Part 25 (1/2)
”My parents are probably already down in the kitchen.” I thrum my fingers up and down her soft back. ”They're early risers.”
”You all are,” she replies.
”It's habit. In fact . . .” I kiss her again and then slide out from under her. ”I'm going to grab Josh and run out to the barn to feed the animals and get a few things done before we open presents.”
”I guess ranchers don't get holidays, huh?” She's pulled the sheet around her and is resting her head on her hand, watching me pull my jeans and s.h.i.+rt on.
”Nope.”
”While you do that, I'll get breakfast started.”
”Do you honestly think Seth will let us all eat breakfast before diving into his presents?”
”He can open his stocking while we eat and then he can open the rest,” she decides. ”And we'll make it a quick breakfast. If I move fast enough, I can get most of it done before he wakes up.”
”Good luck with that.”
She slides out of bed and stretches her arms high above her head, and I can't help myself. I walk to her and bend my head to take one perfectly puckered nipple between my lips and suck it softly. Jill gasps, as if in pain.
”Does that hurt?”
”I'm a little tender.”
”I'm sorry, sugar.” I kiss up her chest to her neck.
”This isn't getting stuff done, Zack.” She giggles and brushes her fingers through my hair.
”Your fault,” I murmur and back away. ”You're naked.”
”Go feed your horses,” she says with a laugh. ”Then you're mine.”
I kiss her quickly then leave the master suite and jog down the steps to the bedroom Josh and Cara are using. I knock softly, but Josh pulls it open, already dressed.
”Headed to the barn?” he asks.
”Yeah. Let's get it done so we can enjoy the rest of the day.”
”My thoughts exactly.”
Mom and Dad are sitting in the kitchen, reading a newspaper and munching on bacon.
”Merry Christmas, boys.” Mom wraps an arm around each of our necks as we bend down to kiss her cheeks.
”Merry Christmas,” we murmur back to her.
”Heading out to the barn?” Dad asks.
”Yes, sir.” Josh nods.
”I'll join you.”
”The girls and Ty are still in bed,” I say to Mom and grin when I hear Jill's footsteps on the stairs. ”Jill's coming down to help make breakfast.”
”Oh good.” Mom grins and hugs Jill as she comes into the room. ”Shoo, guys, we have work to do.”
”We'll be back soon.”
”Thank G.o.d you're back!” Seth exclaims as Josh, Dad, and I walk through the back door. ”We've been waiting forever.”
”You've been up for ten minutes,” Jill reminds him dryly.
”That's forever on Christmas morning,” Dad says with a laugh. ”It smells great in here.”
”We saved breakfast for you guys, and already put the turkey in the oven.” Cara looks proud as she wraps her arms around my brother's waist and hugs him tight.
”You guys could have woken me up. I would have been happy to help,” Ty says with a frown.
”We weren't out that long,” I reply.
”Can we do presents now? Pleeeeeease?” Seth asks me with hopeful hazel eyes.
”I suppose so,” I say and hang my coat up. ”But don't go tearing into everything!”
”I won't! I'm just gonna get ready. Come on, Thor!”
”He's been very patient,” Mom says with a smile. ”When are you going to take him outside?”
”That'll be last,” I say and rub my hands together. I'm almost as excited as my boy.
”Let's go!” Jill bounces into the family room behind Seth, and we all join her. Seth is already separating presents.
”Here's one for you, Jill!”
”Just divvy them up, and then we'll all open them,” I murmur to him, sitting in my big recliner and tugging Jill onto my lap.
”Um, how am I supposed to help from here?” she asks.
”There's nothing for you to help with, sugar. Sit back and watch.”
She settles against me and a small pile of presents for each of us grows in her lap as Seth hands out the gifts under the tree. When they're all pa.s.sed out, Mom says, ”Seth, go get one of those chew bones that Thor loves, so he has something to enjoy too.”
”Okay!” He runs into the kitchen and retrieves the bone for Thor, who curls up happily before the fire.
”Go ahead and dig in, Seth.”
The adults all set their gifts aside, excited to watch Seth tear into his loot. For the next twenty minutes he opens everything from new clothes from Josh to a Kindle Fire from Jilly and video games from Mom and Dad.
”Holy c.r.a.p!” Seth exclaims. ”A rifle?”
”That,” Dad says with a stern voice, ”is only to be used when you're with your dad. But yes, you're old enough to start learning.”