for a while, but his leg was complaining loudly by this point and he was ready for more laudanum.  It wasn’t long until he was out of it and it didn’t matter that the family was gathered together in the parlor for the evening because his slumber was so deep.  Jack never woke up until sometime after midnight and he was disoriented in the darkened room.  He looked around and saw that Sparrow was asleep on the floor next to him.  Frowning, Jack shook her a little.  Sparrow lifted her head and looked at him.

              “Are you all right?” she asked.

              “Yeah,” Jack said.  “Come here.  Why are you on the floor?  You should be in a bed somewhere.”

              “I didn’t want to leave you.  Also, I sleep on the floor all the time, remember?” she said as she got up and carefully lay down with him on the sofa.

              Jack smiled.  “Yeah, I remember.  I don’t know why it doesn’t bother me when we’re in camp, but it does when we’re here.  Doesn’t make sense, does it?”  He kissed the top of her head as she laid her head on his chest. 

              “Sort of.  If we’re here, it seems like we should sleep in a bed, but we never have beds at camp so we can’t sleep in one,” Sparrow said and laughed softly as she heard how illogical and yet logical her statement was.

              Jack chuckled.  “I agree.  Mmm.  This is nice.”  He tightened his arms around her a little.

              “It’s Christmas Eve.”

              “Yeah, it is.  So what did you get me for Christmas?” Jack asked.

              “I don’t have anything for you.  When did I have time to shop?” Sparrow said.

              “Sure you do,” Jack said.  “You’re the present, Sparrow.  That’s all I need or want.”

              His statement brought her such happiness.  “You’re my present, too, Jack.  As long as I have you, nothing else matters.”

              “Mmm hmm,” Jack said as he became sleepy again.

              Sparrow smiled as she knew he was about to nod off again.  She snuggled closer and let sleep claim her, too.

              Dean and Tessa sat out at the kitchen table early the next morning drinking coffee.  It was quiet because no one else was up yet.  They always enjoyed the quiet time together before things became busy.  Dean started chuckling and Tessa looked at him.

              “What?” she asked.

              “I don’t know what we’re gonna do when that sofa finally goes.  It’s been used hard by a lot of people,” Dean said.

              “It’s very comfortable,” Tessa said.  “Even when you’re sleeping two in it like right now.”

              They’d found Sparrow and Jack curled up together on the sofa and had smiled at each other over it. 

              “I don’t think I’ll be able to get rid of it.  I’ll put it out in the barn and cover it,” Dean said.  “It’s one of those things that you just can’t let go.  Too many memories.”

              “Well, that’s not for a long time, so don’t worry about it,” Tessa said.  “It’s going to be a busy day.”

              Dean nodded.  “Yeah.  We gotta get that tree.  At least we know where it’s going.  Seth is going to get one for them.  I love the scent of pine.”

              “I know you do.”

              Mike had crept downstairs and sat on the stairs just listening to his parents.  He sometimes did that.  He smiled over some of the things they said.  Their easy conversation told him how comfortable they were together.  He could hear the love in their voices when they talked about their children and spoke of their love for one another.

              He only ever listened for about five minutes or so before announcing his presence.  It was rude to eavesdrop, but he liked to hear them talk for just a little bit.

              Mike stood up and went into the kitchen.  He poured some coffee and sat at the table with them.  Tessa smiled at him.

              “Good morning, Mike.  Drinking coffee now are we?” she said.

              He said, “Good morning, Mama, Pa.  Yeah.  I like it black.”

              “Just like Seth,” Dean said.  “You’re growin’ up too fast, Mike.  You’re interested in girls, you’re a genius, halfway to being a doctor, and now you’re drinkin’ coffee.”

              Tessa ran a hand over his hair and sighed.

              “It’s ok, Mama.  I’ll always be your little boy,” Mike said.

              “I’m glad of that,” she said. 

              “When’s breakfast?” he asked.  “I’m hungry.  We gotta get that tree, Pa.”

              Dean said, “Don’t I know it.”

              Mike wasn’t the only one who listened to Tessa and Dean.  Sparrow and Jack had woken and were doing the same thing. 

              Jack whispered to her, “Pa’s right.  Mikey’s really growing up now.  I didn’t know he was sweet on Jenny.  Isn’t that somethin’?”

              Sparrow nodded against his chest.  “I know.  He’s so cute.”

