by Jill Kemerer
“Come on,” she said, grabbing his hand. “Let’s go tell Nan.”
“Think she’ll be happy?”
“I think she’ll be ecstatic.”
Chapter Sixteen
This was hands down the best day of her life.
The final strains of “Silent Night, Holy Night” rang through the sanctuary, and Brittany set her hand on Mason’s arm. She sat between him and Nan. Next to Mason were Noah, Ryder, Harper and Ivy. Bill, Joanna and Eden sat in front of them, and Noah had poked Auntie Eden’s back often, prompting Mason to scold him more than once during the service.
Thank You, Lord. Your plan was so much better than my own. You’ve done mighty things for me today.
She glanced over at Nan, who smiled and grew teary-eyed again. She’d cried tears of joy when Brittany and Mason told her they were in love. She’d brought her palms together, raised her gaze to the ceiling and assured them her prayers had been answered before kissing each of them on the cheek.
“Hi, Miss Bwittany,” Noah whispered for the sixth time while he waved at her. She smiled, putting her finger to her lips, then waved back. When Mason had told Noah that Brittany was his girlfriend, Noah had hugged her so hard, she’d almost fallen over. Facing her, he’d sat on her lap and hugged her neck. Then he’d whispered in her ear that he wanted her to be his mommy.
It had been one of the sweetest moments in her life.
Mason had taken it upon himself to tell his in-laws and Eden in person, and afterward he’d called Gabby with the good news.
Brittany had the less inviting task of calling her mother. When she’d told Mom she was moving in with Nan and opening a studio in Rendezvous, her mother had responded with, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
She and Nan had invited her to come out and spend some time with them, but she’d declined. At least Mom had wished Nan a merry Christmas.
An organ heartily pumped out “Joy to the World,” while ushers marched to the front to excuse everyone.
“My Christmas gift is right here,” Mason whispered to her. His eyes glimmered with love, and her breath caught in her throat.
“You didn’t want chocolate-covered cherries?”
“I only want you.”
Heat flushed up her neck. But the ushers were at their pew, so she helped Nan rise and hooked arms with her as they made their way down the aisle. Life had sure changed in twenty-four hours. God willing, from here on out, she’d be spending all her Christmases with Nan and Mason and Noah.
In the entryway, they were met with cries of “Merry Christmas” and lots of hugs. Bill and Joanna approached them.
“I hear you’re moving to town, Brittany.” Bill spoke kindly. Joanna wrung her hands.
“Yes, I’m excited to spend more time with Nan.”
“We’re very happy you’ll be spending more time with Mason, too.” Joanna tried to smile, and Brittany could see how much it was costing her. Pity stabbed her heart over this couple’s loss.
“Welcome to Rendezvous.” Bill held his arms out.
Was he offering to hug her? She’d been pretty sure he didn’t like her. She moved forward into his arms and was surprised at how genuine the embrace felt.
“Thank you.” She glanced at Joanna again. The woman was clearly trying to keep it together. Brittany put her arms around her. “I’m sorry. I’m sure the holidays must be hard, and I know my presence isn’t helping.”
A tear trailed down Joanna’s cheek, but she smiled and whisked it away. “I miss Mia, but I’m very happy for you and Mason.”
Eden picked up Noah. “Are you ready for presents tomorrow?”
He nodded, holding her neck tightly. “Yes! Auntie Eden, did you know Miss Bwittany is Daddy’s girlfriend?”
“I heard that.” Eden rubbed his little back. “It’s wonderful news.”
Brittany locked eyes with her and Eden smiled.
“Do you think Ivy will get the doll she wants?” Noah snuggled into Eden’s arms.
“I certainly hope she does.” She brushed his hair from his forehead.
“Me, too.”
Gabby came over and tapped Brittany’s shoulder. “I hear you’re moving to Rendezvous.”
“I am.” She liked Gabby and Eden and hoped they’d all be friends. “I’m buying the old computer repair shop.”
“Good for you. It will be great having you around.” Gabby looked at Eden, then Mason, who stood next to Brittany. “While you’re all here, I have my own announcement.”
“I’ll just get Nan’s coat,” Brittany said, wanting to give them privacy.
“Stay,” Gabby said. “You’re one of us now.”
One of them. Of all the nice things to say... Brittany’s emotions couldn’t take much more.
“I might have done something stupid.” Gabby lifted her palm. “Seeing that it’s Christmas, I sent one final letter to Phoebe’s father. But I’m holding firm from now on. I’m not going to try to contact him anymore.”
“You’ve done more than most would in this situation.” Eden put her arm around Gabby’s shoulders and squeezed.
“Thanks, Eden.”
Brittany knew Gabby was raising her sister’s baby, but she hadn’t realized the father was an issue. It wasn’t any of her business, but she would be glad to lend a hand whenever Gabby needed one.
“We’ll support whatever decision you make,” Mason said.
“Brittany!” Babs O’Rourke wove through the crowd. “Oh, I’m glad I caught you. Merry Christmas, honey.”
“Merry Christmas.” She was taken aback at her red-and-white-striped blazer with red skirt. She looked like a walking candy cane.
