Chapter 17
No sooner was Jake’s birthday over than it was time to resume preparations for Christmas. As with Thanksgiving, the hands had been given time off, but as none of them had families close by, they all elected to stay on the ranch over the holiday. Barry therefore felt an obligation to make the food as festive and home-like as possible.
Barry had agonized over what gifts to get his men. They hadn’t been any help, saying they didn’t need anything apart from him. Barry hadn’t been all that much better when they’d asked him what he wanted.
One day in early November as Barry mucked Shadow’s stall, Liam gave him an idea for what he could give or rather make for Jimmy and Jake’s present. It was perfect on so many levels.
“But I’ll need a lot of help from you,” Barry told the older co
