Christmas morning at the Lancer ranch promised to be a time of quiet celebration.  The fire crackled and hissed in the enormous fireplace in the Great Room, casting a warm glow over the family gathered there.  The smell of freshly cut evergreens filled the room.  Laura relaxed, leaning back against Scott's chest on the big sofa, his arms around her.  Murdoch rested in his armchair next to the fire with his feet propped on the ottoman.  Teresa leaned back on the other couch, while Johnny lounged in front of the fire.  The Lancers were grateful for a day just to be together without any demands on their time.  The last few weeks had been nearly chaotic -- the wedding, the newlyweds' whirlwind honeymoon trip to San Francisco, the party to celebrate the boys' birthdays, preparations for Christmas.  The list had seemed endless.

"Well,” Murdoch commented, lighting his pipe.  "I think that's all of the presents.  Thank you all for your thoughtfulness." 

Johnny fingered the buttery leather jacket lying next to him on the floor.  Scott and Laura had delighted in buying it for him in San Francisco.  "Ummm, Murdoch, there's one more present."  With that, Johnny casually got up and retrieved a large hatbox from behind the Christmas tree.  "This's for Laura -- I, uhh, wanted ta wait till we were all done for her ta open it.  It's from me."

Scott chuckled knowingly.  Laura sat up as Johnny deposited the hatbox, gaily decorated with a gigantic red bow, in her lap.  More than a little suspicious, she tentatively pulled off the bow and opened the box.  Inside, wrapped in layers of tissue, was a lovely black wide-brimmed "cowboy" hat, its crown surrounded by a strip of braided leather, a small eagle feather tucked into it.

"Oh, Johnny, it's beautiful!  Now I have another hat to wear out riding!"

"Uhhh, actually, Scott and me thought you might wear it EVERY time you ride.  That thing with the ostrich feathers you wear...."

"Is very charming,” Teresa interjected.

"'Charming' isn't exactly what I'd call it," commented Scott, earning a glare from his bride for his efforts.

"What's wrong with my riding hat?"  questioned Laura.

"Well," Scott laughed, "it just ain't the style out here, is it Johnny?"

With that, the brothers burst out laughing, tears streaming down their faces.  Murdoch and Teresa looked baffled.  Laura was speechless.  It must be a private joke, she decided.