Yuletide Baby Bargain

by ALLISON LEIGH,

  She bit her lip, trying not to smile. It was true. The church service—dominated by the children’s pageant—had been dragging on longer than usual. Which was good, because Ray had promised to get there before it ended.

  She slid her fingers between Linc’s. “Just imagine Layla singing in a children’s choir like this one day.”

  He made a low sound and shifted again. “Swift Oil’s gonna donate padded seats,” he whispered.

  She ducked her chin, muffling her quick laugh and stole another look toward the back of the church.

  Still no Ray.

  “Hey.” Ali sat forward from her spot on the pew behind them, and stuck her head between theirs. “Quiet down. Mayor’s giving you guys the stink eye.”

  Maddie’s shoulders shook. “Shh.”

  Grinning wickedly, and satisfied with her results, Ali sat back. They were all there. Ali. Greer. Her parents. Even Hayley and Seth.

  Linc’s hand went from the pew to Maddie’s shoulder. “She’s right,” he murmured against her cheek. “Big-time stink eye. I always knew it was more interesting sitting over here with your family.”

  She closed her eyes and prayed that they wouldn’t be struck with lightning for not showing the proper reverence while three toddler-size Wise Men tripped over their robes as they made their way to the manger.

  “Let’s go to Vegas,” he whispered. “We can be married by morning.”

  Her lips parted. For a moment, she forgot all about her boss as she looked at Linc. “Now?”

  “Unless you want the whole hometown wedding thing.”

  A wedding there meant time wasted through the holiday, waiting for a marriage license. Time that could be spent together. As his wife. Right now. Or at least as soon as he could get them to Las Vegas.

  Considering he had resources upon resources, she wasn’t too concerned on that front.

  “Mrs. Lincoln Swift,” Maddie murmured. She pressed her lips to his. “All I want is you.” There was no doubt. No hesitation at all. “But maybe we should at least wait until the service is over.”

  This time, Meredith leaned forward. “Shh.” But her eyes were sparkling.

  And Linc wasn’t the least bit cowed. “Let’s do it now.” Holding her hand, he stood.

  Following seemed simpler than arguing. At least right there in the middle of the kids breaking into another Christmas carol. She felt certain it was their twentieth. Murmuring apologies as she went, she slowly followed him out of the crowded pew, Linc’s hand in one hand, her coat in the other. Once they were free of the bodies, though, she didn’t even care that they’d become the focus of the congregation as they hurried out.

  Because Judge Stokes and his wife were hurrying in. And he gave Maddie a benevolent smile as they slipped into the standing-room only space at the rear of the church.

  She relaxed a little. If Stokes was there, she knew Ray would soon follow.

  Snow was drifting from the sky when they slipped out the church doors. Linc helped her on with her coat and kept hold of the collar. “I love you, Maddie.”

  Her heart skittered. She reached up and brushed a snowflake from his hair. “I love you, too. But before we go to Vegas, there’s something I need to tell you. Something that just came up today, actually.”

  He hooked his hands behind her back. “There’s nothing you can tell me that’s going to slow us down or keep us going to from Vegas. I want you all to myself.”

  Delight shivered through her. If she hadn’t spotted her boss just then, she might well have forgotten everything except Linc. “No sharing?”

  “No sharing.”

  She reached up and brushed her lips against his. “You might want to rethink that.” She pushed his shoulder until he turned enough to see Ray.

  Heading toward them. Obviously carrying something.

  Someone.

  She felt Linc go still. His hand tightened on hers. “What’s going on?”

  “Shelley Perez’s sister went into premature labor this afternoon.” She bit her lip. “She needed to leave town to be with her. And, well—”

  Ray stopped in front of them, looking typically out of breath. “Figured I’d get here before this, but it took a while for Steven to get Layla’s clothes together.” He grinned and handed over the baby. She was dressed in her tiny white coat, a familiar red cap covering her head.

  Even though she’d been expecting the baby, tears still blurred Maddie’s vision as she clasped Layla to her chest. The baby smacked her chin and chortled.

  “I don’t understand.” Linc’s voice was gruff. His hand shook as he covered Maddie’s.

  She met his gaze. “With Shelley Perez out of town indefinitely because of her sister, her husband can’t handle their kids and an infant all on his own. Which means Layla needs new foster care.”

  “And now there’s some information about her mother to actually investigate,” Ray inserted. “Which is why, a few minutes ago, Stokes agreed to name you both joint custodians until we can get more answers.”

  “Both of us!” Maddie hadn’t expected that. “He’s never done anything like that before!”

  Ray winked. “Even judges get a little Christmas spirit.” He patted the baby’s arm. “I’ll get her stuff from my car.” He walked away.

  “I can’t believe this,” Linc said. “You knew this was happening?”

  “Not about the joint custodianship, but yes.” She smiled tremulously. “It’s not permanent, but it’s something.”

  “It’s everything.” Linc’s arms surrounded them both. “And you are amazing.”

  She lifted Layla higher. “Say Merry Christmas to Uncle Linc, baby.”

  Layla kicked and chortled. She reached for Linc’s face. He caught her tiny mittened hand and kissed it. Then he kissed Maddie. And the sweetness that slid through her veins was going to last a lifetime.

  “This changes things about Vegas.” His voice was husky. “We’ll get a license when the holidays are over. Get married at the courthouse.”

  “We could do that,” she allowed. “But you know, we do have a church and a judge right here who’s evidently in the holiday spirit...”

  Linc threw back his head and laughed. Then he grabbed Maddie’s hand and tugged her back toward the church.

