"How come you're not taking a nap, pumpkin?"

Katie O'Connor shook her head, sending pigtails flying side to side.

"I'm not tired, Grandpa. I want to help you get the sleigh ready."

Thaddeus Jones was about to tell his granddaughter to go back inside and finish her nap when he noticed her determined expression and how she stuck her chin out. Her resemblance to her mother as an eight-year-old was strong. She's just like Christine, he thought. Christine's going to have her hands full. Sort of serves her right.

"Your mama's already hitching up the horses. How about you find your Pa and your sister and tell them we're gonna leave in about 15 minutes. How's that sound?"

"Good!" She started to run back towards the house on the snowy path that cut through the yard. Thaddeus shouted after her.

"And slow down! Don't slip on the ice!"

"I will! I won't!" She slowed for about three paces and then picked up speed again. Just like Christine. Hope she don't break her neck before we even get started.

Jones turned back towards the stable, swinging his crutches through the crusty snow, being careful to place them where he thought they wouldn't slide. Falling again would make him look like six kinds of fool, especially after he just told Katie to take it easy.

The door to the stable hung open. He could hear Christine's voice inside. She was singing softly to the horses as she harnessed them. It was that old Christmas song his wife Therese used to sing with their kids.

All hail the days, that merit more praise,

Than all the rest of the year.

And welcome the nights, that double delights,

As well for the poor and the peer

The horses knickered when he entered. Christine stopped singing and peered over Ned's broad back.

"Don't stop," Jones told her. "You still got a pretty voice." He hobbled over to the horse and, positioning the crutches carefully in his armpits, reached over to stroke Ned's nose.

"Not as well as you do, Daddy. Remember how we used to sing that together at Christmas, with Mama playing the piano?"

"Those were good times back then," Jones said. "Real good."

She rested her arms on Ned's back and started singing again. After the first few words, Jones joined in, his warm tone blending with her light soprano.

Good fortune attend each merry man's friend,

That doth but the best that he may,

Forgetting old wrongs, with carols and songs,

To drive the cold winter away.

They finished the verse together, smiling at each other, until Jones felt a sudden sadness.

"What is it?" she asked, concerned.

He couldn't look at her, too embarrassed by the deep emotion he felt.

"Nothing."

"It's something. What's wrong?"

"It's just – I was just wishing your mother was here. She'd be real proud of you, honey."

Christine's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"I hope so, Daddy." She laughed. "But considering how many fits I gave you and Mama, I think she'd be more relieved than proud!"

He laughed with her. "You might be right. You did give us fits, but you turned out just fine."

Now she was grinning broadly. "I also remember her telling me, I hope you have a child just like you someday! And now I've got two."

Jones wasn't about to tell her he'd just been thinking the same thing. It was a lot more fun seeing her realize that for herself.

"You got this team hitched and ready?" he asked. These winter days were short. If he was going to be out and about, he wanted to get started soon.

"Sure do. And I loaded an axe, a saw and some twine, so Pat can tie up the tree."

He walked around the horses and sleigh, checking the buckles and hitches. Christine watched him inspect her work. Finally, he nodded his approval.

"You ain't forgot your horse skills," he said. "Couldn't do better myself. Sleigh ain't too big for these two neither."

"They were a package deal, the horses, the tack, the sleigh, everything. There was a couple in Three Oaks who thought they wanted horses. They didn't realize how much time and money it takes to keep them."

"Lucky for you, I guess."

"Yes, it was," she agreed. "And the girls love them. You know how little girls and horses go together."

"I know how you and horses always went together." Memories of Christine out-riding her brothers and every boy she met filled his mind.

"Uh-huh. Anyway, Daddy, I'm counting on you to help me teach the girls to ride in a sensible manner."

"I'll do the best I can. 'Course, I had better luck reining in the horses than I did you."

"That you did. I'm afraid the girls are tomboys just like I was."

"Not entirely," an unexpected voice said. Patrick O'Connor came into the stable, carrying two thermoses. "We're having a feminine emergency back at the house, and only you can resolve it."

"What's the problem?" Christine asked.

"The girls say the clothes I put out for them to wear don't match."

Jones was confused. "That's a problem?"

"Oh yes," Pat told him. "They won't get dressed if the clothes don't match. I told them those outfits came together that way from the store, but sweet reason didn't impress them. They say that I don't understand how to dress, and that Mama always lays out the right clothes for them." Exasperated, he turned to his wife, who was trying very hard not to laugh. "Chris, did those two become teen-agers when I wasn't looking?"

"Boy, I hope not," Christine said, "or we're in for some big trouble down the road. Here," she said, passing her brush to a surprised Pat, who struggled to balance it with the thermoses. "I'll get the girls dressed, and you take care of Ned." She strode out the door without a backwards glance.

