Ashley smiled, happier than she ever dreamed she could be. “That’s all right. I’m a kindergarten teacher. Taming monsters is part of the job description.”
EPILOGUE
RUBY SIGHED WITH delight as Ashley talked about how they had married the summer after Ruby graduated from her kindergarten class.
She had been so wrapped up in the familiar story that she hadn’t noticed others had gathered, too, while her mom and dad were taking turns telling the story. Her little sister Caitlin and Cait’s best friend, Addie Larrimore, and Addie’s mom, Faith, who was her mom’s best friend, were there along with Caroline Dalton and Emery Cavazos and a few of their kids.
She never got tired of hearing that story. She could only vaguely remember a time when Ashley wasn’t in their lives—when it was just her and her dad and her great-aunt Lydia.
Mostly, she remembered her dad had been far too serious. He worked superhard on the ranch and didn’t laugh much. Not as he did now, anyway.
They had made a pretty good team before, her and her father and great-aunt, but with Ashley in their lives and then the little ones, now they had a completely awesome family.
“You were right. That is a great story,” Gabi exclaimed. “Jeez, Rue, I can’t believe you told your dad that your teacher used to have his picture in her locker!”
“It was the most mortifying moment of my life,” her mom said, “but in the end, all that embarrassment was worth it.”
She smiled at Justin, who reached out and squeezed her hand and gave her one of those gooey looks they were always passing back and forth. Beside her, Ava let out an audible sigh.
Ruby wanted the very same kind of love story someday to share with her kids. A million years from now, of course.
“See?” she told Destry. “I told you I know what I’m talking about when it comes to romance.”
“Maybe you can be a matchmaker for me in fifteen years or so—after I graduate from college and travel through Europe and barrel race in the PRCA rodeo finals.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Ashley said with a smile. “But here’s a thought. Why don’t we focus on the joy and magic of Christmas first? I heard a rumor that a special visitor might be on his way later.”
“Is it Santa?” Caitlin asked, her eyes wide.
“Santa!” Jess clapped his hands, looking his completely adorable two-year-old self.
Ruby and her friends gave each other cynical looks. Even Ava, the youngest of them at twelve, didn’t believe in Santa anymore, but it was still fun for the little kids so they didn’t say anything to spoil it.
As the group broke up and the grown-ups and the little ones headed off in different directions, Ruby gazed at the tree beside her and her friends.
Yeah, she was excited about the new iPhone she was almost positive would be in her stocking and really hoped she would get the tooled leather saddle for her horse, Rita, that she had pointed out to her dad. But when it came down to it, she already had everything she needed.
She might not believe in Santa anymore now that she was thirteen, but she did believe in dreams coming true.
She had wonderful friends who would do anything for her, a more-than-comfortable house, a dog and a horse of her very own, and a family she adored—a family that never would have happened if not for her.
* * *
ISBN-13: 9781488035128
Together for Christmas
First published in 2014. This edition published in 2020.
Copyright © 2014 by Harlequin Books S.A.
5-B Poppy Lane
First published in 2006. This edition published in 2020.
Copyright © 2006 by Debbie Macomber
When We Touch
First published in 2012. This edition published in 2020.
Copyright © 2012 by Brenda Novak, Inc.
Welcome to Icicle Falls
First published in 2012. This edition published in 2020.
Copyright © 2012 by Sheila Rabe
Starstruck
First published in 2006. This edition published in 2020.
Copyright © 2006 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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