Love Inspired December 2014 - Box Set 2 of 2: Her Holiday FamilySugar Plum SeasonHer Cowboy HeroSmall-Town Fireman

by Ruth Logan Herne

  It sounded to him as if she’d made some kind of decision, that this was more than a quick visit for a kiss at midnight. Trying to curb his excitement, he asked, “When do you head back for your surgery?”

  “I gave it a lot of thought while I was gone,” she confided. “But dancing isn’t the right thing for me anymore. Being here is what I want.”

  Something more was sparkling in her eyes, and he took a shot. “With me?”

  “With you.”

  As they stood there smiling at each other, a flash went off, and he saw Amy’s mom checking the screen on her camera phone. Beaming, she gave them a quick wave and sauntered into the kitchen. Judging by his mother’s delighted reaction, she liked the result, too.

  “You’ll have to excuse her,” Amy said with a sigh. “Her picture’s next to the definition of hopeless romantic in the dictionary.”

  They both laughed, and it occurred to him that he was the only one there who was surprised to see her. Now Gram sending someone to fetch him from the mill made total sense. “Gram knew you were here, didn’t she?”

  “Yes. I wanted to make sure she and Will were okay with me crashing the party.”

  “So you just assumed I’d be cool with it?”

  In reply, she gave him that cute little smirk of hers, and he shook his head in defeat. Sliding an arm around her shoulders, he proudly escorted her into the living room, where the party was getting started. As midnight approached, Gram turned on the TV and they all gathered around for the big countdown.

  “Don’t you miss being there in person?” he asked Amy, nodding at the insane crowd gathered in Times Square.

  “You’re kidding, right? I wouldn’t go anywhere near Times Square tonight. If I went into that mess, someone would squish me like a bug. Mom and I always watch it on TV, too.”

  “How ’bout that? Guess you learn something every day.”

  Standing behind Amy with his arms wrapped around the woman he loved more than anything, Jason had never been happier in his life. When the ball finally reached the bottom of its pole and burst into an array of sparkling lights, Amy spun around for a long kiss filled with unspoken promises for their future together.

  Best New Year’s ever.

  Epilogue

  “I told you I make a fabulous matron of honor,” Brenda gloated, handing Amy the bouquet she was going to toss for the single women clustered in Will and Olivia’s large dining room.

  “Yes, you did. With all the practice you’ve had, you should go pro.”

  “What a spectacular job that would be.” Her romantic cousin sighed.

  Laughing, Amy spun around and heaved the flowers backward. Then she glanced over her shoulder to see who got them. Jenna looked as stunned to find them in her hands as the other girls did when they realized they’d missed.

  Waving them over her head, she called out, “Who wants ’em?”

  A dozen squealing women clamored for another chance, and she covered her eyes before throwing the bouquet into the fray. Turning away before they were caught, she grinned over at Amy and wiped pretend sweat from her forehead.

  “You make it sound like getting married is some kind of torture,” Amy chided her as Jason joined them.

  “For you, no. Me, absolutely,” her friend replied with a shudder.

  “Jenna’s a free spirit,” Jason agreed. “I feel sorry for any guy who thinks he can’t live without her.”

  “By the way, you two,” she needled with her usual sarcasm. “Getting married on Valentine’s Day? How cliché is that?”

  Amy laughed at the sour face she made. “I always thought it would be fun to have a Valentine’s wedding. This way Jason will never forget our anniversary.”

  “Like you’d let me,” he scoffed.

  Pinning him with a flinty glare, Jenna warned, “Just make sure you remember what I said, JB. If you don’t treat Amy right, we’re gonna have a serious problem, you and me.”

  With that, she sailed toward the buffet and started messing with Paul.

  Jason let out a relieved whistle. “I’m not too proud to admit that woman scares me.”

  “She scares everyone,” Amy assured him, fluffing the baby’s breath on his boutonniere. Seeing it reminded her to ask, “How are Rachel and her little girl doing?”

  “Doc said they’re fit as a couple of fiddles. Those extra couple weeks almost drove Rachel bonkers, but in the end, everything turned out fine. They might stop by later, if that’s okay.”

  Just a few weeks ago, Amy would have bitten her tongue and gone along to please him. Now that she was his wife, she was feeling much more gracious. “Of course. I’d love to meet the baby. Eva, right?”

  “Yeah. It’s some kind of family name, I guess.”

  “Eva McCarron.” Amy tested it out loud. “Very pretty. If she looks anything like her mother, that girl is going to be absolutely stunning when she grows up.”

  “You’re being really great about Rachel deciding to stay here in town,” he commented in a wary voice. “Is there a reason for that?”

  In answer, she held out her left hand and wiggled her fingers so the gold rings he’d given her sparkled in the overhead lights.

  “It all makes sense now,” he replied with a grin. “In case you’re interested, I was just talking to Joe Stegall from the hardware store, and he said those roofing joists I ordered came in this morning. With the mill cranking out everything else, we should be able to break ground on the addition behind Arabesque anytime now.”