              “Yeah.  I just wish he wouldn’t keep stuff so close to the vest, though.  I don’t like it that he felt he had to,” Jack said.

              “Some people are just more private than others,” Sparrow said.

              “Speaking of privacy…”  Jack pulled the blanket up over their heads and kissed her.  When they parted, he said, “Good morning, my little bird.”

              “Good morning, deputy,” Sparrow said with a smile.  “I like your badge.”

              Jack said, “You do?”

              “Yes.  You wear it well,” Sparrow said.

              “Thank you.  I’ll remember that.  So you’re gonna be able to handle being married to a lawman?” Jack said.

              “As long as the lawman is you, yes,” Sparrow said. 

              “Good.”

              They shared another kiss and then got up.

              The day began at that point and grew more chaotic as it went along.  In midmorning, Luke and Jamie arrived with their three-year-old daughter Rosie who had Jamie’s auburn hair and Luke’s big brown eyes.  She was a little shy like her pa, but after some coaxing from the twins, she went out to play in the snow with them.

              Dean, Mike, and Seth came back with two beautiful trees that were quickly put up.  The children had a wonderful time helping decorate the two trees.  Jack had helped string popcorn as promised and had even cooked a little since he could stand on his good leg for a while.  His injured leg felt a little better and he held off on taking pain medicine as long as possible.

              Around one o’clock that afternoon, jingle bells sounded in the lane and Joe and Lacey Dwyer appeared in Joe’s sleigh.  His trusty Standardbreds, King and Rook pulled the vehicle with ease.  As soon as Dean had heard the bells, he told Mike to go into the parlor and not to come out.  Mike protested at first, but then did as he was asked.

              Everyone went out to greet the couple and little Emily.  Emily was five now and full of herself.  She jumped out of the sleigh and joined the other kids.  She talked a mile a minute and there was a slight Texas accent to her voice, something she’d picked up from hearing Joe so much. 

              “Merry Christmas, folks,” Joe said.  “You’re all lookin’ well.  Except for Hop-a-long over there.”

              Jack laughed.  “Yeah, but it gets me out of work, so there’s an upside I guess.”

              Lacey said, “I’m sure they’ll put you to work doing something.”

              “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Jack said.

              Dean wasn’t paying much attention to the conversation.  He was instead looking at the three-year-old Thoroughbred colt that had been trotting along behind the sleigh.  He was a beautiful creature.  Dean had approached him with caution, but the colt was curious and friendly as he nuzzled Dean’s chest.

              His black coat shone with good health and his lines were clean.  Power and grace were evident in his movements.  A white blaze extended from his forehead to his nose and he sported four white stockings.

              “Joe, he’s beautiful,” Dean said.  “And he’s well broke and trained?”

              Joe had come back to watch Dean look the horse over.  He didn’t answer Dean; he simply untied the colt and let the lead rope drop to the ground.  Joe made a hand signal to the colt and he knelt on one leg.  Joe gave him another signal and the colt got up again.  Joe gave him a sugar cube.  Joe whistled and the colt whinnied loudly.  Joe just stared at Dean pointedly.

              Dean grinned.  “I guess so.  He’s gonna love him.  What’s his name?”

              “Duncan,” Joe said.

              “He’s almost sixteen hands so he won’t outgrow him like he did Shadow,” Dean said.  “Tessa, go get him, please?”

              Tessa was excited as she ran inside to the parlor.  “Ok, Michael.  You need to close your eyes and let me lead you.  All right?”

              Mike said, “Ok.  They’re closed.”

              “Keep them closed, mister,” Tessa said.

              She guided Mike outside and around to where Dean had led the colt.  All of the kids had been instructed to stay quiet.  She positioned him in front of the colt and Duncan sniffed Mike’s hair and whickered.  Mike instinctively put out his hand and Duncan lipped it a little.

              “Open your eyes, Michael,” Tessa said.

              When Mike did, standing before him was the most beautiful horse he’d ever seen. 

              Dean said, “Merry Christmas, Mike.”

              Mike gave Dean an incredulous look.  “You mean he’s
mine
?”

              Tessa said, “Yes, he’s yours.”

              Mike would have let out a whoop, but he didn’t want to scare the colt.  Instead he laughed and hugged Duncan who whickered again.  Mike was his father’s son when it came to horses and began running his hands over Duncan. 

