Winter Wonders

by Delia Latham

  Dec and Russ had both spent some time on the labor brigade, as well. Good friends and willing hands made life much easier.

  Miss Angie’s original request for a large gazebo had become a plea for two of the structures—one on each of the side lawns. She’d implemented Winter’s suggestions regarding fire pits, as well.

  Ethan and Kai installed two small ones in each gazebo, and scattered half a dozen more around the grounds. Bright, comfortable patio furniture encircled the fire pits, creating conversation areas so cozy Ethan feared some of the guests might forget to go home for Christmas.

  Then there’d been the huge job of hanging lights and putting up Christmas displays. Miss Angie’s blue eyes took on a brighter, more vivid hue with each day’s progress. She applauded each new step toward turning the lodge into a Christmas wonderland. Her obvious joy in the season, as well as her child-like delight and expectation, turned all the hard work into a pleasure and an honor.

  Had Ethan’s heart not been so bruised, Miss Angie’s over-the-top enthusiasm might have brought out a bit of Christmas spirit in him. But spending the holiday alone in his cabin would be harder than usual, now that Winter lived in his heart. Every year, his family urged him to come home for the holiday, but he always declined. Some tenacious newshound might still be keeping an eye on their place, eager to scoop the story when their once-famous son returned. They didn’t need a renewed onslaught of media attention ruining their Christmas celebration.

  Of course, Miss Angie would never let him hide out at home during her holiday shindig. He’d have to put in an appearance, and he’d find a way to endure all the festivities. But then he’d return to his cabin, where he’d spend Christmas day alone.

  Again.

  Miss Angie showed up on silent feet and pulled him out of his dark thoughts.

  “Everything looks amazing, Ethan. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “I’m always at your service, Miss Angie, you know that.” He gave her a one-armed hug as they both stared at the huge star atop a twenty-foot fir in the center of the circle drive. “I can never repay you for what you did for me…that day.”

  “Whatever are you talking about, dear boy?” She shot him a puzzled frown, then whirled and set off toward the house. “Now come inside and have some eggnog.”

  “No, thanks, Miss Angie, I need to—”

  “I’ll see you inside in ten minutes.” She tilted her head at a regal angle and strode toward her front door, the folds of a white caftan flowing around her ankles.

  Apparently, he was having eggnog before he headed home.

  By the time Ethan came inside, Miss Angie had settled onto her cushy sofa, one foot tucked up under her, both hands wrapped around a mug of peppermint eggnog that smelled so wonderful he couldn’t imagine why he’d argued about coming in. “Smells great, Miss Angie.”

  She nodded toward a tray on the coffee table. “Help yourself. We need to talk.”

  He filled a dainty mug rimmed with what looked like melted white chocolate and crushed candy canes, slapped a couple of sugar cookies on a holly-trimmed plate so delicate he was almost afraid to use it, and then settled into the easy chair across from his hostess.

  “So what am I doing next?”

  She laughed, and he made a deliberate effort not to look up at the ceiling. Yes, he really was hearing an angel choir, but no matter how many times he did the whole eyes-to-the-sky thing, he still wouldn’t see that heavenly host.

  “I think you’re quite finished here. You’ve done enough.”

  “Oh.” Odd. What was he doing sitting in her living room? “Well, then what’s up?”

  “It’s Winter.”

  He nodded. “It’s been winter for a while…”

  “Not the season. Winter Wonder…Kalani. It’s time, Ethan.” She unfolded her foot from under her and leaned toward him. “You need to go get her.”

  He set his mug on a side table and sputtered into his napkin. “Beg your pardon?”

  “Ethan, dear, if you don’t go, you will be sorry for the rest of your life.” Miss Angie waited for a moment. When he made no response, she spoke gently into the silence. “Have you heard from her at all since she left?”

  Ethan sighed, weary of the subject. But he could never deny Miss Angie the truth, so he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ragged note, worn from being read and refolded at least a hundred times. He held it out for her to take, but she shook her head.

  “Read it to me, if you don’t mind. Please.”