  “When we were getting ready upstairs, Chelsea was telling me the orders for spring are finally ramping up. That means they’re going to need more of your time soon,” Amy argued. “The furniture business means a lot to the whole town, so the expansion can wait until your workload there dies down a little.”

  “Are you sure you want to put it off? You’re used to living in that apartment by yourself, so it’s probably gonna feel pretty cramped in there with the two of us.”

  Being anywhere by herself was the furthest thing from her mind these days, Amy thought with a smile. “We’ll figure it out, the same way we’ve done with everything else. I don’t want you taking on too much and not having any time for your wife,” she added, snaking her arms around his waist for a squeeze.

  “My wife,” he echoed with a quick kiss. “I kinda like the sound of that.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Especially since that means we get to go on a honeymoon.”

  “Which is where?” she asked. When he grinned and shook his head, she grabbed his lapels for a thorough shake. “I know you’re Mr. Spontaneous, but you can’t spring something like that on me. I’m a girl, and I need to know what sort of clothes to bring.”

  “Just bring a little of everything.”

  “Are you trying to get us into our first married fight?” she demanded in mock anger. “Because if you don’t quit yanking my chain, that’s where we’re headed, mister.”

  “Well, I’d hate for you to cause a scene in front of all these people. It’s warm, with lots of water but no sand.” She motioned for more, and he relented with a chuckle. “Okay, you win. You said you’ve never been on a cruise, so we’re taking one of those big, fancy ships to the Bahamas. Only a few days, like we agreed, in case something happens and the family needs us here.”

  A constant for all the Barretts, the ongoing concern for Will had deepened since the holidays. Unable to sit upright on his own, he maintained his customarily positive attitude even while his condition was worsening. Amy didn’t know how he managed it with the pain he must be in, but his acceptance of the inevitable boosted the spirits of those around him.

  None of them knew when the end would come, but they could all see it advancing a little every day. Everyone had made a determined effort to celebrate Jason and Amy’s engagement and wed
ding, but they’d missed out on some of the joy having a new couple in the circle should have brought them. Still, families stood together through good times and bad, rejoicing over some things and mourning others.

  That was what made the Barretts so strong, Amy had come to understand. You weren’t born with that kind of perspective. You acquired it by accepting what God handed you and doing the best you could with it.

  Seeking to change the subject, she summoned a positive tone. “I have to tell you, it’s very handy being married to a guy who knows how to build things. Without you, The Nutcracker might never have happened, and all those kids would’ve been so disappointed. That would’ve been such a shame, don’t you think?”

  Jason eyed her suspiciously. “I know that look. What’ve you got in mind?”

  “Our Christmas show was such a roaring success, I was toying with the idea of doing another children’s ballet in the spring. I thought back through the ones I danced in when I was younger, and a few of them could easily be scaled down to their level. Since so many of them already know the story of Sleeping Beauty and her prince, I think they’d really enjoy that one.”

  “Not to mention it’s one of the director’s favorites. What kind of scenery are we talking about?”

  Reaching back into her memory, she began describing the forest scene and lavish castle where the heroic prince finds Sleeping Beauty in a tower, still under the witch’s spell. “They won’t want to do the kiss, of course, but I’ll come up with another way for him to wake her up. We’ll need a spinning wheel, and I’m sure Aunt Helen and I will be able to remake some of the sugar-plum costumes for the cast. To make the castle walls look like stone, we can use the same faux painting technique on them that you did on the fireplace for the Nutcracker ballroom, and—”

  Laughing, Jason held up his hands in a T. “Time-out, sweetheart. We’ve been married for all of ten minutes, and I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast. Could we put off sketching out the set designs until after we have some food?”

  “Sure,” she told him with a light kiss. “Whenever you want.”

  He grinned down at her. “Are you seriously giving up control to let me pick when we start on this?”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “Well—”

  “Are you seriously trying to start a fight with me on our wedding day?” she teased, echoing his earlier question.

  “Umm, no?”

  Sliding her arms around him, she gave him a quick hug. “Good answer.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from HER MONTANA CHRISTMAS by Arlene James.

  Dear Reader,

  Thanks so much for stopping by Barrett’s Mill for the holidays! Things can get pretty hectic at the end of the year, and I really appreciate you fitting this sweet story into your spare time.

  While preparing to write a Christmas book, I sift through our family traditions for special memories. One of those is The Nutcracker, which has been a favorite of mine since childhood. The beautiful music, the costumes, the incredibly graceful dancers...they all sweep me into a magical place and time where anything is possible.

  For Amy, who’s lost her direction in more ways than one, each day is about trudging along a path she never would’ve chosen for herself. It takes Jason and his own unshakable faith to show her that even though her new life isn’t what she’d planned, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. In fact, some of the things she’s discovered along the way—namely, him—only came to her when she gave up on her dancing career. Drawing on his quiet strength, she’s finally able to put her sparkling past behind her and embrace an even more meaningful future with him.

