“Between Morris and Mom’s twenty-four/seven Christmas carols from Thanksgiving on, Michael’s spiked hot chocolate, and Mama B and Dad’s nine-foot tree so covered in ornaments and lights you can’t see needles, we all go a little crazy over Christmas. I’ll hold her straight while you dig,” he said.

She worked the dirt back into the hole and patted it down with the flat of the shovel. It was oddly therapeutic, she realized. Putting something in the ground that was going to be appreciated for generations to come.

Silas pulled the hose around. “Let’s give her a good soaking,” he said, handing her the nozzle and slipping his arms around her waist. She wondered how tall it would be in a year, ten years.

Leaning against him, Maggie squeezed the trigger and watched the water pool at the base of the tree before being absorbed into the fresh dirt. This time it was Taco and Dolly that raced past first. Kevin paused his chase to bite at the water spouting from the hose.

She laughed, and Silas kissed her on the top of the head.

“That should about do it. We’ll give her another drink later,” he said, taking the hose from her and giving the dog a squirt in the rump.

“What’ll we do for the next hour or so before Cody comes home?” she asked slyly.

“I’m about to introduce you to the second-best part of Bonus Day,” he told her, leading her toward the back door and up the stairs.

She paused just inside the bedroom door. The room had instantly changed from a temporary camp to an actual bedroom. He’d made the bed when she’d walked the movers out, she noted. The pillows—because six hadn’t seemed too crazy in the store—were stacked in a sumptuous pile against the headboard. The duvet was very precisely spread across the mattress, folded over to show the crisp white of the sheets.

“Wow, you really know how to make a bed,” she said, unexpectedly delighted at his show of domesticity.

“I’m even better at unmaking it. Now, pick a side,” he said.

She blinked. “What?”

“Pick a side, darlin’. Do you want to be closer to the window or the bathroom?”

She had a bed big enough to have a dedicated side.

“What if I want to sleep in the middle?” she asked just to be contrary.

“Then you’ll be sleeping on top of me, and I have no problem with that.”

“I’ll take the window,” she decided.

“Good girl. Now, get in.”

“Are you really ready for another round?” She was impressed. And a little exhausted. Okay. A lot exhausted.

“No, ma’am. I am not.” He shot her that devilish grin. “Don’t get me wrong. I’d fumble my way through it for you. But I think we both could use a rest before another attempt.”