Maggie's Christmas Miracle
Page 14
Tears glistened on her cheeks and her chest rose and fell as she tried to catch her breath. “I…I…believe.”
That’s all needed being said. Daniel pulled her into his embrace. Izzy wrapped her arms around Maggie’s neck. “You belong with us, Miss Maggie.”
Behind them the train’s engine belched. “Let’s swap loads,” Daniel said, handing over Izzy and taking her bag. He wrapped his free arm around her and they ran.
***
Daniel sent Milly Crenshaw a telegram in Chicago, and the happy matchmaker had prepared for their arrival. In her drawing room, he and Maggie were united as husband and wife. Besides the presiding minister, the only witnesses were Milly, her secretary, Jane Wadsworth, and little Izzy, who watched in awe.
As soon as they parted from the kiss that sealed their union, Izzy ran to Maggie and threw herself around Maggie’s skirts. “Now you’re my new mama, and you’ll stay with us forever.”
Maggie sank to her knees and folded the child in her arms, whispering words only Izzy could hear.
What must Maggie be feeling to hear her child call her mama for the first time. Daniel stepped back, knowing this mother and child union was such a profound moment even he could not share.
They had both decided to wait until Izzy was old enough to understand before telling her the circumstances surrounding her birth. Maggie insisted they’d keep Helen’s memory alive as Izzy’s first mother.
After they’d thanked the minister and he’d taken his leave, Milly took Daniel and Maggie by their hands. “The bridal suite has been prepared for you. Jane and I will entertain Isabelle.” She chuckled. “Or she will entertain us. At any rate, we’ll send your supper up to your suite so you can have the entire evening together. I know you’ll have to leave in the morning.”
Daniel leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Thank you, Milly, for trusting me in my scheme to win Maggie’s heart. You were right. It was a great risk.”
She patted his cheek. “Posh, there was never any risk, whether I was involved or not. Some things just have to be, and you had God on your side.” She squeezed Maggie’s arm. “Never forget that, in case you ever doubt.”
“I will never forget how blessed I am, and I, too, thank you for being God’s instrument in carrying out His will.” Maggie turned, searching for her child. “Izzy, my little love, will you stay with Mrs. Crenshaw while Papa and I…have some time alone to explore?”
Daniel laughed under his breath. Explore was a good word for it. They had so much to explore about each other as they searched for the depths of their love.
Uncertainty rested on Izzy’s tawny brow as she came to them. “Will you tuck me in tonight?”
Maggie stooped to kiss her cheek. “I promise. Papa and I will both come, and I’ll sing for you.”
Pleased that Maggie was already speaking for both of them, Daniel lifted Izzy and gave her his special kiss. “Have fun with Mrs. Crenshaw, sweetheart.”
When he set her on her feet, Milly beckoned. “Come, Izzy, I’ll show you my doll collection. I have nearly three hundred dolls from all over the world, and I have two very small ones that will fit in that new dollhouse I understand Santa Claus brought you.”
Izzy skipped to her and took Milly’s hand. The two left, chatting like old friends.
For a long moment, Daniel savored the image of his wife standing in front of Milly’s Christmas tree. Not surprising, like most large houses, this one was drafty with cold spots, and she still wore the white shawl. It set off her cranberry travel suit that had served as her wedding gown.
“Did you know you’re standing under the mistletoe, Mrs. Raleigh?”
She tilted her head back to see the sprig hanging from the chandelier, giving him a fine view of the lovely slope of her neck. “You’ll never need mistletoe as a reason to kiss me, Mr. Raleigh. I love you.”
“And I love you.” He leaned into her.
“Forever?” Her eyes closed. Her mouth invited.
“Forever.” They kissed, long and with much more passion than the chaste touch of the lips after their I-dos—a kiss that heated his insides and left him wanting more. Staring into each other’s eyes, he said, “I’ve heard that Milly’s bridal suite is fabulous. I’m ready to see if that’s true.” Neither one of them cared what the suite looked like so long as it provided a door against the world.
She smiled and slipped her arm around his waist and his went around her shoulders. They climbed the stairs, their steps in unison.
Forever began today.
Author’s Note
Thank you, dear reader, for reading Maggie’s Christmas Miracle. Please join our FB group and meet all the authors in the Westward Home and Hearts series. https://www.facebook.com/groups/300983413953782/
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And, most important, pray for me and other authors. The publishing industry is an important way to enlighten the public about the love of God in an entertaining way. Since reviews are more important than ever for books to get noticed, please leave a review at Amazon and Goodreads. I write only for the Lord’s glory and the reader’s pleasure, so I would much appreciate your opinion.
Books by this Author
The Annex Mail Order Brides series:
Adela’s Prairie Suitor
Ramee’s Fugitive Cowboy
Prudie’s Mountain Man
The Annex Mail-Order Brides Boxset
Intrigue under Western Skies series:
Book 1, Pursued
Book 2, Surrendered
Book 3, Revealed
Book 4, Escaped
The Wolf Deceivers series:
Book 1, The Chieftain’s Choice
Book 2, The Duke’s Dilemma
Book 3, The Captain’s Challenge
Westward Home and Hearts, a mult-author series:
Book 1, Lacy’s Legacy
Book 3, Maggie’s Christmas Miracle
Also:
The Perfect Gift, a Christmas Novella
The Washwoman’s Christmas
Cloaked in Love
About the Author
Elaine Manders writes wholesome, Christian romance about the strong, capable women of history and present day and the men who love them. She lives in Central Georgia with a happy bichon-poodle mix. When not writing, she enjoys reading, sewing, crafts, and spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, and friends. You may contact the author at any of the following.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elaine.manders.35
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ehmanders
Email: elainehmanders@gmail.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elaine-manders
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14151675.Elaine_Manders