She scanned the crowd for her husband, smiling even as she thought the word. Husband. He was all hers now. And there he was, chatting with Ryan over by the wall of photos, laughing at some faded memory. They’d already opened presents, cut the cake, mingled with guests. She was ready to get him and go.
He turned just then. Their eyes met and held, and his lips settled into a private smile. He’d gained his strength back in the four weeks since the accident. He looked so handsome in his suit, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other holding a glass of something sparkly. Broad-shouldered and sexy, the look in his eyes made promises she couldn’t wait for him to keep.
“Is it hot in here?” Jade asked.
Madison’s eyes homed in on Daniel. “You are so in trouble.”
Another flash went off.
“Mom,” Jade said. “My mouth is full of cake.”
“Oh, look, she’s smiling!” Madison cooed at Mia, trying to coax another one. Mia had given her first grin to Daniel three days ago when he’d been blowing bubbles.
Mom made good use of the camera, capturing Mia’s expressions. “Where’s Ava?”
Jade finished her last bite. “The Dawsons had her in the family room a few minutes ago. Ava couldn’t take her eyes off the Christmas lights.”
Daniel’s parents had surprised her these past few weeks. Hanging around Cedar Springs until Daniel was discharged from the hospital. Flying in early to help with the wedding. Apparently Jade wasn’t the only one changed by almost losing Daniel.
Mom wandered off to find Ava, and Madison traipsed upstairs to change Mia. Jade brushed through the crowd with her empty plate, stopping to chat with Izzy for a few minutes. Her friend had driven down to stand up with her at the wedding. She looked gorgeous in her red pencil dress, her mahogany hair piled artfully on her head.
The kitchen contained the overflow crowd and was even warmer than the living room. She set the dish in the full sink and slipped out the back door onto the patio.
The smack of cold air felt good on her heated skin. Her breath plumed in front of her, and her white Victorian boots made prints in the fresh dusting of snow. Fat flakes tumbled down, blanketing the twinkling bushes and sparkling like diamonds under the Christmas lights. It was beautiful and peaceful. The quiet was nice after the busy month.
Between the wedding details, moving to Daniel’s house, and playing catch-up at work, there hadn’t been much downtime. Throw the twins into the mix, and they’d been lucky to find time to sleep.
Daniel had filled her in on his intentions to give up his run for the House. His memory temporarily impaired after the accident, he hadn’t remembered telling his parents on Thanksgiving until a few days after he’d awakened. He seemed relieved by the decision, and his parents were coming around.
She and Daniel had also been talking about cutting her office hours or even her quitting altogether. She was thinking about resuming guitar lessons. She had half a dozen students waiting in the wings. Daniel would have to find another assistant, but they both wanted her to be with the babies as much as possible.
She loved watching Daniel with the girls. At first he’d held them awkwardly, as if they might break. But as the days passed, he’d become a natural, walking around with a burp cloth slung over his shoulder and drool marks spotting his sleeve. She’d never dreamed such things could be so sexy.
Jade looked up, watching the flakes fall, feeling the cold wetness on her forehead, on her cheeks. A smile stretched her lips. On impulse she spun around, letting her arms fly out. Her wispy skirt spun around her legs. She closed her eyes and took a few more turns, just because she could.
A few seconds later, arms came around her, stopping her midspin. Daniel pulled her into his chest.
She grabbed his arms, still smiling, dizzy for a moment. “I didn’t hear you come out.”
“What are you doing?” She heard the amusement in his voice.
“Spinning.”
“Why . . . ?”
“Because I’m wearing a twirly dress.”
She felt his smile against her temple. “I like your twirly dress.” A warm set of lips pressed against the curve of her neck. She sank into Daniel’s hard chest, breathing him in.
“Is it time to go yet?” he asked.
They’d booked a suite in Louisville for two nights. Jade couldn’t stand being away from the girls any longer. “I don’t know which I’m anticipating more: a full night’s sleep or time alone with you.”
