Christmas Blessings: Seven Inspirational Romances of Faith, Hope, and Love

by Leah Atwood

  “Go ahead, open it.”

  Lifting the flap, she peered into the box. She removed a wad of tissue wrap, unfolded it, and held out an ornament—a glazed ceramic snowman and snowwoman holding hands.

  “Our First Christmas, Luke and Kate,” she read out loud. Her forehead creased. “The date is written for next year.”

  He pulled out a small box he’d kept hidden in his pocket. Opened it and held it out. “I love you, Kate. Will you marry me and spend next Christmas as my wife?”

  “Yes.” There wasn’t one hitch of hesitation in her answer. “I love you,” she whispered as he slid the ring on her finger.

  They sealed their engagement with a kiss and another long embrace. Luke kept Kate close to him, marveling that he, the man who’d once spent two months deliberating on which new computer to purchase, actually proposed to Kate after a month of dating. Jumping into a large commitment after such a short timeframe was contrary to every part of his nature, but he’d never felt such peace about any decision. He knew with certainty that he and Kate were meant to share their lives.

  There was still one present that couldn’t be delivered by traditional means. Reluctantly, he released her. “What time is it?”

  “Nine fifty-five.” She gave him a peculiar look. “We still have two hours before my parents expect us.”

  “I have one more present for you, but it couldn’t get here in time.” He pointed to her desk, positioned against the far wall. “Can I use your computer? I want to show you what it is.”

  She looked at her ring. “You don’t have to get me anything else. You’ve already made this the best Christmas ever.”

  “Trust me.”

  “Go ahead. The password to log on is ‘Jasper’.”

  “Cute. Real original.” He couldn’t resist teasing her.

  “I know. Maybe one day I’ll change it, but it’s easy to remember.”

  “All right.” He stood and walked across the room. “Close your eyes and cover your ears. No peeking until I say so.”

  Closing his eyes, he said another prayer for everything to work right. He turned on the computer and followed all the instructions. 10:02—two minutes late by the time he got everything set.

  But it worked. The image was grainy but obvious.

  “It’s ready. Come see.” He stepped away from the computer when Kate reached him, no longer obstructing her view.

  “Merry Christmas, Katie.” Evan’s voice rang clear through the computer speakers.

  “Evan.” Sinking into the chair, Kate touched Evan’s face on the screen. “It’s really you.”

  Luke watched her throat constrict and eyes fill with tears.

  “Hey, don’t cry. Do I look that bad?” A hint of self-deprecation fringed his words.

  “They’re happy tears,” she said between sniffles. Kate stared at Evan’s pixilated image. “And you do look horrible and wonderful all at the same time. How are you? Oh, forget I asked. I’ve come to hate that question.”

  “Some things never change.” With a bittersweet smile in place, Evan shook his head. “I’ve been better, but I’ll be okay. They tell me I’ll be back in the states by the second week of January.”

  From the conversation with his dad, Luke knew there was a lot Evan wasn’t telling Kate, and he admired the man’s bravery. She would find out soon enough the full scope of the tragedy that Evan had endured.

  Her bottom lip trembled, and her smile wobbled. “Don’t forget you owe me a night out.”

  “I haven’t.” Evan inhaled a deep breath. “Man, I missed you, Sis. I didn’t think I’d see you again.” He looked away from the camera and rubbed his battered eyes.

  “I prayed. Every day I prayed for you, Evan. Everyone did, the entire country.”

  Luke walked back to the tree, giving Kate and Evan privacy when the conversation became personal. Five minutes later, she called him back. Once he returned, she grasped his hand and pulled him so he was in view of the camera as well. Her eyes brimmed with love when she gazed at him.

  Evan cleared his throat and grinned. “Are you going to tell me who this guy is? I’m assuming he’s someone special to go through the trouble he did to arrange this.”

  “This is Luke, and you are the first person to know we’re getting married.” Bending her wrist, she displayed her ring for the webcam.

  “Congratulations. Take good care of her, Luke.”

  “Don’t worry, I will.” Luke slid an arm around Kate.

  “They’re telling me my time’s about up. Tell Mom and Dad I love them, and I’ll call as soon as I can. I love you, Katie. Merry Christmas.”

  “I love you, too. Merry Christmas.” Her free hand touched the screen again, and it went black. She continued staring at the monitor for several seconds before turning to Luke. “You arranged this?”

  He shrugged. “All I did was call my dad and had him pull a few strings to speed up the process.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Someone once told me, you do what you need to do for family.” His hand caressed her cheek. “And you’re family, Kate. You’re going to be my wife.”

  A lazy smile reached across her face and she leaned into him. “I like the sound of that.”

  Epilogue

  Exactly One Year Later

  The other side of the bed was empty when Kate woke up. What time is it? Her gaze flitted to an alarm clock on the nightstand. 7:04. Where was Luke? Four months into their marriage and she’d always been the one to awaken first. She swung her legs over the bed’s edge, the hardwood floor cold beneath her feet.

