Unforgettable Christmas Dreams: Gifts of Joy

by Rebecca York

  “I’m delighted to hear that.”

  “So my will is useless now, and Melody can’t use the jewelry.”

  “I don’t think she needs them.”

  “Oh yes she does. She can’t continue to work a hundred hours a week in your hospital.”

  “Don’t exaggerate.”

  “Well, she can’t continue to live in that awfully dilapidated house that we politely call a duplex. She can’t rely on a dog to babysit my granddaughter if I’m sick. Can you understand?” She shook a menacing finger at him.

  “Ah.” He took a step back at her onslaught of words and abstained from comment. The woman had been half-dead a week ago but was back to meddling and reorganizing people’s lives. “What do you plan...huh...” he carefully started.

  “I already did. I called Dr. Turner and his attorney, Larry Johnson—”

  “You didn’t... You disturbed Dr. Turner and his lawyer again?”

  “Disturb? He’s a lawyer. That’s his job. We’ll pay him, and Turner is just a witness. Besides, he was quite interested and didn’t mind coming. They were here two days ago.”

  “Da...” He swallowed a curse and cleared his throat. “What did you—”

  “If you just listen, I’ll tell you. I asked the lawyer to change Melody’s birth certificate, to remove Rachel’s name as mother and put mine. This woman has no right to be on Melody’s birth certificate.”

  “He can’t do that.”

  “He’s a lawyer. He’ll find a way. Once Melody is officially recognized as my daughter, she can sell some of the precious pieces and buy important things.” Alicia lifted a sarcastic eyebrow. “A decent house, for example, where you two and Stella can live. You are getting married soon, right?”

  “Huh...yes.”

  “When?”

  “I don’t know. We haven’t discussed it yet. It’s up to Melody to decide—”

  “I see.” She bobbed her head. “I’ll take care of the wedding soon. But one thing at a time.”

  “Alicia, please, please, stop organizing things for Melody and me.”

  “What are you saying, Dr. Olson?” Outraged, she scowled at him. “Are you calling me a meddling woman?”

  He huffed. “Let me examine you.” He already knew she was completely recovered and ready to cause mayhem.

  Epilogue

  Somehow, Alicia managed to have her way.

  Rachel’s name was deleted from Melody’s birth certificate and Alicia’s name added as mother. Melody’s radiant smile attested to her approval. Alicia contacted the most famous jewelers in New York and sent them pictures and descriptions of a few pieces. The results of their assessments blew Aidan’s mind. By selling a diamond set comprising a ring, necklace, bracelet and earrings, Melody could buy a big house in an upscale neighborhood.

  But things didn’t work the way they expected. Aidan received bad news from home. His father, the famous cardiologist Dr. Robert Olson, had been diagnosed with cancer and would start therapy soon. To be closer to his dad, Aidan accepted a position in Miami, put his house on the market, and moved to Florida a month later.

  Melody would follow as soon as Aidan’s house and her duplex sold. She couldn’t wait to leave Cincinnati and her bad memories behind.

  “Nana Licia, Mommy said we’re all moving to Miami to be with Aidan. We will be at the beach every day.”

  “I’ll come to visit often,” Alicia muttered with a shaky voice that betrayed suppressed tears.

  “No,” Melody interrupted. “You’re moving with us. Aidan found a big house with an in-law apartment attached to the main house.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to interfere in—”

  “We need you, Alicia. I plan to keep working. Who else would babysit Stella when we’re both on call?”

  “Ah, in that case...”

  “Besides, Aidan wants us to have more children right away. He’s used to a big family.”

  Alicia beamed. “I’d love to help you raise more babies.”

  A week before Thanksgiving, Aidan flew to Cincinnati to accompany his soon-to-be family during their first trip to Florida. Melody had already sent the few things she wanted to keep and Alicia’s furniture.

  “I’m grateful you’ve already arranged my furniture according to my instructions.” Alicia beamed with pleasure at the sight of the small but comfortable apartment.

