Page 49 of Cowboy Needed

“Oh.” Michael nodded sagely. “I like her pies best.”

“And her dressing.” That was Allie.

“Gwanny!” Chrissy cheered. “Pop-Pop! Yay!”

“That’s right, sweetie. Granny and Pop-Pop. Yay!” Lord, she did make him laugh.

“Is Aunt Lacey coming?” Michael asked.

“I invited her, and she said she’s going to have to see. She has a new partner in the business, and the day after Thanksgiving is super busy. She’s more likely to come around the first of the year, so that she doesn’t have to worry about working in the gallery.”

He hated it, but he got it.

“Is your Mom coming, Ellis?” Michael asked.

“Nope. Momma goes on a cruise, and Dad has a bunch of folks who come in and eat with him.”

“You can eat with us.” Allie sounded absolutely sure. “You can have mashed potatoesandgravy.”

“Can I? What if I want dressing, too?”

Allie pondered that. Ichabod could almost hear her brain ticking. “I might share half of mine.”

“Oh, now that’s love. I’m honored, baby girl.”

Zane snorted and shook his head. “Maybe you can…ask Granny to make more?”

“The pan is only this big,” she argued.

“So, ask her to make it in a bigger pan.”

That confused the hell out of her, Ichabod could tell.

“Maybe in two pans,” Michael agreed. “That way there’s some for you and for Ellis.”

“Oh. Oh, she could do that!” Allie applauded. “Good job, Michael!”

He did not roll his eyes. Nope.

Ellis’s warm chuckle told him he wasn’t alone. They sang the rest of the way into town, but Zane shushed them when they pulled up to drop him off.

“No ‘Monster Mash’ while I get out of the car, okay?”

“Fair enough. You hooligans don’t embarrass your brother, okay?” He didn’t get out or wave or do anything to make his eldest growl. “Have a good one. Holler if you need me.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Zane popped the door closed, and Chrissy let out a long ghost noise that was so loud it made them all jump and laugh.

“Oooooooooohhhhooooarrrr.”

Zane rolled his eyes. “She’s howling again, Dad.”

“She is.” He waited until the door was closed before saying, “Good job, little bit.”

“Tank ooooooooooooooooo.” Chrissy giggled madly.

“Who’s ready to trunk or treat?” Ellis called.

“Meeeee.” The girls both shouted.