"Do you know what's going on with the kids?" Amanda sipped her coffee and gazed into the fireplace. There were too many furtive glances between her children and odd comments from the ones in Washington. She'd learned long ago not to disregard her instinct.

Frank grunted and turned the page of his newspaper.

"Don't pretend you didn't notice." She glanced at her husband. His hair was almost completely silver now. The lines in his face deeper, but beyond that, he was still the amazing, sexy man she'd fallen head over heels in love with.

He glanced at her, still holding the paper up. "It's Christmas."

Amanda nodded and considered the point. The children could be trying to stage some Christmas surprise… but all of them? The plane from Washington should have touched down already. Once she had all of her children in one room, she'd be able to tell who the ringleader was—that and Reece would tell her everything she wanted to know and then some. The little boy was a wealth of information.

"Don't go spoiling their surprise. You'd hate it if they spoiled yours." Frank turned the page and leaned back in his chair.

"Hmmm… so you admit there is a surprise?"

"Nope. Just figured if you saw something, it was probably about the season.”

She pushed her chair, making the rocker glide back and glanced up at the twenty-foot pine tree that stood in the corner of the room. There were boxes of lights, ornaments, and garland to be used. She'd pop popcorn, and the older kids, including some of her grown babies, would eat half while stringing it. Hot chocolate, apple cider, Christmas carols, and excited children would rule the ranch tonight. With ten kids between them, and eight grandchildren, plus husbands, wives, fiancés and significant others, the tree would be overrun with love and presents. "It’s going to be so good to have them all home for Christmas. It was what I wanted this year."

Frank folded his paper and set it down. His gaze fell to the tree. He grunted an agreement before he glanced over at her. "Got the best present in the world sitting next to me. Beyond that, having the kids here is all I could ever ask for as well."

Amanda reached out her hand, and he took it. "You are the best man in the world, Frank Marshall."

"No, ma'am. But you make me want to be." He squeezed her hand gently.

She blinked back happy tears. After being widowed and raising five boys and three girls by herself, finding her soulmate was the last thing Amanda had expected. But she found him, and for that she was thankful. "We are blessed, Frank. Blessed beyond my comprehension."

"Truer words were never spoken." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. "Before the horde descends and things get crazy, I want you to know I know how hard you worked to get them here and make everything perfect. I love you."

"Gramma! Grampa! We're here!" The front door slammed open, and the rush of little feet brought them both out of their chairs.

Amanda fell to her knees and braced for the multitudes of hugs heading her way. She was blessed. Well and truly blessed.