All I Want for Christmas: A Kinnison Legacy Holiday novella by Amanda McIntyre

set firm as he drove. She reached out to touch his arm. “Honey, slow down. Clay’s with her. She’s going to the best hospital in the state.”
    Rein grabbed her hand and squeezed, and while he spoke no words she knew his thoughts were with hers, remembering the day he’d rushed her to Billings where they’d lost their son.
    What seemed like hours later, they sat in the maternity waiting room at Billings Hospital. Dalton and Angelique had arrived, as had Aimee and Wyatt. The children were at the ranch under the watchful eyes of the Greyfeathers.
    Sally had been wheeled in, seen quickly, and rushed to surgery, Clay close behind. The ambulance crew had been correct. Sally was close to being toxemic, which did not bode well for her or the twins.
    Liberty held tightly to Rein’s hand as they sat side-by-side. He hadn’t said much on the drive, nor since their arrival. “Hey, do you want some coffee?” she asked.
    He glanced up from his thoughts. “I’m good. You need anything?”
    “Only for you to be okay,” she said quietly.
    He searched her eyes and she saw when he conceded to her request. “I know. I’m sorry. There’s just been so much—” He held her gaze. “Just could use some good news, I guess.”
    Liberty nodded. “Not sure if this is the best time, but something different to think about. When I was talking to Ellie today, she asked if maybe you’d be interested in coming down on Thursday night this week to be Santa for the family holiday party at the house.”
    His wary expression spoke volumes. “What do you think of that idea?”
    She shrugged. “I know it’d be hard seeing Cody, but then, at least one of us would get to see him open his barn.”
    Rein nodded.
    At that moment, a flurry of doctors and nurses pushed through the doors of the surgical department.
    Rein was on his feet, moving toward the doors, searching for someone to ask about what was going on. Clay exited the surgery area, his face drawn. Liberty had never before seen the man look afraid. Rein walked toward him and clamped his hand on the big man’s shoulder. “Clay?”
    Clay blinked. “One of the girls isn’t doing well. She’s having trouble getting oxygen. They may have to do surgery. They won’t know until the pediatric surgeon can take a look at her x-rays.”
    “And Sally?” Rein asked.
    Clay swiped his hand over his mouth. “She’s doing okay. Holding her own. The other girl is hanging in there.”
    An entourage of friends stood around the two men. Liberty watched as Rein breathed a sigh of relief. “What do you need us to do for you?”
    Clay looked at them. “Wait… and pray.” He turned to head back through the swinging doors, back to his family.
    Rein’s concern for Sally was to be expected. After all, they’d dated at one time, and though Aimee had told her once that nothing had come of it, there would naturally be concern. Still, it accentuated the fact that she had not yet been able to give Rein the family he so desperately wanted. She left him sitting in the waiting room and wandered down the hall to the small cafeteria. Getting herself a cup of fresh coffee, she sat in a booth near one of the windows and stared at the snowfall in the lights of the parking lot.
    “Hey, need some company?” Dalton stood at the table. He had a soda can in his hand.
    Liberty nodded. “Have a seat.” She glanced at him. “Everything okay?”
    He lifted a brow. “That’s what I came to ask you.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Come on, Liberty. I know this is hard on the both of you.”
    “Harder, I think, on Rein,” she replied and averted her gaze.
    “This isn’t about losing your baby, is it?” Dalton asked.
    Liberty fought her wayward emotions. Christmas had never been a stellar time for her anyway--at least, not until she’d met Rein. But before her, he’d dated Sally. And she couldn’t shake the thought that he might wish it was him in that maternity room right now, instead of Clay.
    “Hey,