“Look who I found out in the hall,” said Jude.
Who was it? Matt tried to open his eyes, but the lights were so bright.
“I was hoping you’d come,” said Dad.
Who? Who was he hoping would come?
“How is he doing?” Lacie?
“Much better than they first thought.” Dad cleared his throat.
“Good.” It was Lacie! He could tell by the fragrance of her perfume. Like wildflowers in July.
Now if he could only... He struggled to open his eyes, but those lights...
“Would you like us to leave you alone?” asked Dad.
“Oh, that won’t be—”
He might not be able to open his eyes, but he could still talk. “Yes... Please...”
“Matt?” He felt his father’s calloused hand cover his.
“Would somebody kill the lights?” His request, or rather, demand, was followed by the shuffling of boots against linoleum. He could envision his brothers hurrying to do his beckoning. Of course, that would be a first.
“Daniel, close them blinds.” A moment later, his father continued. “Okay, Matt. It’s as dark as we can possibly get it.”
For the first time since they’d moved him to a private room, he opened his eyes ever so slightly. Enough light from the hallway shone in for him to recognize the standard features—bed rails, TV hanging just below the ceiling, big, round wall clock, uncomfortable-looking chair.
With the head of his bed already elevated, he searched the concerned faces gathered around him until he found Lacie. Man, she was beautiful.
He blinked a couple of times, becoming more alert. “Would you guys mind if I talked to Lacie alone for a few?”
Dad held up a hand. “Whatever you want, Matt.” Turning, he nodded toward the door. “Come on, boys. You heard him.”
He watched them leave then shifted his attention to a seemingly nervous Lacie. “Where’s Kenzie?”
“With my mom.”
He figured as much. “Come here.” He held out his right hand. To his surprise, she took hold. Despite the throbbing in his head, he tried to smile. “Boy, are you a sight for sore eyes.”
Her pretty gray-blue eyes studied him, the corners of her mouth tipping upward. Did she have any idea how much he loved her?
No, she didn’t, because he’d never told her.
He caressed her hand with his thumb. “Why are you here?”
Lifting a shoulder, she said, “They said you were hurt.”
“Not as badly as they first thought.” His gaze briefly traversed the sterile room before returning to her. “Concussion, broken arm, a few bumps and bruises...nothing life threatening.”
“I didn’t know that, though. And I couldn’t...” Pressing her lips tightly together, she looked away.
“Could I get you to put this railing down—” he bumped it with his elbow “—so you can sit beside me?”
Nodding, she did just that, carefully adjusting the IV tubes that extended from his arm before easing onto the side of the bed.
He again took hold of her hand, urging her closer.
Finally, she looked at him, her eyes shimmering. “I couldn’t let you die without telling you how I felt.”
His heart dared to hope. He moved his hand to her cheek. “Well, I’m not dying, but I’d still like to hear it.”
She drew in a deep breath, a tear slipping onto her pretty face, but he brushed it away with his thumb. “I love you.”
“Funny, that’s—” He cocked his head, the movement making him wince.
“Are you okay?” Her eyes were wide now.
“Yeah.” Lowering his hand, he closed his eyes until the pain subsided. “Remind me not to make any sudden movements.”
“I’m sorry.” She caressed his arm.
Finally, he opened his eyes. “As I was about to say—” his gaze found hers “—that’s exactly what I wanted to tell you, before I had to chase that shoplifter.”
She laughed ever so softly.
“I messed up, Lace. I mean, sure I’d like Kenzie to stay here in Ouray, but there are plenty of law enforcement jobs near Colorado Springs. If you choose to go, I’ll simply have to follow you.”
He threaded his fingers into her hair. “But I really wish you’d choose to stay here with me. Not because of Kenzie, but because you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you, Lacie Collier, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.”
Her tears fell in earnest now as he tugged her close and kissed her with everything he had. Which may not be much right now, but if she’d agree to be his, he’d do everything he could to correct that.
When they finally parted, he rested his forehead against hers. “So what do you say, Lace? Will you marry me?”
A teasing smile played across her pretty lips as she placed a hand on his chest and leaned back. “On one condition.”
He was in a hospital bed and she wanted conditions?
He lifted a brow. “And that is...?”
“We can be married by Christmas. Assuming you’re well enough, that is.”
Now, that was a provision he could live with. He’d marry her right now if he could, but—“You know Christmas is only eight days away. I thought weddings usually took months to plan.”
“That’s for big weddings.” She shrugged, adjusting his white blanket. “I prefer something smaller. More intimate. Say, with just family.”
Things were looking up. “I think we can make that happen.”
“Good.” She smiled, but didn’t say anything else. Did she know how to make him crazy or what?
He tugged her toward him again. “I’m still waiting for an answer, Lace.”
“Looks like I’ll be taking that job in Telluride, after all.”
“You got it?”
She nodded. “They called this afternoon.” Her expression turned serious then, her hand softly touching his chin. “I would love nothing more than to be your wife and grow old with you, Matt. So yes, I will most definitely marry you.” She touched her lips to his. “I love you, Matt.”
