Love Inspired December 2013 - Bundle 2 of 2: Cozy ChristmasHer Holiday HeroJingle Bell Romance

by Valerie Hansen

  “I’m fine, Mom.”

  With snow swirling on the wind coming through the hole, Jake spread the plastic over Emma to protect her then returned to sawing. He put all his strength into it, and minutes later he caught the first branch before it fell on Emma. Adrenaline still surging through him, he heaved it over to the side and let it go, then began on the second limb.

  Soon he severed that branch from the split trunk and tossed it to the right. “Do you think you can crawl out now?” he asked, but Emma, dressed in sweats, was already wiggling out from under the coverlet.

  Jake clasped her arm and tugged her the rest of the way loose, then assisted her over the limbs. When he got a good hold of her, he swung her up into his arms and followed Josh from the room. The boy slammed the door, cutting off the wind, but the temperature was probably thirty-five in the hallway.

  Clasping Emma against him, Jake strode toward the living room. “Josh, get some blankets for your mom.” Jake placed her on the couch, then covered her with what Josh brought.

  With Emma wrapped in two blankets, Jake rubbed his hands up and down her arms to get the blood circulating. “I’m warming you up, then we’re going to my house.”

  “But we can’t—”

  “Shh. No arguments. I have a big generator, and the last I knew no holes in my roof. You promised to help me decorate my Christmas tree. I’m here to remind you of that.”

  She stared at him then burst out laughing. Jake and Josh looked at each other, then broke out into smiles.

  “Josh, call 911 back and let them know I’ve been rescued.”

  The child hurried from the room.

  Emma’s gaze snared Jake’s. “Thank you, Jake. I don’t know what I would have done.”

  “My pleasure. And when you two are settled at my house, we need to talk.” His arms enveloped her, and he pulled her against him. If she had been lying on the bed a few inches to her left, she could have been crushed beneath the tree. Thank You, Lord.

  Glancing at her Christmas tree laden with ornaments in front of the window, he had real peace for the first time in a long while. Christmas was only a few days away. If the electricity wasn’t restored, Emma and Josh would be spending it with him. That thought brightened his spirits even more. In that moment, he realized he was ready to move on—to a life with or without panic attacks.

  *

  Later that evening, Emma stood back from Jake’s smaller live Christmas tree and studied the display she, Josh, Jake and Marcella had worked on for the past hour. The sound of Christmas music filled the room from a battery-powered radio.

  After Emma had been rescued from her house, Jake had made his way to Marcella’s and brought her over because she had no generator. Then they had been busy consolidating what they would need into a couple of rooms on the first floor that would be heated with the generator and fireplace.

  Jake had wanted to talk with Emma, but they’d been busy. Now that she had stopped and sat next to Marcella on his couch, exhaustion began to weave its way through her. From the tired lines on Marcella’s face, Jake could tell she was also bone-weary.

  “Josh, you said you wanted to put the star on top of the tree.” Jake presented him with a beautiful glittered and sequined ornament.

  Josh grinned, climbed up on the step stool and placed the last decoration on the pine. “Perfect.”

  First Shep barked then Buttons, as though to give their approval.

  “I agree. Now to turn on the lights.” Jake plugged them in.

  The soft glow from the tree along with the blaze in the fireplace illuminated the room.

  “I know we’re two weeks late decorating your tree, but I think we did good.” Emma leaned forward to gather up the mugs they had hot apple cider in. “Time to clean up the mess we made.”

  Jake looked at Josh. “Is your mom always like this?”

  “Yep.”

  “I’ve still got to clean up from dinner, so the least you all could do is put the empty ornament boxes away.”

  “I’m not climbing those stairs again today. We’ll store them in my bedroom. Wanna help me, Josh?”

  The boy started picking up some to carry down the hallway.

  “I’ll help you, Emma.” Marcella began to rise from the couch.

  “No, you stay in here and relax. It’s been a long day,” Emma said then hurried away before Marcella protested.

  The furnace, refrigerator, stove, hot water heater and a few lights were running on Jake’s generator stored in the garage. With some conservation of electrical usage, the generator kept the house comfortable for them. While listening to the radio, Emma washed the dishes in hot water, a luxury she wouldn’t take for granted again. “Silent Night” came on the station, and Emma began singing the song.

  When she finished, applause sounded behind her. She whirled around to find Jake standing in the entrance, lounging against the doorjamb. Her pulse rate kicked up a notch.

  “The news on the radio doesn’t sound promising for getting our electricity anytime soon,” Emma said, drying her hands, her throat tight with emotion. Peace and joy filled her.

  His gaze roped hers, and he moved toward her. “Towns all around us are affected. They’re going to have to bring people in from other areas to help.”

  “I’ve never heard ice breaking limbs like that—almost nonstop as we walked here.”

  “It sounded like a war zone.”

  She hadn’t wanted to use that analogy, but he was right. “You were okay.”

  “I was—even when I had an attack on the way over to your house. I’ve been working on changing my attitude about my panic attacks. I’m not going to let them control my life anymore.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and drew him against her. “Mmm. You’re warm. I never thought I would thaw out this morning, but your house became toasty in a few hours. I know I’ve thanked you for—”

  He claimed her mouth in a deep kiss she felt down to the tips of her toes. “I love you.”