“I’ll have the papers drawn up the day after tomorrow. Will you be in town?”
“Yes, I will.” She and Babs discussed the property for a few more minutes while Mason chatted with his friends.
After Babs left, Brittany took a moment to savor it all. Nan stood with Lois and Gretchen. Bill and Joanna were fussing over Noah, still in Eden’s arms. Ryder was twirling Harper, then Ivy, who both giggled with glee. Mason locked eyes with Brittany and smiled.
Who would have thought all her dreams could come true in a middle-of-nowhere town?
She strolled over to Mason. This was where she belonged.
Epilogue
It was going to be another awesome summer.
Mason tripped on a toy dinosaur and landed on a plastic horse with his bare foot. Ouch! He counted to three as the pain subsided. Noah was kicking off the first day of June at Grandma and Grandpa Page’s. Bill was teaching him how to ride a sheep for the Mutton Bustin’ event at the rodeo, and Joanna promised to fill him up with a gooey ice cream sundae afterward. Which left Mason alone, contemplating when Brittany would get here already.
So much had changed since Christmas, and all of it for the better. After much prayer, he’d accepted Bill and Joanna’s generous gift and paid off every medical bill. The ranch was thriving again, and his relationship with his in-laws was, too.
A knock on the front door made his heartbeat go faster.
He loped over and threw it open. To long blond hair and ocean-blue eyes. To sunshine and happiness. To his new bride, Brittany Fanning.
He hauled her into his arms and twirled her in a circle. Then he kissed her.
“What took you so long?” He pressed his forehead to hers and she laughed. They’d gotten married a week ago, taken a short honeymoon in Yellowstone, and tonight, Brittany was moving her things into his house.
“Ahem?”
Mason looked over at the man standing next to her. The man who looked exactly like him. Ryder was back in town.
“Look who I ran into. And I didn’t even splash coffee all over myself this time.” She hitched her thumb at Ryder. “I thought we could use some extra help with moving boxes.”
; He gave Ryder a half hug. Ryder had been his best man at the wedding. It felt as if they’d been best friends forever. “What brings you back so soon?”
“Lily has the girls, so I figured I’d help you move.” Sadness and pain lurked beneath his smile. “I’m staying at the inn, though. Don’t want to cramp you newlyweds.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Mason held up a finger. “Let me get my boots on, and we’ll start getting my new bride settled.”
As soon as the boots were on, he went back out to the porch. Another car pulled up the driveway, and Gabby and Eden got out.
“Hey, we thought you might need a couple more hands.” Gabby held up a plate of goodies. “And brownies.”
Eden faltered when she saw Ryder, but she gave him a polite smile and came inside.
“Did someone say brownies?” Brittany rushed forward. “Who’s watching Phoebe?”
“Babs insisted. She just loves the child.” Gabby pulled off the cling wrap, and Brittany and Eden both took a treat. “She kind of adopted us both. I’m thankful for her, and not just because of her help with Phoebe. Babs has been running interference for me with a certain church lady. Gretchen won’t get off my back about dating Judd. Babs, thankfully, has told her time and again I will not date a cowboy. Period.”
“Isn’t Judd technically a rancher?” Brittany took a bite of brownie as Mason shimmied next to her and put his arm around her waist. “Mmm...so good.”
“Don’t we get brownies?” Mason pointed to Ryder and himself.
“Yes, you get brownies.” Gabby rolled her eyes and held out the plate. He and Ryder took the biggest ones.
“How is your grandmother doing?” Eden asked Brittany.
“Really well. I know it will be another transition with me moving out, but Vera Wick has been such a blessing. I’m so glad we hired her when I first moved back. Nan’s used to her coming over a few times a week to help her shower and clean her house, so I don’t think me moving down the road will be too bad. I’ll pop in and see her every day. It’s a win-win.”
“If you need help, just let us know.” Eden touched Brittany’s arm.
“Thanks.”
“Just so you know, Nicole has been having back pains,” Gabby said, widening her eyes. “I hope the babies don’t come early.”
Mason felt terrible for Nicole Taylor, Stella Boone’s sister. Her husband had died on Christmas day, and she’d moved back to Rendezvous and was staying with her mom and Stella. The worst part was that Nicole was pregnant with triplets. He could imagine how devastated she felt. He’d been in her shoes—not with triplets, but being overwhelmed with grief and trying to raise a baby without Mia. He and Gabby and Eden had promptly invited her to join their support group, and to their relief, she’d been coming to the Tuesday meetings for a few months.
“She went to the clinic,” Eden said. “It must not be too serious. I mean, they sent her home.”
“We’ll keep praying for her,” Mason said.
“Now that you’re married, have you changed your mind about coming to our meetings, Brittany?” Gabby asked.
Brittany laughed. “I appreciate the offer. Thank you, but when summer’s over I’ll be teaching second and third graders tap that night. Until then, I’ll keep hanging out with my little Noah-bear while you guys do your thing.”
“I could use a group like yours,” Ryder muttered. Then, as if he realized he’d said it out loud, his cheeks grew red and he shook his head. “Sorry.”
“Well, if you lived here, we’d love to have you.” Gabby covered the brownies with the plastic wrap.