Pat saw his father-in-law was covering his mouth with one gloved hand.

"Go ahead and laugh, Thaddeus. You try dealing with a houseful of females and see what it's like."

"You plannin' to use that thing on Ned?" Jones asked, pointing to the brush in Pat's hand.

"Lord, no," Pat said. He looked at the brush as if it was something he'd never seen before.

"Give it to me then." Pat handed it over Ned's back, carefully making sure to stand as far away from Ned as he could.

"You still afraid of horses, son?" Thaddeus brushed the horses with smooth, even strokes.

"Not so much anymore," Pat said. "I'm getting a lot more used to them now." Ned sneezed loudly, and Pat jumped back three feet.

"Not so much, huh?" Thaddeus teased.

"Hey, I'm a city boy. I didn't learn to ride until I visited Yellowstone."

"Been on any horses since then?"

Pat moved very tentatively closer to Ned. The horse swiveled his head to stare.

"I think Ned hates me."

"No, he don't. He can tell you're nervous, that's all. You got to let horses know who's boss, or they won't pay you no mind. You got to be confident."

"I'm perfectly confident with a scalpel in my hand. I'm not so confident with something that weighs a thousand pounds and hates me."

Jones hesitated a moment before he asked a question that had been on his mind for a while.

"If you don't mind my asking, Pat, why'd you buy horses when you don't like them?"

"They're not for me. They're for Christine. You see how she loves them. You should've seen her last summer, when we bought them along with this place. She goes down to the beach and rides hell bent for leather until the horse comes back out of breath and sweaty. She goes all in, whatever she does."

"She always did that. She never had any fear."

"Not of horses anyway."

Jones wasn't sure what that remark meant, but asking might be getting into something personal between his daughter and son-in-law, and he wasn't about to do that.

"What you got in those thermoses?"

"It's just hot chocolate. Kathleen thought we'd need something to keep us warm."

"She's a fine woman, Kathleen is. You're lucky to have her."

"I'm lucky to have all the women in my life, even though I don't understand why the winter clothes you're going to wear on a sleigh ride have got to match."

Thaddeus chuckled. "Us men ain't never gonna understand women. That's just the way it is."

"Where should I put the thermoses?"

"Under the seat. It'll be easier for you to reach them there. Unless you want to try driving the team?" Jones asked.

"Again – Lord, no. I leave that task in your capable hands."

The two men stood in companionable silence for a few minutes. Pat watched his father-in-law brush both horses until Thaddeus saw some mysterious horse clue that told him the animals had had enough grooming for one day.

"Will you put this away for me, Pat? Hang it on the wall over there."

Pat looked dubiously at the animals.

"They're not going to kick me if I walk around them, are they?"

"Not if you walk around their heads instead of their butts."

"Good plan." Pat stepped carefully around the horses and, taking the brush from Thaddeus, hung it on the wall.

"You'll get used to these two, Pat," Jones said, trying to encourage his son-in-law. "Put in a little time and effort getting to know them, and you'll get along just fine."

"Maybe," Pat said, his voice full of doubt. "If I have to." He sighed. "And I probably do. Annie and Katie are almost as crazy about them as Chris is. If I want to spend more time with my family, I'll have to get used to horses."

"I can't hardly believe your folks never taught you to ride."

"I'm a city boy, Thaddeus. I rode in carriages. And my folks hired men to tend to the horses."

"I see," Jones said. He didn't see, but he didn't want to criticize Pat's parents.

"Thaddeus, now that we've got a minute or two alone, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Jones felt his heart thud. He put on his poker face.

"Sounds serious."

"It is." Jones saw Pat take a deep breath.

"Thaddeus. I know that it's been hard for you, coming to live here."

"Harder for you. I know it's – "

Pat held up a hand. "No. Please. Let me finish." Jones nodded, slowly.

"I want you to know, Thaddeus, I'm glad you're here. I know it's hard for you, giving up some independence, moving away from all your friends and your business, and I know you think you're some kind of burden on us." Pat saw an indefinable expression pass over Jones' face.

"Pat – "

"Thaddeus. Please let me finish." Jones nodded again, reluctantly. He wasn't sure he liked where this conversation was going.

"I'm glad you're here. Not just because I've been outnumbered by women, and I need another man here. And yes, Tommy's already here – I see what you're thinking! – but frankly, he's an employee, and both he and I know it. I can't be honest with him, like I think I can be honest with you."

Pat paused, clearly gathering his thoughts.

"Can I be honest with you, Thaddeus?"

"I think so. I hope so." He wasn't so sure he wanted to hear what Pat had to say, but it was pretty clear Pat wanted to talk. Sometimes the best thing to do was just shut up and let the other man go on. He'd done that often enough for Heyes. He'd sure do the same for his girl's man.

