A Joyful Song: A Dry Bayou Brides Christmas Novella

by Lynn Winchester

  “Oh, aye. And I knew the moment I saw ye, that ye were meant tae be mine…if only ye would feel the same,” he admitted. Taking her face in his hands once again, he brushed a kiss over her eyes, her cheeks, and finally her lips. “I love ye, Joy. More than I can ever tell ye.”

  “I love you, so much. And I can honestly tell you I wasn’t expecting to,” Joy blurted, overcome with the feelings flooding her heart.

  “I ken that, lass. And I know I was a bit…overwhelmin’,” he admitted, chuckling.

  “Oh aye!” she remarked, giggling. She tipped her face up and kissed him, allowing all the love in her heart to rise, just as the orchestra in the ballroom began to play.

  Epilogue

  Four months later…

  “You really don’t mind covering for me while we’re gone?” his wife asked the spritely brunette grasping her hands. “I know there’ll be quite a bit for you to do.”

  Mollie giggled. “Don’t you worry about a thing! You enjoy your honeymoon with that handsome husband of yours. Lord knows I’ll enjoy mine…once Bertram gets around to asking me.” She flushed but then reached out to Joy and engulfed her in a hug. “I’m going to miss you, Joy.”

  Joy laughed. “We won’t be gone all that long,” she effused.

  “Nary a month,” Seamus added, winking at his wife who blushed a lovely scarlet and grinned at him becomingly.

  His wife. His heart lurched then galloped as he stared down at the woman wearing his ring.

  They’d married just the day before in a small ceremony—only friends and family. It was the most beautiful and intimate wedding he could have ever dreamed of. And what had made it perfect was the woman who stood beside him and vowed to love him for the rest of her life. Just as he’d love her for the rest of his. After the ceremony, they’d spent the night in the small house he, Billy, and the new foreman, Race Tucker, had built on Seamus’s own patch of land just outside Dry Bayou Ranch.

  “Come on, ya two,” Ray called from the wagon bearing their traveling trunks. “Stagecoach leaves for San Antonio in an hour, and you ought to be on it.”

  He and his wife were taking the train from San Antonio to New York City, where they planned to see the sights, make love, and make memories.

  His body tightening at his wandering, heated thoughts, he nearly missed the look Joy gave Ray. Those women were up to something—he’d bet his best boots on it. When Joy turned back to him, hiding a grin, he chuckled. Seamus didn’t mind a wit what those two were planning, as long as he could be there to experience Joy.

  With a groan, he pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her, letting the warmth and taste of her fill him.

  After so many years of wishing and praying, of hopelessness and sorrow, Seamus finally knew the meaning of contentment. Of utter happiness.

  Joy MacAdams. His own Christmas miracle.

  Love this romantic tale? Want to read the romantic tales of Ray and Billy, Hank and Tilly, and all the other couples in Dry Bayou?

  Start here: Dry Bayou Brides Series

  About the Author

  Lynn Winchester is the pseudonym of a hardworking California-born conservative, now living in the wilds of Northeast Pennsylvania. Lynn has been writing fiction since the 5th grade, and enjoys creating worlds, characters, and stories for her readers.

  Lynn writes charming, romantic romance that focuses on the growth of the relationship and the power of true love. Lynn's historical western Dry Bayou Brides series is a highly acclaimed, bestselling sweet romance series. Keep an eye out for her upcoming releases.

  When Lynn isn't writing, she is running a successful editing business, reading whatever she can get her hands on, raising her four children, making sure her husband is happy, and binge watching shows on Netflix.

  Connect with Lynn online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Bookbub | Reader Group