  Aidan opened his hands in apology. “I’m sorry I can’t have you stay at my parents’. My father is going through chemo and needs quiet around him.”

  “Don’t worry, Aidan. Melody and Stella can stay with me until you furnish the big house.”

  “That’s Melody’s job. I’m too busy at my new job.” Although the new house was completely remodeled and ready to move in, it was empty. “You’ll have the pleasure of furnishing it to your taste,” Aidan told Melody.

  “Alicia will help me shop. I’m not working until after our wedding.”

  “You can count on me,” Alicia answered without hesitation. “Together we’ll organize the wedding, buy the furniture and decorate the house.”

  ***

  A week before Christmas, Melody slipped on a short lace dress, suitable for a mid-day ceremony, dressed Stella in a similar little dress, and then helped Alicia don a blue silk suit. Even Bernie had been carefully bathed and outfitted with a white bow at his neck.

  A limousine ordered by Aidan arrived at eleven o’clock to pick them up. For the wedding, he had chosen the nearest church to his parents’ house in Fort Lauderdale. Melody slid into the back seat with Alicia next to her. Stella sat across from them. At her feet, Bernie munched on a bone.

  During the hour-long ride to the church, relaxing against the back of her seat, Melody mentally reviewed her life...the miserable days of her childhood and teenage years, the arduous nights of studying in college, the comfortable life she’d built in her duplex with Alicia’s help.

  The woman sitting next to her, respecting her silence, had allowed her to work and raise her daughter without worries, and had given her a taste of family—a strange family, to be sure, with a baby, a substitute grandma, and a dog. Soon they would become a complete family—husband, wife, and children.

  With a pang of guilt, Melody realized she’d excluded the mother and grandmother who had agreed to remain in the shadows in order to protect her from added pain.

  When the white limousine parked at the curb, Melody blinked several times to keep tears from spilling and spoiling her carefully applied makeup.

  Aidan’s bothers, Nathan and Liam, helped Melody and Alicia out of the long car. His sister Julia handed her a bouquet of white roses chosen by Aidan, and then held Stella’s hand and Bernie’s leash.

  Melody buried her nose in the fragrant bouquet and silently thanked Aidan for her favorite flowers.

  “I will seat Mrs. Loren,” Liam started, “and my brother Nathan will walk you down the aisle.”

  “Thank you, but no.” Melody lifted her chin with determination. “I will walk with my mother and my daughter.”

  Her jaw sagging, Alicia stared at her.

  “Give me your arm, Mom.”

  Alicia’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Please don’t cry,” Melody added with a quivering smile. “Not even happy tears.”

  Unable to utter a word, Alicia swallowed, cleared her throat, and nodded.

  “Stella, your hand.”

  “And Bernie, Mommy?”

  “Liam, please attach his leash to a pew.”

  The brothers and sister smiled. “In that case, we’re taking our places. You follow when the music starts.”

  Liam went to sit next to his parents. Nathan, the groom’s best man, preceded them to stand next to Aidan at the altar, and Julia, the maid of honor, walked slowly ahead of them.

  Music filled the church. “Let’s go, Mom.”

  “Today is the most beautiful day of my life,” Alicia mumbled. “Thank you, Lord, for my happiness.”

  Melody proceeded slowly, her eyes
fixed on the handsome man waiting for her at the altar, in a pair of dark gray pants and a white button-down shirt, opened at the neck.

  At the altar, she put her hand in her groom’s hand.

  For his father’s sake, Aidan had begged the priest to make it short and sweet. And he did. In less than ten minutes, the man of the cloth declared them husband and wife. “You may kiss the bride.”

  Aidan’s kiss promised security and happiness. “I love you, sweetheart. I’ll be at your side every day of my life.”

  “I love you, Aidan. You’ve given me a complete family.”

  The End.

