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Nick pulled on his jacket and grabbed his hat. “No, I don’t. I worry about the stress you put yourself through for thesethings. You know, at the time of year that’s supposed to be about goodwill and cheer.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re so worried about me. Thereissomething you can do to make this year’s Christmas gathering better.”

Locking the door behind him, he took hold of the phone again. “If I can manage it, you know I will.”

“Well, it’s been a while since we last saw you. And I know you’ve been busy, especially with your promotion.”

Nick chuckled. “Did you just try to guilt me so I’d be willing to agree to come home for Christmas?”

“I would never be so underhanded!”

“You would if it was ‘out of love,’ and you know it.”

“Well,” she admitted begrudgingly. “The thought might have crossed my mind. Your father was, of course, insistent that it wasn’t necessary.”

“No offense, Mom, but maybe you should try listening to him once in a while.”

“Well, I know how much you love celebrating with your team.”

Nick stepped out into the chilly air, adjusting his coat as he walked. “Eh, Sean and Aidan aren’t going to make it this year. I guess they’re pretty busy with whatever they have going on.”

“Oh, that’s a shame. I was going to tell you to invite the whole team if you wanted. It would have been nice to have all you boys over for the holidays,” she sighed.

“I can pass the message along to Ricardo if you want, but I’m not sure what’s going on his end.”

“Well, if not, that’s fine too. Just as long as you and Matt show up, I’ll be happy.”

Nick smiled, his affection for his mother flaring. No one in his family had batted an eye when he’d first shown up to a family gathering with Matt years ago. It wasn’t until Matt was broughtto the third gathering that he even told them about his lack of blood family. It was a moot point by then, though, as his family had adopted Matt as one of their own.

Years later, his family came to expect Matt’s presence as well as Nick’s. The expectation ran deep enough that Matt knew full well he was expected to show up just as much as Nick was. It was a little strange for the man at first, having Nick’s massive family take him in as one of their own, but after almost a decade, it was second nature.

“Well, to be fair to him, I need to make sure he doesn’t have any plans. But I’m sure he’ll be happy to come along. He’s a little put out that the team won’t be together,” he told her.

She gave a low sigh. “I imagine he would be. As attached to those boys as you are, he’s even worse. Can’t say I blame him.”

“I’ll probably see him tonight and ask him.”

His mother snorted. “Probably, he says, as if it’s not a certainty.”

“Mom, c’mon.”

“I’m just stating facts. Well, when youprobablysee him, tell him to pack appropriately. You know how cold it gets here, especially out at the lodge.”

Nick stopped on the sidewalk. “Uh, the lodge?”

“Well, yes, honey. Where else am I going to have the Engel family Christmas?”

One of the first hurdles Matt faced regarding Nick’s family was their wealth. Between farming and ranching, the Engel family had done well for itself, and with enough investments from savvy family members, they were incredibly wealthy. More than enough money to take care of the whole family if they wanted, as well as owning a handful of private residences.

The lodge was in Northwestern Nebraska, and true to his mother’s word, it could get pretty cold in the winter. It was alsoa sprawling estate with enough room for the entire family and guests.

“Mom,” he began, disbelieving. “What, are you inviting every cousin?”

“Oh, it’s not that bad.”

“Mom, it’s practically a resort.”

“And if it is?”