by Jeannie Moon
She pulled around the corner from the high school and parked, Christmas carols drifting through her car. Sabrina hummed along as she watched people pass by her window. She loved Holly Point, and it looked like in three days the town would be getting another romantic fairy tale Christmas.
From her window she could see the front of St. James by the Sea church, where Jake, her wonderful husband, made her dreams come true. Soon it would be Maggie’s turn.
Within a few minutes, Matt jumped into the passenger side of her car. “He bought it. For a while I didn’t think he was going to.”
Bree blew out a long breath. “No kidding. I just texted Maggie and told her it was all set. I did not, however, tell her about that ring.”
“That was a nice surprise. I hope this works out. I have to tell you, Bree, I’m nervous.”
“Nothing to be nervous about. Your sister is going to be so happy. Finally.”
Matt rubbed a hand across his belly. “I have butterflies in my stomach. Or I’m hungry. It’s hard to tell.”
“With you, it’s probably a little of both.” Bree laughed, so happy she’d been able to share this with him. Matt had been as close to a little brother as she’d ever had.
Just then, Bree’s phone rang, the sound ran through the speakers, silencing the Christmas music and filling up the car. “It’s Maggie,” Bree said as she answered. “Hey.”
“Hey. I can’t believe he went for it.” Maggie sounded out of breath, like she’d been running, but Bree knew it was probably her friend’s nerves that were getting the better of her.
“He did. So once I get back to your house we’ll finalize the plan.”
“Okay. Thank you Bree, thanks, Matty.”
“Don’t thank us yet,” Matt said. “It could all go south in a heartbeat. He wasn’t easy to convince.”
“Do you think he’ll be angry that we set him up?” Maggie was still unsure. Since walking away from Will she’d been miserable, finally figuring out that the only right thing for her to do was find a way to make her life with him. But she wasn’t blind to the hurt she’d caused him, and had cried to Bree that she didn’t think Will would forgive her.
Matt was right; there were a lot of things that could go wrong, but they weren’t going to. Sabrina was no gambler, but she’d put money down on the fact that Maggie and Will were going to be part of their very own Christmas miracle.
* * *
THE GERVAIS HOUSE had been the scene of many happy events for Maggie. The home, which had been expanded over the years, sat on a waterfront parcel that had been in the family for generations. Maggie and her family had spent Christmas Eve with Dr. Ed, Enza and their many friends and family for the last fifteen years. It was a second home for her, a place that held many wonderful holiday memories.
And she hoped this year Christmas Eve would be extra special. A new beginning.
Decked out in all its Christmas finery, Maggie sat in the large living room, surrounded by people and gazing at the nine foot tall tree that sparkled from floor to ceiling. White lights and gold and silver ornaments reflected all over the room, making everything glow. Her memory flashed back to the night she and Will went out in a snow storm and picked out a tree for his house. The glow of the lights as the snow fell from the sky made her feel magic was happening all around them. Special magic.
Christmas magic.
It was the night they made love for the first time. The night she knew she would be his forever. The night she realized everything happened for a reason. It took her a while to remember that.
The crash, her injuries, her amputation, all tore her away from her high-octane life, brought her home, and ultimately to Will. Could they have met under other circumstances? Probably. But she often wondered if she would have slowed down enough to see what was right in front of her.
Maggie used to pat herself on the back for always “making time” for her family. But if she was honest with herself, she’d missed a lot since she graduated college, and made the navy her life. She knew her family was proud of her, but Maggie’s injury finally stopped her in her tracks long enough to see that she really wasn’t part of things. For years she’d popped in and out of town, but was never really there. She never saw what was right before her eyes.
Talk about a sobering realization.
Falling in love with Will was all about the future. About the possibilities. About taking a leap of faith. For a woman who was used to total control, that was a scary thing.
Maggie cracked, and like an idiot, she walked away from the best thing in her life.
Two days later, she’d been offered a high profile job at the Pentagon. It would have given her power, prestige and made her a player in DC. It was the kind of opportunity many returning veterans dreamed of… and she turned the offer down flat less than two hours after it was made.
After her meeting at the Pentagon, she’d arranged to have lunch with two friends from her first deployment. One worked at the DOD, and one had left the military for civilian life. She was working as a lobbyist. They were both single, and constantly on the move. They checked their cell phones at least ten times during the meal, and glad-handed a dozen people who walked by.
After it was over, her friends gushed about how good it was to catch up with her, but when she sat in the cab on the way to Union Station, Maggie couldn’t tell you anything about what they were doing. There was no connection. The encounter was superficial, and flat.
Maybe it was an epiphany. Maybe it was just a heavenly slap in the face, but Maggie knew immediately her future was at home. Her future was with the man who made her feel whole.
Sitting there on Christmas Eve, surrounded by people she loved, Maggie prayed she could fix it.
The house was a hive of activity, but all Maggie could think about was what she was going to say to Will, who she’d hurt so badly. He had changed her life, and made it better in so many ways.
Cass plopped down on the sofa next to her and passed her a glass of mulled cider. “Here’s a little liquid courage, my dear. I threw some extra spiced rum in there for good measure.”