  He said the words she’d dreamed he would but she didn’t want to misread what he meant. “I love you, too, but you know that. I want more from you. A life together as a family.” Emma cuddled closer.

  Leaning back slightly, he looked deep into her eyes with a half smile on his face. “It won’t always be easy, but would you be interested in a guy with a slight problem?”

  “Who doesn’t have a problem?” Her embrace tightened. She never wanted to let go. “What changed your mind?”

  “You, Josh and Abbey. She has been working double-time to get me to a place where I don’t let the panic attacks overwhelm me before I have a chance to deal with them. I’m learning to ride them out and lessen their effects. It won’t be perfect, but far better than it was. Today demonstrated that to me. A month ago that cracking noise would have sent me into a full-blown attack, like the one I had at the Christmas-tree lighting ceremony. The crack-pop sounds so close to gunfire in a battle.”

  “I love you, Jake. I want it all. Marriage. A family. Josh looks up to you, even after witnessing that attack. That didn’t change his mind and it certainly didn’t mine.” She watched for any negative reaction from him.

  Instead, an expression full of happiness graced his face. “I was embarrassed and scared. I reacted by pushing everyone away. As a soldier I’ve learned not to show my weaknesses, but I have them.”

  “Like everyone else. God made us with strengths and weaknesses and loves us, anyway.”

  “I know that now. It took some soul searching and some conversations with Him to finally figure that out.”

  She slid her hands to his face, framing it. “If I ever gave you the idea that Sam’s seizures made me regret marrying him, then I’m here to correct that impression. When I married him, it was for better or worse, and in every marriage you have both.”

  “Have you forgiven yourself for his accident?” Jake closed the inches separating them and feathered his mouth across hers.

  “Yes, both you and Abbey helped me to
see it wasn’t my fault.”

  “I’m looking forward to the future. I want to help others the way you and Abbey do. Once I earn my doctorate, I’m thinking of working with veterans, especially ones with PTSD. Who better than someone who’s dealt with it?”

  “Perfect.” Emma slanted her head to the side and kissed him with all the love she felt in her heart.

  Epilogue

  One year later on Christmas Eve…

  Emma snuggled closer to her husband of three months on the couch in front of the fireplace, adorned with a combination of her and his decorations. “I loved the service at church this evening, especially since we missed last year’s because of the ice storm.”

  Jake laughed. “We did have a white Christmas last year. This one is going to be a balmy fifty-eight if the weatherman is right.”

  Emma’s glance strayed to the Christmas tree, so loaded down with the ornaments, she worried it would collapse under the weight. “I’m surprised Josh could get to sleep. Good idea about you two going to the park earlier and jogging.”

  “That’s because I wanted you all to myself tonight. Tomorrow your parents, Ben, my dad and stepmother will be here for dinner and the opening of the presents.”

  “Your father and his wife should have stayed here.”

  Jake kissed first one corner of her mouth then the other. “We’re newlyweds, and they wanted us to have some privacy.”

  “With a twelve-year-old here. Some privacy.”

  “As a family.” His mouth touched hers.

  When he leaned back, Emma grinned. “I thought last Christmas was perfect even with the ice storm, but this one is going to beat it hands down.”

  “I want to give you my gift now.”

  “I get to go first. I’ve been dying to ever since I got it this week.” Emma hopped up and went to the Christmas tree set before the front window, its lights blazing, and dug around the packages under it until she pulled the wrapped gift out from the back. “I hid it so a certain person who will remain nameless didn’t try to discover what it is.” She laid a gold-foiled square box in his lap.

  He tore into it and slowly lifted up baby booties, staring at them for a long moment.

  “Just in case you haven’t figured it out, I’m pregnant. Eight weeks.”

  An awed expression descended over his features. “I don’t think I’ll ever get a better gift than this for Christmas.”

  “So you like it?”

  “Like, no. Love, yes.” He planted a kiss on her mouth, all his love poured into it. “My gift pales in comparison to yours.”

  “I’ll cherish anything you give me.”

  Jake pulled out the drawer of the end table next to him and gave her a small, wrapped present in red-and-green paper.

  She had it open in two seconds. Her gaze glued to the beautiful gold heart locket, she held it up, dangling from her fingers. “Perfect.”

  He took it and showed her the two pictures inside—one of him and the other of Josh.

  She twisted around and lifted her hair off her neck. “Please put it on.”

  After he did, he took her hand and kissed it. She’d captured the heart of a hero.

  *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE LAWMAN’S HOLIDAY WISH by Ruth Logan Herne.

  Dear Reader,

  Her Holiday Hero is the second book in the Caring Canines series. I’ve had many dogs in my life, and more recently three cats. They have brought much joy and laughter to me and my family. They’re so accepting and give us unconditional love. When it’s been a stressful day, I like to hold my cat, hear him purring. How has having a pet made a difference in your life? Drop me a line and let me know.

