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There have been times in Bobby’s career when he’s had to play games on Christmas day, and his absence at the table was brutal.

But we all make sacrifices, no matter what we do for a living.

“I got Savanna an awesome gift,” I say. “Probably a better one than you picked out.”

“You better not have,” Bobby growls. “You have this irritating ability to pick the perfect gifts for people and make them feel like shit when they give you socks in return.”

“Sorry, man. But it’s true. I did.”

“Then give it to me and I’ll give it to her instead.”

“Nice try,” I say. “How else will I prove that she’s marrying the wrong twin?”

“I hate you.”

“You’ll have to put some thought into it. Savanna isn’t going to be impressed with Tiffany’s. You’ll need something from the heart.”

“Iknowthat, you prick,” Bobby says. “But what do you want me to do? Color her a goddamn picture? Most women would scream with joy if they unwrapped a Tiffany’s box.”

“Too bad you’re not marrying a superficial gold digger, huh?”

“She also got us a big surprise for our birthday,” Bobby grumbles. “Everyone is just trying to show me up while I’m out here working my ass off on the field.”

Bobby is loaded and happily gives everyone he loves a lavish lifestyle. We don’t need to work the ranch for financial reasons anymore. There’s just no choice in the matter – it’s in our blood and what we love to do.

And how else would I spend my time? Just sitting around?

“Well, I guess you better get thinking,” I suggest, “Or you’re going to look like a total asshole.”

“I should get some kind of pass. It wasn’t too long ago that I was in casts.”

Bobby fell off the roof of an outbuilding and broke both of his arms, but he’s made a full recovery and is back to playing at his usual gold standard.

“The time for the sympathy play over the injury has long since passed.”

“Shit,” Bobby mutters. “I’ll call you back.”

Bobby disconnects the line as I pull into the parking lot of the grocery store. We have an army of men to feed and if it won’t be possible to leave the property for a few days, then I want to make sure we have enough food on hand.

I also want to pick up some additional shelter belts and heat lamps from the supplier. The animals are my livelihood, but I also care about the cattle we raise. There is not going to be any undue suffering or freezing to death on my watch.

Some essentials are also needed to restock the emergency kits that I put together for each cowhand. And when my mom found out that I was making the trek into town, she gave me a list of personal care products we need.

If the storm is as bad as the weatherman is promising, then we’re going to be working around the clock to keep the animals safe. I’ll give the guys an extra bonus in addition to what I was already planning for Christmas.

My entire morning is shot with errands, so I don’t have any time to worry about whatever Bobby was really calling to tell me.

When I’m walking the aisles of the grocery store, there are many bare shelves and even more products with incredibly low stock.

It seems that everyone is partaking in panic buying. I’ll have to check on our elderly neighbors or invite them to stay with us since they might not be able to get out and buy their own storm preparations.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I assume it’s Bobby calling back after dealing with whatever Knights emergency came up.

We live in completely different worlds. I could have gone pro if I wanted to, but the ranch is my home and the only place I want to be.

But it’s not Bobby calling back.

It’s Lindsay sending a text.