Maggie took a sip, letting the flavors of cinnamon, orange, and spice roll over her tongue.
“It’s going to be alright, you know.” Cass reached out and took her hand. “Believe me, no one has messed up worse than I did with Sean, and we made it. If you and Will are meant to be together, you will be. Have faith.”
Have faith. That was not something Maggie was very good at.
There was a lull in the conversation as a few people started moving toward the windows facing the harbor. Something was going on.
“Well, look at that.” Sean McKinnon’s sweet Irish brogue cut through the party noise. “Someone is using your dock, Ed, and the boat is quite a sight.”
Dr. Ed made his way to the window and she saw a smile lift the corner of his mouth. He turned, and crooked his finger at Maggie. “You need to see this, Miss Benson.”
Rising, she didn’t know what to expect, but once she looked out, her heart leaped in her chest. There, at the dock, was Will in his boat. It was decorated with bright lights and he’d mounted a huge Christmas tree in the bow. She watched him step out, holding a bouquet of flowers.
He was standing on the dock, waiting. Just about everyone at the party had found a spot at a window, but Maggie was headed toward the back of the house with Bree, Grace, and Claire following. She’d grabbed a throw from the arm of the couch, and as she was heading through the kitchen, her mother grabbed her hand.
“Happiness is never guaranteed, baby. But he’s as good a risk as you will ever find. Trust yourself.”
“I will, Mom. I’m not making the same mistake twice.”
“Atta girl,” Enza said.
Bree and her sisters folded her in a group hug. No words were exchanged, but as was the case with people who love you, none were needed.
Stepping outside, Maggie should have been cold, but the warmth coming from her heart was all she needed.
Stepping onto the dock, she approached Will. He was so handsome in his dark wool coat, his face illuminated by the lights from the boat. His eyes and smile told her everything would be okay.
They stood about two feet from each other. Maggie was frozen in place, overwhelmed by all she was feeling. “I like the tree,” she whispered.
“It’s real,” he said taking a step towards her. “Just like my feelings for you.”
“Oh, Will. I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry I…I w-walked out on you. I love you.” Maggie couldn’t help it, she burst into tears, her sobs coming in gulps, and at the same time she gave silent thanks that she didn’t lose him.
Before she knew it, Will’s arms were wrapped around her, holding her close, his lips pressed against her hair. “Shhh. Shhh. Maggie, don’t cry. It’s okay. It’s okay. I love you so much.”
“I can’t believe I was so stupid. I don’t want to live without you. I can’t. I love you.” Gazing into his eyes, Maggie never felt more at peace, more settled than she did at that moment. Will brushed her tears away with his thumb.
“I love you too,” he said. “No matter what happens, you can count on that. And the baby thing, we’ll work that out. We will have a family. Somehow.”
“Okay. I’ll never doubt us again. I promise.”
“That’s enough for me.” He looked around, frowning. “Damn. I dropped your flowers. They went off the dock.”
“That’s okay.” She sniffled and buried her face in his chest. “They were pretty, but I don’t need flowers. I have you.”
“Could you use this?”
“What?” Lifting her head, Maggie focused in on a velvet box Will was holding right at her nose level. In it was a diamond ring that twinkled like a thousand Christmas lights. “Oh. Oh, my God. Oh, Will.”
“Will you marry me, Maggie? Say yes, and I’ll help you find Christmas every single day.”
Nodding, because she couldn’t speak, Maggie watched as Will slipped the ring on her finger. A cheer went up from all the people who had gathered on the large wrap-around porch. Her family, her friends, and her neighbors, made this night even more special. A week ago, when Maggie dropped the paper in Enza’s Wish Box, she never imagined her wish would come true, but that’s exactly what had happened when she let herself believe. When she was brave enough to have faith.
“I love you,” he whispered. “We’re going to have a great life.”
“I love you, too. So much. You saved me.”
“Saved you?”
“From myself. You helped me believe in love, and in magic.” Pressing her hand to his chest, Maggie felt Will’s heart. It beat strong and steady, reminding her that love was the only thing that really mattered.
The magic came when she found Christmas in her own heart. And now that it was there again, she and Will would have Christmas every single day.
The End
Enjoy an Excerpt from
This Christmas
Jeannie Moon
Copyright © 2014
JAKE KILLEN WAS happy to be back in New York. Not many farm boys from the middle of Canada could be heard saying that, but he loved the buzz he got being around the city. He liked the action and enjoyed the busy life he lived when he was there during the season. He loved the beaches to the east, the mountains to his north, and Jake liked the people.
Yeah, he especially liked the people. They were straightforward, funny, and once they got to know someone, very loyal. He’d missed being here and there were a lot of reasons for that. One in particular was a green-eyed girl who had changed his life. One whom he’d loved. But, ten years ago he’d broken her heart, as well as his own in the process.
Funny things those broken hearts… they never let him forget a damn thing.
Jake walked into the practice rink and drew in a deep breath. He could smell the ice. Cool, crisp, clean. And just like when he was a kid again, the smell offered him comfort. This was always where he came when he needed to think, when he needed to decompress. The ice never judged, never picked on him, and never expected more than he could give.