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss these other stories in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Allison Leigh’s long-running RETURN TO THE DOUBLE C series:

  THE RANCHER’S DANCE

  COURTNEY’S BABY PLAN

  A WEAVER PROPOSAL

  A WEAVER VOW

  A WEAVER BEGINNING

  A WEAVER CHRISTMAS GIFT

  ONE NIGHT IN WEAVER

  THE BFF BRIDE

  A CHILD UNDER HIS TREE

  Available from Harlequin.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from CHRISTMASTIME COURTSHIP by Marie Ferrarella.

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  Christmastime Courtship

  by Marie Ferrarella

  Prologue

  “Is it true?”

  Theresa Manetti looked up from the menu she was putting the final touches on to see who had just walked into her inner office. Most clients who wanted to avail themselves of her catering services either called or were brought in by one of her staff and announced.

  As it turned out, this time Theresa found herself looking up at Jeannine Steele, an old friend she hadn’t seen in at least six months. Not since she’d catered Jeannine’s husband’s funeral reception.

  “Well, that’s a new kind of greeting,” Theresa commented, amused. “Most people usually say hello. Is what true?” she asked, nodding toward the chair on the other side of her desk, indicating that her friend should sit down.

  Looking uncomfortable and nervous, Jeannine lowered herself onto the chair, perching on its edge. “There’s a rumor going around that in addition to your catering business, you’re running some sort of a dating service on the side.”

  Theresa had known Jeannine since her own two children had been in elementary school with Jeannine’s daughter, and in all that time, she couldn’t recall the stately woman appearing anything but completely in control.

  Always.

  But not this time.

  “Well, that’s not exactly an accurate description,” Theresa replied. “It’s not really a ‘dating service,’ so much as a matchmaking service.”

  Confusion furrowed Jeannie’s otherwise smooth, alabaster brow. “There’s a difference?”

  From her vantage point, Theresa could see the other woman twisting her long, slender fingers together. Theresa was experienced enough to know where this was heading, and did what she could to set her friend at ease.

  “A big difference,” she answered, pushing back her chair and rising to her feet. “Would you like something to drink, Jeannine?” she asked kindly. “I have everything from tea to soft drinks to something a little more ‘bracing’ if you’d rather have that.”

  Jeannine drew in a deep breath before answering. “I’ll take tea,” she replied. “Strong tea.”

  Theresa smiled as she went to the counter against the back wall, where she had a pot of hot water steaming. She had a preference for tea herself.

  “So, it’s been a while, Jeannine,” she said in her customary easygoing manner. “How are you?”

  “Concerned, frankly,” the other woman admitted.

  Recrossing the room, Theresa held out the cup of tea. “You’re worried about Miranda, aren’t you?”

  Her friend nearly dropped the cup Theresa had handed her. Some hot liquid sloshed over the side. “How did you know?” she asked, surprised.

  “To begin with, you asked me about my so-called ‘sideline,’” Theresa answered, employing a whimsical term for the labor that had become near and dear not just to her heart, but to Maizie’s and Celia’s hearts, as well.

  Theresa and the two women she had been best friends with since the third grade had weathered all of life’s highs and lows together. The highs included marriage, children and the successful businesses all three had started in the second half of their lives and were currently running.

  The lows included all three becoming widows. But she, Maizie and Celia had learned to push on past the pain. After all, they each had children to provide for. They were determined to lead productive, fulfilling lives. And above all else, they were always, always there for one another.

  Their matchmaking had begun slowly, by finding matches for their own children. That was to be the end of it, but matching up the right two people brought such satisfaction with it, they’d decided to try their hand at it again.

  And again.

  With each successful match, their secondary vocation just seemed to take wings. They loved the businesses they had begun and nurtured individually, but there was something exceedingly fulfilling about bringing together two people who otherwise might never have found one another.

  Two people who clearly belonged together.

  It looked as if the adventure was about to begin again, Theresa thought.

  “Tell me about Miranda,” she coaxed, taking her seat once more. “How is she? Is she still as wonderfully generous and bighearted as ever?”

  Jeannine thought of her only daughter—her only living child—whose career path had been chosen at the age of ten. “Yes—and that’s the problem. She’s so busy giving of herself, working at the children’s hospital, the women’s shelter and the city’s animal shelter, that she doesn’t have any time to focus on herself. Don’t get me wrong, Theresa. I’m prouder of Miranda than I can possibly say, but, well, I’m really afraid that if she keeps going like this, she’s eventually going to wind up alone.” Jeannine sighed. “I know that sounds like I’m being small-minded and meddling, but—”

  Theresa cut her short. “Trust me, I know the feeling,” she assured her. “We’re mothers, Jeannine. It comes with the territory.” With her business going full steam ahead the way it was these days, she could use a little diversion. “Tell me, do you have any idea what Miranda’s dating life is like?”

  “I have a very clear idea,” Jeannine replied. “It’s nonexistent these days.”

  “Really?”

  “Really,” she confirmed sadly. “The problem is that no man can compete with her full-time job, as well as all her volunteer work. Besides, what man wants to come in fourth?”

  “Definitely not the kind of man we would want for your daughter,” Theresa said with conviction.

  Jeannine looked confused. “What are you saying?”

  Theresa smiled as she began making plans. “I’m saying we need to change Miranda’s focus a little.”

  “So you do think there’s hope?” A glimmer of optimism entered the other woman’s hazel eyes.

  Theresa leaned over and patted her friend’s hand. “Jeannine,” she said confidently, “there is always hope.”

  Copyright © 2017 by Marie Rydzynski-Ferrarella

  ISBN-13: 9781488014628

  Yuletide Baby Bargain

  Copyright © 2017 by Allison Lee Johnson

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