Colters' Promise (Colters' Legacy, #4)(38)

“We have one last gift for Lily,” Michael said. “We’ll be right back with it.”

Lily watched them go, her brow furrowed in confusion. A moment later, they tromped back into the house from outside, shaking the snow from their boots and pajamas.

They carried a blanket-covered object into the living room and placed it front of Lily, and then Dillon carefully pulled the covering away.

Lily gasped as she stared in wonder at the magnificent handcrafted cradle. She knew immediately that Dillon had done this. Probably with his brothers’ help.

Her fingers slid over the stained finish with reverence, taking in all the intricate lines and designs that had been carved. But when she got to the end, her vision blurred and she swallowed hard to keep the emotion at bay.

There at the head of the cradle, at the top of the curve, was a simple rose. A gentle remembrance. Letting her know that they hadn’t forgotten, that they understood.

She touched it, running her finger over it again and again, so choked up and filled with overwhelming love for her husbands that she couldn’t have spoken if she wanted to.

“Thank you,” she finally managed to whisper. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Everyone beamed at her, though Holly sniffled and Callie hastily dabbed at her eyes. Even the dads’ eyes were suspiciously wet.

“It’s a fine piece,” Adam proclaimed. “You boys did good.”

His declaration lightened the mood and everyone returned to sorting the gifts, collecting the paper, and stacking boxes in a corner.

When all was done, Holly pushed herself up from between Ethan and Adam. “I have an announcement of my own to make.”

She stood before her family, a serene smile sliding across her pretty features. Holly Colter reminded Lauren of an angel. The very best kind of angel.

“I’m cooking Christmas dinner today.”

There was a series of chokes and wheezes. Spasms crossed the faces of the rest of the Colter family as they tried very hard not to react to her announcement.

Lauren watched them all in puzzlement, not understanding why such an announcement was not only odd but greeted by such an arresting array of responses.

There were even groans. Ryan’s face whitened. Ethan looked panicked. The Colter offspring just dissolved into raucous laughter.

Holly glared at them all, hands on her hips.

“You aren’t cooking,” Adam said sternly. “You just got out of the hospital.”

“Not to mention we don’t want her to put us in the hospital,” Ryan muttered.

Holly scowled at her husband. “I heard that.”

“She’s a wonderful cook,” Lily said, rising to throw her glare in with Holly’s.

Holly slid her arm around Lily’s waist and beamed at her daughter-in-law. “Thank you, baby.”

Ethan sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. Everyone looked like they were preparing to face their executioner.

“Anyone want to hear the menu or shall I just surprise you all?” Holly asked, her eyes brimming with excitement.

Another series of groans echoed over the room.

She pursed her lips and shook her finger at all her naysayers. “You’ll see. I’ll expect apologies from each and every one of you.”

She turned and marched toward the kitchen but stopped midway there to turn and frown at everyone. “No one better set foot in my kitchen until you’re called for dinner. Is that clear?”

“God help us,” Adam said wearily.

“Her kitchen?” Ethan choked out. “When has it ever been her kitchen?”

Feeling compelled to show support for a woman who’d been nothing short of wonderful to her, Lauren stood and fixed the rest of the room with a disapproving frown. “How could you all be so mean to her?”

For a moment they all stared at her like she’d lost her mind. Then they dissolved into laughter. Callie wiped at her face and attempted to explain through her merriment.

“We aren’t being mean, Lauren. You have to understand. My mom is a disaster in the kitchen.”

Seth grimaced. “That’s one way to put it.”

“She’s … terrible,” Callie went on. “There’s no other way to explain her culinary skills, or lack thereof. In the thirty-plus years she and the dads have been together, she’s never cooked. It’s not that she hasn’t occasionally tried, but in an effort to prevent her from burning down the house or poisoning the offspring, the dads banned her from the kitchen.”

Another round of laughter filled the room.

With a sigh, Lily shot them all reprimanding looks. “I don’t care how awful this meal is, you’ll eat it and you’ll love it,” she said fiercely. “She’s worked hard for the last several weeks learning this menu. All she wants is to make Christmas dinner one time for her family.”

Understanding dawned in Ryan’s eyes. “So that’s what she’s been up to. Hell, we had no idea why she’s been sneaking off to your house all the time and refusing to allow us to drive her.”

Lily nodded. “We’ve spent countless hours in the kitchen while she labors over this meal. It’s actually quite good. If she doesn’t get flustered and can remember everything I taught her, I promise you won’t be disappointed.”