Free The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown Page A

Grady said.
    That’s when Natalie buried her face in Josh’s hair and giggled like a little girl.
     Lucas stopped in the middle of a whole flock of chickens and stared at her. Was she
     laughing or crying?
    Natalie looked up and shook her head. “That was the funniest sight I’ve seen. Men,
     dogs, and chickens. Feathers flying and rooster crowing. I wish I’d had my video camera
     out here.”
    The rooster crowed once more and then flew down the hall. “Hold on to Josh and don’t
     move. I’ll be back to get that rooster soon as I get all these damned chickens back
     out to the coop.”
    When the hens were all out of the house, Lucas raised an eyebrow at Natalie. “I bet
     that cantankerous old boy is in your bedroom. You got a problem with me going in after
     him?”
    She shook her head and smiled. “The whole scene would have been a hoot to send in
     for America’s Funniest Home Videos .”
    A grin tickled the edges of his mouth and finally he just gave in and let it materialize.
     “Well, let’s hope the rooster goes without too much trouble.”
    The damned old bird was roosting on the edge of the portable crib, crowing like he’d
     just found a brand-new harem of hens. Lucas reached out to pick him up, and the rooster
     flogged him, pecking and tearing at his arms.
    “You rotten old bastard, I swear to God, we’ll have you with dumplings tonight,” Lucas
     yelled.
    Natalie stepped inside out of the hallway, still holding Josh in one arm.
    The rooster flew away from Lucas and lit on her shoulder.
    “What are you, a damn animal whisperer?” he asked.
    “Never have been before. If you’d quit inviting them inside, this wouldn’t happen.
     Be quiet. I’ll see if I can simply walk him out to the coop.”
    “You can’t take that baby out there like that. One of his socks is even missing,”
     Lucas said. “Give him to me.”
    The rooster flogged Lucas again when he reached for Josh. Lucas backed off and the
     old boy flew back up and sat on Natalie’s shoulder.
    “Okay, I’m going to pick up Josh’s blanket and wrap him in it. And I’ll hurry,” Natalie
     said. “This bird does not like you!”
    “Isn’t too fond of you either, or he wouldn’t have just left his calling card running
     down your back,” Lucas said.
    “One more time, you rascal, and I’ll be the one who wrings your neck and puts you
     in the boiling pot,” Natalie growled.
    Lucas went ahead of her and told Grady and Jack not to make a sound. Grady held up
     two eggs. “Found these on the back porch. Feels like they’re probably frozen solid.”
    Natalie came through the kitchen, baby in her arms fighting against the blanket, rooster
     on her shoulder, crowing away. He rode there all the way to the coop, hopped off,
     flapped his wings, and strutted into the coop like the king of the whole world.
    Lucas lined up with Grady and Henry, noses pressed against the window as they watched
     her hurry back to the house.
    “That has got to be the damnedest thing I’ve ever seen,” Grady said.
    “Your grandpa ain’t goin’ to believe a word of it,” Jack said.
    “I’m not sure I do,” Lucas said.
    ***
    Natalie had planned on meatloaf for dinner, but she changed her mind. If they were
     going to put up a tree, then she’d make a big pot of vegetable beef soup, corn bread,
     and a pan of brownies for dessert. Supper could be leftovers with a side dish of cheese
     and crackers.
    Grady came inside from the cold and went to the coffeepot. “If them pups crawl out
     again, I’ll swear they are magic. When do y’all put up the tree?”
    Evidently, the folks at Cedar Hill were a lot like those over at the Circle A in Silverton.
     The front door was used for company, not family.
    “Usually two weeks before Christmas. Daddy and Momma have had their own tradition
     since before they had kids. They go out on a Saturday afternoon hunting just the right
     cedar tree, and believe me, that’s not easy in a land where there’s