Christmas Rings

by Tess Thompson

  “We want to be near our family,” Jed said.

  “Yes, yes, Jed, you are our family now.” Mom beamed at him, then gave him another squeeze.

  “Is all forgiven?” Jed asked Stevie after Mom let him go.

  She grinned and held out her arms. “I always wanted a little brother to torture. And yes, all is forgiven. As a matter of fact, I’ve recently learned how misunderstandings and misperceptions can happen.”

  Alissa looked around at the beautiful faces of her family, amazed that there were now five new members and another growing inside her. What would the new year bring? How would it possibly top this one?

  Jed leaned over to pull her into his arms and kiss her even though he’d already done it once when the clock struck midnight. “Happy New Year. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.”

  “I think you have some competition for the happiest,” Alissa said, gesturing around at her delighted family members.

  “Come on, let’s get you home for the last night of our honeymoon.” He held out his hand. “My pregnant wife needs her rest.”

  They said their goodbyes and walked hand in hand back to the cabin. The stars were out, brilliant in the black sky. As they were about to reach the cabin, one star twinkled especially brightly. Almost like a wink. Her parents. Up there watching. Always there. They never left her. Now she would be a mother and she would pass all that love from them and from Maddie on to her own child.

  She took one last look before following Jed into the cabin on the first day of the new year and the rest of her life.

  Second chances and miracles were all around if one had a brave heart and open eyes. “Thank you for mine,” she said silently to God, her parents, Maddie, her sisters.

  She wrapped her arms around Jed’s neck and nestled close. They swayed together to the music of their heartbeats.

  “You and me and baby makes three,” Jed whispered into her hair.

  She didn’t answer. What more could she say than that? All her dreams had come true. She snuggled closer, holding on to her anchor, her partner, the father of her child. Savor every moment. Every sweet second. Make memories.

  Epilogue

  I hope you enjoyed the story of the almost called-off marriage between Alissa and Jed. Eight months after the wedding, they had a baby boy. None of the sisters or Mom could believe it since they’d been a family of all girls for so long. But they soon got over their shock and proceeded to spoil baby Nicholas as if it were Christmas all year long.

  Have you read all of the other stories in this series? They’re all right here to download. We thank you kindly for being on this journey with us. May the spirit of Christmas be with you always.

  Don’t miss the other books in SOUL SISTERS AT CEDAR MOUNTAIN LODGE.

  I hope you enjoy these stories for the holidays and all year round. If so, be sure and share the news with your friends. Have a wonderful holiday season!

  Below are all the books. They make wonderful gifts!

  Book 1: Christmas Sisters – Prologue book

  Book 2: Christmas Kisses by Judith Keim

  Book 3: Christmas Wishes by Tammy L. Grace

  Book 4: Christmas Hope by Violet Howe

  Book 5: Christmas Dreams by Ev Bishop

  Book 6: Christmas Rings by Tess Thompson

  More Books by Tess Thompson

  CLIFFSIDE BAY

  * * *

  Traded: Brody and Kara

  Deleted: Jackson and Maggie

  Jaded: Zane and Honor

  Marred: Kyle and Violet

  Tainted: Lance and Mary

  Cliffside Bay Christmas, The Season of Cats and Babies (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Tainted)

  Missed: Rafael and Lisa

  Cliffside Bay Christmas Wedding (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Missed)

  Healed: Stone and Pepper

  Chateau Wedding (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Healed)

  Scarred: Trey and Autumn

  Jilted: Nico and Sophie

  Kissed (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Jilted)

  Departed: David and Sara

  Cliffside Bay Bundle, Books 1,2,3

  * * *

  BLUE MOUNTAIN SERIES

  * * *

  Blue Mountain Bundle, Books 1,2,3

  Blue Midnight

  Blue Moon

  Blue Ink

  Blue String

  * * *

  EMERSON PASS

  * * *

  The School Mistress of Emerson Pass

  The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass

  * * *

  RIVER VALLEY

  * * *

  Riversong

  Riverbend

  Riverstar

  Riversnow

  Riverstorm

  Tommy's Wish

  River Valley Bundle, Books 1-4

  * * *

  LEGLEY BAY

  * * *

  Caramel and Magnolias

  Tea and Primroses

  * * *

  STANDALONES

  * * *

  The Santa Trial

  Duet for Three Hands

  Miller's Secret

  About the Author

  Tess Thompson Romance...hometowns and heartstrings.

  * * *

  USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson writes small-town romances and historical romance. She started her writing career in fourth grade when she wrote a story about an orphan who opened a pizza restaurant. Oddly enough, her first novel, "Riversong" is about an adult orphan who opens a restaurant. Clearly, she's been obsessed with food and words for a long time now.

  With a degree from the University of Southern California in theatre, she’s spent her adult life studying story, word craft, and character. Since 2011, she’s published 25 novels and 6 novellas. Most days she spends at her desk chasing her daily word count or rewriting a terrible first draft.

  She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her husband, the hero of her own love story, and their Brady Bunch clan of two sons, two daughters and five cats. Yes, that's four kids and five cats.

  Tess loves to hear from you. Drop her a line at tess@tthompsonwrites.com or visit her website at https://tesswrites.com/