Sara relaxed and was silent for several moments. Finally, gathering her courage, she turned her head so she could see his eyes and said, “I think I’m falling in love with you.”
“Only think?” Trent asked. He watched the emotions flit through her eyes and across her face. She was so expressive.
“Well, let me help you answer that question. I know I love you. No thinking involved.”
“You do?”
Trent nodded as he held her gaze. “I do. I think part of me has loved you since the moment you walked into the drugstore that day several weeks ago.” Leaning down, he placed his lips against hers and just held still for several seconds. Finally, he began moving his lips over hers, deepening the kiss after several minutes.
Trent and Sara sat there and talked in front of the fire for several hours. It had been like this from the beginning – instant friendship and romance.
Chapter 20
Christmas Eve Candelight Service…
Trent sat next to Sara and listened to the children’s choir sing. Looking over at her face, he found he couldn’t make himself look away. The look on her face showed rapture and a look of pure enjoyment. That combined with her physical beauty, Trent knew he would never see anything more beautiful than Sara in this moment.
As the choir finished singing, he brought his attention back to the townsfolk gathered in the beautifully decorated sanctuary. He saw Bill Mercer sitting near the front with his wife in a wheel chair by his side. Miriam had enjoyed more days without pain than days with pain. Her strength continued to decline and Dr. Baker had shared with Trent that he believed she wouldn’t see the New Year. Trent had promised to make himself available to help Bill when the end finally came.
Samuel and Jane sat two rows up, and Trent was pleased to see that Samuel had his arm around Jane’s shoulders and she didn’t seem to be resisting. Final arrangements had been made, and Samuel would be escorting Grace, Daniella and Jane back to San Diego December 27th. Jane was planning on staying a month and Samuel had confided that he planned on offering Jane enough incentive to make the stay permanent, and at his side as his wife. Trent had given his full-hearted blessing and offered to help in any way Samuel thought would be useful.
For himself, he had only one Christmas wish left. As was tradition, after the Christmas Eve Service, the townsfolk would gather on the church’s front lawn around the nativity and sing Christmas carols together. The Ladies Auxiliary would have cookies and hot chocolate for those who desired it. The entire atmosphere was one of kinship and showed the true heart of Castle Peaks ˗ a town that stuck together through thick and thin.
As the minister finished his Christmas Eve message, Trent stood and escorted the ladies down the aisle. Grace had become friends with several young mothers in town and took Daniella and joined their small group. This left Sara alone with Trent for the first time in what felt like days.
The small velvet box was burning a hole in his side and he noticed his palms were sweating as well. Great, now he was nervous!
“Let’s take a walk,” Trent spoke in Sara’s ear.
Sara looked up at him, grinned, and then nodded. Grabbing his hand, she pulled his arm towards her. She gave it a small hug as they began to walk around the nativity scene. Once they reached a part of the scene where they were alone once again, Trent pulled Sara to a stop and invited her to sit down on a nearby bench.
Glancing around, he saw that they were in the rose garden. The trees sported white mini lights and gave the entire area a soft glow. Bending down on one knee, Trent spoke, “Sara, I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but that doesn’t matter. I love you more than anything and I don’t want you to leave.”
“Trent, I love you too….” Sara began, only to be cut off as Trent made a shushing motion with his hands.
“Sara, just let me finish this. I didn’t realize I was going to be so nervous.” Taking a deep breath, Trent continued, “Sara, I would be honored if you would consider becoming my wife. Sara Brownell, will you marry me?”
Sara covered her mouth with her hands and stared deeply into Trent’s eyes. She had dreamed of just this moment the night before and awakened depressed that it had only been a dream.
When Sara didn’t immediately say anything, Trent continued to speak, “Sara, this is my final Christmas wish. Will you make it come true?” as he opened the velvet box with a sparkling emerald cut diamond ring inside.
Sara gasped and slowly nodded, still unable to speak. Trent told her, “Sara, say the words, please. I need to hear you say them.”
“I love you and would love to be your wife.” Sara leaned forward and placed her lips against Trent’s, sealing their agreement.
Trent was so relieved that she had accepted his proposal. It took a moment for her answer to sink in and he abruptly broke their kiss to slip the ring gently on her finger. Then he stood up and pulled Sara up with him. Swirling her around, he whooped and shouted for everyone to hear, “She said yes!”
He thought they had been all alone, but as he heard the catcalls, whistles and shouts, he realized that the entire town had been waiting for him to pop the question. He felt like a little kid again.
“Let’s go find Jane and your sister and tell them our news.”
“Okay. But wait, when did you want to get married?”
“Yesterday would be too late for me.”
