Page 31 of More Than a Little Spark (Cowboys of Stargazer Springs Ranch #9)

Daphne

Daphne

I take my place in the pickup line at the middle school, excited and nervous for the planned shopping adventure.

For December, the day is too warm. But I’m not going to let that dampen my holiday spirit.

Fred asked if I’d take him shopping for Carson’s present, and I heartily agreed. It’s a bit of a Christmas miracle.

We’re even getting dinner together. Just the two of us. Which is a first. Actually, the second, but the first was during a stressful situation and not planned ahead of time.

It’s been more than a year since Carson and I got back together. And Fred’s been friendly, kind. Even warm some days. The three of us have gone to dinner, had movie nights, and once went on a horseback ride through the ranch.

But this is the first time he’s requested an outing alone with me. And that’s why I’m both nervous and excited. Things shifted when Carson was in the hospital a couple of months ago. Fred and I drew a bit closer. I guess realizing that we both love the same person had something to do with that.

He opens the back door and tosses in his backpack.

And I hold my breath, hoping he isn’t planning to sit back there on our drive into San Antonio.

The distance between the seats would make me feel like a chauffeur.

But if that’s what he’s comfortable with, I’ll adjust. But I doubt he will because he’s ridden in the front seat before.

After digging around in his backpack a second, he closes the back door and gets into the passenger seat. “Thanks for this. I hope it didn’t mess up your schedule.”

“Not at all. I’m really glad you asked.”

Grinning, he buckles his seat belt. “I already know what I’m going to get you.”

“We haven’t even left the parking lot, and you’re teasing me.” I give a comically dramatic huff.

He laughs. “You’ll like it. A lot.”

As I drive, he talks about his school day and which teachers he likes and doesn’t like. And soon, my nervousness dissipates. One conversation leads into another, and we talk and laugh until we get to the mall.

When I park, he glances at his backpack and then at my door.

“Grab your backpack. You don’t have to get my door.” I pat his shoulder. “But I like that you thought about it.”

He flashes a smile. “One day, when I get a girlfriend, I’ll open the door for her. Like Dad does for you.”

“Anyone particular in mind?”

“Not right now. Mason says that when you meet someone, you’ll just know. And that’s what happened with you and Dad, so I guess I just haven’t met her yet.”

“Well, you’re fourteen, so you have lots of time.”

“Yeah.” He points toward the bookstore as he climbs out. “Let’s start there. I want to get a book and some chocolate for Dad’s stocking.”

We shop for hours. And by dinnertime, our arms are loaded down with bags.

“Let’s put all this into the trunk, then find a restaurant.” I’m carrying far fewer bags than he is. At his insistence.

“Cool.” He strides along beside me.

We’re about the same height right now, but it won’t be long before he’ll be looking down at me. He’s grown up so much in the last year, and most of the time, there isn’t much of the moody teen left. I’m sure it’s not gone for good. But the reprieve has been most pleasant.

While we load bags into the trunk, he clears his throat. “My school is doing a breakfast thing called Muffins with Mom, and I know you aren’t my mom, but you could…” The question dangles, and after a few moments of staring at the bags, he looks at me. “If you wanted.”

“Text me the day and time, and I’ll be there. I’d be honored to go to Muffins with Moms with you.”

“Poppy will be there, but she’s Mason’s mom, and I could ask some of the other ladies on the ranch. They’d totally show up if I asked, but I’d really like it if you came. I know you work, and if you can’t, I understand.”

“I can go in late one day. I’ll just let my boss know that I have something important to do.” I flash a smile and will myself not to cry. “Let’s go eat. I’m starved. How does a steak sound?”

“Amazing.” He drops into his seat.

I’ll be riding this high for weeks. All the people who said that Fred just needed time were correct. And I love this young man. I’m not going to say that out loud right now because I’m not sure how he’ll react, but I’ll know when the time is right.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafts down the hall, and I make my way to the kitchen. I’m extra thankful I stayed in Carson’s guest room last night.

Carson gives me a quick kiss before handing me a mug. “Merry Christmas. You ready for presents? Fred is. And I think he’s as excited about giving you your gift as he is about opening his.”

I lean in and give Carson another kiss, one that can’t be labeled a peck. “This is my present. The holiday has been perfect. I celebrated with my mom and siblings yesterday. And I’m with y’all today.”

He slides an arm around my waist and tugs me closer. “And in a bit, we’ll go to the main house for more gifts and a Christmas breakfast. It’s a million times better than how I grew up, and something I never dreamed would be my life.”

