Madeline had a family. She smiled at Jade, remembering a teenager who had defied everyone to get that exact same thing for herself.
Jade twirled in her pale yellow dress. “I love this dress.”
“Don’t get it dirty,” Madeline warned. “Or trip over the hem.”
“I won’t.” Jade weaved, dizzy from turning in circles. “I wish I could go to Hawaii with you.”
“Sorry, this is a honeymoon for two. When we get home we’ll take you to Florida, remember?”
“I remember.” Jade’s smile brightened. “And I get to stay with Grandma Angie while you’re gone.”
“Yes, you do.” Madeline looked in the mirror at her simple, white dress. Straight lines, no beading or lace. She’d never thought about weddings or what she would wear. She’d never dreamed of honeymoons or even the man who would change her life.
And yet he had existed anyway. All of those years of closing herself off, afraid to feel, afraid of being hurt again, and God already had the perfect man for her.
Jackson Cooper. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. In a million years she wouldn’t have thought he would be the one. It wasn’t that long ago that she’d avoided looking him in the eye when he helped pick up her spilled groceries.
Today he would stand before God, in the presence of these people, and he would become her husband.
She would become Madeline Cooper. Maddie Cooper. She closed her eyes as love and contentment overflowed. When she opened them, Beth stood behind her, smiling.
“Look what God did, Madeline. He took all of your fears, your past, your insecurity upon Himself and gave you this new life, this new hope.”
The door opened. Jackson’s sister Sophia, self-appointed wedding coordinator, smiled and motioned them all out the door.
“Time to get this show on the road.”
“Very romantic, Sophie.” Heather patted her sister on the cheek as they filed out of the room.
“I don’t have time for romance.”
“Of course you do.” Angie Cooper shook her head and then kissed her older daughter’s cheek. “Romance will find you.”
Tim Cooper, Jackson’s dad, stood at the entrance to the church sanctuary, ready to walk Madeline down the aisle. He looked so handsome in his Western-cut tuxedo. But Madeline’s gaze slid past him to the front of the church. Tim placed her hand on his arm and they started down the aisle, the bridesmaids walking in front of them.
Madeline had eyes only for the man at the front of the church. Jackson Cooper, the man she would spend her life with. Fifteen minutes later he slipped a wedding band on her finger, sliding it against the ring his grandmother had provided. They said “I do” and he pulled her to him, kissing her as if he would never let her go. And then he led her down the aisle and out the doors of the church.
To her surprise a white open carriage was parked in front of the church. Adorned with white roses, it was pulled by four white horses. A man in white livery stood next to the door of the carriage, holding it open for them.
“Surprise.” Jackson leaned and kissed her cheek.
“It’s a wonderful surprise.”
“Throw the bouquet,” someone shouted.
Madeline turned her back to the crowd and tossed the yellow daisies and white roses. The bouquet landed right in Sophia Cooper’s hands.
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Cooper Creek! I’ve gotten very attached to Dawson, Oklahoma, and to the Cooper family. With twelve siblings I think there will be plenty to keep us busy in the coming year. Most importantly there will be plenty of cowboys. 2011 was Harlequin’s YEAR OF THE COWBOY, but 2012 will provide many more cowboys to keep us reading. And of course wonderful heroines who make it easy for those cowboys to fall in love.
Jackson Cooper has been around Dawson for a while and it seemed only fitting that he be the first hero in this series. Jackson has watched his friends and neighbors falling in love and getting married. He warned Wyatt Johnson that Rachel Waters would get under his skin. For some reason, Jackson Cooper, resident ladies’ man, thought he was immune to love.
Like so many of us, Jackson had his ideas about his life. God had a different set of plans. So make a cup of coffee, or tea, put on some Christmas music and step into the world of Dawson, Oklahoma, at Christmas time.
Blessings,
Questions for Discussion
Madeline Patton finds herself in a situation she wants to walk away from. Instead she puts herself and her heart on the line by agreeing to allow Jade Baker to stay in her home. Why would she make that decision?
Jackson Cooper asks Madeline to let Jade stay with her. He has several reasons. What are they? Do you agree with the choices he made?
Jackson is torn when he looks up Madeline on the internet. Like so many of us, he was curious. But learning her story put him in a situation where he had more knowledge than perhaps he had wanted. How does this information change his relationship with her?
Jackson has a certain reputation, but as we get to know him we see that being a “ladies’ man” is just one facet of his personality and life. Who is the real Jackson Cooper?
Madeline receives a card from her mother that she doesn’t immediately open. Why doesn’t she want to face her mother’s words? What would you have done?
Why has Madeline been in the habit of moving? Why is it important for her to stay in Dawson?
Jackson goes back to church. Did he have a real reason for walking away from his faith?
Why do you think Madeline sleeps with the lights on? She has faith but still struggles with fear. How does Jackson help her through these fears? How does she help herself?
Madeline is hurt by what she sees as Jackson’s rejection. How does this draw her out of her shell?
Why is Jackson being so careful in his relationship with Madeline?
Jackson remembers the chorus of his grandmother’s favorite hymn. The lines in the chorus are “No turning back, no turning back.” What do the words mean to Jackson in his personal growth? In his relationship?
Jackson knew from the beginning that Jade couldn’t be his child and yet he allowed her to stay. Why do you think he allowed her to stay?
Madeline has forgiven her mother but there is still pain. Is it realistic to think she should give in and develop a relationship with her mother or is caution the best way to handle this relationship?
Jackson and Madeline fall in love rather quickly and both realize that they need more time to get to know one another. Love is based on more than immediate attraction. What is the basis for their relationship, beyond those first feelings of chemistry?
ISBN: 978-1-4592-8252-0
THE COWBOY’S HOLIDAY BLESSING
Copyright © 2011 by Brenda Minton
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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The Cowboy's Holiday Blessing Page 18
