Chapter 22 River
RIVER
River headed down the path toward the pasture for the second time on Christmas morning, carrying a wooden crate this time.
The first time, it had still been dark outside, and he’d taken care of the horses on his own, everything except releasing them in the pasture.
This time Pixie, John-John, and Nora were following him, chatting excitedly about what they were all about to do.
River knew he should be tired—he had hardly been able to sleep last night. But instead, he was practically buzzing with energy. His whole life was changing. It was as if the future he had dreamed of for so long was appearing instantly in front of him, fully formed with the perfect family.
But a whisper of guilt kept echoing in the back of his mind, like maybe he hadn’t earned all of this if it had happened so effortlessly.
Sleepless, he’d searched his mind for what to do—how to make himself worthy of the love that had all but landed in his lap.
They had fulfilled all the traditions in the Farmer Bear’s Christmas book, which meant a lot to the kids. Working on all those activities had brought them together and made them feel enough like a family already that making it official felt like the natural next step.
But it occurred to him that maybe they needed a tradition of their own.
So, he’d fed the horses early, then headed out to the garage to grab a few things, and back into the house for a few more. By the time everyone else was waking up, he had this crate packed with everything they would need to start a tradition all their own.
“We’re going to visit the horses,” John-John’s bright voice sang out happily.
“And we have a surprise for them,” Pixie said softly. “But we don’t know what it is.”
“That makes it a surprise for us too,” Nora told her.
“A Christmas surprise,” John-John said. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” they all called back to him.
“Where are the horses?” Pixie asked suddenly.
River smiled. The six-year-old was the most observant of the crew, and she was especially interested in the animals.
“They’re waiting in the barn,” River told her. “So that we can set up their surprise first.”
“What is it?” John-John asked.
River opened the wooden gate and led them over to a good-sized evergreen tree that grew near the fence. He’d brought a ladder out here earlier, and it was leaned on the split rail. He had also cleared away some of the snow around the tree, and knocked most of the snow off the branches.
“I thought we could decorate a tree for the horses and the birds,” River told them. “I thought that could be our special Christmas tradition, if you guys agree.”
Pixie’s eyes lit up and John-John began jumping up and down in place.
“Yes,” John-John said excitedly. “Yes, yes, yes.”
“River, this is such a special idea,” Nora said.
Her blue eyes were lit up brighter than the lights on any Christmas tree, and he wanted to kiss her so badly that he thought he might forget how to breathe.
Soon, he reminded himself, willing his thundering heart to slow. We’ll be married soon, and I can kiss her all I want.
They had talked about it last night and decided to marry as soon as they could get a license. He hoped that would be quick, because it was torture to behave himself now that he knew she loved him too.
He dragged his eyes from hers and crouched to set down the crate. Inside were carrots, halved apples, and strings of small pinecones painted with peanut butter and dipped in birdseed.
“I made these last night when I had the idea,” River said. “But next Christmas, we can make loads more.”
“We’re gonna put these on the tree?” John-John asked.
“Yes,” River said. “We’re making Christmas for the animals.”
“This is a very good idea,” Pixie told River, her eyes serious.
In no time at all, he was up on the ladder, weaving the strands of pinecone feeders among the branches, up high enough that only the birds and squirrels could reach them. Nora and the kids arranged the apples and carrots in the lower branches, at just the right height for the horses to find.
When they were finished, they all stepped back to admire their handiwork.
“It’s beautiful,” Nora declared.
“If Farmer Bear had thought of this, it would be in his book,” Pixie decided.
“Can we get the horses now?” John-John asked plaintively. “I want them to see their surprise.”
“You stay here,” River told him with a smile. “Keep a lookout for birds while I grab Peter and Tinkerbell.”
By the time he got back with the horses, there were already some chickadees and a cardinal couple singing and pecking at their Christmas treats.
The horses ran off their energy for a moment before cantering over to see why everyone was standing by the tree.
As soon as Tinkerbell found the first apple and started crunching, Peter got the idea and joined her, pulling a carrot from between two branches with his teeth and making Pixie giggle.
They watched the animals enjoy their treats until sunlight filled the meadow, glittering in the snow and lighting up the faces of the people River loved most in the world.
Later that morning, they had their own special feast at his parents’ house.
The kids opened their gifts and were thrilled. River was impressed that Nora had found the perfect books for both kids. John-John seemed to enjoy his little racetrack and cars too, and Pixie loved the set of wooden blocks that included turret shapes for making castles.
Afterwards, the adults relaxed over cups of coffee, talking about Christmases past, while the children read and played.
Nora had told River that his brother was seeing someone and that she had encouraged him to bring her by today, and River was glad to see that he had.
Anita was shy but lovely, with big brown eyes that looked even larger because of her glasses, and a way of looking at Edward that made River pretty sure that this time his brother had found a love that would last.
“They seem great together, right?” Nora whispered to him when they crossed paths in the hallway later in the afternoon.
“Yeah,” River said. “I’m happy for him. Is it… strange for you?”
“Weirdly, no. Not even a little bit,” she said, her eyes shining with happiness. “It makes everything better, honestly. We’re all happy now.”
He took her hand, letting his thumb slide over the underside of the ring he’d put on her finger as he pulled her close, stealing a single perfect kiss.
Her soft sigh sent a lightning bolt of need through his chest, and he reluctantly let go of her hand, knowing that to keep kissing her would tempt him too much.
“Soon,” she whispered, smiling up at him.
“I can’t wait for you to be my wife,” he told her, stroking her hair.
“Yes,” she said, her cheeks blushing pink. “But let’s not wish Christmas away, I think the kids are looking forward to singing carols with your parents.”
“It really is the perfect Christmas,” River said, shaking his head in wonder.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a gift for you,” Nora said sadly.
“You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted,” he told her, taking her hand again and looking deep into her beautiful eyes so that she could see that he meant every word. “Every day is going to be like Christmas for me.”
“River, River, River,” John-John squeaked, barreling down the hallway at full speed. “We’re going to sing now.”
“We want you to sing and dance,” Pixie said, her eyes dancing merrily as she skipped down the hallway after her brother. She clearly remembered his performance from the other day.
“Well, I can’t argue with that,” River said, winking at Nora. “My public needs me.”
“You too, Aunt Nora,” John-John told her, grabbing her other hand. “Your singing is nice and loud.”
Nora laughed at that honest compliment, and River had to chuckle too. Together, the four of them headed back to the living room where the fire crackled, the tree lights twinkled, and the whole family waited to celebrate the miraculous day.