Free Rocky Mountain Vignettes (Six Pack Ranch) by Vivian Arend

Making Memories
    Childish laughter echoed again, the vibrant noise bouncing off the living room walls and warming the room as much as the fire in the old stone hearth. Rebecca peeked out from between her fingers and shrieked even louder as her daddy raised his hands in the air, growling like a bear. The second of the nearly two-year-old twins rushed from behind the couch to come to her sister’s defense. Rachel, in her usual outgoing way, threw her arms around Blake’s neck and clung tightly while she shouted for her sister to run.
    “Where’d those little girls go?” Blake twisted in mock confusion as the twins’ shrieks dropped to secretive toddler giggling. “I could have sworn they were here a minute ago.”
    Jaxi stood in the doorway of the kitchen, and soaked it all in. The gentle affection, the happiness—the
love
that filled her home from morning to night. Her heart filled with pleasure as her husband dropped to his knees to better play with his children.
    She’d been in love with Blake forever, but the last two and a half years had been so much richer than she’d ever imagined. He’d been even more than she’d dreamed, this generous man who’d been up long before dawn, who’d put in a full day’s work on the ranch, yet still found time to offer his little girls the tender affection of a daddy.
    She watched until a wave of sleepiness struck, and she blinked hard to chase away the cobwebs. If she didn’t move now Blake would have three to tuck into bed. She hated to put an end to their fun, but it was time.
    Jaxi stepped into the room. “Blake, did you lose my babies?”
    They turned her way—two tiny, but beautiful blonde heads, and a dark-haired one whose expression of admiration and intimate heat made her knees weak and her heart pound, as if she’d been the one being chased.
    “I didn’t get losted,” Rachel reassured her. The little one padded up and curled her flannel PJ clad body around Jaxi’s legs.
    Rebecca, like the daddy’s girl she was, took advantage of his distraction to crawl into Blake’s arms. She caught his neck in a one-armed death-grip and stared earnestly at Jaxi. Instinct won out as the little girl slipped her thumb into her mouth, eyelids drooping, as the fight to stay awake grew more intense.
    “All my girls ready for bed?” Blake asked.
    “Story first,” Rachel demanded.
    “Of course, story.” Jaxi cuddled her close then savoured the evening routine of tucking her precious babies in for the night.
    Kisses, stories, and more kisses done, Jaxi found herself enfolded in strong arms. The fire in the grate had burned low while they’d put the girls to bed, but in Blake’s embrace Jaxi didn’t notice the chill in the room.
    Blake snuck his fingers under her chin and raised her lips to his. A sweet, soft caress that melted away the minor frustrations of her day. Everything put aside except seeking his touch.
    “Hmm.” Jaxi cupped her palm to his cheek. “That was extra delicious.”
    “It’s a special night.” Blake spoke seriously, his dark grey gaze dancing over her face.
    Jaxi paused and considered.
Really?
It was the middle of March. Not her birthday, and there were no calendar holidays anytime soon.
    She twisted to face him. “Special?”
    Blake nodded. His serious expression melted at the edges, and his smile broke free. “What? Don’t tell me you don’t know what we’re celebrating?”
    There were no family events, or even remote anniversary dates to commemorate. She shook her head, covering her yawn. “You lost me.”
    “I was sure—” He paused, then nodded determinedly. “I
am
sure.”
    March. She racked her brains. The only thing that came to mind was St. Patrick’s Day, but green beer didn’t usually make him this excited.
    “You know, it’s kind of fun to know something before you do.” He leaned back against the couch, easing his hands behind his head.
    Gloating. Definitely gloating.
    Jaxi was too mellow to care. A second yawn snuck