He dropped a kiss to that spot behind her ear. A shiver that had nothing to do with the temperature shimmied up her spine. “Ah, who am I kidding?” She laughed. “You’ve been very patient.”
“I have. But I’m about to sneak you around front to the car. I want my woman alone.” He tightened his embrace and nuzzled her ear with his nose. She looked down at their hands. Their silver wedding bands glimmered under the Christmas lights. They were married. Husband and wife. Sometimes she wanted to pinch herself.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Only about a dozen times.”
He turned her in his arms and took her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing her cheeks. Their breath mingled together. “It’s true. You’re beautiful and amazing, and I love you so much. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
She turned a kiss into his palm. “I love you too. I’m going to make you the happiest husband ever.”
“I already am.”
The kiss started out soft and gentle, just a brushing of lips. But that was never enough with Daniel. He deepened the kiss, drawing her closer. She pressed into the solid strength of his chest as his lips played havoc with her heart rate. Her hands slid up his arms and into the soft hair at his nape. She breathed in the clean scent of him.
The back door burst open, letting the party noise out. “All right, you two,” Ryan said. “Break it up. The honeymoon hasn’t started yet.”
Daniel groaned, setting his forehead on Jade’s. “Can’t a guy have a moment with his bride?” he muttered.
Jade smiled into his eyes, catching her breath.
“Mom wants us on the front porch for pictures.”
Daniel perked up, looking toward Ryan’s retreating figure. “Front porch? As in, on the way to the car? Let’s go.”
Jade tightened her hold, poked him in the stomach, the rigid muscles unyielding. “Pictures first. Plus we have to say good-bye to everyone, give the twins kisses.”
His eyes skated across her face, coming to rest on her lips. “Did someone say kisses?” He lowered his mouth to hers again.
She planted her palms on his chest. “Pictures. Good-byes. Honeymoon. That order.”
He tilted his head, narrowed his eyes. “A few pictures. Quick good-byes. And a quiet honeymoon with limited calls home.”
She liked the way he thought. “Deal.”
“Kiss on it?”
She smiled. “Happily.”
He got his kiss this time. A quick peck that morphed into a long, lingering, breathless kiss. Her favorite kind.
A few minutes later, Ryan stuck his head out the door. “Hurry up, you two. Everyone’s getting cold.”
“I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Daniel whispered into her ear. “I’m perfectly warm.”
Jade tugged his hand. “Come on, Daniel. Let’s get this honey-moon started.”
The sooner they started their honeymoon, the sooner they started their life together. And Jade couldn’t think of anything she wanted more.
Reading Group Guide
1. Who was your favorite character and why? What appealed to you most about Jade? Daniel? Were you frustrated by any of the characters?
2. Jade reaped the consequences of someone else’s sin. Has this ever happened to you? How did you handle it? What did you learn from it?
3. Jade decided never to love again because of Aaron’s death. Has a bad experience ever affected your outlook on love?
4. Daniel allowed his parents to pressure him into a career he didn�
�t want. Has anyone ever pressured you into something you didn’t want? How did it turn out? Did you have regrets?
5. How is Jade like a seed planted on rocky ground?
6. Jade describes the events in her life as “random acts of trauma.” Have you ever felt that way? Do you believe God has a plan for your life?
7. Have you ever felt that your life was spinning out of control? What did you do?
8. Jade’s mom said, “Times like this will either cause you to fall away or will make your roots sink deep.” Do you agree?
9. What does growing roots in your faith mean to you? How are roots grown?
10. Jade’s difficult experiences caused her to change as a person. Only after coming to grips with the pain and dealing with her fear was she able to return to her old self. Have you experienced something similar?
Acknowledgments
WRITING A BOOK IS A TEAM EFFORT, AND I’M SO GRATEFUL for the fabulous team at HarperCollins Christian Fiction, led by publisher Daisy Hutton: Ansley Boatman, Katie Bond, Amanda Bostic, Sue Brower, Ruthie Dean, Laura Dickerson, Jodi Hughes, Ami McConnell, Becky Monds, Becky Philpott, Kerri Potts, and Kristen Vasgaard.
