One year later, Christmas Eve had settled over Eagle Valley in a blanket of snow.

Astrid stood inside the barn at Cassidy Inn, watching Colt lift another bundle of hay into the newly expanded loft. The barn had changed almost as much as the inn had over the past year. The expansion gave them more room for the horses, more space for travelers, and enough storage to prepare for the busy months ahead.

Astrid held Hannah against her chest, the three-month-old baby bundled warmly against the cold. Hannah’s tiny eyes followed her father’s movements, and every time Colt looked down at her, his expression softened.

“It doesn’t even look like the same barn anymore,” Astrid said.

Colt climbed down from the ladder and brushed the hay from his hands. “That’s because Harvey made sure we did it properly.”

Astrid smiled. “You mean Harvey made sure you didn’t try to do everything yourself.”

“That too.”

Colt stepped closer and looked down at Hannah. “How’s my girl?”

Hannah made a soft sound and kicked beneath her blanket.

“She seems to like watching you work,” Astrid said.

“She gets that from you.”

Astrid laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever spent an entire day watching someone work.”

“You watch me all the time.”

“That’s because you’re interesting to watch.”

Colt smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead before gently touching Hannah’s cheek.

“I think she’ll like the new barn,” he said.

“I think she’ll like having people around,” Astrid replied. “One day, she’ll be running through this place and knowing every person who comes through the doors.”

Colt looked around the barn. “And there will be plenty of people for her to meet. With the extra stalls, we’ll be able to welcome more travelers in the new year.”

Astrid smiled. “I’d like that.”

“So would I.”

The sound of footsteps came from outside, and Harvey appeared through the barn doors.

“Need a hand with those horses?” he asked.

Colt nodded. “Always.”

Harvey walked toward the stalls, then glanced at Hannah. “Look at her. She’s getting bigger already.”

“She’ll be walking before you know it,” Astrid said.

Harvey shook his head. “That means you’ll have your hands full.”

“We already do,” Colt replied.

Harvey laughed as he reached for a saddle. “I heard from the sheriff this morning.”

Colt looked over. “About what?”

“Killick.”

Astrid’s smile faded slightly and Harvey glanced at her but continued. “They moved him back to the East Coast. He caused too much trouble around here, so they decided he’d be better off serving the rest of his time somewhere farther away.”

Astrid let out a quiet breath. “Good.”

Colt nodded. “I’m glad he’s gone.”

“He’ll be locked up for a long time,” Harvey said. “You won’t have to worry about him coming back.”

Astrid looked down at Hannah, then back at Colt. “That’s all I ever wanted.”

Harvey smiled. “Well, then, you two can get back to worrying about the things that actually matter.”

Colt raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Like whether you’ve got enough hay for all those travelers you’re planning to bring in next year.”

Astrid laughed. “He’s right.”

Harvey shook his head and returned to the horses.

A little while later, Astrid looked toward the loft and smiled when she saw Aunt Penelope carrying another bundle of hay with Uncle Maverick following behind her.

“I still can’t believe they came all this way for Christmas,” Astrid said.

Colt looked toward them. “They’re family.”

Astrid smiled at him. They had come to stay at the inn for Christmas and had insisted on helping wherever they could. Aunt Penelope had spent most of the morning making sure everyone had enough food, while Uncle Maverick had found more than enough work to keep himself busy.

Colt watched Astrid look at everyone around them, and he couldn’t help but feel a warmth that had nothing to do with the lanterns glowing throughout the barn. He had lost his parents two years ago on Christmas Eve, and for a long time, he had believed that the loss was something he would carry forever, something that would always make Christmas painful.

But now, standing in that barn with Astrid, Hannah, Harvey, and the family they had built around them, he realized he had been given something he once thought he would never have again. He had a family, the kind that stayed, the kind that filled a home with laughter, and the kind that made Christmas worth celebrating.

***

By evening, the work was finished, and everyone returned to the inn.

Astrid carried Hannah upstairs while Colt followed behind her. Together, they settled their daughter into her crib, tucking the blanket around her.

Hannah stirred, opening her eyes for a moment before settling again.

“She looks so peaceful,” Astrid whispered.