Sara blushed and then suggested another option, “Could we maybe get married before Jane and my sister leave town? I really want my sister to be here and I know Jane would want to be here as well.”
Trent grinned and thought again at how in tune they were with each other. “I already talked to the minister and he’s prepared to marry us right now if you’re willing.”
“Really? Right now?” Sara couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice. Trent didn’t waste any time, and that was okay with her.
“Yes. Everyone’s already here, the choir’s ready to sing, the church is decorated…what have I forgotten?”
“I don’t know, I can’t think. This is all happening so fast.” Sara laughed and tried to put it all together. “Oh, I need a ring for you!”
“Oh, I took care of that too,” Trent winked, pulling out another velvet box from his coat jacket pocket. Sara laughed at how efficient he’d planned this out.
As they neared the front of the nativity scene, they found the townsfolk all standing on the sidewalk, waiting for them. As they drew nearer, the crowd began to clap and both Trent and Sara laughed and basked in the approval of friends and family.
Grace approached them first, “Sara, are you ready to get married to the man of your Christmas wishes?”
Sara blushed and looked at Trent from under her lashes, “He really is the answer to my Christmas wish. I thought David was, but now I know that Trent is the true answer to my wish.”
Grace looked at Trent and then back at Sara, “So is that a ‘Yes’ I’m ready to get married tonight?”
Laughing, Sara nodded her head and then hugged her sister. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” Turning to Trent she said, “The minister went back inside when he heard you holler her answer out. I think he’s got everything ready inside.”
“Great. Are you ready to get married, sweetheart?” Trent asked Sara.
Sara nodded, “Yes, I am.”
“Great. I’ll leave you in your sister’s capable hands and see you inside.” Turning to the still waiting crowd he hollered, “We’re getting married and you’re all invited. See you inside.”
The crowd clapped and hollered best wishes to the groom as he ran back towards the church entrance. Seeing that Sara was waiting for them to all get back in the sanctuary, they quickly filed back into the building and took their seats.
Grace and Jane helped Sara get back into the church and then Jane produced something borrowed and something blue, while Grace provided her with something new in the form of a beautiful ivory suit to change into. After helping he
r change and touching up her makeup, Grace handed her a bouquet of calla lilies – Sara’s favorite flower.
She then handed Daniella a basket full of white rose petals with instructions to do it just like they had practiced. Sara hid her laugh at how sure of himself Trent had been. Some women might have been upset with his high-handed ways, but to her it just demonstrated his love and the lengths he was willing to go to make her happy.
As Sara waited at the back of the sanctuary, the children’s choir began singing Ave Maria and Sara had to blink rapidly to keep the tears from messing up her recently fixed makeup. It was so beautiful it took her breath away. As Daniella started down the aisle in front of Grace, Sara gave Jane another hug and then turned to Dr. Baker. Trent had arranged for him to walk her down the aisle and Sara smiled at him in gratitude.
As they walked down the aisle, Sara looked at the faces of the townsfolk and realized that these people would become her friends and support. As they reached the front of the sanctuary, Dr. Baker leaned over, gave her a kiss upon the cheek, and then placed her hand on Trent’s arm. Sara glanced over at Bill and Miriam Mercer just before directing her attention to the minister.
Miriam had such a look of peace on her face, and Sara swallowed hard at the realization that she might never see this woman again after tonight. Life was so short. She thanked the Christmas angels for providing her the chance to get it right.
She might have taken the long way around, but love had eventually found her and she was holding on with everything she had.
Trent and Sara exchanged vows and then thrilled their audience when Trent placed a not-so-chaste kiss upon Sara’s lips. Sara wasn’t sure catcalls were appropriate for a church, but then again, a lot of things were known to happen in churches that shouldn’t.
The thought quickly was replaced by laughter and her attempt to keep up as Trent grabbed her hand and made for the back door like the building was on fire. Exiting the building, Trent pulled her around so that they were both facing the nativity scene. Leaning down, he placed his lips near her ear and whispered, “Merry Christmas, sweetheart. May all of your Christmas wishes come true.”
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About the Author
Morris Fenris was born into a poor family in the Fiji Islands. Thanks to his own grit, determination and the support of his loving parents, he was able to embark on a journey that has seen him attain a good education and work in many parts of the world. He is now enjoying life with his wife and daughter in Manila, Philippines.
Morris has been writing since childhood, drawing on his experiences in life and emulating the styles of his favorite authors.
Morris enjoys reading and writing in a wide range of genres and has plans for many more books. If you’d like to get in touch with this author, please message him on Twitter at #MorrisFenris, find him on Facebook or send him an email at: [email protected].
Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
About the Author
Sara in Montana - A Christmas Wish Page 12