  If you’d like to stop by for a visit, you’ll find me online at www.miaross.com, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. While you’re there, send me a message in your favorite format. I’d love to hear from you!

  Merry Christmas,

  Mia Ross

  Questions for Discussion

  At the beginning of the story, Amy’s not thrilled with her new job but is trying to make the best of it. Have you ever been in a similar situation? How did you handle it?

  Even though he enjoys logging, Jason returns to Barrett’s Mill to help out with the family business. Do you think he’s happy with that decision, or does he wish he could have stayed in Oregon?

  Christmas is a special time for families, and this one is even more so for the Barretts because of Will’s declining health. Has your own family been through a similar time? What did you do to make memories that would last?

  Jason remembers seeing Amy in a dance production when they were very young. What is the earliest memory you have? Why do you think it’s stayed with you through the years?

  The Nutcracker is a special holiday tradition for Amy, and she does her best to make it memorable for the kids in her show. Which Christmas events do you enjoy year after year? Why?

  When his grandmother falls and injures her arm, Jason feels guilty for not being there to help her. Many of us have elderly relatives and have experience with this kind of situation. If you’re one of those, how do you handle it?

  Because she felt abandoned by God, Amy began to question her faith. With Jason’s help, she comes to terms with her situation and comes back to the fold. Has someone you know ever experienced this? What did it take to change their mind?

  Jason’s adoption by the Barretts was an unusual but loving arrangement, and he’s glad to be part of their family. Are you an adoptive or foster parent or grandparent? Why did you choose to take on this responsibility?

  When Rachel shows up desperate for Jason’s help, Amy has a hard time understanding why he’d help someone who treated him so badly in the past. Which stance would you take? Why?

  The town of Barrett’s Mill is a throwback to simpler times, which is one reason people enjoy living there. Of all the places you’ve lived, which is your favorite?

  By the end of the story, Amy realizes she enjoys teaching dance much more than she’d expected to. If you could choose to be a performer or a teacher, which would you rather be?

  Amy’s always dreamed of being married on Valentine’s Day, and Jason’s happy to oblige her. Is there something like that on your own bucket list? If so, what is it?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

  Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

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  Chapter One

  The first day of December in Jasper Gulch, Montana, sparkled like diamonds. Pastor Ethan Johnson stood in front of the small, weathered parsonage that had been his home these past five months and inhaled early-morning air sharp enough to cut his California-born lungs to shreds, but not even the cold could dim his joy in the day. The snow from November’s freakish storm had finally melted, power had been fully restored and the distinct aura of Christmas permeated the atmosphere.

  Ethan was excited to celebrate his first real Christmas as the pastor of Mountainview Church of the Savior. He loved the Lord. He loved being a pastor. He loved the people here in Jasper Gulch. He loved the beauty of Montana. He even loved the church building itself.

  The unorthodox log-plank structure had taken on the shape of a cross over the years. It wasn’t at all what one expected or usually pictured when thinking of a church, and yet it fit its purpose supremely well. The belfry contained two brass bells, sadly no longer in use, and four large speakers through which the recordings o
f bells were played daily. Ethan admired everything about the place, from its broad plank walkways, to its steep, wood-shingled roofs, perhaps because it was his first pastorate or perhaps because it truly was a special place.

  The town, though small with just nine hundred or so residents, was certainly unique. Jasper Gulch had been engaged in a six-month-long celebration of its centennial, starting on the Fourth of July and ending on the last day of this year. It seemed to Ethan that the Christmas services should reflect that motif. The idea had come to him the previous night as he’d prayed over his preparations for the holidays, and he knew just where to get the information necessary to make his first Christmas in Jasper Gulch a success in keeping with the centennial theme.

  Casting a last fond look at the church building, Ethan swung down into the seat of his dependable nine-year-old dark green Subaru Forester. He could walk over to the museum, but he didn’t know what he might be bringing back with him, books, papers or other media, so he drove. Already many Christmas decorations were out, thanks to Faith Shaw, the mayor’s eldest daughter.

  Dale Massey, a fabulously wealthy scion of one of the town’s two founding families, had come out from New York City to participate in last month’s centennial Homecoming celebration, only to find himself stranded in Jasper Gulch by the unexpected storm. Faith, a daughter of the other founding family, the Shaws, had convinced the community’s residents to pitch together to give Dale a taste of a small-town Montana Christmas. As a result, Faith and Dale were now engaged to be married on Christmas night—and Ethan had started thinking in earnest about the true Christmas celebration to come.

  Mayor Jackson Shaw seemed pleased to have his eldest daughter marry. For a time, he’d appeared determined to foster a romance between her and Ethan. Apparently, everyone in town wanted to make a match for the new pastor. Much to Ethan’s dismay, they’d thrown every eligible female within traveling distance at him. Thankfully, Shaw seemed less eager to marry off Ethan than he did his own children, for the man had gotten his way with three of the five. Ethan had found that the mayor usually did get his way, but his future son-in-law was bucking him on reopening the Beaver Creek Bridge.