“I love you, too, Lace. Now and always.” He brushed a hand over her hair. “Now, why don’t you go get my family? Because we’ve got a wedding to plan.”
* * *
Lacie made her way through the darkened house in her bare feet Christmas morning, pausing to plug in the lights on the tree and quietly turn on some Christmas tunes before continuing into the kitchen to get the coffee going. This Christmas hadn’t turned out at all like she’d expected. Only a month ago, she’d feared she and Kenzie would have no Christmas at all. And now—
One strong arm found its way around her waist. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Stephens.” Matt’s whispered words were a caress on her ear.
She turned into his embrace, though his other arm was still in a cast and would be for several more weeks. “Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Stephens.” Placing her hands on his broad shoulders, she pushed up on her toes and kissed her husband with no hesitation, and no doubt of his love for her.
They’d married last night, in a quiet ceremony at Granger House, with Mom, Kenzie and all of Matt’s family in attendance. There in front of Carly’s Victorian Christmas tree, with the snow falling outside and only tiny white lights and candles illuminating the parlor, she and Matt had pledged their love to one another forever. Things couldn’t have been more perfect. Then they all celebrated with more food than eleven people could possibly eat. Her new sister-in-law had pulled out all the stops for them.
“I take it Kenzie’s not up?” Matt kept his voice low.
“Not yet.” Lacie and her mother had taken a couple of days to overhaul one of the bedrooms at Matt’s for Kenzie. They’d painted, hung curtains and bought new bedding, gi
ving the little girl the pony room of her dreams.
Of course, they should have known better than to show it to her earlier in the week, because she’d been a little miffed that she’d had to wait until last night to sleep in it.
Lacie grabbed two mugs from the cupboard as the machine finished brewing. Once Matt was well, they’d need to make a run to Denver to get all of her things out of storage.
“Hey, Lace.”
“Yeah.” She eyed her husband, who was now standing by the back door.
“Come look at this.”
Still holding the cups, she moved beside him, gasping when she looked outside. “It must have snowed all night.” The two blue spruces in the backyard bowed under the weight.
“And it’s still coming down,” he said.
“In that case—” she returned to the coffeepot “—shall we snuggle on the couch while we wait?”
“Mmm, I like the way you think.” He gave her another kiss.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Cup in hand, she carefully nestled beside him a few minutes later and took a sip of the hot liquid.
“Well, I just married the woman of my dreams, I’m about to spend my very first Christmas with my daughter and I now have someone to make my coffee for me every morning. I’d say things are pretty good.”
She playfully swatted his good arm. “Ha! You just think I’m going to make coffee every morning.” Setting her cup next to his on the appropriately named coffee table, she twisted to face him. “Seriously, how’s the arm? The hip? The leg?” While his head seemed to be fine, he still walked with a slight limp.
“A little better every day.”
“Good, but I don’t want you overdoing it today.” At least they had only one house to go to instead of three. Carly had graciously offered to host everyone at their place so Matt wouldn’t have to do so much traveling. And probably so they could help eat all those leftovers. Though if she knew Carly, she’d have a new round of food going today.
“But what about Kenzie’s sled?” He motioned a hand toward the window. “I mean, with all this fresh snow...”
Her mouth fell open. “Don’t you dare even think—”
He silenced her with another kiss.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she deepened the kiss, weaving her fingers into his short hair.
“It’s Christmas!”
She jumped at Kenzie’s excited announcement and pulled herself off the sofa with Matt in tow.
“Merry Christmas, sweetie.” She smoothed a hand over her robe. Being a newlywed as well as a parent was going to take some getting used to. She peered up at a blushing Matt. But they’d find some way to balance it all out.
“Hey, small fry.” Matt kissed Kenzie’s cheek as he scooped her up into his good arm. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.” Kenzie sleepily brushed the hair away from her face, all the while eyeing the tree surrounded with presents. She’d been so great this week, wanting to help take care of Matt and taking extra care not to bump or hurt him in any way. Of course, her favorite thing had been writing her name on his cast.
“You don’t suppose there’s anything under that tree for you, do you, small fry?”
Kenzie nodded, her smile no longer sleepy.
“What do you say we check it out, then?” Matt set her to the floor and the three of them inched closer.
“Oh, those stockings look much fatter than they did last night.” Lacie retrieved Kenzie’s, pausing just long enough to admire the diamond wedding band that now adorned her left hand. She passed the stocking to Kenzie before grabbing hers and Matt’s. “Let’s see what’s in it.”
Kenzie sat cross-legged on the floor and shoved her hand inside. “I gotted some new crayons.” She reached in again and pulled out a small board book. She studied the cover. “A baby Jesus book.”
Matt leaned toward Lacie. “That is one smart kid. She figured that out just by looking at the cover.”
She winked at him. “We’ll chalk it up to good genes.”