  Luke came into the room. “Good morning.”

  “Merry Christmas.” She was still a little groggy from sleep. “You’re up early for a holiday.”

  “The dog wanted out.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss. “There’s something I want to show you when you’re out of bed.”

  “What?”

  “It’s outside.” His excitement was palpable, and she loved that her enthusiasm for all things Christmas had rubbed off on him.

  “You better not have bought the inflatable Grinch.”

  Laughing, he shook his head. “No, you made your feelings on that one perfectly clear.”

  “And you know I have great taste.” Her gaze darted to the corner of their bedroom where they’d decorated a second tree with the ornaments they’d brought for him last year.

  “Well, you did marry me, so I’d have to agree.”

  She smirked and cast a pillow at him. “Then you have even better taste.”

  “Are you going to get up now?”

  “You’re worse than a kid.” Hard as she tried, she couldn’t feign a scowl.

  “It’s worth it, I promise.”

  “Okay, okay.” Standing up, she grabbed her robe and wrapped it around herself. Cinched the belt and slid her feet into a pair of slippers.

  He grabbed her hand, pulling her behind him down the stairs of the home they’d bought together. “Close your eyes.”

  Obeying, she felt his hands move to her shoulders and lead her to the door. The hinges squeaked when the front door opened, and a wall of cold air fell into the house.

  “Open them.”

  Her eyes spread wide. Three inches of freshly fallen snow blanketed the landscape. “A white Christmas.” Squatting down, she scooped a handful. The coldness of it bit her skin, but she didn’t care. It rarely snowed in Louisiana. A white Christmas was unheard of. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Isn’t it? Jasper didn’t know what to do.”

  “I bet not.” She looked out again, committing the image to memory.

  “It’s almost like a miracle that it came at Christmas.”

  “Speaking of… I have a present for you.”

  A playful grin danced on Luke’s mouth. “Speaking of what?”

  “You’ll see.” She cast a wink. “Come in by the tree.” Once they’d moved from the door to the living room, she grabbed a tiny box wrapped in a paper different than the rest. “This is for
you.”

  He ripped the paper away, and she waited for it to hit him.

  In his hand, he held a small ornament with a miniature snowman that matched the style he gave her last year. Written in gold paint was Baby’s First Christmas.

  “I thought we’d get a head start on next year’s tree,” she said when he didn’t say anything.

  She knew the second he realized. His smile stretched from ear to ear, his brown eyes danced with joy.

  “When?”

  “End of July.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’re really having a baby?”

  She giggled. “Yes, we are.”

  His arms folded her to him. “Christmas really is the season of miracles.”

  Note from Leah

  Dear Reader,

  The plight of the military family is one near and dear to my heart as I spent the first years of my marriage as a military wife. Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but it can also be difficult for those missing their loved ones. This is especially true for our deployed service members, their spouses, children, siblings and parents. The support of friends and family makes a world of difference in coping, and the smallest gesture of kindness can make someone’s day. I urge you to reach out to a military family this Christmas, even if it’s a simple note letting them know you’re thinking and praying for them.

  If you’ve not yet read the Come to Me novels, I invite you to read Come to Me Alive, and see where it all began with Bryce, Sophie, and a rogue duck.

  I wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with love and joy!

  Until next time,

  Leah

  Romans 15:13: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

  Connect with Leah

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  authorleahatwood@gmail.com

  Contemporary Romances

  Come to Me Series

  Come to Me Alive

  Come to Me Free

  Come to Me Again

  Come to Me Joyful (Bonus Novella)

  Modern Conveniences Series

  Love In a Fix

  Calling Love

  Lost in Love

  Waiting on Love (Bonus Novella)

  Love at the Lake

  Not This Time

  Historical Romances

  Brides of Weatherton Novellas

  After the Rain

  Fire and Ice

  Winds of Change

  Whiter than Snow

  Dancing on Dew

  Texas Wildflowers Novelette Series

  Free to Love

  Free to Heal

  Free to Protect

  Free to Serve

  Free to Roam

  Free to Forgive

  Mail-Order Short Stories and Novelettes

  The Ultimatum Bride

  A Man to Be Proud Of

  Their First Noelle

  The Not Quite Mail-Order Bride

  The Mail-Order Bride’s Quilt

  Riches of the Heart

  Unlikely Substitute

  The Most Wonderful Bride of the Year

  When You Believe

  Belle Calhoune

  Copyright 2014 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.

  Cover art by Niina Cord

  Seven Brides, Seven Brothers Series

  Seven boys adopted from the foster care system by Alec and Maggie Donahue, a loving Irish couple living in Breeze Point, Cape Cod. Now grown men, the brothers are making their way in the world in their chosen professions, each hoping to find a love to last a lifetime. Faith. Family. Honor. The ties that bind them together. And an abundance of love.

  PREQUEL: How Maggie and Alec Donahue met and fell in love.