"The truth is, things between me and Chris haven't been so good for a while. As much as we love each other, we grew up different. Like I told you, I'm a city boy. My life, my career, it's in the big city, and that's where it's going to stay. Chris has tried to adjust, she really has, but she was suffocating there. She used to tell me she couldn't go to sleep unless she could see the stars. That's pretty hard to do in Hyde Park."

"I'm real sorry to hear that, Pat. But weren't you two thinking about moving to Denver at one point?"

"Chris was. But I'd have to start all over again there. And my folks are in Chicago. They depend on me more than ever, especially after what happened with my brother. No, Denver may be a real likeable town, like I've heard you say, but I need to be in Chicago."

"I don't want to be getting between you and Chris, Pat," Jones said, so quietly Pat had to lean forward to hear.

"Are you kidding me, Thaddeus?" Pat was incredulous. "Do you really think that?" Jones looked down, too shy to meet Pat's eyes.

"Let me set you straight, Thaddeus. I think your being here is actually helping me and Chris. We were both worried about you, living by yourself. Anything could've happened, especially with your coronary issues. It's easier for us knowing you're here and you're safe. That's one big worry we don't have any more."

"And," he added, in a lighter tone, "I'm not overwhelmed by all the females around me. It's good to have another man here. Kind of balances things out, you know?"

"This is a good place you got here," Jones said. "I do miss the mountains, but the lake's pretty fine too."

"That's major praise coming from you. Between you and me, I think this place is saving our marriage. Chris and the girls can run around like wild Indians, and nobody sees or cares, like they do in Chicago. Chris has horses, and she can see the stars every night. With you here, I know my family is safe. And really, it's only a short train ride from Chicago. I'm so busy at work, I hardly ever see them during the week anyway. I'm actually spending more time with them now that I have to leave the hospital 90 miles away."

Pat pointed his finger at Thaddeus. "So don't you ever think you're not wanted. My only regret is that we didn't get you out here sooner."

"And what about your folks, Pat? Are they gonna be okay with me being here?" Pat's eyes widened with surprise. He'd forgotten how observant Thaddeus was.

"Don't get me wrong, Thaddeus. I love my parents, absolutely and completely. They've made a lot of sacrifices for me. The thing is, they don't agree with all of my choices."

"Since we're being honest, Pat" – Thaddeus hesitated, wondering if he should continue, but Pat only looked at him expectantly.

"I don't want to be the cause of you having problems with your folks, Pat. And my being here might do that even today, when they find out you're out with me instead of going to meet them."

"Don't you worry about that, Thaddeus. I make my own choices, and I choose to be here, with you and my children. I'm happy you're here, and I want you to stay. Chris is happy you're here. The girls are crazy about you. And the way you get along with everybody and accept us all. . . well, like I said, my only regret is that we didn't drag you out of Montana sooner. Stop worrying, accept that we love you and we want you with us, and along the way, protect me from being eaten alive by these animals. And let me handle my parents. After all, I've got nearly 40 years of experience doing that."

Jones felt his body release tension he hadn't known he'd been carrying. Even his tight chest felt lighter.

"So, Thaddeus, are we good?" Pat reached over to shake Jones' gloved hand. Jones gratefully took his son-in-law's hand.

"Yeah. Yeah, we are."

"Good," Pat said. "And no more of that burden junk. Right?"

"Whatever you say, son," Jones agreed."Whatever you say."

"So," Pat continued, releasing Jones' hand. "I've got one more bit of honesty I need to share with you." At Jones' quizzical look, Pat smiled crookedly.

"I've never swung an axe in my life. You'll have to tell me how to chop down a Christmas tree."

"Sheesh! Are you kidding me?" Jones was surprised. Chopping firewood had been his chore since he was tall enough to wield an axe. That was about age nine, he figured.

"Well, it's not entirely true. I did pose with an axe over my shoulder when Annie was reading a story about Paul Bunyan. She laughed at me, by the way. And I've done amputations with a saw."

An image of Pat doing amputations flashed across Jones' mind and was just as quickly shut away.

"We'll figure it out, Pat. It ain't that hard. As long as you stand out of the way when the tree's falling, you'll be alright."

"If you say 'timber', like Paul Bunyan does, I'll remember to duck."

"You got a deal, son."

"Daddy! Daddy!" Both men turned towards the door as it swung open loudly and two little girls, wrapped in layers of sweaters, hats and gloves, burst into the stable.

"Look at you two," Pat marveled. "Ready in less than an hour, and perfectly matched to boot!" Both girls smiled widely, and Katie made a little pirouette.

"Ain't this a pretty sweater, Daddy?"

"Isn't this a pretty sweater," Pat corrected. "And yes, it is."

Katie pouted. "Why can't I say ain't? Grandpa says ain't." Pat's mouth opened to reply, but a good answer eluded him.