  Ethan’s hands shook, just the tiniest bit, as he unfolded the note yet again.

  Miss Angie broke in with another question before he could start reading. “You received this tattered missive in the mail, Ethan?”

  He shot her a crooked grin. “I think you know I didn’t. I found it under a…special rock. It was on my front steps the day after she left.”

  “That’s odd, isn’t it? Who might she have sent it with?” She gave him a sweet, innocent smile. “I’m listening.”

  “Dearest Ethan—Hurting you is the last thing I ever wanted to do. I’m sorry, angel man. So, so sorry for the pain you’re going through because of me and my ‘story.’ Please don’t do anything rash. No gang of KCCN newshounds and photographers will be swooping in to steal the life you’ve built in Cambria…whatever remains of it after my interference. I won’t be writing the story I was assigned…the one about the innocent child-preacher who grew up to be you…sweet, beautiful, amazing you!” Heat rose in Brady’s neck but he kept reading. “Give me a few days, angel man. Just a few days. And then, if you can forgive me, and if there’s any room left in your heart for us, call me. Or come to Cornelius Cove. I’ll be waiting. Kalani.”

  “Oh, Ethan.” Miss Angie’s voice held a world of sadness. “Why haven’t you gone?”

  “You know I can’t do that, Miss Angie. Winter’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I won’t deny how I feel about her—not to you. Even so, no matter how we feel about each other, she’s not a Christian. I can’t—”

  “Why would you say such a thing?”

  “Because it’s true.” He was growing a little impatient. “She doesn’t know the Lord.”

  “And you know this because…?”

  “Because she doesn’t.” What was the woman thinking? “Winter didn’t exactly make a secret about not knowing Christ. And I never saw her—” He broke off. Surely he hadn’t been about to say that.

  Miss Angie wasn’t letting him off lightly. “You’re saying, then, that you didn’t see her give her heart to God, so any repentance she might have made didn’t count?”

  “No! Of course not. I’m just saying—” What was he saying?

  And what was Miss Angie saying? “Kai’s doing really well, don’t you think?”

  He narrowed his gaze and picked up his mug again.

  She’d let him off too easy. That wasn’t like her.

  “He’s making great strides. Taking every Bible class I offer, working with the kids at Chrysalis. He’s got a servant’s heart.”

  “That he does.” Miss Angie sipped at the contents of her mug and eyed him over the rim. “You know, I don’t seem to recall, dear. When exactly was it that Kai made his commitment?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know, but I thought you would, Miss Angie. He said you’re the one who led him to—”

  Like a lightning bolt to the heart, the purpose of this little visit struck his soul.

  Once again, he set his mug aside. This time the cookies went the way of the side table as well, and he dropped his head into his hands. “What have I done?”

  “Dear Ethan.” Miss Angie’s soft voice soothed his spirit. “You’re not the first Christian who forgot to let God be God. Kai’s life is evidence of his dedication, as is yours. And Winter’s…uh, Kalani’s.” Her blue gaze twinkled across the room. “I really think you have something to do in Cornelius Cove, Ethan Miracle.”

  

  

  Winter stood for a m
oment, looking at the anchor desk she’d taken such pride in sitting behind at KCCN. It consisted of nothing more than shaped glass with the network logo etched into the front piece. Looking at it now, from her new perspective as a Christian, and as a woman who’d loved—and maybe lost, thanks to her dedication to this piece of modern furniture—it held no appeal whatsoever. Not in comparison to what it had cost her.

  Kai had told her that Brady now used his real name, insisting he wanted nothing to remain of the lie he’d lived for so long. Winter liked the sound of Ethan Miracle. A fine name for a man with a fine heart…and he looked pretty fine too. He wouldn’t be able to change his appearance—and all the women in his circle of acquaintance would thank the Lord for that limitation.

  Wearing something that couldn’t quite be called a smile, she picked up her purse and a small box packed with her personal items, and left the anchor desk behind.

  “Winter!” Jeremy caught up with her at the door. “Isn’t there anything I can do to change your mind?”