Colt stood beside her. “She has no idea how spoiled she’s going to be tomorrow.”

Astrid smiled. “She’s three months old; she won’t even understand what Christmas is.”

“She’ll understand presents.”

“She won’t.”

“She’ll understand.”

Astrid laughed quietly and took his hand.

After making sure Hannah was comfortable, they went back downstairs to say goodnight to everyone.

Peter and Sarah were sitting together near the fire, Sarah’s engagement ring catching the light whenever she moved her hand. Mae and Harvey were talking near the doorway, their relationship no longer something either of them tried to hide. Aunt Penelope and Uncle Maverick were still talking with the others, already making plans for the following morning.

It was noisy, warm, and it was home.

Eventually, the inn grew quiet as everyone settled in for the night. Astrid and Colt sat together beside the fire, their shoulders touching.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow,” Astrid said.

Colt smiled. “Neither can I.”

“I want to see her face when she opens her presents.”

“She won’t know what she’s looking at.”

“I know.”

“She’ll probably try to eat the wrapping paper.”

Astrid laughed. “Probably.”

Colt looked toward the stairs. “Still, I want to see it.”

“So do I.”

They sat quietly for a moment, listening to the fire crackle.

“She really is the greatest joy of my life,” Astrid said.

Colt turned toward her. “What about me?”

Astrid looked at him, trying not to smile. “You?”

“Yes. Where do I rank?”

She pretended to think about it. “Well, Hannah is my greatest joy.”

Colt raised an eyebrow. “And me?”

“You’re somewhere below her.”

He shook his head, pretending to be offended. “That’s not very reassuring.”

Astrid laughed and rested her head against his shoulder. “You’re my greatest joy too.”

“Better.”

“I never knew I could love someone that much,” she said softly.

“Neither did I.”

Astrid smiled. “She’s going to grow up surrounded by so much love.”

Colt kissed the top of her head. “She already is.”

“And so are you,” Astrid added.

Colt smiled. “I suppose I am.”

Astrid smiled, then suddenly sat up.

“What?” Colt asked.

“I have something for you.”

“For me?”

She nodded and reached beside her chair, pulling out a small wrapped package.

Colt stared at it. “It’s not Christmas morning yet.”

“I know.”

“Then what are you doing?”

“I wanted this moment to be just for us.”

He took the package from her, looking at her suspiciously. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

Colt slowly opened it.

A small knitted blanket appeared beneath the wrapping.

He stared at it for a moment.

“A blanket?”

Astrid smiled.

He looked back at her, confused. “Hannah already has one.”

“This isn’t Hannah’s.”

Colt’s eyes moved back to the blanket.

“What do you mean?”

Astrid reached for his hand.

“I mean,” she said softly, “that we’re going to need another one.”

Colt looked at her. For a moment, he didn’t seem to understand. Then his eyes widened.

“Astrid.”

She nodded, tears already gathering in her eyes. “We’re having another baby.”

Colt stared at her, completely still.

“You’re serious?”

Astrid laughed softly through her tears. “Yes.”

His expression changed as the news finally sank in. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

“Another baby,” he whispered.

“Our baby,” Astrid said.

Colt kissed her, then pulled back just enough to look at her.

“I don’t even know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe it.”

Astrid smiled. “Neither can I.”

Colt stood and pulled her gently to her feet.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I need to dance with my wife.”

She laughed as he took her into his arms.

“There’s no music.”

“We don’t need music.”

They slowly turned together beside the fire, laughing quietly so they wouldn’t wake Hannah upstairs.

Colt held Astrid close, his eyes shining as he looked at her. “One year ago, I couldn’t imagine having any of this,” he said.

Astrid rested her head against his chest. “And now?”

He smiled. “Now I can’t imagine wanting anything else.”

They continued to dance beside the fire, holding each other as the snow fell outside.

Upstairs, their daughter slept peacefully. And inside the warm inn, with another child already growing beneath Astrid’s heart, Colt knew that the life he had once thought was gone forever had become more than he ever dreamed it could be.

It was Christmas Eve and, for the first time, he wasn’t afraid of what tomorrow might bring.

He was waiting for it.

THE END