Free All I Want for Christmas: A Kinnison Legacy Holiday novella by Amanda McIntyre

what did you do with my brother?” Rein asked Wyatt. “Aimee, you’ve worked miracles with this one.”
    “I know where you live, buddy,” Wyatt joked.
    Baby Sawyer lay in a portable crib placed near Dalton and Angelique. Emilee, unusually quiet this evening, sat between her mother and the Greyfeather’s—Michael and Rebecca, who’d raised Emilee when her mom—their niece—was going through some tough times.
    Liberty thought about all they’d been through in the short time she’d been in End of the Line. Yet, together—Dalton, Angelique, Wyatt, Aimee, Michael and Rebecca, Sally and Clay—they’d formed the bonds of a family. She dabbed at her eyes, damp from the unexpected emotions welling inside her. She was so grateful to have Rein, to be a part of this family.
    Rein reached beneath the table and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. His smile showed his gentle concern. “You okay?”
    She nodded. “Just not as hungry as I thought I’d be.” She leaned back and took a cleansing breath. “I just need to slow down and enjoy.”
    Rein nodded and patted her leg.
    “Has anyone heard from Hank?” Wyatt asked.
    He had flown Julie and her boys to Chicago earlier in the week to meet his family and celebrate Christmas. They’d planned to be back here on Christmas Day to join in the gathering that Wyatt had planned. Several close friends, a few community members, and those in Rein’s construction firm had also been invited.
    “You know, I’m not trying to pour salt in a wound, but I feel kind of bad for Julie having to put up with Hank’s sister,” Liberty said.
    “The woman needs to find a rich cowboy to take care of her.”
    “And hope that he has plenty of patience,” Rein added with a shake of his head.
    “Hey, if Wyatt can snag someone as good as Aimee, there’s hope for Caroline Richardson.” He tossed his brother a wicked grin and got beaned in the head by a dinner roll.
    “Wyatt!” Aimee gasped. “Careful of what you’re teaching your daughter.”
    He picked up a roll and held it up to Gracie. “No, sweetheart, this is how I’d teach my daughter.” He leaned down and pointed to Dalton. “Toss this at your…I mean, to your Uncle Dalton. He’s the furry one at the end of the table.”
    Before her mother could intercede, Gracie flung the roll and it landed no further than the end of her plate.
    “We’ll work on that arm, baby girl.” Wyatt leaned over and kissed her chubby cheek.
    “So, what do you have planned for this shindig, bro?” Dalton asked as he calmly buttered the roll his brother had thrown at him.
    Wyatt thought for a moment, and glanced at Aimee.
    “Hey, as long as Betty and Rebecca bring the desserts and you guys handle the meat, I can provide the rest.”
    “Are you having a sleigh ride?” Liberty asked, taking a small bite of her casserole.
    “Oh, that’d be fun. We could offer them in shifts.”
    “I could handle that,” Michael stated. “Emilee can help me. She’s good with the horses, like her mama.” He grinned at Angelique.
    “And you’ve got to read the story. That’s tradition,” Rein offered.
    Wyatt nodded. “Yeah, remind me to talk to you about that.” He pointed his fork at Rein.
    The remainder of the meal was punctuated with laughter and stories and thoughts about where End of the Line was going as a growing community.
    Liberty noted how Cody had picked at his meal, much as she had, but he’d been quiet, only speaking when spoken to and then offering only one-word responses.
    After lunch, Liberty walked over to admire the beautiful live, eight-foot tree that Wyatt and Aimee had set up at the end of the great room. It stood in front of the majestic cathedral windows rebuilt to their former state, after the fire. In the daylight, they offered a spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
    The tree was decorated with a few store-bought ornaments, but many were handmade by Aimee’s former students. Emilee had been in her