  “No, boss.” She lifted one shoulder and offered a half-smile to match the partial shrug. “To everything there is a time, and my time here has come and gone.”

  He huffed a sigh. “Well, you know where we are if you change your mind. Take care of yourself, you hear me? And you’ll be in touch before long, right?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Winter accepted his hug and then stepped out the door.

  She placed the box in the trunk of her car, slammed the lid, and then moved to the front of the vehicle. Tears stung the backs of her eyes, in spite of her certainty that she was making the right move. She’d left too many things behind in recent weeks.

  Either Red hadn’t delivered her note to Brady…and seriously, had she really expected that stupid bird to understand what she was asking of it? More likely, the wind blew it off into the woods and Brady never saw it. Either way, he probably thought she’d run from the situation…and from him. No wonder he’d made no effort to reach out to her.

  “Hello, Kalani.”

  She froze. Only one person in the whole world could make her heart skip a beat simply by speaking her name. Her breath caught, and she made a slow pivot toward the deep, rich voice.

  “Brady!” Oh, what a picture he made, leaning against the fender of his car. Those bright blue eyes…the unruly lock of black hair that fell over his forehead…the little cleft in his chin, and those full, firm lips…

  “Ethan, if you don’t mind. I’ve dropped the cloak I wore for so long. I’m Ethan Miracle again.” He chuckled, sending a skitter of delicious emotion along Winter’s nerves. “Much to my parents’ joy and relief!”

  “I’m glad, Brady—uhm, Ethan. I like the sound of that.”

  His smile took her breath away. “I like the sound of you liking the sound of it.”

  Her own laughter surprised her. Had she laughed at all since she’d left Cambria? “So…besides being a pretty bad comedian, what are you doing here? You have business in Cornelius Cove?”

  He took a step closer.

  Winter stepped back. She couldn’t bear having him so near, and yet so far away.

  He strode forward, closing the gap she’d created, slipped an arm around her waist and tugged her close, ignoring her gasping reaction. “I do. If it’s considered business when one shows up to whisk the woman he loves back into his arms.”

  Winter blinked, barely drawing breath.

  The woman he loves?

  “What—? What did you say?”

  “I think I said something like ‘May I have this kiss for the rest of my life?’” He lifted her chin and lowered his face to hers, so close his warm breath feathered against her lips, creating a tingle that robbed Winter of strength and will.

  “That’s not what you said.”

  “No? Then maybe I said…” He slid his lips across hers—just once, a whispery, tantalizing touch of bliss. “That I love you more than the air I breathe, and I can’t stand to spend another day away from you.”

  “You…love me, Ethan Miracle?”

  “I adore you, Kalani Wonder. You are my reason for waking up in the morning. You’re the source of every sweet dream I’ve ever dreamed.” His lips touched her temple and trailed a line of kisses from there to the corner of her mouth. “Marry me, Kalani.” He slid his lips over hers. “Marry me, and let me take you back home.”

  “Home?”

  “To Cambria, my love. To be my wife.” He kissed her then, holding her chin and guiding her into the caress. When he pulled away, Winter gasped for air that seemed in short supply. “Would you consider being a preacher’s wife, Kalani?”

  “There’s nothing I’d rather be,” she whispered. Then she smiled and leaned her forehead against his chin. “I’ve just turned in my resignation at KCCN, so I’m kind of looking for a new vocation.”

  “You—?” He shook his head. “No, wait. You can tell me on the way home. For right now, I just need to hear you say you love me.”

  “You love me.” Winter swayed against him. “Now kiss me again.”

  A low rumble of laughter hummed through her senses when he gathered her close. “That’ll do, for now,” he murmured.

  He kissed her then. He did it right, and when at last he pulled away, her knees refused to hold her upright. How nice that Ethan’s strong arms did a fine job of that and held her oh-so-close against his broad chest.

  “I have something for you.” He rested his chin on top of her head. “But I’d have to let go of you to get it.”

  “Well, don’t do that. Whatever it is can wait.”

