She reached up and caressed Luke’s cheek. “I'm never going to be predictable. And I'm bound to make you madder than a riled up hornet at times. But I vow to love you for the rest of my days. And when hard times come, as I know they will, I’m going to ride them out…with you, Luke.”
“You can be as ornery as you like, Brenna. 'Cause there's no one else I'd rather be with than you. Where you are is where I need to be. Now and always,” Luke whispered. “Marry me, Brenna.”
She threw back her head and laughed with pure joy and abandon. Everything was happening so fast, but she knew deep down in her heart that it was all unfolding according to God’s plan. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Luke. After all this time I think it’s safe to say that we’re meant to be together.” She wagged her finger at him. “But we’re going to take this slow. Day by day. Moment by moment. We can’t rush this. After all, it’s almost like we’re getting to know each other all over again.”
“That’s right,” Luke agreed with a nod of his head. “And I’m going to court you and show you how very much I adore you. Every day will be full of surprises.”
“I love surprises,” Brenna said. “Especially at Christmas time.”
He trailed his fingers down the side of her face. “I know you asked me to reconsider buying the ranch.” Although Brenna still felt a trickle of unease about Luke buying Half Moon Ranch, she realized that even if he passed on the offer, someone else would swoop down and purchase it. Better Luke than a stranger or someone who wouldn’t value the property. Luke continued to speak. “And I’ve decided to move forward with buying Half Moon Ranch, but I’m going to partner with Hector so we can work together and make it as profitable and strong as it once was. It will be a family operation. Santiago-Templeton.”
Had she heard him right? Did Luke mean what he was saying? She frowned. “Are you sure? This is a huge compromise.”
“From the beginning I wanted to help your father, but he was too proud to accept. Rather than see the ranch go to the highest bidder, I stepped in. A collaboration makes perfect sense. For us, our families and for Half Moon Ranch.”
Brenna threw her head back and let out a howl of delight. “Oh, Luke. This is too much joy for one night! That makes me incredibly happy. And I know my family will be so grateful.”
“Once we get married I can move in to the ranch,” Luke said, sounding as excited as a little kid on Christmas morning.
She stood on her tippy toes and placed a tender kiss on his lips. “I can’t wait for our future to begin.”
“It already has, Brenna. Our future began the moment you took a leap of faith and came back to Merry. Back to me.”
Luke grabbed her by the hand and led her toward the stable doors. He pulled the door open and they stepped outside. They could hear the whir of helicopter blades as Hank headed back to the life he was suited for in California. The guests had presumably headed back inside the house since the area was cleared out. Brenna felt grateful for this moment of solitude with her beloved. Gentle snowflakes began to drift down from the heavens. Yet another Christmas surprise.
“Hey, it’s snowing again,” Brenna said as she stuck out her tongue and caught a snowflake.
“Not too surprising. It is Montana after all,” Luke crowed. “I think it’s safe to say we’re headed for a white Christmas.”
With the snow swirling all around them, Luke dipped his head down and captured her lips in a kiss that took her breath away. He lifted her off the ground and twirled her around, letting out a triumphant cry that echoed in the silence of the Montanan night. The blessings of the season had gifted them with a happily ever after. All was right with their world.
EPILOGUE
Christmas morning at Half Moon Ranch was heralded by light snow falling from the heavens on to a ground already covered in the fluffy white stuff. Today was a celebratory one at the ranch. In addition to it being a celebration of the birth of Christ, it was also Brenna and Luke’s wedding day. Their plans to take things slowly had not come to pass. Not wanting to waste another moment not being married to one another, they had worked quickly to make it all happen on such short notice. And they knew that with Hector’s illness, tomorrows were not promised. They would seize this day and make it the start of their glorious future.
A room full of guests watched as Brenna Santiago and Luke Templeton were bonded for life in holy matrimony. Rather than plan an elaborate wedding with hundreds of decked out guests, they had decided to tie the knot in a sweet, sacred ceremony witnessed by a close circle of family and friends. Brenna had selected a beautiful yet simple white wedding gown that made her look graceful and gorgeous. Up until recently she would have cared about wearing an extravagant dress with all the trimmings. She would have obsessed over the menu and the number of guests attending the ceremony. Today, all she cared about was Luke and the vows they would exchange. She was looking forward to devoting herself to Luke and their life together and any children they might be blessed to have.
Luke wore a dark suit with a festive Christmas tie. He thought it was fitting that they were married at Christmas, as they had long ago planned. It was such a hopeful time, ripe with joy and promise. He would have married Brenna any place…any time…anywhere, but it felt right to be exchanging promises of forever on the day Christ was born. Hector proudly walked Brenna down the aisle while Isabelle dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. Lizette and Daphne served as bridesmaids while Dean stood up for Luke. Rosalia read a beautiful scripture that reminded all in attendance that God’s command was to love one another.
As they were pronounced man and wife, the pastor held a sprig of mistletoe over their heads. “You may now kiss your lovely bride,” he pronounced, just as Luke swept Brenna up in a romantic, heartfelt kiss that spoke of the deep love they shared. As the jingle of silver bells began to clang all around them, Luke whispered, “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Templeton” as tears of joy slid down Brenna’s face.
“And a very Merry Christmas to you, my beloved Luke,” Brenna said.
For now and for always she was exactly where she needed to be. Right by Luke’s side.
THE END
About Belle Calhoune
Belle Calhoune grew up in a small town in Massachusetts as one of five children. Although both her parents worked in the medical field, Belle never considered science as the pathway to her future. She began to gravitate toward romance books in her tween years. Growing up across the street from a public library was a huge influence on her life.
Married to her college sweetheart, she is raising two lovely daughters in Connecticut. A dog lover, she has one mini poodle and a chocolate lab. Writing for a living is a dream come true. Working at home in her pajamas is one of the best perks of the job. Belle enjoys summers in Cape Cod, traveling and reading. A lover of all things French, Belle often dreams of her next Parisian adventure.
Belle is the author of five Love Inspired romance novels and the popular Christian romance series, Seven Brides, Seven Brothers.
You can connect with Belle via her website Bellecalhoune.com
If you enjoyed Mistletoe in Montana, you might also love The Way Home, the first in her Seven Brides Seven Brothers series.
Journalist Blue Donahue has returned to Cape Cod to celebrate his parents’ anniversary. When his father suffers a stroke, Blue is thrown into a tailspin. When he comes face-to-face with Sarah, the love of his life, his heart awakens. Sarah Dalton, an ER nurse, is shocked when her ex-fiancé, Blue Donahue, comes crashing into her hospital. Four years ago their relationship ended when Blue stood her up at the altar. The hurts of the past loom large between them. But as circumstances force them together, they discover their love never died. And, with faith and truth, they might be able to live happily ever after.
Other titles by Belle Calhoune :
Seven Brides Seven Brothers Series
Still The One
Until You Loved Me
Love Me Tender
If Only In My Dreams
Baby It
’s You
When A Man Loves A Woman
When You Believe
Harlequin Love Inspired
An Alaskan Wedding
Reunited with the Sheriff
Forever Her Hero
Mistletoe in Montana
Copyright © 2015 by Belle Calhoune
All Rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher and author, except where permitted by law.
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