“Mrs. Bradley.” Amelia smiled, opening the door wider.
“Helene,” she reminded her as she came in.
“Yes, I’m sorry. Helene.” Amelia nodded.
“This is for you.” Helene held up a pretty corsage of delicate white flowers. “For your honeymoon.” She carefully pinned it to Amelia’s lapel then stepped back to look at her. “I know I’ve already apologized to you . . . for not believing you, but—”
“You know that all is forgiven,” Amelia told her. “And I’m so grateful you forgave me too.”
Helene waved her hand. “Of course. But I just wanted to tell you something else, Amelia. I am proud to call you my daughter-in-law. James picked a lovely woman to become his bride . . . and the mother of his son. I approve.”
Amelia blinked back tears of joy, throwing her arms around Helene. “Thank you—that means so much to me.” After she stepped back from the spontaneous embrace, she waved to where Helene’s coat was neatly laid out on the spare room bed. “I meant to give that back to you earlier, but it’s been so busy—”
“No, that’s yours now.” Helene went over to pick up the coat.
“But it’s too—”
“I insist, Amelia. I want you to keep it. And whenever you wear it just remember it’s like your mother-in-law giving you a hug.” She smiled as she slipped it over Amelia’s shoulders.
“Thank you so—”
“The bridegroom cometh,” James announced. “Is the bride ready?”
“Yes, she is,” Helene called back to him.
As they went down the stairs, they were greeted by their wedding guests and a few handfuls of rice. With his arm around her, James escorted her past them and out to where his car was waiting—appropriately decorated with streamers and even some old shoes tied to the bumper.
“This has been the best Christmas of my life,” James declared as he helped her into the passenger seat. “You and Jimmy have made me the happiest man on earth.”
“I never dreamed I could be this happy,” she said as he leaned in to kiss her. “Not in a million years.”
He drove slowly down the driveway, stopping by the nativity scene that was glimmering in the snow and spotlights. He chuckled quietly as he slowly shook his head. “I still can’t believe you put Jimmy in my manger.” He grinned and reached for her hand, giving it a warm squeeze. “But I’m so glad you did.”
“I was so desperate . . . so lost,” she said quietly.
“Well, now you are found, Mrs. Bradley.” Then he drove them to the Jackson Hotel, where—to her surprised delight—he had managed to reserve the presidential suite for their honeymoon. Amelia couldn’t help but giggle as he carried her across the threshold.
“You’re supposed to carry your bride like that when you enter your own home,” she teased, “not a hotel.”
“You are home,” he said solemnly. “When you’re with me, Amelia, you are home. Both you and Jimmy. Welcome home, darling!” And he sealed it with a kiss.
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, including Christmas at Harrington’s, The Christmas Pony, A Simple Christmas Wish, The Christmas Cat, and The Christmas Joy Ride. Melody has received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books. She and her husband live in central Oregon. For more information about Melody, visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.
Books by Melody Carlson
Christmas at Harrington’s
The Christmas Shoppe
The Joy of Christmas
The Treasure of Christmas
The Christmas Pony
A Simple Christmas Wish
The Christmas Cat
The Christmas Joy Ride
The Christmas Angel Project
The Christmas Blessing
MelodyCarlson.com
Sign up for announcements about upcoming titles.
Twitter: RevellBooks
Facebook: Revell
The Christmas Blessing Page 13
