Liz opened her presents slowly, savoring every single moment and enjoying watching others open what she’d chosen carefully for each one. To have friends so close that she knew what they would like was the biggest gift of all.

Raylen looked strange when he opened her gift—a silver belt buckle engraved with the ranch brand—as if he didn’t like it or she’d intruded on some kind of private ground by commissioning a silversmith in Amarillo to make the buckle. He kissed her on the cheek and thanked her, but something wasn’t right, and suddenly the whole atmosphere between them turned awkward. Before she could ask what was wrong, Maddie dug her phone from her hip pocket and answered it. “Oh, no!” she said.

“What?” Raylen asked.

“It’s that mare we’ve been watching. She’s delivering early. I knew she was too old to breed, but I wanted one more colt out of her,” she fussed.

“You stay here. Liz and I will take care of her,” Raylen said. “Everyone doesn’t need to go.”

“Get rid of those shoes and use my boots, Liz, and you’d better shuck out of that fancy dress and put on my coveralls too. They’re hangin’ on a hook by the clothes dryer,” Maddie said.

Liz was a little disappointed that she couldn’t finish the day in the glow of the family in full Christmas spirit, but she nodded in agreement. She hurried into the utility room and changed into the coveralls, kicked her high heels off and donned a pair of worn cowboy boots that were half a size too big.

Raylen drove so fast that the mesquite trees and fence posts were a blur as they whizzed past Liz’s window. They both rushed into the barn to find the mare down in one of the stalls with a hired hand standing over her when they reached the stables.

“I’m on duty every two hours. When I left last time, she was fine,” he said.

“The vet checked her early, Carl. We both thought we had it under control. It’s not your fault. Go on home to your family. We’re here and we’ll take care of her.” Raylen knelt beside the black horse. “And Merry Christmas, Carl.”

“Same to you and Miz Liz.” Carl headed out of the barn.

“Come on, girl,” he said softly.

Liz dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around the mare’s neck. “Please have this foal and live. Maddie does not need this on Christmas Eve. I promise this will be the last time you have to do this.”

***

“How do you plan to keep that promise?” Raylen could hear a chill in his own voice, but he’d felt terrible when he didn’t have a gift under the tree for Liz. Even Blaze had thought to bring something for Colleen, which made matters even worse. But he’d been so wrapped up in getting his gift for her ready for the next day that he had totally forgotten about the gift exchange among the family that day. He gave gift cards every year to everyone. To fancy restaurants for Rye and Austin, to a toy store for Rachel, to a spa for each of his sisters, and a cruise for his parents. Dewar got tickets to a George Strait concert and…