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The pickup truck tires crunched through the icy Montana snow as Cordell Walker squinted at the road ahead.
“Dad,” August said, blowing on his hands. “I think your GPS just froze again.”
Cordell frowned. “It’s not frozen, Augie, it’s… uh…” he tapped the screen twice, and it flickered to a polite ‘Recalculating.’
“... recalculating,” Stella finished, with the kind of eye roll only a Walker teenager could perfect.
Geri chuckled from the passenger seat, wrapped in a fuzzy scarf. “You sure Beau knows we’re coming? You didn’t just— you know— decide this halfway through the drive?”
Cordell smiled sheepishly. “He said something about ‘come on up anytime,’ and I took that as an open invitation.” Geri arched a brow. “That was six months ago.”
“Eh, Texans don’t expire,” Cordell replied. Stella sighed. “That doesn’t even make sense, Dad.” “Doesn’t have to. It’s a dad thing.”
By the time they pulled into Helena, Montana, the Arlen house was lit up like something straight out of a Hallmark movie. Twinkling lights framed the porch and the faint sound of Christmas music drifted through the frosty air. Beau Arlen emerged onto the porch wearing a red plaid jacket and holding two mugs of hot chocolate.
“Cordell Walker!” he called out, grinning. “You actually did it. You brought Texas to Montana.”
Cordell climbed out of the truck with a grin. “You know me, Beau. Can’t resist a good snowstorm or a bad decision.”
Beau handed him a mug. “Good thing I got both.” They clinked mugs.
“Careful,” Beau added. “It’s hotter than a stolen tamale.” Cordell laughed. “You practicing your Texan again?”
“Yup. Got a whole list of Walker-approved phrases. ‘How y’all doin?’ and ‘Don’t mess with my brisket.’”
Stella groaned. “This is going to be a long Christmas.”
Emily appeared at the door, bundled up with a wide smile. “Stella, August! You guys made it! We’ve got sleds, cocoa and Wi-Fi!” That last word sold August instantly. “I like this place already.”
Inside, the Arlen house smelled like pine and cinnamon. A Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner, covered in mismatched ornaments. Geri took it all in with a warm smile.
“Beau, this is Geri Broussard,” Cordell introduced. “Geri, meet my counterpart.” Beau laughed and shook her hand. “Heard a lot about you. Mostly that you put up with this guy.”
Jenny Hoyt stepped in from the kitchen just then, carrying a tray of cookies. “You must be the Walkers. Welcome to the chaos.”
Geri blinked. “You must be Jenny. Beau mentioned you.” Jenny smirked. “Depends on what he said.” “Mostly that you save him from himself,” Geri said. Jenny nodded. “Sounds accurate.” Beau pointed between them. “See? Already getting along. Christmas miracle.”
Later that night, as the kids set up board games by the fire, Cordell and Beau sat on the porch watching the snow fall.
“Feels nice, huh?” Beau said softly. “Montana quiet.” Cordell nodded. “Texas never gets this kind of peace. Unless it’s 3 AM and everyone’s outta chili.”
Beau raised his mug. “To bad jokes and good friends.” Cordell clinked his against it. “To a Montana Christmas.”
A snowball suddenly smacked Cordell right in the chest.
“August!” he yelled. “Sorry, Dad!” came the not-so-sorry voice from the yard. Beau smirked. “Snowball fight, huh?”Cordell grinned. “You in?”
Beau cracked his knuckles. “Let’s see who melts first.”
And just like that, the Montana night filled with laughter, snowballs and more dad jokes than the North Pole could handle.
Later, the house was buzzing with the warmth of Christmas cheer. Twinkling lights stretched across the living room, casting a soft glow on the Christmas tree and the scent of roasted turkey and fresh pies fills the air. Outside, the snow was gently falling, adding that perfect winter touch.
Beau and Cordell were at the head of the table, dressed in festive sweaters that screamed “dad energy,” both with their own kind of Christmas charm.
Beau, who was trying to be serious, leaned back in his chair and cleared his throat. “You know, Cordell, I used to be addicted to Christmas lights.”
Cordell, ever the straight man, raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What happened?”
Beau grinned, “I just couldn’t let it go.” He laughed, the kind of chuckle that only a dad could pull off.
Cordell, nearly spit his drink out laughing. “Hey, I got one for you. Why does Santa go down chimneys on Christmas Eve?” Beau tilted his head in curiosity. “I dunno. Why?”
“Because it soot’s him,” Cordell said, grinning like he just dropped a bombshell. Both of them burst out laughing, their voices filling the room like an old Christmas song, warm and familiar.
As the dinner went on, the room fills with chatter, the clinking of forks and plates, and soft Christmas music playing in the background. Everyone’s gathered around the table, some eating, some leaning back, enjoying the coziness of it all.
The fire crackled in the background as Cordell suddenly pipes up, “Okay, okay, I got one more. Why don’t you ever see Santa in hospital?”
Beau leaned in, pretending to be stumped. “I don’t know. Why?”
“Because he has private elf care,” Cordell said, barely holding it together.
The room bursts into laughter and someone muttered, “You two are unstoppable.”
Everyone's laughing, the food was delicious and the whole atmosphere just felt like home. The perfect holiday scene.
As the last of the Christmas pudding was served and the jokes started to wind down, Beau raised his glass, a grin still plastered on his face.
"Alright, alright," he said, wiping a tear from his eye from all the laughing. "Before we all get too full on food and dad jokes, I just wanna say, I’m thankful for all of you here. It's been a crazy year, but having family around... that’s what really matters, y’know?"
Cordell, nodding in agreement, raised his glass too. “Couldn’t have said it better myself, Beau. Here's to more laughter, good times and, of course, next year’s Christmas dinner down in Austin, y’all are invited.”
Beau laughed, shaking his head. “We’ve got each other—and that’s what counts.”
The room fell into a moment of comfortable silence, everyone nodding along, just soaking in the peace and warmth of the evening.
Then, in perfect harmony, Beau and Cordell both chimed in together, the holiday spirit lighting up their voices:
“Merry Christmas, y’all! Happy Holidays!”