  I also wanted to show how a service dog trained to help someone suffering from post traumatic stress disorder can be so valuable. Remember, PTSD doesn’t happen just to soldiers, but to anyone who has had a traumatic experience. And these wonderful dogs help people get back to a semblance of a normal life.

  I love hearing from readers. You can contact me at margaretdaley@gmail.com or at 1316 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120. You can also learn more about my books at www.margaretdaley.com. I have a quarterly newsletter that you can sign up for on my website.

  Best wishes,

  Questions for Discussion

  Jake has post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Do you know anyone who has PTSD? What are some things you can do to help someone with this disorder?

  For months, Jake denied that he had PTSD. Have you ever denied something was wrong with you? What did you end up doing about it?

  Emma believes in the power of animals to help people in pain. Do you have a pet? Has your pet ever sensed you were hurting and tried to comfort you?

  Jake had nightmares about his war experiences. Have you ever suffered from nightmares? How did you get the rest and comfort you needed?

  Emma was having trouble with her son. He kept quiet about being bullied at school. Did your child ever not tell you about something that was going on in his/her life? What did you do about it?

  Bullying is a big issue today. It often starts in school and then carries over into the adult world. What are some things schools can do to stop it?

  Jake taught Josh not only how to defend himself, but also how to evade a bully. What would you tell a child about someone bullying him?

  Emma thought she was responsible for her husband’s death because she wanted Christmas lights hung up on the house. She had a hard time forgiving herself and moving on. Has that ever happened to you? What did you do?

  Jake received a medal for valor for his actions during the ambush that killed many of his comrades. He didn’t feel like a hero and didn’t think he should get the medal. What is a hero? What qualities make a hero?

  Jake had a strained relationship with his father. He didn’t feel he had lived up to what his father wanted for him. Have you felt as if you’ve let someone down? How did you deal with that?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

  Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired every month!

  Visit Harlequin.com to find your next great read.

  We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  Read our blog for all the latest news on our authors and books: HarlequinBlog.com

  Subscribe to our newsletter for special offers, new releases, and more!

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Chapter One

  Deputy Sheriff Luke Campbell aimed his cruiser for the Kirkwood Lake Elementary School with measured reluctance. A mandatory meeting with his five-year-old son’s principal and teacher didn’t bode well for him or the boy. It didn’t take an early-education degree to tell Luke what he already knew. Aiden was quiet, withdrawn, uncertain, timid and refused to join activities.

  Luke had hoped being in school would help, but this was the second phone call in three weeks regarding Aiden’s issues. How much was real and how much exaggerated by a smart kid who knew how to evoke adult sympathy to the max?

  Luke didn’t have a clue.

  Did he tend to make excuses for the boy?

  Yes.

  Did he have good reason?

  Yes again, but unless he wanted to be a failure as a parent, he had to find a way to bring Aiden around. The sooner the better.

  He’s five. Give him time.

  Luke shoved the thought aside. He’d been telling himself that for nearly three years, since Aiden lost his mother. School was important, and getting along with other kids was invaluable, all the books said so. They called it “socialization.”

  Luke was the third of seven Campbells, three of whom were adopted. In the Campbell house, you either socialized quickly or got taught a lesson by your big brothers.

  Luke’s
sweet mother had been praying for Aiden’s situation to improve.

  Luke used to pray. Back before he realized the improbability of a just and beneficent God. Because if God did exist, He’d messed up the job, and Luke knew that firsthand.

  But if it made his mother feel better to pray, who was he to argue? Jenny Campbell was a great lady, a wonderful mom and grandma, and Luke loved and admired her. He’d leave the praying to her and her church friends.

  An aging Camry darted into the school driveway ahead of him, then pulled to a quick, crooked stop in the mostly empty parking lot.

  Luke angled into the spot alongside the other car and climbed out. He turned and locked gazes with the dark-haired woman staring at him, her unadorned hands grasping the top of the car door.

  Breathtaking beauty. Tall and slim. Scared to death.

  You’re in uniform, Einstein.

  Of course. She thought he’d followed her into the school lot to issue a ticket, but she hadn’t done anything wrong. The posted signs were schoolin-session speed limits, and she hadn’t exactly careened around the corner on two wheels.

  But her face held more than concerned chagrin. It held fear, and the cop in him wondered why she feared police. He jerked his head toward the building as he walked that way. “You here for a meeting, too?”

  Relief eased her jaw and the set of her shoulders. She nodded as she matched his stride. “Yes.”

  Vulnerable but tough; they were two red warning flags, despite the instant attraction. Luke stayed away from vulnerable women. Once burned, twice shy.

  Tough women weren’t his cup of tea, either.

  His older brother Jack had scolded him the week before. Said he was afraid to shop around because he couldn’t find June Cleaver.

  Was Jack right?

  Most likely. But this woman wasn’t making eye contact with him, so the attraction must be one-sided.

  Or she’s hiding something.

  And that was just one more reason to keep his distance. If he could get beyond the caramel skin. The past-her-shoulders, wavy dark hair. Eyes round and deep-toned. “You’ve got a kid here?”

  “Two.”