"Because I never went to school like you get to, pumpkin," Jones explained. "I'm just an ignorant old man. You don't want to talk like I do."

"Oh." The answer seemed to satisfy Katie. Pat flashed a look of thanks to his father-in-law.

"Just remember," Pat told Katie, "your grandpa didn't go to school, but he's probably the smartest man you know."

"Smarter than you, Daddy?" she asked. "You're a doctor."

"I'm better at surgery than your Grandpa is, but that ain't everything." Jones recognized Pat's use of his common slang for the apology it was.

"No, I guess it ain't," Jones agreed. He returned his attention to the girls.

"Are you two finally ready to go for a sleigh ride?" The amount of girlish enthusiasm and excitement that greeted his question almost knocked him backwards. Yep, they were definitely Christine's children. And Pat's, too.

When the door clicked open again, both men looked up in surprise. Dan Novakovic stood shyly just inside, patiently waiting for a quiet moment to impose himself on this family gathering.

"If you don't mind, could I possibly come with you? Mrs. O'Connor thought I might be able to help somehow. And, I've never been on a sleigh ride before. It sounds like a wonderful thing to do." Jones looked at that impossibly young man and thought, he looks like a puppy begging for a treat. From the corner of his eye, he saw Pat looking over at him, asking his approval without speaking a word.

"You know how to handle an axe or a saw?" Jones asked.

The young Serbian man nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, sir. I spend summers on my uncle's farm, and he's had me chopping firewood for him since I was, oh, maybe nine years old."

Jones pretended to consider. "I guess we can find room for one more. One of you girls might have to ride on my lap and get a lesson on driving the team, though. Any volunteers?" Both girls shot their right hands in the air and begged. "Me, Grandpa! Me me me!"

"You both look real deserving," Jones said. "How about Annie rides with me on the way out, and Katie on the way back? That sound fair?" Everyone agreed that it did.

"Why don't you open the big doors, Dan, so we can get out of here once everybody's settled?" Pat said. Dan moved eagerly to the doors and pulled them wide, providing plenty of room for the team to pass through.

"Climb in, everyone." Thaddeus leaned his crutches to one side and, putting both hands on the sleigh, pulled himself into the driver's position. Pat stood behind him, giving him an unobtrusive assist when Jones put pressure on his swollen ankle. They tucked the crutches under the seat.

Jones seated himself in the front. He reached for the reins.

"Come on, you loafers! We got us a tree to cut down!" Pat lifted his giggling daughters into the sleigh. Annie quickly moved next to her grandfather. Pat got in the back with Katie. He unfolded a blanket and spread it over their laps.

"Everybody ready?" Smiles and nods answered him. Jones saw Dan standing safely off to the side. Jones swung an arm around Annie and pulled her close.

"Hold onto the reins like this, sweetheart." She placed her small hands next to his. He bent down to whisper in her ear. "Now you say their names, loud and firm, and then say 'walk'." Her little face was serious, and she bit her lip in concentration.

"Molly, Ned. Walk." To Katie's amazement, the horses shook their heads and began walking towards the exit, steady and slow. The bells Christine had attached to their harnesses jingled with each step. When they cleared the stable, Thaddeus pulled on the reins.

"Whoa there. Whoa." Obediently, the horses stopped. Behind the sleigh, Jones heard Dan closing the doors. When Dan sat down in the back seat, Jones twisted around to check on his passengers.

"Let's go, Grandpa!" Katie shouted. Jones looked at Pat.

"Make sure to tell me if I'm going the wrong direction, son. You know this area better than me."

"Will do." Satisfied, Jones turned back to Annie.

"You're the drover, sweetheart. Get these animals moving."

Annie nodded confidently. In a loud voice, she commanded, "Molly. Ned. Walk." The animals resumed their slow pace towards the snow-covered road that led into the woods. There were no sounds other than the of the clip-clop of the horses' hooves and the tinkling of the silver bells attached to their harness.

It really wasn't too cold, Pat thought. The slight breeze caused by their movement actually felt good. Katie leaned against him and looked at the sky. Next to her, he saw Dan smiling quietly, watching the winter landscape pass around them.

Jones turned around to face Pat. "How you doing, son?"

"Surprisingly well, as long as you're between me and those wild animals." Jones laughed gently and returned his attention to Annie's tight grip on the reins.

Katie looked up at her father. "How come Grandpa calls you son, when you aren't really his son?"

"I don't know," he answered. "Why? Don't you like it?"

She shrugged. "I don't mind. Do you like it?"

Pat leaned in close to her and answered in a low voice. "I do like it."

"Oh," she replied, not really interested any more.

Pat rested his chin on her head, holding her tight against him. Yeah, he told himself. I like it fine.