  A Note From the Author

  I hope you enjoyed reading the books in this Christmas anthology:, UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS DREAMS, and my own contribution, A COMPLETE FAMILY and will look forward to reading more books by Mona Risk. The great thing about all of my series is each book is always a stand-alone with a definite beginning and ending. (I hate cliffhangers as much as you do!)

  If you liked—hopefully loved—this story, please tell your friends about it, and please leave a review. It only takes a few minutes, and you only need to write a couple of sentences telling others what you liked about A COMPLETE FAMILY so other readers can enjoy this love story too.

  Find out about my new books by joining my Newsletter

  Other books by Mona Risk

  SWEET ROMANCES:

  Holiday Babies Series:

  Holly Jolly Christmas: Prequel to the series.

  Christmas Babies: A sweet and powerful Christmas Story.

  Valentine Babies: Can he love a woman expecting another man’s baby?

  Mother’s Day Babies: Never too late to find love and happiness.

  Wedding Surprise: Is it the worst or best wedding surprise?

  Christmas Papa: Who’s my Papa, Mommy?

  On Christmas Eve: We want a mommy for Christmas.

  The Senator’s Family Series:

  Her Christmas Cruise: The perfect fiancé is a cheater and the fabulous Christmas wedding is off. But the would-be honeymoon cruise may fulfill the dreams of Julia and her unexpected companion.

  Two Loves For Christmas: Her German shepherd is her only friend until a senator’s son refuses to take advantage of their fake engagement and teams up with her dog to protect her.

  For Sarah’s Sake: A broken marriage. Second chance at love. And a precious little girl trying to escape danger and hatred to get herself a loving family.

  Not Ready Yet: High school sweethearts separated by life...They meet years later, successful but different, each with a heavy baggage.

  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES:

  Set in romantic or exotic international places, these romance novels are sizzling with passion, emotion and sensual tension.

  Heal my Heart: In a far away country, a baby girl, four little boys, and a handsome doctor may teach Dr. Jillian the true meaning of Christmas.

  Her Greek Tycoon: A sexy and humorous Romeo and Juliette Greek style, set in Mykonos Island.

  To Love A Hero: When the American chemist stumbles on the airport escalator in General Sergei’s arms, she soon discovers that chemicals are not the only things that can generate heat.

  Her French Count: Are his statue and chateau worth endangering the life of the impetuous young woman who’s turned his life upside down

  Neighbors and More: Too close for comfort for condo owners in a Florida High Rise after a man drowns in a hot spa.

  Husband for a Week: Sicilian vendetta, fake husband, and an irascible matchmaking grandmother complicate Jonathan and Isabella’s lives. Can love conquer all?

  The Gods of Dark Love: From the Egyptian Mythology, the legend of the famous gods, Isis and Osiris.

  Modern Princes:

  A Bride For Prince Paul: She can’t abandon her patients for his crown!

  A Bodyguard For The Princess: A murder at Harvard in Princess Chloe’s student building.

  Jingle With My Princess: The doc and the princess... He saves lives but Princess Charlene may save his heart.

  Prince Philip’s Cinderella: A charming jogger saves her from danger. But he’s a prince... and she comes from nothing. Should she run or risk her heart?

  Sweet but Sassy

  In Time For Christmas: Can Sylvia turn her life and career upside down for Baby Clementine and for James who wants her to stay with him for reasons he has trouble explaining?

  The Captain’s Christmas Leave: Wounded and almost divorced, Dr. Joshua Alexander lost his medical career and any chance of happiness...until his sassy wife takes matters into her own hands.

  Doctor’s Orders:

  Babies in the Bargain: “ER” and “Grey’s Anatomy” in the NICU.

  Right Name, Wrong Man: What’s a girl to do when she whispers another man’s name in her fiancé’s arms?

  No More Lies: A lie that brings a smile or a truth drawing tears?

