Callie flew into his arms, hitting him with such force that they both fell back into the snow. Max’s back hit the ground, and he wrapped his arms around her to cushion her fall. He laughed helplessly as she peppered his face with excited, breathless kisses.
Around them, the rest of the family laughed, the sound joyous in the air. Lily clapped her hands in delight and Lauren’s smile was so brilliant that it made everyone stop and take notice. How long had it been since she’d really smiled? With everything inside her. With her whole heart.
Gone for a moment were the shadows of her past and in its stead was a beautiful, sparkling young woman.
“Let me up, dolcezza. We have a sleigh ride to take.”
“All of us?” Callie asked as she got up and literally danced around Max in the snow.
Max stood and brushed the snow from his clothing. “All of us. The sleigh is big enough, and what is Christmas Eve without a sleigh ride?”
“Come on, Lauren!” Callie shouted, taking her sister-in-law’s hand and pulling her toward the sleigh.
The rest followed behind and Adam fell into step with Max. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my little girl so excited.”
Max smiled. “I plan to spend the rest of my life making her smile just like she did tonight.”
Adam slapped him on the back and then returned to his wife. They ushered her into the sled while Max slid in beside Callie and Lauren. When everyone was tucked underneath the blankets, the man Max had hired to drive the sleigh urged the horses forward.
They glided over the snow, through the meadow, and higher into the aspens and pines that surrounded the Colter cabin. Max wrapped his arm around Callie and pulled her in close. Lauren sat next to Callie, her eyes aglow with happiness.
Everything that mattered most to Max was right here, in his arms, sitting close to him. Seeing Callie’s and Lauren’s smiles had been worth every bit of planning and money he’d put into having the meadow lit up.
There was nothing more beautiful than the woman resting against his side, and he’d go to hell and back to make her happy. Always. Every damn day for the rest of his life.
CHAPTER 18
CHRISTMAS morning dawned clear and cold. Everyone began to crawl out of bed and make their way downstairs in their pajamas. Ethan had gotten up early to set the fire, and by the time everyone gathered in the living room, flames danced merrily in the hearth.
Snow was coming down harder. Big, fat, fluffy flakes descended, covering the ground in a fresh blanket of white. The windowpanes were frosted over and the women snuggled into the couches with their husbands.
Lauren seemed hesitant to barge in. She paused, feeling a little silly in her pajamas as she stared at the Colter family enjoying cups of hot chocolate while they waited for breakfast to be served.
Then Max looked up, a smile softening his face. He patted the spot beside him and she quickly moved forward, eager and yet afraid all at the same time to find her place in this family Max had married into.
“Hey kiddo,” Seth said, leaning over to give her head an affectionate tousle.
She smiled and murmured a greeting before settling back to grip the cup Ryan Colter handed her.
Christmas with the Colters had instilled a fiery ache so deeply rooted that it seemed to take her over completely. She was filled with longing for what they had. Love. Caring. Deep and abiding loyalty.
These men adored their women. Unapologetically. Unabashedly. They didn’t give a damn who knew it.
She wanted that. She deserved that. It had taken her long enough to believe it, but damn it, she did.
A few minutes later, Adam came in with cinnamon rolls and buttery croissants. Ryan followed with a pitcher of milk as well as juice that he set on the coffee table.
No one was shy about diving right in. It was a free-for-all that nearly developed into a food fight before Adam eyed his offspring sternly and said, “Now, children.”
Lauren found it amusing that even at the Colter children’s ages, they immediately snapped to attention and adopted a meek attitude when their father took them to task.