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

another family waiting across the hall, then settled back at her desk to resume her knitting.
    Betty arrived close to ten, after she’d closed the café and gotten Jerry tucked in at home. She’d gathered them together at one end of the room, insisting they hold hands and pray for Sally, Clay, and their family. After a few minutes, Dalton slipped away to get a cup of coffee. Rein followed him.
    “You and Liberty get things straightened out?” Dalton asked, filling up his Styrofoam cup.
    Rein glanced at his brother. “Yeah, we did.”
    Dalton smiled. “That’s good. You guys still trying, I presume?”
    Rein chuckled. “Is this any of your business?”
    “Hey, dude. She opened up to me. And she is my half-sister. So, yeah, maybe a little,” Dalton answered. “Besides, I care about the both of you.”
    “Aw, that’s sweet,” Rein said with a grin.
    “Asshat,” Dalton muttered.
    “By the way, had a visit the other night.”
    Dalton’s gaze darted to his. “Really?”
    “Yep, thought I was going looney-toons.”
    Dalton nodded. “Sounds about right.”
    “Don’t you want to know what he said?”
    “Okay, sure.” Dalton leaned against the hospitality counter.
    “He’s happy with what we’ve done with the ranch, for starters. Happy to see Michael involved, but we shouldn’t work him too hard.”
    Dalton tipped his head and stared at Rein. “Are you making this up?”
    Rein held up his hand. “God’s truth, unless I was under the influence of Jamison.”
    Dalton raised his brows. “Anything else?”
    There was more, but Rein preferred to keep the rest between him and Jed—at least, for now. “Not really.”
    Dalton shook his head. “I thought when it happened to me that I was crazy.” He looked at Rein. “But I guess we all can’t be crazy… right?”
    Rein lifted his mouth in a half grin and gave his brother a dubious look.
    Dalton used his cup to hide his finger, flipping off Rein.
    The surgery door swung open and Clay walked out cradling a small bundle in his arms. The wide grin on his face masked the fact that he’d neither slept nor shaved in several hours. His countenance fell when the pediatric surgeon followed from the surgery area.
    “Mr. Saunders?” the man asked, approaching Clay.
    Clay lifted his chin, appearing to steel himself for what news might follow. “That’s me. Is this about my daughter?”
    Rein reached for Liberty’s hand as the small crowd stood to offer Clay support. She’d returned from the cafeteria a few minutes after him, looking green around the gills. Waving it off as being tired and stressed, she’d joined the others in their prayer vigil.
    The man placed his hand on Clay's shoulder. “First, your daughter’s going to be just fine.”
    Clay dropped his head back and squeezed his eyes shut before facing the doctor. “Oh, man, thank you. Thank you.”
    “She had what we call TTN, or Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn. Basically, fluid got into her lungs, making her have to breathe harder. It’s fairly rare in preemies, but sometimes happens in Cesarean deliveries simply because the fluid isn’t squeezed out like it would be during a vaginal birth.”
    “Is she going to be okay? Will this affect her as she grows?” Clay asked.
    “Not usually. We’ve got her on a breathing machine now, just until the fluids clear out and she can breathe on her own. I expect she’ll be ready to go home with her family in two or three days. When your wife gets settled in her room, I’ll see that you both get up to see your daughter.”
    “Aubrey,” Clay said. “Her name is Aubrey.”
    The doctor, who appeared to be in his mid-to-late thirties, smiled. “I’ll let the nurses know.” He leaned over and pulled back the blanket to take a peek at the newborn in Clay’s arms. “Both girls?”
    “Yessir,” Clay said with pride marking his response. “This is Ava.”
    The doctor chuckled. “I have twin girls of my own in middle school right now. Please accept my