  My books are also part of these multi-author boxes:

  Love, Christmas

  Love, Christmas 2

  INVINCIBLE, Strong and Fearless

  Sweet and Sassy

  Sweet and Sassy Christmas

  Sweet and Sassy Valentine

  Sweet and Sassy Weddings

  Sweet and Sassy on the Beach

  Sweet and Sassy in the Snow

  Sweet and Sassy Cinderella

  Snowflakes and Christmas Kisses

  Unforgettable Romances: Unforgettable Heroes

  Unforgettable Heroes: Unforgettable Passion

  Unforgettable Christmas: Gifts of Love

  Unforgettable Valentine

  Unforgettable Weddings

  Unforgettable Suspense

  Unforgettable Danger

  Unforgettable Passion: Unforgettable Charmers

  Unforgettable Charmers

  A Night She’ll Remember

  About the Author

  A tireless traveler, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author MONA RISK received an Outstanding Achiever Award at Affaire de Coeur Magazine. She is a Two-Time winner of Best Contemporary Romance Novel at Readers Favorite; an EPIC’s Ebook Award Finalist.

  “Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk, in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable.” Roxanne St. Claire, NY Bestselling author.

  “Mona Risk knows how to pull a reader into the minds of her well-crafted characters. Her work takes us on a journey be it local or overseas.” Night Owl Reviews.

  “Ms Risk has created beautifully written, well rounded, realistic characters.” Got Romance!

  Mona writes sweet contemporary romance, medical romance, and romantic suspense novels, all simmering with emotion. Sprinkled with a good dose of humor, her stories are set in the fascinating places she visits— or in Florida, her paradise on earth.

  Contact Information

  Nothing would please me more than to hear from my readers. You can write to me at mona@monarisk.com

  To hear about my new novels, please join my Newsletter .

  Or visit:

  Website Twitter Facebook

  Amazon Page Bookbub

  THREE FRENCH HENS

  Three French Hens

  Silver Bell series #8

  Nancy Radke

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2019, Nancy Radke

  Book Description

  “Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves,

  and a partridge in a pear tree.”

  Ranching is dangerous enough without someone trying to kill you. When heavy snow collapses the roof on Carlton Mann, he walks to the nearest home for shelter. He stays to help the owner and her son. Love grows as they struggle to stay alive and keep her Montana ranch.

  Praises for Nancy’s Books

  “Her writing is clear, engaging, authentic, and tells a lot of story with just enough words.” – zzz, Amazon reviewer.

  “Don’t hesitate to order anything by this author. It is always a guaranteed winning read.” – s ken
nedy, Amazon reviewer

  Chapter One

  The sun was setting in a spectacular display upon Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains when Carlton Mann skidded the snowmobile to a halt on a ridge east of them. He never failed to appreciate the beauty of the ranchlands, and always timed his check on the waterholes so that he would end up here at sundown.

  The quiet loveliness of the high country had gradually won his heart, so that he wondered why he’d ever lived anywhere else. Although he had grown up in a small town, he was already trying to figure out a way to stay here permanently. He had several options, and liked all of them.

  This ridge was around six miles of mountainous travel from where he was spending the winter at an old line cabin. By the looks of the heavy timbers, it seemed to be a relic from the 1800’s, but had to be newer than that.

  It and the snowmobile belonged to Carlton’s grandfather, who had offered him the cabin when he asked about a place to stay where he would be uninterrupted while he finished his research. He wanted complete quiet while he analyzed his numbers and plugged them into his charts, and his parents’ home was not, as they had two of his younger brothers still living there.

  The line cabin, made of hewn logs, was snug and warm, but far from civilization. He wouldn’t want to live there permanently, at least not alone.

  True to his grandfather’s promise, he had not been interrupted, so much so that he was really getting tired of his own company. He was also getting tired of the powered eggs he had been eating for over two months. He hadn’t minded them much at first, scrambled, but after the second month he’d run out of ways to try to improve the taste. Even hot salsa hadn’t helped.