Making his way toward the familiar sounds of the rink, Jake was more than ready to finish the rehab on his shoulder. He’d taken a wicked hit during the pre-season and had been on the sidelines since, rehabbing at a specialized clinic in Canada, but now, with the worst of his recovery behind him, Jake could be back playing in less than a month.
The best news was he was cleared to skate. He may not have had all his strength back, but he was allowed to condition. He didn’t want to tell the doctor he also needed it for his sanity. He’d been going a little crazy not being able to get on the ice. It had been that way for as long as he could remember.
When he was a kid, skating was sometimes his only release. Long days in school when he was picked on for being short or skinny, when he didn’t get that math problem, or he couldn’t pay attention during reading, sent him out to the frozen pond behind his parent’s farmhouse where he skated in circles. He’d skate until his legs burned and the cold air stung his lungs. He blew off steam, did his best thinking and most of all, he dreamed. Jake Killen dreamed of being the biggest kid out there, the fastest. He dreamed of being a hockey star.
And now he was—an aging hockey star, but still mixing it up. He was thirty-five, and he brought his “A” game every night. As soon as he couldn’t do that, he’d pack it in, but walking into the rink made him smile. The place was a hive of activity because there was a youth clinic going on that day. It was exactly what he needed. The kids were off from school because of Thanksgiving and a day playing hockey could never be considered a bad one. At least they weren’t being dragged around to the Black Friday sales. He wondered what kind of crazy person shopped on a day like today?
It didn’t matter. The kids were here and anytime he was able to work with a group of developing players was a good day. Jake was one of those guys who always wanted a family. He wanted the wife and children, but here he was in his mid-thirties, still single, still without kids, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he’d missed his chance.
“Jake!” Looking to his left, Jake saw his old coach, George Lamiroult approaching. This was a blast from the past. George was the assistant coach of the Mariners hockey team when Jake arrived in New York twelve years ago. He made sure a homesick kid from a little town near Winnipeg didn’t get swallowed by the big city, and the two had made sure to stay in touch over the years.
Now retired from full time coaching, George ran youth hockey clinics and today’s was one of his most popular. The kids on the ice were all under twelve—Pee Wee, Squirt, and Bantam players from the tri-state area who’d shown a knack for the game and were recommended by their own coaches. Sure, they were all still learning the game, but a day with George would make them even better.
“You’re looking good,” the older man said in accented English. He hadn’t lived in Quebec for years, but the French had never left him. “How is your shoulder?”
Jake rotated it for him, grinning. “Just need to get my conditioning back. Range of motion is perfect.” George nodded and turned his head at the same time Jake saw a pint-sized streak of blue and orange go by, weaving in and out of the other players on the ice.
Damn, that kid was quick. “Jeez. Someone had their Wheaties for breakfast. Kid’s like lightning.”
“That’s Charlie,” George said. “Lots of talent.” He looked Jake up and down. “Go get some warm ups on and lace up your skates. You and that big, fat, free agent contract can help me and Gervais with some drills.
“Ryan’s here?” He hadn’t seen Ryan Gervais, other than on the ice, since Jake was sent to Toronto ten years ago. Ryan was also on his second go round with New York, being picked up in a trade right after Jake
hurt himself during pre-season. Ryan was a nice guy, easy going, and a smart hockey player. When George nodded toward the far corner, he saw his old friend working with a small group on shooting, including the little rocket ship that had gone by him at warp speed a few seconds ago. The kids were shuffling their skates, tapping their sticks, and hanging onto every one of Ryan’s instructions.
George cleared his throat and nodded again toward the tunnel. “You’ve been out since before the season started, let’s see you earn some of that money.”
Grabbing his bag, Jake turned and headed for the locker room, but he looked back once more and noticed something. There was a name on the speed demon’s jersey. Gervais. That explained some of the kid’s talent. Ryan’s kid. Jake really was out of the loop though, because he had no idea Ryan Gervais was married or had a kid. But he shouldn’t be surprised. Most of the guys he knew when he broke into the league were married by now and had a couple of kids. That he was flying solo was his own damn fault. He’d walked away from the best thing that had ever happened to him and he’d wrecked someone he cared for in the process. His life was what he’d made it.
He had to stop dwelling on the past even though being back in New York meant it would kick him in the ass every now and then. Today was one of those days.
He got ready, absorbing the feel of the locker room after being away for the last two and a half months. It was surprisingly busy, considering there was no practice and it was an off day. A couple of guys were working with the trainer, and the equipment manager was prepping and organizing gear for tomorrow night’s game.
He changed and got his skates on, before finding a stick in the equipment room. Yeah, it all felt good.
Making his way to the ice, Jake welcomed the feel of his blades hitting the surface, which was a little soft for his liking, but after being abused by a couple of dozen pairs of skates all day, it was understandable. Ryan was teaching his charges how to shoot from the point, his specialty as a defenseman, and Jake couldn’t resist the opportunity to bust on him.
“You trying to teach those kids hockey with your skating skills, Gervais?”