“Maybe I’ll have to move here.” Ryder glanced at Eden. She proceeded to stare at the ground.
“Okay, where do we start?” Gabby asked.
“I have a bunch of boxes in the back of Nan’s truck.”
Ryder, Gabby and Eden strolled out to the truck, but Mason took Brittany’s hand to hold her back.
“I love you, you know.” He looked into her eyes and got a surge of anticipation at all the mischief and love in them.
“Prove it.” She lifted her chin.
“Those are fighting words.” He twirled her, then caught her up close to him. He slid his hands down her back to settle at her waist. Then he kissed her, savoring the promise of forever on her lips. “Now that the studio is remodeled and the apartment is renovated, you’ll have more free time on your hands.”
“I will.” She wound her arms around his neck. “You know what that means?”
“No.” He couldn’t tear his gaze from her mouth.
“You’re not going to be able to get rid of me.” She lifted on tippy-toes and pressed her lips to his.
“Why would I want to? I’ll never be able to get enough of you.”
“Good, because I’m never going to let you go.”
* * *
Watch for the next book in
Jill Kemerer’s Wyoming Sweethearts miniseries,
coming in Spring 2020!
Dear Reader,
What’s better than a new cowboy series set in Wyoming? I had so much fun dreaming up Rendezvous. I could picture the river running through town, the mountains nearby and the cute downtown full of restaurants and shops to be featured in all four of the books. And as the setting jelled in my mind, the people in it came to life.
I’ve cried many tears over Mason and his loss. And Brittany...how many times did I want to hug her and tell her how wonderful she is? So many people walk through life not realizing how much they have to offer the world. They’re so much more than their job title or bank account balance. Mason needed Brittany’s brightness and acceptance, and she needed his steadiness and devotion.
Could you relate to Brittany’s realization that she would never find her identity in the things of this world? Her identity rests in being God’s beloved child. Every now and then, I forget this, too, but thankfully, God gently reminds me I’m His and I don’t need to be more.
Thank you, again, for reading my book!
Blessings to you,
Jill Kemerer
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Stranded for the Holidays
by Lisa Carter
Chapter One
Grinning, Jonas Stone snapped a quick photo of his son. In a pint-size Stetson and cowboy boots, four-year-old Hunter looked adorable sitting in Santa’s lap.
From the mounted loudspeakers at the edge of the town square, strains of “Winter Wonderland” provided a festive note. Friends called out greetings to each other.
Pretty much the entire population of Truelove, North Carolina had turned out for the annual Christmas parade. And also for the free hot chocolate, courtesy of the Mason Jar, the local diner on the other side of the green.
Nursing a cold, Jonas’s mother had remained at the ranch, opting to skip the parade and the visit with Santa. Per tradition, the Truelove Christmas parade always landed on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
But it seemed to Jonas that Christmas came earlier every year. At least, the trappings of Christmas. If it wasn’t for his son, he’d just as soon bypass the holidays.
Or maybe he was getting old. Old, alone and—according to his also widowed mother—dangerously close to being forever set in his grumpy ways.
Enthroned in the gazebo, Santa—aka Truelove’s mayor—patte
d Hunter’s jean-clad knee. “Have you been a good boy this year?”
“I think so, Santa.” Hunter’s dark brown eyes swung to Jonas. “And a weally good cowboy, too. Wight, Dad?”
His son’s breath fogged in the crisp, mountain air. The cold front and plummeting temperature had necessitated pulling out their winter coats before they’d left the ranch this morning.
Jonas smiled at his little cowboy. “A very good cowboy.”
“Mrs. Santa will be so pleased.” Mayor Watson’s pale blue eyes twinkled. “And what is it you’d like Santa to bring you this Christmas, my boy?”
Hunter’s eyebrows drew together like twin caterpillars. “It’s some-ding I weally, weally want, Santa.” Cupping his mitten, he whispered in Santa’s ear.
Jonas scanned the Blue Ridge vista surrounding the small Appalachian community. Low, thin clouds enveloped the mountains. The chill in the air hinted of coming snow.
And if it wasn’t already snowing on the mountain at FieldStone Ranch, it soon would be. They’d need to get on the road soon.
“You’re sure that’s what you want for Christmas, Hunter?”
At the note of concern in Mayor Watson’s voice, Jonas turned from his contemplation of the dreary skyline. Hunter’s head bobbed. “I’m sure.”
With the freezing temperature, Mayor Watson’s rather bulbous nose had turned an appropriate cherry-red. “Not a new rope? Or a saddle? Or—”
“Dat’s the only ding I want for Chwismas, Santa.” Hunter’s face turned unusually solemn.
Watson tugged at his snow-white beard. “That sort of gift is kinda hard to come by.” His eyes darted to Jonas. “And best given by your father.”
“But Dad’s gonna need your help, Santa.” Hunter crossed his arms over his skinny chest. “Gwam-ma says, God’s help, too.”
Jonas raised an eyebrow. “Wow, that must be some gift.”
Watson chuckled nervously. “Thank you for coming to see me today, Hunter.” He eased the little boy off his lap. “I hope you have a merry Christmas. Make sure you get a candy cane from my helper.”