              Joe said, “Owl and Marcus took turns training him to ride Indian style.  Try him out, Mike.”

              Mike took off Duncan’s halter and let it drop to the ground.  He spoke to Duncan in Lakota and the colt’s ears flicked back and forth at the familiar command.  Mike backed up and ran at the colt who stood still as Mike grabbed his mane and hauled himself onboard.  The boy landed lightly and put Duncan through some simple steps before turning Duncan up the lane and setting the colt free.

              Seth said, “Look at the speed that thing already has even though he just took off.”

              Tessa said, “He doesn’t have a coat on.  I forgot to have him put a coat on.”

              Dean said, “I don’t think he’s gonna notice, honey.”

              Jack watched for Mike to come back.  “He’s gonna be winning races all the time in camp.  They won’t want him to compete.”

              Sparrow nodded.  “Yes.  I don’t think we have any horse as fast as that.”

              Mike was soon back.  He rode with his arms stretched out to the sky.  He stopped in front of them and slid off Duncan.  He ran over to his parents and hugged them, thanking them over and over.  Then he hugged Joe and Lacey and thanked them for training Duncan so well.  Next he took Duncan to the barn to put him in an empty stall.

              Joe and Lacey stayed for a while after that.  They took the kids for sleigh rides and then visited a little before heading home.  Joe had left gifts for the children to open the next morning.  He’d said that Santa had dropped them off at his place along with the colt for Mike.  Mike went along with Joe’s story so the younger ones were none the wiser.

              Near dark, Luke and Jamie left with Rosie to spend the night at Luke’s parents’ house so they would already be there for Christmas.  Jamie wasn’t thrilled about the idea, but went along with it for Luke and Rosie’s sakes.  Luke’s mother, Pricilla was Jamie’s least favorite person.

              That evening Seth played carols on his fiddle and sang along with the twins who had pleasant little voices. He’d actually begun to teach them some harmony.  He’d secretly rehearsed with them and they surprised everyone by singing
The First Noel
by themselves while Seth accompanied them. 

              “You’re gonna have to sing that tomorrow for everyone, ok?” Dean said as he hugged them.  “The musical ability skipped me, but I’m glad you guys got it.”

              Once the children were asleep, the adults put the presents under the trees and went to bed.  Jack and Sparrow slept in the twin’s room next to Dean and Tessa’s room.  Mike had offered for the twins to sleep in his room with him so that the presents could be put out without them knowing it.  He did it every year.  Also, Jack could sleep in one of the twin’s beds and be more comfortable than on the sofa.

              The twins were up before it was light out and even though Mike had tried to keep them upstairs for a while, they were too excited to settle back down, and came downstairs.  Sparrow made them sit on the sofa while she put coffee on and helped Jack to the outhouse. 

Dean and Tessa had heard them and had dressed quickly.  When they came out of their room, the twins began talking rapidly.  They finished each other’s sentences and basically drove their parents crazy until they were allowed to open their gifts. 

              Jack and Sparrow laughed as the twins exclaimed over new games and toys.

              Jack leaned over and whispered in her ear.  “Just think; that’ll be us in a few years.”

              She smiled at him and said, “I can’t wait.  I have dreamt of our children and asked for them to come once we are married.”

              “Then it really won’t be long,” Jack said.  He knew that the Lakota prayed for fertility as much as any other culture.  “I’ve asked for the same thing.”

              Claire, Marcus, and their children arrived later that morning and another day of havoc ensued.  Marcus conned Dean and Seth into joining him and the kids in a snowball battle.  It turned into a wrestling match with Dean and Seth ganging up on Marcus.  Jack sat on the porch watching them.

              Jack yelled at Dean and Seth to play fair.  Suddenly a barrage of snowballs came his way and he had to duck and hobble into the house to get away from them.  Sparrow was quickly gaining even more perspective into Jack’s family dynamics.  Even though she didn’t always say much, she listened intently because she wanted to learn everything she could about them so that when she married Jack, she would be able to fit in better. 

              How his family perceived her was of the utmost importance to her and in Sparrow’s mind if she made a good impression, it showed that she loved him enough to care about making him proud of her. 

              Jack helped as much as he could with the cooking, but had to put his leg up periodically, which frustrated him.  Normally he would have been right in the thick of everything.  He’d refused to take any medicine because as he told his fiancée, “I’m gonna eat every damn thing I can to make up for the last couple of days.”