Page 27 of Head Above Water

In the mud room, he pulled on his boots and coat before heading out into the cold, traipsing to the barn and then entering its warmth. The horses all greeted him, and he gave each of them fresh hay and treats. He also made sure they had fresh water before going to the back room, opening the door, and sliding the sleigh out and onto the snow. It glided beautifully, and he maneuvered it out into the yard.

“Do you want help?” Bryce asked, blowing on his hands when Hazard returned inside.

“We need to get the rigging on Dancer, and then when your folks are ready, we can hook up the sleigh and we’ll be ready to go.” He grinned and was so excited. “Your parents have been good to me.”

“And you’ve been good to all of us. Don’t forget that.” Bryce kissed him gently. “And since my parents are getting their present early, I thought I’d talk about my present. My parents have agreed that in January, you and I will get two weeks off. Willard’s college classes don’t start till the end of the month, and he’s agreed to stay here to help Dad.”

“Yeah?” Hazard asked. “And what are we doing on our time off?”

“I was thinking Hawaii. An old friend of Dad’s owns a condo on Oahu, and he’ll let us use it. So, what do you think? A couple weeks of sun, warmth, and beaches in the South Pacific.”

Hazard groaned. “God, yes. That sounds wonderful.” He pulled Bryce to him, kissing him thoroughly. “Just the two of us, with no one else listening.”

Bryce snickered. “About that. My father suggested that in the spring we build a place of our own across the road. He’ll provide the land so we can build a home for the two of us. He says everyone will sleep more soundly.” Bryce chuckled andpulled out his phone. “Dad says that Mom is getting up now, so we better get moving.”

Together, they got the horse harnessed and then rigged to the sleigh. They were just finishing as Bryce’s parents came outside.

“Lyle said you had a surprise for us.”

Hazard grinned and motioned to the sleigh. “Lyle said you always wanted one.” He grinned as Bryce’s mother put her hand over her mouth, and Hazard thought she might have teared up. She managed a soft thank-you as she approached the glossy deep-blue sleigh.

“Don’t just stand there crying. Climb on in, and we can go for a ride,” Lyle said, helping his wife up. Lyle got in, and then they adjusted the blankets over their legs before slowly gliding out across the snow.

“Do you think we can have a ride once they get back?” Bryce asked.

“Of course. I put in plenty of blankets, and no one has to know what we get up to under them.” He flashed Bryce a wicked grin.

“You’re naughty.”

“Of course, I am. It’s part of why you love me,” Hazard said.

“Definitely,” Bryce agreed, before taking his hand, tugging him inside the barn, and kissing him hard enough to warm the arctic in January.