  Maggie Kilcannon is living with relatives in Breeze Point, Cape Cod after leaving her native land of Ireland. Having tragically lost her parents in a plane crash, Maggie is weary about loving anyone, lest she emerge broken-hearted once again. When she meets handsome Alec Donahue, a soldier on leave, she falls head over heels in love with him. But can she learn to live with the uncertainty of losing him in the line of duty?

  Alec Donahue has always wanted to proudly serve his country as a soldier for the United States of America. He’s kept his eyes on the prize until he meets the beautiful and spirited Maggie while on leave. Maggie doesn’t believe in loving someone who might leave her, even though Alec wants to offer her a lifetime as her soul mate. Can Alec make Maggie believe in happily ever after?

  This book is dedicated to Donahue lovers everywhere.

  Your support and devotion to this series

  means the world to me.

  Dear Readers,

  Right in the middle of the Seven Bride, Seven Brothers series I came to the realization that I needed to create Maggie and Alec’s love story. After all, that’s where it all started. Without these two loving individuals, the Donahue brood would never have come to be. And I shudder to think what might have happened to the boys. Perhaps they would have languished in foster care. Or been raised by another family. But they wouldn’t have been all together as one big, bustling family. They wouldn’t have been Donahue Strong. Maggie and Alec had a bumpy ride, which makes their happily ever after all the more wonderful. I greatly enjoyed writing a married couple since it was a change of pace for me. I hope everyone enjoys their love story.

  I love to hear from readers at scalhoune@gmail.com

  When You Believe

  Belle Calhoune

  “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

  Maggie Donahue

  Chapter One

  Christmas Eve

  Breeze Point, Cape Cod

  Nine stockings were hung by the chimney with care in the Donahue household. Mommy. Daddy. Blue. Ryder. Remy. Nick. Brandon. Wyatt. Mac. The Christmas tree sat proudly in the corner of the living room, festively decorated in keepsake ornaments, silvery tinsel and strings of cranberries and popcorn. Presents were gathered in abundance under the tree. Every few minutes one of the Donahue brood would get on their hands and knees to examine the gifts and to see whose name was on the gift tags on each present. Remy slithered like a snake on his belly under the tree, shaking boxes and making wild guesses about the contents of each package. An ornament clattered to the floor after Remy brushed against it. The very sound of it connecting with the hardwood floor was painful to the ear.

  Maggie Donahue let out a gasp as she watched her favorite ornament hit the floor. Her sons all stared at her with stunned expressions, watching for her reaction. Involuntarily, she raised her hand to her throat.

  Oh, please Lord. No! All she could do was pray that it wasn’t smashed to smithereens. There was no way in creation she could ever replace this four-leaf clover ornament. She let out a sigh of relief as Remy held it up, showing the family that the ornament was still intact. A cheer went up in the room. Sounds of clapping ensued. This particular ornament was more than a keepsake. It was a cherished memory of her two beloved parents, Celia and Henry Kilcannon of County Cork, Ireland.

  She’d lost them as a young girl back in Ireland, the place of her birth. Even after all these years it was hard to think of them without experiencing a groundswell of grief flowing over her. Mere words couldn’t express how devastating it had been to lose her beloved parents in one fell swoop. Losing both her parents was something she would never completely get over, but she’d learned to live a fulfilling life despite the tragic circumstances of her childhood.

  Alec and her seven boys were her family now, blessings from God. The happiness she experienced being at the center of all this lo
ve and affection was so immense she felt as if her heart might explode at any moment. God had placed these beautiful children in her orbit, and from the day she and Alec had adopted them, her soul had been filled to overflowing. Each one of them reached deep down to a place inside her she hadn’t even known existed.

  Watching the joy pulsing inside their home on Christmas Eve was as close to heaven as life took her. The boys were so jubilant waiting for Christmas morning. There was such a look of radiance on their little faces, as well as an innocence that came with their youth. Oh how she loved these moments, even though each and every day the boys were getting older and time seemed to be slipping through her fingers. These boys hadn’t been born of her body, but they were seared to her soul. She’d walk through fire to get to them and protect them from any and all harm. So would Alec. There was no greater love than this.

  She felt a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she watched them. The Donahue boys had set out a plate for Santa Claus. Blue had made sure old St. Nick’s sweet tooth would be satisfied with a plate full of sugar cookies and whoopie pies. Ryder took care of the milk. He’d filled the cup halfway with eggnog to give Santa a bit of a treat. Nick, wanting to make sure the reindeer were taken care of, placed carrots and celery and raisins in the front yard. Mac had whittled a beautiful figurine of an owl and placed it in a little box with Santa’s name on it. When he thought no one was looking, Wyatt broke off a corner of the sugar cookie and popped it into his mouth. Maggie felt as if her heart might burst right inside her chest.

  Alec glanced over at the grandfather clock in the corner of the living room. “Boys, it’s time to hit the hay. You don’t want Santa to pass by the house if he thinks you’re awake.”