Fred clears his throat. “Um, I’m ready. Can y’all do that mushy stuff while we open gifts?”

I laugh at the feigned exasperation in Fred’s expression, then hug him. “Merry Christmas. Let’s go open presents.”

“Can I have a cup of coffee, Dad?”

“Not yet. When you’re taller than me, I’ll let you have coffee.”

At the rate Fred is growing, that might be a few weeks. That’s an exaggeration, but I think he’s grown an inch since he and I were out shopping just weeks ago.

The three of us sit on the floor around the tree.

Then Fred leans forward and grabs a package. “Daphne, you need to open yours first.” He sets the rather large box in front of me.

“No, you go ahead—” The box meows, and I look from Carson to Fred.

Both are wearing pleased-as-pie grins.

I tear away the paper and open the box. Inside is a fluffy black and white kitten. I’m overjoyed and sad, all at once.

As I lift her out of the box, Fred shifts the cardboard and paper out of the way. “She needs a name. I kind of like Oreo, but she’s your cat. And before you say anything about the apartment not allowing pets, I thought of that.” He hands me a card.

Cradling the kitten in one hand as she bats at my hair, I read the card.

Daphne, I wanted to get you something you’d really, really like.

And I knew when I saw Oreo (or whatever you name her) that she was the perfect gift.

And because she can’t live in your apartment, she can live here, and you can visit her a lot, and I’ll help take care of her. (I already asked Dad about this.)

I hope you like her.

Sniffling, I lean over and hug Fred. “This is the best gift. Thank you.”

He beams. “I know it’s not the same as having her in your apartment, but I can’t change that part.”

“I might just have to find a new apartment when my lease is up.” I give Oreo a scratch. “She’s adorable. Aren’t you, Oreo?”

Fred and Carson exchange a look that makes me curious. But I will not spend the day overanalyzing every glance and reading into every gesture.

She wriggles. And when I put her down, she immediately pounces on the wrapping paper.

Fred slides his hand under the paper, and a battle commences.

I lean back against Carson. “Thank you.”

While Carson and I have talked about marriage in the general sense, he hasn’t mentioned a proposal.

I’m hoping it comes up soon. Giving me a kitty that lives here seems like a step in that direction.

And the look they shared makes me wonder what else they’ve been planning besides giving me a kitten.

Carson kisses the top of my head. “Weeks ago, Fred showed me her picture and told me his plan. We picked her up two days ago, and he’s handled everything.”

“Mind if we save my gift to him for last?”

“Sounds good to me.” He leans in and kisses me before reaching for another present.

Paper piles up beside the tree, and Oreo treats it as her personal playground, hiding and pouncing until she’s used up all her kitty energy. Then she climbs into my lap.

Fred reads the tag on the last gift under the tree and smiles at me. “Last one.”

I might have gone a bit overboard with this gift, but I did check with Carson first.

While Fred is tearing paper off the box, Carson drops a kiss on my neck. “Later, we should spend some time, just the two of us.”

Stroking the kitty, I nod, but my gaze stays fixed on Fred.

He opens the big box, and his eyes widen. “A PS5!”

“I was a little tricky and put it in a bigger box so that you wouldn’t guess from the package. I know there are consoles in the game room, but?—”

He gives me a tight hug. “This is awesome. You don’t care if I set it up in the game room, do you? This is newer than what we have in there.”

“That’s totally fine.” I love seeing the utter delight on Fred’s face.

He’s acting like a fourteen-year-old, but he has a little-kid grin on his face.

He jumps up. “Are we headed to the main house soon, Dad?”

“Yep.” Carson laughs. “Let me bag this trash. Then we can go.” He holds out a hand to help me up. “And I already talked to Beau about bringing Oreo over. He said it was fine.”

“Yay! I’m glad I don’t have to leave her all alone.” I set her on a throw pillow, and she snuggles in. “I’m going to change. But I’ll be quick.”

“We all go in our pajamas,” Fred says, without a hint of deceit in his expression.

“For real? Y’all aren’t pranking me?”

Fred crosses his heart. “I’m going in mine.”

Carson yanks on his boots. “You saw what I was wearing most mornings when you were here after I broke my leg. I’m only wearing these plaid flannel pajamas because of the tradition.”

“This is so fun. And y’all look adorable, by the way. Maybe we can get a picture later. Just the three of us.”

“That’d be cool.” Fred scoops up the kitty. “I’ll carry Oreo.”

Decked out in pajamas, we all head to the main house for food and merriment.