Thanks especially to my editor, Ami McConnell. Woman, you are a wonder! I’m constantly astounded by your gift of insight. I don’t know of a more talented line editor than LB Norton. You make me look much better than I am!
Author Colleen Coble is my first reader. Thank you, friend! I wouldn’t want to do this writing thing without my buds and fellow authors Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt, and Kristin Billerbeck. Love you, girls!
I’m grateful to my agent, Karen Solem, who is able to somehow make sense of the legal garble of contracts and, even more amazing, help me understand it.
I owe a debt of gratitude to a few people who helped me with details involving things I know little about: my son Trevor for his help with all things related to the guitar; Tyler Sinclair, my nephew, for his assistance with the political thread; and my brother-in-law Greg Cox for details pertaining to fire fighters. Any mistakes that made their way into print are entirely mine.
To my family: Kevin, Justin, Chad, and Trevor. You make life an adventure! Love you all!
Lastly, thank you, friend, for letting me share this story with you. I wouldn’t be doing this without you! I’ve enjoyed connecting with readers like you through my Facebook page. Visit my website at the link www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or just drop me a note at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you!
AN EXCERPT FROM
A December Bride
AN EXCERPT FROM A December Bride
Layla O’Reilly squeezed into a corner of the bustling kitchen of Cappy’s Pizzeria and leaned into the receiver.
“No, no, no. You cannot cancel on me now. The wedding’s in five hours. Five hours, Cooper.” She wound the spiral cord around her fist, a sweat breaking out on her forehead.
“Layla, I—”
“Don’t even tell me you have to work. I asked you over a month ago. You said you got the night off.”
“If you’d just let me talk. I have strep, Layla. I’m contagious. I have to be on an antibiotic for at least twenty-four hours before—”
“I’ll risk it.” She didn’t care if he had malaria. She was going to this wedding, and she was going with a date. Nothing said, See, I’ve moved on, like an attractive man draped on your arm.
“I feel like trash. I have a 102-degree fever and barbed wire in my throat.”
Layla took a deep breath, the familiar aromas of garlic and oregano filling her nose. She couldn’t believe this was happening. “Now that you mention it, you don’t sound so good.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know tonight’s a big deal.”
She closed her eyes. “It’s not your fault. The strep or the wedding.” She banged the receiver against her temple once, twice, three times. “I’ll bring you chicken soup tomorrow.”
“My sister’s already on it; don’t worry about it. What are you going to do about tonight?”
“I don’t know.”
“Just don’t go. You don’t need them.”
“My whole family will be there.”
“This isn’t about your family, and you know it,” he said. “This is about you having something to prove.”
She knotted her fist around the cord. Nothing stung as long and hard as betrayal. “Shut it, Cooper.”
“You know I’m right.”
Olivia passed with a tray, nodding her head toward the back. Layla followed the direction of her nod. Cappy’s bald head gleamed under the kitchen lights. He gave Layla a pointed look.
“I have to go. I’m in the middle of lunch rush.”
She took two orders, working on automatic as her mind filtered through the possibilities. She had to find someone and quick. On her break she made a few calls. No luck.
Think, Layla.
She tidied her long brown ponytail before exiting the break room. She had two-and-a-half more hours of work, one hour to get ready, and a half-hour drive to Louisville. Feeling desperate, she scanned Cappy’s. The new busboy, David, wasn’t bad looking, and he was always smiling at her. She hadn’t encouraged him because he was four years younger, but no one would know. Besides, desperate times and all that.
A few minutes later she walked away from David even more depressed. He was scheduled till closing. Worse, her invitation had encouraged him.
“You okay?” Olivia asked as she passed.
“Yeah, fine.”
“Well, order’s up for table four, and a family was just seated at five.”
