“I’ve never had a Christmas stocking.”
“For me? Really.”
“Mine is red. How did Santa know that was my favorite color?”
“There’s candy and toys inside.”
“This is the best Christmas ever.”
Ethel smiled. “There’s more, boys. Just you wait.”
They followed her into the big ballroom. The boys’ mouths were wide open in awe. Shane was having trouble keeping his from dropping.
Belle squeezed his hand. “Oh my God. This looks just like the North Pole.”
“The O’Learys do this every year, baby.”
Corey nodded. “Only they keep adding to the decorations. It gets more and more grand year after year. See.” He pointed to the corner where the tree stood.
“It reaches to the ceiling. It’s so beautiful.”
Shane put his arm around her shoulder. “Every person in Destiny has an ornament on that tree.”
“Even me, Daddy?” Jake walked up, holding his stocking, which was almost as big as him.
He leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. “Even you. At the New Year’s party, we all get to take our ornaments home as a keepsake.”
“Children, take a seat on the floor in front of Santa’s throne. Adults, please gather round.” Patrick, Ethel’s dragon master husband, held a microphone. Unlike Halloween, Patrick was dressed like a giant elf, complete with pointy ears.
Belle hugged Jake. “Go join the other boys, honey. Sit with Juan.”
Jake smiled and ran to his big brother.
He, Belle, and Corey sat down on one of the many sofas. Next to them were Doc and Mick. Paris sat several seats away. The three kept stealing glances at one another. When would they ever realize they were meant for each other?
Ethel stood next to Patrick. Music filled the room, announcing Santa’s arrival.
This was Sam’s day to be center stage.
Suddenly, the doors to the back lawn were opened and Father Christmas rode in on his red Harley Davidson.
Everyone cheered but the boys cheered the loudest.
Santa parked right in front of the children gathered on the floor. “Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas.”
Ethel smiled. “Merry Christmas, Santa. We have a bunch of good boys and girls with us today.”
“So I see, Mrs. Claus.” Wearing the Santa suit, Sam walked up to his red throne.
As the O’Learys continued mesmerizing the children as they’d done to Shane since he was a kid, he smiled. Patrick and Sam adored Ethel. Shane saw in them the future he would spend with Belle and Corey.
The O’Learys handed out gifts to all the children. The boys from the ranch were clearly blown away by the wonderful presents Santa and Destiny had given them.
Belle beamed with pride. “Look at Juan helping Jake with his bike.”
Corey smiled. “Jake will be able to ride without those training wheels in no time at all.”
Shane gazed lovingly at their boys.