“What is that?” Kenzie crawled to her feet, her dark eyes wide as she looked at the tree.
“Whatcha see there, Kenz?” Matt stood beside her.
“This!” She ran to the tree and pointed to the sled that was leaning against the wall.
“Do you know what that is?” asked Lacie.
“Uh-huh.” She bobbed her head. “It’s for the snow.”
“It sure is.” Matt’s grin had him looking like a kid himself. “What do you say we take it up to the sledding hill later today and you and Lacie can try it out?”
“But don’t you want to ride it, too, Matt?”
“I do, but I can’t until I’m healed.”
“Oh, yeah.” She frowned.
“But we’ve still got a lot more winter ahead of us. So as soon as I’m better, we’ll make a day of it, okay?”
“Okay.”
It wasn’t long before all of the presents had been opened and the living room was littered with the wrapping. So while Matt rested on the couch, Lacie went to the kitchen to heat up the sausage-and-egg breakfast muffins Carly had sent home with them last night. When she returned to the living room, Kenzie was beside him and he was reading her the baby Jesus book that had been in her stocking. He finished the story right about the time Lacie set the platter of muffins and some napkins on the coffee table.
“Matt, are you my daddy now?”
Lacie froze. To have Kenzie call him Daddy would be a dream come true for Matt, even if Kenzie didn’t know the truth yet.
“’Cause I never had a daddy before,” Kenzie continued.
Matt looked at Lacie, his eyes wide with anticipation. “Well, I guess now that Lacie and I are married and we’ll all be living in the same house...” He was trying hard not to insinuate himself.
Lacie sat down beside her niece. “Kenzie, do you want Matt to be your daddy?”
“Uh-huh.”
She glanced at her husband, who was blinking heartily. “Why don’t you ask him, then?”
Still leaning against Matt’s right side, Kenzie peered up at him with eyes just like his. “Matt, will you be my daddy?”
He seemed to have a hard time finding his voice. “Small fry, I would love nothing more than to be your daddy.”
Kenzie grinned. “Aunt Lacie, Matt said he’d be my daddy.”
“I heard.” And she couldn’t be happier for both of them.
Kenzie jerked her head back to Matt. “Thank you, Daddy.” She giggled, then hugged him before hopping down to play with her new toys.
Lacie watched the man she loved with all of her heart. She’d never seem him so dumbfounded. But then she knew how he’d longed to hear Kenzie call him Daddy.
She took hold of his hand and curled beside him. “I’d say this was a pretty good Christmas, huh?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve gotten everything I ever could have wanted and more.” He wrapped his arm around her. “God has brought me two of the greatest blessings ever. You and Kenzie.” He kissed her forehead. “It’s a dream come true.”
Sitting there in the warmth of his embrace, watching the snow fall outside, with Christmas music playing in the background while Kenzie danced in front of the tree, she realized that her dream had come true, too. She’d wanted Kenzie’s Christmas to be extra special, like the kind Lacie’d had when she was a kid. They’d gotten exactly that, plus a husband and a daddy, too.
Kenzie moved in front of them, wearing her new pink cowboy boots and hat with her pajamas. “This is the bestest Christmas ever!”
With more joy in her heart than she’d ever imagined possible, Lacie hugged her niece. “I’d have to agree with you, Kenzie.” The three of them were a family. And that was the best gift ever.
* * * * *
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If you enjoyed THE DEPUTY’S HOLIDAY FAMILY,
be sure to check out these other wonderful tales
by author Mindy Obenhaus:
THEIR RANCH REUNION
THE DOCTOR’S FAMILY REUNION
RESCUING THE TEXAN’S HEART
A FATHER’S SECOND CHANCE
Available now from Love Inspired!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from TEXAS CHRISTMAS TWINS by Deb Kastner.
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Dear Reader,
I have wanted to write a Christmas story set in Ouray for a very long time. Probably because it combines two of my favorite things—Christmas and Ouray.
There’s something extra special about the Christmas season that makes us want to believe that anything is possible. Then again, it is Jesus’s birthday. And with Him, all things really are possible.
Nothing is too big for God. Not our mistakes or our sins. Because of Jesus, we have been redeemed. That means God can forgive us, change us and even use what we would consider our biggest regrets for His glory, if we simply trust in Him.
When I first began this story, I knew Matt was a true hero. That despite an error in judgment and a rocky relationship with his father, he was a man of integrity who didn’t hesitate to help someone in need, whether they were a strange woman being taken advantage of by an inebriated guy or an independent elderly teacher suddenly unable to take care of herself.
And then we have Lacie, a woman who gave up everything for her niece—her job, her home and her dreams of finding love. But God had other plans.
These two giving people were perfect for each other. And I hope you enjoyed watching them fall in love as much as I did.
I’m looking forward to introducing you to the remaining Stephens brothers and spending some more time at Abundant Blessings Ranch. Until then, though, I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me via my website, mindyobenhaus.com, or you can snail mail me c/o Love Inspired Books, 195 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007.
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