by Terri Reed
Mom had curled Grandma’s hair and now fastened a headdress with seed pearls to her silver hair. The blush pink silk dress, reminiscent of old Hollywood, highlighted the soft blush high on Grandma’s cheeks.
A knock sounded at the door. Sophie set aside her camera and moved to open it.
“Stop!” Mom called as she hurried to block Sophie.
“If it’s the groom, he can’t see the bride before the ceremony,” Mom stated. “I’ll answer it.”
Sophie held up her hands in surrender. Mom liked to be in control, though she’d hired one of LA’s best wedding planners to fly up to Washington and coordinate the event.
Mom opened the door. Sophie heard David’s deep voice on the other side. Her heart skipped several beats. Ever since she returned from her trip in the Alps two weeks ago, she, David, and Troy had spent every moment possible together. Troy was doing well in school and David finally finished his app and was ready to roll it out next month.
Sophie’s photo shoot had been a success, and the client had already put her on hold for July, when the company would reveal a new line of active wear. She was hoping the shoot would be somewhere that David and Troy would like to visit.
Mom shut the door and leaned against it. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. “That was David. He wants to talk to you.”
Sophie took a step.
“Wait.” Mom gathered Sophie’s hands into hers. “I like your young man. Very thoughtful. He and Troy came to LA while you were gone.”
Sophie blinked in surprise. “They did?”
“Yes. They came to officially ask your father for your hand in marriage.”
“He did?” A joyful thrill raced through her. That was so sweet and old-fashioned. And something her dad would have liked. Sophie swung her gaze to Grandma. “Did you know about this?”
Grandma swiveled on the vanity stool and smiled, looking pleased. “I did.”
Mom squeezed Sophie’s hands. “We’re very proud of you, Soph.”
Sophie’s heart clenched. “You are?”
“Of course. You are such a beautiful, talented woman and I’m so happy you’ve finally found someone to share your life with.” Mom’s eyes misted with tears.
“Thank you, Mom.” Sophie hugged her.
Disengaging and smoothing out her dress, Mom waved her hand toward the door. “David’s waiting.”
Sophie stepped out to find both David and Troy waiting for her. The pair looked stunningly handsome in matching tuxedos. Troy held a small pillow with two beautiful rings tied to the center. At Troy’s feet lay Riggs, sporting a black bow tie. His coat had been brushed to a gleaming sheen. He rose to his feet as she approached. Her three men. Her heart expanded in her chest, nearly bursting with love.
David opened his arms and Sophie glided into his embrace.
“Is everything okay?” Sophie asked.
“Yes.” David pulled back to look into her eyes. “I have something to ask you.”
Troy tugged at David’s jacket.
David smiled. “We have something to ask you.”
“Uncle David, you know Grandma said you have to go on one knee.”
Sophie’s pulse kicked into high gear. One knee?
“Right.” David released Sophie to go on bent knee. From the inside pocket of his jacket he produced a small black jewelry box.
Sophie’s breath caught and held.
David opened the box to reveal a dazzling engagement ring. A wreath of hearts of fire diamonds surrounded a flawless center diamond, creating a truly elegant snowflake. “Sophie Griffith, I love you. Will you marry me?”
Tears of joy filled her eyes. “Yes, a thousand times yes.”
David slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. “Oh, David, I love you, too.” She tugged him to his feet and pressed her lips to his.
Troy giggled and Riggs let out a happy-sounding bark, lifting Sophie’s heart.
The deep sound of a throat clearing broke them apart. Her father stood behind David, tall and broad-shouldered. A silver fox looking sharp in his black tux. His blue eyes, eyes so like Grandma’s, twinkled in the wall sconce lights.
“Dad.” Sophie held up her hand. “Look.”
Her dad grinned. “It’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you both.”
Sophie hugged her father. “Thank you,” she whispered into his ear.
He embraced her back with gentleness, then set her free and wiped at his eyes.
“Grandma Louise,” Troy said. “You look beautiful.”
They all turned to see her grandma gliding forward, a vision in her wedding gown. Mom handed Sophie her bridesmaid bouquet.
“Places everyone,” the diminutive wedding coordinator from LA commanded with a clap of her hands. She had a headset on and spoke into it. “Start the processional music.”
David held out his arm to Mom and led her inside the sanctuary.
“Okay, ring bearer and, uh, companion, you’re up,” the wedding planner said, urging Troy and Riggs to walk down the aisle.
Panic flashed across Troy’s face. Sophie put her hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be right behind you two.”
He nodded and moved forward. Riggs walked beside him, his large paws padding softly on the red carpet runner. Sophie followed close behind the pair as her father offered Grandma his arm.
The sanctuary was filled with family and friends. At the altar, Simon Bichon stood with a tender smile on his handsome face. Beside him stood his son, who’d flown in from back east, and David.
Sophie took her place and met David’s loving gaze. One day soon it would be Sophie’s turn to commit her life and love to the man of her dreams. She couldn’t be more blessed.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to several people who made this book possible. Thank you to Jessica Alvarez for the years of encouragement and support, as first my editor and now as my agent. I appreciate your believing in me. Thank you to Beth Adams and everyone at Howard Books for taking a chance on a new-to-you author. It’s been a pleasure working on this book with you. Thank you to my family for always being supportive during the deadline days. And finally, thank you to author Leah Vale—I couldn’t ask for a better friend and critique partner.
© MARTI CORN
TERRI REED is an award-winning author of bestselling romance and romantic suspense novels. Her books have been finalists in Romance Writers of America’s RITA Contest, the National Readers’ Choice Award contest, and the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Awards. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, and dog.
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Terri Reed
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First Howard Books trade paperback edition O
ctober 2016
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Cover design by Chris Tobias
Cover Image by Shutterstock and Dollar photo club
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Reed, Terri, author.
Title: A family under the Christmas tree / Terri Reed.
Description: First Howard Books trade paperback edition. | New York : Howard Books, 2016.
Subjects: LCSH: Christmas stories. | Domestic fiction. | BISAC: FICTION / Christian / Romance. | FICTION / Romance / Contemporary. | GSAFD: Love stories. | Christian fiction.
Classification: LCC PS3618.E43584 F36 2016 | DDC 813/.6—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016014960
ISBN 978-1-5011-4474-5
ISBN 978-1-5011-4477-6 (ebook)