  With a low chuckle, he set her away…gently, and not too far. “This will only take a moment.” He winked as he reached into his pocket and brought out something that he kept hidden in his fist as he reached for her hand. “It’s not an engagement ring, although I am smart enough to realize that’s what is expected when a man proposes. We’ll choose one together, very soon. In the meantime, though…” He dropped the item into her hand, shielding it with his to hide it from her curious gaze. “A little bird left something on my front step the morning after you disappeared. I took it to one of those talented people in Harmony and told her I wanted someone special to wear it against her heart.”

  Winter caught her breath. “I love it!”

  He laughed. “You don’t even know what it is.”

  “But I do—at least partially. That same little bird brought me a red stone the day I left Cambria. I told him to give it to someone else. He’s a persistent little guy, isn’t he?” She smiled. “Now move your big paw and let me see, Ethan Miracle!”

  He didn’t smile. “Kalani, I owe you an apology.”

  “You owe me an apology? I don’t think so.”

  “I do, sweetheart. Had I not been so spiritually blind, I would have been here much sooner.” He quickly told her about his conversation with Miss Angie, and how she’d—gently, in true Miss Angie-fashion—shown him how far off the path of truth he’d traveled. “Can you ever forgive me for being such a Pharisee?”

  “You can tell me what that is another time, angel man. Of course I forgive you, just as you have, apparently, forgiven me.” Kalani kissed his chin and then tugged at her hand, which he still held between two of his. “Now, about this…?”

  He pulled his hand away, revealing the red jasper stone. The Harmony artisan had given it a stunning shine that brought out a richness of color and a variance in hue not visible in its original state. The artist had hand-wrapped it in an intricate silver setting, and attached it to a fine silver chain.

  Winter couldn’t stop smiling. “It’s stunning, Ethan. Would you help me…?”

  His warm fingers touched her neck as he clasped the chain in place. The slight weight of the stone touched her chest, and it, too, held the warmth of his hand. She gasped when his lips touched the back of her neck.

  “I love you, Kalani.” His voice, always so smooth, held an unfamiliar hoarseness. “Sweet Winter Wonder…my gift from the sky.”

&n
bsp; “You were right all along. I’m Kalani. I don’t want any more pretense either.” She turned in his arms so she could look into those incredible sapphire eyes. “I love you too, angel man…with all my heart and soul.”

  “Ready to go home?”

  “I’m already halfway there.”

  21

  As much as Ethan would have liked to sweep his fiancée off to Cambria that moment, it couldn’t happen. She had things to wrap up in Cornelius Cove first.

  He reserved a room for himself, took Kalani to dinner, and then they spent the evening packing, which wasn’t as big a job as he’d expected. His bride-to-be lived in a beautiful, furnished condo, so moving out only required boxing up personal items. They hired a moving service to pick up and deliver everything to Cambria. Brady had thought ahead far enough to rent a vehicle for the five-hour drive to Cornelius Cove, unwilling to make the return trip in separate vehicles if Kalani accepted his proposal.

  They were on their way just after noon the following day.

  “We were so busy last night, you never got around to telling me why you turned in your resignation.” He lifted an eyebrow and shot her an inquisitive look once Cornelius Cove disappeared from his rearview mirror.

  “Are you having second thoughts?” she teased.

  “Not even close. I was actually just thinking how God worked everything out so perfectly, in His timing.”

  “You sound like Miss Angie.”

  He grinned. “I’ve been accused of far worse. So…that resignation?”

  She sat quietly for a moment, as if trying to find the right words. “When I got back to Cornelius Cove, I finally saw how empty my life was…and had been for a long time. The dreams I was chasing—being a celebrity, being rich, having adoring fans—they had no substance. Not like the life I had for such a short time in Cambria. Plus…” She hesitated.

  “What is it, honey?”

  “I refused to do the story about you. Needless to say, my editor wasn’t happy. I offered him another story—one, last Winter Wonder special—even though I’m technically no longer an employee of KCCN. By the time Jeremy and I hashed everything out, he was OK with my counter.”