“Well, damn. It seems as if the Whiskey Creek Colemans like to do things a little less traditionally.” Zach was the first, but only seconds later, every set of eyes had turned toward Lisa and Josiah.
Oh, hell no.
Beside her, Ollie jerked to alert, probably sensing Lisa’s increased tension. She ran a hand over the pup’s head, soothing her to cut off the whine that had begun.
Lisa deliberately stared her way around the circle. “Josiah and I have discussed the marriage topic but came to the conclusion that our relationship does not need any institutionalizationism.”
Karen snickered. “Please promise you’ll finish two more of these drinks and then repeat that word. I want to hear you tie your tongue in knots.”
It was too tempting to resist—Lisa stuck out said tongue at her oldest sister and soaked in the ensuing laughter.
They sat together for the next couple of hours, sharing stories. Offering up plans for the coming year.
“Business as usual for me at the Heart Falls veterinary clinic,” Josiah offered. “Thank you for your continued support of my services.”
“You offer a family rate. We appreciate it,” Finn said sincerely.
“The family keeps growing. I’ll have my hands full with Tyler, along with Sasha and Emma. It’s Sasha’s last year before becoming a teenager, if you can believe it.” Tamara raised her brows at Caleb. “I hope you’re ready for this.”
“Of course we are. Besides, if she gets any ideas about straying off the right path, we’ll sic Kelli on her.” Caleb said it with an absolutely straight face. “If we tell her Kelli said she needs to clean up her act, it’ll be as if God spoke.”
Karen laughed. “Let’s hope that continues to work. But your kids are great,” she assured Caleb before turning to meet Finn’s gaze. “We’re going to get Red Boot ranch operational by the spring. Test run a few smaller groups then head into full operation by the middle of summer.”
“If that’s what the foreman says, then it’s got to be true.” Finn dipped his head. “She’s a smart cookie, that one.”
Karen beamed.
“I’m staying on as medical officer,” Julia said proudly.
“I love getting to work with you,” Karen returned, smiling at the woman who had only come into their lives during the past busy year. “Zach, did you decide if you’re moving ahead with your brewery idea anytime soon?”
“Still researching,” he admitted before offering a chin tilt in his best friend’s direction. “Finn and I want to make sure Red Boot ranch is in the black before I take on too much else.”
The group of them rang in the New Year, cheers rising skyward as the clock ticked past midnight. Everyone turned to their partner for a good-luck kiss, and as Josiah pulled her close, Lisa was definitely counting her blessings.
His lips against hers were warm and yet demanding. There was no getting distracted when he wanted her full attention. Except for—
An excited yip sounded by their ankles, and Josiah’s mouth curled into a smile before he’d even finished the kiss.
Their foreheads touched briefly. “Somebody else wants to say happy New Year.”
Lisa swooped down and grabbed Ollie, cuddling the pup between her and Josiah. “Yes, you need to be part of the celebration as well,” she told the little terrier seriously. “Happy New Year, Ollie.”
She pressed a kiss to the dog’s head then lifted her gaze to meet Josiah’s.
“Don’t let your sisters see you do that,” Josiah warned in a whisper.
“Too late,” Julia whispered in return as she walked past, tugging Zach with her.
It wasn’t much later that everyone left, headed back to their own homes. Tamara to a nine-month-old baby boy and the rest of her and Caleb’s family she cared for as a full-time mom. Karen was off to the big ranch house she and Finn were renovating while getting the ranch up and running. Julia and Zach were the last to go, discussing ideas for building a place of their own as well as dealing with their tasks for Red Boot ranch.
Lisa and Josiah put away a few things before leaving the rest for the morning.
“What do you think about starting the new year right?” Josiah asked the question with a voice that had gone deep as he crowded her down the hallway toward their bedroom cautiously, to avoid kicking Ollie, who kept pacing underfoot.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Lisa said with great enthusiasm. She wrapped her fingers around his collar and smiled up demurely. “It’s very important to get at least eight hours of shut-eye, so we should probably hit the sack right now and go straight to sleep.”
He slipped their bodies into alignment and let her know exactly what kind of activity he had in mind. “Tease.”
“Never.” Lisa said softly. “I love you. Last year, this year, and every moment into the future.”
Ollie was sent to her bed in the corner with a firm directive to stay. The agenda after that faded into loving. The night had been as close to perfect as possible from beginning to end.
Only when Lisa woke, sun shining across the bed and turning the first day of the new year into something shiny and bright, the problem that had been itching the back of her brain revealed itself crystal clear.
Everyone in her family had goals set for the coming year. Everyone had a job to do. Everyone.
Except her.
Chapter 2
February 1st
Josiah hurried through the barn, headed back to the house, and Ollie danced at his heels. “You didn’t tell Lisa the surprise, did you? Of course not. You know how to keep secrets. You’re such a good girl.”
He stopped before opening the door, kneeling and pulling out a dog treat for Ollie. He scratched behind her ears as she daintily gobbled it down.
The year was flying past. Between dealing with a few unfortunate time-consuming disasters at the veterinary clinic and the reality of keeping in touch with what was now a very large extended family, it was already the beginning of February.
Work had been outrageously busy. Josiah was so thankful he’d hired a new vet, Yvette, right before the holidays. Having a skilled set of hands who knew the clinic and had already met many of their clients had been vital for keeping things on track, especially since his long-time receptionist Sharon had needed time off the past couple of weeks.
Having Lisa in his world had been the sweet icing on the busy chaos. Waking up every morning with her made him feel as if he’d won the lottery. And since she’d been filling in for Sharon at the front desk, he’d gotten to see her and talk to her even more than usual each day.
The not-so-wonderful part was that something was wrong. He’d noticed it in particular during the last couple of days. Coming into the house to discover Lisa staring off into space, although she always pulled herself together quickly when she spotted him.
He wasn’t worried that there was something wrong between them. Lisa Coleman loved him with every atom in her body, and he knew that to the tips of his toes now. She’d picked him for forever. On that score, he had zero doubts.
Only there were times while driving down the gravel roads, nothing but snowy fields surrounding them, that he wondered if she missed the idea of travelling to warmer places. Seeing things other than familiar ranch houses and miles of fence posts that ran all the way to the horizon.