“Thanks.” Layla grabbed the order from the heat lamp—a personal Whole Shebang—and headed toward four, her mind in overdrive.
She was tableside before she saw him. Seth Murphy recognized her at the same time. He pocketed his iPhone without taking his blue eyes off her.
“Layla,” he said in that deep voice of his.
She tipped her chin up, set the pizza down, and didn’t bother serving the first slice. “Murphy.”
What was he doing here? At her station? Not that he had any way of knowing that. “Don’t you have a wedding to be at?” She clamped her lips shut before anything else leaked out.
He checked his watch, a casual number with a big face and lots of dials. “Few hours.” He opened his mouth again, then wisely shut it.
She spun around to table five before he could ask her the same. She felt Murphy’s eyes on her back as she took the order, making heat flood the back of her neck. She didn’t run into him much—didn’t exactly travel in the same circles. But when she did, it was awkward. No one knew better than Murphy how badly Jack had hurt her. And no one, save Jack and Jessica, was more responsible.
She brought table five their drinks and delivered the bill to a couple squeezed into one side of a two-seater booth. She briefly considered ignoring Murphy’s empty glass, but her conscience kicked in.
A minute later she set down a fresh Mountain Dew and ripped the bill from the tab. Normally she didn’t leave it this early, but Murphy wasn’t her normal customer. It was hard to be close to him again. To stay angry at him.
“Can I get you anything else?”
He leaned back against the red vinyl booth. The light from the overhead pendant washed over his features in a flattering way. He’d always reminded her of Ryan Gosling, especially when he wasn’t wearing that infernal Murphy’s Hardware cap.
He opened his mouth and shut it again. She was so tired of being tiptoed around. By him. By everyone.
She pulled herself to her full five-feet-six and tossed her ponytail over her shoulder. “Go ahead.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Go ahead and ask.”
His gaze dropped to the half-eaten slice on his plate. He hadn’t shaved yet. The five o’clock shadow only made him more handsome. “Layla . . .”
“Yes, I’m going to the wedding. Yes, I’m over him. And yes, I’m happy for my cousin. That about cover it?”
His
eyes drifted to hers again. It was all she could do to hold his gaze. He had a way of looking at her that made her feel like he was seeing all the way inside. She hadn’t seen that gaze since the summer they painted sets at the community theater. She’d liked it then. Now, not so much.
“I’m glad,” he said. “You deserve . . .” He struggled to fill in the blank.
She didn’t need his take on that anyway. She slapped the bill facedown. “Have a nice afternoon, Murphy.”
Her heart was beating too fast as she spun away. Her legs trembled as she made her way to the kitchen. If seeing Murphy had this effect, what would tonight be like? Seeing Jack and Jessica exchanging vows, kissing, dancing?
She didn’t have time to worry about her feelings. She still needed a date, and the clock was ticking. She’d exhausted her contact list. She scanned the restaurant again as she carried out an order. A group of guys she didn’t know had gathered around the pool table in the back room. Married couples and families filled the restaurant. She scanned the kitchen again. Three males. David, Cappy, and a man old enough to be her grandfather.
Come on, God, a little help here.
Her eyes fell on Murphy as she set down a medium pepperoni at the next table and began serving slices.
No. Absolutely not. For reasons too numerous to mention.
She gave a mechanical smile to the couple and went for more refills. Maybe he was single. And yes, attractive. But he was also a friend of Jack’s. She was surprised he wasn’t in the wedding, but then Jessica had probably insisted that Jack choose her brothers.
She looked out the tinted window to the snowy landscape. Fat snowflakes drifted to the white carpet. It was beautiful, she had to admit. Perfect day for a winter wedding. If things had gone differently, it might have been her day.
A loud slurp drew her eyes to Murphy’s table. He set his empty cup down and took another bite of his pizza.
Fine. One more refill.
A minute later she set the drink on Murphy’s table and turned to go.
Dancing with Fireflies Page 27
